MARY EDWARDS WALKER Above and Beyond

Walker has written an extensive history of the life and work of Mary Edwards Walker, one of the nation's first female physicians, a devoted patriot, and suffragette during the time of the Civil War. Kris Faulkner keeps an even pace and varies her accent and voice enough to keep the biography moving and interesting. The only shortfall in an otherwise stellar performance is that Faulkner's tone often sounds urgent when reading Mary Edwards Walker's own words so that Mary at times comes across as hysterical rather than visionary. This effect makes the criticisms of Mary's peers seem warranted and appears to diminish her contributions to both the war and to women's rights. H.L.S. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 06]