William Langewiesche describes the almost anarchic world of the open ocean--poorly maintained tankers foundering with millions of barrels of oil, pirates attacking cargo ships with impunity, and the potential for terrorist attack from a merchant vessel. Langewiesche is an extraordinary reporter, and his stories of individual ships and their crews are compelling, particularly his recounting of the final hours of the ESTONIA, a passenger ship that sank with more than 800 people in the Baltic Sea in 1994. As a narrator, Langewiesche's tone is a bit detached -- he sounds like one might imagine a hard-nosed investigative journalist would--but there's authority and conviction in his delivery.
Pub Date: May 12, 2004
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Buckley offers a reasonable proposal for a national service program without jail or criminal penalties. Narrator Lawrence reads with a slow and careful announcer's voice; one wishes Buckley were reading this one himself. Books on Tape does its usual quality job with formatting, packaging and tape-turning instructions. The reader repeats the last sentence at such times, so you're sure you haven't missed anything. Popular nonfiction collections will appreciate Gratitude, and the topic is likely to prove timely in the years ahead.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Kozol’s shocking exposé of inequities in the funding of our public schools contrasts white suburban schools with those serving black and Hispanic populations. Interviews with students, teachers, and school administrators add eloquent testimony to Kozol’s disturbing presentation of facts. Narration by Jack Winston is clear and brisk, but the pace is unrelenting, with little pause for transition between scenes or chapters. Winston’s cool, detached voice contrasts with Kozol’s impasssioned and outraged message. The sheer repetition and magnitude of Kozol’s damning evidence is numbing; the narration gives no relief. Powerful medicine, most easily taken in small doses. Music signalling tape changes is jarringly inappropriate.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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