WORTH THE FIGHTING FOR

Dan Cashman sounds cheerful and enthusiastic as he speaks the senator's memories of many famous people--Scoop Jackson, John Tower, and Admiral Rickover. The portraits McCain paints of others are much clearer than the one he provides of himself, in which he dismisses an unsuccessful marriage in a few words. Although the trip through time seems roundabout, it's fun to follow, with Cashman sounding almost like the famous writer. The stereotype of a pilot or a senator doesn't include "author," so finding that McCain is such an entertaining storyteller shows that his talent, with due credit to his coauthor, goes far beyond winning elections and flying faster than sound. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]