Although it's curious that Moore (Stupid White Men
) chose not to narrate his latest indictment of the conservative right, Morin does an admirable job of conveying Moore's ideas and subtle (and not-so-subtle) wit. At first, Morin's performance seems well-meaning yet stiff, much like the child voices of the Charlie Brown TV specials—very clear but with the unnatural cadence that comes from reading a script. As time goes by, however, he grows more relaxed with the material. By the final disk, it's obvious why Morin was chosen for the job. Between Moore's text and Morin's loosened-up delivery, listeners can almost imagine that they are hearing Moore's own voice. In any case, Moore's message is clear: he believes America is being hoodwinked by George W. Bush. Bush's goal, he says, is to use our fear of terrorism to push through his own agenda, as well as the agendas of his rich friends and supporters. Moore makes provocative connections between the Bushes and the Bin Ladens and even the Bushes and the Taliban, but the one drawback of this audiobook is the lack of references. While the book form of Dude
is heavily footnoted, Moore points listeners to his Web site for his sources, where finding specific information can be difficult. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Forecasts, Oct. 6, 2003). (Oct. 2003)
