The old gag line "It ain't brain surgery" comes up a few times as brain surgeon Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz shares what brain surgery is in this audiobook. Sean Pratt is soothing and gentle as he narrates Schwartz's descriptions of procedures. Schwartz compares his work to that of a mechanic, which could be amusing. Pratt's voice conveys Schwartz's awe at the sight of the human brain during surgery and becomes soft as Schwartz recalls a mistake--and his work to make it right. Schwartz considers all angles, even reminding listeners that the fictional Buckaroo Banzai was a brain surgeon. Pratt narrates peeks at the future, at brain implants and other new developments, with fascination--even though the thought of a brain chip may make some listeners uncomfortable.
Pub Date: 2024
Duration: 16 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593869895
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
Narrator Emily Woo Zeller is an affable guide through this brisk introduction to paleoanthropology. Paleoanthropologist Sang-Hee Lee assumes that listeners aren't familiar with her field, and it's apparent in most of the lucid, bite-sized chapters on a variety of topics. Coupled with Zeller's polished delivery, the result is less a classroom experience and more akin to an audio museum tour. Zeller's smooth voice makes for easy listening--occasionally too easy, to the point of being lulling. And though the authors aim for a beginner-friendly approach, some chapters are still too dense. Listeners who don't already know the finer points of Homo erectus versus Homo habilis may be scratching their heads. But these are minor faults of an otherwise worthwhile popular science audiobook.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781684410330
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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