Peter Lunenfeld offers a well-researched, engaging, and creative portrait and history of Los Angeles, though in aspects it is rather surface in style. Kaleo Griffith's narration is evocative, young sounding, and entirely appropriate to the task at hand. The performance is particularly measured in dealing with matters of racial prejudice that Tinseltown has in its heritage. With appropriate pacing and modulation, Griffith assists Lunenfeld with building a psychological portrait of the Golden State. Lunenfeld, vice chair of the Design Media Arts division of UCLA, does not wander far from that artistic perspective in the sum of his text. The abbreviated histories of personages and places as varied as Bruce Lee and the Sunset Strip will entertain and amuse, but for those familiar with the subjects the book brings little new.
Pub Date: Aug. 11, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593212707
Publisher: Penguin Audio
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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