Blaine

This is one of my favorite later works of Heinlein. I purchased the original version with a male reader that left quite a bit to be desired. This reader seemed to portray the book substantially better... until the deadly words were encountered.
Please, readers, try to familiarize yourself with terms in science and, if necessary, military and quasi-military. The thing that kills an audio book worse than anything else is when the reader hasn't a clue what they're reading. The most egregious example of this in this book was the substitution of the word "commandment" for the title of "commandant". There were other instances, but this one just stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb.
If you can grit your teeth and avoid rolling your eyes (especially if listening while driving) when one of these goofs occurs, then the rest of the book is actually quite passable and well done.

This book has been one of my favorites since I was a teenager and has been a constant re-read over the years. I've always liked the story line and the fast-paced action. When I first saw this book, I was hesitant to buy because of the reader. I was unsure of Mr. Pinchot's ability and I know how bad readers can really destroy a good book. All I can say after listening is: Oh My Goodness! I have moved Mr. Pinchot into my top readers group. The only one ahead of him is Jim Dale, and it's a close race. His characterizations are spot on, and greatly enhance the story line. This book, read as it is, makes fabulous entertainment. This will be in my short list of re-listens. If you're new to Poul Anderson definitely listen to a great author. If you're new to Mr. Pinchot as a reader, definitely listen to this.

I read this book when it was first published and truly enjoyed it. I was ecstatic when it was available here. I had my first letdown when the reader hit his first female voice. I had to stop working to see if I had inadvertently switched to a Monty Python recording. Most of the women in the book are made to sound as if they'd jumped right out of a Monty Python skit.
Don't get me wrong, the reader is truly talented for his male voice range, he should either put a lot of work on the female voices he does, or just quit trying to sound female. Other readers can do it, and for someone of his talents otherwise, it might be the best bet.
My other problem with the book has already been mentioned: the pronunciation of "Manitcoran." Apparently, I'm going to have to endure this for any of the "Honorverse" books that come out.
The book easily rates 5 stars. This is Weber at his best with complex plots and characters from all over the galaxy conspiring to bring harm to the star kingdom. I had to knock off 1 star for the reader. After listening long enough, you can get used to the cringe-inducing female voices and just enjoy the story.

I have everything David Weber has written either as a real book (he's classed as "Buy In Hardbound", which few authors in my library have achieved) or eBook. The book is great. It's an extremely good series about Honor's rise to prominence over her career. That's the good part.
The bad part: the narrator. For the love of all that's holy, is it impossible for these readers to know their subject material? How this one reconciles the pronunciation between Manticore and Manticoran is beyond me. There are other similar issues, but this one is like a knife to the ears every time. Some of here characterizations are crazy. In a universe set hundreds of light years from Earth, where do all these French and Cockney accents come from?
I've already resigned myself to having to live with this, since I'm determined to own the series. Please, producer, remember that there's a difference between being able to read and doing so competently. This one falls far short. My rating is for the story. The reader should be given one star. Or maybe even go into negative territory.

I first read this book quite a few years ago. The concept was certainly intriguing--everyone you know or know of from your lifetime or history is resurrected along the banks of a river that makes the Amazon look like spring runoff. I really enjoyed Sir Richard Francis Burton as the protagonist through the series and enjoyed appearances by other characters like Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) and Hermann Goering. How everyone reacts to conditions both more advanced that they had known during life and also more primitive makes for an excellent series.
I hope that we get the rest of these books in the near future and that the World of Tiers series comes about, too.

I heard a short review of this book on a podcast and immediately picked it up. It's everything that the review led me to believe--an well-told story. The author keeps the story moving and coherent throughout the book. I didn't stumble in any plot holes, and the book followed a logical progression. The narrator also did a good job bringing the book to life. I'm looking forward to the next volume and hope that Audible picks up the others.