What would Socrates do? Levinson poses this philosophical question by providing Socrates with an opportunity to survive his execution but still have his death mean something. The tale shifts between ancient Greece to 2042, where Sierra, a graduate student, attempts to find her mentor, who has gone missing after revealing secret transcripts of Socrates. While the premise resembles a pulp novel, Levinson's well-researched historical positioning and philosophical arguments elevate this tale. Shanahan delivers a well-tuned performance. He efficiently juggles the characters, who range in age, sex and accent. He reads the exposition with grace, utilizing the text to determine the intensity and speed of his delivery, thereby enhancing the quality of the story as any talented storyteller should. The light and breezy musical interludes and segues are not intrusive. Listen & Live once again provides an audiobook that effectively balances story, narrator and sound quality in a product anyone can enjoy. Simultaneous release with the Tor hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 14, 2005). (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

When her advisor shows her a fragment of an unknown Socratic dialog in which the philosopher, on the night of his execution, receives a visitor who speaks of a rescue by virtue of time travel, classics scholar Sierra and her boyfriend, Max, also a classics student, search for the truth behind the tale. Discovering that time travel is possible, Sierra and Max embark on a rescue mission like no other. Levinson (The Silk Code) spins a fascinating tale that spans the centuries from 400 B.C.E. to 2061 C.E. and ranges from ancient Greece and Egypt to Victorian London and future New York. An intriguing premise with believable characters and attention to period detail make this an outstanding choice for most sf collections. Highly recommended. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

After a little time-travel to ancient Greece, a graduate student ends up in the middle of several complex plots that span two centuries. This scholarly science fiction poses the question of what might have happened if Socrates hadn’t actually swallowed the poisonous hemlock--but Socrates himself isn’t cooperating in finding the answer to that question. Mark Shanahan gives a spirited narration. He has a light touch with the extensive dialogue and a deft facility in creating a range of characters of various ages and nationalities. Shanahan maintains a strong pace and draws out the suspense and drama of the plot. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine