BY: JONATHAN LOWE

Finally, Morgan Spurlock is back from his documentary Super Size Me with the audiobook version of WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN? It's an interesting and insightful examination of just who Osama is, and why his message is so compelling to Arabs everywhere. As narrated by Erik Singer, a former soap opera actor, the book is nonetheless more docudrama than melodrama. As in the film, Spurlock asks the right questions, and ultimately shows that Osama was hugely influential and smart, but is now insignificant except as an iconic symbol. He knew, for instance, that if he could get us to invade Afghanistan or Iraq, we would be bogged down there, and he could thereby recruit thousands for a Holy war against the West.  His insane justifications are propelled by radical fundamentalist beliefs, yet he is intimately acquainted with American customs, and is just as angry with Saudi royals as with us for defending the Jewish people. For the full story of Osama, listen to "The Bin Ladens" by the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Steve Coll (also narrated by Erik Singer). But for a broad overview in an abridged version, you can't beat Spurlock's more entertaining summation. (Random House Audio; 6 hours abridged)

Jonathan Lowe's author website is JustSayNoWay.com.