ASSYRIA The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire

Frahm's survey of Assyrian history from its Bronze Age beginnings, through its brief glory period as an empire, to its remnants in modern times is well served by Matthew Lloyd Davies's precise yet fluid narration. Davies's voice is cultured-sounding, clear--with a touch of huskiness--and pleasant. His modulations and emphases bring out the sense of the text, rising and falling with a subdued musicality. During brief opportunities to act, he lends amusing British accents to some ancient quotations. Though generally restrained, he renders the audiobook engagingly without seeming dry or pedantic and helps the listener move painlessly through passages laden with names, dates, and geographical references. There is much inherent interest in Frahm's history, and Davies helps to enhance it. W.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2023]