Coll starts with the Exxon Valdez accident, delves briefly into ExxonMobil’s past, then examines the company intensively from, roughly, the 1980s on. Malcolm Hillgartner narrates with intelligence at an excellent pace and generally with precision, taking care with phrasing, so that the meaning is made clear and is reinforced. These are much appreciated qualities for a book that’s sometimes dry and complex. Hillgartner does occasionally misplace the emphasis in phrases, though the meaning usually remains clear. Also, he characteristically mispronounces “ul” sound—giving readings like “mooltiple.” To indicate accents (Russian, British) or famous speakers (Bill Clinton), he modifies his accent, usually successfully, except that his British accent is weak. But these small matters aside, Hillgartner, without obvious effort, delivers this book to the listener in a way that reading print cannot.
Pub Date: May 1, 2012
Duration: 24 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Penguin Audio
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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