ISTANBUL City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World

All cities have souls; Istanbul has the heart of the world beating in its center, according to this affecting audiobook. Its story is the story of civilization, both classical and modern, and whoever controls the city also controls a vital spot on the globe. Narrator Edoardo Ballerini captures the tone of this audiobook with pinpoint accuracy, using a lilt in his assured, smooth voice to narrate the history of this fabled place. There are times, though, when he lilts too much, and his reading becomes halting and abrupt. Nonetheless, he varies his pitch and tone throughout the book, and his phrasing allows us to luxuriate in new facts and ideas. Overall, Ballerini does a fine job. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2017]