Journalist Steven Baker offers this fascinating look at social trends such as emailing, cell phone usage, and even shopping habits to examine how scientists he calls “the Numerati” are breaking us down into numbers to profile us. The idea may seem intriguing, but, in truth, Baker tells us, it's incredibly scary, as the formulas calculated for each individual may be used to control his or her life. Narrator Paul Michael Garcia taps into the harsh realities of Baker’s vision in his reading, speaking in a firm and candid voice that relates the material in a straightforward yet ominous tone. The way Garcia uses his voice to connect with his listeners makes the material all the more believable—and frightening.
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
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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