STREET WITHOUT JOY The French Debacle In Indochina

Fall gives an insider's history, at times amazingly dramatic, of the disastrous French war in Indochina, 1946-1954, and the follow-up into the 1960s. British narrator Derek Perkins is in command of pace, emphasis, and expressive modulation. He manages to convey Fall's dry cynicism about the war, and his admiration and sympathy for those who fought it, without overemphasis or calling undue attention to technique. His French is very good, as is his American accent. When quoting French in translation, he gives it an accent that can be a bit much, but it does help orient the reader. Overall, he provides an admirable reading of a remarkable story and an important piece of history. W.M. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2013]