A glib, sarcastic interpretation of Roman history draws satiric parallels between the literally cutthroat political culture of the ancient world and the figuratively cutthroat corporate culture of today. It begins with the legendary founder, Aeneas, and ends with the breakup of the Empire. This comparison of apples and oranges seems intended to amuse, rather than inform--an excuse for the author's wisecracks, a means of showing off his cleverness. Kerin McCue's smart-alecky tone and youthful voice amplify this impression. The one note in which the book is written and read palls before the brief text ends, despite Bing's laugh lines and McCue's high energy and expressiveness. Further, the narrator frequently mispronounces Latin names and three-dollar words.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2006
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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