THE UNWINDING An Inner History of the New America

Are you ready for another book about America's decline? Through interviews and reportage, Packer tells us that we are a nation coming apart, improvising our future and in danger of becoming a second-rate power. It's well written--but a bit of a drag. Narrator Robert Fass guides us through this portentous book with a voice that reinforces the seriousness of the author's intent. Fass reads slowly and deliberately, stays away from character voices, and flawlessly enunciates every word. He is also, unfortunately, humorless, choosing instead to play it safe and simply narrate without much inflection or emotion. The result is a work that tells an important story--but doesn't grab our attention. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2013]