THE WATER KINGDOM A Secret History of China

Water--principally in the form of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers--has shaped Chinese history and thought from the nation's beginnings. Author Philip Ball explores this almost metaphysical aspect of Chinese life, showing the link even in things as basic as the alphabet. Derek Perkins offs a solid narration of the audiobook. His voice is clear and easy on the ears, and his pace makes the material flow well. His facility with Mandarin makes names and places no problem to identify and follow. The work itself, though, is deep and complex. Listeners must pay attention to get full benefit, so it's better suited to tasks like weeding the garden than driving to work. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2017]