Like the Energizer Bunny, narrator Mike Chamberlain powers through this informative account of science and intrigue with an upbeat delivery. He details the history of energy storage as a prelude to the current quest for reliable long-lasting batteries, which pits China against the U.S. Listeners learn that a major breakthrough in lithium ion batteries will affect more than Teslas and iPhones--and hear about its potential impact on the oil industry, the economy as a whole, and climate change. Though packed with technical details and scientific minutiae, Chamberlain's delivery, combined with the engaging story and profiles of the battery geniuses, results in a well-paced audiobook.
Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2015
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780698189126
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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