UNCOMMON CARRIERS

It might be impossible to make long-haul trucking, river towboats, or interstate coal trains sexy, but John McPhee succeeds in making them interesting. In this book about the transportation industry, he tells stories about fascinating, often overlooked people. Along the way, he seamlessly weaves in a wealth of factual, historical, and statistical information. It's so effortless that listeners won't realize how much they've learned until they turn off the book. McPhee writes in a lyrical style that makes grand landscapes and intimate scenes come to life. He uses humor and detailed descriptions to great effect. His reading has a storytelling style. But he pauses at awkward moments, and his breathing is clearly audible. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]