Official Blurb
Francis Key Howard recounts in this book his life as a political prisoner of the United States. He points out that he was held captive at the same location where his grandfather was inspired to write the national anthem about the "land of the free," which makes a very stunning contrast. The sufferings that were imposed on him by the Union forces had the effect of solidifying his determination to resist unjust governmental dictates.
My Review
I though this was going to be a military history when it turned on on my radar, but turned out to be something a little different. It takes place during the American Civil war and features the events surround a newspaper man who finds himself arrested as a political prisoner.
As the author states he held the opinion that a war with the south would only leads to two nations and for this he was arrested, taken from his home and imprisoned with military prisoners, without trial or any recourse whatsoever.
The book is half memoir with the other half being made up letters sent and received by the author while in prison.
It's a quite fascinating read/listen for anyone with interest in the civil war. there have been many books written about the war but very few seem to deal with the prisons so this is quite a gem.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 1/3
Total Score 5/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun
Official Blurb
John Endlich needed to clean up his act. Gambling, drinking, a hot temper and wanderlust were the last things Rose and the kids needed. So he went to the Homesteaders Office and signed up to terraform Vesta, a chunk of a once thriving alien planet that had exploded from within; a flat lump of crust which was now the remains of a farm on one side and a mining operation on the other. The miners hated Endlich and sabotaged his plans at every opportunity. They were going to kill him and his family if he didn’t find a way to stop them.
Written by :
My Review
When I settled down to write this review it occurred to me that this was a western story set in space. The protagonist is a homesteader in the back of beyond and the "indians" are played by the miners.
Apart from that, the story is pure sci fi. It's set on an alien world that includes a dead ancient civilisation. People flit about in space ships and shoot "blasters" so it has all of the good sci fi stuff.
What it boils down to in the end is 80-90 minutes of classic sci fi story, a man with a history trys to settle a barren land and defend his family and his home from a bunch of bully boys that are armed to the teeth!
Add to that, the story being read by Gregg Margarite and you have a recipe for a great listen. Highly recommended.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
John Endlich needed to clean up his act. Gambling, drinking, a hot temper and wanderlust were the last things Rose and the kids needed. So he went to the Homesteaders Office and signed up to terraform Vesta, a chunk of a once thriving alien planet that had exploded from within; a flat lump of crust which was now the remains of a farm on one side and a mining operation on the other. The miners hated Endlich and sabotaged his plans at every opportunity. They were going to kill him and his family if he didn’t find a way to stop them.
Written by :
My Review
When I settled down to write this review it occurred to me that this was a western story set in space. The protagonist is a homesteader in the back of beyond and the "indians" are played by the miners.
Apart from that, the story is pure sci fi. It's set on an alien world that includes a dead ancient civilisation. People flit about in space ships and shoot "blasters" so it has all of the good sci fi stuff.
What it boils down to in the end is 80-90 minutes of classic sci fi story, a man with a history trys to settle a barren land and defend his family and his home from a bunch of bully boys that are armed to the teeth!
Add to that, the story being read by Gregg Margarite and you have a recipe for a great listen. Highly recommended.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)