THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS

Supposedly the military has soldiers who can stare at animals and kill them, holograms that scare people to death, psychic spies, and plans for chameleon camouflage suits. In 1979 they were called the First Earth Battalion, and now we learn that they're back to help fight the war on terrorism. Narrator Sean Mangan takes a tongue-in-cheek attitude, making the voices of the characters sound like they're nuttier than Mrs. Fields' cookies. He leaves listeners wondering whether to laugh or lament. His voice has a slight whispery cast, and he extends the last word of every sentence, as if to point out the periods. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]