THINKING SMALL The Long, Strange Trip of the Volkswagen Beetle

As narrator Suzanne Toren opens with pop-culture images of the iconic Beetle, listeners will find their own memories of the car evoked. However, the emphasis is on history, not nostalgia. Author Andrea Hiott traces the origins of the "people's car" back to Nazi Germany and shows how, after WWII, advertising made the Beetle a part of our culture. Toren's narration lets in emotions and feelings—from sentimentality toward "a beloved car" to horror at Hitler's crimes—yet remains focused on a fascinating history. Advertising, war, politics, the '60s, and automotive innovation and culture are among the subjects woven into Hiott's grand tapestry. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2012]