The Last of the Mohicans

Cooper's Leatherstocking Tale, set amid the French and Indian War, is a classic filled with dense, lyrical language that makes for difficult reading. Robertson Dean's presentation breathes life into Cooper's adventure as he recounts how the scout Hawkeye, along with his Mohican cohorts Cingachgook and Uncas, repeatedly rescue a British party of two young women and their escorts from the "raving savages." Hawkeye's ironic turn of phrase is well executed by Dean, who also relishes the dramatic chapter-opening quotations from Shakespeare. The lilt Dean creates for the religious musician David Gamut is an added enhancement. Some listeners may be startled by the graphic violence and Natty Bumpo's disdain for the hostile native tribesâ outside of the noble Mohicansâ but the portrait of the unspoiled wilderness is timeless. D.P.D. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2002
Newly abridged by Timothy Meis, James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans comes to life under the paintbrush of N.C. Wyeth, with illustrations originally published in 1919. The artist offers readers a close-up view of the French and Indian War, in paintings such as British colonel Duncan's struggle against a Huron warrior or the Mohican Chingachgook similarly fighting off another Huron warrior in the clearing of a wood. Wyeth's paintings also accompany Meis's adaptation of Daniel DeFoe's Robinson Crusoe, due out in February.

Few are not familiar with The Last of the Mohicans. War, "Indians," fight scenes, courage, love and death are all incorporated into this abridgment. While the abridgment is obvious, none of Cooper's rich language is lost. Theodore Bikel is a very suitable narrator for this dramatic work. His deep, clear voice leads the listener along the shadowy forest trails and through the tribulations of the Indians, their allies and captives. Bikel modulates his voice to suit the characters while maintaining the quality and richness of the story. This is a good addition to a collection of classic literature. M.B.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine