A Classical Education

The Stuff You Wish You'd been Taught at School

By: Caroline Taggart

Narrated by: Bill Wallis

Is the Greek alphabet all Greek to you? Is geometry your Achilles heel and does your knowledge of Homer have more to do with The Simpsons than the Sirens?

From engineering and architecture to drama and democracy, the world around us is founded on the principles and discoveries of the Ancient World, yet our understanding of it is episodic at best.

So if you've ever struggled with Socrates, wished you could formulate a logical argument or wondered whether the Romans really dined at vomitoria, then carpe diem and listen to this audiobook it's never too late to learn.

©2009 Michael O'Mara Books Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Reader's Digest approach to the classics

If you read a lot you probably don't need this book. If you don't read a lot you really don't need this book.

That said, it's a nice fluffy overview of some key figures of classical times. The author may be a touch condescending initially, but her love of the material shines through and her writing is witty and light. (Indeed, I don't know where else you'd get such an overview that wouldn't just put you to sleep).

My major problem with this version is that, though the narrator is quite skilled, he seems to be dropping his voice volume at times and it sometimes makes it hard to hear if you're listening in a car. (Haven't had this problem with other Audible books and I suspect it's the narrator, not the recording). If the volume were better, I'd rate this at least a 4 star performance.

A pleasure to listen

Wonderful little book full of information. Skillfully written and with plenty of wit. Also, the narrator reads it in perfect tune with the author’s style and rhythm.