Narrator Adam Barr's delivery is well matched to this optimistic look at what we need to do to save our planet. Barr is engaging and lacking in undue outrage or unrealistic cheerfulness. The proposal Hiss outlines may seem crazy: Start by protecting half the Earth within 50 years. The idea, however, may not be an impossible one. Progress already is being made through efforts of all sizes, and Hiss describes some of them, focusing mostly on North America. The Appalachian Trail is expanding, major conservation efforts are underway in Canada, and private organizations and individuals are launching their own efforts. Barr is a straightforward narrator for Hiss's straightforward, enlightening book. Listeners are well served by both men.
Pub Date: March 30, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593349120
Publisher: Random House 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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