THE VIRTUES OF WAR

Pressfield, who has written previously of Sparta and Thermopylae and also of Alcibiades of Athens, presents the "memoirs" of Alexander the Great. As the conqueror relates his life to one of his squires, we hear of his father, Philip; the rise of Macedonia to preeminence over all of Greece; the conquest of Persia; as well as the triumphs, fears, failures, and heartache of one who acquired so much, so young. James Langton is an expressive reader who adroitly employs various British accents for the different characters. A common soldier has a working-class accent, Alexander's peers sound aristocratic, and the squire is given an Irish-sounding voice. Langton's voice for Alexander is soft-spoken, almost weary, but confident and strong. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]