Panic in Level 4

The author compounds several of his science reports reprised from articles in the NEW YORKER. Although the articles may seem eclectic, the gestalt demonstrates "how few degrees of separation there are between far-flung areas of scientific endeavors." Narrator James Lurie assumes the role of the author, who writes in the first person. Lurie's testosterone-stoked voice strikes a rapid pace, undaunted by the abundant technical terms. Two of his impersonations stand out. One is the voice of a Russian-Jewish émigré and computer whiz working on pi to several billion digits. The other interviewee suffers from a gruesome genetic syndrome, and Mr. Lurie speaks for him as though he had cerebral palsy. Done without mockery or indiscretion, the result imparts a deserved empathy for the disorder. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine