THE BYZANTINE WORLD WAR

History on audio may be most congenial when it seems given by an expert in casual conversation. Narrator Martin Carroll's speech is soft and subdued, almost shy in affect, as if he's speaking in quiet asides; his voice and manner give the sense of someone telling the story one- on-one. Yet his performance is entirely professional; he reads with intelligence and conveys the sense of the text skillfully. His deep-tinged voice and British accent are immediately likable and engaging. The book--clear, succinct, and compelling--concentrates in dramatic detail on the mortal blows endured by the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century, then more briefly deals with the First Crusade. Well-written and well-read, it should reach beyond history buffs to entertain and inform any listener. W.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2020]