FIASCO The American Military Adventure in Iraq

This is an important audiobook; unfortunately, it was a bad decision to have James Lurie read it. Ricks's exposé on the invasion and botched occupation of Iraq is grim enough, so there is no need for a reader with a voice so gravelly and droning that the end result is like a funeral dirge. A listener may have the urge to shout, "Clear your throat!" after listening for a couple hours. Also, expect to ride the volume control in a car since Lurie's voice does not cut clearly through road noise. To his credit, Lurie pronounces names correctly and keeps a steady pace, but overall this audiobook is not up to the high standards of Ricks's writing and research. T.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]