Washington, D.C.

I went into Washington, D.C. expecting a dry historical treatise, but what I got was a scathing critique of American politics that left me feeling both informed and unsettled. Grover Gardner's narration is, as always, top-notch. He brings a level of gravitas to the narrative that belies the complexity of Vidal's themes. The pacing is well-judged, hurtling from one dramatic showdown to the next with a propulsive energy that's hard to resist. My only quibbles are with the somewhat generic characterization of some of the supporting cast, which feels a bit one-dimensional compared to the richly drawn protagonists. Still, these are minor complaints in what is otherwise a truly exceptional audiobook.