Here is one of those audiobooks in which all the ingredients come together to create a first-rate listen. To begin with, it’s a gripping story. Johnson’s narrative of the 1854 cholera epidemic in London is humanized by his portrayal of the people who suffered through it, including the intrepid doctor, John Snow, who ultimately traced the outbreak to contaminated water. Johnson is also a big thinker, and his argument about how disease has affected the future of urban living adds a second layer of intrigue. Finally, the threads of this Victorian detective story are pulled together by the expert narration of Alan Sklar, whose voice draws you into the tale and holds you to the end.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.
Hearing all of European history compressed into 14 hours could be comparable to seeing Earth from outer space. Everything is familiar, yet wondrous and new. Even those familiar with the history will find this audiobook to be a unique listening experience. Actor and narrator Alisdair Simpson is a familiar voice from dozens of British documentaries, and his performance here is highly polished, exacting, and attuned to every word. History compressed becomes history clarified. Drama is lost—the Huns, Charlemagne, the fall of Constantinople, all here and gone in a minute. At the same time, patterns emerge. Simpson’s flawless voice carries listeners effortlessly into a wider and more timeless perspective.
A fresh look at Europe’s long, contentious history.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668656204
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.
Jackson’s nuanced analysis of capitalism’s relentless power is well served by narrator Eddie Lopez’s pleasing and intelligent vocal interpretations. Listening is immensely rewarding, thanks to Lopez’s flawless enunciation and nuanced phrasing combined with what sounds like a deep understanding of the material. In this richly detailed history, an economic historian explains how capitalism’s ascendence from the 1500s to the early 20th century was sparked by technological innovations, politics, and the invention of money. It was also fueled throughout its development by humanity’s unstoppable drive to acquire, accumulate, and compete. The author’s fascinating research explains how untethered capitalism has fomented class conflicts, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses.
An essential overview of the strengths and hazards of capitalism and how it might be harnessed for good.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696622974
Publisher: Kalorama
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
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