Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Dear fellow seekers of knowledge,

Through a cultural lens, few audiobook experiences have captivated me as much as “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” by Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel, and Peter C. Brown, narrated with clarity and warmth by Qarie Marshall. As a literature professor with a passion for how stories – and knowledge – unfold across mediums, I found this work to be a revelation, not just in its content but in its delivery. It’s an education-focused gem that challenges conventional wisdom about learning, and listening to it felt like a personal seminar tailored to my intellectual curiosities.

My first encounter with this audiobook came during a rainy afternoon in my office at Berkeley, where I’d been preparing a seminar on narrative mediums. I’d just finished revisiting “Cloud Atlas” with my students – comparing its book, ebook, and audiobook forms – and was struck by how format shapes understanding. That memory lingered as I pressed play on “Make It Stick”. What fascinates me most is how this work flips the script on learning myths I’d once accepted without question: underlining key passages, rereading notes, cramming the night before an exam. The authors argue, with compelling evidence, that these habits are illusions of mastery, fading as quickly as cherry blossoms in a Tokyo spring. Instead, they advocate for strategies like self-testing, spaced repetition, and interleaving – ideas that resonate deeply with my own journey as a teacher and lifelong learner.

The content itself is a masterclass in pedagogical effectiveness. Roediger, McDaniel, and Brown draw on cognitive psychology to explain why learning ‘the hard way’ – through effort, retrieval practice, and even a touch of struggle – yields lasting results. I couldn’t help but think back to my year in Tokyo as a visiting professor. While immersed in Haruki Murakami’s “Kafka on the Shore”, I wrestled with its dual translations, finding that the effort to reconcile English and Japanese unlocked layers of meaning I’d have missed with a passive read. “Make It Stick” echoes this: real learning demands active engagement. The authors weave research with practical examples – think athletes refining skills or students mastering complex subjects – making it accessible yet intellectually rigorous. For educators like me, it’s a call to rethink how we teach; for students, it’s a roadmap to self-improvement.

Qarie Marshall’s narration elevates this listening experience to something truly special. His voice is steady and authoritative, yet infused with an empathetic tone that feels like a trusted mentor guiding you through the material. The pacing is deliberate – never rushed – allowing the listener to absorb dense concepts without feeling overwhelmed. At just over 8.5 hours, the audiobook’s duration strikes a balance: long enough to dive deep into the science, yet concise enough to hold attention. The audio quality is pristine, with no distractions to pull you out of the ideas. Marshall’s delivery reminded me of the best lectures I’ve attended – clear, engaging, and leaving you eager to apply what you’ve learned.

That said, the audiobook isn’t without its limitations. While the content is broadly applicable, its examples skew toward academic and athletic contexts, which might leave listeners in creative fields wanting more tailored insights. As someone who studies cross-cultural narratives, I longed for a deeper exploration of how cultural context shapes learning styles – an area the authors touch on only lightly. The narration, while excellent, occasionally feels overly measured; a bit more dynamic inflection could have mirrored the text’s moments of excitement. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar production.

How does “Make It Stick” compare to similar works? I’m reminded of Brené Brown’s “Daring Greatly”, another non-fiction audiobook I’ve reviewed. While Brown’s focus is vulnerability and emotional growth, narrated with a raw intensity, “Make It Stick” is more cerebral, grounded in science, and delivered with a calm precision. Both succeed in their genres – education and self-help, respectively – but “Make It Stick” stands out for its actionable advice rooted in research. It’s less about inspiration and more about transformation through practice.

This audiobook is a must-listen for students, educators, and anyone invested in lifelong learning. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by forgotten lessons or ineffective study habits, this offers a lifeline – and it’s even better if you can snag it as a free audiobook download, a perk that makes its wisdom all the more accessible. I’d recommend it especially to those who enjoy the interplay of theory and application, much like a well-crafted novel that lingers in your mind.

Reflecting on my own experience, “Make It Stick” has reshaped how I approach teaching and learning. It’s prompted me to introduce retrieval exercises in my seminars and to encourage my students to embrace the discomfort of not knowing – yet. This reminds me of when I first tackled Murakami in Japanese: the struggle was real, but the reward was a richer understanding. This audiobook doesn’t just teach you how to learn; it invites you to rethink what learning means. For that, it’s earned a permanent spot in my digital library.

With intellectual curiosity and appreciation,
Prof. Emily Chen