EAST TO THE DAWN: THE LIFE OF AMELIA EARHART

Susan Butler tracked down sources overlooked by previous biographers of pioneering flyer Amelia Earhart: new interviews with acquaintances, the diary of her cousin, an unpublished biography of Earhart by a journalist friend. The resulting authenticity strengthens Butler's book; its weaknesses include the author's fondness for clichés and her reluctance to explore any of Earhart's faults. Anna Fields reads the text clearly and serviceably, though her pronunciation sometimes differs on words repeated in close con-texts ("autogyro," "St. Louis"). The occasional Paul Harvey-like catch in her voice brings out the sentimental side of a text that could perhaps have benefited from a more understated reading. In spite of these reservations, listeners familiar with other Earhart biographies will want to hear Butler's book for its informative account, even if it is a bit unbalanced. G.H. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 99]