THE LAST DAYS OF INNOCENCE

Patrick Cullen’s interest in this story of American involvement in the Great War can be felt in his careful, expressive narration. Every chapter details the country’s woeful unpreparedness for war, but Cullen's upbeat cadence combats the depressive effect of the text. Technically, the recording quality allows every word to be heard without any tape "hiss" or extraneous sounds. Perfectionists may bristle at cavalry being pronounced "calvary" and Reims as "reems," but pronunciations in both English and French are appropriately American. Readers who choose this book to be informed will find a pleasant, often poetic, experience. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 01]