DYING TO CROSS

The tragic heat-related deaths of 19 illegal immigrants in a sealed trailer bound for Houston in 2003 horrified the public in both the United States and Mexico. The worst tragedy of its kind ever, it showed the increasing dangers of illegal immigration in the wake of 9/11. Jorge Ramos became involved while covering the story for Florida-based Univision. The narration opens dramatically with Jonathan Davis reading the names of the dead before the acknowledgements. An opening chapter is repetitive, but once the survivors' accounts begin, the story becomes compelling. Davis's accents seem natural, even when used during descriptive passages to simulate Ramos's voice. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]