New World Coming.

Nathan Miller. 2003. Read by Lloyd James, 13 tapes. 19 hrs. Blackstone Audiobooks. #3156. 0-78612523-3. $85.95. Vinyl; content, author notes, SA

This well-written and well-presented narrative of the Roaring Twenties, the decade of tantalizing temptation, government corruption, and the rise of bootleggers and bathtub gin, is an informative and entertaining encyclopedia of the times. Initially, Miller takes a chronological approach and uses the administrations of the presidents as main topics. Subtopics include scandals, foreign affairs, personalities, protective tariffs and other areas of interest. Warren G. Harding was a "sport" whose administration was rocked by scandals. Calvin Coolidge was a tightlipped tightwad who opposed government interference in business.

Narrator James brings all to life and makes them interesting. His generally unvoiced performance is an excellent match for the writing style and content. Slight changes in tone register shock, surprise, or amusement ... and there is plenty to shock, surprise and entertain. Listeners can almost hear the toe tapping of the flappers to the music of the Charleston, the clatter of the Model-Ts, and the rattle of the gangsters' machine guns. My only complaint is that some lesser-known names are mispronounced. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA