Edoardo Ballerini's perfect pacing and smooth delivery are worthy of the podium in this narrative about a little-remembered episode from the 1924 Paris Olympics. Author Todd Balf weaves together the stories of three very different men who faced each other in swimming's marquee event, the 100-meter freestyle: a Native Hawaiian who was already a legend in the water; a brash challenger from Chicago who would become a Hollywood star; and a mysterious teenager from Japan, a country that had never produced a swimming champion. The story is deeply researched, but there is perhaps too much extraneous background, and the production relies on Ballerini to keep the listener engaged with his unwavering tempo and tone.
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798874710330
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Klosterman's keenness for the controversial pastime is on full display in this insightful audiobook.
Culture critic Klosterman narrates his latest audiobook, deconstructing the history and appeal of football. Klosterman's no voice pro, and this production is unpolished. But what he lacks in professional veneer he makes up for with intimate enthusiasm for his subject. Klosterman reflects deeply on his lifelong fandom, especially on how the sport has survived for so long in the public consciousness, yet faces a crossroads as public media consumption shifts drastically and awareness of traumatic brain injuries expand. The result is a rough, bare-bones listening experience, but Klosterman remains a good storyteller in any format.
Klosterman's keenness for the controversial pastime is on full display in this insightful audiobook.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217282166
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
Two men from the basketball pantheon team up to deliver these biographical portraits that are less a ranking and more a snapshot of their game. Smith, a longtime sportswriter, and Jackson, the venerable coach and "Zen master," work in tandem narrating their writing. Nayib Felix sets the tone with the introductory part of each player's bio, then Smith and Jackson each weigh in with their perspectives and anecdotes. Felix is a pro. And while Smith and Jackson are definitely not polished narrators, they lend an authenticity to the audiobook. The narration covers older players from decades ago as well as modern ones. Fans will enjoy the audiobook's banter and conversation.
Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217169351
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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