VARANASI The City of Light

Oh, what a fine thing this is! In this audio tour of the Indian holy city of Varanasi, also known as Banaras or Kashi, Robert Svoboda guides listeners through the city by walking into the sacred Ganges and then boarding a boat. Svoboda's explanation of what visitors would see there is seasoned with background noises, prayers and greetings in Hindi, and bits of music. Exceptionally well paced for both comprehension and appreciation, the audio tour is augmented by a 60-page hardcover booklet rich with black-and-white pictures and the text of much of the presentation. Design and content fit together beautifully, making this a joy to many senses. G.T.B. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]