The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date:
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Media powerhouse Barry Diller, at 83, offers an articulate, humble, and utterly honest account of his varied life. Dillard's narration is workmanlike, moving the narrative forward in a somewhat monotonous manner. That unvaried tone sharply contrasts with the fascinating story of a young, not very aggressive personality who nonetheless became highly influential in the entertainment industry. It's all presented without much fanfare: the Paramount years, QVC, and HSN leadership roles, among others. Diller attributes his own cowardice and the societal norms of the 1950s and 1960s for staying silent on his homosexuality. He discusses the matter briefly, along with his successful marriage to fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. His greatest assets were flexibility and good luck. This is a fascinating life story that requires patient listening.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668134993
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Think the federal civil service is filled with pencil-pushing drones? This collection of essays--curated by Michael Lewis and narrated by their authors--will quickly disabuse you of that notion. Casey Cep uses a journalistic tone that, nonetheless, conveys her genuine admiration for a remarkable Veterans Affairs employee who has devoted his life to honoring fallen soldiers. For a change of pace, W. Kamau Bell effectively uses the interview format with a young Black woman who is starting her career as a government lawyer. Inevitably, other authors are less successful at making the transition from print journalist to narrator. But the real star here is Lewis himself, who bookends the collection with two engaging essays delivered with the polish of a veteran podcaster.
Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217082902
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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