Imperial Grunts

Robert Kaplan tells stories of Special Forces--the grunts--operating worldwide in the age of Al Qaeda. His experience on one of those teams produces numerous anecdotes. John H. Mayer narrates with a small buzz in his droning voice. He gives quotes by foreign speakers no accent or emphasis to set them apart, although, in his favor, he rolls off the Arabic and Spanish names and places with ease. Mayer can do little to offset the author's incoherent writing style; few sentences go together in any particular direction. The monotonous paragraphs without an overall theme make for a sleeper that never wakes up. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine


This intriguing work examines the role of the U.S. military worldwide. Kaplan describes the work of troops deployed in Latin America, Mongolia, and other places worldwide, as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each deployment serves a different purpose, and one is amazed at how much is being done by so few. Scott Brick's reading of this abridgment is commendable. He has a pleasing and resonant baritone, which is very controlled in this production. He is by no means stiff; in fact, he is quite expressive and is more than able to engage listeners and keep their attention. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine