THE OCTOBER HORSE

The last book in McCullough's series about the Roman Empire follows Caesar's final days as dictator, his assassination, and the chaos that followed. Graeme Malcolm's narration sweeps the reader along, even through dense historical detail. Main characters Caesar, Mark Antony, Brutus, Cassius, and Octavius are particularly well interpreted. A slight Cockney accent occasionally jars, and Cleopatra's breathy falsetto is annoying. Filled with power struggles, battles, and betrayals, this book is dramatic, entertaining, and may even be educational. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]