THE ANCIENT CELTS Second Edition

It's rare for AUDIOFILE to recommend a title other than in audiobook form, but this is one instance when the visual accompaniment may be preferred, even a requirement. Cunliffe's authoritative history of Europe's ancient barbarians updates his 1997 edition to include recent archeological, DNA, and linguistic evidence. It's well presented by Julian Elfer, who handles the linguistic requirements of the work especially well. But be warned, fully a quarter of the printed text is illustrations and maps, and Cunliffe's narrative, in essence, addresses the illustrations--which, judging from the online sample, are expertly photographed and visually fascinating. The audio alone is satisfying, and focuses the mind on the tangible in the way that art history does. But we recommend the book and audio together--an experience sublime. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2019]