The Invention of Science

Wootton's dense but often fascinating account of the beginnings of science is given a likable and generally helpful narration by James Langton. His pleasant British accent; light, informal tone; and lively pace keep the audiobook from bogging down. His intonation and emphases help interpret the sense, though at times his pace is a bit too quick for the complex arguments and his somewhat shaky pronunciation of foreign languages can make quotations hard to follow. His great strength is his ability to translate Wootton's evident joy in his subject into an engaging, even friendly and upbeat, tone that still respects the seriousness of the material. This is a daunting book in audio, but Langton's reading helps it succeed. W.M. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine