CHURCHILL AND AMERICA

This book, especially its audio version, is a love story. Nothing less! Churchill was always delighted with America, its vast ranginess and open-hearted people; its government, language, and institutions. Just as Martin Gilbert captures this passionate attachment, reader Simon Vance captures the sounds of this great story. Perhaps Churchill's own nasally voice is not difficult to render; it is parodied so often. But it is surely not easy to leap flawlessly from that to Roosevelt's flat "a's" or Eisenhower's surly Midwestern matter-of-factness. Creating distinctive voices is one thing, but simulating the familiar through the wildly varied voices of famous leaders in convincing fashion is a nearly impossible feat. Surely only a lover could do that. P.E.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]