Official Blurb
None
My Review
You've heard of the Enola Gay? What! Go Google it now! Right, now you know. This story starts with the Enola Gay crashing on a training mission, which of course means that another machine and another crew has to take on the big mission.
It's an interesting proposition, what if it were a different crew, and what if they were having second thoughts about bombing that Japanese city. That's what this story does, its focus is on the man who has his finger on the trigger.
If you have any interest in WWII you will find this interesting. Even if that is not an interest, of yours, I'm sure you'll find the character based focus of this story as fascinating and thought provoking as I did.
Full cast audio drama, in two parts, top notch quality all round.
Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 9/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first chapter.
Showing posts with label Archive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archive. Show all posts
Monday, 10 June 2013
Monday, 18 May 2009
The Ultimate Weapon
Official Blurb
Aliens have just been discovered! Only trouble is, the Solar System has just been discovered by those same aliens -- and they want it all for themselves. The result is a war and a desperate arms race between alien technology and human ingenuity. Who will win? What is the ultimate weapon?
My Review
A classic (1936) SF story. It has all of the classic elements except a love affair and a brawny hero. What does that leave in then, you ask? Well we have aliens, space ships, the other classic hero of a scientist working with cutting edge inventions, and of course warface in the vacuum!
It really is classic period and classic GOOD! In this fighting story, the Aliens have the technology advantage and start beating on the good guys ( us ) and leave them battered and bruised. Then the humans turn to ... super science! Only the brain of man will be able to meet the challenge!
The reader of this book, is an established narrator with great style. There are a few stutters and half misspoken words that slip through which can bring you out of the story, but they are very rare and the readers enthusiasm is so good that you'll stay on the ride.
Its a fun, exciting story read with energy and aplomb.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first chapter
Aliens have just been discovered! Only trouble is, the Solar System has just been discovered by those same aliens -- and they want it all for themselves. The result is a war and a desperate arms race between alien technology and human ingenuity. Who will win? What is the ultimate weapon?
My Review
A classic (1936) SF story. It has all of the classic elements except a love affair and a brawny hero. What does that leave in then, you ask? Well we have aliens, space ships, the other classic hero of a scientist working with cutting edge inventions, and of course warface in the vacuum!
It really is classic period and classic GOOD! In this fighting story, the Aliens have the technology advantage and start beating on the good guys ( us ) and leave them battered and bruised. Then the humans turn to ... super science! Only the brain of man will be able to meet the challenge!
The reader of this book, is an established narrator with great style. There are a few stutters and half misspoken words that slip through which can bring you out of the story, but they are very rare and the readers enthusiasm is so good that you'll stay on the ride.
Its a fun, exciting story read with energy and aplomb.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first chapter
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Five Sci-Fi Short Stories by H. Beam Piper
Official Blurb
Five short stories by classic science fiction writer H. Beam Piper.
Recorded by Mark Nelson
My Review
The official blurb on this one doesn't give much away does it! The short stories here are "almost" a set. The first first four are all time travel stories that appear to come from the same universe involving the para-time travellers in various capacities, from police men to miners.
Each is engaging and an absorbing listen although the stories are showing their age. For instance I find it hard to imagine a future where everyone smokes! That aside these are classic sci fi stories well written.
The last story in the set IS a short story in itself but I'd heard it before as part of a bigger story. I believe the author must have expanded this short story into a full length novel at some time. I've reviewed that novel and gave it 9 out of 9.
The reading and production of this collection is outstanding, the reader Mark Nelson has done an outstanding job one again.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Get it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first story
.
Five short stories by classic science fiction writer H. Beam Piper.
Recorded by Mark Nelson
My Review
The official blurb on this one doesn't give much away does it! The short stories here are "almost" a set. The first first four are all time travel stories that appear to come from the same universe involving the para-time travellers in various capacities, from police men to miners.
Each is engaging and an absorbing listen although the stories are showing their age. For instance I find it hard to imagine a future where everyone smokes! That aside these are classic sci fi stories well written.
The last story in the set IS a short story in itself but I'd heard it before as part of a bigger story. I believe the author must have expanded this short story into a full length novel at some time. I've reviewed that novel and gave it 9 out of 9.
The reading and production of this collection is outstanding, the reader Mark Nelson has done an outstanding job one again.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Get it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first story
.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Security
Official Blurb
A scientist is assigned to a super-secret project, and finds himself in a brand new life. A very likeable story set in a very unlikeable world.
My Review
This is a short science fiction story that runs to about one and a half hours. It's simple story of a scientist in a future police state who finds himself snatched by the government and rushed out into space to carry out a secret experiment.
There are twists in the story and the characters are appealing, even the alien ones!
We get insights into the horrid world the scientist lives in and we follow him as he grows and discovers another side to life.
Its extremely well read, as is almost everything from Marialectrix, so all in all a very nice light sci-fi offering that would fit a commute quite nicely.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
A scientist is assigned to a super-secret project, and finds himself in a brand new life. A very likeable story set in a very unlikeable world.
My Review
This is a short science fiction story that runs to about one and a half hours. It's simple story of a scientist in a future police state who finds himself snatched by the government and rushed out into space to carry out a secret experiment.
There are twists in the story and the characters are appealing, even the alien ones!
We get insights into the horrid world the scientist lives in and we follow him as he grows and discovers another side to life.
Its extremely well read, as is almost everything from Marialectrix, so all in all a very nice light sci-fi offering that would fit a commute quite nicely.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The Adventure of the Sanguinary Count: Sherlock Holmes versus Dracula
Official Blurb
Radio Theatre Group's production of The Adventure of the Sanguinary Count: Sherlock Holmes versus Dracula. Recorded at East Kilbride Arts Centre on 26th Of January 2007
My Review
This is a radio play type affair that appears to have been recorded in front of an audiance ( you hear the laughter in the background ).
It's a fun premise with Sherlock Holmes vs Dracular, I mean how could that not be a fun idea?
The writers have done a clever thing of actually weaving Sherlock Holmes in to the original Dracular story rather than starting from scratch with a wholey new story. A very clever trick. If you know the Bram Stoker book this adds a new level of interest to the listening.
The story is engaging but with Sherlock stories I've been spoiled by listening to Basil Rathbones interpretation so when I hear the character played differently it can be off putting for me.
The radio play works very well and is a fun listen but not produced professionally which shows in the audio quality.
The gun fire sound effects sound very much like those used in the computer game DOOM and there is a lot of microphone popping.
Dont let my pointing out of the negatives put you off, this is a fun listen and a clever idea.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
.
Radio Theatre Group's production of The Adventure of the Sanguinary Count: Sherlock Holmes versus Dracula. Recorded at East Kilbride Arts Centre on 26th Of January 2007
My Review
This is a radio play type affair that appears to have been recorded in front of an audiance ( you hear the laughter in the background ).
It's a fun premise with Sherlock Holmes vs Dracular, I mean how could that not be a fun idea?
The writers have done a clever thing of actually weaving Sherlock Holmes in to the original Dracular story rather than starting from scratch with a wholey new story. A very clever trick. If you know the Bram Stoker book this adds a new level of interest to the listening.
The story is engaging but with Sherlock stories I've been spoiled by listening to Basil Rathbones interpretation so when I hear the character played differently it can be off putting for me.
The radio play works very well and is a fun listen but not produced professionally which shows in the audio quality.
The gun fire sound effects sound very much like those used in the computer game DOOM and there is a lot of microphone popping.
Dont let my pointing out of the negatives put you off, this is a fun listen and a clever idea.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Macabre
The Official Blurb
[None]
My Review
This is another run of OTR ( Old Time Radio ). This collection contains 8 shows that feature creepy or mystery stories. THere's no real horror here, but some of them do get down right spooky.
The show seems to have been produced for the U.S Armed Forces Radio and even stars some men in uniform, not as soldiers but as actors, and as sound engineers!
It's an amusing collection of 30 minutes episodes. As you might expect there is some hiss, and the occassional scream might put your ear drums to flight.
Over all I enjoyed these shows. Best listened to one per day, as all at once and they are likely to lose "the edge". Listen in a darkened room for best effect :)
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3 - Would have been 3 but for the hiss and crackle
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first episode
[None]
My Review
This is another run of OTR ( Old Time Radio ). This collection contains 8 shows that feature creepy or mystery stories. THere's no real horror here, but some of them do get down right spooky.
The show seems to have been produced for the U.S Armed Forces Radio and even stars some men in uniform, not as soldiers but as actors, and as sound engineers!
It's an amusing collection of 30 minutes episodes. As you might expect there is some hiss, and the occassional scream might put your ear drums to flight.
Over all I enjoyed these shows. Best listened to one per day, as all at once and they are likely to lose "the edge". Listen in a darkened room for best effect :)
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3 - Would have been 3 but for the hiss and crackle
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first episode
Thursday, 29 January 2009
WKKL Presents 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
The Official Blurb
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Radio Drama.
My Review
Well the official blurb is informative!?! What we have here is a 25 minute short amature production radio drama of the classic story of the title.
The producers have done a fairly good job of reducing the novel down to it's bare minimums producing a script that works in the timeframe. Alas, it's not enough time to do the characters justice, but no 30 minute show possibly could.
The sound effects and incidental music are roughly inserted so the smooth blended feel of a professional sound are missing.
Despite the shortcomings I enjoyed this for what it was. Rather like when you go to an amature dramatics play, if you dont expect too much you have a good time.
If you have a spare 30 minutes of ear-time and you know the story you'll probably enjoy this as much as I did.
Technical note : This is an "m4a" file rather than an "MP3", so you may have to use a player such as QuickTime.
Reading 2/3
Production 1/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 5/9
Download from the Internet Archive
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Radio Drama.
My Review
Well the official blurb is informative!?! What we have here is a 25 minute short amature production radio drama of the classic story of the title.
The producers have done a fairly good job of reducing the novel down to it's bare minimums producing a script that works in the timeframe. Alas, it's not enough time to do the characters justice, but no 30 minute show possibly could.
The sound effects and incidental music are roughly inserted so the smooth blended feel of a professional sound are missing.
Despite the shortcomings I enjoyed this for what it was. Rather like when you go to an amature dramatics play, if you dont expect too much you have a good time.
If you have a spare 30 minutes of ear-time and you know the story you'll probably enjoy this as much as I did.
Technical note : This is an "m4a" file rather than an "MP3", so you may have to use a player such as QuickTime.
Reading 2/3
Production 1/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 5/9
Download from the Internet Archive
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The Association of Semi-Superpeoples in: Nazi Radio Tower of Doom!
Official Blurb
In the days leading up to World War II, a group of mystery men joined together to fight injustice in all its forms. From gangsters and racketeers to Nazi saboteurs and communists, these brave men and women did their best to thwart evil in all its myriad forms. And though they often failed, and miserably, no one can deny the group known as The Association of Semi-Super Peoples did⦠stuff.
My Review
This is a short radio comedy thats as wacky as the title suggests. As you might have guessed a bunch of Nazi's are setting up a radio tower...of doom and the local Super Heros/Journalists/Comedians have to deal with the situation. It made me laugh, while wincing at the foul language and non-pc jokes. I laughed but was never entirely sure that I should have been. You have been warned, bad words are used, not work safe, not kid safe, not politically safe.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download from the Internet Archive
In the days leading up to World War II, a group of mystery men joined together to fight injustice in all its forms. From gangsters and racketeers to Nazi saboteurs and communists, these brave men and women did their best to thwart evil in all its myriad forms. And though they often failed, and miserably, no one can deny the group known as The Association of Semi-Super Peoples did⦠stuff.
My Review
This is a short radio comedy thats as wacky as the title suggests. As you might have guessed a bunch of Nazi's are setting up a radio tower...of doom and the local Super Heros/Journalists/Comedians have to deal with the situation. It made me laugh, while wincing at the foul language and non-pc jokes. I laughed but was never entirely sure that I should have been. You have been warned, bad words are used, not work safe, not kid safe, not politically safe.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download from the Internet Archive
Thursday, 1 January 2009
The Kraken Wakes
The Official Blurb
None.
My Review
Yet again, not an audio book but another radio presentation of a classic story. This drama comes from the pen of John wyndham and was put together by the BBC. It's a creepy story of disaster of an world wide scale and the purveyor of this crime is a Lovcraftian type creature. Something so beyond our understanding and so other-worldly that understanding between us ( humans ) and them/it is just not going to happen.
This full cast drama is a classic example of BBC-well-done audio that draws you into the story and holds you there fully absorbed in the story. It's really a very good story to start with and the scripting, acting and sound effects bring it to life.
If your a fan of H.P. Lovecraft or sci-fi then you should do yourself a favour and take a listen to this audio treat.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download the full show from here
Download the first half
None.
My Review
Yet again, not an audio book but another radio presentation of a classic story. This drama comes from the pen of John wyndham and was put together by the BBC. It's a creepy story of disaster of an world wide scale and the purveyor of this crime is a Lovcraftian type creature. Something so beyond our understanding and so other-worldly that understanding between us ( humans ) and them/it is just not going to happen.
This full cast drama is a classic example of BBC-well-done audio that draws you into the story and holds you there fully absorbed in the story. It's really a very good story to start with and the scripting, acting and sound effects bring it to life.
If your a fan of H.P. Lovecraft or sci-fi then you should do yourself a favour and take a listen to this audio treat.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download the full show from here
Download the first half
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
The Day the Earth Stood Still
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
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
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
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
Friday, 29 August 2008
Hornblower
My Review
Once again this is not a book review, but rather a review of an entire old radio series available for download for free from the internet archive.
This series is as the name suggests the retelling of the Horatio Hornblower stories, presented here as a series of half hour shows.
It is old time radio so there are some issues with the noise on the recording, but this is in the form of hiss and crackle and not the killer loss the higher frequencies we sometimes get.
The story is of course excellent, presented here as a series of memories of the aged Hornblower told as he thinks back. After the aged Hornblowers intro the action switches into full audio drama format. It is very well done and a delight for any fans of the sea.
This set of recordings is a little mixed up. There are even a couple that come from a differn't series but still telling the Hornblower story, I believe these came from the BBC.
This series is well worth a listen, high action, high fun.
Reading 2/3 ( would be 3 but for the hiss )
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Available from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first show on the list.
Once again this is not a book review, but rather a review of an entire old radio series available for download for free from the internet archive.
This series is as the name suggests the retelling of the Horatio Hornblower stories, presented here as a series of half hour shows.
It is old time radio so there are some issues with the noise on the recording, but this is in the form of hiss and crackle and not the killer loss the higher frequencies we sometimes get.
The story is of course excellent, presented here as a series of memories of the aged Hornblower told as he thinks back. After the aged Hornblowers intro the action switches into full audio drama format. It is very well done and a delight for any fans of the sea.
This set of recordings is a little mixed up. There are even a couple that come from a differn't series but still telling the Hornblower story, I believe these came from the BBC.
This series is well worth a listen, high action, high fun.
Reading 2/3 ( would be 3 but for the hiss )
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Available from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first show on the list.
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