Official Blurb
In the world of tomorrow, the American Regime dominates our hemisphere, ruled by a new nobility: telepaths. While this powerful new minority rules over the normal human majority, society enjoys stability and security. However, with this new world comes new prejudices and oppression.
Now, a powerful telepathic killer from the future has come to our present to eliminate this new world - a serial killer today, a genocide for tomorrow. It is up to a law enforcement officer from the future and an unwitting FBI agent to stop him before he can act in the name of the...
Greater Good.
My Review
This was a real wiz bang of a story ( wiz bang = exciting and good ). Having the fortune to be able to spend a day working from home I was able to listen to this book in the course of a single day.
It was heck of a day. The twists and turns, the excitement and the drama of the story made the day fly by.
As the blurb says this is a sci fi novel that includes an interesting form of time travel, by extremely powerful humans. It's not the jumping forwards and backwards in time type of story but rather a one way trip. A future terrorist comes back to our time to "correct some problems" and the cops come after him.
We get to listen to spectacular chases and battles and even a little love interest on the side. All round a pretty darn good listen. I dare not say more lest I give too much away.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3
Total : 8/9
Download from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
The Land that Time Forgot
Official Blurb
The Land That Time Forgot is a science fiction novel, the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Caspak” trilogy. His working title for the story was “The Lost U-Boat.” Starting out as a harrowing wartime sea adventure, the story ultimately develops into that of a fantastical lost world.
My Review
I vaguely remember a film by this name that had dinosaurs in it. So with that in mind I was surprised to find that half the novel is set on a U-Boat! [Spoilers ahead] It's set during the war and a U-Boat is expressing itself through unrestricted warfare and is busy sinking boats all over the place. Onto this boat comes the protagonist, then they find themselves off course and finally they find the land mentioned in the title.
At this point we're into the good stuff, man vs monster in a real professor Challenger style. As the story moved into this area I really started enjoying myself. It only took me a couple of nights to get through this story as I was enjoying it so much.
Let's some it up. U-Boats, Exploration, Dinosaurs. That's ticking all of the "fun" boxes for a good adventure.
It's read by Ralph Snelson, who proves hiimself to be a darn good reader.
There are two more books in this series, and you'll be seeing reviews for them here soon. I'm really looking forward to downloading them.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3
Total : 8/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
The Land That Time Forgot is a science fiction novel, the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Caspak” trilogy. His working title for the story was “The Lost U-Boat.” Starting out as a harrowing wartime sea adventure, the story ultimately develops into that of a fantastical lost world.
My Review
I vaguely remember a film by this name that had dinosaurs in it. So with that in mind I was surprised to find that half the novel is set on a U-Boat! [Spoilers ahead] It's set during the war and a U-Boat is expressing itself through unrestricted warfare and is busy sinking boats all over the place. Onto this boat comes the protagonist, then they find themselves off course and finally they find the land mentioned in the title.
At this point we're into the good stuff, man vs monster in a real professor Challenger style. As the story moved into this area I really started enjoying myself. It only took me a couple of nights to get through this story as I was enjoying it so much.
Let's some it up. U-Boats, Exploration, Dinosaurs. That's ticking all of the "fun" boxes for a good adventure.
It's read by Ralph Snelson, who proves hiimself to be a darn good reader.
There are two more books in this series, and you'll be seeing reviews for them here soon. I'm really looking forward to downloading them.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3
Total : 8/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 21 March 2010
This Crowded Earth
Official Blurb
Robert Bloch (1917 – 1994) was a prolific writer in many genres. As a young man he was encouraged by his mentor H. P. Lovecraft, and was a close friend of Stanley G. Weinbaum. Besides hundreds of short stories and novels he wrote a number of television and film scripts including several for the original Star Trek. In 1959 Bloch wrote the novel Psycho which Alfred Hitchcock adapted to film a year later. He received the Hugo Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and he is a past president of the Mystery Writers of America. Published in Amazing Stories in 1958, This Crowded Earth is a thriller set on an overpopulated Earth of the future.
My Review
Well, having read the official blurb I'm sure you know what the story is about. No? Its in the last line, read it again. Done? Set in the very near future where human breeding has lead the world into a crisis of tremendous over population. Everyone feels the pressure and the protagonist seems to feel it more than most... or does he? the givernment are forced into passing draconian laws to handle the lack of space and resource and out hero finds himself a bit of an outsider.
This is not a straight through story with a beginning middle and end, as it follows nearly the entire life of one man as he lives through the tremendous changes wrought upon mankind and society. Whole chapters are occasional dropped in that break from the story to let you know whats happening in the rest of the world.
I wasn't overly enamoured of by this book. I was interested enough to keep listening, I was basically intrigued, wondering where and what the author was going to do next. Sadly the lack of a consistent narrative left me a little cold.
So it's of interest to the sci fi fan, but not a really engaging story. The reader Gregg, does an outstanding job ( he's one of my fave' readers).
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 1
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Robert Bloch (1917 – 1994) was a prolific writer in many genres. As a young man he was encouraged by his mentor H. P. Lovecraft, and was a close friend of Stanley G. Weinbaum. Besides hundreds of short stories and novels he wrote a number of television and film scripts including several for the original Star Trek. In 1959 Bloch wrote the novel Psycho which Alfred Hitchcock adapted to film a year later. He received the Hugo Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and he is a past president of the Mystery Writers of America. Published in Amazing Stories in 1958, This Crowded Earth is a thriller set on an overpopulated Earth of the future.
My Review
Well, having read the official blurb I'm sure you know what the story is about. No? Its in the last line, read it again. Done? Set in the very near future where human breeding has lead the world into a crisis of tremendous over population. Everyone feels the pressure and the protagonist seems to feel it more than most... or does he? the givernment are forced into passing draconian laws to handle the lack of space and resource and out hero finds himself a bit of an outsider.
This is not a straight through story with a beginning middle and end, as it follows nearly the entire life of one man as he lives through the tremendous changes wrought upon mankind and society. Whole chapters are occasional dropped in that break from the story to let you know whats happening in the rest of the world.
I wasn't overly enamoured of by this book. I was interested enough to keep listening, I was basically intrigued, wondering where and what the author was going to do next. Sadly the lack of a consistent narrative left me a little cold.
So it's of interest to the sci fi fan, but not a really engaging story. The reader Gregg, does an outstanding job ( he's one of my fave' readers).
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 1
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Friday, 19 March 2010
Space Tug
Official Blurb
Joe Kenmore heard the airlock close with a sickening wheeze and then a clank. In desperation he turned toward Haney. “My God, we’ve been locked out!”
Through the transparent domes of their space helmets, Joe could see a look of horror and disbelief pass across Haney’s face. But it was true! Joe and his crew were locked out of the Space Platform.
Four thousand miles below circled the Earth. Under Joe’s feet rested the solid steel hull of his home in outer space. But without tools there was no hope of getting back inside. Joe looked at his oxygen meter. It registered thirty minutes to live.
My Review
Mark Nelson has provided us with yet another excellent sci fi audio book. The story is set in the very early days of space craft, where the good ole US of A are building a huge space platform with the intention of making is a peace platform. But of course "the enemy" don't see it that way. They see the platform as a weapons platform of untold destruction and a threat to the world.
The story is exciting throughout, not much time is left for character development, as the action doesn't stop.
I felt that the action and spontaneous ingenuity smelled a little of the Tom Switft stories but with a grittier feel, and slightly more grounded in reality.
If your a fan of classic sci fi, this is well worth loading onto your MP3 device.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 7/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Joe Kenmore heard the airlock close with a sickening wheeze and then a clank. In desperation he turned toward Haney. “My God, we’ve been locked out!”
Through the transparent domes of their space helmets, Joe could see a look of horror and disbelief pass across Haney’s face. But it was true! Joe and his crew were locked out of the Space Platform.
Four thousand miles below circled the Earth. Under Joe’s feet rested the solid steel hull of his home in outer space. But without tools there was no hope of getting back inside. Joe looked at his oxygen meter. It registered thirty minutes to live.
My Review
Mark Nelson has provided us with yet another excellent sci fi audio book. The story is set in the very early days of space craft, where the good ole US of A are building a huge space platform with the intention of making is a peace platform. But of course "the enemy" don't see it that way. They see the platform as a weapons platform of untold destruction and a threat to the world.
The story is exciting throughout, not much time is left for character development, as the action doesn't stop.
I felt that the action and spontaneous ingenuity smelled a little of the Tom Switft stories but with a grittier feel, and slightly more grounded in reality.
If your a fan of classic sci fi, this is well worth loading onto your MP3 device.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 7/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
The Brand of Silence
Official Blurb
Harrington Strong was a pseudonym used by author Johnston McCulley, creator of the character Zorro and many others. The Brand of Silence – A Detective Story finds Sidney Prale returning to New York after ten years during which he sought his fortune. But he finds New York a very changed place, and even more distressing, he finds that his old friends are now turning their backs on him, his old haunts no longer welcome him, and there seems to be a conspiracy against him.
Why can’t he receive service in hotels, restaurants, and theaters that he once frequented? Who is working against him? And just as importantly, why? And what is the meaning of the notes he receives which remind him of “retribution”?
My Review
I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, wasn't really sure what it was about. Turns out its a mystery, and strangely enough, a mystery that does not start with a murder! Miss Marple wouldn't know what to do!
As the blurb says, our hero returns from the wild to find everyone turned against him, but he has no idea of why, and no one will even tell him. He's effectively sent to Coventry by everyone. then he's accused of Murder, beaten up, abused etc etc etc all with no reason.
In the story he needs to seek the cause for this behaviour and remedy it, but against such odds he will have a struggle.
The isn't you high energy Magnum P.I. type thing ( have I just dated my myself? ) but rather a slow burner but end of the occasional cliff hanger, and I kept rushing to the next chapter to find out what was going to happen.
As I said, I really enjoyed it, the reader was just right for the book.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
.
Harrington Strong was a pseudonym used by author Johnston McCulley, creator of the character Zorro and many others. The Brand of Silence – A Detective Story finds Sidney Prale returning to New York after ten years during which he sought his fortune. But he finds New York a very changed place, and even more distressing, he finds that his old friends are now turning their backs on him, his old haunts no longer welcome him, and there seems to be a conspiracy against him.
Why can’t he receive service in hotels, restaurants, and theaters that he once frequented? Who is working against him? And just as importantly, why? And what is the meaning of the notes he receives which remind him of “retribution”?
My Review
I really enjoyed this one. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, wasn't really sure what it was about. Turns out its a mystery, and strangely enough, a mystery that does not start with a murder! Miss Marple wouldn't know what to do!
As the blurb says, our hero returns from the wild to find everyone turned against him, but he has no idea of why, and no one will even tell him. He's effectively sent to Coventry by everyone. then he's accused of Murder, beaten up, abused etc etc etc all with no reason.
In the story he needs to seek the cause for this behaviour and remedy it, but against such odds he will have a struggle.
The isn't you high energy Magnum P.I. type thing ( have I just dated my myself? ) but rather a slow burner but end of the occasional cliff hanger, and I kept rushing to the next chapter to find out what was going to happen.
As I said, I really enjoyed it, the reader was just right for the book.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Short Science Fiction Collection 22
Official Blurb
Science Fiction is speculative literature that generally explores the consequences of ideas which are roughly consistent with nature and scientific method, but are not facts of the author’s contemporary world. The stories often represent philosophical thought experiments presented in entertaining ways. Protagonists typically “think” rather than “shoot” their way out of problems, but the definition is flexible because there are no limits on an author’s imagination. The reader-selected stories presented here were written prior to 1962 and became US public domain texts when their copyrights expired.
My Review
Once again the Librivox blurbs gives you absolutely nothing specific about a sci fi collection. Fear not dear reader, thats why I'm here!
We've got a mixed bag of short sci fi stories, some good, some ok, and few that I didn't find interesting. This is expected with any collection from disparate authors, it's the same if the collection is in a book, or in audio.
I can say that I found 4 good stories, 3 ok and the rest did not appeal to me. All of the readers were good, so it's not their fault if the stories don't appeal.
The only author in this collection that I have heard of is Harry Harrison, and in fact his entry into this collection was my fave'. It's a story called "The Velvet Glove" and features a poor out of work robot, trying to make his way in a human world.
Among the readers are Gregg Margarite and Reynard T. Fox who are some of my favoured readers in the Librivox collective.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the Harrison story
Science Fiction is speculative literature that generally explores the consequences of ideas which are roughly consistent with nature and scientific method, but are not facts of the author’s contemporary world. The stories often represent philosophical thought experiments presented in entertaining ways. Protagonists typically “think” rather than “shoot” their way out of problems, but the definition is flexible because there are no limits on an author’s imagination. The reader-selected stories presented here were written prior to 1962 and became US public domain texts when their copyrights expired.
My Review
Once again the Librivox blurbs gives you absolutely nothing specific about a sci fi collection. Fear not dear reader, thats why I'm here!
We've got a mixed bag of short sci fi stories, some good, some ok, and few that I didn't find interesting. This is expected with any collection from disparate authors, it's the same if the collection is in a book, or in audio.
I can say that I found 4 good stories, 3 ok and the rest did not appeal to me. All of the readers were good, so it's not their fault if the stories don't appeal.
The only author in this collection that I have heard of is Harry Harrison, and in fact his entry into this collection was my fave'. It's a story called "The Velvet Glove" and features a poor out of work robot, trying to make his way in a human world.
Among the readers are Gregg Margarite and Reynard T. Fox who are some of my favoured readers in the Librivox collective.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to the Harrison story
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
The Dueling Machine
Offical Blurb
The Dueling Machine is the solution to settling disputes without injury. After you and your opponent select weapons and environments you are injected into an artificial reality where you fight to the virtual death… but no one actually gets hurt. That is, until a warrior from the Kerak Empire figures a way to execute real-world killings from within the machine. Now its inventor Dr. Leoh has to prevent his machine from becoming a tool of conquest. – The Dueling Machine, written with Myron R. Lewis, first appeared in the May, 1963 issue of Analog Science Fact & Fiction.
My Review
This is a classic sci fi story, dealing with a new technology and its effects on society. In this case, as the blurb says, it's a Dueling Machine, a virtual reality machine where two competitors meet to carry out a "safe" combat. In the virtual world the characters avatars select an environment and weapons and batter each other until one or other avatar dies. Of course the character is fine, just the virtual avatar dies... or do they.
The inventor of the Dueling Machine is called in to sort out the "problem".
It's pretty typical sci fi, and does not suffer it. I was interested in the story and eagerly started up the new episodes.
It's a fairly short novel, coming in only three parts, each over 40 minutes. the reader is one of my faves for sci fi, Gregg Margarite. A smooth voice and a great pacing makes for a cool listen.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 7/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to chapter one
The Dueling Machine is the solution to settling disputes without injury. After you and your opponent select weapons and environments you are injected into an artificial reality where you fight to the virtual death… but no one actually gets hurt. That is, until a warrior from the Kerak Empire figures a way to execute real-world killings from within the machine. Now its inventor Dr. Leoh has to prevent his machine from becoming a tool of conquest. – The Dueling Machine, written with Myron R. Lewis, first appeared in the May, 1963 issue of Analog Science Fact & Fiction.
My Review
This is a classic sci fi story, dealing with a new technology and its effects on society. In this case, as the blurb says, it's a Dueling Machine, a virtual reality machine where two competitors meet to carry out a "safe" combat. In the virtual world the characters avatars select an environment and weapons and batter each other until one or other avatar dies. Of course the character is fine, just the virtual avatar dies... or do they.
The inventor of the Dueling Machine is called in to sort out the "problem".
It's pretty typical sci fi, and does not suffer it. I was interested in the story and eagerly started up the new episodes.
It's a fairly short novel, coming in only three parts, each over 40 minutes. the reader is one of my faves for sci fi, Gregg Margarite. A smooth voice and a great pacing makes for a cool listen.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 7/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to chapter one
Monday, 1 March 2010
A School History of the Great War
Official Blurb
A brief history of The Great War (World War I) designed for students in grades seven and eight. Special emphasis on European history leading up to the war, reasons and events leading to America’s eventual entering the war, and possible ramifications of the war for future generations.
My Review
This is described as a school book, and thats what it sounds like. It "tells" rather than "shows". No suggestions are made for the various countries and thier motivation, instead you are told in an all powerful, no quibbles, straight forward approach what happened and why they did it.
For instance. Germany was greedy for resources so went to war for it. Straight forward statement of fact.
Unfortunately this book is a little too light for my historical tastes. As well as listening I read every day, and every other book I read is on history. I tend to like a more in-depth approach to my history, and this book didn't quite hit it for me.
This is still a good book, a good overview of WWI, just not to my taste. I liked the readers and the pacing so if you do want a light overview of the history this would be a good one to start with.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to chapter one
A brief history of The Great War (World War I) designed for students in grades seven and eight. Special emphasis on European history leading up to the war, reasons and events leading to America’s eventual entering the war, and possible ramifications of the war for future generations.
My Review
This is described as a school book, and thats what it sounds like. It "tells" rather than "shows". No suggestions are made for the various countries and thier motivation, instead you are told in an all powerful, no quibbles, straight forward approach what happened and why they did it.
For instance. Germany was greedy for resources so went to war for it. Straight forward statement of fact.
Unfortunately this book is a little too light for my historical tastes. As well as listening I read every day, and every other book I read is on history. I tend to like a more in-depth approach to my history, and this book didn't quite hit it for me.
This is still a good book, a good overview of WWI, just not to my taste. I liked the readers and the pacing so if you do want a light overview of the history this would be a good one to start with.
Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2
Total : 6/9
Download from Librivox
Listen to chapter one
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