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Title: Never Call Retreat

Subtitle: Lee and Grant, The Final Victory

Author: Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen

Narrator: Boyd Gaines

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-05

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Having pursued the remnants of the defeated Army of the Potomac up to the banks of the Susquehanna, General Robert E. Lee is caught off balance when news arrives that General Ulysses S. Grant, in command of over 70,000 men, has crossed that same river, a hundred miles to the northwest, and is advancing down the Cumberland Valley towards Virginia. The two brilliant generals will now meet in a massive battle that will decide the outcome of the war. In Never Call Retreat, Newt Gingrich and William Forstchen bring all of their critically-acclaimed talents to bear in what is destined to be a Civil War classic.

©2005 Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen; (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic Reviews:

"A swiftly paced and authentically grounded novel....The authors' research is impeccable, and their presentation brings events down to a personal level, and, as in any good alternate vision of history, the reader is left believing it could really have happened this way." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Triumphant

Exceptional! Many thanks to the author for such a wonderful story. Continuing from where the last novel left off. Ulysses S. Grant takes his newly formed command to face off Robert E. Lee's Army of the Potomac. From here on in Newt Gingrich expands on what might have happened if the Confederacy had won what was originally the Union victory at Gettysburg.

After the draw on the first day of Gettysburg becoming a draw leading to the overwhelming victory at Union Mills. Lee's army is stronger than it had ever been but its not invulnerable as it was sent to take on the defenses of Washington,DC and fail. Yet it claims the state of Maryland for the Confederacy causing the army to become well equipped than it had ever been to meet the Army of Potomac at Gunpowder Falls in another victory.

But for every victory the Confederacy is wearing itself out. The victories are becoming Pyrrhic and with Ulysses S. Grant known for being the Hammer tactics he brought to play against the Confederacy with Shiloh and Vicksburg in the West. He now brings to the East the same tactics.

The new battles in this alternate history are vicious and as devastating as the battles in real history. The battle of Frederick is an amazing contest which begins believe it or not with a train wreck. Leading up to the epic conclusion at the Battle of Monacacy, which is fought sooner than it actually would have been and of far greater importance.

The Civil War ends almost two years earlier than it would have, with just as much if not more honor and glory for the men who brought peace.

I couldn't help but call this one of the best Civil War stories I've ever read. God Bless You Mr. Gingrich. A.

Bring back the 10-star rating!!!

The culmination of this great trilogy by Gingrich & Forstchen is every bit as spectacular as the beginning. How I wish it had been a long series, because now we have to bury Lee and Grant once more. I hated for this book to end. The trilogy began with the novel "Gettysburg," where an alternate outcome to the famous battle launched a victorious Confederate Army down a different path. In Never Call Retreat the Civil War is fought to a heart-wrenching conclusion two years early.

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Title: The Beachcomber

Author: Josephine Cox

Narrator: Carole Boyd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-05

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the summer of 1952, two strangers arrive in the pretty seaside hamlet of West Bay. Tom Arnold lost his wife and children when the car he was driving was run off a seaside road above the cliffs. He was the only survivor. Now he needs to be alone to deal with the pain. Kathy Wilson is trying to escape family problems and find peace of mind. In this delightful place, they both hope to rebuild their lives, yet someone is trying to wreck their search for happiness.

©2003 Josephine Cox;

Critic Reviews:

"[Boyd] exudes every essence of perfection necessary to being a great narrator." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Not as promised.

The description of the book was the best thing about a story that had great potential. Weak characters, with a predictable plot line, like the previous reviewer, this story is aimed more to the beginning Harlequin reader. The narrator provided a excellent interpetation of the elegance of English with a beautiful British Accent. I finished this because I feel every book I purchase deserves to be read, but it was a struggle to finish.

Great narration & a wonderful story

I loved this book from start to finish. The narrator does an excellent job with all the different accents & makes you feel like you get to know each character on a personal level. The story itself is more of a slow read at first, which sets up the dramatic finish. I can honestly say that I did not see the end coming at all. I had all kinds of guesses but it blew me away how the author managed to keep me (the reader) on my toes. A great story & a great listen. I thoroughly enjoyed escaping to 1950's England through this mystery thriller

the beachcomber

I enjoyed this book. Very well written and read. I will look up more books of this author.

From Predictable to Pageturning

Would you listen to The Beachcomber again? Why?

I would not listen twice as I never do ..

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters were well played... I guess Jasper would be the most outstanding one :-)

What about Carole Boyds performance did you like?

The narration was splendid. C.B read the different voices and dialects wonderfully.

Any additional comments?

I think the book started out in a very predictable manner but as the chapters wore on it became compelling and hard to put down..

Just a quick review...

...because I've only a few minutes. Totally absorbing story, made irresistible by one of the best narrators I've heard - so rare not to have your listening tripped up by poor accents. Carole Boyd was spot on. I shall be looking for more books read by her.

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Title: Alibi

Author: Joseph Kanon

Narrator: Holter Graham

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-31-05

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

But when Adam falls in love with Claudia, a Jewish woman scarred by her devastating experiences during the war, he is forced to confront another Venice, a city still at war with itself, haunted by atrocities it would rather forget. Everyone, he discovers, has been compromised by the Occupation; the international set drinking at Harry's, the police who kept order for the Germans, and most of all Gianni Maglione, the suave and enigmatic Venetian who happens to be his mother's new suitor. And when, finally, the troubled past erupts in violent murder, Adam finds himself at the center of a web of deception, intrigue, and unexpected moral dilemmas. When is murder acceptable? What are the limits of guilt? How much is someone willing to pay for a perfect alibi?

Using the piazzas and canals of Venice as an enthralling but sinister backdrop, Joseph Kanon has again written a gripping historical thriller. Alibi is at once a murder mystery, a love story, and a superbly crafted novel about the nature of moral responsibility.

Critic Reviews:

"Kanon juxtaposes a powerful love story and a gripping thriller against a palpable historical moment." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Great story, excellent narrator

An excellent exiting story with a lot of turns and twists that keeps you hooked to Holter Grahams spirited performance; the audio version of Joseph Kanons thriller is also well produced.

There are only two things that disturbed me a little. First of all, what a shame that this excellent story is only availble in an abbridged version. And the other thing that was mildly annoying to me is the heavy use of over-the-top Italian accents with almost all characters, expecially since the abbridged version features a lot of dialogue. Im from Europe myself and speak English quite well, and not everybody over here speaks English with those weird accents, even in Italy.

Otherwise, an excellent job and a joy to listen to.

Kanon abridged! Oh no!

I was so excited to see that Alibi was available through Audible. Imagine my disappointment to see that it is unabridged. A disservice to a fine writer.

Judith

DARN GOOD STORY

Thanks to the 9.95 special I got this book. This is a great story and a darn good reader also. Give it a try . I think you will like it.

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Title: Murder on the Leviathan

Author: Boris Akunin

Narrator: Michael Kramer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-21-04

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 146 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In Cairo, the ship is boarded by a young Russian diplomat with a shock of white hair, none other than Erast Fandorin, the celebrated detective of Boris Akunin's The Winter Queen. The sleuth joins forces with Gauche to determine which of ten unticketed passengers on the Leviathan is the rue de Grenelle killer.

Tipping his hat to Agatha Christie, Akunin assembles a colorful cast of suspects, including a secretive Japanese doctor, a professor who specializes in rare Indian artifacts, a pregnant Swiss woman, and an English aristocrat with an appetite for collecting Asian treasures, all of whom are confined together until the crime is solved. As the Leviathan steams toward Calcutta, will Fandorin be able to out-investigate Gauche and discover who the killer is, even as the ship's passengers are murdered, one by one?

Critic Reviews:

"Akunin writes like a hybrid of Caleb Carr, Agatha Christie, and Elizabeth Peters....The atmospheric historical detail gives depth to the twisting plot." (Publishers Weekly)

"Murder on the Leviathan casts a crafty puzzle in a sophisticated setting....Akunin's dry observations on the moral poverty of the upper classes are drolly set off by his lush descriptions of the material luxuries by which they measure the value of life itself." (The New York Times Book Review)

Members Reviews:

The Second Book About Fandorin

After his adventures described in "the Winter Queen," young Russian diplomat travels to Japan on board of Leviathan, where a series of unfortunate and mysterious events take place. The setting of the novel somewhat reminds Agatha's stories, but Akunin's book offers more than a thrilling mystery: the language is truly exquisite, and the translation into English did not ruin it. I have read the book in Russian and listened to it in English, and loved the both versions. I just wish more books from the series about Erast Fandorin were available in English, and I certainly will continue to look for them.

Good, old-time murder mysterywith great narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're someone who can appreciate an old, drawing room-style mystery, this one will not disappoint. It has all the usual tropes -- diverse group of individuals with their own secrets, all trapped on a ship, suspicious with one another -- but is elevated about the "same old thing" with the great narration by Michael Kramer, who is fast becoming one of my favorite readers on Audible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder on the Leviathan?

Characters named "Gauche" and "Sangfroid" are a nice tongue-in-cheek addition to the increasingly complex mystery.

What does Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I have heard Mr. Kramer in other works -- Mike Carey's Felix Castor series, and Thomas Perry's Butcher Boy series -- and yet he still impresses me with his cadence and facility with accents (which was of particular importance in this book with multiple key players). I'm sure that all readers have their own tastes when it comes to those who read our stories, but I must say that Mr.

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Title: The Kite Rider

Author: Geraldine McCaughrean

Narrator: Cynthia Bishop, the Full Cast Family

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-15-04

Publisher: Full Cast Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 46 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

But other winds swirl about Haoyou, winds of revenge and deceit and greed. And no matter how high he flies, there is always greedy Uncle Bo, holding him like an anchor, waiting to drag him down.

A breathtaking historical novel from two time Whitbread Prize winner Geraldine McCaughrean.

Critic Reviews:

"With her exuberant, nonstop plotting and supremely colorful setting, McCaughrean grabs hold of readers' imaginations and doesn't let go." (Publishers Weekly)

"McCaughrean fully immerses her memorable characters in the culture and lore of the ancient Chinese and Mongols, which make this not only a solid adventure story but also a window to a fascinating time and place rarely used as a background in children's fiction." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Unique historical section; great story!

Set in China under Mongol rule this is the story of a young boy who leaves home after his father dies, to support his family by flying on a giant kite in a circus. Nasty Uncle Bo is always wanting his paws on the boy's money, and when the circus is asked to perform for the Khan, an old oath the circus master has sworn raises the spectre of murder and political intrigue. The book compellingly evokes this unusual historical/cultural setting and raises many themes and issues (freedom vs. obedience, respect vs. truth, prejudice, etc.) while the plot remains simple enough for sophisticated listeners as young as 5 or 6. Peak appeal for this book is probably about age 10-11, but the adults in our family really liked it as well.

While the narration is for the most part well done, we all found the voice of the young protaganist in this full-cast version to be two-dimensional and rather intrusively amateurish. That's the only complaint about what is otherwise an excellent rendition of a unique and compelling book.

Great story; excellent writer

We got this for our GATE 3rd grader for a 1000 mile trip. It was our first Audible.com book. We ran out of the public library's books on tape for kids. Excellent cultural color and mature themes of blind obedience, fate, honor, love, etc. My son thought some parts were enthralling, but a bit intense (for his 8 years). He has since picked up her other books in print and has ploughed through with enthusiasm.

Great book to listen to with your child.

If you could sum up The Kite Rider in three words, what would they be?

Sad, compelling, historical

What did you like best about this story?

This story was sad and sometimes the main character frustrated us. He continued to make bad decisions and we wanted to crawl in the book to stop him. But as our family studies the middle-ages, we enjoyed this book to help round out our understanding of this time period.

loved it

loved it. my kids would ask for, "one more chapter...please" a fabulous performance. A great historical fiction book.

Good Listen

I enjoyed learning about early Chineese culture and how one family survived the'system'. I found it fascinating!

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Title: The Tristan Betrayal

Author: Robert Ludlum

Narrator: Paul Michael

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-31-03

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 455 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the fall of 1940, the Nazis are at the height of their power. France is occupied, Britain is enduring the Blitz and is under threat of invasion, America is neutral, and Russia is in an uneasy alliance with Germany. Stephen Metcalfe, the younger son of a prominent American family, is a well-known man about town in occupied Paris. He's also a minor asset in the U.S.'s secret intelligence forces in Europe. Through a wild twist of fate, it falls to Metcalfe to instigate a bold plan that may be the only hope for what remains of the free world. Now he must travel to wartime Moscow to find, and possibly betray, a former lover, a fiery ballerina whose own loyalties are in question, in a delicate dance that could destroy all he loves and honors.

©2003 Myn Pyn, LLC. (P)2003 Audio Renaissance, A Division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic Reviews:

"The fast-paced plot reflects Ludlum's genuine knack for constructing good stories" (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

The Tristan Betrayal

Excellent from beginning to end. The depiction of the main character running from rooftop to rooftop in Paris and street to street and through the the Moscow subway system was breathtaking. I could picture every step and every jump. The love story was great and I was surprised at the ending. Just loved it.

Entertaining Listen--Pure Ludlum!

Being both a Ludlum fan and fan of WWII material, I thought this was a very good book. After having not read Ludlum for a few years, I was a little bit leery about his titles that were published after his death, but for me, this was pure Ludlum. I had just finished listening to The Janson Directive which was good, but the Tristan Betrayal was much closer to what I remembered from Ludlum. I had a hard time putting this one down and found myself taking the long-way to my destinations in my car to get to the next chapter. The reader also does a great job with all the different accents that make the book that more interesting. A definite read for Ludlum fans.

Another great spy story

I have been a Ludlum fan for many years and this story didn't let me down. If you like a WWII spy novel you'll like this. I enjoyed the narrator also.This is just my fourth book I've listen to and he did a wonderful job keeping me interested in the characters and the feeling of the characters at all times.

Best Ever

Of all the books Robert Ludlum has written, this ranks among the best. The plot was excellent; he did a tremendous job in foreshadowing, as well as character development. I would highly recommend this book.

Great

A good story. I got lost a couple of times between the present and the past in the story, but good overall.

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Title: Arthur

Subtitle: Pendragon Cycle Book 3

Author: Stephen R. Lawhead

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-24-01

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 289 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

They called him unfit to rule - a lowborn, callow boy, Uther's bastard. But his coming had been foretold in the songs of the bard Taliesin. He had learned powerful secrets at the knee of the mystical sage Merlin. He was Arthur, Pendragon of the Island of the Mighty - who would rise to legendary greatness in a Britain torn by violence, greed, and war, who would usher in a glorious reign of peace and prosperity, and who would fall at the treacherous hands of the one he loved more than life. This is the third book of The Pendragon Cycle.

©1989 by Stephen R. Lawhead; (P)1995 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic Reviews:

"A fine storyteller, he brings the Arthurian characters to life without sacrificing any of the haunting pleasures of the legends." (Omaha World Herald)

"Highly recommended... Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Excellent ending!

As I had fully enjoyed the first two books, I looked forward to the final book in this trilogy. I was not disappointed! This continued the wonderfully rich story I was used to with no slowing. I thought it really brought the Arthur myth to life, and the ending left me wishing for more. The only problem I had was the narrator slipped out of voice more often toward the end, which sometimes made it difficult to follow dialogue.

Gripping story, well told, loses steam at the end

This is a gripping story that seems unfamiliar because Lawhead does not use the names we've become accustomed to hearing from Le Morte d' Arthur by Mallory or the newer retelling by Tennyson. I especially liked Merlin's character. Frederick Davidson's narration was masterful. He does an incredible job keeping his characters' voices and pronouncing the Celtic words. Unfortunately the story seems to lose steam near the end and it sort of fades out or it would be perfect.

a story to break your heart and awaken you vision

loved it! Theses three books are my favotie version of the Arthurian ledgend. Must Read Trilogy.

A Strongly Christian Take on the Arthur Legend

If you could sum up Arthur in three words, what would they be?

Stirring Christian Fantasy!

What did you like best about this story?

As long as this book was, not a single moment was boring. I would not have gotten the nuances of this story out of a paper book.

What about Frederick Davidsons performance did you like?

The narrator's performance was strong and dramatic throughout, which is an impressive feat over 18 man-hours.

If you could rename Arthur, what would you call it?

I think the original title and sub-title were perfect. I would not want to change them.

Any additional comments?

Well worth the listening credit!

Not like I remember

Any additional comments?

I read this series as a teenager and loved it for the same reason I now am disappointed. the vague story didn't let me connect with the characters.

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Title: On Leaving Charleston

Author: Alexandra Ripley

Narrator: Diane Ladd

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The legacy of Alexandra Ripley's Charleston lives on in this next installment in her Deep South saga. Let the passion, deception, secrets, and revenge creep under your skin like South Carolina heat as you plunge into this gripping novel of Southern intrigue.

Members Reviews:

Love this book but the "Abridged" version poor

Listening to the abridged version of this book does the author and listener a huge dis-service. This book has so many twists and turns that were left out! Ugh! Such a disappointment!

Bad recording

What made the experience of listening to On Leaving Charleston the most enjoyable?

I love the story. I read the book a couple times years ago.

What did you like best about this story?

Great continuation of Charleston

What didnt you like about Diane Ladds performance?

Her perfomace was fine however the recording quality sucked

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Title: The Shepherd and the Wolf

Author: Rahul Garg

Narrator: David Van Der Molen

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-26-16

Publisher: Kemah Bay Marketing, LLC

Genres: Kids, Ages 5-7

Publisher's Summary:

Panchtantra are the stories that were told to young princes in ancient times in India to make them wiser. Literally meaning five sections, the wisdom they impart today is as relevant as it was years ago. The stories are short and have animal characters which appeal to children.

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Titel: Scarlet und der Zauberschirm

Autor:: Cerrie Burnell

Erzähler: Cathlen Gawlich

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 1 hr and 19 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 08-29-16

Herausgeber: Random House Audio, Deutschland

Kategorien: Kids, Ages 5-7

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Ein magisch-musikalisches Mädchenabenteuer.

Die kleine Scarlet lebt gemeinsam mit ihrer geliebten Katze Mitternacht im Wolkenland. Sie liebt Musik und kann alle Instrumente spielen. Als Mitternacht und alle anderen Katzen plötzlich verschwinden, machen sich Scarlet und ihre Freunde mit ihrem fliegenden Zauberschirm auf die Suche. Der verrückte Dirigent hat die Tiere mit einer Zaubermelodie entführt!

Vielstimmig und melodisch interpretiert von Cathlen Gawlich.

©2015 / 2016 Cerrie Burnell / S. Fischer Verlag GmbH. Übersetzung von Anna Braun (P)2016 Random House Audio