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Title: The Ace

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Jack D. Hunter

Narrator: Paul Michael Garcia

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Four Americans - a 20-year-old social outcast, a breezily iconoclastic Army officer, a ruthless U.S. senator, and a guilt-ridden heiress - are inexorably drawn together in their struggles to deal with America's chaotic involvement in World War I. Their interwoven destinies lead from poverty-stricken slums through the opulence of 1917 - 1918 Washington, London, and Paris and, climactically, into the Western Front's vicious aerial combat, which establishes the matrix for all air warfare to come.

©2008 Jack D. Hunter; (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Hunter has a gift for easy storytelling that engages the reader and lets you feel like you know these settings and these people. It's a rare art." (Books and Writers Community)

Members Reviews:

Down here between the carburetor and tail skid. Just east of the exhaust pipe.

The audio book CD was shipped promptly and packaged well too. Is a single CD that is organized in ten minute tracks with reference to the chapters in the book. Story is very interesting with a lot of detail in aviation that makes a long commute home enjoyable.

Pales in Comparison

The Ace pales in comparison to the Blue Max that Hunter wrote decades ago. The main characters show no real emotions, are stilted, and uninteresting in their desire to either fly or fight. The descriptions of the aircraft, flying, and air combat are brief and without the depth.

THE ACE - ULTIMATELY UNSATISFYING

While this novel had a lot of interesting themes around First World War aviation --- e.g., the embryonic development of the U.S. aviation industry, the influence of politics upon said industry during the 1917-18 period, and the effects of combat on the average fighter pilot in France --- I did not like it. The story seemed to be loosely structured with sketchily developed characters who served as little more than consumer products for endorsing the story's themes. I really wanted so much to like this novel, as it was Jack Hunter's last. (His first novel, "THE BLUE MAX", another First World War aviation novel I avidly read as a teenager, remains as one of my favorites of the genre.) But "THE ACE" proved to be ultimately unsatisfying.

"The Ace" Wins the "Blue Max"

In his return to the epic WW1 war drama, Jack D. Hunter scores five stars.

A smart and sassy story in the classic Hunter style. This story goes a little

deeper into the politics of the war and introduces some memorable character.

All the drama of dashing air battles are there, believable characterizations,

strong story telling, and a bit of humor too. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Thumbs up!

Great book, easy to follow, characters enlightening.

Great book, easy to follow, characters enlightening. Tells of WWI aviation environment along with trials and tribulations of flight at the turn of the century.

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Title: The Bull from the Sea

Author: Mary Renault

Narrator: Michael York

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-11-09

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Slaying the Minotaur was only the beginning. Theseus's legendary exploits continue in this magnificent novel of mythological adventure in classical Greece. Esteemed author Mary Renault picks up where her classic The King Must Die left off, relating the tale of Theseus's triumphant return from Crete to become King of Athens. Plunge into the thrilling world of the continuing adventures of this mythic ruler, from his famous capture of the Amazon Hippolyta to the bitter twist of fate that loosened the bull from the sea. Renault's writing is rich with color and drama, vividly capturing the heroism and uniquely Greek sense of destiny that characterize this classic tale of a royal ruler who looms larger than life.

©2001 Mary Renault; (P)2009 Phoenix

Members Reviews:

WARNING! The abridgment ruins everything!

I loved this book on paper, but could not even listen all the way to the end of the recording. The abridgment eliminated all of the nuance, personality and motivations of the brilliantly written characters. The story no longer engages, no longer even makes sense. If only someone would record an unabridged edition!

A wonderful book ruined

I have read this book many times it is one of my favourite books. I was so very disappointed to find that the abridgement has cut the very soul from story and sadly Michael York's beautiful voice came across as distant and uncomfortable.

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Title: Water Ghosts

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Shawna Ryan

Narrator: Laural Merlington

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-09

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Two of the women are unknown to the townspeople, while the third is the long-lost wife of Richard Fong, the handsome manager of the local gambling parlor, who had left her behind in China many years earlier and had not yet returned for her.

Richard's wife's unexpected arrival complicates his life in no small way---not least with two prostitutes at the local brothel he frequents. One, the beautiful young Chloe, depends on him but has eyes for someone else, someone even more forbidden: the local preacher's daughter. The other, Poppy, the psychic madam of the brothel, is desperately in love with Richard, and she begins to sink into despair as he grows further and further away from her.

As the lives of the townspeople become inextricably intertwined with the newly arrived women, Poppy's premonitions begin to foretell a deep unhappiness for all involved. And when a flood threatens the livelihood of the entire town, the frightening power of these mysterious women who arrived in the mist will be revealed.

Members Reviews:

Water Ghosts

I suspect there is a good story in this book somewhere. It might be enhanced by video, but I was never drawn into a story or any character. It may be that, with a desire to ponder and read a story slowly, more may have emerged, but the characters were poorly developed, to me. I applaud the effort to write. This needed something more.

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Título: La llave de oro [The Gold Key (Texto Completo)]

Autor: Nuria Masot

Narrador: Francisco Rivela

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 03-25-09

Editor: Recorded Books

Calificaciones: 4 de 5 de 11 votos

Categorías: Fiction, Historical

Resumen del editor:

La acción de la novela se da entre el espía templario Guillem de Montclar, con su escudero Ebre y la persecución despiadada del Santo Inquisidor fray Acard de Montcortés y su segundo fray Ermengol. Con una gran descripción de personajes y una ágil y divertida trama de acción, además de uno que otro personaje sobrenatural. La autora pretende que reflexionemos antes las heridas tan profundas que la guerra y la sin razón de los hombres han causado y siguen causando a lo largo de toda la historia. La gran pregunta es ¿si la religión y la iglesia "abogan" por la paz entre los hombres, por qué ellos mismos son capaces de cometer las peores atrocidades contra el ser humano?

Please note: This title is in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

great book

Can't miss listening. But first you have to listen La Sombra del Templario which is the beginning of this story. I hope the author continues writing about the Templars.

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Title: Empire of the Sun

Author: J G Ballard

Narrator: Samuel West

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-09

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Based on J. G. Ballard's own childhood, this is the extraordinary account of a boy's life in Japanese-occupied wartime Shanghai - a mesmerising, hypnotically compelling novel of war, of starvation and survival, of internment camps and death marches.

It blends searing honesty with an almost hallucinatory vision of a world thrown utterly out of joint. Rooted as it is in the author's own disturbing experience of war in own time, it is one of a handful of novels by which the twentieth century will be not only remembered but judged.

Members Reviews:

Print is blurry

I love this book and have read it a few times. This order was for a friend of mine in England. When she began reading it she noticed the print was "off". When I saw it I noticed that the printed letters are slightly blurred throughout the entire book making it difficult to read and concentrate. I was quite disappointed that my gift was so poorly made and I feel that the vendor must use more quality control prior to shipping out such poor quality items.

A great read, even after the movie

Probably everyone interested in this has seen the movie, which was excellent, and the book generally tracks it. But there's a lot of plot and detail in addition to the book, and the ending is vastly different. A great read, the writing is wonderful.

Empire of the Sun by Ballard is a phenomenal book ...

Empire of the Sun by Ballard is a phenomenal book. I've read it a couple times and haven't read it since it got here. I really wanted it for my collection of books I truly treasured. Which also explains why I order everything I can find on Orson Scott Card, Chaim Potok, and other authors who write exceptionally well. I have many favorites, but certain ones are tomes I plan on passing on.

Replacing paperbacks

My old paperback was loosing pages. I like to reread good books, so I replaced it with a kindle version.

Five Stars

Great read, highly recommended. AAAA++++

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Titel: Die Tochter der Wanderhure

Autor:: Iny Lorentz

Erzähler: Anne Moll

Format: Abridged

Spieldauer: 6 hrs and 32 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 11-06-08

Herausgeber: Lübbe Audio

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Mehr als zwölf Jahre sind vergangen seit den letzten Abenteuern der ehemaligen Wanderhure Marie. Sie und ihr Mann Michel Adler leben zwar immer noch auf Burg Kibitzstein, doch ihr Gönner, der Fürstbischof, ist gestorben, und seinem Nachfolger Gottfried sind die beiden ein Dorn im Auge. Besonders Maries Tochter Trudi bekommt die Auswirkungen dieses Konflikts hautnah zu spüren...

©2008 Lübbe Audio (P)2008 Lübbe Audio

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Title: Come Spring

Author: Charlotte Hinger

Narrator: Stephanie Brush

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-25-08

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Amid this backdrop is the passionate love story of a fragile aristocratic newlywed, Aura Lee, who is shocked by the rigor of the Kansas plains and her strong but dangerously self-righteous husband, Daniel. Together they stand against the challenges of the land, determined to stay together and retain their property. But there are those who are just as determined to tear the couple apart and gain their land.

Members Reviews:

Very Good Read!

I love the time period of this book. The story was excellent with strong character. Would love to read more books like this one.

Five Stars

I love this author!

Come Spring

I love this book, gives a propective of life in Kansas in the early days. A lot of factual information is given by the author. Being from Kansas, the live of the subject seem to come to life. Highly recommended reading for any age.

Flawless Plot, Memorable Characters

This is an amazing book about Kansas homesteaders, their struggles, back breaking labor, isolation and hardship. Obviously, Hinger writes from a wealth of knowledge about the subject, as well as with deep insight into the inner workings of her charactersâ minds.

A marvelously well written, well plotted book. It is part history, part manâs triumph over environment, part romance and a whole lot of struggle that can be related to, even in todayâs societies.

Iâm still wondering why it took me so long to discover this author!

COME SPRING re-created Kansas Homesteading Days

Charlotte Hinger re-creates the life of a Kansas family during the early days of homesteading. Not only does she re-create the physical hardships of living in a soddy, but she re-creates the emotional toll such hardships cause. From the discription of hanging muslim on the ceiling to prevent bugs from falling from the sod roof onto the bed, to the loneliness suffered by the wife as she sees her life stretching into the infinity of Come Spring, that expression that says all will be well next year. The characters are so accurately portrayed that all of us who remember tales of pioneer ancestors recognize them. Yes, this is the way my great-grandfather probably thought and acted. Yes, this is the way my great-grandmother probably felt. The sense of place is so strong that one smells the dust of the sod, and feels the sun's heat leaching all the moisture from your skin. All in all, COME SPRING is a wonderful story, wonderfully written.

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Title: Under the Black Ensign

Author: L. Ron Hubbard

Narrator: Marisol Nichols

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-08

Publisher: Galaxy Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Long before Captain Jack Sparrow raised hell with the Pirates of the Caribbean, Tom Bristol sailed to hell and back Under the Black Ensign. Thats where the real adventure begins.

Bristol's had plenty of bad luck in his life. Press-ganged into serving aboard a British vessel, hes served under the threat of the cruel captains lash on his back. Then, freed from his servitude by pirates, his good fortune immediately takes a bad turn - as the pirates accuse him of murder - and leave him to die on a deserted island. Now all he has left are a few drops of water, a gun, and just enough bullets to put himself out of his misery.

But Bristol's luck is about to change. Finding himself in the unexpected company of a fiery woman and a crafty crew, he unsheathes his sword, raises a pirate flag of his own, and sets off to make love and war on the open seas.

In his early twenties, Hubbard led the two-and-a-half-month, five-thousand-mile Caribbean Motion Picture Expedition. He followed that with the West Indies Mineralogical Expedition near San Juan, Puerto Rico, in which he completed the island's first mineralogical survey as an American territory. It was during these two journeys that Hubbard became an expert on the Caribbean's colorful history - an expertise he drew on to write stories like Under the Black Ensign.

Critic Reviews:

"This is a gem in American pulp fiction, in all its campy glory. The full-cast performance, complete with sound effects, only enhances its appeal." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Ripping good yarn!

This short adventure story from the golden age of fiction is the type of tale for which the phrase "ripping good yarn" was first coined. Performed like a radio play (multiple performers, background sound effects) and reflecting social views far ahead of its time, this story was an absolutely pleasurable way to pass a few hours.

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Titel: Die Wanderhure

Autor:: Iny Lorentz

Erzähler: Anne Moll

Format: Abridged

Spieldauer: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 02-01-08

Herausgeber: Lübbe Audio

Kategorien: Fiction, Historical

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Marie ist eine brave Bürgerstochter aus Konstanz. Als ein junger Graf um sie freit, ist ihr Vater überglücklich. Doch eine böse Intrige zerstört alle Hoffnungen und Maries Zukunft. Um zu überleben, muss sie ihren Körper verkaufen. Aber Marie gibt nicht auf...

(c)+(p) 2005 Lübbe Audio

Mitglieder Bewertungen:

Hübsch(l)er historischer Roman.

Nachdem ich alle Diana Gabaldons und Rebecca Gables und Noah Gordons verschlungen hatte (Gut, gut. Bei Frau Gabaldon schlingt man zuweilen ein paar Monate länger :-) - habe ich mir von "Der Wanderhure" wohl etwas zu viel erhofft.

Freilich, die Geschichte der zu Unrecht verstoßenen Marie ist rührend. Schicksalsromane erfreuen sich bei Leser(innen) ohnehin großer Beliebtheit. - Aber Schicksal hin und Rührung oder gar Mitgefühl her, "Die Wanderhure" ist doch sehr leichte Kost. Unterhaltsam. Problemlos zu lesen. Das Ende absehbar. Die Handlung berechenbar. - Einerseits nichts Besonders, andererseits ganz angenehmer Lesestoff. Für mich ist jedenfalls klar, dass ich - trotz eher geringfälliger Bewertung - auch die anderen Romane der Autorin lesen werde.

Wem die Romane von Iny Lorentz gut gefallen, könnten auch die historischen Romane von Petra Durst-Brenning ("Die Glasbläserin", "Die Amerikanerin") gut gefallen, oder umgekehrt. Das nur als Tipp am Rande.

Anmerkung: Diese Rezension hatte ich am 15. März 2006 zu dem damlas erschienenen Gebundenen Buch veröffentlicht, da die Rezension nun aber mit der Hörbuch-Rezension zusammen vermixt wurde, fiel diese Buch-Rezension leider unter den Tisch...

Grossartig!!! Great!!

I have read this book, and it is one of those, you'll only close after you are done. I think it is crazy, though, only to have hardbacks available. Since this book is in german, I would suggest, go to amazon.de, order papberbacks for 9 Euro (only if you want a few books, cause of the shipping). I ordered there last year around christmas, and bought 8 or 9 paperback historical books like this one, and I only paid 14$ for shipping and handling. The weight of the Paket did not change the rate. So, rather buy 4 paperbacks, pay 14 shipping, and have 4 instead of one book.

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Title: Not That Sort of Girl

Author: Mary Wesley

Narrator: Anna Massey

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-31-07

Publisher: Hodder Headline Limited

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

"Rose, don't leave me. Promise never to leave me," said Ned on their wedding night, revealing an unexpected chink in his perfect armour of wealth, good looks, and country estate. Rose promised. After Ned's funeral, Rose looks back on a life of dual constancy, passion, humour, and the ambiguities of love ¿ and chooses her future.

©1987 Mary Wesley; (P)1987 Hodder and Stoughton Audiobooks

Critic Reviews:

"An idiosyncratic mixture of love story and social comedy, full of jokes, sex, and twists." (The Times)

Members Reviews:

Great book, but audio version is abridged. I returned it.

This review is of the Audible version, not the book itself, which is one of my favorites. I love Wesley's examination of life choices and their long-term consequences, of the complications of love and duty. Unfortunately, I failed to notice that the audio version of this book is abridged. I wanted to reread the book alongside the narration, and it just doesn't work. Too much is put out of order; key lines are missing from the audio version. It makes for a somewhat interesting lesson in how a book is abridged, but it doesn't make for a rewarding reading experience of this book.

Interesting but over-rated

I ordered this book because it was recommended by Anna Quindlen in an interview in the New York Times. I think Quindlen is an exceptional writer and novelist, and she said she admires the novels of Mary Wesley. "Not That Sort of Girl" is predictable -- which is OK -- but the main character is not very likable. The reader can't really get under her skin. We know what she does: marries the "right" man, has a lifelong affair with the "wrong" man, has a child, miscarries the "wrong" child, but we can't really sympathize with her dilemma. She is sharp-tongued and often cruel. I couldn't understand why her husband and her lover bothered with her. I skimmed through large parts so that I wouldn't have to be bothered with her.

Found a great "new" writer

I was given one of Mary Wesley's other books and thoroughly enjoyed it so I went looking for more. She tells great stories! This one tells the tale of a woman who bows to the pressure of her parents and marries for security. She presents one face to all of the people around her and keeps another side of her life hidden. A great tale, against the backdrop of WWII in England. Her characters are interesting and complex. Some of them you love, others you can't help but dislike but every one of them has a place in the story. Great reading.

Five Stars

Probably one of my favorite authors.

Very entertaining!

I have only recently discovered Mary Wesley (picking up a book from

the "free box" @ my local book shop) and being fascinated w/her wit

& commentaries of the frailties of her characters) from page 1 to the

very end. Plus her fascinating biography on the web! I'm now beginning

to search out all of her books--gratefully. Many thanks, ab