Jeff Shaara, like his father before him, brings history into our lives through his fiction. But this time he has turned his pen on the prequel to his Civil War work. In the Mexican War of 1847, from the gnat infested beaches of Vera Cruz to the walls of Mexico City, we fight alongside those who, in fifteen years, will be battling one another in civil war: Jackson, Johnston, Pickett, Beauregard, Grant and Lee. But Shaara's most impressive achievement is his majestic characterization of Winfield Scott, whom the Duke of Wellington called the greatest general of his age. Actor Jonathan Davis has seemingly the perfect voice for each of these characters, from the quiet, self-effacing Captain Lee to the brash and courtly Pierre Beauregard. Even the strutting of Mexican General Santa Anna is carried off in near-perfect Spanish. But this book really highlights Winfield Scott, and Davis's Scott is as large-voiced as "old fuss and feathers" must have been in life. He fumes, he froths, he cajoles, but he also wins an impossible war and our affections as well. A must-read for military history buffs.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2000
Duration: 19 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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
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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