THE LEXUS AND THE OLIVE TREE Understanding Globalization

Drawing upon his vast knowledge of international affairs, Pulitzer Prize-winning newsman Friedman explains globalization and its ramifications. It takes him 23 hours to tell the whole complicated story. Fortunately for the listener, there’s not a dull or confusing moment. Friedman is an uncommonly canny writer, organizing facts and elucidations smartly around his key concepts, and enlivening them with humor, anecdotes, and an informal, conversational style. All of these qualities are highlighted by George Wilson’s narration. His voice has the pleasant sonority of the documentary or instructional film narrator, to which he adds a friendly, almost chatty, clarity and firm, even cadences. Moreover, he employs an astonishing variety of melodies, all expressive of the text. Nowhere does he fall into the dull repetitions of oral delivery that almost inevitably mar lengthy audio theses. He sounds as if he’s discussing current events with you over coffee and dessert. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 03]