by Jeff Shaara ; read by Dick Estell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 1998
The son of the late Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Shaara, Jeff Shaara, finishes his father's vision, begun in the fictionalized account of the Battle of Gettysburg, THE KILLER ANGELS. Chronologically, GODS AND GENERALS takes us from before the Civil War to the invasion of the North after the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. The characters many listeners have grown to revere are introduced here: James Longstreet, Robert E. Lee, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and Winfield S. Hancock, among others. New to this cast and appearing only in this work is Confederate icon "Stonewall" Jackson, who was mortally wounded by his own men at Chancellorsville. Like his father, Shaara ably conveys the thoughts of each person as he is faced with a particular situation. Estell adds to his well-deserved reputation in this recording. He does not attempt to give each of the many characters a distinct voice. A slight shift in tone, a change of inflection, or shift in pace is all he needs to express the thoughts or mood of a character. Narrative portions are read as adroitly.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 1998
Duration: 19 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Lauren Francis-Sharma ; read by Ron Butler & Bahni Turpin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2015
Awards & Accolades
Our Verdict
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An astonishingly unique historical novel, which begins in Trinidad in the 1940s, this is an example of the best that an audiobook can offer. The two narrators, Ron Butler and Bahni Turpin, are superb choices who move the listener smoothly between the two main characters. Farook and Marcia Garcia are star-crossed lovers who don’t have fate on their side. Turpin evokes the rhythms of English as spoken in Trinidad, lyrical, and rhythmic. Through her confident narrative style, Marica Garcia comes across as a strong, beleaguered young woman. Her trials evoke empathy in the listener. Butler establishes the contorted choices that face Farook as an Indian man who is prevented by racism from marrying his true love. This sprawling tale spans Trinidad and the United States, from the 1940s-1960s.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Duration: 13 hrs
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by Bernard Cornwell ; read by Jack Hawkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 8, 2013
In this stand-alone novel set during the Hundred Years' War, Thomas of Hookton, hero of Cornwell's Grail Quest trilogy, returns with his band of mercenaries in pursuit of the sword of Saint Peter—a holy relic said to bestow great power. Naturally, others are also in pursuit and are determined to win the sword at any cost. Jack Hawkins delivers a stunning performance of this dramatic novel of political intrigue and military battle. Throughout, he effortlessly distinguishes characters from all over Western Europe through various accents. Hawkins's thoughtful reading reveals the emotions of the characters, enhancing their portrayals. His performance is full of energy during Cornwell's signature battle scenes, offering the listener a visceral experience of war.
Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062209344
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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