Audio

-- Library Journal, 04/01/2009

Fiction

The FBI has six days to stop a plot to assassinate the President in this title originally published in 1977 as a stand-alone thriller and refashioned in 1987 to complete No. 1 New York Times best-selling author Archer's "Kane and Abel" trilogy. The narration is by Audie Award winner Lorelei King (Tallgrass), who also read the last entry in this series, The Prodigal Daughter (Jeff Harding read the first; abridged recordings of all three are available from Macmillan Audio). King performs expressively, adding just the right amount of excitement to the story. The abridgment is skillfully executed; it is impossible to tell where material has been omitted. Highly recommended.—Ilka Gordon, Siegel Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland

Ben Gould was supposed to die, but he didn't, and now he can talk to his dog, Pilot, and Ling, the ghost that's been sent to take his soul to the afterlife. This perspective-changing novel, which follows Carroll's (www.jonathancarroll.com) The Wooden Sea, explores what can happen when we choose to take control of our own fate. Actor/two-time Audie Award nominee Ray Porter does a good job of drawing in listeners. Recommended for most public libraries. [Audio clip available through www.blackstoneaudio.com; the Farrar hc received a starred review, LJ 9/1/08.—Ed.]—Donna Bachowski, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., FL

This ambitious and resonant first novel imagines Eve as she is created from Adam, is expelled from the Garden, and loses one son at the hand of another. With her lyrical writing style, Elliott brings a fully flawed and human Eve to life. Listeners may be surprised to relate to Eve as she struggles with the enduring problems of maintaining a marriage and rearing children. Three talented narrators—Sandra Burr, Tanya Eby Sirois, and Ellen Grafton—give voice to Eve and her daughters. Recommended for public libraries with a Christian fiction readership and/or interest in literary fiction. [The Delacorte hc received a starred review, LJ 1/09.—Ed.]—Carly Wiggins, Allen Cty. P.L., Fort Wayne, IN

Nobel prize winner Hesse's final novel, here available for the first time on audio, is set in a 23rd-century utopia in which the intellectual elite have distilled all available knowledge of math, music, science, and art into an elaborately coded game. Cleanly and precisely describing this complex and dense future is theater actor/director David Colacci, who has previously read titles by Greg Iles and Anne Perry. While the length may seem daunting, Colacci's voice remains fresh through the 17th CD of this captivating novel. For large public and academic libraries. [Audio clip available through www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com.—Ed.]—J. Sara Paulk, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Cty. Lib., GA

American Mystery Award winner Jance's (www.jajance.com) fourth entry in his Ali Reynolds series finds the ex-television journalist defending her contractor when he's accused of having murdered his wife. Ali is mercifully no longer blogging at cutlooseblog.com, a narrative element that weighed down previous books in this series. The text is well written, engaging, and humorous, and the audio production, too, is of stellar quality, with actress Karen Ziemba giving each character a distinct personality. Other factors making this the best series offering to date are the addition of new characters and a tighter plot. Recommended.—Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ

This fourth installment—following Love over Scotland—in New York Times best-selling author McCall Smith's (www.mccallsmith.com) "44 Scotland Street" series centers on a group of Edinburgh denizens' quirky and intriguing antics as seen through the eyes of a six-year-old boy. The book can stand alone, though listeners would benefit from meeting the characters earlier in the series. Actor/narrator Robert Ian Mackenzie's (Freddy and Fredericka) voice and delivery are wonderful; however, he could have done a better job distinguishing among the numerous characters. For mystery and audio collections in public libraries, especially those with previous McCall Smith titles.—Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ

Morris's second novel—following The Golden Axe—to feature Det. Porfiry Petrovich, a character originally created by Fyodor Dostoevsky, gives the investigator a new crime and a new partner with whom to solve it. Morris's meticulous writing draws listeners into the low and squalid atmosphere of 1860s St. Petersburg, while narrator John Curless's performance guides them through the tale. Listeners will appreciate the difficulty of listening to this "Russian" novel while involved in other activities such as driving or gardening—better just to sit back and enjoy this one. For public library fiction collections.—Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX

English author Weldon's deliciously written 2007 tale, a nod to Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron (1351), imagines a modern-day gathering among several well-heeled women (all strangers to one another) at a spa one winter holiday. Each woman shares her life story, and talented actress/narrator Rula Lenska voices them to perfection. This title must be listened to in order to be fully appreciated. Essential for all larger public libraries as well as for academic and special libraries offering modernized classics or well-written fiction. [Audio clip available through www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com; the UK audio edition, with Sian Thomas reading, is available from Quercus Publishing.—Ed.]—Susan Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

In Edgar Award winner Woods's (www.stuartwoods.com) seventh entry in his Will Lee series—following Capital Crimes—President Will Lee has several crises to contend with as he prepares for the next election and manages to solve them all in unique and creative ways. Narrator Carrington MacDuffie (Iron Orchid), whose delivery is clear and easy to understand, does a fine job realizing both the male and female characters. She successfully captures the affection and complexity of the relationship between Will and his wife, CIA director Kate Rule Lee. Recommended for the mystery collection of public libraries.—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland

Cashman (founder & CEO, LeaderSource; Awakening the Leader Within) has developed a revised and expanded edition for the tenth anniversary of this best seller, enlarging his model and drawing on his 20-plus years of experience in leadership development and executive coaching to incorporate new insights. The narration by two-time Audie Award nominee Alan Sklar, who's recorded more than 50 audiobooks for Sound Library, is exceedingly impressive in pitch and tone; his voice is instantly reassuring and believable. Essential for any leadership library. [Audio clip available through www.bbcaudiobooksamerica.com.—Ed.]—Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.

Citing political campaigns and the media and even taking a historical look at assassins, New York Times best-selling author Coulter (If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd All Be Republicans) strives here to convince readers of the evils of the liberal left. If, like Coulter, you believe that the biggest problem facing this nation is the plague of single mothers, then you're in for a treat (she devotes nearly an hour to this particular rant). Coulter fans will eat this up—others may find it hard to digest. Love the book or hate it, the narration by Margy Moore, whose inflection matches Coulter's no-holds-barred style, is right on target. For public libraries. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Crown Forum hc, published in January, was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD

Caroll Spinney (carollspinney.com), the voice of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch and winner of the Library of Congress's Living Legend Award, here narrates journalist Davis's gentle yet often surprising look at Sesame Street, the world's longest-running (40 years) and widest-reaching (120 countries) children's show. This will be a sure-fire hit in just about every library; highly recommended. [Includes a bonus interview with Davis and Spinney; the Viking hc was recommended "for all reference and browsing collections," LJ 12/08; visit www.streetgangbook.com for a bonus chapter profiling Roscoe Orman, who played Gordon on the show.—Ed.]—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA

Running coach/ultramarathon runner Dreyer's (Chi Walking) program applies principles of t'ai chi to running in a "practice" akin to yoga. Three how-to sessions cover principles and techniques and direct runners to perform specific movements; there are also guided training runs. Because this is an inherently visual, movement-based technique, it can only go so far, despite an otherwise successful adaptation to audio and the descriptive 33-page study guide. Listeners who bring open-mindedness and intention, however, will benefit from Dreyer's one-on-one lecture, which he delivers in a mellow, well-spoken voice. Recommended for all libraries.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Middletown

Former New York Times reporter Ifill explores the role of race, racism, and identity politics as played out in the 2008 election, offering striking criticism and intriguing insight as to how one can examine these ideas in light of Barack Obama's presidential victory. As narrator, however, Ifill is arguably less successful. She has the intense, assertive, projecting voice of a news reporter, which can get tiresome, and a significant number of page turns can be heard throughout. Though the subject matter will impress and provoke political junkies and lay readers alike, some may find Ifill's performance overwhelming. [Audio clip available through www.highbridgeaudio.com; includes a bonus interview with the author.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA

In 2003, Oklahoma native Maddox was a newly trained U.S. Army interrogation specialist. Assigned to Tikrit, Iraq, he was involved in the search and capture of Saddam Hussein and others on the military's Black List. Through the interrogation of a prisoner Maddox was instrumental in bringing in, he was able to discover Hussein's hiding place on his last day in Iraq. Actor/narrator Bernie McInerney (Shooter) capably reads this unique insider's look at a major historical event. Recommended for military history buffs and larger public libraries. [Audio clip available through www.harperaudio.com.—Ed.]—Mary Knapp, Madison P.L., WI

Autistic savant Tammet's follow-up to his 2007 New York Times best-selling memoir, Born on a Blue Day, delves into the vast array of human understanding and how our brains work. Drawing on personal experience as well as on scientific research, he creates the equivalent of a good college lecture series, with the narrative generating interest as it develops. This smooth audio abridgment benefits from British actor Daniel Gerroll's narration, which renders the prosaic material intriguing. Recommended for public libraries with large audiobook collections. [Audio clip available through audio.simonandschuster.com; an alternate recording, with John Keating reading, is available from Recorded Books.—Ed.]—Lisa Powell Williams, Moline P.L., IL

This superb survey of today's economy, completed prior to the 2008 financial crisis, concentrates on the economic crisis currently enveloping the globe. Instructor Taylor (managing editor, Journal of Economic Perspectives) delivers the 36 college-level lectures in a lively and masterly manner. The accompanying DVD features visual elements including detailed charts, graphs, maps, and historical photos; also available is a course guidebook with a summary scope and outline for each lecture, a glossary of terms, and an annotated bibliography. Essential for all university libraries supporting economics curriculum and for major public libraries.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

For this biography of the owner of the New York Post, Fox News, and the Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair columnist Wolff had access to all the players in Murdoch's life, on both the family and the business ends, and interviewed Murdoch himself several times throughout the years. Wolff's story is intimate, intriguing, and told on a grand scale. For all this, Don Leslie's (American Prince) reading gives listeners a sense of intimacy. Recommended. [The Broadway hc appeared in December; audio clip available through www.randomhouse.com/audio.—Ed.]—Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence