Tom Standage first published his history of the telegraph about a year after the once-ubiquitous machine went out of service in 2006. Derek Perkins narrates this revised version with enthusiasm for the technology that shaped the 1800s as the parallels between the telegraph and the Internet are drawn. Standage packs in lots of factual information, blending it with anecdotes. Perhaps the best is the story of a telegraph wedding conducted in two cities to evade a father's objections. Perkins delivers these stories in a voice that has sufficient gravity but that also leaves room for drama and amusement. Even listeners who think they're not interested in the topic could find this audiobook surprisingly fascinating.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
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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