Audio Reviews: Week of 7/30/2007

Kalla and Heald make a winning pair. Kalla is an ER doctor in his native Canada by day and a gifted thriller writer by night. Heald boasts an impressive résumé, reinforced here in the invaluable contribution he makes to this audio's excellence. Heald is best remembered as Hannibal Lector's worst nightmare in the film Silence of the Lambs and his recurring judicial role on TV's Boston Legal, but he also has more than 60 audio books to his credit. Heald's most impressive quality is the cool edge he gives his voice to differentiate between all the characters. Not to spoil the fun for any prospective listener, the blood and lies of the plot have to do with identical twins, someone coming back from the dead, a rare blood type being found at the scene of a double homicide and enough drugs to keep an ER running for a long time. Thriller fans are in for a smart, fast-moving and surprising ride. Simultaneous release with the Forge hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 23). (July)

After his youthful adventures of raping and pillaging, Alex finds himself in prison. When he volunteers for an experiment, his sentence is commuted to two weeks. The experiment leaves him physically incapable of doing wrong and releases him back into the world. However, when he repeatedly runs into people he has wronged in the past, his real suffering begins. This audiobook gives new life to Burgess's tale of recklessly violent youth, free will and true redemption. While Malcolm McDowell forever infused viewers with the look of Alex in the film, Tom Hollander performs an even more amazing feat. With a smooth, almost lyrical, crisp voice, Hollander delivers Burgess's “nadsat” dialect to readers with such rhythmic cadence that listeners will easily understand the extensive slang used throughout the book. This unabridged production also includes the 21st chapter, which was not dramatized in the film or in the book's original U.S. publication. The audiobook opens with a brief note by Burgess on living with the book's legacy. The final CD features selected readings by Burgess from a previous recorded abridged version. While it's interesting to hear the older and gruffer voice, it does not compare to Hollander's performance. A Penguin paperback. (July)

The critics were not very kind to the print version of Burke's attempt to break out of her successful Samantha Kincaid series, and the audio version shares the same faults of being dull, overcomplicated and overstuffed. Despite the award-winning audio talents of Christopher Lane, there's only so much he can do with the material he's been given. Lane is cool, clean and clear as a fresh pond as he tells listeners the story of Ellie Hatcher, a rookie detective whose father's apparent suicide leads her from New York to Wichita, Kans., where she finds that the suicide had something to do with the serial killer her father was pursuing. Lane gets all the characters' voices just right—male and female, New York computer nerd and Kansas lawman. But in the end he's the only reason for spending time and money on this disappointing audio. Simultaneous release with the Henry Holt hardcover (Reviews, May 7). (July)

A pair of gifted, award-winning readers make the audio version of Konrath's fourth mystery to feature Lt. Jack Daniels a rare, funny and very exciting listening experience. While Jack (short for Jacqueline) copes with problems in her private life, a really scary terrorist who calls himself the Chemist is literally holding the city of Chicago for ransom, demanding a huge payoff to stop injecting deadly toxins into food, drugs, even children's sandals. Many people have already died, and the Chemist seems to have something even more vicious in mind. Dick Hill catches the slightly edgy but never over-the-top killer perfectly, the kind of ordinary lunatic who might go unnoticed on the street. Susie Breck creates a perfect Jack Daniels by mixing wry wit, drink recipes and growing apprehension to capture just the right taste for mystery connoisseurs. Simultaneous release with the Hyperion hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 23). (July)

Some books aren't natural fits for audio. Edgar-winner Ellis's new novel, for example, has a complex plot that hops back and forth between the arrest, conviction and execution of serial killer Terry Burgos in 1989 and 16 years later when Burgos's prosecutor, Paul Riley, is drawn into the investigation of a very similar series of murders, involving many of the same characters. Complicating things even more, the contemporary sections jump from Riley's point of view to that of the demented new killer. Ellis uses chapter breaks, posted dates, italics and a shift from present tense narration to past tense for 1989, efforts that clarify matters in print but are a bit subtle for audio. Even an accomplished and inventive narrator like Dick Hill can only do so much—a pause before announcing a time shift, the use of a distinctive accent for the killer—to keep listener confusion to a minimum. But there's not much any reader could do with a key ingredient of the novel—the nonsense messages left at the crime scenes that contain a coded text that is near-impossible to distinguish by ear. Hill handles the dramatic sequences and thriller elements effortlessly and if one is willing to overlook several perplexing time-warped moments and the impossibility of deciphering the clues before Riley explains them, this audio provides a fair amount of entertainment. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Reviews, May 21) (July)

Gardner's breezy, slightly sarcastic delivery is just what's needed for Rosenfeld's breezy, slightly sarcastic mysteries featuring multimillionaire New Jersey lawyer Andy Carpenter. The yarns, told in first-person, present tense by the attorney, often have the feel of standup comedy routines, and this latest is no exception. (“She wanted to get me before I went to work,” Carpenter says of an early wakeup call. “She must think I'm a dairy farmer.”) Happily, Gardner possesses a comedian's timing and knows exactly where the laughs are. The plot centers on a golden retriever that was thought to have perished at sea five years ago along with its murdered mistress. Following the animal's lead, Carpenter winds up constructing a new defense for the man imprisoned for the murder. Gardner's vocal interpretations of the other characters all sound a little like him. This is appropriate, since, after all, Carpenter is supposed to be the one telling us this witty, well-plotted, highly entertaining shaggy dog story. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 26). (July)

Kramer's smooth, slightly sardonic delivery is a good fit for Perry's latest mixture of dark humor and suspense. The chase thriller focuses on four characters—the hunted (private eye Jack Till and Wendy Harper, a beauty he helped “disappear” from assassins six years before) and the hunters (the bickering, tango-dancing hit team of Paul and Sylvie Turner who've been assigned to wipe out Wendy). Kramer barely alters his reading voice for Till and Wendy, adding a wary flatness for the sleuth and a softer tone of uncertainty for the hapless woman-in-jeopardy. For the Turners, however, he shows a bit more vocal dexterity. Paul has the deep, vaguely hollow sound of a very effective con man, while Sylvie's bogus East Coast socialite drawl loses much of its cool refinement when the going gets rough. The plot is tricky—Wendy is forced from hiding when her former partner is accused of her murder—but as convoluted and complex as it gets, Kramer's well-paced presentation makes every twist register. Simultaneous release with the Harcourt hardcover (Reviews, May 28). (July)

Katherine Kellgren gives a marvelous performance in this entertaining chick lit/romance about 30-something Jane, who fantasizes about Jane Austen's heroes (particularly Mr. Darcy) while her real-life relationships flounder. She gets the tantalizing chance for a two-week holiday at an exclusive English estate where guests can experience Regency England, complete with Austenesque actors to romance them. Kellgren creates the perfect voice for each character—she's absolutely hilarious as Miss Charming, a 50-something Southern woman who tries desperately to put on a British accent and fails miserably; she's appropriately arrogant yet compelling as the attractive Mr. Nobly. As the boyishly charming Jasper, a gardener from Sheffield, Kellgren is more than up to the challenge of a very tricky accent to pull off. Kellgren brings wonderful acting to her performance, conveying Jane's conflicting emotions: thrilled at living out her fantasy while simultaneously embarrassed and self-conscious at being so silly and school-girlish. This is perfect summer beach listening for fans of chick lit, romance or Jane Austen. Simultaneous release with the Bloomsbury hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 12). (June)

Clayton “Blaze” Blazedell Jr.'s chance for a normal life ended when his father repeatedly threw him down a flight of stairs. After finishing his adolescence in an orphanage, the large man with a striking dent in his forehead plays sidekick to George, a social deviant with a knack for cons. However, when George is killed, Blaze must come up with a con of his own. With George's ghost to guide him, Blaze just might pull it off. Stephen King's last novel under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman has all the classic markings of the auteur, but is marred even before it starts by King's introduction, where he almost apologizes for publishing the book. Having narrated several King books already, McLarty already knows the author's syntax. His raspy but gentle narration provides a familiar and comforting voice for King fans. His rasp lightens up when delivering the slow-witted Blaze, but then deepens for George's scratchy voice. His old-timer Maine accents also produce a smile, when not evoking mental images of grizzled old semitoothed men. Simultaneous release with the Scribner hardcover (Reviews, May 21). (June)

Davis (American Splendor) reads Ondaatje's puzzle of a novel delicately, as if hesitant to jostle a single piece out of place. Often playing emotionally frazzled characters on screen, Davis is far more understated here in offering up Ondaatje's hybrid narrative—one that goes from 1970s San Francisco to early 20th-century France, linking past and present with loose tendrils of memory and history. She does a fine job with the tricky French names and nomenclature, and puts her natural gifts as an actor to good use with her subtle, understated, well-oiled reading. Davis still sounds as no-nonsense as ever, but her skilled reading offers a good deal more patience and tenderness than her often-testy characters do. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 16). (June)

From its quick recap of Part I to its sobering final scene, GraphicAudio lives up to its tagline, “A Movie in Your Mind.” With Earth and the universe teetering on the brink of destruction, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman must cast off their recent tensions with each other and rally Earth's superheroes against several encroaching menaces. Richard Rohan (who also plays Batman) narrates with the ease and experience he has honed over the years in working on these full-cast productions. Even without the soundtrack, sound effects and other cast members, he could still keep listeners on the edge of their seats. That's not to underrate the other readers (including Colleen Delany as Wonder Woman and James Konicek as Superman) who also perform exquisitely. The sound engineers also deserve a great deal of credit for this production. Their sound development for a range of hard to conceptualize sounds, like heat-vision or superspeed, manages quite well. Their integration of background music can subtly raise the anxiety and anticipation in listeners. Upon finishing this audiobook, listeners will undoubtedly want more (June)

The world's greatest superhero, CoreFire, has gone missing just before the world's greatest villain, Dr. Impossible, has escaped again from prison. As the fragile alliance among the superhero team, the Champions, begins to unravel, its newest member, Fatale, a female cyborg with an inferiority complex, isn't sure which side she is on. With all the action (and sometimes cheesy dialogue) of a comic book with a bit more detail, development and description, this audiobook proves to be yet another steppingstone in the evolution of the subgenre of superhero fiction. J. Paul Boehmer voices the story from the firsthand point of view of Dr. Impossible with all the self-possession, and egotistical and borderline-deranged attitude one could expect from an evil genius. Coleen Marlo delivers an excellent account of Fatale, adding softness to the externally hard and cold character. Her inflections throughout Fatale's inner dialogue easily turn listeners' sympathies to the half-metal humanoid. Whooshing sound effects carry listeners from one chapter to the next in a fashion that fits or invokes an old-time radio series. Simultaneous release with the Pantheon hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 16). (June)

Poet, essayist and fiction writer Wendell Berry has established himself as the consummate writer's writer. His grounding in agrarian themes—both sociologically insightful and intimately personal—harks back to the rich tradition of Faulkner. Over the past four decades, Berry has built an impressive body of novels and short stories devoted to the fictional rural hamlet of Port William, located in his home state of Kentucky. First published in 1974, The Memory of Old Jack recounts the last days in the life of 92-year-old farmer Jack Beechum in the fall of 1952, as the self-sufficient man of the soil contemplates both his heartaches and triumphs. Veteran narrator Paul Michael brings Jack's meandering journey between the present and past into crystal-clear focus. His portrayal of the emotionally and sexually barren terrain of Jack's relationship with his wife, Ruth, evokes especially powerful angst concerning the disconnect between dutiful obligation and romantic passion. This audiobook release offers an excellent venue for new audiences to discover Berry, a seminal literary figure whose gifted storytelling challenges, provokes, inspires and affirms. A Counterpoint Press paperback. (May)

James Gale proves an excellent choice to narrate this latest entry to the long-running Inspector Rebus series. It's 2005 and Rebus is mourning the unexpected death of his brother. It is a death that will cause a lot of introspective musings for the detective as he sees his retirement edging over the horizon. But soon Rebus and his partner are after a possible serial killer who is doing in former sex offenders. Add to that the apparent suicide of an MP and the horror of the London subway bombings, and you have another first-rate Scottish mystery, that is only enhanced by Gale's performance. Gale's gruff, gravelly delivery brings just the right amount of world weariness to his characterization of Rebus. With the rich array of accents at his disposal, Gale is equally effective in his portrayal of Rankin's supporting characters, especially the smug amoral crime boss Cafferty, who comes across as a smirking, self-satisfied alley cat with fresh bird feathers in his whiskers. Simultaneous release with the Little, Brown hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 22). (May)

Just as the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the setting for stories about rich and evil rich women who oppress and depress everyone around them, the Upper West Side is the scene for romances that bud in the park or neighborhood cafes. Schine's frothy novel is Harry meets Sally and Rover. Walking her pit bull, Jody falls for Everett, even though he sometimes sports a pink umbrella, which Jody decides is a sign of masculine security. Polly forms a triangle with her mutt and her brother, George, who is a bit of a puppy himself. Nicole Roberts reads this romantic comedy with enthusiasm, but she isn't very strong on character voices. Polly sounds identical to Jody. George, Everett, Simon and the other male characters also sound pretty much alike. Only Doris, a local with a sharp tongue, has a suitable voice. Despite the lack of the true performance that this novel deserves, the sitcom cast and quick pace of Roberts's reading make this an amusing summer listen. Simultaneous release with the Sarah Crichton Books hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 26). (May)

As scathing as it is meticulous, Gore's treatise on reason juggernauts its way through the Bush administration, never even needing to include the controversial nature of Bush's presidential elections. He identifies the growing concentration of power in the executive branch virtually ignored by mainstream media. Drawing on the great political philosophers of history and his lengthy career in government, Gore contends that the loss of a genuine public forum in the age of radio and television has led to the decay of democracy. He delivers a serious critique of the United States tempered by hope and faith in the restoration of checks and balances. The articulated venom of Gore's words can be heard in Patton's voice as he narrates. He reads with an intensity that makes this already engaging prose compelling. Patton maintains a distinct smooth and edgy voice, but maintains a cadence that reminds listeners of Gore's own speaking mannerisms. In quoting historical figures, Patton's voice is distinct but not haughty or pompous. The combination of Patton's performance and Gore's words make this an impressive audiobook. Simultaneous release with the Penguin Press hardcover. (June)

Drawing on both personal experience and extensive field research, Dr. Groopman sheds light on the faulty decision making that leads otherwise competent physicians down the wrong path in diagnosing and treating their patients. Groopman stresses the imperative for his colleagues to balance clinical formulas and data with keen insight and for patients to engage their physicians in active dialogue. Like the heroic fictional doctors in prime-time television medical dramas, Groopman advances a humane, patient-focused agenda that flies in the face of the bureaucratic, institutional establishment, but refreshingly, he manages to steer clear of pat answers and smug solutions that characterize much of the popular media's take on health care. With more than 450 titles under his belt, accomplished narrator Michael Prichard exhibits a calm, authoritative command of the material. His less-is-more approach to conveying emotion may strike some listeners as detached and lacking passion, but his steady performance fits nicely with Groopman's sensitive—but still highly inquisitive—exploration of life and death questions. Simultaneous release with the Houghton Mifflin hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 29). (June)

Tiefenthaler, an actress and writer of Austrian descent, was raised and educated in England, but her reading of Bach's biography of the famed and reviled Nazi filmmaker betrays a puzzling lack of familiarity with the rhythms of the English language. Her fruity accent notwithstanding, Tiefenthaler delivers a halting performance, pausing in the middle of linked phrases, or unexpectedly extending a sentence, as if she had not realized that further work remained to be done. The reading of an audiobook should be fluid, as if the reader was the composer of the book, intimately familiar with each and every word. Tiefenthaler evokes images of a reader squinting at a piece of paper, attempting to suss out the words on the fly, and the results cannot help detracting from Bach's solid work. Available as a Knopf hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 29). (June)

Following up his acclaimed study of the Six-Day War, historian Oren analyzes America's 200-plus–year involvement in the Middle East, from battling Barbary pirates to toppling Saddam Hussein. Dietz, one of AudioFile magazine's Best Voices of the Century, with a measured, leisurely reading style, turns in another solid performance. Dietz comes from the classic school of readers, sounding like an action movie–trailer narrator in a more contemplative mood. His almost brusque masculine swagger is highly appropriate for Oren's tale of American misadventure in the Middle East, compounded in equal parts of the three titular components. Counterintuitively for so long an audiobook, Dietz's tortoise-like performance adds to, rather than detracts from, Oren's prose, with Dietz's careful pace giving Oren's carefully researched tome an added measure of dignified wisdom. Available as a Norton hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 20, 2006). (June)

Upon entering the White House in 1981, President Ronald Reagan committed himself to daily journaling for the sake of posterity. As edited by historian Douglas Brinkley and read by Eric Conger, the entries convey a palpable sense of focus and determination. Conger plays down the larger-than-life Great Communicator public persona in favor of a straight-shooting businessman that one might expect to encounter around the table at a Rotary Club meeting in the rural Midwest. As Reagan reflects on such decisions as removing controversial Secretary of State Alexander Haig from office or firing the striking air traffic controllers, Conger skillfully portrays matter-of-fact toughness, though he demonstrates equal command of Reagan's softer side, particularly his expressions of grief during times of national tragedy. The abridgment melds reactions to historically significant events with more routine narratives in a smooth flow, though history buffs will still feel the urge to dig more deeply, and younger listeners not sufficiently schooled in key people and events from the '80s may wish that Brinkley had provided contextual information beyond his introduction. Simultaneous release with the HarperCollins hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 2). (June)

In her engaging though sometimes preachy new book, Kingsolver recounts the year her family attempted to eat only what they could grow on their farm in Virginia or buy from local sources. The book's bulk, written and read by Kingsolver in a lightly twangy voice filled with wonder and enthusiasm, proceeds through the seasons via delightful stories about the history of their farmhouse, the exhausting bounty of the zucchini harvest, turkey chicks hatching and so on. In long sections, however, she gets on a soapbox about problems with industrial food production, fast food and Americans' ignorance of food's origins, and despite her obvious passion for the issues, the reading turns didactic and loses its pace, momentum and narrative. Her daughter Camille contributes recipes, meal plans and an enjoyable personal essay in a clear if rather monotonous voice. Hopp, Kingsolver's husband and an environmental studies professor, provides dry readings of the sidebars that have him playing “Dr. Scientist,” as Kingsolver notes in an illuminating interview on the last disc. Though they may skip some of the more moralizing tracks, Kingsolver's fans and foodies alike will find this a charming, sometimes inspiring account of reconnecting with the food chain. Simultaneous release with the HarperCollins hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 26). (May)

Veteran character actor Lloyd does a commendable job in narrating Gawande's arresting exposé of the razor-thin margin that separates top doctors from the rest. While the book has its share of sensational and bloodcurdling tales of virulent infections and medicine gone wrong, Lloyd resists the urge to sensationalize his reading. He rightly senses that these tales do not constitute the heart of this book. Some parts are necessarily slow-moving and methodical, including a lecture on the proper way to scrub hands or a complex rundown of India's health care system. Lloyd's quietly authoritative reading lends an unhurried air that is appropriate for a book fundamentally about taking the time to care, and care diligently, about the things that matter most. Gawande's writing works well on audio as several chapters appeared as discrete essays in the New Yorker and the New England Journal of Medicine, and still bear the stamp of stand-alone material. It's perfect for listeners who prefer thoughtful, short essays for a ride in the car or a walk on the treadmill. Simultaneous release with the Metropolitan hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 12). (May)

Science is underappreciated and undervalued in a world that thrives on it. Pulitzer Prize–winning science reporter Angier sets out to bring the basics of hard science (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) into listeners' everyday lives. Rather than returning to the doldrums of a high school science class, she shows listeners where and how science is happening in everything we do. Through her discussions with scientists and her use of analogies, she makes the complex accessible. Doukas delivers her performance in an energetic, soft and welcoming voice. She emphasizes and paces so as not to overload her listeners as well as to bring home Angier's points. Doukas's tone hints of excitement but also sympathy for those listeners who may appreciate science but who have a bit of angst for learning about it. With over 13 hours of listening, though, this audiobook is best processed in small chunks. Angier covers a lot in each chapter, but trying to grasp it all may take repeated listening. Simultaneous release with the Houghton Mifflin hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 8). (May)

Christopher Evan Welch brings a tone of boyish wonder to the reading of Kurson's biography of Mike May, a highly successful entrepreneur, athlete, husband and father who undergoes experimental surgery to regain the vision that he lost in a chemical explosion at age three. When May chooses to pursue the risky procedure, he rejects the notion of blindness as an infirmity that requires healing. Instead, May views the restoration of sight as a new adventure to explore with the same gusto that he has demonstrated in all facets of life. Without pathos or pity, Welch vividly portrays May's challenge of processing the mental complexities of his newfound vision, including navigating the aisles of Costco and recognizing the gender of patrons at a neighborhood coffee bar. Some listeners may not fully embrace the stance of hearty stoicism, but others will be captivated by the decidedly nonmelodramatic perspective. As an added bonus, the audiobook includes an insightful follow-up interview between Kurson and May. Simultaneous release with the Random hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 16). (May)

Herrmann's reading offers solid, enjoyable and informative listening. Herrmann knows when his material is strong and does not try to compete with it. Instead, he delivers a straightforward yet endearing portrait of arguably the best mind of the last century. Herrmann keeps the text purely narrative, refraining from affecting a German accent when quoting Einstein and others, with the occasional accent appropriately slipping in only when pronouncing foreign words. In this, the first full biography based on Einstein's newly released personal letters, Isaacson takes care to keep the great mind's discoveries and theories comprehensible. Einstein, whose internally visualized “thought experiments” often led to his groundbreaking observations (at 16 he imagined chasing a light beam until he caught up to it), expressed these images with simplicity and elegance. Einstein's rebellious personality as well as the internal workings of his brilliant mind are brought vividly to life thanks to Herrmann's perfect reading, which is filled with warmth and accuracy. Simultaneous release with the S&S hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 12). (May)

Henry Morgan was a Welsh-born sailor who traveled to the Caribbean as a privateer—a “licensed marauder of the sea”—on behalf of the British Empire. But before his career was over, he had become one of the most notorious pirates ever to sail the Spanish Main. Talty focuses the story on Morgan's most exciting exploits, including the tale of what is perhaps Morgan's most infamous act: the unauthorized sacking of Panama. Mayer reads in a rich, resonant voice; it's perfectly suited to the grim and gritty subject matter, and would not be out of place narrating a History Channel documentary. The abridgment is flawless; the listener would never know this production was abridged if not for the cover copy. The only legitimate complaint to make is that this audio was abridged at all—Mayer and Talty could have kept listeners enthralled for an audiobook at twice the length. Filled with riveting and astonishing details, this audio satisfies on every level, sure to please not only serious scholars but casual fans of pirate lore as well. Simultaneous release with the Crown hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 5). (May)

The second release of former president Carter's Sunday Mornings in Plains audio series presents five lessons in which Carter explores the early ministry of Jesus as portrayed by the Gospel of Mark. These sessions were recorded at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., during the spring of 2003, as the U.S. began the invasion of Iraq. Carter sheds light on the radical essence of Christ as one who overturned centuries of religious and political assumptions of what constituted success in the eyes of God. The highlighted scripture passages emphasize a mission for embracing the most marginalized members of society and challenging entrenched authorities. Carter's personal anecdotes, especially when he recounts the monumental spiritual journey that followed a devastating defeat in his first bid for the Georgia governorship, provide highly valuable perspective. Taken as a whole, these recordings lack the smooth glide of Leading a Worthy Life, the first Sunday Mornings in Plains title. Yet the many kernels of learned biblical scholarship, sage wisdom and inspiring insight still provide worthwhile listening. (May)

This abridged version of Dallek's study of the relationship between a president and his powerful secretary of state is read with precision by Conger. Dallek approved the audiobook's abridgment, which hits the high points of his 750-page doorstopper. Conger hints at imitating the deeply familiar voices of Dallek's twin protagonists without sliding into all-out parody. He drops his voice to a semigrowl for Nixon and adds a muted Central European flavor for Kissinger. For the most part, Conger hits the expected notes, emphasizing and underlining Dallek's narrative with understated flair. Those expecting spine-tingling excitement from the meeting and collision of these two powerful, ultimately destructive political forces may be disappointed by Conger's staid reading, but its allure lies in its solid, unobtrusive nature. Conger pulls listeners into Nixon and Kissinger's struggle by ceding center stage to them. Simultaneous release with the HarperCollins hardcover (Reviews, Mar. 12). (May)

Savard has a pleasant voice, a good vocal range and the important ability to emphasize for clarity and drama. She's especially good at the long and very varied quotes Prose has selected to illustrate the elements of “close reading,” i.e., paying careful attention to words, sentences, paragraphs, narration, character, dialogue, details and gesture (her chapter headings). Prose has taught writing classes for more than 20 years and published 14 books. To be a good writer—or a good reader—she argues, you must develop the ability to focus on language and explore line by line how the best writers use each element of language to create unique and powerful people and stories. She pulls out words and phrases from various authors to show us, for example, precisely how Flannery O'Connor creates “the literary equivalent of a fireworks display” while Alice Munro “writes with the simplicity and beauty of a Shaker box.” This is a an excellent listen that belongs in any reader's or writer's library next to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. Simultaneous release with the Harper Perennial paperback (Reviews, Apr. 24, 2006). (May)