Janina Edwards's warm voice and calm delivery welcome listeners into this history of the rivalry and struggle that brought about legal birth control in America. Beginning in the 1910s, Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett waged individual battles for women's reproductive autonomy. Over the years, Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, and Dennett, author of the educational pamphlet THE SEX SIDE OF LIFE, addressed race, class, and gender in confrontational, different, and effective ways. Journalist Stephanie Gorton's dual biography of the women is deeply researched and provocative. It is also often long-winded. Edwards pauses frequently during the unspooling sentences, which can be confusing. Once one adapts to her approach, this is a listenable examination of the lives of two infamous, important women.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2024
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Buckley offers a reasonable proposal for a national service program without jail or criminal penalties. Narrator Lawrence reads with a slow and careful announcer's voice; one wishes Buckley were reading this one himself. Books on Tape does its usual quality job with formatting, packaging and tape-turning instructions. The reader repeats the last sentence at such times, so you're sure you haven't missed anything. Popular nonfiction collections will appreciate Gratitude, and the topic is likely to prove timely in the years ahead.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Kozol’s shocking exposé of inequities in the funding of our public schools contrasts white suburban schools with those serving black and Hispanic populations. Interviews with students, teachers, and school administrators add eloquent testimony to Kozol’s disturbing presentation of facts. Narration by Jack Winston is clear and brisk, but the pace is unrelenting, with little pause for transition between scenes or chapters. Winston’s cool, detached voice contrasts with Kozol’s impasssioned and outraged message. The sheer repetition and magnitude of Kozol’s damning evidence is numbing; the narration gives no relief. Powerful medicine, most easily taken in small doses. Music signalling tape changes is jarringly inappropriate.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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