ENEMIES A History of the FBI

This history of the FBI’s intelligence and counterintelligence operations—its battles against spies, sabotage, and terrorism—is often dramatic and, because of its scope, quick moving. Stefan Rudnicki’s rumbling bass hits the right note of seriousness, and his fluency and precision keep details clear while he moves the account at just the right quick pace. He varies his voice slightly, but sufficiently, to indicate quotations, especially by well-known speakers, though his accents (such as those of the Kennedys) can be a bit weak. His voice is as grave as a news announcer’s with an urgent story, but he matches tone to text to indicate, for instance, subtle disapproval of some of the bureau’s failures and excesses. It’s an absorbing history that Rudnicki translates into an equally absorbing listen. W.M. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]