In 2018 PUP became the first university press to launch an audio imprint, Princeton Audio, now a vibrant catalog of over one hundred titles. Nearly five years later, and in anticipation of many great listens ahead, we’re excited to share the latest list of recently released and forthcoming Princeton audiobooks—including both new books and classic titles appearing in audio for the first time. #ListenUP, we have so many big ideas, important conversations, and great writing to share in 2023.
Algorithms for the People by Josh Simons, narrated by Teri Schnaubelt (January 10)
“A sophisticated, politically, technologically, and economically informed manifesto for how to regulate big tech.” —John Zerilli, University of Oxford, author of A Citizen’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence
Showing the connection between technology regulation and democratic reform, Algorithms for the People argues that we must go beyond conventional theorizing of AI ethics to wrestle with fundamental moral and political questions about how the governance of technology can support the flourishing of democracy.
How the Universe Got Its Spots by Janna Levin, narrated by the author (January 10)
“This intimate account of the life and thought of a physicist is one of the nicest scientific books I have ever read—personal and honest, clear and informative, entertaining and difficult to put down.” —Alejandro Gangui, American Scientist
Astrophysicist Janna Levin blends memoir and visionary science to provide a groundbreaking personal account of her life and ideas.
What Do You Want Out of Life? by Valerie Tiberius, narrated by Kelly Burke (January 10)
A rich and wonderfully written guide to finding out what really matters and a deep exploration of how we can use our values as an effective North Star for living a better life.” —Laurie Santos, host of The Happiness Lab podcast
Whether you are changing jobs, rethinking your priorities, or reconsidering your whole life path, What Do You Want Out of Life? is an essential guide to helping you understand what really matters to you and how you can thoughtfully pursue it.
Empires of the Silk Road by Christopher I. Beckwith, narrated by Jim Lee (January 17)
“[E]rudite and iconoclastic…provides a wealth of new ideas, perspectives, and information about the political and other formations that flourished in that large portion of the world known as Central Eurasia.” —Nicola Di Cosmo, Journal of Global History
An expansive history that places Central Eurasia within a world historical framework and demonstrates why the region is central to understanding the history of civilization.
The Scythian Empire by Christopher I. Beckworth, narrated by Jim Lee (January 17)
“Interpretatively audacious, adventurous, and ambitious, The Scythian Empire will generate debates for years and make readers see the history of Eurasia in an entirely unexpected way.” —Marie Favereau, author of The Horde: How the Mongols Changed the World
Filled with fresh discoveries, The Scythian Empire presents a remarkable new vision of a little-known but incredibly important empire and its peoples.
Three Roads Back by Robert D. Richardson, narrated by William Hope (January 24)
“Three Roads Back is Richardson’s legacy condensed, his grace note to posterity, the massive effort behind his three great books … refracted in the shimmering prism of a hundred pages of perfectly polished prose… . [A] lovely, uplifting book.” —Christoph Irmscher, Wall Street Journal
An inspiring book about resilience and the new growth and creativity that can stem from devastating loss, Three Roads Back is also an extraordinary account of the hidden wellsprings of American thought.
Byzantium by Judith Herrin, narrated by Phyllida Nash (January 24)
“Herrin’s history is hands-down the finest introduction to Byzantium and its continuing significance for world history.” —Publishers Weekly
A captivating, innovative history written by one of our foremost scholars, Byzantium reveals this great civilization’s rise to military and cultural supremacy, its spectacular destruction by the Fourth Crusade, and its revival and final conquest in 1453.
The Straight State by Margot Canaday, narrated by Laurel Lefkow (January 31)
“A captivating, engagingly written work of social, political, legal and sexual history, and the fruit of an extraordinary attention to archival documents.” —Steven Epstein, Nation
Social, political, and legal history at their most compelling, The Straight State explores how the state helped to define the very meaning of homosexuality in America.
Between Debt and the Devil by Adair Turner, narrated by Richard Lyddon (January 31)
- A Financial Times Best Economics Book of the Year
- A Strategy+Business Best Business Book of the Year
- An Independent Best Economics Book of the Year
- A Bloomberg Businessweek Best Books of the Year
“[A] brilliant new book… . crisply conveys analysis of real force.” —Tom Clark, Guardian
An eye-opening look at why our addiction to debt is the root of our financial woes.
A Culture of Growth by Joel Mokyr, narrated by Anu Anand (February 7)
“Fascinating.” —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker
Combining ideas from economics and cultural evolution, A Culture of Growth provides startling reasons for why the foundations of our modern economy were laid in the mere two centuries between Columbus and Newton.
The Book of Greek and Roman Folktales, Legends, and Myths edited and translated by William Hansen, narrated by Kristin Atherton (February 14)
“Extraordinarily entertaining.” —Michael Dirda, Washington Post
A one-of-a-kind anthology, presenting the entire range of ancient Greek and Roman stories—from myths and fairy tales to jokes.
Against Democracy by Jason Brennan, narrated by Christopher Ragland (February 21)
“Compelling reading … This is theory that skips, rather than plods.” —Molly Sauter, Los Angeles Times
A bracingly provocative critique of democracy and the first sustained defense of the rule of the knowledgeable, Against Democracy is essential reading for scholars and students of politics across the disciplines.
The Forest by Alexander Nemerov, narrated by Clarke Peters (March 7)
“This is a wonderful book.”—Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with Amber Eyes
Set amid the glimmering lakes and disappearing forests of the early United States, The Forest imagines how a wide variety of Americans experienced their lives. Part truth, part fiction, and featuring both real and invented characters, the book follows painters, poets, enslaved people, farmers, and artisans living and working in an intricate, lost world.
The Dean of Shandong by Daniel A. Bell, narrated by Wyntner Woody (March 28)
“By turns humane, disturbing, hilarious—and always eye-opening.” —Rana Mitter, author of Forgotten Ally: China’s World War II, 1937–1945
From Daniel Bell, former Dean at Shandong University’s School of Political Science and Public Administration, an insider’s view of Chinese academia and what it reveals about the country’s political system.
Virtual You by Peter Coveney and Roger Highfield, narrated by Quentin Cooper (March 28)
“Transformative—a brilliant vision of how building your digital double might just save your life.” —Hannah Fry, author of Hello World
Science at its most astounding, Virtual You shows how our virtual twins and even whole populations of virtual humans promise to transform our health and our lives in the coming decades.
The Individualists by Matt Zwolinksi and John Tomasi, narrated by Leon Nixon (April 4)
“An indispensable guide to libertarian ideas and an invaluable map to where the movement…is likely to head over the next generation.” —Nick Gillespie, editor at large, Reason
A sweeping history of libertarian thought, The Individualists uncovers the neglected roots of a movement that has championed the poor and marginalized since its founding, but whose talk of equal liberty has often been bent to serve the interests of the rich and powerful.
Period by Kate Clancy, narrated by the author (April 18)
“This book is a revelation… a soaring, hopeful manifesto for a better culture and a more just science.” —Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of An Immense World
Offering a revelatory new perspective on one of the most captivating biological processes in the human body, Period will change the way you think about the past, present, and future of periods.
Parfit by David Edmonds, narrated by Zeb Soanes (April 18)
“Derek Parfit…was utterly fascinating and delightful and brilliant, and with this book David Edmonds has painted him a beautiful, thorough, and compelling portrait.” —Michael Schur, creator of The Good Place and author of How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
From the bestselling coauthor of Wittgenstein’s Poker, an entertaining and illuminating biography of a brilliant philosopher who tried to rescue morality from nihilism.
College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be, Second Edition by Andrew Delbanco, narrated by Trevor White (April 18)
“The American college is too important ‘to be permitted to give up on its own ideals,’ Delbanco writes. He has underscored these ideals by tracing their history. Like a great teacher, he has inspired us to try to live up to them.” —Michael S. Roth, New York Times Book Review
From cultural critic Andrew Delbanco, an exploration of strengths and failures of the American college, and defense of why liberal education still matters.
Merchants of the Right by Jennifer Carlson, narrated by Jennifer Cole (May 2)
“An insightful account of the glue that binds one of the dominant strains of conservatism and threatens liberal democracy.” —Kirkus Reviews
This eye opening portrait sheds light on the unparalleled surge in gun purchases during one of the most dire moments in American history, revealing how conservative political culture was galvanized amid a once-in-a-century pandemic, racial unrest, and a U.S. presidential election that rocked the foundations of American democracy.
The Power of Hope by Carol Graham, narrated by Katherine Fenton (April 25)
“Read this book to learn more not just about the power of hope but about an entire body of work to which she has so ably and persistently contributed.” —Isabel Sawhill, author of Forgotten Americans
In this timely and innovative account, economist Carol Graham argues for the importance of hope—little studied in economics at present—as an independent dimension of well-being.
Night Vision by Mariana Alessandri, narrated by Gisela Chipe (May 9)
“In facing the darkness of life and its unsettling truths—with courage, compassion, and something like hope—Alessandri has written a book for our time, and for every time. Night Vision is brilliant and unflinchingly pitch black.” —John Kaag, author of Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life
A philosopher’s personal meditation on how painful emotions can reveal truths about what it means to be truly human.
Christian Supremacy by Magda Tatar, narrated by Erica Stevens Abbitt (May 16)
“A valuable book for a public in real need of new tools for understanding some of our era’s most challenging structural problems.” —Lisa Moses Leff, author of The Archive Thief: The Man Who Salvaged French Jewish History in the Wake of the Holocaust
A panoramic cultural and legal history that traces the roots of antisemitism and racism to early Christian theology.
The Little Book of Exoplanets by Joshua Winn, narrated by the author (July 11)
“This delightful book offers an insider’s view into the vibrant and fast-moving field of extrasolar planets. Thanks to Joshua Winn’s crystal-clear explanations, everyone can learn something new from this book—newcomers and experienced scientists alike!” —Laura Kreidberg, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy
A concise and accessible introduction to exoplanets that explains the cutting-edge science behind recent discoveries.