THE PUNISHMENT OF VIRTUE Inside Afghanistan After the Taliban

Former NPR Correspondent Sarah Chayes's timely book details political and human conditions in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. Skillfully weaving regional history into a back story of the country's tapestry of religions, tribes, and loyalties, she delivers a riveting and troubling message. Initially, Renée Raudman's uneven inflections may distract the listener. Her soft voice, however, is clear and ultimately equal to the intensity of Chayes's writing. Raudman's somewhat irregular phrasing and pacing also make it difficult for the listener to relax into the book's flow. This may be calculated since the overall picture presented and its implications for American foreign policy are not intended to comfort. M.O.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]