LEADING WITH LAUGHTER How U.S. Presidents Use Humor To Relate, Motivate and Communicate

Narrator Malcolm Kushner presents humorous excerpts from the speeches of six presidents--from Kennedy to Bush (father), excluding Nixon. The clips, of varying audio quality, are interspersed with abrupt, overlong blasts of low-quality generic music that makes the brief program seem padded. Some of Kushner's narration is repeated tape to tape; furthermore, his material, voice, and accent fail to make great listening. His aims in presenting the material are often unclear or unconvincing, and a few technical glitches give the tapes an amateur feel. Still, this rarely heard material provides an interesting and entertaining take on recent history. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]