Listeners may not take in much on a first listening and may want to keep the pdf or an illustrated copy of this book nearby. But the ear alone is enough to somewhat profit from this sweeping history of evolution, which spans millions of years and the extinction of countless animals and plants. The detail is fascinating, and Patrick Lawlor is a forceful narrator who never lets the pace slacken. For those interested in fossil hunting, this is a first-rate story with plenty to offer. For the late listener and the insomniac, the very scope of the narrative stretches and soothes the imagination, carries one's thoughts away from the here and now and the everyday, and opens a vision of time and space that will unburden one's mind in minutes.
Pub Date: June 7, 2022
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062951533
Publisher: Harper 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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