A GREAT IMPROVISATION Franklin, France, and the Birth of America

Most histories of the American Revolution focus on the battles, the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington. This book is a different, welcome, and altogether enthralling account of Franklin's eight-year diplomatic mission to France to obtain weapons and friends for America's cause. Narrator Susan Denaker reads with an informed, authoritative voice that suits the subject and amplifies the text. She is clear and measured, enunciates every word, and has a marvelous command of French pronunciation. However, she fails to convey the importance of these events and personalities, and that results in an unsatisfying flatness as the book progresses. This is a trailblazing book, but unfortunately Denaker reads it as if it were an old story. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]