Narrator David Atlas’s performance is true to the tone and spirit of Flanagan’s account of Australian WWII POWs’ building of the railway between Thailand and Burma. It’s a story of bravery, mateship, starvation, disease, abject misery, and death. Atlas perfectly captures the Australian character as well as conveying the stomach-churning horror of the death camps. This makes for mighty uncomfortable listening at times when steeling the nerves becomes necessary. Dorrigo Evans, officer and doctor at the camp, is praised for his courage during the war despite feeling undeserving of the accolades. Dorrigo is obsessed by the affair he had with his uncle’s wife before the war. It’s a pulpy and cheesy romance that doesn’t feel worthy of such an important story, but Atlas does his best to give it some dignity.
Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2014
Duration: 15 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781483021430
Publisher: Blackstone 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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