The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor

By: Robert Kirkman, Jay Bonansinga

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Following in the footsteps of the New York Times best-selling graphic novels and the record-breaking new television show, this debut novel in a trilogy of original Walking Dead books chronicles the back story of the comic book series' greatest villain, The Governor.

In the Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it’s forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople’s amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. The Governor was voted “Villain of the Year” by Wizard magazine the year he debuted, and his story arc was the most controversial arc in the history of The Walking Dead comic book series. Now, for the first time, fans of The Walking Dead will discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.

©2011 Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“If the comic book writer Robert Kirkman were a superhero, his name might be the Midas Touch.” ( The New York Times)

Great read

Great read for any Walking Dead fan. Truly enjoyed. Well put together. can't wait to read the next

Great book for Walking Dead fans

What made the experience of listening to The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor the most enjoyable?

This is a must read for Walkind Dead fans. Well narrated.

What did you like best about this story?

We learn key information about the Governor!

Great voice! Great writing!

The perfect narrator tells the infamous story of "the governor" in one of TWDs best storylines.
The insight the show and the novels were lacking but is filles in perfectly

AMAZING!

I've never listened to an audio book before and was very happy with my first choice. Great voice work, amazing story. I would listen to a chapter at a time to and from work and I found myself looking forward to my daily drive. Great ending helps you understand the Governor and vote for him instead of the original Walking Dead crew, which I love. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series.

Comics, Book, TV show. GREAT!

Although this does not match the other versions of this apocalypse that Kirkman has created, it holds strong. This book, like the comic and TV show explores the characters that may be created if zombies arose.
I think RK is trying to work out the best way to get this nightmare out of his head. He is doing very well in my humble opinion.

The Governor like you've never seen!

He's merciless, vengeful, calculating and overall one of the most sinister villains in the TWD universe. This book provides more than just the story of how the Governor came to Woodbury but how someone like him came to be. The world that created such a monster is described in vivid imagery that doesn't pull any punches with the horrors it brings. Exceptional performance by the narrator completes this book and makes it one I will listen to again and again.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

A twisted and heartbreaking story of how The Governor comes to be. The Governor is a cruel and inhumane man, but he was not always that way. He was once a gentle and timid fellow who fell into despair after losing everything. This is the story of how he lost it all and how he fell from grace.

Pure 'Walking Dead' Gold

For anyone who has enjoyed the Walking Dead graphic novels or TV series - or who just loves a good Zombie Apocolypse - this book is great. It's a good story with great descriptions and a real human factor.

The authors also did a superb job of depicting what it might take to make a pretty normal person become truly ruthless and to embrace evil.

If you've read the graphic novels, though, the ending just might blow your mind. I know it did mine.

Highly recommended!!

Loved it!

What made the experience of listening to The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor the most enjoyable?

reminded me of a time when I cleaned for a woman that listened to books on records.

What other book might you compare The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor to and why?

The Servant of the Bones. Very vivid emage of what characters where thinking

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

He was very consistant with his characters' voices so I always knew who was talking or thinking

If you could take any character from The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Penny after she turned, roadkill would do, cheap meal.

Any additional comments?

when will the Rise of Michonne come out?

Allows me to scratch my Walking Dead itch

Would you consider the audio edition of The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor to be better than the print version?

I think the voice acting/narration of this book was done very well and I think would be better than the print version.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

If you can't get enough of the Walking Dead AMC show then this book will totally fill in the empty time between TV episodes allowing you to satisfy your zombie cravings. I also loved getting the back story of the Governor.