Invisible Countries

Author Joshua Keating's book on the longing of peoples like the Kurds for a nation of their own is a compelling work in itself. But he would have been better served if a more experienced narrator had delivered this audiobook edition. His discussion challenges and broadens our notion of nationhood and illuminates many of conflicts that endure today, some of them centuries old. As a writer, Keating is relaxed, companionable, and informative. As a narrator, he's stiff and overly regular in his cadence. The idea of a world soccer championship between "invisible" nations is droll, sad, and stirring all at once, and would make an excellent film premise. As a listening experience, the same material is still interesting, but flat. D.A.W. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine