The Duel

John H. Mayer's narration of this engaging chronicle of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr brings to mind a fireside storyteller recounting an oft-told tale. His tone strikes an excellent balance between solemn and conversational, showing a reverence for both men and a lighthearted sense of humor in recounting their human flaws. However, even when the narrative moves quickly, giving it great potential to draw young readers into the current wave of interest surrounding both historical figures, Mayer's pacing remains slow and measured. Furthermore, he misses the opportunity to convey the high stakes of the infamous duel to which the audiobook owes its title. E.M.C. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine