Audiobook Reviews, September 15, 2010
Sep 15, 2010
FICTION
Beattie, Ann. Walks with Men. 2 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 2½ hrs. AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9780792772347. $39.95; digital download. F
In PEN/Bernard Malamud Award winner Beattie's powerfully stark period novella, Jane, a recent 1980s Harvard graduate, recounts her life experiences beginning with her plunge from rural independence to urban life with a much older, married lover. Beattie herself reads, and though the audio is professionally produced and features consistent volume throughout, it sounds bland in spots and would have benefited from the addition of background music or more vocal variety. Despite her limited range, Beattie creates with her expressive, accent-free voice and appropriately soothing, slow-paced reading the image of a reflective protagonist looking back on her life. Recommended where there is interest. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 2/15/10.—Ed.]—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
DeMille, Nelson. The Lion. 14 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 15¾ hrs. Hachette Audio from AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9781607885412. $124.99; 2 MP3-CDs. library ed.; 14 CDs. retail ed. Hachette Audio; 8 CDs. retail ed. abridged. 8¾ hrs.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
A weekend of skydiving gets an even greater jolt of excitement when Asad Khalil, a Libyan terrorist first introduced in DeMille's (www.nelsondemille.net) New York Times best seller The Lion's Game (2000)—also available from Hachette Audio—drops from the sky to continue his vendetta against Kate Mayfield and Det. John Corey. Series narrator Scott Brick (see Behind the Mike, LJ 10/15/09) demonstrates a particular affinity for Corey, bringing humor and self-deprecation to a sometimes abrasive character. Fast paced and action-packed; sure to please thriller fans. [The New York Times best-selling Grand Central hc was described as a "fast-paced grabber of a thriller," LJ 6/15/10.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC
Dibdin, Michael. The Last Sherlock Holmes Story. 6 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 6¾ hrs. AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9780792771647. $64.95; Playaway digital; digital download. F
The late British crime write Dibdin (d. 2007), best known for his "Aurelio Zen" thrillers, wrote this 1978 debut novel in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. In it, Dr. Watson's presumed diary entries are tied to Holmes's last years, his final case (the return of Jack the Ripper), and the events leading up to his death. Familiar Conan Doyle characters and references to Holmes stories abound in this take on the Holmes saga that will keep listeners enthralled. British actor Robert Glenister (The Time Machine) perfectly captures Holmes's cool, calm demeanor and Watson's excited, reverential manner. Highly recommended not just for Holmes aficionados but for all mystery/thriller fans.—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland
Ebershoff, David. The Danish Girl. MP3 digital download. library ed. unabridged. 11½ hrs. HighBridge Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781615730872. $52.43; Playaway digital. F
Ebershoff's (www.ebershoff.com) 2000 debut novel, which is currently being adapted into a film starring Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman, precedes the New York Times best sellers Pasadena (2002) and The 19th Wife (LJ Audio 10/15/08). Set in 1920s Copenhagen, Dresden, and Paris, the title is loosely based on the life of Danish painter Einar Wegener, who underwent sex reassignment surgery to become Lili, and explores his/her relationship with wife Greta. As Einar and Greta struggle to learn how to live with Lili, listeners are given an intimate view of a marriage irrevocably altered. While the novel is well written overall, the multitude of flashbacks adds little. Jeff Woodman's (High Deryni) performance is superb, brimming with understated emotion. Recommended for anyone who enjoys stories outside of the mainstream.—Donna Bachowski, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., Orlando, FL
Heitzmann, Kristen. Indivisible. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10¼ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307736086. $35; digital download. Random Audio. F
The small town of Redford, CO, seems picture perfect—until Police Chief Jonas Westfall discovers the mutilated bodies of two raccoons killed in such a gruesome manner as to make him suspect there is a psychopath on the loose. As Christy Award winner Heitzmann's (www.kristenheitzmann.net) tale unfolds, we learn that Westfall is a recovering alcoholic with dark secrets of his own. Indivisible is about the difficult life choices we make and their sometimes painful—even deadly—consequences. It is also about the power of prayer and forgiveness. Actress/narrator Kirsten Potter (www.kirstenpotter.com) captivates with her convincing portrayals of the disparate characters, maneuvering seamlessly among them. For those who enjoy mystery and suspense novels with strong Christian overtones; some may find the graphic scenes involving animal mutilation very disturbing.—Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD
King, Stephen. Blockade Billy. 3 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 2½ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9781449834432. $24.75;
3 CDs. retail ed. S. & S. Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
King, a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, takes a break from the supernatural with this highly entertaining novella. Things are not going well for the Newark Titans in 1957, until they turn in desperation to minor league catcher Billy Blakely, who proves to be both an excellent fielder and a timely hitter. This being a King tale, the Titans' success is not without some unexpected turns. In the tradition of Robert Coover's The Universal Baseball Association and Jerome Charyn's The Seventh Babe, Blockade Billy is infused with colorful details of the game. Actor Craig Wasson sounds delightfully grumpy as the Titans' avuncular third-base coach, comically raising his voice to convey displeasure with the post-1957 world. All fans of King's, baseball, and perfectly performed audiobooks will be delighted. [Includes the bonus story "Morality," read by Mare Winningham; the Scribner hc was described as a "read-at-one-gulp tale," LJ Xpress Reviews, 4/30/10.—Ed.]—Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr. Lib.
Kwok, Jean. Girl in Translation. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9¼ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307736185. $39.95; 8 CDs. retail ed. Penguin Audio; digital download. F
After emigrating from Hong Kong, 11-year-old Kimberly Chang and her mother are confined by poverty to New York City sweatshops and squalor. Kimberly's Americanization culminates when the math and science wunderkind earns scholarships to an exclusive private secondary school, and then to Yale. Kwok's (jeankwok.net) debut novel, based on her own immigrant childhood spent toiling in a Chinatown sweatshop while immersed in Chinese manners, culture, and idioms, sparkles with authenticity. Voice artist Grayce Wey's Chinese accent provides a subliminal affirmation of the characters' dignity. An engrossing coming-of-age tale recommended for both adults and mature teens. ["Reminiscent of An Na's A Step from Heaven," read the review of the Riverhead hc, LJ 2/15/10.—Ed.]—Judith Robinson, Dept. of Lib. & Information Studies, Univ. at Buffalo
Larsson, Stieg. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. tr. from Swedish by Reg Keeland. 16 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 20¼ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307735010. $40; 16 CDs. retail ed. Random Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
This final entry in Larsson's posthumously published "Millennium" trilogy follows the LJ Best Audio of 2009 The Girl Who Played with Fire, also available from Books on Tape/Random Audio. It features a critically wounded Lisbeth Salander working alongside friend and journalist Mikael Blomkvist to prove her innocence and plot her revenge, and it successfully pulls together all the earlier plot lines while also developing new narrative threads. Narrator Simon Vance (see Behind the Mike, LJ 11/15/08) handles the complex plot and diverse characters well, helping the story to move along quickly and addictively. Highly recommended as an essential purchase to complete the series, all three of whose entries were LJ Best Sellers. ["A must" for Larsson fans, read the review of the No. 1 New York Times best-selling Knopf hc, LJ Xpress Reviews, 5/21/10.—Ed.]—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo
Marston, Edward. Murder on the Brighton Express. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8 hrs. AudioGO (formerly BBCAA). 2010. ISBN 9780792772316. $89.95; digital download. F
This fifth title in Marston's "Railway Detective" series, following The Iron Horse (2007), revolves around a catastrophic train wreck in 1854 England. Scotland Yard's Robert Colbeck quickly determines that the wreck was caused by someone wanting to kill a single passenger. Before finding the culprit, then, he must first identify the intended victim. The book is populated with colorful characters, and the two strands of Colbeck's investigation result in a tidy whodunit wrapping up with a nifty surprise ending. However, it would be more satisfying as a work of historical fiction had it provided more details unique to its time period. Bombay-born actor/narrator Sam Dastor's (A Passage to India) meticulous enunciation nicely enhances the text. Recommended with reservations.—R. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Min, Anchee. Pearl of China. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10¾ hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9781436186322. $102.75; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Any other author, fiction or nonfiction, would be hard-pressed to surpass this gorgeous fictionalized biography of Pulitzer and Nobel prize winner Pearl S. Buck. Min (www.ancheemin.com) uses Willow, a young impoverished Chinese girl who became Buck's lifelong friend, to tell compassionately the story of Buck, the daughter of missionaries and a woman who loved often and well. Narrator Angela Lin is excellent as the dreamy minister father, his realistic daughter, and the ever-present Willow, who literally dominates the book's latter half, also skillfully presenting Pearl and Willow in their youth and older age. Together, Min and Lin give Pearl the warmth and humanity Buck always gave her own characters. This glorious audio presentation is ideal for fans of Buck, those interested in China, and anyone liking a rich autobiographical treatment of a subject. [For a significantly different take on the Bloomsbury hc, see LJ 4/15/10.—Ed.]—Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL
Némirovsky, Irène. Dimanche. tr. from French by Bridget Patterson. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9¼ hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441748683. $45; 8 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Némirovsky, whose posthumously published Suite Française (2004) won the Prix Renaudot, wrote these ten stories between 1934 and 1942. Never before translated, they are vignettes of the French middle class, unsentimental and piercing looks at family life that end abruptly, leaving readers/listeners with few answers but much to consider. Director/narrator Cassandra Campbell's clear, melodious voice is a good counterpart to the text; cool and detached, her voice emphasizes the hypocrisy, disconnectedness, and implicit irony that permeate the stories. She gracefully alters her pitch, pacing, and accent for every new point of view she adopts. Strongly recommended.—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA
Palahniuk, Chuck. Tell-All. 5 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 5½ hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441735065. $50; 1 MP3-CD.
library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
As housekeeper and confidante to has-been movie star Katherine Kenton, Hazie Coogan tends to her employer's every wish and need. So when a tell-all memoir about the aging actress threatens to surface, she goes to extremes to prevent it from seeing the light of day. Though the plot of New York Times best-selling author Palahniuk's (www.chuckpalahniuk.net) latest novel is rather bizarre and unsatisfying, Hillary Huber (The Art of Social War), a relative newbie in the audiobook narrating industry, does a superb job of voicing the Thelma Ritter–esque housekeeper and lending a vintage Hollywood feel to this audio production. Die-hard Palahniuk fans and those with a penchant for old-time Hollywood references will likely want to give this a chance. Others will find it tedious, needlessly redundant, and annoying—certainly, it's no The Fight Club.—Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.–Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO
Peters, Elizabeth. A River in the Sky. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 11 hrs. Recorded Bks. 2010. ISBN 9781440779435. $102.75; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. HarperAudio. F
Pseudonymous author/Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Barbara Mertz (www.mpmbooks.com) presents her 19th Amelia Peabody entry, following Tomb of the Golden Bird (2006), the entire series of which is also available from Recorded Books. When amateur sleuth Amelia and her Egyptologist husband, Radcliffe, leave for pre–World War I Palestine at the request of the British government, their mission is subsumed by more pressing matters: kidnapping, murder, a specious fanatic, a German agent, a mad nationalist, and a convenient deluge. Series narrator/Audie Award winner Barbara Rosenblat (see Behind the Mike, LJ 5/1/10) adeptly portrays the various characters, excelling especially in the role of Amelia, whose strength of purpose she emphasizes with crisp, sure diction and a commanding tone. Rosenblat further ensures listeners miss none of Peters's literary humor. Highly recommended. ["Series fans will enjoy," read the review of the Morrow hc, LJ 2/1/10.—Ed.]—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA
Roth, Philip. My Life as a Man. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12¼ hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441805409. $92.97; 10 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Roth's seventh novel, first published in 1974, introduces Peter Tarnopol and Nathan Zuckerman, characters who persist in Roth's subsequent works recounting middle age in midcentury American Jewish life. Here, two short stories foreshadowing some of Tarnopol's life issues are followed by a lengthier feature fleshing out these concerns. Tricked into an unhappy marriage to Maureen Ketterer, Peter pursues an affair with charming, rich, devoted Susan Seabury McCall. His conflicted ambivalence between the two consumes him emotionally until Maureen's accidental death. In this first commercial audio recording of My Life, actor/musician Dan John Miller sounds just as one imagines Peter would in telling his story; Maureen's and Susan's characters come across equally as well. Recommended as a classic of American literature.—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA
Slaughter, Karin. Broken. 11 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 13½ hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781423342403. $99.97; 11 CDs. retail ed.; 5 CDs. retail ed. abridged.
6 hrs.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
When a young man with limited mental capabilities is jailed on suspicion of murder and subsequently commits suicide, the widow of Grant County's former police chief calls in Special Agent Will Trent to help solve the crime and investigate malfeasance within the local police force. Slaughter's (www.karinslaughter.com) second novel to combine the "Grant County" and "Atlanta" series, following Undone (2009), also available from Brilliance Audio and read by Natalie Ross, is absolutely riveting, with plot twists and turns that will keep listeners guessing through to the very end. Ross's facility in transitioning from male to female, and from young to old, is phenomenal, making this an exceptional listening experience. [The Delacorte hc also received a starred review, LJ 6/1/10.—Ed.]—Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.–Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO
NONFICTION
Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. 4 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 5¼ hrs. Naxos AudioBooks. 2010. ISBN 9781843793601. $28.98; digital download. PHIL
Aurelius's musings on man's duty to himself, his family, and others comprise one of the great works of Stoic philosophy and have remained influential since their initial publication some 500 years ago (they are a favorite of former President Clinton's). Author/narrator Duncan Steen reads this relatively short revision of George Long's 1862 translation in a manner befitting the author and subject matter: dispassionately, but not monotonously, always in control of his emotions. Steen's pacing and intonation allow the philosopher/emperor's thoughts on life and how to live it to speak for themselves. All libraries should consider.—Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Lynchburg
Avlon, John. Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe Is Hijacking America. 6 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 6½ hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441866059. $99.97; 6 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; digital download. POL SCI
This first title from fledgling imprint Beast Books was first published as an ebook, then as a trade paperback, and is now available in multiple audio formats. In it, CNN commentator/Daily Beast columnist Avlon uses the Internet to trace the rise of political extremism and recites numerous examples of far left and far right (i.e., wingnut) politicians and the radical positions they espouse. Those who keep abreast of goings on in the political arena will learn little from this short treatise, in which Avlon contends that the wingnuts and the massive amount of media attention they generate are polarizing the nation. Less of a book than a series of long, entertaining blog posts; Tina Brown narrates the foreword. For those who enjoy video, check out the 21 CNN "Wingnut of the Week" clips on Avlon's web site, johnavlon.com. Purchase as interest warrants.—Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD
Brafman, Ori & Rom Brafman. Click: The Magic of Instant Connections. 4 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 4½ hrs. Books on Tape. 2010. ISBN 9780307735119. $35; 4 CDs. retail ed. Random Audio; digital download. BUS
Organizational business consultant Ori Brafman and his psychologist brother, Rom (www.brafmanbrothers.com), coauthors of the New York Times best seller Sway (2008), here draw on scientific research and real-life examples to explore the phenomenon of the instant connection and how it can be artificially induced. Charismatic actor/musician Rob Shapiro does an excellent job of narrating; his enthusiasm for the subject matter is apparent. Recommended for those interested in personal relationships and business interviews. Essential for anyone wanting to understand why certain people hit it off, work well together, or feel a magical connection. [The Broadway Business hc was described as "a sophisticated self-help book that will appeal to business professionals and those in other career fields as well," LJ Xpress Reviews, 5/21/10.—Ed.]—Ilka Gordon, Siegal Coll. of Judaic Studies Lib., Cleveland
Frauenfelder, Mark. Made by Hand. 6 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781400147816. $71.99; 6 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; Playaway digital (Dec. 2010); digital download. SOC SCI
Author Frauenfelder (editor in chief, Make magazine; cofounder, boingboing.net) takes listeners on a fascinating journey into the vibrant and currently hot world of do it yourself (DIY). Frustrated with today's throwaway culture and driven by his innate desire to invent and improve, Frauenfelder and his family embarked on a yearlong journey during which he tried his hand at DIY projects including organic gardening, constructing cigar-box guitars, keeping bees, and tutoring his daughter. Here, he tells of these varyingly successful endeavors, offering as a foundation to the DIY ethos heartfelt acceptance of one's mistakes and finding beauty in imperfection. Actor/musician/comedian Kirby Heyborne's slow-paced, earnest reading nicely suits the material, which is rooted in the 1960s Whole Earth movement. For all DIYers. ["Frauenfelder offers an original perspective…and this title should appeal to a tech-savvy audience," read the review of the Portfolio hc, LJ 6/1/10.—Ed.]—Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Gwynne, S.C. Empire of the Summer Moon. 12 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 15 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010.
ISBN 9781400146550. $79.99; 12 CDs. retail ed.; 2 MP3-CDs. retail ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. HIST
Texas-based journalist Gwynne's first book is a fascinating, lively account of Quanah Parker, the son of the Comanche chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, a white woman whose abduction at a young age by the Comanche Indians and eventual love of her captors cast her as a pivotal figure in the 40-year battle between the Comanches and white settlers for control of the American West. Veteran actor David Drummond effectively narrates Gwynne's evenhanded coverage of atrocities committed on both sides in this unforgettable story of the Comanches. Highly recommended for all audiences, especially those interested in Native American history. [The New York Times best-selling Scribner hc was described as being "at its best as a Texas-centric militaristic interpretation of the 19th-century Comanche wars of the southern Plains," LJ 2/15/10.—Ed.]—Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Loftus, Geoff. Lead Like Ike. 8 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 9½ hrs. Springwater: Oasis Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781598597349. $29.99; Playaway digital (Dec. 2010); digital download. BUS
Loftus (VP of communications, Society of Corporate Secretaries & Governance Professionals) presents an analysis of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's leadership style during his command of the planning and implementation of Operation Overlord, the 1944 Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. Making a persuasive case for Ike as "the greatest CEO of the 20th century," he distills modern-day management lessons that can be learned from Ike's leadership into simple principles, e.g., listening to your people, being consistent about a message, and letting managers manage. Emmy Award winner Mort Crim's documentary style of narration serves as a solid base for this effective approach to making management sense of one of the world's most important military leaders. For anyone interested in Eisenhower's life, World War II, and how Ike's principles can apply to today's management challenges. [Includes a PDF file of this title's Appendix A; to view Appendixes A–C, visit www.oasisaudio.com.—Ed.]—Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Ridley, Matt. The Rational Optimist. 10 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 12 hrs. HarperAudio. 2010. ISBN 9780061992629. $39.99;
digital download. BUS
If you are very concerned about genetically modified foods, global warming, and the use of nonrenewable energy sources, stop right now: this book is not for you. British science writer Ridley makes a compelling case that humanity is moving in a positive and encouraging direction and has been throughout the course of human history, and he backs up this claim with many statistics and examples. Narrator L.J. Ganser well conveys Ridley's passion and conviction, but because Ridley is a British writer and Ganser has an American accent, there is a jarring element to the reading. Very informative, though sure to be controversial; for those interested in social issues, current events, and the history of trade and business. [The Harper hc was described as "an engaging introduction for those interested in a historical view of human progress and prosperity," LJ 4/1/10.—Ed.]—J. Sara Paulk, Wythe-Grayson Regional Lib., Independence, VA
Sweet, Jeffrey. The Value of Names. 1 CD. retail ed. unabridged. 1¼ hrs. L.A. Theatre Works. 2010. ISBN 9781580816540.
$18.95; Playaway digital (Dec. 2010); digital download. DRAMA
Retired actor Benny Silverman is disturbed to learn that the director of the play in which his daughter will star is Leo Greshen, a former friend and colleague who "named" Benny in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, an act that resulted in him getting blacklisted. This 1995 production of Sweet's play, directed by Gordon Hunt and originally released as a radio broadcast, is both amusing and touching as Benny and Leo, who haven't spoken in 30 years, are forced to confront their pasts. Garry Marshall (as Benny) is the focus of this excellent production and has some great lines, though his stammering is occasionally excessive; the performances by Emmy Award winner Héctor Elizondo (as Leo) and Sally Murphy (as Norma) are flawless. Recommended for those who enjoy comedic audio dramas and stories about McCarthy-era Hollywood and Broadway.—Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA
Van Dyk, Jere. Captive: My Time as a Prisoner of the Taliban. 8 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 10 hrs. Macmillan Audio.
2010. ISBN 9781427210432. $39.99; digital download. POL SCI/AUTOBIOG
While researching a book about the borderlands between Afghanistan and Pakistan, American journalist Van Dyk (In Afghanistan) became part of the story: crossing into the tribal areas of Pakistan, he was kidnapped by the Taliban and imprisoned for 45 days. Here, he relays his day-by-day experience, applying to his own story the same objectivity and journalistic principles he has practiced in his news reportage while also making clear his terror and his will to survive. Those liking history and who have followed the war in Afghanistan will find this story a worthwhile footnote to the larger picture. ["A highly original work that casts a bright light on the usually opaque thoughts and motives of the Taliban," read the review of the Time Bks: Holt hc, LJ 6/15/10.—Ed.]—Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence
Waters, John. Role Models. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 7½ hrs. Tantor Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781400147038. $59.99; 7 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. AUTOBIOG
Cult filmmaker Waters gives us another peek into the workings of his strange mind in his third autobiographical book, following Shock Value (1981) and Crackpot (1986). This time, the so-called Pope of Trash profiles the many personalities who have influenced him throughout his life, both famous (e.g., Tennessee Williams) and lesser-known (e.g., lesbian stripper Lady Zorro and foul-mouthed Baltimore bar owner Esther Martin). Waters himself narrates, in a fast-paced, conversational tone. He frequently goes off on tangents about episodes in his own life, but he is never boring and often hilarious. Waters's fans and those not easily offended will enjoy. [The Farrar hc was an Editors' Spring Pick, LJ 2/15/10.—Ed.]—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence
INSIDE Baseball
Hayhurst, Dirk. The Bullpen Gospels. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10½ hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441763075. $50; 9 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; Playaway digital; digital download. SPORTS
Hayhurst's (www.dirkhayhurst.com) debut memoir recounts the author's experiences as a minor league pitcher working his way through the San Diego Padres organization. Mostly amusing and poignant but rarely hilarious or pithy, Bullpen Gospels conveys through a series of anecdotes what it's like to be an earnest, self-effacing minor leaguer who wonders whether he's good enough for the majors. Actor Ray Porter's narration is engaging and lively; he expertly captures the vocal nuances of the wide variety of colorful characters in Hayhurst's tale, from no-nonsense coaches to a foul-mouthed grandmother. Recommended for adult baseball fans interested in digging into life in the minor leagues and learning what goes on behind the scenes when the cameras are off. [First published in April and now in its fifth printing, the Citadel Pr. pb was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Turbow, Jason with Michael Duca. The Baseball Codes. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2010. ISBN 9781441763006. $45; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. SPORTS
Sports journalist Turbow digs, but not deeply, into professional baseball's unofficial traditions and codes of conduct, presenting hundreds of too-brief anecdotes spanning centuries and covering brawling etiquette, running up scores, clubhouse justice, and more. He sadly ignores the steroids scandal, however, a fitting topic that would have added heft and interest. Also problematic is Michael Kramer's (Raoul Wallenberg) dry, monotonous narration. The content is geared toward those new to the sport, but the heavy use of lingo and profanity makes this unsuitable for younger listeners. Adult baseball fans not looking for deep or surprising insights should find this an amusing way to pass the time; hard-core fans can skip it. ["If you like to study these realities of the game, this will appeal," read the review of the Pantheon hc, LJ 2/1/10.—Ed.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
