ALEXANDER OF MACEDON

As this history of Alexander the Great progresses, Charlton Griffin's narration becomes simply focused and well-paced, that is, expert and professional. His delivery style is well matched to Lamb's study of the great warrior, which becomes, despite the production's evocative sound effects, a traditional history in the later parts of the book. Earlier, though, Lamb's work is a poetic biography that recreates not just the external events that defined Alexander, but his mind and heart as well. In these chapters Lamb's writing echoes the cadence and metaphors of Alexander's beloved Homer--and so does Griffin's voice. Each beat is sounded so that listeners get a taste of the ancient epics and what oral recitation can be. Impressive. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]