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Daryl

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Good for first timers

Overall
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-01-08

I am not a scholar in Greek mythology and found this audiobook very easy to get into straight away. Susan Sarandon gives a synposis for each of the 20+ chapters, so you get the story twice, which is great for first timers like myself.
Listening to the Iliad was an amazing experience as you are listening to a story that was written over 2000 years ago. Sure, if someone wrote this book today, it wouldn't make the shelves unlike the Odyssey, which probably could. And if you aren't a fan of gore, then give this one a miss and go straight to the Odyssey.
The translation and narration were good but I gave it 4 stars because I am a traditionalist when it comes to the classics. Some of the translation is in modern language.
After listening to this one, I gave John Lee's narration of the Odyssey a go. I much preferred it to this audiobook, but I should say that the Odyssey is a much better story too.

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27 people found this helpful

Endurance Audiobook By Alfred Lansing cover art

Awesome

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-24-07

This is the second audiobook that I've listened to on the subject, because the story is so good. Both books were fantastic but this one was better. The first book I listened to was written by Caroline Alexander (don't think it is available on Audible yet). It won the 2000 Audie for non-fiction, abridged and is excellent. I chose to get a quicker version of the story first with a view to towards reading a more detailed account if the story was worth it. It certainly was worth it and I hence purchased this one by Alfred Lansing.
This audiobook is excellent and filled in so many questions that I had after reading an abridged version. It is a gripping tale and doesn't get bogged down in mindless detail. The narration is clear (but a bit muffled early on).
I recommend also purchasing a hard copy book on the subject to see a map and some photos. I bought the Caroline Alexander book and it is excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

Great tales indeed

Overall
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-24-07

I was recommended this book by a friend who has bought all three books, which have been abridged into one audiobook. He thought the book would be perfect to listen to while driving as it consisted of many short stories.
He is right, the book is great to listen to, particularly while driving. The book is a collection of historical tales, ordered chronologically from the earliest known evidence of mankind in England to the present day. It isn't a comprehensive history (how could it be?) and cherry picks its way through the most interesting bits (in the author's opinion). The book is full of little bits of trivia.
It is well narrated by the author too. As with many abridged versions though, I would prefer to listen to the whole lot, hence the 4 stars. Perhaps we'll get lucky one day...

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2 people found this helpful