Electric Review

Culture & Criticism Since 2003

March 2018 Audio Spotlight

YOU CAN’T SPELL AMERICA WITHOUT ME: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J.Trump (A So-Called Parody). Alec Baldwin. Kurt Andersen. Penguin Audio.

Cover courtesy of Penguin Audio.

Baldwin’s fiery performances on Saturday Night Live depicting President Trump have become legendary, as he has been able to recreate the man’s expressions and mannerisms with uncanny precision. Moreover, Baldwin has repeatedly drawn the ire of the President for these parodies. But really – when a subject wants to have you tarred and feathered for how you’re portraying them on screen, you know you are doing something right. In You Can’t Spell America, Baldwin and Andersen use political satire to paint a picture of Trump’s first year in office. And it plays David Frye funny, rivaling the comedian’s legendary 1970s’ impersonations of Richard Nixon. But in the end, this is also a sad ride, as we’re left saying to ourselves: “is this really happening like this now?” You Can’t Spell America is a flawless presentation, read by the trio of Baldwin, Andersen and Oliver Wyman. Running time: 6 hours on 6 CDS. Sample the narration here.

Also Of Note From Penguin Audio This Quarter

MEDITATION FOR FIDGETY SKEPTICS. Dan Harris. Jeff Warren. Carlye Adler. Penguin Audio.  

For years, Dan Harris, an anchor for ABC News, thought meditation was bunk. And then he had a panic attack on live television, an event which led him on a search for answers. Meditation For Fidgety Skeptics documents Harris’ search, telling readers how the practice of meditation can be shaped to fit the individual (the story captured with a news-writer’s eye for detail and relevance). Read by Harris and Warren. Running time: 8.5 hours on 7 CDS.  Sample the narration here.

THE BETTER BRAIN SOLUTION. Steven Masley. Penguin Audio.

Cover courtesy of Penguin Audio.

Alzheimer’s Disease and how to prevent the waning of the brain is on every 50-something’s mind. In turn, Masley, who is a medical doctor, offers an in depth primer on how to both reverse and prevent insulin resistance of the brain, halt memory loss and improve cognitive  function. The treatise is noted for the way it transfers complicated data to the lay reader in a clear and concise way, teaching rather than lecturing. Read by Dan Woren. Running time: 10.5 hours on 9 CDS. Sample the narration here.

Also Worth A Listen

WHEN THINGS FALL APART. Heart Advice For Difficult Times. Pema Chodron. Penguin Audio.

Cover courtesy of Penguin Audio.

Chodron offers unique advice when things turn sour: rather than run from your problems, confront them head-on. The lesson here is not to be afraid to be in pain, but instead, view it as a time to learn about yourself.

DON’T BITE THE HOOK: Finding Freedom From Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions. Pema Chodron. Penguin Audio.

Also written by Chodron, this title teaches you how to center yourself and detach from the negative side.

TRUE LOVE: A Practice For Awakening The Heart. Thich Nhat Hanh. Penguin Audio.

No one discovers love without the doors to the self being flung open. Hanh’s True Love instructs readers where the keys to the locks are buried.

by John Aiello

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This entry was posted on March 5, 2018 by in 2018, In the Spotlight, March 2018, Rat On Audiobooks and tagged , , , .
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