TRUE BELIEVERS

Joe Queenan, a long suffering Philadelphia sports fan, tries to explain why so many people spend so much time loyally rooting for perennial losers, like the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, the Chicago Cubs, and others. Although the hypothesis is interesting, the title fails to answer the questions it poses. Instead, the book meanders, creating the impression that Queenan is unsure whether he is writing pop psychology, humor, or a quasi-autobiography. Queenan's performance does not help. He speaks in a monotone and lacks the passion and frustration that are the trademarks of Philadelphia fans. TRUE BELIEVERS needs more focus, as does its narration. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]