Tim Harford starts his list at the modern economy's absolute beginning--the plow. Narrator Roger Davis takes listeners through it with wit and enthusiasm, building interest in Harford's choices--such as the passport, the shipping container, and the disposable blade--and the logic behind them. He can amuse listeners with his reading of a convoluted train timetable, his voice helping to make the case for standardized time. Davis switches mood with ease. As he discusses concrete, his voice shifts from disdain for soulless buildings to delight in the Sydney Opera House, created from the same material. Davis infuses his reading with Harford's mix of marvel and cynicism toward human nature and ingenuity.
Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2017
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781524776909
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
First, Simon Winchester, OBE, introduces listeners to the ubiquity of wind and its effects on the world. His careful pronunciation and British accent create an enjoyable backdrop for the conversational style in which stories are integrated with information that demonstrates where and how wind has had a direct influence on all the subjects in the Dewey Decimal System, including culture, arts, science, geography, language, and history. The journalist provides information that is both relatable and educational; topics range from Oz's Dorothy Gale being caught in "America's storm" to examples of how wind has been used for warfare. Winchester's passion for moving air is evident as he reminds listeners that the "wind blows equally for all."
Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Duration: 13 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063374485
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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