New Reviews: Contemporary Culture

This audiobook by a British writer and ecologist is well served by Sebastian Humphreys's stage-worthy performance. The perils of capitalism throughout history and the expanding impact of today's technology are center stage in this erudite overview of how civilization and humanity are damaged by the pursuit of economic growth. Humphreys's dramatic skills never compete with the... Read More

Ruby Tandoh narrates her audiobook with quiet confidence. Her straightforward delivery mirrors her central message that food, though more abundant than ever, can still leave us starved for more than nutrients. She traces how food in the affluent West began as simple nourishment and an expression of family, history, and community through its recipes, stories, and traditions. Now... Read More

Shaun Taylor-Corbett's clear, balanced performance of this history of American lacrosse provides an informative listening experience. The primary focus is men's competitions. The game originated with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy a millennium ago and is still played by its members today. Their team's push for recognition and inclusion is essential in understanding the game and... Read More

A UC Berkeley professor offers a lucid overview of status--its ubiquity in society, how we acquire it, and the ways it influences how people and their achievements are valued. Performing with exceptional vocal personality and a beautiful tonal range, Michael David Axtell gives this audiobook richness and clarity. His narration fits well with the author's colorful writing about... Read More

Eric Yang takes a straightforward and unembellished approach with his narration of this celebration of rock 'n' roll's most influential drummers. Many of the musicians profiled are household names-- Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Dave Grohl, for example--but the best sections feature underappreciated geniuses like The Velvet Underground's Maureen Tucker, who shunned cymbals and... Read More

Narrator Dan Bittner employs his skills to vastly improve Megan Greenwell's exposé on the impact of private equity firms on businesses in the healthcare, retail toys, apartment living, and journalism sectors. She uses four case studies to examine specific individuals' impacts and focuses on them over several timeframes. Bittner offers an optimistic, precise, and nuanced tone to... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Cassandra Campbell explores Mattel's dark side in this unauthorized history that exposes spying, copyright infringement, and the true origins of Barbie. Hitt's investigative reporting asserts that Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, was often ruthless. Handler claimed that the inspiration for Barbie came from her daughter, but Barbie was a near-identical copy... Read More

Anthologies are good for listeners who don't have long periods to devote to an audiobook. But that doesn't mean other audiophiles can't enjoy the pieces as well. This collection of essays on science and nature covers a wide array of topics, such as bird identification software and AI, the language of the land, and the question of whether animals know they will die. The articles... Read More

Narrator Evan Sibley easily convinces listeners he is author Goldberg, watching in wonder as thousands of Broad-winged hawks migrate over New York City. Goldberg is a birder as well as a reporter, and along with his own birding adventures, he accompanies notable figures in the local birding world as they explore their environs across New York's five boroughs, from Prospect Park... Read More

Tim Lounibos narrates this thoughtful exploration of immigration policy. Drawing on the author's decades of experience in immigration law, this audiobook's topics range broadly across the many historical and current causes of both voluntary and forced migration. The work also examines how physical and metaphorical borders create groups of insiders and outsiders who are striving... Read More

A talented team of narrators shines a light on the lives and experiences of transgender and gender-nonconforming people of color in this powerful audiobook. The anthology includes 17 stories of artists, activists, drag queens, scientists, and writers. Each selection is authentic and powerful, and brings a necessary perspective, given the current social and political climate... Read More

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... Read More

Former FBI Agent Robert Hilland and world-famous psychic John Edward narrate the story of their longstanding collaboration in solving cold cases. Their partnership--first distrusting and then blossoming into a true brotherhood--spanned two-and-a-half decades. Most of the story focuses on the famous John Smith murders, but it covers other fascinating cases, as well. Hilland... Read More

Nick Foster has had limited public exposure because of the many nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) associated with his design work for Sony, Google, and other such companies. Foster employs his Derby-variety English accent to excellent advantage in presenting a theoretical history of how humankind has viewed the future. The audiobook is down to earth in both Foster's precisely... Read More

Epidemiologist Rivers offers a compelling reminder of how important it is to study epidemics and other threats to public health. Though government funding is minimal and rises and falls with politics, the work of public health scientists, practitioners, and policymakers has repeatedly saved millions of people from diseases and other threats to health. The author's... Read More

Writer Zadie Smith narrates her essays with a measured cadence, a clear tone, and the accent of an educated Brit. Topics range from painters to tech to writing. Her critical but even gaze includes explorations of the books BLACK MANHATTAN and BLACK BRITAIN. She looks at the relationships between painters: the celebrated Lucian Freud and the much younger and later renowned Celia... Read More

Famed street photographer Brandon Stanton, creator of the photoblog and book "Humans of New York," narrates the beginning of this audiobook. The prologue starts and ends with the story of an infant left on a New York City street who is rescued by an EMT. Stanton also covers his 15 years in the "most diverse place" on earth. Then the voices of the other narrators take over. The... Read More

The author's readings tend to be understated--like his poems. With the exception of Mary Oliver's DOG SONGS, dogs have not been a major topic for American poets. Billy Collins helps to fill that gap with this audiobook, a series of poems about particular dogs. Collins obviously knows and has lived with dogs, and he knows the specific dogs about whom he writes, even if some of... Read More

Acclaimed blogger, journalist, author, and activist Cory Doctorow's new work, a treatise on the hills and valleys of internet platforms, is full of wit and insight. Deeply researched and full of humor, Doctorow's ideas explore what has made the internet both compelling and frustrating. With a comprehensive knowledge of algorithms and technology, he brings together a collection... Read More

Rosa Escoda offers a warm, inviting narration of advice on living a well-read life. Hwang, author of the novel WELCOME TO THE HYUNAM-DONG BOOKSHOP, reflects on her relationship to books and suggests ways to fit more reading into our lives, as well as ways to read more broadly and more deeply. It's all done with a light and personal touch--Hwang talks about why a book club might... Read More

Mark Linn-Baker narrates this well-researched audiobook for anyone who wants a glimpse behind the curtain of the NFL. It primarily focuses on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the power troika that has helped guide and develop the league through good times and bad. Linn-Baker narrates clearly, with... Read More

Researcher and psychiatric clinical nurse Ann Wolbert Burgess has written a fascinating overview of her work as an expert witness. Gabra Zackman's narration is instructive, professional, and easy to follow. She adds no flourishes as Dr. Burgess describes working with victims, perpetrators, and law enforcement. Her writing is straightforward and interesting for a layperson.... Read More

Cookbook author and Vogue contributor Adler narrates with controlled emotion in a lovely voice, with just the right tone and tempo. These meditations on life and food, spanning a calendar year, began as a project to write her way out of depression. Adler's style is intimate yet informed. She includes quotes from poets (Louise Glück, May Swenson, and Mary Oliver among them) and... Read More

The late Reiner recounts the bizarre origin of the mock rock band Spinal Tap and traces its evolution through the past 40 years. With band members Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, Reiner talks tongue-in-cheek about the world's most infamous fake band. They narrate in and out of character about the craziness of the movie project, which was pitched with no... Read More

Science writer Shea explores the complexities and interconnectedness of Arctic ecosystems and cultures with a calm, respectful narration. His keen examination of Arctic climate change includes impacts to narwhals, caribou populations, and wolf packs, as well as the Indigenous residents of Alaska, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories, whose own cultural traditions and lives on... Read More

Author Rix is clearly fascinated with trees. She surveys them, going back millions of years, and describes their current importance as a moderating force on climate change. Rix's English voice is lovely, and her performance is both precise and full of enthusiasm. She travels the world to oak trees in Iraq, cloud forests in the Canary Islands, and eucalypts in Australia. Rix is... Read More

Narrating his own work, journalist Silverman charts the rightward political shift on the internet. Silverman is not a professional narrator, and his delivery is unpolished but clear as he delves into what he describes as a radicalized Elon Musk and his cohort in Silicon Valley. He also discusses the influence of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and the Gulf Arab states'... Read More

Luke Kemp narrates his expansive audiobook about how some great societies have formed and evolved--only to eventually fall. His work is deeply researched with a critical eye toward what the public has been led to believe about human nature in a crisis. People may think they need to prepare for doomsday, but history has shown that when a society breaks down, people are far more... Read More

In her latest audiobook, Wilson explores everyday kitchen objects and how they become an extension of ourselves. Wilson's marriage unexpectedly ends around the same time that her mother is diagnosed with dementia. Wilson finds that she can't bear to be around her husband's left-behind belongings because they are so thoroughly a part of his identity. She then introduces... Read More

Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben explains the advantages of solar power and wind generators while refuting the fossil fuel industry's arguments against them. Narrator Patrick Lawlor performs this encouraging exposé with vocal skill and intelligence that makes every facet of this exceptional writing shine. His maturity as a narrator allows him to apply his impressive... Read More

Writer, actor, and comedian Mike Albo provides a unique listening experience that is both hilarious and moving. Here he reflects on his life in New York City at the turn of the millennium, when print magazines still ruled and dating hadn't yet become driven by phone apps. Albo is unflinching about his sexuality, his desire to seek meaning in life, and the need for human... Read More

Though author Mari Andrew doesn't have professional-level narration skills, she's an appealing messenger for this lesson on what we can learn from the way animals live. Her gentle enunciation and slow pacing reflect her earnest intentions, and her sincerity and deep respect for humanity will draw listeners in and make them curious about the possibilities she offers. She says... Read More

Although the process of achieving sainthood is steeped in tradition and legend, author/narrator Kate Sidley tackles explaining it. She injects a heavy dollop of humor in the form of quips as she separates fact from fiction. Basically, a person must die. There is a mandatory waiting period of five years before a person can even be nominated for sainthood. The deceased must then... Read More

Culture critic Maris Kreizman's narration conveys an unmistakable power that resonates from her experience and reflection on the myths of American life. Kreizman grew up buying into the meritocracy and the value of "paying your dues." Then, while battling chronic illness, she experienced a crash course on the broken American institution of healthcare, in which medicine and... Read More

Rafe Beckley's calm, determined narration serves as a counterpoint to the alarming and urgent message conveyed in this audiobook, namely that an existential disaster may await those who toy with superhuman intelligence. The challenge facing humanity is that an AI machine's goals may deviate from our values, potentially leading to self-evolving systems that revise resource... Read More

David Sadzin accomplishes something notable with his narration: He conveys the intricate details with clarity and precision. Acclaimed novelist Wideman's essays, book reviews, and cultural critiques are collected here. Passages about his experiences as a Black child learning the unwritten rules of white culture share space with reviews and critiques of writing and cultural and... Read More

Marking the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's birth, author and narrator Chris Matthews makes the case for ways that RFK's ideals are relevant to today's sociopolitical climate. Matthews touches on broad topics like peace, law enforcement, and courage, and Matthews's readings of Kennedy's actual speeches are included. Well known for his expertise on the Kennedy family,... Read More

Rebecca Lowman's measured rhythm and inviting tone perfectly transform these 17 long-form essays into an engrossing listening experience. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert focuses on the environmental devastation wrought upon Earth by human activity, particularly our use of fossil fuels. Kolbert imparts a sense of amazement at the aspects of our "little-known... Read More

John Sackville's gently authoritative narration draws listeners in as Adam Weymouth retraces the 2011 cross-country journey of Slavc, a young male wolf who moves from Slovenia through Austria and into Italy. Species coexistence is explored through the lenses of deeply entrenched cultural attitudes, the viability of rural communities, government-led conservation efforts, and... Read More

Author Vieta chronicles her efforts to return stolen antiquities to Italy. Lisa Flanagan helps create an atmosphere worthy of a mystery novel with a narration that carries the story along nicely for listeners, adding to the drama by varying her tone and conveying surprise, outrage, or suspense. The author is a journalist, and her writing style adapts well to audio. She uses... Read More

This audiobook pulls back the layers of baseball's problems and recommends solutions. It's narrated by author Leavy, a passionate fan and longtime baseball writer who is known for biographies of some of the game's greats. Listeners will hear about a sport that has become overly statistical and overanalyzing. Leavy's voice--literally and writing-wise--is perfect; she brings an... Read More

Al Kessel delivers an efficient narration of Todd James Pierce's deep dive into the music of 1964's highest grossing movie, "Mary Poppins," featuring Julie Andrews as the musical English nanny and Dick Van Dyke as the charming chimney sweep. Pierce profiles the two obscure songwriters, brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote nearly all the music and lyrics at Walt's... Read More

In this sweeping overview of recent research, an environmental neuroscientist explains how humans are wired to benefit from exposure to nature--or even to artificial elements that resemble it. Beyond boosting mood and happiness, spending peaceful moments outdoors, studies show, enhances physical health, emotional resilience, mental performance, and the quality of our attention.... Read More

Scott Dikkers, former editor and owner of "The Onion," narrates his history of the beloved humor magazine. Fans will enjoy the classic headlines and backstory. With its anecdotes of childhood secrets (the time he crawled to school); family mental illness; employment experiences, including the jobs he didn't get; complex medical conditions; and the years spent away from the... Read More

Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should... Read More

The subtitle of this short, inspiring listen could be: "Pep talks from your favorite writers." Maggie Smith and Saeed Jones have put together a vibrant collection of short essays and poems about how to keep going in times that feel impossible. Many of the writers read their own contributions. Highlights include beautiful poems read with raw emotion by Tiana Clark, Victoria... Read More

Jason Culp offers an excellent, well-toned, and enthusiastic narration, complete with spot-on imitations of Austrian-born director Billy Wilder, in this well-researched examination of the iconic 1950s Paramount film SUNSET BOULEVARD. The movie features Gloria Swanson as the faded silent screen star Norma Desmond. Culp's breaths at the ends of sentences distract slightly, but... Read More

One can forgive the coauthors for straying from clinical detachment and instead writing with sharp edges, flashes of bitterness, and even a touch of snark. Both have endured frightening personal attacks simply for championing science. Tim Campbell's sonorous authoritative voice has a journalistic feel, but what makes his performance exceptional is how he channels the... Read More

As eminent physicists born in the 1940s, authors Lightman and Rees must be troubled by the erosion of public confidence in science. This audiobook examines the nature of scientific thinking. Christopher Grove's narration is well suited to the authors' message that scientists are real human beings with diverse backgrounds, personalities, motivations, and goals. The production... Read More

Narrating his own work, Frankel is a bit flat, at first. But as the dual accounts of two gruesome murders unfold--one well known and one not--his thesis takes over and makes this audiobook highly engaging. Leila Welsh was murdered in Missouri in 1941; Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia, was murdered in LA in 1947. Frankel depicts intriguing connections between the two... Read More

In fewer than 20 hours, this insightful, deeply immersive audiobook offers a full education on the 20th-century novel. The author is an esteemed "New York Review of Books" editor; here he distills a lifetime of reading and reflection. His narrative is probing and eclectic, covering a wide range of links and parallels while focusing on 30 or so significant novels. Narrator BJ... Read More

Janina Edwards narrates this exploration of the musical phenomenon that is Taylor Swift--her lyrics and what it is about her music that makes her both relatable and aspirational. When author Stephanie Burt created a university course on Taylor Swift and her lyrics, the poetry scholar didn't expect hundreds of people to show up on the first day. Expanding upon Burt's lectures,... Read More

Kevin R. Free portrays the dean of Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism in a fine style as he delivers selections from Cobb's reporting, commentaries, and observations. Free's pace and tone give the man his due. As Cobb astutely navigates the period from 2012 to 2024, he explores the wider meaning of the killings of unarmed Black men and bears witness. Looking farther... Read More

Kevin R. Free's upbeat approach to this fun deep dive into the making of a dictionary adds to its charms. Well suited to word geeks, the audiobook explores the evolution of the modern dictionary while chronicling the author's stint as a lexicographer in training at Merriam-Webster. There, he encounters past and present word-mad professionals; learns the stringent, sometimes... Read More

Amy Bowers Cordalis, general counsel and member of the Yurok Nation, tells the complex story of her family's multigenerational part in the restoration of the Klamath River. From time immemorial, Bowers Cordalis' people have fished the Klamath, which covers 257 miles from southern Oregon to northern California. But when the U.S. government dammed the river, the water became... Read More

Julian Brave NoiseCat delivers a tribute, a social history, and an insightful series of reports from Indian Country. His knowledge of Northwest Salish languages and folkways informs this finely written and thoughtfully delivered audiobook. NoiseCat's witty and erudite pieces on the mythology of Coyote, his unflinching accounts of the horrors of Canadian boarding schools, and... Read More

This history of special prosecutors--think Ken Starr, Robert Mueller, Jack Smith--is full of insider information and legal strategies that will fascinate ordinary news watchers, as well as ardent followers of Washington politics. The author, a CNN legal commentator and former U.S. attorney, uses interviews and his own impressive analytical skills to detail the histories of... Read More

Ranjit Madgavkar narrates these essays on how forces beyond their control--for example, war, imperialism, language, climate change--influence people's lives. His strong but clear Indian accent never lets listeners forget that author Ghosh is a native of West Bengal, a fact that explains Ghosh's strong interest in colonialism, anti-colonialism, and the history of South Asia. The... Read More

Author and environmental journalist Alix Morris writes of her experiences with studying seals, a species once on the verge of extinction that has been saved by conservation efforts. Narrator Anna Crowe delights listeners with her passionate presentation. She captures the wonder Morris has for these animals, ensuring that listeners are engaged and moved throughout the audiobook.... Read More