The Official Blurb
None.
My Review
Another old time radio story this time, not from the BBC but from the "Hollywood Radio Theater"
The story is a classic so I dont think I'll be giving too much away when I say that an Alien space craft lands in America and the Alien emrges demanding world peace. Of course it doesn't go smoothly.
This radio presentation is a full cast drama and I have a feeling that the man playing the alien in this drama is the same one who played the part in the old black and white film of the same name.
This show includes some of the american style radio introductions and outros so if you object to old style radio then you might not like this.
I really enjoyed the slightly cheesey acting style and apple pie family that take the lead. It's well presented and worth sticking in your ear if classic sci fi is your bag.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download the Show
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Chocky
The Official Blurb
None.
My Review
Once again I break from reviewing audio books and take a look at another type of audio. This time I'm reviewing a 1967 radio broadcast from the BBC, a presentation of John Wyndham's classic sci fi story "Chocky".
There is a bit of audio hiss on the old recording and a strange silence in the middle of a few seconds duration, but dont worry about that as you dont actually miss anything as the story picks up right where it left off and it's only a few seconds.
This presentation of the story is a full cast dramatisation and the voices are the typical britsh clipped accent that was habitually used by the BBC at the time of the broadcast.
The story has neccessarily been abridged in order to fit into this short presentation but we still have a fully rounded story that is very well done.
The character "Chocky" appears as a childs imaginary friend but when the child starts to ask odd questions and know things he shouldn't know the story starts to get really interesting.
It's less than an hour long and well worth your time to hear this great story well told.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download the Show
None.
My Review
Once again I break from reviewing audio books and take a look at another type of audio. This time I'm reviewing a 1967 radio broadcast from the BBC, a presentation of John Wyndham's classic sci fi story "Chocky".
There is a bit of audio hiss on the old recording and a strange silence in the middle of a few seconds duration, but dont worry about that as you dont actually miss anything as the story picks up right where it left off and it's only a few seconds.
This presentation of the story is a full cast dramatisation and the voices are the typical britsh clipped accent that was habitually used by the BBC at the time of the broadcast.
The story has neccessarily been abridged in order to fit into this short presentation but we still have a fully rounded story that is very well done.
The character "Chocky" appears as a childs imaginary friend but when the child starts to ask odd questions and know things he shouldn't know the story starts to get really interesting.
It's less than an hour long and well worth your time to hear this great story well told.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download the Show
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Nocturnal
The Official Blurb
Something lives deep beneath the streets of San Francisco. Something that has been there for centuries, something which comes out at night to feed on the dregs of society. A sub-culture with its own myths and its own legends.
Stories of a leader named The King, who will lead them out of bondage, and their own demon, a hunting shadow known only as Savior. But the legends of Savior's brutality have faded, the fear used only within fables told to the young ones about their hunter.
When The King finally appears,just as foretold, the Nocturnals know their time has come -- the time to emerge from under the streets and hunt humanity in the open.
My Review
Firstly, let me say that I am a huge Scott Sigler fan, and this is the latest of his stories to finish his podcast presentation and I've been hooked to his stream listening for the end.
The story follows a few characters but the lead is a Police Detective and his partner. They are investigating some unusual deaths and following up the strange clues to the culprits but someone is trying to cover up something.
Scott presents a grandeous story here but does it through the little stories of the individuals involved. He leads us slowly into the strange, down an avenue of bizarre riding in a bus of the strange. It starts as a simple cop drama but escalates into the usual Sigler maelstrom of unusual and creepy.
As with his previous novels he lures you in with appealing characters thrown into odd situations that rapidly become more unusual and scary, and then builds to an explosive ending that never disappoints.
If you fancy a bit of sci-fi/cop/horror then I recommend taking a listen to this story, its very good.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Something lives deep beneath the streets of San Francisco. Something that has been there for centuries, something which comes out at night to feed on the dregs of society. A sub-culture with its own myths and its own legends.
Stories of a leader named The King, who will lead them out of bondage, and their own demon, a hunting shadow known only as Savior. But the legends of Savior's brutality have faded, the fear used only within fables told to the young ones about their hunter.
When The King finally appears,just as foretold, the Nocturnals know their time has come -- the time to emerge from under the streets and hunt humanity in the open.
My Review
Firstly, let me say that I am a huge Scott Sigler fan, and this is the latest of his stories to finish his podcast presentation and I've been hooked to his stream listening for the end.
The story follows a few characters but the lead is a Police Detective and his partner. They are investigating some unusual deaths and following up the strange clues to the culprits but someone is trying to cover up something.
Scott presents a grandeous story here but does it through the little stories of the individuals involved. He leads us slowly into the strange, down an avenue of bizarre riding in a bus of the strange. It starts as a simple cop drama but escalates into the usual Sigler maelstrom of unusual and creepy.
As with his previous novels he lures you in with appealing characters thrown into odd situations that rapidly become more unusual and scary, and then builds to an explosive ending that never disappoints.
If you fancy a bit of sci-fi/cop/horror then I recommend taking a listen to this story, its very good.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Saturday, 27 December 2008
MOREVI : the Chronicles of Rafe and Askana
The Official Blurb
Morevi, a landlocked kingdom shrouded by jungles and mystery, falls under the rule of Askana Moldarin, known in her realm as "The Black Widow" following her swift and bloody ascent to the throne. In the dawn of this New Age, hidden traitors in her own regime threaten to destroy everything. Askana, independent of council, seeks help to reveal the conspiracy against her...
Enter Rafe Rafton, captain of the Defiant.
My Review
This is one of the very first books to be podcasted, ever. There were three back in the early days and I've never been able to work out which was first, but this here story is one of them.
The story itself is a swashbuckeling fantasy/historic novel. The Rafe in the title is a ships captain who carries out "official" piracy for Henry the VIII. Somehow somewhere he's managed to find a way across "the rift" to the strange land where Askana rules with a steely female fist!
The story has all the classic piratey goodness, swordplay, quipping heros, women who know how to fight and just a touch of romance to pin it all together.
The reader has done a splendid job of putting this together audio and has spliced in enough sound effects to keep it interesting.
Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Morevi, a landlocked kingdom shrouded by jungles and mystery, falls under the rule of Askana Moldarin, known in her realm as "The Black Widow" following her swift and bloody ascent to the throne. In the dawn of this New Age, hidden traitors in her own regime threaten to destroy everything. Askana, independent of council, seeks help to reveal the conspiracy against her...
Enter Rafe Rafton, captain of the Defiant.
My Review
This is one of the very first books to be podcasted, ever. There were three back in the early days and I've never been able to work out which was first, but this here story is one of them.
The story itself is a swashbuckeling fantasy/historic novel. The Rafe in the title is a ships captain who carries out "official" piracy for Henry the VIII. Somehow somewhere he's managed to find a way across "the rift" to the strange land where Askana rules with a steely female fist!
The story has all the classic piratey goodness, swordplay, quipping heros, women who know how to fight and just a touch of romance to pin it all together.
The reader has done a splendid job of putting this together audio and has spliced in enough sound effects to keep it interesting.
Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Friday, 26 December 2008
Over the Top
The Official Blurb
Arthur Guy Empey was an American who responded to the sinking of the Lusitania by enlisting with the British Army to fight in France. His experiences in the trenches, including his ultimate wounding and convalescence, became this book. When published in 1917, it was a major hit and helped the recruiting effort when America entered the Great War.
If you’ve heard of the horror of trench warfare in WWI and want to see it from below dirt level, Empey offers it all here.
Also included is Empey’s popular “Tommy’s Dictionary of the Trenches” which humorously demystifies the slang used by the British soldier.
My Review
Speaking as a fan of history who has recorded a handful of first person accounts myself for Librivox, I can tell you that I was overjoyed to find this recently released treasure in the vaults over at Librivox.
The story tells of an Americans experiences in the trenches fighting for freedom amongst the British soldiers that he refers to constantly as "Tommy". It's touching to here about the bonds that form between these men in such situations and how amongst the horror and deprivation the human spirit and camaraderie shines through.
The duties of the story teller vary considerably, ranging from simple infantry man to machine gunner and even to spy-catcher. Never boring and always with some new aspect of the conflict to be revealed the narrative is detailed and bold. It's told with a real sense of wry humour that coming from such a terrifying source is heartening to hear.
The reader is an established Librivox veteran who brings a good strong voice to this very personal tale and makes the presentation a joy to listen to.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to chapter 1
Arthur Guy Empey was an American who responded to the sinking of the Lusitania by enlisting with the British Army to fight in France. His experiences in the trenches, including his ultimate wounding and convalescence, became this book. When published in 1917, it was a major hit and helped the recruiting effort when America entered the Great War.
If you’ve heard of the horror of trench warfare in WWI and want to see it from below dirt level, Empey offers it all here.
Also included is Empey’s popular “Tommy’s Dictionary of the Trenches” which humorously demystifies the slang used by the British soldier.
My Review
Speaking as a fan of history who has recorded a handful of first person accounts myself for Librivox, I can tell you that I was overjoyed to find this recently released treasure in the vaults over at Librivox.
The story tells of an Americans experiences in the trenches fighting for freedom amongst the British soldiers that he refers to constantly as "Tommy". It's touching to here about the bonds that form between these men in such situations and how amongst the horror and deprivation the human spirit and camaraderie shines through.
The duties of the story teller vary considerably, ranging from simple infantry man to machine gunner and even to spy-catcher. Never boring and always with some new aspect of the conflict to be revealed the narrative is detailed and bold. It's told with a real sense of wry humour that coming from such a terrifying source is heartening to hear.
The reader is an established Librivox veteran who brings a good strong voice to this very personal tale and makes the presentation a joy to listen to.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to chapter 1
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Son of Tarzan
The Official Blurb
Alexis Paulvitch, a henchman of Tarzan’s now-deceased enemy, Nikolas Rokoff, survived his encounter with Tarzan in the third novel and wants to even the score.
My Review
I actually listened to this thinking it was the second Tarzan novel and didn't suffer for it, in fact anyone who knows the premise of the Tarzan character can listen to this without having read or listened to any of the other Tarzan stories.
The story is the epitome of the Pulp Genre, taking reality and giving it a little kick into the unbelievable, which makes it both exciting and fantastic.
The Son of Tarzan follows, strangely enough, the Son of Tarzan as events roll over the Greystoke estate and Tarzan's son finds himself alone in the Jungle as a young lad.
Adventure, fights, close calls, and even love come to the son of the great man as he swings from tree to tree.
There are enough characters in this story both of the animal kind and the human variety to keep it interesting throughout. Good guys and bad guys all putting the love aspect of the story into jeopardy.
This wasn't a story I couldn't put down but it was one I kept coming back to. The reader was pretty good and did some interesting voices that I found amusing.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to chapter 1
Alexis Paulvitch, a henchman of Tarzan’s now-deceased enemy, Nikolas Rokoff, survived his encounter with Tarzan in the third novel and wants to even the score.
My Review
I actually listened to this thinking it was the second Tarzan novel and didn't suffer for it, in fact anyone who knows the premise of the Tarzan character can listen to this without having read or listened to any of the other Tarzan stories.
The story is the epitome of the Pulp Genre, taking reality and giving it a little kick into the unbelievable, which makes it both exciting and fantastic.
The Son of Tarzan follows, strangely enough, the Son of Tarzan as events roll over the Greystoke estate and Tarzan's son finds himself alone in the Jungle as a young lad.
Adventure, fights, close calls, and even love come to the son of the great man as he swings from tree to tree.
There are enough characters in this story both of the animal kind and the human variety to keep it interesting throughout. Good guys and bad guys all putting the love aspect of the story into jeopardy.
This wasn't a story I couldn't put down but it was one I kept coming back to. The reader was pretty good and did some interesting voices that I found amusing.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to chapter 1
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Max Quick 2: The Two Travelers
The Official Blurb
Five quiet years have passed in Starland, California since the the time of the Pocket. But when a crazed old man shows up with a warning, Max, Casey, Ian and Sasha suddenly find themselves on the run. Max and Ian go through an Arch back to 1912, where a mysterious Machine is under construction that seems connected to Max’s unremembered secret. Meanwhile, Casey and Sasha follow the old man to the strange town of Arturo Gyp.
But there is more afoot than meets the eye: the enemies of Mr. E - the nefarious Archons - are abroad. And when Max is at last eye-to-eye with his secret, he realizes nothing will ever be the same again...
My Review
This is the sequel to the Pocket and the Pendant which I reviewed back in May. This series is a YA story that combines a story of adventure, history, mysticism, magic and action into a nice blend.
This second book in the series picks up threads laid down in the original story and expands them into a seperate yet joined stories. However if you haven't listened to the first story, I recommend that you do that first as this story leans heavily on the world built there.
The kids from the first book are now teenagers and have attitudes to match that difficult age. They are thrown once again into adventure where they feel out of their depth and must struggle to stand up to and face the opposition. The young heros split up and set out in pairs to fight the different aspects of the evil Archons, so the story follows both groups switching between them as the chapters advance.
The reader is once again the author and he has a great reading voice just perfect for the story. If you've enjoyed the first book then I recommend you jump right in with this sequel, and when your done listening, you'll be joining me waiting for the next book!
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Five quiet years have passed in Starland, California since the the time of the Pocket. But when a crazed old man shows up with a warning, Max, Casey, Ian and Sasha suddenly find themselves on the run. Max and Ian go through an Arch back to 1912, where a mysterious Machine is under construction that seems connected to Max’s unremembered secret. Meanwhile, Casey and Sasha follow the old man to the strange town of Arturo Gyp.
But there is more afoot than meets the eye: the enemies of Mr. E - the nefarious Archons - are abroad. And when Max is at last eye-to-eye with his secret, he realizes nothing will ever be the same again...
My Review
This is the sequel to the Pocket and the Pendant which I reviewed back in May. This series is a YA story that combines a story of adventure, history, mysticism, magic and action into a nice blend.
This second book in the series picks up threads laid down in the original story and expands them into a seperate yet joined stories. However if you haven't listened to the first story, I recommend that you do that first as this story leans heavily on the world built there.
The kids from the first book are now teenagers and have attitudes to match that difficult age. They are thrown once again into adventure where they feel out of their depth and must struggle to stand up to and face the opposition. The young heros split up and set out in pairs to fight the different aspects of the evil Archons, so the story follows both groups switching between them as the chapters advance.
The reader is once again the author and he has a great reading voice just perfect for the story. If you've enjoyed the first book then I recommend you jump right in with this sequel, and when your done listening, you'll be joining me waiting for the next book!
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to chapter 1
Friday, 5 December 2008
The man who would be King
The Official Blurb
The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of two British adventurers in British India who become kings of Kafiristan, a remote part of Afghanistan. It was inspired by the exploits of James Brooke, an Englishman who became the “white Raja” of Sarawak in Borneo, and by the travels of American adventurer Josiah Harlan, who claimed the title Prince of Ghor.
The story was first published in The Phantom Rickshaw and other Tales (Volume Five of the Indian Railway Library, published by A H Wheeler & Co of Allahabad in 1888). It also appeared in Wee Willie Winkie and Other Stories in 1895, and in numerous later editions of that collection. It is the basis for John Huston’s 1975 film of the same name, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine as the “kings”, and Christopher Plummer as Kipling.
My Review
This short story tells of high adventure and excitement and is very well read. If you haven't seen the film (1975) then listen to this reading of the original before you do. It's an audio treasure, the reader puts such heart and soul into the reading it reduced me to tears at the end, and I'll be hard pushed to offer a better recommendation than that.
Strangely the story doesn't relate incident after incident of death defying adventure in the Indiana Jones style but rather in a more step by step advancement style. At each stage you know what the men are up to, and through use of the blind belief that an Englishman can do anything and a bit of stiff-upper-lip they climb to the dizzy heights.
It's simply a thrilling story well written and incredibly well read. Once again I feel myself having to rate this story as a MUST-LISTEN!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to part 1 ( of 3 )
The Man Who Would Be King tells the story of two British adventurers in British India who become kings of Kafiristan, a remote part of Afghanistan. It was inspired by the exploits of James Brooke, an Englishman who became the “white Raja” of Sarawak in Borneo, and by the travels of American adventurer Josiah Harlan, who claimed the title Prince of Ghor.
The story was first published in The Phantom Rickshaw and other Tales (Volume Five of the Indian Railway Library, published by A H Wheeler & Co of Allahabad in 1888). It also appeared in Wee Willie Winkie and Other Stories in 1895, and in numerous later editions of that collection. It is the basis for John Huston’s 1975 film of the same name, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine as the “kings”, and Christopher Plummer as Kipling.
My Review
This short story tells of high adventure and excitement and is very well read. If you haven't seen the film (1975) then listen to this reading of the original before you do. It's an audio treasure, the reader puts such heart and soul into the reading it reduced me to tears at the end, and I'll be hard pushed to offer a better recommendation than that.
Strangely the story doesn't relate incident after incident of death defying adventure in the Indiana Jones style but rather in a more step by step advancement style. At each stage you know what the men are up to, and through use of the blind belief that an Englishman can do anything and a bit of stiff-upper-lip they climb to the dizzy heights.
It's simply a thrilling story well written and incredibly well read. Once again I feel myself having to rate this story as a MUST-LISTEN!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to part 1 ( of 3 )
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
The Arwen
The Official Blurb
When a comet the size of a small moon threatens the remote world of Regal the Earth Alliance assigns the most decorated ship in the fleet, the Arwen, to destroy it. Its Captain, Marjorie Cook, sees this as an opportunity to redeem herself after a tragic mistake in her past causes the death of over 400 of her crew. It seems like an easy mission but, when the Arwen arrives, it finds things are not what they seem.
My Review
A classic style of space faring story told in a modern way. The story has a nice plot interwoven with suprises and a rising level of tension that build to a terffic ending.
The crew have to deal with a bunch of alien races who all have their own motivations and all seem to be getting in the way of the Arwen's mission to save a planet.
If you like space based stories with aliens, fighters, tough soldiers, a mystery and a great show stopper ending then this is the audio book for you. I was absolutely delighted to discover that this book is only part one and that I have a number of sequels lined up ready to be listened to.
Good story, well read.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Get it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first part.
When a comet the size of a small moon threatens the remote world of Regal the Earth Alliance assigns the most decorated ship in the fleet, the Arwen, to destroy it. Its Captain, Marjorie Cook, sees this as an opportunity to redeem herself after a tragic mistake in her past causes the death of over 400 of her crew. It seems like an easy mission but, when the Arwen arrives, it finds things are not what they seem.
My Review
A classic style of space faring story told in a modern way. The story has a nice plot interwoven with suprises and a rising level of tension that build to a terffic ending.
The crew have to deal with a bunch of alien races who all have their own motivations and all seem to be getting in the way of the Arwen's mission to save a planet.
If you like space based stories with aliens, fighters, tough soldiers, a mystery and a great show stopper ending then this is the audio book for you. I was absolutely delighted to discover that this book is only part one and that I have a number of sequels lined up ready to be listened to.
Good story, well read.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Get it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first part.
Monday, 1 December 2008
"Bomber" by the BBC
My Review
A couple of years ago the BBC produced an audio drama that followed a WWII Lancaster Bomber crew through a day and night. The drama was presented throughout a BBC broadcast day in half hour segments that followed the timeline of the story. The story also interwove comments and interview responses from veterens of the air war.
The story tells not only the parts of the bomber crew but the stories of the people on the other side. German, civilians and night fighter crews are treated equally in the drama and the veteren comments.
It is totally absorbing and horrorfying. As you listen to Tom Bakers narration that carries the story forward, you will feel the pain and utter pathos of those involved in such a horrible war. The acting is top notch and I would describe this audio as MUST-LISTEN.
Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 9/9
Download it
Listen to the first part
A couple of years ago the BBC produced an audio drama that followed a WWII Lancaster Bomber crew through a day and night. The drama was presented throughout a BBC broadcast day in half hour segments that followed the timeline of the story. The story also interwove comments and interview responses from veterens of the air war.
The story tells not only the parts of the bomber crew but the stories of the people on the other side. German, civilians and night fighter crews are treated equally in the drama and the veteren comments.
It is totally absorbing and horrorfying. As you listen to Tom Bakers narration that carries the story forward, you will feel the pain and utter pathos of those involved in such a horrible war. The acting is top notch and I would describe this audio as MUST-LISTEN.
Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 9/9
Download it
Listen to the first part
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