HONUS WAGNER

A valuable book for baseball fans, this is the most comprehensive biography of Wagner, an early twentieth-century baseball star and inaugural Hall-of-Famer. Ian Esmo reads with an authoritative, understated voice, which lays out the story without hyperbole. Esmo’s reading is as relaxing as a summer afternoon. His voice has a soothing quality that makes the book interesting and informative, and his varied pitch keeps this rather scholarly sounding work flowing. He also pauses before quotes to set them apart, a technique necessary since Esmo doesn’t use any character voices. The DeValerias have done us a service with this book, and Esmo’s narration fits nicely with its tone. R.I.G. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 98]