The American Journey of Barack Obama

Regardless of one's political viewpoint, the story of President Obama's journey to the White House deserves to be heard, and the editors of LIFE Magazine have the expertise to recount such a trip. Staying as neutral as possible, they examine how the president achieved the highest political office in the nation and suggest possible ways to understand his trajectory. There is a lingering shrillness in Richard Allen's voice that distracts from his otherwise perfectly good narration. While this issue with timbre is not enough reason to avoid the production, some listeners may find it grating by the book's end. L.E. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine