BLOODLANDS Europe Between Hitler and Stalin

Snyder recounts the fascinating but horrific history of Eastern Europe before, during, and shortly after WWII, when the region was suffering under Hitler's and Stalin’s murderous ambitions. Ralph Cosham keeps his tone objective but narrates with a controlled excitement and brisk pace, giving events the urgency they deserve without adding dynamics they don’t need. However, he maintains his objective tone even when the text exhibits withering scorn for Nazi and Soviet brutality and thereby blunts Snyder’s effect. Otherwise, his reading is intelligent and sensitive. Technically, too many words and sentences, edited in after the fact, distract by sounding different from their aural context, especially some difficult place-names, replaced often and obviously. But a few flaws can’t spoil this subtly compelling narration of a significant history. W.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2011]