THE CHAIN GANG

This is the story of how small local papers have been driven out of business by Gannett papers. Richard McCord tells of his all-consuming battle to help two papers win against this mighty empire in precise detail. This fascinating tale is marred by several factors: The volume varies from side to side, section to section, and tape 8 has a mechanical echo. McCord’s voice is tinny and quiet, becoming distorted the louder the volume and forcing the listener to choose between blurry words or lost ones. Worst of all, the author/narrator is so completely detached and unemotional that the listener wonders why he fought Gannett for 20 years. With technical difficulties throughout, only the most determined will learn of McCord’s Pyrrhic victory. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]