THE EXPLORATION OF THE COLORADO RIVER AND ITS CANYONS

This thrilling work, which precedes the advent of video, demonstrates recorded spoken word at its best. It’s also a highly challenging work for the narrator. With only his voice to illustrate this series of pictorial journeys down the Colorado River, Andre Stojka takes us back in time to the mid-nineteenth century. He is joyful at the wonders, serious at the dangers, and, overall, compelling at bringing alive this picture book for the ears. Background sound effects at each chapter opening are a delight. On occasion, he tries too hard to deliver just the right color to the narrative, and some of the transitions are a bit too abrupt, but this is to quibble. This production is from an interesting series called The American Adventure Library. M.C. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]