THE GREEKS

Pam Ward gives this brief, popularly written history of ancient Greece (the text of an illustrated book, here without the illustrations) an amiable, energetic, and attentive narration. Her voice is reminiscent of a 1950s TV mom, but her light tone and amused congeniality don't negate the intelligent care she brings to interpreting the text. She shapes intonation and emphasis to provide great clarity to the listener. She's especially adept at giving the text's frequent jokiness a properly droll tone while maintaining a fundamental seriousness. When given the occasional chance to act (as in quotations), she emotes admirably. Ward accurately renders and even betters the text of this Ancient Greek History 101, conveying its breeziness while keeping it anchored. W.M. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2016]