Author/narrator Steven Johnson strikes an engaging conversational tone as he talks about the increases in life expectancy humans have achieved over centuries. Listeners might not get as excited as Johnson does about the advent of an improved form of pharmaceutical testing, but he covers a lot of interesting ground. Johnson traces the study of life expectancy back to its origins in 1662. He also tells us about a lot of things that have affected life expectancy. His research and narration cover everything from infant and child mortality to the Spanish flu, automobile fatalities, and even poor medical care. This audiobook tie-in to Johnson's PBS series includes the coronavirus, an uncomfortable reminder of listeners' own mortality. Anyone up for it will find this audiobook well researched and fascinating.
Pub Date: May 11, 2021
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593394663
Publisher: Penguin 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
An empathetic and informed listening experience about the people who find solace and acceptance in AI relationships.
Todd delivers a cutting-edge audiobook on the current status of AI and the people who develop intimate relationships with it. Major platforms providing AI engagement, including OpenAI and Anthropic, promote applications that provide always-on, humanlike support and friendship—with major caveats. User privacy cannot be guaranteed, and in some cases, AI platforms may engage in shockingly unsafe interactions. With a seasoned, engaging voice, Todd relates compelling examples of human-AI relationships. Recorded clips of interviews with experts, providing insights on the impact of these relationships with big-picture analysis, are included.
An empathetic and informed listening experience about the people who find solace and acceptance in AI relationships.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668179826
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 17, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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