This was an amazing story of adventure and the fact that it is based off of real life factual events makes it all the better. ☺

Very interesting and educational book - I knew little about the civil war and nothing about this part of it. The book had humor and intrigue even though you know from early on how it ends. I would highly recommend this "listen".

This is not one of those "more of the same" old Civil War stories. This was an exciting adventure, that was daring, complex, and told in a masterful way. Mr. Bonds did a fabulous job in researching the historic train theft, and carefully extracting truths from so much bravado and Hollywood fiction that has become attached to this event thorough time. Bronson Pinchot delivered a superb performance in his reading. The story and performance kept me involved through the whole listening experience. I believe this book spans more than just an historical account of the great train theft. It was a thrilling listen and would be even a better movie, if they would stick to story as the author has presented it to us.

In high school I discovered Buster Keaton's 1926 silent move "The General" it is still my favorite movie. Little did I know that it was based on a true story! The Great Locomotive Chase, or Andrew's Raid occurred on April 12, 1862 in northern Georgia.

Two civilians and 22 Union soldiers (mainly from Ohio) volunteered for a mission to steal a railroad engine and destroy track and telegraph in Georgia and Tennessee. They snuck behind enemy lines, boarded the train at Marietta GA, and while the crew and passengers were off the train having breakfast at Big Shanty GA (now Kennesaw), they uncoupled the passenger cars and left. The raid might have succeeded, but an engineer from the stolen General pursued them along with others.

I loved Bond's book which includes Civil War history before and after the engine theft,the planning, the chase, details of men involved (both the 23 Yankees who stole the engine and the Confederates who followed), what happened after the war, and the place in history of the many players involved. Since many of the Union soldiers were given the first Medal of Honor, the book also provides history about that decoration for valor.

Finally, the fate of the two engines? The General is in the Confederate History and Railroad Museum in Kennesaw GA and the pursuing Texan is in the lobby of the Cyclorama Museum building in Atlanta.

The book would have been more intriguing if the ending was unknown and not told at the beginning. Although there were some exciting passages, I found it slow going. Knowing the end, the difficulties became predictable failures.

This book could be considerably shortened - by at least a third, or even by half. It is filled with excruciating detail that begins to seem like historical filler. An abridged version in recommended.

No. I have read and listened to many Civil War histories, including Shelby Foote's multi-volume work. This book was disappointing but not enough to turn me off from other histories about the Civil War.

No, this is my first book that he narrated.

No - see my comments above

Bronson Pinchot is an excellent reader - good rhythm and intonation.

I have only listened to the audio version.

I have not listened to any other of Mr Pinchot's readings that I am aware of. I did not realize until after I had completed parts 1 and 2 that he was the reader being familiar with one of his past tv series. I did think, quite a few times during listening to the book that the narrator was very good.

No, it was too long for that.

I have had this book on my wish list for many months but I only recently got it because it was on sale for 4.95. I have listened to many audiobooks on the civil war. I had read the summary and thought "what the heck". After a slow start, this was a fascinating story that I was not aware of. I found it to be very entertaining and highly recommend it.

Someone who is very technically oriented and just wants the facts... not so much a story.

After two chapters I was not close to learning about The General.

Make no mistake: this is a complete, thoroughly researched, and well-organized account of one of the most infamous events of the Civil War. The Audible version is also well-narrated by Bronson Pinchot (that's right- "Balki" from Perfect Strangers). Unfortunately, I found myself constantly thinking about how many other Civil War heroes undoubtedly had far greater stories that were never told and/or never achieved the notoriety of this tale. It's not surprising that many of the movies, speeches, and books that previously dealt with this story felt the need to "embellish" the facts.