The Devil and Webster

A consummate actor, Burton hits all the right notes delving into the conflicted inner life of Webster College President Naomi Roth: she convincingly portrays Roth’s pain that her daughter is growing older and moving on, and as she deals with a student rebellion and its leader, Palestinian student Omar Kayal, whom she at once admires and distrusts. Burton makes listeners ponder, as Roth does, sets of antithetical values: freedom and discipline, friendship and principles, youthful idealism and unrestrained rebellion, pity and common sense. This is a thought-provoking book and Burton’s narration is excellent throughout. A Grand Central hardcover. (Mar.)