Peter Lerman has narrated 25 audiobooks on Listento.it by 29 authors, with an average listener rating of 4.2★ across 3 ratings. The most-rated is A Deeper Blue.
A Deeper Blue
Summary
This is the first serious biography of a man widely considered one of Texas’ - and America’s - greatest songwriters. Like Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, and Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt was the embodiment of that mythic American figure, the troubled troubadour.
A Deeper Blue traces Van Zandt’s background as the scion of a prominent Texas family; his troubled early years and his transformation from promising pre-law student to wandering folk singer; his life on the road and the demons that pursued and were pursued by him; the women who loved and inspired him; and the brilliance and enduring beauty of his songs, which are explored in depth.
The author draws on eight years’ extensive research and interviews with Townes’ family and closest friends and colleagues. He looks beyond the legend and paints a colorful portrait of a complex man who embraced the darkness of demons and myth as well as the light of deep compassion and humanity, all “[F]or the sake of the song".
The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.
©2008 Robert Earl Hardy (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks
Nobody's Angel
Summary
Chicago cabbie Eddie Miles isn’t looking for trouble. He’s just trying to get through another tough night in a dangerous city. When he stumbles on a teenage prostitute left for dead, he finds himself unable to turn away.
"Nobody's Angel doesn't contain a wasted word or a false note...its real beauty lies in Eddie's bittersweet existence and the special romance and danger of the cabdriver's life.” (Washington Post)
“The cynical, melancholy cabbie point of view is perfect for this kind of neon-lit, noir-tinged, saxophone-scored prose poem, and Clark hits all the right notes.” (Booklist)
“Nobody’s Angel is a powerhouse of a book, a genuine work of noir and one of the best books of the year.... Clark does something truly remarkable in a mystery novel here. Much like in the great HBO series The Wire, Clark chronicles the collapse of America’s industrial base and its impact upon both our cities and the intractable problem of race in America through the story of an ordinary man.... This is an incredible book that you will not soon forget.” (Bookreporter.com)
©2010 Jack Clark (P)2019 Jack Clark
Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods
Summary
In this book, E. Fuller Torrey draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to propose a startling answer to the ultimate question. Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods locates the origin of gods within the human brain, arguing that religious belief is a by-product of evolution. Based on an idea originally proposed by Charles Darwin, Torrey marshals evidence that the emergence of gods was an incidental consequence of several evolutionary factors. Using data ranging from ancient skulls and artifacts to brain imaging, primatology, and child development studies, this book traces how new cognitive abilities gave rise to new behaviors. For instance, autobiographical memory, the ability to project ourselves backward and forward in time, gave Homo sapiens a competitive advantage. However, it also led to comprehension of mortality, spurring belief in an alternative to death. Torrey details the neurobiological sequence that explains why the gods appeared when they did, connecting archaeological findings including clothing, art, farming, and urbanization to cognitive developments. This book does not dismiss belief but rather presents religious belief as an inevitable outcome of brain evolution. Providing clear and accessible explanations of evolutionary neuroscience, Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods will shed new light on the mechanics of our deepest mysteries. The book is published by Columbia University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks. "This is the book I have been waiting for…" (Religion) "Richly rewarding...Highly recommended." (Choice) "A wonderful addition to the current corpus sitting at the intersection of religion and evolution." (Reading Religion)
©2017 Columbia University Press (P)2021 Redwood Audiobooks
How America Lost Its Mind
Summary
Americans are losing touch with reality. On virtually every issue, from climate change to immigration, tens of millions of Americans have opinions and beliefs wildly at odds with fact, rendering them unable to think sensibly about politics. In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson explains the rise of a world of “alternative facts” and the slow motion cultural and political calamity unfolding around us. A call to action, his book encourages us to wrest institutional power from ideologues and disrupters and entrust it to sensible citizens and leaders to restore our commitment to mutual tolerance and restraint, to cleanse the internet of fake news and disinformation, and to demand a steady supply of trustworthy and relevant information from our news sources. As philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote decades ago, the rise of demagogues is abetted by “people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists”. In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson makes a passionate case for fully and fiercely engaging on the side of truth and mutual respect in our present arms race between fact and fake, unity and division, civility and incivility. The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks. Praise for the book: “A book...that needed to be written...the response of a reasoned, thinking person to a cultural and political calamity that he and many others saw unfolding in slow motion.” (Keith Gaddie, coauthor of The Rise and Fall of the Voting Rights Act)
©2019 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks
The Real Business of IT
Summary
If you're a general manager or CFO, do you feel you're spending too much on IT or wishing you could get better returns from your IT investments? If so, it's time to examine what's behind this IT-as-cost mindset. In The Real Business of IT, Richard Hunter and George Westerman reveal that the cost mindset stems from IT leaders' inability to communicate about the business value they create - so CIOs get stuck discussing budgets rather than their contributions to the organization. The authors explain how IT leaders can combat this mindset by first using information technology to generate three forms of value important to leaders throughout the organization: Value for money when your IT department operates efficiently and effectively An investment in business performance evidenced when IT helps divisions, units, and departments boost profitability Personal value of CIOs as leaders whose contributions to their enterprise go well beyond their area of specialization The authors show how to communicate about these forms of value with non-IT leaders - so they understand how your firm is benefiting and see IT as the strategic powerhouse it truly is. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2009 Gartner, Inc. and George Westerman (P)2020 Gildan Media
Land of Wolves: The Return of Lincoln's Bodyguard
Summary
"Perfect reading for fans of alternate-history adventures." (Booklist)
Land of Wolves finds Joseph Foster with Molly as they settle into a new-found life in the hills of Tennessee. But Abraham Lincoln's former bodyguard, the man who saved the President's life, cannot escape the Consortium as they come roaring back, killing his mother and abducting his daughter - all to coerce his Congressional testimony on their behalf.
Instead, Joseph and Molly strike the Consortium in their own safe haven of New York City. In a Bonnie and Clyde-like twist, they rob from the Consortium to draw out their leader, General Dorsey. But the hidden plan reveals more than they counted on, exposing the true intention to steal the Black Hills and the gold underneath from the Lakota Sioux.
Land of Wolves traverses the American landscape, where only a full reconciliation with Joseph's native heritage and a cast of characters ripped from history - including Lincoln - can bring true peace and stop General Dorsey and the evil Industrial Consortium.
©2017 TJ Turner (P)2018 TJ Turner
Reimagining Healthcare
Summary
A brilliantly simple look at how we can fix healthcare without drastic policy change and political diatribes. Since FDR, the US healthcare system has been mired in politics and policy. All the while it has only increased in complexity and cost. Today half of all personal bankruptcies are attributable to healthcare costs. Many community hospitals are barely getting by with single digit profit margins. With a system teetering on the edge of a systemic crisis, we need to turn to a brand-new approach to rescue the US healthcare system.
©2020 Thomas Koulopoulos (P)2020 Kalorama
George Washington's Final Battle
Summary
George Washington is remembered for leading the Continental Army to victory, presiding over the Constitution, and forging a new nation, but few know the story of his involvement in the establishment of a capital city and how it nearly tore the United States apart. In George Washington's Final Battle, Robert P. Watson brings this tale to life, telling how the country's first president tirelessly advocated for a capital on the shores of the Potomac. Washington envisioned and had a direct role in planning many aspects of the city that would house the young republic. In doing so, he created a landmark that gave the fledgling democracy credibility, united a fractious country, and created a sense of American identity. Although Washington died months before the federal government's official relocation, his vision and influence live on in the city that bears his name. This little-known story of founding intrigue throws George Washington's political acumen into sharp relief and provides a historical lesson in leadership and consensus-building that remains relevant today. This book will fascinate anyone interested in the founding period, the American presidency, and the history of Washington, DC.
©2020 Robert P. Watson (P)2021 Tantor
Taking Back the Constitution
Summary
How the Supreme Court's move to the right has distorted both logic and the Constitution The Supreme Court has never simply evaluated laws and arguments in light of permanent and immutable constitutional meanings, and social, moral, and yes, political ideas have always played into Supreme Court justices' impressions of how they think a case should be decided. Mark Tushnet traces the ways constitutional thought has evolved from the liberalism of the New Deal and Great Society to the Reagan conservatism that has been dominant since the 1980s. Looking at the current crossroads in the constitutional order, Tushnet explores the possibilities of either a Trumpian entrenchment of the most extreme ideas of the Reagan philosophy, or a dramatic and destabilizing move to the left. Wary of either outcome, he offers a passionate and informed argument for replacing judicial supremacy with popular constitutionalism-a move that would restore the other branches of government's role in deciding constitutional questions.
©2020 Mark Tushnet (P)2020 Kalorama
Time Management Skills: How to Make a To-Do List, Stop Procrastination, and Increase Your Productivity
Summary
Have you ever noticed how others seem to have time to do everything they want, while you always seem to rush about doing a never-ending list of tasks? Do you think it's just because they have fewer responsibilities than you? Time management is something that many people struggle with. In today's busy world, it is important for everyone to manage time effectively in order to balance the conflicting demands of time for work, family, study, and leisure. This book will provide you with effective strategies and tips for using your time efficiently and wisely. By reading this book, you will learn: The importance of time management How to make a to-do list How to set your goals and priorities You will also discover: How to overcome distractions How to stop multitasking and replace business with actual work How to stop procrastination The sooner you are able to master time management skills, the sooner you’ll be able to achieve success and happiness. Get your copy of Time Management Skills now!
©2017 Grace Bell (P)2018 Insight Health Communications
Ghost Road
Summary
A penetrating look at near-future disruption as truly autonomous vehicles arrive. For decades we have dreamed of building an automobile that can drive itself. But as that dream of autonomy draws close, we are discovering that the driverless car is a red herring. When self-driving technology infects buses, bikes, delivery vans, and even buildings...a wild, woollier, future awaits. Technology will transform life behind the wheel into a high-def video game that makes our ride safer, smoother, and more efficient. Meanwhile, autonomous vehicles will turbocharge our appetite for the instant delivery of goods, making the future as much about moving things as it is about moving people. Giant corporations will link the automated machines that move us to the cloud, raising concerns about mobility monopolies and privatization of streets and sidewalks. The pace of our daily lives and the fabric of our cities and towns will change dramatically as automated vehicles reprogram the way we work, shop, and play. Ghost Road is both a beacon and a warning; it explains where we might be headed together in driverless vehicles and the choices we must make as societies and individuals to shape that future.
©2020 Anthony M. Townsend (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Race?: Debunking a Scientific Myth
Summary
Race has provided the rationale and excuse for some of the worst atrocities in human history. Yet, according to many biologists, physical anthropologists, and geneticists, there is no valid scientific justification for the concept of race. To be more precise, although there is clearly some physical basis for the variations that underlie perceptions of race, clear boundaries among "races" remain highly elusive from a purely biological standpoint. Differences among human populations that people intuitively view as "racial" are not only superficial but are also of astonishingly recent origin. In this intriguing and highly accessible audiobook, physical anthropologist Ian Tattersall and geneticist Rob DeSalle, both senior scholars from the American Museum of Natural History, explain what human races actually are - and are not - and place them within the wider perspective of natural diversity. They explain that the relative isolation of local populations of the newly evolved human species during the last Ice Age - when Homo sapiens was spreading across the world from an African point of origin - has now begun to reverse itself, as differentiated human populations come back into contact and interbreed. The book is published by Texas A&M University Press.
©2011 Ian Tattersall and Rob DeSalle (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks
Federalism
Summary
Early Americans were suspicious of centralized authority and executive power. Casting away the yoke of England and its king, the founding fathers shared in this distrust as they set out to pen the Constitution. Weighing a need for consolidated leadership with a demand for states' rights, they established a large federal republic with limited dominion over the states, leaving most of the governing responsibility with the former colonies. With this dual system of federalism, the national government held the powers of war, taxation, and commerce and the ability to pass the laws necessary to uphold these functions. Although the federal role has grown substantially since then, states and local governments continue to perform most of the duties in civil and criminal law, business and professional licensing, and the management of infrastructure and public services: roads, schools, libraries, sanitation, land use and development, etc. Despite the critical roles of state and local governments, there is little awareness - or understanding - of the nature and operations of the federal system. This Very Short Introduction audiobook provides a concise overview of federalism, from its origins and evolution to the key events and constitutional decisions that have defined its framework.
©2019 Oxford University Press (P)2020 Tantor
The Serenity Murder
Summary
All that serenity was broken by human behavior gone off the rails. Philanthropist Marilyn Boggs, is murdered on her private island near Naples. Though irresponsible and spoiled, Marilyn was a pillar of the community. Who'd want her dead? There's a huge difference between fear and being afraid and the suspects in this murder feared their existence was in jeopardy. Det. Luca instincts point to the husband whose motives are clear but inconveniently, other, credible suspects surface. Full of betrayal, tension, and suspense, Det. Luca is back in another hard-boiled mystery. The Serenity Murder is the third novel in the Luca Mystery series. You'll love this story for its characters, grit, and mystery. Fans of Law and Order, CSI and House of Cards will love this gripping mystery crime thriller! The Serenity Murder can be listened to as a stand-alone novel. Scroll up and grab a copy of The Serenity Murder today.
©2018 Dan Petrosini (P)2019 Dan Petrosini
Why the New Deal Matters
Summary
The greatest peaceable expression of common purpose in US history, the New Deal altered Americans' relationship with politics, economics, and one another in ways that continue to resonate today. No matter where you look in America, there is likely a building or bridge built through New Deal initiatives. If you have taken out a small business loan from the federal government or drawn unemployment, you can thank the New Deal. While certainly flawed in many aspects - the New Deal was implemented by a Democratic Party still beholden to the segregationist South for its majorities in Congress and the Electoral College - the New Deal was instated at a time of mass unemployment and the rise of fascistic government models and functioned as a bulwark of American democracy in hard times. This book looks at how this legacy, both for good and ill, informs the current debates around governmental responses to crises.
©2021 Eric Rauchway (P)2021 Kalorama
Less Than Human
Summary
A revelatory look at why we dehumanize each other, with stunning examples from world history as well as today's headlines. "Brute." "Cockroach." "Lice." "Vermin." People often regard members of their own kind as less than human and use terms like these for those whom they wish to harm, enslave, or exterminate. Dehumanization has made atrocities like the Holocaust, the genocide in Rwanda, and the slave trade possible. But it isn't just a relic of the past. We still find it in war, genocide, xenophobia, and racism. Smith shows that it is a dangerous mistake to think of dehumanization as the exclusive preserve of Nazis, communists, terrorists, Jews, Palestinians, or any other monster of the moment. We are all potential dehumanizers, just as we are all potential objects of dehumanization. The problem of dehumanization is everyone's problem. Less Than Human is the first book to illuminate precisely how and why we sometimes think of others as subhuman creatures. It draws on a rich mix of history, evolutionary psychology, biology, anthropology, and philosophy to document the pervasiveness of dehumanization, describe its forms, and explain why we so often resort to it. Less Than Human is a powerful and highly original study of the roots of human violence and bigotry, and it is as timely as it is relevant.
©2011 David Livingstone Smith (P)2020 Tantor
Digital Finance
Summary
An essential look at technology and the future of finance from Baxter Hines, cofounder of Honeycomb Digital Investments....
©2021 Westmoreland Capital Management LLC (P)2021 Gildan Media
The Coffeehouse Investor's Ground Rules
Summary
Building off the framework of Schultheis' The Coffeehouse Investor philosophy, this book will instill the common man and woman with the confidence to take control over their long-term financial goals and journey toward financial freedom in retirement. The Coffeehouse Investor's Ground Rules encourages listeners to ignore stock market "rules" and "perfect portfolio" pursuits to focus on the only three essential components to long-term financial security: saving, investing, and planning. Each component will be further broken down and explained through topics such as: How to save money with confidence The benefit of saving a little Why women should invest in their financial destiny The problem with underestimating your own financial abilities
©2021 Bill Schultheis (P)2021 Gildan Media
Retirement Planning for Dummies
Summary
Advice and guidance on planning for retirement Retirement Planning for Dummies is a one-stop resource to get up to speed on the critical steps needed to ensure you spend your golden years living in the lap of luxury - or at least in the comfort of your own home. When attempting to plan for retirement, web searching alone can cause you more headaches than answers, leaving many to feel overwhelmed and defeated. This book takes the guesswork out of the subject and guides listeners while they plan the largest financial obligation of their life. ? Take stock of your finances ? Proactively plan for your financial future ? Seek the help of professionals or go it alone Whether you're just starting out with a 401(k) or you're a seasoned vet with retirement in your near future, this book helps younger and older generations alike how to plan their retirement.
©2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (P)2020 Tantor
The Taxable Investor's Manifesto
Summary
The Taxable Investor's Manifesto: Wealth Management Strategies to Last a Lifetime is written for every investor with taxable wealth and every advisor who serves them. The Taxable Investor's Manifesto guides listeners through a series of related topics, bringing clarity to complexity with an economy of words, while providing valuable and actionable advice at every turn. This remarkable book combines the deep industry knowledge of a seasoned practitioner with the communication skills of a leading educator. Author Stuart E. Lucas is the founder and chief investment officer of Wealth Strategist Partners, a firm that advises complex family enterprises, including his own. Most investment books only address pre-tax headline returns, but individuals pay taxes. The incentives and disincentives of our tax system can have a dramatic impact on actual investment time horizons and returns. The Manifesto sensibly folds tax incentives into investment strategy in ways that can add profound value over a lifetime to actual results. It includes guidance on: how to keep a greater percentage of your profits with a higher probability of success and less effort; why it's important to manage the intersection of investment, tax, and estate planning; and how to compete for better long-term investment returns against tax-exempt investors.
©2020 Stuart E. Lucas (P)2020 Gildan Media