THE SKULL AND THE ROSE

This extended lecture on life in the Middle Ages is re-edited from a Canadian radio series. Professor Buckman's reading of his own text is augmented with a soupçon of period music, excerpts from historical records delivered by actors, and comments by other academics. The professor's Eastern European accent, though distinct, does not impair his intelligibility. His effete intonations suitably complement his insipidly colored, humorless prose. Nonetheless, he holds one's interest. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]