November 2024 – New Releases

November 26th, 2024 by cmcneil · Uncategorized

Performed by Matthew Lloyd Davies

XPD is a brilliant novel constructed around a supposition that Churchill secretly met with Hitler in 1940 to discuss terms of a British surrender.

Performed by Christopher Ecceleston

From the acclaimed author of The Damned Utd, a novel of tragedy and renewal, inspired by one of the greatest disasters in the history of sports.

Performed by Justin Price

This new edition showcases this wickedly brilliant debut to the critically acclaimed mystery series.

Performed by Shaun Grindell

Is it possible the mild-mannered accountant, whose only real side passion seems to be roses, has a thorny edge? If yes, then who’s the next deadhead to be pruned from Aldermann’s perfect life?

Performed by Dele Ogundiran

Both epic and intimate, Afabwaje Kurian’s debut announces a brilliant new talent for readers of Imbolo Mbue and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Performed by Joe Barrett

A fiftieth anniversary edition of one of the most widely influential articles of twentieth century philosophy.

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Hair-Raising Horror Listens

October 29th, 2024 by cmcneil · Uncategorized

Performed by EJ Lavery

This dark and twisted reimagining of Cinderella, told from her stepsister’s POV, is perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Naomi Novik.

“EJ Lavery was perfect. The way she emoted made me FEEL her anxiety and fear. You could feel the doubt and false bravado in Eunice when “commanding” Cinderella.” —Rachel Has No Shelf Control

Performed by Allyson Johnson

The first new novel in twelve years from Half Life author Shelley Jackson, Riddance is a disquieting supernatural investigation into life after death.

Performed by Catherine Ho

An action-packed, inventive novella about a toxic polycule consumed by jealousy and their attempts to survive on a hostile planet.

“Narrator Catherine Ho does an excellent job voicing each of the characters and maintaining an even tone as the plot slowly simmers to a boil.” —Good Quiet Kitty

Performed by Johnny Rey Diaz and Victoria Villarreal

Told in four acts that span the globe from Brooklyn to Berlin, Monstrilio offers, with uncanny clarity, a cathartic and precise portrait of being human.

Performed by Pearl Hewitt

From the Agatha-award winning author of Quiet Neighbors comes a clever, spine-tingling standalone that reads like Agatha Christie’s take on a Gothic thriller.

Performed by Colin McAdam

A twisting story of grief and revenge, from the award-winning author of A Beautiful Truth.

Performed by Courtney Patterson

For most, the Saturnalia carnival marks a brief winter reprieve for the beleaguered people of the historic city. For Nina, Saturnalia is simply a cruel reminder of the night that changed everything for her. But when she gets a chance call from her last remaining friend, the favor he asks will plunge her back into the Club’s wild solstice masquerade, on a mysterious errand she cannot say no to.

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Summer 2024 Fiction Releases

September 19th, 2024 by cmcneil · New Releases

Performed by Brigid Lohrey

Three generations of women set out to heal their broken hearts on a grand adventure of hiking the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu in this stirring, spirited, and ultimately joyful journey of love and self discovery for fans of Rebecca Serle and Josie Silver . . .

Performed by Sofia Willingham

In this Gilded Age gothic homage to Gaslight starring Ingrid Bergman, a wealthy young newlywed in early twentieth-century New York is isolated within her opulent, yet ominously empty mansion by the charismatic and controlling new husband plotting to undermine her sanity . . .

“The audio is read by Sofia Willingham wonderfully. Everything from the emotion to the climactic atmosphere came through her narration.” —Permanently Booked

Performed by Oscar Reyes

A dazzling novel about the inextricable link between the personal and the political set against the decadence of Hollywood and postwar Los Angeles.

“Ambitious, perspicacious, and humane.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This portrait of an artist in the making dazzles.” —Publishers Weekly

Performed by Philip Battley

This latest puzzle mystery from the author of Death and the Conjuror and The Murder Wheel takes stage magician sleuth Joseph Spector to a grand estate in the English countryside.

Performed by Mike Lenz

Reuven Fenton’s novel Goyhood is a brilliant debut about a devoutly Orthodox Jewish man who discovers in middle age that he’s not, in fact, Jewish, and embarks on a remarkable road trip to come to grips with his fate.

Performed by Kim Bretton

A building undergoes multiple transformations through the centuries—but a fair-haired boy continues to haunt its halls . . .

“Narrator was emotional while reading the plot & did a great job of relaying a dynamic story.” —Book Brew Alchemy

Performed by Lauren Ezzo

In Alyssa Maxwell’s latest mystery, reporter and sleuth Emma Cross Andrews must stop a bold poisoner who is targeting the society wives of the Four Hundred in Gilded Age Newport, Rhode Island.

“Great reading for anyone who is fascinated by this vivid and grandiose age.” —Historical Novel Society

“This is an excellent addition to a long-running series, but it also stands on its own, so first-time readers of Maxwell’s series can enjoy it, too.” —Aunt Agatha’s Bookstore

Performed by Joe Hempel

Kayfabe is a window into life on the fringes of a uniquely brutal American pastime and an intelligent, self-aware commentary on modern identity, artifice, and violence. Evoking Sam Lipsyte’s whip-smart humor and Lauren Oyler’s biting insight, Kayfabe challenges listeners to consider the truths that fakery can expose.

Performed by Lexi Mae

A true crime devotee gets more than she bargained for at her killer bachelorette party.

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August is Romance Awareness Month

August 16th, 2024 by cmcneil · Uncategorized

Celebrate Romance Awareness Month to the fullest with these helpful and fun listens!

Helpful Guides for Understanding your Relationship

Performed by Emily Durante

With The Power of Attachment, Dr. Diane Poole Heller, a pioneer in attachment theory and trauma resolution, shows how overwhelming experiences can break our vital connections—with the parts of ourselves within, with the physical world around us, and with others.

Performed by Gabra Zackman

Talk to Me Like I’m Someone You Love is a brilliant interactive relationship tool that can help couples stop arguing and begin healing.

Performed by Chris Sorensen

In just ten steps, Dr. Michael B. Brown provides a clear path through a discipline of daily loving that will lead you to purpose and joy in life. Follow these steps to bring meaning to your home, romantic relationships, workplace, personal friendships, and your own sense of self.

Romance Audiobooks

Performed by Vanessa Johansson

At a crossroads both personally and professionally, a newly single, thirty-something marketing exec takes a chance on a too-good-to-be-true winter job at an exclusive artists’ retreat in the wilds of Canada—only to find out she’s way in over her head—in this sharply written, relatable, and hilarious debut novel.

Performed by Danny Tamberelli and Mara Wilson

Danny Tamberelli, ’90s Nickelodeon star from All That and The Adventures of Pete & Pete, teams up with his real-life wife Kate Tamberelli for a zany, big-hearted, and truly laugh-out-loud debut rom-com set in Brooklyn, steeped in ’90s nostalgia, and inspired by their very own love story. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry!

Performed by Danny Tamberelli and Mara Wilson

Back to the Future meets 10 Things I Hate About You as the past, the present, and two hearts with unfinished business collide in the most epic, hilarious, and downright poignant way . . .

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July is National Picnic Month

July 19th, 2024 by cmcneil · Uncategorized

Pack these listens into your basket!

Performed by the author

Tim Blake Nelson’s debut novel is an epic group portrait of four men grappling for control of a script in a radically changing Hollywood, or the City of Blows.

Performed by Justin Price

John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. 

Edgar Award Finalist: A comical crime caper “filled with action and imagination” (The New York Times Book Review).

Performed by Nicol Zanzarella

Could Alexander Hamilton be at the center of a vast murder plot engulfing Old New York? As his widow Eliza pieces together the puzzle, she unearths a heartbreaking secret that threatens to tear her family apart.

Performed by Christina Delaine

A private security agent finds that being branded as the City of Angels’ latest hero could also make her its next victim . . .

“Delaine effectively differentiates the personalities, male and female, good and evil, and convincingly provides the voice for Justine’s foreign-born grandmother, who is embedded in Justine’s consciousness.” —AudioFile

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June is Audiobook Month

June 19th, 2024 by cmcneil · Uncategorized

We’re celebrating our favorite audiobooks this June!

Performed by the author

A masterful hybrid of nature writing and cultural studies that investigates our connection with deer—from mythology to biology, from forests to cities, from coexistence to control and extermination—and invites listeners to contemplate the paradoxes of how humans interact with and shape the natural world.

Tags: science, nonfiction

Performed by Carolyn Jania

A sexy, propulsive novel that confronts the limits of empathy and the perils of appropriation through the eyes of a disgraced small-town librarian.

Tags: fiction

Performed by Janet Metzger

The Cat Saw Murder is an entertaining and endlessly surprising whodunit with a focus on felines. The book is the first in the long-running Rachel Murdock series.

Tags: mystery

Performed by Sarah Barron

Get ready for a locked room mystery like no other. One that asks: how well do you really know anybody, even your oldest acquaintance? And what if your best friend is really your worst enemy?

Tags: thriller, psychological, suspense

Performed by John Lee

A secret treaty will determine whether England can survive against Napoleon—Captain Grey races across the Atlantic to intercept a Spanish treasure fleet.

Tags: thriller, historical

Performed by the author

From the frontlines of the COVID crisis to the real events behind the meteoric rise and unfathomable fall of Governor Andrew Cuomo, one of the most powerful women in New York State government history shares her gripping and candid story for the first time.

Tags: politics, memoir

Performed by Chelsea Stephens

A foreboding new dark academia thriller of deception and suspense, This is How We End Things follows the unraveling of a close group of students as they contend with what it means to lie, and be lied to.

Tags: psychological

Performed by Jennifer Pickens

Coupling a picturesque, cozy setting with a deeply unsettling suspenseful plot, Christmas Presents is a chilling seasonal novella that can be enjoyed all year long.

Tags: mystery

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May 2022-Nonfiction Listens

May 23rd, 2022 by cmcneil · New Releases

Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series     

Written by Gary J. Smith              

Read by Kyle Tait  

Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the historic Summit Series, here is the incredible story of an unlikely political stage—the hockey rink—where a Cold War, and the threat of nuclear annihilation, is no less important than a power play in the final minute. Discover a diplomacy mission like no other: caught between capitalism and communism, Canada and the Soviet Union, young Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith must navigate the rink, melting the ice between two nations skating a dangerous path.

“A rare side of the Summit Series story that has never been told. A fascinating insider view of how Canada/Russia ’72 was much bigger than the game.”James Duthie, TSN hockey host

Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk   

Written & Read by Sasha LaPointe  

Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by NYLON, Electric Lit, Ms., BookPage, and The Millions

A NYLON Must-Read Book of the Month

A Bustle Most Anticipated Book of the Month

An Indigenous artist blends the aesthetics of punk rock with the traditional spiritual practices of the women in her lineage in this bold, contemporary journey to reclaim her heritage and unleash her power and voice while searching for a permanent home.

“Absorbing . . . a worthy tribute to Coast Salish women.” —Time

Results: Getting Beyond Politics to Get Important Work Done

Written by Charlie Baker and Steve Kadish           

Read by Charles Constant

Distilled into a four-step framework, Results is the much-needed implementation guide for anyone in public service, as well as for leaders and managers in large organizations hamstrung by bureaucracy and politics. With a broad range of examples, Baker, a Republican, and Kadish, a Democrat, show how to move from identifying problems to achieving results in a way that bridges divides instead of exacerbating them.

“Immense capability and personal decency are the hallmarks of Charlie Baker’s leadership style, and they’re why he’s the kind of governor other governors listen to. Any aspiring leader, whether in the public or private sector, will learn [from this book] about the power of purpose and possibility, along with how to pursue real improvements in peoples’ lives.” — Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona

Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution  

Written by Eric Jay Dolin              

Read by Eric Jason Martin  

The bestselling author of Black Flags, Blue Waters reclaims the daring freelance sailors who proved essential to the winning of the Revolutionary War.

“Dolin’s valuable achievement in recognizing and honoring these sailors’ oft-ignored contributions to American independence more fully fleshes out American naval history.” ― Mark Knoblauch, Booklist, starred review

The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America       

Written by Dr. Anita Hannig        

Written by Linda Jones  

An intimate investigation of assisted dying in America and what it means to determine the end of our lives.

“Of all events in a lifetime, death is the most solitary, and yet most people have no control over it. In The Day I Die, Anita Hannig investigates assisted dying. Her portrayal of people who want to have a choice at the end of their lives is calm, balanced, and devastating.” ― Sallie Tisdale, author of Advice for Future Corpses

Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts     

Written by Matt Bell      

Read by Matthew Boston  

A Lit Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2022

They say writing is rewriting. So why does the second part get such short shrift? Refuse to Be Done will guide you through every step of the novel-writing process, from getting started on those first pages to the last tips for making your final draft even tighter and stronger.


“[An] accessible, encouraging craft book offering helpful techniques for every step of the process.”
USA Today

Criminal Fraud and Election Disinformation: Law and Politics       

Written by Jeremy Horder           

Read by Jonathan Johns 

Criminal Fraud and Election Disinformation discusses the state’s approach to fraud and distortion of the truth in politics, especially during election campaigns.

How to Tell a Story: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Storytelling for Writers and Readers  

Written by Aristotle       

Written by Gareth Richards  

An inviting and accessible new translation of Aristotle’s complete Poetics—the first and best introduction to the art of writing and understanding stories.

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April 2022 Fiction-New Releases

April 25th, 2022 by cmcneil · New Releases

Walk the Blue Fields: Stories      

Written by Claire Keegan 

Read by Aidan Kelly, Aoife McMahon, Aidan Quinn  

“Seven perfect short stories” from the award-winning author of Antarctica—”a writer who is instinctively cherished and praised” (The Guardian, UK).

Captain Grey’s Gambit  

Written by J. H. Gelernter           

Read by John Lee  

A taut historical thriller for fans of The Queen’s Gambit and James Bond.

A Light Beyond the Trenches: An Unforgettable Novel of World War 1     

Written by Alan Hlad     

Read by Peter Noble  

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Long Flight Home, a WWI novel both tender and exciting, as a German Red Cross nurse joins the world’s first guide dog training school for the blind and begins a quest to show a Jewish pianist who was blinded on the battlefield that life is worth living.

Inheritance        

Written by Lan Samantha Chang               

Read by Eunice Wong  

Spanning seven decades and set in China and America against a backdrop of political chaos and social upheaval, this arresting debut novel tells a timeless story of familial devotion undermined by deceit and passion and rebuilt by memory.

“Readers who enjoy the works of strong women writers like Amy Tan, Gail Tsukiyama, and Hong Ying will relish this.” — Library Journal

Heartbroke        

Written by Chelsea Bieker           

Read by Emily Durante  

From the acclaimed author of Godshot and “a pitch-perfect ventriloquist of extraordinary talent and ferocity” (T Kira Madden) comes a defining book of Californian stories where everyone is seeking or sabotaging love.

“[An] exemplary first collection . . . A powerful collection; highly recommended.” —Library Journal Starred Review

Passersthrough

Written by Peter Rock   

Read by Eric Jason Martin

A father and his estranged daughter reconnect to try to understand a decades-old trauma in this haunting novel, part ghost story, part lyrical exploration of family, aging, and how we remember the past.

“A captivating page-turner . . . Its best elements, like its supernatural overtures, are reminiscent of Stephen King’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999).” —Kirkus Reviews

Miracles in Maggody     

Written by Joan Hess     

Read by Courtney Patterson  

Another outrageous Maggody mystery, starring police chief Arly Hanks alongside a smooth-talking televangelist and a whole town full of sinners.

The Maiden of All Our Desires   

Written by Peter Manseau          

Read by Anne Flosnik

For fans of Lauren Groff, Maggie O’Farrell, and Emma Donoghue, a devastating novel of love, intrigue, and community in a time of sickness that remade the world.

Evoking both Umberto Eco and Lauren Groff, The Maiden of All Our Desires unfolds in a single day at a convent during the 14th-century Black Death, in which issues of belief and heresy are engaged, and the individual must face the enormity of history.”—The Millions, “Most Anticipated: The Great First-Half of 2022 Book Preview”

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April 2022 Nonfiction-New Releases

April 19th, 2022 by cmcneil · New Releases

Manhattan Phoenix: The Great Fire of 1835 and the Emergence of Modern New York      

Written by Daniel S. Levy             

Read by Mike Lenz  

This work shows vividly how the Great Fire of 1835, which nearly leveled Manhattan, also created the ashes from which the city was reborn.

“One of the best books about old New York I’ve come across…Levy reanimates the New York that rose from the ashes with all its ambitions, corruption, riotous hatreds, contradictions and achievements.” –Wall Street Journal

Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War               

Written by Howard W. French   

Read by James Fouhey 

Revealing the central yet intentionally obliterated role of Africa in the creation of modernity, Born in Blackness vitally reframes our understanding of world history.

“A Black journalist reframes modern history by restoring Africa to its rightful place at the center of the story . . . This meticulously researched book eloquently debunks conventional understanding of European conquest . . . A fascinating retelling of modern history that restores Africa to its rightful place.”
― Kirkus Reviews

Bibliophobia: The End and the Beginning of the Book      

Written by Brian Cummings

Read by Tom Perkins 

Bibliophobia is a book about material books, how they are cared for, and how they are damaged, throughout the 5000-year history of writing from Sumeria to the smartphone.

Insurrection: Rebellion, Civil Rights, and the Paradoxical State of Black Citizenship             

Written & Read by Hawa Allan

A brilliant debut by lawyer and critic Hawa Allan on the paradoxical state of black citizenship in the United States.

“Eloquently mixing history, autobiography, and philosophy, this powerful account sheds new light on the Black experience in America.” ― Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Grad to Grown-Up: 68 Tips to Excel in Your Personal and Professional Life             

Written by Courtney Bejgrowicz & Gene Rice      

Read by George Newbern  

Everything you didn’t learn in school but all you need to know to launch your personal and professional life.

Grad to Grown-Up is a must-read. What I learned from Gene about work ethic, respect, finance, and career helped me to the NBA. Gene has the strongest character of anyone I know and a unique ability to build relationships with others. Every young person can learn from him, and this book is full of his invaluable insight.”  — Ryan Arcidiacano, Chicago Bulls NBA player; Previous RCI Inter

Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century              

Written by Sergei Guriev &  Daniel Treisman       

Read by David de Vries  

Uncovering a new brand of authoritarianism, Sergei Guriev and Daniel Treisman explain the rise of “spin dictators,” describing how they emerge and operate, the new threats they pose, and how democracies should respond.

“A fascinating new book.” ― The Economist

My Pleasure: An Intimate Guide to Loving Your Body and Having Great Sex           

Written by Laura Delarato           

Read by Sierra Kline  

Practice pleasure as a form of self-care with this empowering, accessible, and inclusive guide to loving your body and your sex life.

“So many of us are taught to hide from our own bodies—finding self-love and learning how to use our bodies for our own pleasure can be a daunting task. Laura makes it easy by acting as a friendly guide, offering a captivating mix of personal stories, guided activities, sexual health tips, and more. She helps us all discover our own pleasure and achieve deep growth in the most beautiful way.” Tess Holliday, body-positive pioneer, activist, and author

Bodies on the Line: At the Front Lines of the Fight to Protect Abortion in America              

Written by Lauren Rankin            

Read by Kate Udall  

A powerfully empathetic and impeccably researched look at abortion clinic escorting, which Rebecca Traister (New York Times bestselling author of Good and Mad) calls “one of the most under-covered and crucial, lifesaving, rigorous forms of activism out there.”

“Rankin’s passion for women’s health blazes on the page, and she is adept at connecting disparate events to create a cohesive historical narrative . . . A stunning, compassionate history of an overlooked element within the abortion-rights movement in the U.S.” —Kirkus Starred Review

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March 2022 Nonfiction-New Releases

March 22nd, 2022 by cmcneil · New Releases

Sonny: The Last of the Old Time Mafia Bosses, John “Sonny” Franzese    

Written by S.J. Peddie   

Read by Tanya Eby

Based on exclusive interviews before his death in 2020 at age 103, Sonny is the first and only authorized biography of legendary mob boss John “Sonny” Franzese, the head of the Colombo crime family and financier of the infamous film Deep Throat.

The Great Nowitzki: Basketball and the Meaning of Life 

Written by Thomas Pletzinger  

Read by Charles Constant 

A journey into the mindset of a historic basketball superstar, and the importance of his landmark career.

“A meticulously observed, impassioned assessment of Nowitzki’s significance as a basketball player.”
― Kirkus Reviews

Denmark Vesey’s Bible: The Thwarted Revolt That Put Slavery and Scripture on Trial         

Jeremy Schipper              

Read by Sean Crisden 

A timely and provocative account of the Bible’s role in one of the most consequential episodes in the history of slavery.

“A very impressive study, elegantly written and closely argued. Only a handful of people know these sources as well as Schipper.”Douglas R. Egerton, author of The Wars of Reconstruction: The Brief, Violent History of America’s Most Progressive Era

We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland

Written by Fintan O’Toole           

Read by Aidan Kelly

A celebrated Irish writer’s magisterial, brilliantly insightful chronicle of the wrenching transformations that dragged his homeland into the modern world.

“Masterful . . . astonishing . . . I came away from We Don’t Know Ourselves seeing modern Ireland more convincingly portrayed and explained than ever before.” ―Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic

A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks

Written by Chad Orzel  

Read by Mike Lenz  

Our modern lives are ruled by clocks and watches, smartphone apps and calendar programs. While our gadgets may be new, however, the drive to measure and master time is anything but—and in A Brief History of Timekeeping, Chad Orzel traces the path from Stonehenge to your smartphone.

“A wonderful look into understanding and recording time, Orzel’s latest is appropriate for all readers who are curious about those ticks and tocks that mark nearly every aspect of our lives.” —Booklist

The Upstander: How Surviving the Holocaust Sparked Max Glauben’s Mission to Dismantle Hate

Written & Read by Jori Epstein 

Infused with raw emotion and vivid detail, this memoir relays holocaust survivor Max Glauben’s powerful lifetime commitment to actively thwarting hate and galvanizing resilience. Max insists you, too, can transform your adversity into your greatest strength.

“This book stands as a tes­ta­ment to the courage and char­ac­ter of Max Glauben, hon­or­ing the mem­o­ry of his fam­i­ly and his hope for a bet­ter world for future generations.” —Jewish Book Council

Herbal Medicine for Mental Health: Amen Clinic Library 

Written by Lillian Somner            

Read by Rosemary Benson  

From the prestigious Amen Clinics, a psychiatrist’s practical, authoritative, straight-forward guide to the use of herbal medicine to treat mental health struggles.

The Insect Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires That Run the World              

Written by Oliver Milman            

Read by Liam Gerrard  

A devastating examination of how collapsing insect populations worldwide threaten everything from wild birds to the food on our plate.

“[A] gripping, sobering and important new book…Milman has an ear for a good quote and a knack for explaining scientific research.”― Thor Hanson, New York Times

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