THE AMERICAN FUTURE

About two-thirds of the way through THE AMERICAN FUTURE, the vast mosaic starts to come together. All the stories of people and movements begin to form a portrait of America at the time of the election of 2008. The account involves an enormous cast of characters, and Rupert Degas manages to give each one a personal presence. His American accents are subtle (sometimes a bit more subtle than realistic) and clearly comprehensible—from Fannie Lou Hamer's rural Mississippian to Barack Obama's crisp mid-American speech. His George W. Bush is spot-on. This is an invaluable listen for those interested in the American future and where it will come from. D.M.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]