ROME, INC.

A glib, sarcastic interpretation of Roman history draws satiric parallels between the literally cutthroat political culture of the ancient world and the figuratively cutthroat corporate culture of today. It begins with the legendary founder, Aeneas, and ends with the breakup of the Empire. This comparison of apples and oranges seems intended to amuse, rather than inform--an excuse for the author's wisecracks, a means of showing off his cleverness. Kerin McCue's smart-alecky tone and youthful voice amplify this impression. The one note in which the book is written and read palls before the brief text ends, despite Bing's laugh lines and McCue's high energy and expressiveness. Further, the narrator frequently mispronounces Latin names and three-dollar words. Y.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 07]