WALL STREET JOURNAL reporter Russell Gold looks at fracking and how it has enabled more energy independence for the United States. Narrator Patrick Lawlor has quite the task in delivering the scientific, social, and political implications of fracking. Happily, his voice is easy to listen to, and he negotiates the jargon with ease. To put together this history of fracking, Gold interviewed thousands of people involved in each part of the story--from politicians and environmentalists to engineers and businessmen. When direct quotes are used, Lawlor sets them off from the general narration by slightly varying his tone and pitch. With his help, the book's message comes through as a story rather than a lecture or report.
Pub Date: April 8, 2014
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781480596979
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Plotkin is an ethnobotanist who recounts his experiences searching for new medications in the Amazon rain forest. He makes an impassioned plea for the world to stop destroying this irreplaceable resource. Since the author reads his own work, we can rely on the pronunciation of some unusual botanical terms; however, his voice (presumably not trained for performance) lacks the enthusiasm and fascination the words suggest. Furthermore, with no chapter references and few pauses between sections, transitions, such as the change of location from Ecuador to Massachusetts, are awkward.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
First, Simon Winchester, OBE, introduces listeners to the ubiquity of wind and its effects on the world. His careful pronunciation and British accent create an enjoyable backdrop for the conversational style in which stories are integrated with information that demonstrates where and how wind has had a direct influence on all the subjects in the Dewey Decimal System, including culture, arts, science, geography, language, and history. The journalist provides information that is both relatable and educational; topics range from Oz's Dorothy Gale being caught in "America's storm" to examples of how wind has been used for warfare. Winchester's passion for moving air is evident as he reminds listeners that the "wind blows equally for all."
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063374485
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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