The Hour of the Dragon by Robert E. HOWARD

Official Blurb

The Hour of the Dragon, also known as Conan the Conqueror, is a fantasy novel by American writer Robert E. Howard featuring his sword and sorcery hero Conan the Cimmerian. It was one of the last Conan stories published before Howard's suicide although not the last to be written. The novel was first published in serial form in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1935 through 1936.

My Review

A classic of pulp era fantasy story telling. Conan starts in this story as a king but is soon thrown down to the level of a wandering vagabond. But if you know Conan, like I know Conan, then you know that he won't take that lying down!

This is one of the best Conan stories from the master, it features a great story arc and the unrelenting tenacity of Conan's character comes right through. Yet at the same time, you find that Conan is no machine, he feels fear, and yes even runs from a foe now and then!

If your only experience with Conan is the first film, then you might recognise some the names and places mentioned in this story as the first film seems to have lifted many of the names it used from this story, although not the plot. This story is straight up heroic adventure from beginning to end, a good pace that never lets up.

As to the reading, well. Awesome. Another Mark Nelson classic.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Listen to the first chapter.
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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Official Blurb

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo is an adventure novel and one of the author's most popular works. He completed the work in 1844. The story takes place in France, Italy, islands in the Mediterranean and in the Levant during the historical events of 1815-1838 (from just before the Hundred Days to the reign of Louis-Philippe of France). It deals with themes of hope, justice, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness. The book is considered a literary classic today.

My Review

If I start by saying that I'd been holding off listening to this book until a single-reader version came along, you'll realise it is a book I wanted to hear, and that I wanted to hear done properly. This is actually the third version of the book put out by Librivox, but the first solo version.

It is 56 hours long. Fifty Six! The reader, David Clarke is excellent and pitches a great French accent that brings the text to life.

I stopped listening after 18 hours. Even David's wonderful reading could not induce me to continue listening to this so-called classic. With reference to this book, the word "classic" means long. It does not mean good.

It started so well, with the protagonist being imprisoned for a crime he did not commit and a great prison escape. Then...then...Well then lots of boring stuff happened to characters that I didn't feel for nor care about. Was the author paid by the word, it sure felt like it Rambling, disjointed, lack of plot, lack of emotion and in the end, after an investment of 18 hours I realised life's too short for this book.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 0/3

Total Score 5/9 (Only count this score, if you think it fair when I didn't finish it!)

Listen to the first chapter 

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The Secret Of The Ninth Planet by Donald Wollheim

Official Blurb

An alien race has put a station on Earth and other planets in order to steal the rays of the sun, possible causing the sun to nova within two years. Burl Denning, a high school student, is the only person who has the power to stop the alien project. Can he and the crew of the experimental space ship Magellan act in time to save the earth?

My Review

This a classic pulp style sci fi adventure where as the blurb suggests the protagonist is young chap who just happens to be in the right place at the right time... oh and he's a bit of a hero.

This is not a serious sci fi story, it take some facts such as the vast distances between the planets and uses them within the story, but these are sprinkled in with the "super science" of the 50's era.

It's a good yarn, an adventure in space, where the bad guys are not criminals but aliens. It has a dramatic finale that I really enjoyed.

Keep in mind the stories low-sci-fi take on things and that it's a pulp story and you'll have a good time with it, like I did.  Great reading, and a fun listen.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

Police Your Planet by Lester Del Rey

Official Blurb

Bruce Gordon looked at his ticket, grimaced at the ONE WAY stamped on it, then tore it into bits and let the pieces scatter over the floor. He counted them as they fell; thirty pieces in all, one for each year of his life. Little ones for the two years he'd wasted as a cop. Shreds for the four years as a kid in the ring before that--he'd never made the top. Bigger bits for two years also wasted in trying his hand at professional gambling; and the six final pieces that spelled his rise from special reporter helping out with a police shake-up coverage, through a regular leg-man turning up rackets, and on up like a meteor until.... He'd made his big scoop, all right. He'd dug up enough about the Mercury scandals to double circulation. And the government had explained what a fool he'd been for printing half of a story that was never supposed to be printed until all could be revealed. They'd given Bruce Gordon his final assignment... 

My Review

Bruce is sent to Mars, supposedly as part of an undercover operation, but he doesn't want the job, doesn't believe they mean it, it's just an excuse to git rid of him. Mars is a hell hole. Corruption and gang-life run rampant. The cops steal what the gangs don't and people live in a misery of hand to mouth existence.

This is a brutal story of life at Mars port where beatings and muggings are the norm and our hero, or perhaps I should say protagonist, is beating and fighting his way through life. In the "dome" the thugs carry clubs instead of guns, because even they realize a stray bullet could puncture the dome. So the copy carry a shield and club!

I really enjoyed this story. It's well written and well narrated and if you love sci fi you'll like this. 


Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

The Chapter Ends by Poul Anderson

Official Blurb

Far, far in the future the Earth is still spinning around the Sun, on the edge of the galaxy, dozing in obscurity, forgotten by it's trillions of progeny and completely irrelevant. But this doesn't matter to the few millions who still live there in simplicity and quiet happiness. But then interstellar politics dictates that they must all leave Earth because ... well, listen to the story as told by the great Poul Anderson as he explores what the Earth means to humans and to one man in particular. 

My Review

A short story in four parts running for about an hour. There really isn't a lot I can tell you about the story without spoiling the whole thing. It's sci fi, but is really a character-play. As the blurb says everyone has to leave Earth but the story revolves around the last few, as they are rounded up and encouraged to get on board ship.

I listened to the end, but it didn't really grab me. Also I found the ending a bit weak. I don't think Poul quite pulled off the effect he was after.

The reader was good. So in summary, its a easy unchallenging listen but don't expect to be wowed.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 1/3

Total Score 5/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

Carnacki, The Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson

Official Blurb

Thomas Carnacki was a detective of the supernatural, created for a series of short stories by Wiliam Hope Hodgson. Hodsgon, also a noted photographer and bodybuilder, might have created more stories for this intrepid sleuth of the occult, but he unfortunately died at the youthful age of 40 in World War I.

My Review

This collection of short stories was a real pleasure to listen to.  William Hope Hodgson  is a master of creating a creepy suspense, and he manages to do that in each of these short stories.

Each story is told from the point of view of someone listening to a Carnacki as he relates one of his investigations. Carnacki it turns out, is a well known ghost hunter and people around the country ask him to investigate and deal with ghosts that are troubling them. Generally speaking these ghosts are not the sort of ghost that shouts boo, or rattles chains in the night. The ghosts in these stories are the story that rip off you head, then use it as a football, and then stuff your corpse with fish...beause its fun...for them. So yes, there are some ghastly story moments.

Sometimes the ghosts are real, sometime they're not, sometimes it turns out that to be the nephew trying to kill his uncle to get the inheritence, thus Carnacki never knows exactly what he has to deal with, and that's half the fun of these stories.

Each story is self contained, and each one is very good.The reader does a great job his voice is near perfect for the style of story.


Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

Beyond the Black River by Robert E. Howard

Official Blurb

Conan the Barbarian in this exciting story is selling his sword to one of the civilized countries to help in it's push to claim lands from the primitive Picts. The Picts are not excited about the idea however. Old gods and mythical creatures are called up by the Pict witches to contest the invading army and Conan finds himself battling for his life amid the blood thirsty hordes that include saber-toothed tigers, 40 foot long venomous snakes and a demon from another dimension who is intent on crushing him. The huge dog Slasher makes an appearance here and distinguishes himself so well in a desperate battle to delay the onrushing Picts that Conan openly praises his courage and pledges 7 Pict heads in his honor. 

My Review

I believe that this is the first Conan audiobook I have listened to. It was a real pleasure to hear one of the original stories that started this character on his journey to myth-dom...is that a word?

I read a lot of Conan books in my youth and I remember him to be a fairly uncaring kick-ass good good-guy-ish. This story backs that up. Conan is doing good, but in the end it's only because he's a sword for hire not because he's a super hero.

As the official blurb says, Conan and friends are pitched against all kind of enemies that require liberal application of hard steel and the spilled blood of foes. It's high action adventure almost from the get-go and throughly thrilling. Yeah, I loved it. 

I enjoyed the reading by Phil Chenevert. He has a sing-song voice that lilts its way through the story and I found it really very easy on the ears.


Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

The Creature from Beyond Infinity by Henry Kuttner

Official Blurb

A lone space traveler arrives on Earth seeking a new planet to colonize, his own world dead. At the same time a mysterious plague has infected Earth that will wipe out all life. Can a lone scientist stop the plague and save the world? Or will the alien find himself on another doomed planet?

My Review

This is a classic age Science Fiction story. It starts rather unusually in ancient times before humans even exist on Earth.  An alien space ship crashes on Earth and two human like aliens are the only survivors...Now you're already starting to think Adam and Eve aren't you! It's not like that, these survivors are both male. They are the only survivors of their entire race, and one of them is mortally wounded.

So starts this story, where an alien puts himself to sleep to await the rise of intelligent human life. The author makes an odd presumption here, that Human life will always arise, it being the only way intelligent life forms.

I like the way this story works, the Alien wakes up and interacts with humans a number of times and the stories of these visits are interwoven with the main story about chap living at the time the story was written. It's a super-science story where super geniuses can make anything at the drop of hat. I like these stories! This adventure is a blast and even has touching moment or two to give you contrast.

The reader is the marvelous Mark Nelson who never disapoints.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

The Flying Saucers are Real by Donald Keyhoe

Official Blurb

The Flying Saucers are Real is a book that investigates numerous encounters between USAF fighters, personnel, and other aircraft, and UFOs between 1947 and 1950. Keyhoe contended that the Air Force was actively investigating these cases of close encounter, with a policy of concealing their existence from the public until 1949. He stated that this policy was then replaced by one of cautious, progressive revelation. Keyhoe further stated that Earth had been visited by extraterrestrials for two centuries, with the frequency of these visits increasing sharply after the first atomic weapon test in 1945. Citing anecdotal evidence, he intimated the Air Force may have attained and adapted some aspect of the alien technology: its method of propulsion and perhaps its source of power. He believed the Air Force or the US Government would eventually reveal these technologies to the public when the Soviet Union was no longer a threat.

Donald E. Keyhoe, who relates here his investigation of the flying saucers, writes with twenty-five years of experience in observing aeronautical developments. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He flew in active service with the Marine Corps, managed the tour of the historic plane in which Bennett and Byrd made their North Pole flight, was aide to Charles Lindbergh after the famous Paris flight, and was chief of information for the Aeronautics Branch, Department of Commerce. 

My Review

This audobook is narrated by Roger Melin, one of my faves over at Librivox.  This is not a novel ( or at least it purports itself as investigative journalism. It follows the writers investigation into the "truth" about all of the flying saucer incident that took place after the end of WWII.

I found the whole book fascinating. The details of the cases involved, the investigative process and the reactions of those being interviewed were very well presented. I felt my own curiosity woken up by the questions the author put forwards, and  I ended up as doubtful of the official position as he did himself.

There are a number of UFO theories put forwards here that are still floating around today. I also found the assumptions and the thoughts he had about space travel were made even more interesting because they were written before we actually had space travel.

Well written, well read, totally absorbing.  If you have any interest in ufology, this is a must-listen.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter.

The Night of the Long Knives by Fritz Leiber

Official Blurb

"I was one hundred miles from Nowhere—and I mean that literally—when I spotted this girl out of the corner of my eye. I'd been keeping an extra lookout because I still expected the other undead bugger left over from the murder party at Nowhere to be stalking me." In a Post apocalyptic world, the few people left must be strong. And must not hesitate to kill. Of course, killing another Deathlander was one of the chief pleasures and urges of all the solitary wanders in this vast wasteland. Kill and kill again. But this other was a girl and that brought up the second great urge: sex. Which was it to be today? Perhaps both?

My Review

This is a short Sci Fi story in the classic style.  It's suprised me.  Next to nothing really happens and yet I found myself hooked.

The whole story is more or less a monologue with the odd bit of conversation thrown in. The protagonist lays out the events and the describes everything as the story goes along, all from the first person perspective, and I found it absorbing from the outset.  Radioactive dust clouds, murdering people for a living and living on the edge of survival all make for a quite unusual playground.

Now I said that next to nothing happens, physically that is.  The characters talk, and the protagonist "thinks" to us, and boy does he think a lot of things.  We get to understand the dangers motivations and drives of the lead character as he considers almost every option or possible meaning behinds everyone's smallest actions.

If you want a lot of action in your Sci Fi, this book isn't for you, if you're happy to hear what the protagonist is thinking in great detail you'll like this.  As to the reader, he comes at the book in an upbeat almost jovial style. During the first chapter I found that a little jarring, the upbeat tones versus the rather gritty content, but I soon got over that and enjoyed the book.


Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first part

Fighting the Flying Circus by Eddie Rickenbacker

Official Blurb

This is the WWI memoirs of Medal of Honor winner, Capt Eddie Rickenbacker. He fought in and eventually became commander of the 94th "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron, which ended the war with the highest number of air victories of any American squadron. The circus mentioned in the title refers to the German squadron commanded by the famous Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.

My Review

As a producer of audio books relating to WWI I was really interested in listening to this free offering from Librivox. I was not disappointed. As the description says its the memoirs of Captain Rickenbacker and it starts out with him joining up and having to fly hand-me-down aircraft that are really quite pitiful. These aircraft were not only slower and less manoeuvrable that the German aircraft they had a tendency for the wing covering to peel off in flight!

It's quite a fascinating listen. Rickenbacker is not a natural pilot ace, as you follow his story you'll hear him working on his tactics trying to work out how to defeat the enemy. he has to keep learning as his squadron keeps getting new missions. They attack enemy fighters, then bombers, strafe the ground and even take on observation balloons.

Later they get better planes and the tables are turned, and they even come up against the famous ace pilots of Flying Circus mentioned in the title.

If you have interest in WWI, then this is a natural for you to download, and I reccomend that you do.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first part

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This World Is Taboo by Murray Leinster

Official Blurb

Calhoun is an Interstellar Medical Serviceman, and he's needed on Dara. Trouble is: Dara is forbidden. Taboo. And breaking quarantine will make Calhoun a presumed plague-carrier and subject to being shot on sight by anyone from Weald. But hey! If he did the smart thing, we wouldn't have a story! But why are men from Dara shooting at him?

My Review

This is a classic Sci Fi story and it's a good one. The protagonist is the typical hero, no a muscle bound hero, but one that works with his mind. The story starts with him arriving for a very late appointment at the planet Weald. But instead of being welcomed, he's immediately questioned about who what and where he's been. This is the opening of a story that presents the hero with a desperate situation where his very life is in peril, but his duty will not allow him to step away.

I really enjoyed the story and Marks reading was a real joy. He brought the characters to life and made the whole book a project he should be proud of.

If your a fan of classic sci fi stories then is one you should definitely download.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 9/9

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Listen to the first part

Skylark Three by E.E. Smith

Official Blurb

This is a sequel to The Skylark of Space. The novel concerns Richard Seaton and his allies who have encounters with aliens while fighting DuQuesne and the Fenachrone.

My Review

This is a classic Sci Fi story from a classic author. It contains super science, space battles, aliens everything I like. Except I didn't like it.

Why? I think it went on a bit. Some chapters felt like they were inserted just to fill out space rather then advance the plot! There was quite a bit of blathering on about learning new science and going for a swim being necessary when working. What?!

Other than these down bits the action was rather good when it got going. Slicing ships up, smashing them with torpedoes, traveling faster than light into combat and even a ticking time bomb of dread - when will the bad guys arrive.

Yet in the end I was glad when it ended.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 1/3

Total Score 5/9

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Listen to the first part

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Fourteen Months in American Bastiles by Francis Key Howard

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

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Listen to the first part

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

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Listen to the first part

The Silent Bullet by Arthur B. Reeve

Official Blurb

The many adventures of Professor Craig Kennedy were chronicled by Arthur B. Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936). Reeve was an American mystery writer who created 82 Craig Kennedy mystery stories. The stories have a very Sherlock Holmes type feel, In fact Kennedy has been referred to as the "American Shelock Holmes". Along with his reporter friend, Walter Jameson, Kennedy solves many crimes and unveils mysteries using science.

Each story features a facinating look at life in the early 20th century, and even includes some action along the way.

My Review

I'm really not sure what to say about this book! It's a collection of short stories about a Professor who is investigating crimes. As the blurb suggests the character is a Sherlock Holmes clone. He does perhaps rely more on forensic science rather than deductive reasoning, but the differene is only marginal.

Simply put, if you like Sherlock Holmes, I think this will be right up your alley. I'm a Sherlock fan and really did like this audio book. The stories are varied as they should be in such a collection but all revolve around the solving of a crime.

The reader is pretty good. He gives the lead character a very nasal voice. I thjought that an odd choice at first, but in the end it makes the story all the more clear for its distinctiveness. A pretty good job.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first part

Stand by for Mars by Carey Rockwell

Official Blurb

Tom Corbett - Space Cadet was one of the first multimedia sensations. In the 1950s the character had his own radio show, TV series, comic book, breakfast cereal, and a line of young-adult novels. A cross between "Tom Brown's School Days" and Horatio Hornblower (and loosely based upon Robert A. Heinlein's novel "Space Cadet"), the books follow the adventures of Tom and his friends Roger Manning and Astro as they work their way through Space Academy to become officers of the Solar Guard. Along the way they tangle with space pirates, smugglers, and the threat of demerits for breaking the rules.

My Review

This is a pure sci fi story in the true 1950's/60's tradition. Unlike many such stories, in this book the protagonists are not all super expert and good at everything. The characters in this story have their faults and don't all get along. This makes the story much more interesting.

The story follows the exploits of a group of young cadets as they work through training and even get sent on their first mission, which, of course in such boys-own stories does not go according to plan. As the blurb says they encounter all kinds of problems that need to be overcome.

It's got all of the great story elements of classic sci fi. Hero's, space ships, high tech and bad guys, and they're put together in a fun light story that will keep any sci fi happy.

Don't expect hard hitting gritty story here, it's light pop corn literature.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first part

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Operation Terror by Murray Leinster

Official Blurb

An unidentified space ship lands in a Colorado lake. Equipped with a paralyzing ray weapon, the creatures begin taking human prisoners. A loan land surveyor and a journalist are trapped inside the Army cordon, which is helpless against the mysterious enemy. Can they stop the aliens before it is too late?

My Review

This a classic Sci Fi story set on earth when aliens turn up with super weapons. As the blurb says, it actually follows the exploits of a few ordinary people caught up in the attack. The characters are pretty believable and I have to say I found the main protagonist to be my kind of guy. Driven by love yet honourably self deprecating makes for a character I'll cheer for.

The plot closely follows the protagonist as he has to look after himself and his friends while the aliens buld up their base of operations and send out patrols.

The book runs for just over five hours but it didn't seem like that long because the story was captivating and the reader Mark Nelson gave a brilliant delivery.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

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Listen to the first part

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Officer 666 by Barton Wood Currie and Augustin McHugh

Official Blurb

Bored with his life as a wealthy businessman's only son, Travers Gladwin learns of a plot by a renowned art burglar to rob his house, so rather than thwart the planned burglary, he borrows a police uniform from a friend and decides to confront the robber by posing as an officer. When the burglar arrives at the house, he tries to pass himself off as Travers Gladwin. From there, things only get more complicated, including the arrival of the burglar's girlfriend who believes that her beau is the wealthy man's son.

My Review

This is a comedic farce in the best tradition of such things. If you like P.G. Wodehouse's farces, then this will be right up your street.

This story does rely on a certain suspension of disbelief, the characters making somewhat odd decisions that lead to outrageous situations. This is to be expected of course otherwise there would be no farce! In fact, now I think about it, it's not just farce, characters in horror stories make odd decisions too!

The lead characters are all attractive to the listener and although perhaps not as distinct as Wodehouse's characters, they are the sort of people you'll laugh along with their antics. There are no real bad-guys in the story, even the thief is a likeable rogue.

The reader lends a voice to the story that is perfectly paced for this kind of story, he doesn't race through the comedy moments nor dawdle in between. This kind of pacing helps you keep track of things, and you need to do that in a farce.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

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Listen to the first part

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The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, volume I

Official Blurb

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758 – 21 October 1805) was an English flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He won several victories, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, during which he was killed. These are the letters that he wrote to Lady Hamilton, with whom he was having a notorious affair until his death in 1805.

My Review

I have to admit to being a bit of fan of history. I've also read pretty much every "action under sail" type of novel I have ever got my hands on. Also I might add, blowing my own trumpet, the first audio book I ever recorded was "The Death of Lord Nelson".

So with those caveats in place let me tell you what I thought about this book... I loved it!

As the title suggests it is a series of letters from a man to his lover. Each of them is facinating on a couple of levels. I really enjoyed the little details to be found here. From the delightful way he would sign off dedicating himself to his lady, to the details of the admiralty politics.

Little historical facts pop out of these letters that give you facinating insights into how life was for these people. For instance that letters sent via the admiralty had weight limits, that they often had to be redirected, that workers for the postal service took fiscal advantage of people who didn't know better.

The letters also show just how human "Nelson" was, how worried about offending people, how money troubles pursued him, how he hated black guards!

I can't really tell you more without ruining the delight you might discover for yourselves.

The only down side is that this book is not voiced by just one person and the change of voice can be distracting when the letters come from the same person.

Reading 2/3
Production 1/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 5/9

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Listen to the first part

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