THE WAR OF ATTRITION Fighting the First World War

Philpott's history of WWI as a process of grinding, murderous attrition is mostly told at an abstract level of politics, economics, strategy, and ideas, and can be dry and a bit repetitious. Derek Perkins, however, keeps the audiobook moving, narrating with unflagging intelligence and energy, aided by his clear and incisive British accent and excellent pacing. His modulations of tone and emphasis express the meanings of the text and help keep places, events, people, and concepts across several continents and four years effortlessly clear for the listener. His pronunciation of foreign names and words, especially German, is good. The book, while worthwhile, might have been tiring to listen to; Perkins brings the listener along with enjoyment. W.M. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2014]