Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: The Falcon Killer
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2011, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours
Genres: pulp fiction, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: China's war ace, a fighter pilot nicknamed "The Falcon Killer (Tzun Kai)," is actually Bill Gaylord, raised in Peking by his American parents. Gaylord lost both of them as a child during the violent Boxer uprising and then saw his foster family slaughtered in wartime. With a past that's hardened his soul and given him nerves of steel, Gaylord has used his resolve to down more Japanese aircraft than can be counted.
When he's not hunting down enemy planes, intrigue constantly follows him—stars of Tzun's rogues gallery include an agent provocateur and a despotic Chinese warlord. Soon enough, events pit Gaylord against a Japanese spy who has caused untold trouble for the Chinese. Gaylord must somehow find and defeat him or risk losing an ancient Chinese kingdom to the land of the rising sun.
Copyright 2011, Galaxy Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Nunchang, once a proud and important port city in China, now little more than a war-ravaged ruin. When it became clear that the Japanese forces would not be turned away, the Chinese army set the city ablaze and retreated, leaving the population to fend for themselves. Having nowhere else to go, many of the surviving residents stayed in the ruined city, doing their best to scratch out a living under Japanese occupation.
American businessman Henry Thompson was away on business when the city fell, and was disturbed when he returned to find the city he called home in ruins. Even more disturbing was the fact that Thompson was now effectively cut off from his oil fields some distance from the city. It is the oil fields that made Thompson a wealthy man, and more importantly, are now a major supplier of petroleum for the Chinese army. Then, one day, the answer to his problems literally fell right out of the sky.
During a daring air battle over the city, an airplane of the Chinese Air Service is shot down near Thompson’s home, and the wounded pilot makes his way to the gate. The flyer is none other than Bill Gaylord, also known as the Falcon Killer. Gaylord is unquestionably the top pilot of the Air Service, having shot down more Japanese planes than any other pilot. If Thompson can nurse Gaylord back to health, and keep him hidden from the Japanese, he might just be the man to help Thompson get to the oil fields, and defend them from invading forces.
The Falcon Killer is one of the latest offerings from Galaxy Audio in their continuing effort to produce the golden age stories of L Ron Hubbard. Throughout the 1930’s and 40’s, Hubbard wrote more than 100 pieces of short fiction and published them in the various pulp magazines of the day. These stories hark back to a time that was not necessarily simpler, but perhaps not so quickly paced. They are stories of courage and honor, from a time when girls were girls and men were men, as the old song goes.
This story is a pretty good example, not only of the fiction of the times, but also of L Ron Hubbard’s work in particular. Hubbard was clearly fond of writing war stories, usually fictional wars of his own devising. I’ve also noticed that many of the wars he makes up involve Japan and China. I guess he was right about Japan, although it remains to be seen about China.
As with the other L Ron Hubbard releases from Galaxy Audio, The Falcon Killer features a main narrator, Chris Emerson, and a full cast of voice talents for the characters, including R F Daley, Christina Huntington, Jim Meskimen, Mark Silverman, and Robert Wu. As usual, the narrators all did a great job, and the full cast production gives the story an added cinematic quality.
Another great story from a great American writer. Like Hubbard’s other works, The Falcon Killer is just good old-fashioned fun.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “The Falcon Killer” by L Ron Hubbard, a Full Cast Audio Production from Galaxy Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: The Moon Is Down
Author: John Steinbeck
Narrator: George Guidall
Copyright: 2011, Penguin Audio
Duration: 3 hours, 42 minutes
Genres: classic fiction, commentary, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Penguin Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: "Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat." This compelling, dignified and moving novel was inspired by and based upon the Nazi invasion of neutral Norway. Set in an imaginary European mining town, it shows what happens when a ruthless totalitarian power is up against an occupied democracy with an overwhelming desire to be free.
©1942; 1970 John Steinbeck; Elaine A Steinbeck, Thom Steinbeck, John Steinbeck IV (P)2011 Penguin
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: A small, coastal town in northern Europe is occupied by an invading army that is at war with England and Russia. The town is peaceful, but its coal mining operation makes it a desireable target. The poor people of the town never really had a chance to resist, but being betrayed by one of their own sealed the deal. The people reluctantly begin to settle into their new lives as the snows come early that year and a harsh winter begins to clamp down. The fragile peace is shattered however, when one of the town’s aldermen goes before a firing squad.
Alexander Morden was a peaceful man, and well respected among his fellow townsfolk. But when two of the occupying soldiers order him to work in the coal mine, he snaps and kills one of them with his pick-axe. Alexander firmly believes that free men should not be ordered about. Alexander is placed before a firing squad and summarily executed, ending the peace between citizen and soldier.
The people of the town show no open hostility, obeying orders and doing their work, but the resistance has begun. The workers grow suddenly clumsy, equipment mysteriously malfunctions, sections of railroad track are damaged regularly. Bombing raids from England fly over, and blackouts are ordered in the town so that no target will be visible, but lights always seem to be left on at the coal mine. Guards become tempted by women or drink, and disappear one by one.
Eventually, two men are able to sneak away in a fishing boat, and head for England. Not long after, airplanes begin parachuting in small packages of dynamite over the town. The message to the occupying force is clear: people can be held against their will and forced to obey, but the human spirit can never be diminished.
John Steinbeck wrote The Moon Is Down in 1942, during the height of World War II. He doesn’t actually say so, but it’s safe to say that the invading army in the story represents Germany. The novel was sponsored by the United States government as a bit of propaganda, in hopes that it would inspire resistance among the territories that Germany occupied. The book was translated into many languages and distributed widely across Europe, often illegally, making it the most popular piece of propaganda to be circulated. Steinbeck was awarded the Medal of Honor for his work.
As I have said before, George Guidall is the finest audiobook narrator in the business. It is difficult, however, to say exactly what I like so much about his narrations. His character voices are not great, although I’ve often thought that he does women’s voices better than most men. He just reads so naturally. When he reads dialogue, it sounds the way people really sound when they talk. I’m guessing this is a skill that can’t be learned, George Guidall was born to narrate the way Beethoven was born to write music.
John Steinbeck has a very clear understanding of the human spirit, and this shows in his various works. He has a knack for capturing people’s thoughts and feelings in his words. The Moon Is Down is a good example of his story-telling ability.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Audiobook Review)
All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Audiobook Review)
1984 by George Orwell (Audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “The Moon Is Down” by John Steinbeck (Unabridged Audiobook) from Penguin Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: The Moon Is Down
Author: John Steinbeck
Narrator: George Guidall
Copyright: 2011, Penguin Audio
Duration: 3 hours, 42 minutes
Genres: classic fiction, commentary, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Penguin Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: "Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat." This compelling, dignified and moving novel was inspired by and based upon the Nazi invasion of neutral Norway. Set in an imaginary European mining town, it shows what happens when a ruthless totalitarian power is up against an occupied democracy with an overwhelming desire to be free.
©1942; 1970 John Steinbeck; Elaine A Steinbeck, Thom Steinbeck, John Steinbeck IV (P)2011 Penguin
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: A small, coastal town in northern Europe is occupied by an invading army that is at war with England and Russia. The town is peaceful, but its coal mining operation makes it a desireable target. The poor people of the town never really had a chance to resist, but being betrayed by one of their own sealed the deal. The people reluctantly begin to settle into their new lives as the snows come early that year and a harsh winter begins to clamp down. The fragile peace is shattered however, when one of the town’s aldermen goes before a firing squad.
Alexander Morden was a peaceful man, and well respected among his fellow townsfolk. But when two of the occupying soldiers order him to work in the coal mine, he snaps and kills one of them with his pick-axe. Alexander firmly believes that free men should not be ordered about. Alexander is placed before a firing squad and summarily executed, ending the peace between citizen and soldier.
The people of the town show no open hostility, obeying orders and doing their work, but the resistance has begun. The workers grow suddenly clumsy, equipment mysteriously malfunctions, sections of railroad track are damaged regularly. Bombing raids from England fly over, and blackouts are ordered in the town so that no target will be visible, but lights always seem to be left on at the coal mine. Guards become tempted by women or drink, and disappear one by one.
Eventually, two men are able to sneak away in a fishing boat, and head for England. Not long after, airplanes begin parachuting in small packages of dynamite over the town. The message to the occupying force is clear: people can be held against their will and forced to obey, but the human spirit can never be diminished.
John Steinbeck wrote The Moon Is Down in 1942, during the height of World War II. He doesn’t actually say so, but it’s safe to say that the invading army in the story represents Germany. The novel was sponsored by the United States government as a bit of propaganda, in hopes that it would inspire resistance among the territories that Germany occupied. The book was translated into many languages and distributed widely across Europe, often illegally, making it the most popular piece of propaganda to be circulated. Steinbeck was awarded the Medal of Honor for his work.
As I have said before, George Guidall is the finest audiobook narrator in the business. It is difficult, however, to say exactly what I like so much about his narrations. His character voices are not great, although I’ve often thought that he does women’s voices better than most men. He just reads so naturally. When he reads dialogue, it sounds the way people really sound when they talk. I’m guessing this is a skill that can’t be learned, George Guidall was born to narrate the way Beethoven was born to write music.
John Steinbeck has a very clear understanding of the human spirit, and this shows in his various works. He has a knack for capturing people’s thoughts and feelings in his words. The Moon Is Down is a good example of his story-telling ability.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Audiobook Review)
All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Audiobook Review)
1984 by George Orwell (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “The Moon Is Down” by John Steinbeck (Unabridged Audiobook) from Penguin Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2011, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours
Genres: action, adventure, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Here come three more gems from one of the 20th century’s most prolific writers. During the 1930’s and 40’s, L Ron Hubbard wrote hundreds of short stories that were published in various pulp fiction magazines of the day. Now, for the first time, those timeless classics are being published in an audio format. Galaxy Audio is producing more than 150 of Hubbard’s short stories in full-cast audio, beautifully rendered with cinema-quality music and sound enhancements. The latest installment in the series goes on sale in August, and includes the following stories:
Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead: Captain Gordon is hired to fly a group of anthropologists into a remote area of Pakistan. Trouble begins when the team finds an ancient map revealing the location of a buried tomb that has been hidden for 23 centuries. Built by Alexander the Great, the tomb contains a vast treasure, along with ten thousand of Alexander’s well-preserved Macedonian soldiers. Forgetting their scientific endeavors, the anthropologists soon fall prey to greed, each one willing to kill for the contents of the tomb. Captain Gordon will be lucky to make it out of the desert alive.
Price of a Hat: During a war in Russia, an American soldier witnesses three Reds gunning down a Cossack. They seem particularly interested in the Cossack’s hat. The American gets the drop on the three, and decides to carry the hat back to base, thinking it may be of some importance. Over the next several days, many men on both sides of the war die over possession of the mysterious headwear. Will anyone be able to determine the significance of the hat before it is too late?
Starch and Stripes: During a different war in a different time, L Ron Hubbard takes a satirical look at the way some military figures seem to place more importance on proper dress and procedure than on duty. When Captain Eddie ignores a visit by the top brass in order to carry out his mission, will he be praised or damned?
This full-cast audio production is enhanced with cinema-quality music and sound effects, and features the voice talents of Josh R Thompson, R F Daley, Ralph Lister, Jim Meskimen, Joey Naber, Noel North, Enn Reitel, Fred Tatasciore, and Michael Yurchak. This exciting style of production can really bring an audiobook to life, and makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action.
L Ron Hubbard does adventure stories as well as anyone I have read. Don’t miss these three thrilling tales.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
The Falcon Killer by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
The Phantom Patrol by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) from Galaxy Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2011, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours
Genres: action, adventure, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Here come three more gems from one of the 20th century’s most prolific writers. During the 1930’s and 40’s, L Ron Hubbard wrote hundreds of short stories that were published in various pulp fiction magazines of the day. Now, for the first time, those timeless classics are being published in an audio format. Galaxy Audio is producing more than 150 of Hubbard’s short stories in full-cast audio, beautifully rendered with cinema-quality music and sound enhancements. The latest installment in the series goes on sale in August, and includes the following stories:
Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead: Captain Gordon is hired to fly a group of anthropologists into a remote area of Pakistan. Trouble begins when the team finds an ancient map revealing the location of a buried tomb that has been hidden for 23 centuries. Built by Alexander the Great, the tomb contains a vast treasure, along with ten thousand of Alexander’s well-preserved Macedonian soldiers. Forgetting their scientific endeavors, the anthropologists soon fall prey to greed, each one willing to kill for the contents of the tomb. Captain Gordon will be lucky to make it out of the desert alive.
Price of a Hat: During a war in Russia, an American soldier witnesses three Reds gunning down a Cossack. They seem particularly interested in the Cossack’s hat. The American gets the drop on the three, and decides to carry the hat back to base, thinking it may be of some importance. Over the next several days, many men on both sides of the war die over possession of the mysterious headwear. Will anyone be able to determine the significance of the hat before it is too late?
Starch and Stripes: During a different war in a different time, L Ron Hubbard takes a satirical look at the way some military figures seem to place more importance on proper dress and procedure than on duty. When Captain Eddie ignores a visit by the top brass in order to carry out his mission, will he be praised or damned?
This full-cast audio production is enhanced with cinema-quality music and sound effects, and features the voice talents of Josh R Thompson, R F Daley, Ralph Lister, Jim Meskimen, Joey Naber, Noel North, Enn Reitel, Fred Tatasciore, and Michael Yurchak. This exciting style of production can really bring an audiobook to life, and makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action.
L Ron Hubbard does adventure stories as well as anyone I have read. Don’t miss these three thrilling tales.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
The Falcon Killer by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
The Phantom Patrol by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Tomb of the Ten Thousand Dead” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) from Galaxy Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Greed
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2011, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours
Genres: science fiction, exploration, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Greed is the latest installment in the ambitious project by Galaxy Press to record more than 150 of L Ron Hubbard’s stories in an audio format. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, Hubbard wrote hundreds of science fiction, action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, and western stories which were published in various pulp fiction magazines of the day. These are the stories that entertained millions, and inspired an entire generation of writers. Now, those stories are coming to life in the form of full-cast audio productions, enhanced with music and sound. Included in this 2-CD set are Hubbard’s stories Greed, The Final Enemy, and The Automagic Horse.
In Greed, Earth is divided into two main political factions, precariously balanced on a knife-edge of war. Until one faction suddenly develops some break-through technology, that is. The cohesion projector, able to join the molecules of the air itself into a solid, impenetrable, yet invisible wall, could upset the fragile balance. Can a solitary space captain, whose primary motivation is a lust for profit, restore the balance and bring peace once again to the planet?
In The Final Enemy, Captain Bristol and his crew, on a routine planet-charting mission far, far from Earth, , find that they are not the first visitors to this region. The natives of this newly discovered planet tell stories of the first explorers, beings who wreaked havoc, killing millions. Perceiving a threat to human settlements, and maybe to the Earth itself, Captain Bristol sends the news back to the home world. As it turns out, other explorers have been sending in similar reports. Planet Earth goes into full-scale war mode, drafting soldiers, building warships, and developing new sciences and new technologies to combat this new enemy. When a universe-wide search finally returns some results, the Earth government is flabbergasted to learn who their new enemy is.
In The Automagic Horse, Gadget O’Dowd is the best special effects creator in Hollywood. His mechanical monsters and creatures are the stuff of legend. But Gadget has dreams of conquering much more than Hollywood; he wants to go to the moon. For years he and his crew have been building a rocket ship, charging off the parts for it to the various movie producers he has worked for. When a producer hires Gadget to create a life-like mechanical horse, he knows it will put him that much closer to fulfilling his dream, but things might not work out quite the way he planned.
This two-disk set from Galaxy Audio is a full-cast audio production featuring cinema-quality music and sound, along with the voice talents of David Paladino, Bob Caso, R F Daley, James King, Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Noel North, Jeff Pomerantz, Phil Proctor, Enn Reitel, Josh R Thompson, and Michael Urchak.
I have really been enjoying these golden age stories by L Ron Hubbard. So much of today’s fiction has become overly complicated, with deep, hidden meanings and symbols. I like to read those stories, but sometimes it’s nice to relax with something a little more light-hearted. These are simpler stories from a simpler time. I hope other audio publishers will follow Galaxy Press’ lead and resurrect more fiction from this era.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (audiobook review)
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Greed” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) from Galaxy Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: Greed
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2011, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours
Genres: science fiction, exploration, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Greed is the latest installment in the ambitious project by Galaxy Press to record more than 150 of L Ron Hubbard’s stories in an audio format. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, Hubbard wrote hundreds of science fiction, action, adventure, fantasy, mystery, and western stories which were published in various pulp fiction magazines of the day. These are the stories that entertained millions, and inspired an entire generation of writers. Now, those stories are coming to life in the form of full-cast audio productions, enhanced with music and sound. Included in this 2-CD set are Hubbard’s stories Greed, The Final Enemy, and The Automagic Horse.
In Greed, Earth is divided into two main political factions, precariously balanced on a knife-edge of war. Until one faction suddenly develops some break-through technology, that is. The cohesion projector, able to join the molecules of the air itself into a solid, impenetrable, yet invisible wall, could upset the fragile balance. Can a solitary space captain, whose primary motivation is a lust for profit, restore the balance and bring peace once again to the planet?
In The Final Enemy, Captain Bristol and his crew, on a routine planet-charting mission far, far from Earth, , find that they are not the first visitors to this region. The natives of this newly discovered planet tell stories of the first explorers, beings who wreaked havoc, killing millions. Perceiving a threat to human settlements, and maybe to the Earth itself, Captain Bristol sends the news back to the home world. As it turns out, other explorers have been sending in similar reports. Planet Earth goes into full-scale war mode, drafting soldiers, building warships, and developing new sciences and new technologies to combat this new enemy. When a universe-wide search finally returns some results, the Earth government is flabbergasted to learn who their new enemy is.
In The Automagic Horse, Gadget O’Dowd is the best special effects creator in Hollywood. His mechanical monsters and creatures are the stuff of legend. But Gadget has dreams of conquering much more than Hollywood; he wants to go to the moon. For years he and his crew have been building a rocket ship, charging off the parts for it to the various movie producers he has worked for. When a producer hires Gadget to create a life-like mechanical horse, he knows it will put him that much closer to fulfilling his dream, but things might not work out quite the way he planned.
This two-disk set from Galaxy Audio is a full-cast audio production featuring cinema-quality music and sound, along with the voice talents of David Paladino, Bob Caso, R F Daley, James King, Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Noel North, Jeff Pomerantz, Phil Proctor, Enn Reitel, Josh R Thompson, and Michael Urchak.
I have really been enjoying these golden age stories by L Ron Hubbard. So much of today’s fiction has become overly complicated, with deep, hidden meanings and symbols. I like to read those stories, but sometimes it’s nice to relax with something a little more light-hearted. These are simpler stories from a simpler time. I hope other audio publishers will follow Galaxy Press’ lead and resurrect more fiction from this era.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (audiobook review)
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Greed” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) from Galaxy Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Werewolves of War by D W Hall (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Werewolves of War
Author: D W Hall
Narrator: Colby Elliott
Copyright: 2011, Last Word Audio
Duration: 1 hour, 2 minutes
Genres: science fiction, military, pulp fiction
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Last Word Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: It’s 1938, and America is at war. This is not the war in Europe that we are all familiar with, however. The United Slav Army, in a surprise attack on the American west coast, quickly gained a large foothold, encompassing most of California, and massacreing the entire population of San Francisco in the process. The beleaguered American forces are barely hanging on against the overwhelming technology of the Slavs, but a new secret weapon just might turn the tide.
The Slavs are well-equipped, and well-organized. In fact, they always seem to know just when and where the American forces are going to attack. American flying ace, Captain Derek Lance, leader of a fighter squadron dubbed the “Werewolves of War”, is convinced that there is a spy at work, it’s the only explanation. Every time he leads his squad into battle, the enemy is waiting with their own secret weapon, the disintegrating flame, a technology that still baffles American cientists. And the American planes fall by the dozen.
Lance, and his superior officers, can sense a major offensive coming, and it seems inevitable that the battered remnants of the American forces will be overrun. But the scientists have just completed a new weapon. The newly developed “flying torpedoes”, able to home in on an electronic beacon, and with enough destructive force to level an entire city, have arrived at the front lines, and there is a dangerous and delicate plan which will almost surely break the enemies back if it can be pulled off. On what will almost surely be a suicide mission, Captain Lance, and an unlikely companion, must fly behind enemy lines, activate a beacon, and protect it until the torpedoes can be sent in. It just mightwork, unless, of course, the spy manages to catch wind of the plan and radio it back to his superiors.
D W Hall wrote Werewolves of War in 1931, and it was originally published in the February 1931 issue of Astounding Stories. It’s always fun to read old stories like this, stories that are futuristic at the time, that we can look back on and see how accurately the author was able to predict the future. In this case, I was rather impressed at Hall’s “flying torpedoes”, which sound a lot like our modern-day guided missiles, and with the destructive force of an atomic bomb fifteen years before the Manhattan Project. His other “inventions”, the disintegrating flame, acid bullets, and incendiary bullets, have not been realized as far as I know, but I like them, and the sort of steam-punk quality that they possess.
This story reminds me a lot of some of L Ron Hubbard’s work of this same period. Hubbard wrote a lot of short fiction involving wars between different countries, and taking place in different parts of the world, than the wars of our true history. The obvious difference between Hubbard and Hall, is that while Hubbard’s stories are more light-hearted in tone, Hall takes a slightly darker approach, lending a bit more credibility to the story. Personally, I enjoy both styles and am always glad at any chance to read the fiction of this era. I hope that the resurrection of this type of fiction becomes a trend in the audiobook industry.
Narrator, Colby Elliott, did a good job as usual. His voice always sounds good, and he does pretty decent voices for the characters. If I remember right, there was only one character in Werewolves of War that had a foreign accent, an airplane mechanic with a comical English-Cockney dialect, but Elliott handled it well.
Werewolves of War is short, only a little over an hour long, but very much worth a listen. There was a lot of good fiction published in the 1930’s and 40’s, of which this is a prime example. I hope to see lots more of it in the near future.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Falcon Killer by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Doc Savage: Python Isle by Will Murray (Audiobook review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Werewolves of War” by D W Hall (Unabridged Audiobook) from Last Word Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: Werewolves of War
Author: D W Hall
Narrator: Colby Elliott
Copyright: 2011, Last Word Audio
Duration: 1 hour, 2 minutes
Genres: science fiction, military, pulp fiction
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Last Word Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: It’s 1938, and America is at war. This is not the war in Europe that we are all familiar with, however. The United Slav Army, in a surprise attack on the American west coast, quickly gained a large foothold, encompassing most of California, and massacreing the entire population of San Francisco in the process. The beleaguered American forces are barely hanging on against the overwhelming technology of the Slavs, but a new secret weapon just might turn the tide.
The Slavs are well-equipped, and well-organized. In fact, they always seem to know just when and where the American forces are going to attack. American flying ace, Captain Derek Lance, leader of a fighter squadron dubbed the “Werewolves of War”, is convinced that there is a spy at work, it’s the only explanation. Every time he leads his squad into battle, the enemy is waiting with their own secret weapon, the disintegrating flame, a technology that still baffles American cientists. And the American planes fall by the dozen.
Lance, and his superior officers, can sense a major offensive coming, and it seems inevitable that the battered remnants of the American forces will be overrun. But the scientists have just completed a new weapon. The newly developed “flying torpedoes”, able to home in on an electronic beacon, and with enough destructive force to level an entire city, have arrived at the front lines, and there is a dangerous and delicate plan which will almost surely break the enemies back if it can be pulled off. On what will almost surely be a suicide mission, Captain Lance, and an unlikely companion, must fly behind enemy lines, activate a beacon, and protect it until the torpedoes can be sent in. It just mightwork, unless, of course, the spy manages to catch wind of the plan and radio it back to his superiors.
D W Hall wrote Werewolves of War in 1931, and it was originally published in the February 1931 issue of Astounding Stories. It’s always fun to read old stories like this, stories that are futuristic at the time, that we can look back on and see how accurately the author was able to predict the future. In this case, I was rather impressed at Hall’s “flying torpedoes”, which sound a lot like our modern-day guided missiles, and with the destructive force of an atomic bomb fifteen years before the Manhattan Project. His other “inventions”, the disintegrating flame, acid bullets, and incendiary bullets, have not been realized as far as I know, but I like them, and the sort of steam-punk quality that they possess.
This story reminds me a lot of some of L Ron Hubbard’s work of this same period. Hubbard wrote a lot of short fiction involving wars between different countries, and taking place in different parts of the world, than the wars of our true history. The obvious difference between Hubbard and Hall, is that while Hubbard’s stories are more light-hearted in tone, Hall takes a slightly darker approach, lending a bit more credibility to the story. Personally, I enjoy both styles and am always glad at any chance to read the fiction of this era. I hope that the resurrection of this type of fiction becomes a trend in the audiobook industry.
Narrator, Colby Elliott, did a good job as usual. His voice always sounds good, and he does pretty decent voices for the characters. If I remember right, there was only one character in Werewolves of War that had a foreign accent, an airplane mechanic with a comical English-Cockney dialect, but Elliott handled it well.
Werewolves of War is short, only a little over an hour long, but very much worth a listen. There was a lot of good fiction published in the 1930’s and 40’s, of which this is a prime example. I hope to see lots more of it in the near future.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Falcon Killer by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Doc Savage: Python Isle by Will Murray (Audiobook review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Werewolves of War” by D W Hall (Unabridged Audiobook) from Last Word Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War
Author: Karl Marlantes
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Copyright: 2010, Blackstone Audio
Duration: 21 hours, 10 minutes
Genres: historical fiction, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Blackstone Audio
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: In the monsoon season of 1968-69 at a fire support base called Matterhorn, located in the remote mountains of Vietnam, a young and ambitious Marine lieutenant wants to command a company to further his civilian political ambitions. Two people stand in his way. The first is a well-loved combat-weary lieutenant his own age who desperately wants out of the bush but who does not want to leave his Marines with an inexperienced and overly ambitious officer. The second is an angry leader of the company’s radical blacks, who has all the political skill, savvy, and ambition of the protagonist.
As the young lieutenant experiences the costs of combat, he sees the terrible results of his actions and begins to question the value of ambition and skill over compassion and heart.
©2010 Karl Marlantes (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not a veteran of the Vietnam War. In fact, that war was almost over by the time I was born. I did not experience this piece of history, and can not even imagine what it must have been like. I wanted to point that out just in case I say anything that comes across as disrespectful. Please know that I would never intentionally disrespect any member of the United States military, past or present.
I loved Matterhorn. I like to read books, or watch movies, about the various wars that America has been involved in, and this one tops them all. Like I said, I’ve never been in a war, and while I have tried to imagine what it might have been like, I never came up with anything as grim as what Karl Marlantes depicted.
Marlantes served with the Marines as a lieutenant during the Vietnam War, just like his main character lieutenant Mellas, and Matterhorn is based on his own experiences. That kind of goes without saying, because only someone who was really there could give such a clear picture. As we follow Bravo Company through the jungle, and up the Matterhorn, we get to witness first-hand the terror felt by the soldiers, and the courage with which they conducted themselves. We can watch them struggle to carry out their orders, no matter how many days they had to go without food or water, regardless of whether or not the orders made any sense, all the while carrying their dead until a chopper could reach them. Mellas’ rank of lieutenant is optimal because we can follow him into staff meetings where the decisions were made, and then into the bush where the orders were carried out. Matterhorn is a monumental and complete work, from top to bottom.
There’s one passage that I wanted to share, which, I think, really captures the essense of what Marlantes is trying to say about the Vietnam War. This is from a conversation between Lieutenant Mellas, and one of the nurses on the naval hospital ship where Mellas is recovering from wounds.
”Remember that feeling you got picking blackberries? You know, with friends, and maybe somebody’s grandmother who’s come along and she’s gonna make pie when you get home, And the air is so warm it’s like mother nature is baking bread. There used to be a great patch near the garbage dump in this little logging town where I grew up.
It’s like a car suddenly roars down on you with six beefy guys in it. You stand there next to this old, kind woman with your berry bucket in your hand and you’re suddenly a little scared; all the guys have been drinking, their faces are covered with masks, they have rifles. One takes the berry buckets and throws them down on the side of the road. They shove you around, and they take you to the dump, laughing a little, as if they’re expecting some fun. You’re instructed that you’re all going to play a game; here’s the rules: The men, that is the boys, have to crawl through the dump from one end to the other. Whenever we come across a can whose lid we cannot see, we must pick it up and show it to the men with the rifles. If the can turns out to be empty we can continue; if it turns up unopened, then we get killed. We get down in the garbage; the dump always has a fire smoldering; the smoke makes you puke and cough. The old grandma’s job consists of bringing water to any of us who come up with a pleasing or clever way of revealing the can. We even get ribbons if we’re particularly clever. Of course, if we refuse to pick up any cans, then we have to stay crawling in the garbage forever, or at least until the strange men get tired of their {expletive} game. And one by one, the guys you picked berries with get killed, and you just keep being clever. And the game goes on, and on, and on.”
This is a pretty powerful moment in the story, and serves to illustrate the confusion of the soldiers, being sent on combat missions for reasons they do not know, and can’t even guess at. While Lieutenant Mellas is speaking, he is toying with a butter knife at the table where he and the nurse are seated. As he speaks those last few lines, the anger and hurt mount up in him and he bends the knife in two, frightening the nurse. Marlantes shows us very clearly what effect the war is having on Mellas, who is a representation of all Vietnam soldiers.
This particular scene is also a good example of narrator Bronson Pinchot’s skill. He begins the scene sounding tired, and a little distant, but as the scene reaches its culmination, his voice takes on a harder quality, hurt and angry. The whole audiobook is like that. Pinchot always matches the mood of Marlantes’ narrative. Anger, sadness, compassion: Pinchot captures it all. I’m very glad that Matterhorn was handled by a narrator of this magnitude. Pinchot does good voices too, making each of Marlantes’ characters distinct.
You know how some books are just so good that you never want them to end? And when the inevitable ending finally comes you want to go right back and start over again? Matterhorn was like that for me. It came to that point where I could feel the story winding down to its conclusion and I just couldn’t bear it. And Marlantes’ ending was no disappointment. Someone dies near the end and it literally outraged me. I can’t ever remember being so moved by the death of a fictional character. Those of you who like happy endings may not find it here, but the final scene, after this character’s death, is beautiful and touching, and maybe a little uplifting too. It was a perfect ending for this audiobook, and I applaud Karl Marlantes.
There are so many things I want to say about this audiobook, but I don’t want to give away the story, and I don’t think I could ever really convey how the book made me feel anyway. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Matterhorn.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Hearts In Atlantis by Stephen King (Audiobook Review)
All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Audiobook Review)
The Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War” by Karl Marlantes (Unabridged Audiobook) from Blackstone Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War
Author: Karl Marlantes
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Copyright: 2010, Blackstone Audio
Duration: 21 hours, 10 minutes
Genres: historical fiction, military
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Blackstone Audio
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: In the monsoon season of 1968-69 at a fire support base called Matterhorn, located in the remote mountains of Vietnam, a young and ambitious Marine lieutenant wants to command a company to further his civilian political ambitions. Two people stand in his way. The first is a well-loved combat-weary lieutenant his own age who desperately wants out of the bush but who does not want to leave his Marines with an inexperienced and overly ambitious officer. The second is an angry leader of the company’s radical blacks, who has all the political skill, savvy, and ambition of the protagonist.
As the young lieutenant experiences the costs of combat, he sees the terrible results of his actions and begins to question the value of ambition and skill over compassion and heart.
©2010 Karl Marlantes (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not a veteran of the Vietnam War. In fact, that war was almost over by the time I was born. I did not experience this piece of history, and can not even imagine what it must have been like. I wanted to point that out just in case I say anything that comes across as disrespectful. Please know that I would never intentionally disrespect any member of the United States military, past or present.
I loved Matterhorn. I like to read books, or watch movies, about the various wars that America has been involved in, and this one tops them all. Like I said, I’ve never been in a war, and while I have tried to imagine what it might have been like, I never came up with anything as grim as what Karl Marlantes depicted.
Marlantes served with the Marines as a lieutenant during the Vietnam War, just like his main character lieutenant Mellas, and Matterhorn is based on his own experiences. That kind of goes without saying, because only someone who was really there could give such a clear picture. As we follow Bravo Company through the jungle, and up the Matterhorn, we get to witness first-hand the terror felt by the soldiers, and the courage with which they conducted themselves. We can watch them struggle to carry out their orders, no matter how many days they had to go without food or water, regardless of whether or not the orders made any sense, all the while carrying their dead until a chopper could reach them. Mellas’ rank of lieutenant is optimal because we can follow him into staff meetings where the decisions were made, and then into the bush where the orders were carried out. Matterhorn is a monumental and complete work, from top to bottom.
There’s one passage that I wanted to share, which, I think, really captures the essense of what Marlantes is trying to say about the Vietnam War. This is from a conversation between Lieutenant Mellas, and one of the nurses on the naval hospital ship where Mellas is recovering from wounds.
”Remember that feeling you got picking blackberries? You know, with friends, and maybe somebody’s grandmother who’s come along and she’s gonna make pie when you get home, And the air is so warm it’s like mother nature is baking bread. There used to be a great patch near the garbage dump in this little logging town where I grew up.
It’s like a car suddenly roars down on you with six beefy guys in it. You stand there next to this old, kind woman with your berry bucket in your hand and you’re suddenly a little scared; all the guys have been drinking, their faces are covered with masks, they have rifles. One takes the berry buckets and throws them down on the side of the road. They shove you around, and they take you to the dump, laughing a little, as if they’re expecting some fun. You’re instructed that you’re all going to play a game; here’s the rules: The men, that is the boys, have to crawl through the dump from one end to the other. Whenever we come across a can whose lid we cannot see, we must pick it up and show it to the men with the rifles. If the can turns out to be empty we can continue; if it turns up unopened, then we get killed. We get down in the garbage; the dump always has a fire smoldering; the smoke makes you puke and cough. The old grandma’s job consists of bringing water to any of us who come up with a pleasing or clever way of revealing the can. We even get ribbons if we’re particularly clever. Of course, if we refuse to pick up any cans, then we have to stay crawling in the garbage forever, or at least until the strange men get tired of their {expletive} game. And one by one, the guys you picked berries with get killed, and you just keep being clever. And the game goes on, and on, and on.”
This is a pretty powerful moment in the story, and serves to illustrate the confusion of the soldiers, being sent on combat missions for reasons they do not know, and can’t even guess at. While Lieutenant Mellas is speaking, he is toying with a butter knife at the table where he and the nurse are seated. As he speaks those last few lines, the anger and hurt mount up in him and he bends the knife in two, frightening the nurse. Marlantes shows us very clearly what effect the war is having on Mellas, who is a representation of all Vietnam soldiers.
This particular scene is also a good example of narrator Bronson Pinchot’s skill. He begins the scene sounding tired, and a little distant, but as the scene reaches its culmination, his voice takes on a harder quality, hurt and angry. The whole audiobook is like that. Pinchot always matches the mood of Marlantes’ narrative. Anger, sadness, compassion: Pinchot captures it all. I’m very glad that Matterhorn was handled by a narrator of this magnitude. Pinchot does good voices too, making each of Marlantes’ characters distinct.
You know how some books are just so good that you never want them to end? And when the inevitable ending finally comes you want to go right back and start over again? Matterhorn was like that for me. It came to that point where I could feel the story winding down to its conclusion and I just couldn’t bear it. And Marlantes’ ending was no disappointment. Someone dies near the end and it literally outraged me. I can’t ever remember being so moved by the death of a fictional character. Those of you who like happy endings may not find it here, but the final scene, after this character’s death, is beautiful and touching, and maybe a little uplifting too. It was a perfect ending for this audiobook, and I applaud Karl Marlantes.
There are so many things I want to say about this audiobook, but I don’t want to give away the story, and I don’t think I could ever really convey how the book made me feel anyway. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Matterhorn.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Hearts In Atlantis by Stephen King (Audiobook Review)
All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Audiobook Review)
The Red Badge Of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War” by Karl Marlantes (Unabridged Audiobook) from Blackstone Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Orders is Orders
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2009, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 33 minutes
Genres: pulp fiction, action, military,
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: The Japanese have led a heavily armored assault against the Chinese city of Shunkien, pounding wreckage into ashes and wiping out a city dating back to Genghis Kahn. One of the few buildings still standing is the small American consulate, now packed with one hundred and sixteen frightened American refugees. Food is low and deadly Asiatic cholera is starting to run rampant, with carnage and corpses piling up in the streets.
Two hundred miles away, the USS Miami drops anchor, well equipped with the needed gold to buy food and a cholera serum to prevent disease and death. The dilemma is that should the Marines take military action to rush supplies to the consulate, it could force the US into an all-out battle with the Japanese.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell and Private First Class Spivits instead are ordered to conduct a treacherous supply mission facing impossible odds to reach and rescue the trapped Americans.
©2009 Galaxy Press; (P)2009 Galaxy Press
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: In his own tried and true formula, L Ron Hubbard spins another tale of courage and heroism in the face of adversity. Hubbard’s military fiction always features a gutsy, battle-hardened soldier, this time Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell. Mitchell is as tough as any marine you’ll find, but like any true hero, he has his weakness. For Mitchell, it’s the bottle. Liquor is the monkey on Mitchell’s back, and when he is given this rescue mission, it is there to haunt him every step of the way, tempting and taunting him. This conflict adds a nice bit of additional tension to the story, because we never know if James will give in, or complete his mission.
And of course, fans of L Ron Hubbard know that there is always a dame, a beautiful but tough femme to act as counter-part to the hero. In Orders is Orders, our dame is Goldie Brown, a stage performer and fan-dancer. She may look frail and delicate, but on the long road to Shunkien, she proves to be rather tough after all.
Orders is Orders is a full cast audio production from Galaxy Press, complete with sound effects and music. L Ron Hubbard’s non-stop action and thrills really come to life with the cinema quality sound enhancements Galaxy Press put together. Gunshots, bombers diving, cavalry riders thundering by, you’ll feel like you’re really there.
R F Daly is the main narrator for Orders is Orders, and he did a fine job. His rich tenor voice is very easy to listen to. In addition to Daly, there is a full cast of voice actors to read the parts of each character in the story. I thought the voices were all appropriately acted out, and I especially got a kick out of the voice for Mitchell’s partner, Toughy (not sure if I spelled that right)> That voice reminded me a little of Bluto from the old Popeye cartoons.
Orders is Orders is a classic example of Hubbard’s military fiction, and Galaxy Press has done an excellent job with the audio production of this golden age story. At two-and-a-half hours in length, this audiobook is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Orders is Orders” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged CD Audiobook) from Galaxy Press>
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: Orders is Orders
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Copyright: 2009, Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 33 minutes
Genres: pulp fiction, action, military,
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: The Japanese have led a heavily armored assault against the Chinese city of Shunkien, pounding wreckage into ashes and wiping out a city dating back to Genghis Kahn. One of the few buildings still standing is the small American consulate, now packed with one hundred and sixteen frightened American refugees. Food is low and deadly Asiatic cholera is starting to run rampant, with carnage and corpses piling up in the streets.
Two hundred miles away, the USS Miami drops anchor, well equipped with the needed gold to buy food and a cholera serum to prevent disease and death. The dilemma is that should the Marines take military action to rush supplies to the consulate, it could force the US into an all-out battle with the Japanese.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell and Private First Class Spivits instead are ordered to conduct a treacherous supply mission facing impossible odds to reach and rescue the trapped Americans.
©2009 Galaxy Press; (P)2009 Galaxy Press
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: In his own tried and true formula, L Ron Hubbard spins another tale of courage and heroism in the face of adversity. Hubbard’s military fiction always features a gutsy, battle-hardened soldier, this time Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell. Mitchell is as tough as any marine you’ll find, but like any true hero, he has his weakness. For Mitchell, it’s the bottle. Liquor is the monkey on Mitchell’s back, and when he is given this rescue mission, it is there to haunt him every step of the way, tempting and taunting him. This conflict adds a nice bit of additional tension to the story, because we never know if James will give in, or complete his mission.
And of course, fans of L Ron Hubbard know that there is always a dame, a beautiful but tough femme to act as counter-part to the hero. In Orders is Orders, our dame is Goldie Brown, a stage performer and fan-dancer. She may look frail and delicate, but on the long road to Shunkien, she proves to be rather tough after all.
Orders is Orders is a full cast audio production from Galaxy Press, complete with sound effects and music. L Ron Hubbard’s non-stop action and thrills really come to life with the cinema quality sound enhancements Galaxy Press put together. Gunshots, bombers diving, cavalry riders thundering by, you’ll feel like you’re really there.
R F Daly is the main narrator for Orders is Orders, and he did a fine job. His rich tenor voice is very easy to listen to. In addition to Daly, there is a full cast of voice actors to read the parts of each character in the story. I thought the voices were all appropriately acted out, and I especially got a kick out of the voice for Mitchell’s partner, Toughy (not sure if I spelled that right)> That voice reminded me a little of Bluto from the old Popeye cartoons.
Orders is Orders is a classic example of Hubbard’s military fiction, and Galaxy Press has done an excellent job with the audio production of this golden age story. At two-and-a-half hours in length, this audiobook is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Orders is Orders” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged CD Audiobook) from Galaxy Press>
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Friday, April 1, 2011
American Chronicles: The Civil War by NPR (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: The Civil War
Series: American Chronicles
Author: NPR
Narrator: Neal Conan
Copyright: 2011, HighBridge Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 59 minutes
Genres: non fiction, military, historical
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by HighBridge Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: NPR captures the battlefield action, the personal struggles, and the moral dilemmas of the war that pitted brother against brother (and sometimes sister) and friend against friend. This revealing collection of Civil War stories features gripping history, expert commentary, and unforgettable voices.
Internationally acclaimed, NPR produces and distributes programming that reaches a combined audience of 26.4 million listeners weekly, and, unlike other media, NPR’s audience continues to grow. NPR member organizations operate 784 stations, and another 117 public radio stations also present NPR programs, for a total of more than 900 stations nationwide that broadcast NPR programming.
Copyright 2011 HighBridge Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: If you’re looking for a fact-filled and heartfelt documentary, you need look no further than NPR. They’ve been producing award-winning documentaries for a long time, and they’re pretty good at it. In The Civil War, the first installment in NPR’s new American Chronicles series, we get some vivid memories and accounts of one of our nation’s darkest hours. This is not the bland statistical information that you might find in a history book, but the true-life stories that really drive it home.
In this three hour reproduction of the radio broadcast, you’ll find real accounts, from real people, like a man who actually witnessed Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and recorded his thoughts and memories of the day onto a 78 rpm record in 1938. There are also interviews with noted Civil War historians such as Shelby Foote, Geraldine Brooks, and E.L. Doctorow. In addition, there are segments that explore the origins of timely songs like Dixie, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. One of my favorite segments on the three CD set, was the story of the girl who dressed up in a Union uniform so she could fight alongside the men, which she did for the duration of the war. Naturally, in addition to the colorful human interest stories, you’ll also find accounts of the major battles of the Civil War: First and second Manassas, Antietam, Vicksburg, it’s all here.
Narrator Neal Conan is an award winning journalist, and is host of Talk of the Nation, a national news-talk call-in show on NPR news. He has been involved with NPR for more than 25 years in a wide variety of functions.
For history buffs, this one’s a no-brainer. I highly recommend NPR’s American Chronicles: The Civil War. Personally, I felt at once humbled and proud as I listened to this unabridged production. Humbled to learn more of the war that nearly ripped our nation in two, and proud of the way that, in the end, it held together. I can’t wait to hear more from the American Chronicles series.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle (Audiobook Review)
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (Audiobook review)
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “NPR’s American Chronicles: The Civil War” from HighBridge Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Title: The Civil War
Series: American Chronicles
Author: NPR
Narrator: Neal Conan
Copyright: 2011, HighBridge Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 59 minutes
Genres: non fiction, military, historical
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by HighBridge Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: NPR captures the battlefield action, the personal struggles, and the moral dilemmas of the war that pitted brother against brother (and sometimes sister) and friend against friend. This revealing collection of Civil War stories features gripping history, expert commentary, and unforgettable voices.
Internationally acclaimed, NPR produces and distributes programming that reaches a combined audience of 26.4 million listeners weekly, and, unlike other media, NPR’s audience continues to grow. NPR member organizations operate 784 stations, and another 117 public radio stations also present NPR programs, for a total of more than 900 stations nationwide that broadcast NPR programming.
Copyright 2011 HighBridge Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: If you’re looking for a fact-filled and heartfelt documentary, you need look no further than NPR. They’ve been producing award-winning documentaries for a long time, and they’re pretty good at it. In The Civil War, the first installment in NPR’s new American Chronicles series, we get some vivid memories and accounts of one of our nation’s darkest hours. This is not the bland statistical information that you might find in a history book, but the true-life stories that really drive it home.
In this three hour reproduction of the radio broadcast, you’ll find real accounts, from real people, like a man who actually witnessed Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and recorded his thoughts and memories of the day onto a 78 rpm record in 1938. There are also interviews with noted Civil War historians such as Shelby Foote, Geraldine Brooks, and E.L. Doctorow. In addition, there are segments that explore the origins of timely songs like Dixie, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. One of my favorite segments on the three CD set, was the story of the girl who dressed up in a Union uniform so she could fight alongside the men, which she did for the duration of the war. Naturally, in addition to the colorful human interest stories, you’ll also find accounts of the major battles of the Civil War: First and second Manassas, Antietam, Vicksburg, it’s all here.
Narrator Neal Conan is an award winning journalist, and is host of Talk of the Nation, a national news-talk call-in show on NPR news. He has been involved with NPR for more than 25 years in a wide variety of functions.
For history buffs, this one’s a no-brainer. I highly recommend NPR’s American Chronicles: The Civil War. Personally, I felt at once humbled and proud as I listened to this unabridged production. Humbled to learn more of the war that nearly ripped our nation in two, and proud of the way that, in the end, it held together. I can’t wait to hear more from the American Chronicles series.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle (Audiobook Review)
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (Audiobook review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “NPR’s American Chronicles: The Civil War” from HighBridge Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Friday, March 18, 2011
Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Trading in Danger
Series: Vatta’s War, book 1
Author: Elizabeth Moon
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Graphic Audio
Duration: 13 hours, 49 minutes
Copyright: 2008
Genres: science fiction, military, adventure
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Graphic Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Kylara Vatta is the only daughter in a family full of sons, and her father's only child to buck tradition by choosing a military career instead of joining the family business. For Ky, it's no contest: Even running the prestigious Vatta Transport Ltd. shipping concern can't hold a candle to shipping out as an officer aboard an interstellar cruiser. It's adventure, not commerce, that stirs her soul. And despite her family's misgivings, there can be no doubt that a Vatta in the service will prove a valuable asset. But with a single error in judgment, it all comes crumbling down.
Expelled from the Academy in disgrace-and returning home to her humiliated family, a storm of high-profile media coverage, and the gaping void of her own future—Ky is ready to face the inevitable onslaught of anger, disappointment, even pity. But soon after opportunity's door slams shut, Ky finds herself with a ticket to ride—and a shot at redemption-as captain of a Vatta Transport ship.
It's a simple assignment: escorting one of the Vatta fleet's oldest ships on its final voyage...to the scrapyard. But keeping it simple has never been Ky's style. And even though her father has provided a crew of seasoned veterans to baby-sit the fledgling captain on her maiden milk run, they can't stop Ky from turning the routine mission into a risky venture—in the name of turning a profit for Vatta Transport, of course.
By snapping up a lucrative delivery contract defaulted on by a rival company, and using part of the proceeds to upgrade her condemned vehicle, Ky aims to prove she's got more going for her than just her family's famous name. But business will soon have to take a backseat to bravery, when Ky's change of plans sails her and the crew straight into the middle of a colonial war. For all her commercial savvy, it's her military training and born-soldier's instincts that Ky will need to call on in the face of deadly combat, dangerous mercenaries, and violent mutiny…
Copyright 2009 Graphic Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Kylara Evangeline Dominique Vatta is a likeable enough heroine, if a bit on the stereotypical side. She’s young and enthusiastic, perhaps a bit too trusting, and prone to fits of hot-headedness. The youngest of five siblings, and the only girl in a wealthy and successful family, all Ky really wants is to make a name for herself. Lacking any real experience, she often is forced to rely on her own instincts and intuition, which turn out to be surprisingly good most of the time. In other words, Kylara is just the kind of person we love to cheer for.
I like the way Ky handles herself in tough situations, although some of those situations are a little too contrived for my liking. In the naval academy, Ky tries to help a friend who, as it turns out, was trying to discredit the military, and she is expelled. That punishment was way more severe than necessary, but the scene does serve to show us that Ky is a good-natured person who truly wants to help people whenever possible. Later on, Ky inadvertently takes her ship and crew into a star system where war is breaking out. Many of the events that transpire from this don’t make much sense logically, but again they serve to give us more insights into Ky’s nature, namely that she is a capable captain and will do whatever is necessary to protect her ship and crew.
The real saving grace to Trading in Danger is the audio production. Graphic Audio specializes in turning books into full cast dramatizations, complete with music and sound effects. This particular production was beautifully done, with sound and music that truly enhance the story rather than distracting the listener.
As to the cast, what you have basically is a main narrator, and several voice actors who read the parts of the various characters. The main narrator, and I believe also the voice of Kylara, is Nanette Savard, who did a more than adequate job. The other actors are too numerous to name here, but I’m happy to say that they are all named in the recording. That makes me happy because sometimes full cast audio productions neglect to name the actors, so thank you for that Graphic Audio.
Trading in Danger wasn’t the best story, what you might call a space opera I suppose, but there’s plenty of fast-paced action to keep you listening. And the cinema quality sound enhancements are definitely worth a listen.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome by Dirk Maggs
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Trading in Danger”, Vatta’s War book 1 (Unabridged Audiobook) from Graphic Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Title: Trading in Danger
Series: Vatta’s War, book 1
Author: Elizabeth Moon
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Graphic Audio
Duration: 13 hours, 49 minutes
Copyright: 2008
Genres: science fiction, military, adventure
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Graphic Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Kylara Vatta is the only daughter in a family full of sons, and her father's only child to buck tradition by choosing a military career instead of joining the family business. For Ky, it's no contest: Even running the prestigious Vatta Transport Ltd. shipping concern can't hold a candle to shipping out as an officer aboard an interstellar cruiser. It's adventure, not commerce, that stirs her soul. And despite her family's misgivings, there can be no doubt that a Vatta in the service will prove a valuable asset. But with a single error in judgment, it all comes crumbling down.
Expelled from the Academy in disgrace-and returning home to her humiliated family, a storm of high-profile media coverage, and the gaping void of her own future—Ky is ready to face the inevitable onslaught of anger, disappointment, even pity. But soon after opportunity's door slams shut, Ky finds herself with a ticket to ride—and a shot at redemption-as captain of a Vatta Transport ship.
It's a simple assignment: escorting one of the Vatta fleet's oldest ships on its final voyage...to the scrapyard. But keeping it simple has never been Ky's style. And even though her father has provided a crew of seasoned veterans to baby-sit the fledgling captain on her maiden milk run, they can't stop Ky from turning the routine mission into a risky venture—in the name of turning a profit for Vatta Transport, of course.
By snapping up a lucrative delivery contract defaulted on by a rival company, and using part of the proceeds to upgrade her condemned vehicle, Ky aims to prove she's got more going for her than just her family's famous name. But business will soon have to take a backseat to bravery, when Ky's change of plans sails her and the crew straight into the middle of a colonial war. For all her commercial savvy, it's her military training and born-soldier's instincts that Ky will need to call on in the face of deadly combat, dangerous mercenaries, and violent mutiny…
Copyright 2009 Graphic Audio
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Kylara Evangeline Dominique Vatta is a likeable enough heroine, if a bit on the stereotypical side. She’s young and enthusiastic, perhaps a bit too trusting, and prone to fits of hot-headedness. The youngest of five siblings, and the only girl in a wealthy and successful family, all Ky really wants is to make a name for herself. Lacking any real experience, she often is forced to rely on her own instincts and intuition, which turn out to be surprisingly good most of the time. In other words, Kylara is just the kind of person we love to cheer for.
I like the way Ky handles herself in tough situations, although some of those situations are a little too contrived for my liking. In the naval academy, Ky tries to help a friend who, as it turns out, was trying to discredit the military, and she is expelled. That punishment was way more severe than necessary, but the scene does serve to show us that Ky is a good-natured person who truly wants to help people whenever possible. Later on, Ky inadvertently takes her ship and crew into a star system where war is breaking out. Many of the events that transpire from this don’t make much sense logically, but again they serve to give us more insights into Ky’s nature, namely that she is a capable captain and will do whatever is necessary to protect her ship and crew.
The real saving grace to Trading in Danger is the audio production. Graphic Audio specializes in turning books into full cast dramatizations, complete with music and sound effects. This particular production was beautifully done, with sound and music that truly enhance the story rather than distracting the listener.
As to the cast, what you have basically is a main narrator, and several voice actors who read the parts of the various characters. The main narrator, and I believe also the voice of Kylara, is Nanette Savard, who did a more than adequate job. The other actors are too numerous to name here, but I’m happy to say that they are all named in the recording. That makes me happy because sometimes full cast audio productions neglect to name the actors, so thank you for that Graphic Audio.
Trading in Danger wasn’t the best story, what you might call a space opera I suppose, but there’s plenty of fast-paced action to keep you listening. And the cinema quality sound enhancements are definitely worth a listen.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome by Dirk Maggs
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
----------dotted line----------
If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Trading in Danger”, Vatta’s War book 1 (Unabridged Audiobook) from Graphic Audio.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Monday, February 28, 2011
Starship Troopers by Robert A Heinlein (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Starship Troopers
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Narrator: Lloyd James
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Duration: 10 hours, 4 minutes
Copyright: 1999
Genres: science fiction, military, alien races
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Blackstone Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Join the Army and See the Universe. That is the motto of The Third Space War, also known as The First Interstellar War, but most commonly as The Bug War. In one of Robert Heinlein's most controversial best sellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe - and into battle with the Terrain Mobile Infantry against mankind's most alarming enemy.
©1959 by Robert A. Heinlein; (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks.
MY TAKE ON IT: First of all, I was intrigued by that line in the publisher’s summary that says Starship Troopers was Heinlein’s most controversial novel. It didn’t seem that controversial to me, so I did a little research. Apparently, a lot of people thought that Heinlein was promoting fascism and militarism in this novel. Now that I think about it, some of the characters did express certain social and political views that seem pro-war, or pro-violence. Starship Troopers was published in 1959, right between the Korean and Vietnam wars, so I suppose that might have been a touchy subject. True, we are at war with Afghanistan even as I write this audiobook review, but I don’t think people care as much these days. Then again, I also think that people sometimes get a little more worked up over a work of fiction than they should. Just look at all the fuss Dan Brown created with his little book. Controversial or not, Starship Troopers earned Heinlein a Hugo Award, the highest honor for science fiction works, for best novel in 1960.
After reading Starship Troopers, I guessed that Robert A Heinlein did some time in the military, and after looking him up in Wikipedia, I found that I guessed right, he served in the Navy from 1929-1934, and possibly longer. That was easy to guess because Heinlein gives a lot of descriptive detail as his main character, Johnny Rico, serves his time in the Mobile Infantry, from recruitment, to boot camp, to combat, to OCS.
Overall, the audiobook wasn’t quite what I expected. That’s mainly because I saw the movie a few times, many years ago, and only recently discovered that it was based on this novel. Unlike the sci-fi action movie, the audiobook deals more with the socio-political ramifications of war and citizenship, and other related topics. There were, however, a few scenes of battle between the humans and their giant bug enemies, and that’s really what interested me the most.
NARRATOR: Lloyd James did an adequate job in his narration of Starship Troopers. Not bad, but not great either. He didn’t differentiate the characters at all, but his inflection was good.
FILM ADAPTATION: Starship Troopers was adapted to film in 1997, and starred Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris. That’s right, Doogie Howser was in this movie, looking all of about twelve-years-old. The film focused strictly on the big war, and skipped all the political commentary, which was fine with me. This is your basic, good-old-fashioned, humans-battling-giant-bugs, sci-fi thriller, and I loved every minute of it.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
The War of the Worlds by H G Wells
Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Starship Troopers” by Robert A Heinlein (Unabridged Audiobook) from Blackstone Audio.
Interested in the movie?
Get "Starship Troopers" on DVD from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Title: Starship Troopers
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Narrator: Lloyd James
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Duration: 10 hours, 4 minutes
Copyright: 1999
Genres: science fiction, military, alien races
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Blackstone Audio.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Join the Army and See the Universe. That is the motto of The Third Space War, also known as The First Interstellar War, but most commonly as The Bug War. In one of Robert Heinlein's most controversial best sellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe - and into battle with the Terrain Mobile Infantry against mankind's most alarming enemy.
©1959 by Robert A. Heinlein; (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks.
MY TAKE ON IT: First of all, I was intrigued by that line in the publisher’s summary that says Starship Troopers was Heinlein’s most controversial novel. It didn’t seem that controversial to me, so I did a little research. Apparently, a lot of people thought that Heinlein was promoting fascism and militarism in this novel. Now that I think about it, some of the characters did express certain social and political views that seem pro-war, or pro-violence. Starship Troopers was published in 1959, right between the Korean and Vietnam wars, so I suppose that might have been a touchy subject. True, we are at war with Afghanistan even as I write this audiobook review, but I don’t think people care as much these days. Then again, I also think that people sometimes get a little more worked up over a work of fiction than they should. Just look at all the fuss Dan Brown created with his little book. Controversial or not, Starship Troopers earned Heinlein a Hugo Award, the highest honor for science fiction works, for best novel in 1960.
After reading Starship Troopers, I guessed that Robert A Heinlein did some time in the military, and after looking him up in Wikipedia, I found that I guessed right, he served in the Navy from 1929-1934, and possibly longer. That was easy to guess because Heinlein gives a lot of descriptive detail as his main character, Johnny Rico, serves his time in the Mobile Infantry, from recruitment, to boot camp, to combat, to OCS.
Overall, the audiobook wasn’t quite what I expected. That’s mainly because I saw the movie a few times, many years ago, and only recently discovered that it was based on this novel. Unlike the sci-fi action movie, the audiobook deals more with the socio-political ramifications of war and citizenship, and other related topics. There were, however, a few scenes of battle between the humans and their giant bug enemies, and that’s really what interested me the most.
NARRATOR: Lloyd James did an adequate job in his narration of Starship Troopers. Not bad, but not great either. He didn’t differentiate the characters at all, but his inflection was good.
FILM ADAPTATION: Starship Troopers was adapted to film in 1997, and starred Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris. That’s right, Doogie Howser was in this movie, looking all of about twelve-years-old. The film focused strictly on the big war, and skipped all the political commentary, which was fine with me. This is your basic, good-old-fashioned, humans-battling-giant-bugs, sci-fi thriller, and I loved every minute of it.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
The War of the Worlds by H G Wells
Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Starship Troopers” by Robert A Heinlein (Unabridged Audiobook) from Blackstone Audio.
Interested in the movie?
Get "Starship Troopers" on DVD from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven
Thursday, February 24, 2011
On Blazing Wings by L Ron Hubbard (audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: On Blazing Wings
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 11 minutes
Copyright: 2011
Genres: action, military, supernatural
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio.
SUMMARY: David Duane is a man’s man, a flying ace, decorated hero of four separate wars. For him, courage is not a decision, it is simply who he is. That is why, when Russian bombers and their escort of fighter planes appear in the skies, David doesn’t have to think twice about jumping in his Fokker bi-plane and taking to the skies once more. Even when the odds are overwhelming, as they are this time, he doesn’t hesitate, he just does what he does best. But this time, his best just wasn’t good enough. After taking a hit, his plane plummets to the snow-covered ground, far below.
When david wakes, he finds himself in a city of golden minarets and peaceful parks. All around him are men and women in uniform. Some he recognizes, they are his buddies, the ones who fought beside him and died, and some wear the uniforms of his enemies, including a handful of Russians that he himself shot down only minutes before his own plane went down. They are not angry with David, however, this place has an air of general comradeship about it.
When David comes before the governor of this strange place, he learns some distressing things. For one thing, he has been here before. This place is not exactly heaven. It is merely a stopping=off point, only for those who have died fighting for what they believe in, those who died heroically and selflessly, before going back to continue their fight. Next, David learns that this will be his final visit here. The next time he dies, it will be for more selfish reasons, and he will join the ranks of the eternally undecorated dead. David is even told the exact day this will happen, and the name of the person who will lead to his traitorous death. Though he begs for a chance to change his destiny, the answer is no, and he returns to the living one last time. The only things he remembers from the golden city, are a date, and a name. He knows he must do something to change his fate, if only he could remember what it is.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: L Ron Hubbard is an excellent storyteller. He grabs your attention right away with thrilling scenes of aerial combat, then brings you down into the golden city of Puhjolh, then wraps it up with more dogfighting. In addition to all the fast-paced action, this audiobook may also cause you to stop and think a bit. I won’t say that it will change your views on death and the afterlife, but you might find yourself examining your life, at least in some small way. On Blazing Wings is a story of love, and destiny, and second chances. It teaches us that our lives are not set in stone, and that we can choose a better path for ourselves.
On Blazing Wings is just one of the hundreds of stories L Ron Hubbard wrote in the 1930’s and 40’s. Galaxy Press has taken on the monumental task of preserving some of those works and turning them into stunning audio productions, complete with music and sound effects. It has all been put together beautifully, the music is stirring and the sound effects are top-notch, and it’s all presented in crystal-clear CD quality. My favorite scenes were the aerial combats: airplanes diving, wind howling, machine-guns blazing. Galaxy Press did a fantastic job of bringing On Blazing Wings to life.
NARRATOR: This audiobook is a full cast audio production. Basically what you have is a main narrator, and then various voice actors reading the lines of dialogue for each character. I like this type of audio production because it really gives the audiobook a much more dramatic feel. I’m sorry to say, however, that none of the cast members were named before or after the story. That’s kind of a pet-peeve of mine, I think the actors deserve credit for their work. At the Galaxy Press website, the narrators are listed as follows: Bob Caso, who I believe is the main narrator, with character voices by R F Daley, Christina Huntington, John Mariano, Phil Proctor, and Kelly Ward.
FINAL WORD: On Blazing Wings is a good story, and a fantastic audio production. This is only the first audiobook I have listened to from the Galaxy Press series, and I look forward to many more.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “On Blazing Wings” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) a Full-Cast Production from Galaxy Press
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Title: On Blazing Wings
Author: L Ron Hubbard
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Galaxy Audio
Duration: 2 hours, 11 minutes
Copyright: 2011
Genres: action, military, supernatural
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Galaxy Audio.
SUMMARY: David Duane is a man’s man, a flying ace, decorated hero of four separate wars. For him, courage is not a decision, it is simply who he is. That is why, when Russian bombers and their escort of fighter planes appear in the skies, David doesn’t have to think twice about jumping in his Fokker bi-plane and taking to the skies once more. Even when the odds are overwhelming, as they are this time, he doesn’t hesitate, he just does what he does best. But this time, his best just wasn’t good enough. After taking a hit, his plane plummets to the snow-covered ground, far below.
When david wakes, he finds himself in a city of golden minarets and peaceful parks. All around him are men and women in uniform. Some he recognizes, they are his buddies, the ones who fought beside him and died, and some wear the uniforms of his enemies, including a handful of Russians that he himself shot down only minutes before his own plane went down. They are not angry with David, however, this place has an air of general comradeship about it.
When David comes before the governor of this strange place, he learns some distressing things. For one thing, he has been here before. This place is not exactly heaven. It is merely a stopping=off point, only for those who have died fighting for what they believe in, those who died heroically and selflessly, before going back to continue their fight. Next, David learns that this will be his final visit here. The next time he dies, it will be for more selfish reasons, and he will join the ranks of the eternally undecorated dead. David is even told the exact day this will happen, and the name of the person who will lead to his traitorous death. Though he begs for a chance to change his destiny, the answer is no, and he returns to the living one last time. The only things he remembers from the golden city, are a date, and a name. He knows he must do something to change his fate, if only he could remember what it is.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: L Ron Hubbard is an excellent storyteller. He grabs your attention right away with thrilling scenes of aerial combat, then brings you down into the golden city of Puhjolh, then wraps it up with more dogfighting. In addition to all the fast-paced action, this audiobook may also cause you to stop and think a bit. I won’t say that it will change your views on death and the afterlife, but you might find yourself examining your life, at least in some small way. On Blazing Wings is a story of love, and destiny, and second chances. It teaches us that our lives are not set in stone, and that we can choose a better path for ourselves.
On Blazing Wings is just one of the hundreds of stories L Ron Hubbard wrote in the 1930’s and 40’s. Galaxy Press has taken on the monumental task of preserving some of those works and turning them into stunning audio productions, complete with music and sound effects. It has all been put together beautifully, the music is stirring and the sound effects are top-notch, and it’s all presented in crystal-clear CD quality. My favorite scenes were the aerial combats: airplanes diving, wind howling, machine-guns blazing. Galaxy Press did a fantastic job of bringing On Blazing Wings to life.
NARRATOR: This audiobook is a full cast audio production. Basically what you have is a main narrator, and then various voice actors reading the lines of dialogue for each character. I like this type of audio production because it really gives the audiobook a much more dramatic feel. I’m sorry to say, however, that none of the cast members were named before or after the story. That’s kind of a pet-peeve of mine, I think the actors deserve credit for their work. At the Galaxy Press website, the narrators are listed as follows: Bob Caso, who I believe is the main narrator, with character voices by R F Daley, Christina Huntington, John Mariano, Phil Proctor, and Kelly Ward.
FINAL WORD: On Blazing Wings is a good story, and a fantastic audio production. This is only the first audiobook I have listened to from the Galaxy Press series, and I look forward to many more.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
A Matter of Matter by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Orders is Orders by L Ron Hubbard (Audiobook Review)
Greed by L Ron Hubbard (audiobook Review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “On Blazing Wings” by L Ron Hubbard (Unabridged Audiobook) a Full-Cast Production from Galaxy Press
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane - Audiobook Review
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: The Red Badge of Courage
Author: Stephen Crane
Narrator: Frank Muller
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Copyright: 1999
Genres: military, literary, history
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Young Henry Fleming used to play soldier and dream of being a hero, but when he faces his first battle - the Battle of Chancellorsville - he finds that heroism is not at all what he had expected. Shells burst in front of him like strange flowers, gunfire ripped toward him in great crackling sheets of flame, and all around him, blue-coated figures lie still on the blood-drenched grass. Remarkably, Stephen Crane wrote this realistic tale of the terror of war without ever witnessing a battle.
(P)1981 by Recorded Books, Inc.
MY THOUGHTS: I’ll be honest with you, I found “The Red Badge of Courage” to be boring. I tried to listen to the audiobook on two separate occasions and just couldn’t stay awake. I’m not really sure why that is, I am generally interested in history, and I find war stories of particular interest. “The Red Badge of Courage” just didn’t do it for me.
NARRATOR: I have listened to many, many audiobooks narrated by Frank Muller and I know he is very good. In fact, Frank Muller is my second favorite narrator for adult fiction. So I know this audiobook didn’t bore me because of the narration, as often happens. Where audiobook narrators are concerned, you can’t do much better than Frank Muller.
FINAL WORD: Obviously, “The Red Badge of Courage” appeals to a lot of people, as it is considered a classic piece of American literature. It just so happens that I am not one of them.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
“All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque
“The Great Gatsby” by F Scott Fitzgerald
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
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If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "The Red Badge of Courage" (Audio CD Classics Collection) from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook Heaven
Title: The Red Badge of Courage
Author: Stephen Crane
Narrator: Frank Muller
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Copyright: 1999
Genres: military, literary, history
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Young Henry Fleming used to play soldier and dream of being a hero, but when he faces his first battle - the Battle of Chancellorsville - he finds that heroism is not at all what he had expected. Shells burst in front of him like strange flowers, gunfire ripped toward him in great crackling sheets of flame, and all around him, blue-coated figures lie still on the blood-drenched grass. Remarkably, Stephen Crane wrote this realistic tale of the terror of war without ever witnessing a battle.
(P)1981 by Recorded Books, Inc.
MY THOUGHTS: I’ll be honest with you, I found “The Red Badge of Courage” to be boring. I tried to listen to the audiobook on two separate occasions and just couldn’t stay awake. I’m not really sure why that is, I am generally interested in history, and I find war stories of particular interest. “The Red Badge of Courage” just didn’t do it for me.
NARRATOR: I have listened to many, many audiobooks narrated by Frank Muller and I know he is very good. In fact, Frank Muller is my second favorite narrator for adult fiction. So I know this audiobook didn’t bore me because of the narration, as often happens. Where audiobook narrators are concerned, you can’t do much better than Frank Muller.
FINAL WORD: Obviously, “The Red Badge of Courage” appeals to a lot of people, as it is considered a classic piece of American literature. It just so happens that I am not one of them.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
“All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque
“The Great Gatsby” by F Scott Fitzgerald
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
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If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "The Red Badge of Courage" (Audio CD Classics Collection) from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook Heaven
Saturday, September 25, 2010
All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: All Quiet on the Western Front
Author: Erich Maria Remarque
Narrator: Frank Muller
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 6 hours, 58 minutes
Copyright: 1994
Genres: classic fiction, historical, military
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Carrollton Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Paul Baumer enlisted with his classmates in the German army of World War I. Youthful, enthusiastic, they become soldiers. But despite what they have learned, they break into pieces under the first bombardment in the trenches. And as horrible war plods on year after year, Paul holds fast to a single vow: to fight against the principles of hate that meaninglessly pits young men of the same generation but different uniforms against each other—if only he can come out of the war alive.
MY THOUGHTS: When I started listening to audiobooks three years ago, “All Quiet on the Western Front” was one of the first that I picked up, and it is still one of my favorites. Erich Maria Remarque actually was a soldier in the German army during World War I, as can be seen in his detailed descriptions.
As Americans, we typically look at the Germans as “the bad guys” in both world wars. “All Quiet on the Western Front” shows us that the young men who fought for Germany were no different than the American soldiers, or the French, or the British. They fought for their country because they thought it was the right thing to do, although most of them didn’t even know why they were fighting.
NARRATOR: As always, Frank Muller’s narration was perfect. He has a relaxed, conversational style that pulls you into the story. It feels more like he is telling the story rather than just reading it.
FINAL WORD: I highly recommend “All Quiet on the Western Front.” This would be an excellent audiobook for war historians, but also for anyone who needs a reminder that people are people, no matter where they are from, or what uniform they are wearing.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes (Audiobook Review)
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck (Audiobook Review)
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "All Quiet on the Western Front"; mp3 Audio download, from Amazon.com
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook Heaven
Title: All Quiet on the Western Front
Author: Erich Maria Remarque
Narrator: Frank Muller
Publisher: Recorded Books
Duration: 6 hours, 58 minutes
Copyright: 1994
Genres: classic fiction, historical, military
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Carrollton Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: Paul Baumer enlisted with his classmates in the German army of World War I. Youthful, enthusiastic, they become soldiers. But despite what they have learned, they break into pieces under the first bombardment in the trenches. And as horrible war plods on year after year, Paul holds fast to a single vow: to fight against the principles of hate that meaninglessly pits young men of the same generation but different uniforms against each other—if only he can come out of the war alive.
MY THOUGHTS: When I started listening to audiobooks three years ago, “All Quiet on the Western Front” was one of the first that I picked up, and it is still one of my favorites. Erich Maria Remarque actually was a soldier in the German army during World War I, as can be seen in his detailed descriptions.
As Americans, we typically look at the Germans as “the bad guys” in both world wars. “All Quiet on the Western Front” shows us that the young men who fought for Germany were no different than the American soldiers, or the French, or the British. They fought for their country because they thought it was the right thing to do, although most of them didn’t even know why they were fighting.
NARRATOR: As always, Frank Muller’s narration was perfect. He has a relaxed, conversational style that pulls you into the story. It feels more like he is telling the story rather than just reading it.
FINAL WORD: I highly recommend “All Quiet on the Western Front.” This would be an excellent audiobook for war historians, but also for anyone who needs a reminder that people are people, no matter where they are from, or what uniform they are wearing.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (Audiobook Review)
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes (Audiobook Review)
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck (Audiobook Review)
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "All Quiet on the Western Front"; mp3 Audio download, from Amazon.com
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook Heaven
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven
Title: Ender's Game
Series: Ender’s Game, book 1
Author: Orson Scott Card
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Genres: science fiction, military, aliens
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut. young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.
Ender’s skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.
Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender’s two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.
MY THOUGHTS: "Ender's Game" is the best piece of science fiction I've read in a long time. A lot of other people thought so too; "Ender's Game" won the Nebula award in 1985, and the Hugo Award in 1986. These are the two most prestigious awards for science fiction novels.
“Ender’s Game” is the first in a long series of audio books by Orson Scott Card, an this particular recording was done to mark the 20th anniversary of the original publication.
NARRATOR: “Ender’s Game” is told from the perspectives of several different characters. For each perspective, a different narrator was used. I didn’t count, but there were probably at least eight different narrators for this audio book. Unfortunately, I don't know who they were, see below. Audible .com listed two of the narrators as Stefan Rudnicki and Harlan Ellison. Aside from that, I recognized the dull recitation of Scott Brick. Luckily, Brick only narrated a small portion of the audio book. The narrators did a goodjob overall; I particularly enjoyed the guy who read Ender’s parts, whoever that was, and the woman who read Valentine's parts.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The 20th anniversary edition of Ender's Game has an all new afterword delivered by author Orson Scott Card. I listened to about five minutes of it and got bored. Judging by how long I had to fast-forward, I’d say Card rambled on for at least half an hour, probably more.
As much as I enjoyed “Ender’s Game", the overall experience of this audio book was not great. There's no announcement at the beginning of each disk, something I really dislike in an audio book. Also, the story started right up on disk one with no introduction at all; the title was not even mentioned. Finally, I was very disappointed to find that the names of the narrators were not given anywhere in the production. I liked most of the narrators, it would be nice to know their names.
FINAL WORD: I didn’t like the way this audio book was put together, but I found “Ender’s Game” to be a fascinating story. Orson Scott Card grabbed my attention very early in the audio book and kept me hanging on right up until the end.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook review)
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "Ender's Game"; Special 20th Anniversary Edition; Audiobook, Audio CD; from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from Audiobook Heaven.
Title: Ender's Game
Series: Ender’s Game, book 1
Author: Orson Scott Card
Narrator: Full cast
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Genres: science fiction, military, aliens
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY: In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race’s next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn’t make the cut. young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.
Ender’s skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.
Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender’s two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.
MY THOUGHTS: "Ender's Game" is the best piece of science fiction I've read in a long time. A lot of other people thought so too; "Ender's Game" won the Nebula award in 1985, and the Hugo Award in 1986. These are the two most prestigious awards for science fiction novels.
“Ender’s Game” is the first in a long series of audio books by Orson Scott Card, an this particular recording was done to mark the 20th anniversary of the original publication.
NARRATOR: “Ender’s Game” is told from the perspectives of several different characters. For each perspective, a different narrator was used. I didn’t count, but there were probably at least eight different narrators for this audio book. Unfortunately, I don't know who they were, see below. Audible .com listed two of the narrators as Stefan Rudnicki and Harlan Ellison. Aside from that, I recognized the dull recitation of Scott Brick. Luckily, Brick only narrated a small portion of the audio book. The narrators did a goodjob overall; I particularly enjoyed the guy who read Ender’s parts, whoever that was, and the woman who read Valentine's parts.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The 20th anniversary edition of Ender's Game has an all new afterword delivered by author Orson Scott Card. I listened to about five minutes of it and got bored. Judging by how long I had to fast-forward, I’d say Card rambled on for at least half an hour, probably more.
As much as I enjoyed “Ender’s Game", the overall experience of this audio book was not great. There's no announcement at the beginning of each disk, something I really dislike in an audio book. Also, the story started right up on disk one with no introduction at all; the title was not even mentioned. Finally, I was very disappointed to find that the names of the narrators were not given anywhere in the production. I liked most of the narrators, it would be nice to know their names.
FINAL WORD: I didn’t like the way this audio book was put together, but I found “Ender’s Game” to be a fascinating story. Orson Scott Card grabbed my attention very early in the audio book and kept me hanging on right up until the end.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook review)
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card (Audiobook Review)
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "Ender's Game"; Special 20th Anniversary Edition; Audiobook, Audio CD; from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from Audiobook Heaven.
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