TO BUILD A FIRE The Best of Jack London Volume I

Ignore the package's shouts about this being an "audio movie" and a "masterpiece" with "spectacular sound effects." Listeners will find this overwrought version of one of London's survival tales a worthwhile listen, though not as life-changing as the publisher seems to hope. Perhaps if Ziggurat had concentrated more closely on the story instead of music and effects, this listen might have held the value it strives too hard to achieve. This recording, however, would probably be fine fare for young people new to audio theater and those studying London in school. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]