BABYLON BY BUS

In reading what could be called "Beavis and Butthead Reconstruct Iraq" or "Fear and Loathing in Baghdad," Jeremy Davidson entertains while keeping the detail crisp and clear. He maintains a sense of the irreverence and goofiness of the young American authors--entrepreneurs, low-ball world travelers, gamblers, dopers--who went to Baghdad on a whim and landed jobs administering charities, but he still conveys the wealth of information and insight they provide. We never lose sight of Ray and Jeff's personalities, their humor, and their "yo, dude!" point of view on the pomposity, dishonesty, and stupidity of the Coalition Provisional Authority--or their respect for the individuals who tried to do good under its doubtful auspices. W.M. 2007 Audies Award Finalist © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]