WHATEVER IT TAKES Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America

The author explores the roots of social changes in ghetto communities and their implications on society, as conceived by Geoffrey Canada, the social activist and educator who created the Harlem Children's Zone. Tough's frequent jumping from one subject to another—even in the same paragraph—may make it difficult for some listeners to stay engaged. Narrator Ax Norman uses volume variation to substitute for nuanced inflection. One can understand the loud phrases, but syllables and whole words drop to inaudibility with annoying frequency. When listening in a quiet environment, one can hear, but with any peripheral noise, far too much information disappears. For a carefully researched work, the pace is too rapid for one to learn from or enjoy. Neither the author nor the narrator understands how to achieve the conditions necessary for a satisfying educational performance. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2010]