IRONS IN THE FIRE

Where can you find cattle rustlers, drug warriors and time-travelers together but in a book by essayist John McPhee! Unhurried and good-humored, Runger eases listeners into each nuance of feeling. Such a wide range of subject matter calls for some pretty tricky stepping. Runger gracefully handles it all. His friendly, flexible tones induct us into the activities of a cattle brand inspector, as well as introduce us to personalities as rich and varied as ranchers, geologists, car enthusiasts, FBI investigators and the mechanical voice of a computer that talks to its blind user. Whether charming or grim, McPhee’s elegant phrases and marvelously choice words are aptly captured. S.B.S. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 98]