Empire

If Strathern's leap-frogging survey of empires might be called "world history for people in a hurry," Elliot Fitzpatrick's narration suits it: He narrates not at a run, perhaps, but at a fast trot. His performance is eminently listenable, his voice and British accent pleasing, his unshowy ability to match sound and emphasis to the text making it easy to absorb. The book might be a "historical greatest hits," but if the point is to entertain as much as inform, once again, Fitzpatrick's narration serves the text well. His smooth manner, easy intelligence, and slightly urgent pace ensure that listeners will not grow bored. For history buffs, this may be lightweight, but it will also be enjoyable. W.M. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine