THE DAB OF DICKENS, THE TOUCH OF TWAIN, AND THE SHADE OF SHAKESPEARE Selections from A Dab of Dickens & A Touch of Twain, Literary Lives from Shakespeare's Old England to Frost's New England by Elliot Engel, PhD, with Illustrative Literary Performances

If you thought these authors were boring old men during your school days, then this book will surprise and delight you. Dr. Engel, the professor who put this impressive collection together, has written engrossing character studies of the men behind these great works. He also reads with a pleasant, earnest voice that lends an air of authority to the book. Animated and enthusiastic, he paces himself well so that we can follow the academic points that underscore the readings. The professional narrators—including such standouts as Scott Brick, David Birney, and Joe Barrett—do an excellent job with the literary selections. The authors in the book’s title were meant to be heard as well as read. Here, we experience that joy. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]