Before audiobooks, comedy albums were the most popular spoken-word recordings. As author Shawn Levy explains, these LPs were a rare income parity source for women stand-ups. Otherwise, comic pioneers like Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, Moms Mabley, and Minnie Pearl experienced pay discrimination, misogyny, and racism. Narrator Julienne Irons conveys the injustices with a controlled, polished performance. But the audiobook misfires because, as qualified as Irons is to tell the stories of Jean Carroll, Phyllis Diller, Elaine May, and others, she can't be expected to impersonate them. Alas, her forays into replicating their famous routines fall flat. Including audio samples would have converted this from a well-read set of case studies into an audiobook that genuinely exploits the medium and respects the tradition of female comedy recordings.
Pub Date: April 5, 2022
Duration: 15 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593507698
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This poignant audio memoir recounts the tragedy of the past three generations of the New Jersey Seabrooks, WASP agriculture kings brought low by family feuds, self-dealing, and racism. Golden Voice Dion Graham gives a bravura performance of the fraught relationships between three generations of fathers and sons: CF, who was dubbed the "Henry Ford of Agriculture"; his son, high-living Jack; and Jack's son, John, the author. Graham's delivery shapes this American tragedy as he narrates in a thoughtful style with an intimate tone and phrasing that reflects the author's eloquent prose. Overall, his delivery elevates the story of rags to staggering riches. Author John Seabrook's own struggles with alcohol and his candor in recounting his family's secrets provide a powerful backstory.
Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696695169
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrated by the versatile Will Damron, this informative audiobook explores Sam Altman's key role in developing artificial intelligence and co-founding OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT. Like many tech visionaries, Altman was a precocious student who left college (Stanford) to create his first start-up, a location-based mobile app called Loopt. Narrator Damron keeps the energy going through the early years, ensuring that listeners are fully engaged as they learn how Altman's fascination with neural networks paved the way for his work on AI. Damron also helps the listener navigate the politics that came after the successful introduction of ChatGPT. This audiobook is both a biography of a visionary and an overview of what may be the most critical chapter in technology's evolution.
Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798368953786
Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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