Jonathan Swift's story of Gulliver, who visits lands of people much smaller and larger than he, pops up in Smil's arguments as the author explains possible scientific realities of size. Stephen Perring narrates in an academic tone laced with humor much like listeners would expect from THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY as Smil takes on topics like the Golden Ratio, a mathematical equation that judges beauty. Listeners might have trouble following the math, but it's fun to hear the various arguments about the ratio that take place online. Perring's relative calmness doesn't take away from feelings of frustration that come with the discussion of airline seat sizes. If listeners just want to get to the point, Smil summarizes his thesis at the end--in three sizes, of course.
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063324121
Publisher: Harper 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
The more we know about the universe, the less certain it all seems.
In just under seven hours, this engaging and instructive audiobook answers, as best as anyone can, all the questions listeners might have about particles and dark matter and the fate of the universe. Beginning with the Babylonians, Genevieve Swallow offers a well-paced narration of this history of scientific advances through the centuries. Much of this is familiar, but the narrative excels in scope and clarity, and Swallow’s performance brings ease and precision. From subatomic paradoxes to the first probes into space, Swallow is a steadying presence for a heady tour of the awesome and the strange, the inconceivable and the barely imaginable.
The more we know about the universe, the less certain it all seems.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063476486
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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