• Empires of Sand

  • By: David Ball
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 27 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (259 ratings)

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Empires of Sand  By  cover art

Empires of Sand

By: David Ball
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

After four trips to the Sahara and extensive historical research, David Ball crafted this sweeping adventure novel spanning two continents and 15 years. Set against a backdrop of the crumbling French Empire’s attempts to colonize the Sahara Desert, Empires of Sand follows the lives of two cousins who are raised as brothers but destined to become enemies. It is 1870, and France is at war with Prussia. The son of a French count and a Saharan noblewoman, Moussa has been born to privilege. His cousin Paul will be an Army Officer like his father. For two young boys, the siege of Paris is merely another grand adventure. But as tensions rise, the French become more and more suspicious of “outsiders.” When Moussa and his mother are forced to flee to her homeland, it will be 10 years before Moussa and Paul meet again—on opposite sides of a brutal battle for control of the Sahara. David Ball has created a swashbuckling tale with something for everyone. With his masterful narration, George Guidall perfectly captures the struggles of two men as their personal loyalties shift in a rapidly changing world.

©1999 David W. Ball (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

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What listeners say about Empires of Sand

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

more like "quick sand" just kept sucking!

Would you try another book from David Ball and/or George Guidall?

I love George Guidall and even he couldn't save this story.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

He made the book tolerable

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Ho Hum

Has Empires of Sand turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Not as strong a story as I thought it would be very ho hum. I like historical and factual stories and I think this was a bit lacking in attention catching. Sorry. Not for me.

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