WALLS A History of Civilization in Blood and Brick

After the author's serviceable reading of the introduction, narrator Arthur Morey takes over to deliver, with smooth professionalism, this sweeping history of walls from the Sumerians to Trump, those who live within them, and those who assail them from without. Morey has a fine command of sense, naturally good pacing, and an effortless variation in tone that avoids monotony or repetitive patterns. He makes the narration into an intelligent discussion, easy and pleasant to listen to. Some of the author's humorous asides are strained, but Morey makes the most of them, supplying an aptly sardonic tone when appropriate. The history is necessarily superficial, but in both details and in overall themes and ideas, it remains interesting; Morey's performance makes it enjoyable. W.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2019]