THE HEARTLAND An American History

Listen closely and you can discern what makes Gabra Zackman such an accomplished audiobook narrator. Historian Hoganson uses her adopted home of Champaign, Illinois, to make her case that the Midwest has had a long historic relationship with the needs of foreign powers--especially Britain. From land ownership to hog species, the author shows just how important these needs were to the heartland of our nation. Zackman subtly shifts cadence and tone when the text switches from the author's voice to historic news clips. Here Zackman's reading is more fast paced. The news items add color to this work of revisionist history. As Zachman's steady yet nuanced delivery propels the myth-busting forward, her subtle narration benefits both writer and listener. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2019]