The Whiskey Rebels

By: David Liss

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 18 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Ethan Saunders, once among General Washington's most valued spies, now lives in disgrace, haunting the taverns of Philadelphia. An accusation of treason has long since cost him his reputation and his beloved fiancée, Cynthia Pearson, but at his most desperate moment he is recruited for an unlikely task: finding Cynthia's missing husband.

To help her, Saunders must serve his old enemy, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, who is engaged in a bitter power struggle with political rival Thomas Jefferson over the creation of the fragile young nation's first real financial institution: the Bank of the United States.

Meanwhile, Joan Maycott is a young woman married to another Revolutionary War veteran. With the new states unable to support their ex-soldiers, the Maycotts make a desperate gamble: trade the chance of future payment for the hope of a better life on the western Pennsylvania frontier.

There, amid hardship and deprivation, they find unlikely friendship and a chance for prosperity with a new method of distilling whiskey. But on an isolated frontier, whiskey is more than a drink; it is currency and power, and the Maycotts' success attracts the brutal attention of men in Hamilton's orbit, men who threaten to destroy all Joan holds dear.

As their causes intertwine, Joan and Saunders - both patriots in their own way - find themselves on opposing sides of a daring scheme that will forever change their lives and their new country.The Whiskey Rebels is a superb rendering of a perilous age and a nation nearly torn apart - and David Liss's most powerful novel yet.

©2008 David Liss (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

it took me from marginal interest to intense.

a wonderful creation and portrayal of a character who was an enigma to himself and others.

Excellent Story, Excellent Narrator

I purchased this book on sale, and, wow, what a bargain I got. For one thing, I got two protagonists for the price of one. The story follows one protagonist in the present while the other has to catch up through time, entertaining stories both. We know the two are destined to meet in the present, but under what auspices I'll leave to your surprise. A very effective formula. And I can't say enough about Christopher Lane's narration. Pitch perfect throughout. Perhaps what makes me happiest, having discovered David Liss, I have a treasure trove of entertaining books awaiting my enjoyment. I will also shop other authors who''s books are narrated by Christopher Lane.

Not quite what I expected but better.

What made the experience of listening to The Whiskey Rebels the most enjoyable?

One of the primary characters - Ethan Saunders - has a personality that seems to me a blend of Heinlein's fall back avatar Lazarus Long (or Jubal Harshaw... Same personality under a different guise) and the extroverted, swashbuckling ladies-man Captain Jack Sparrow. He is far more of a character-type seemingly associated with a private detective than what we might think of as a former spy... Ethan Saunders becomes almost loveable as a result.

I also found the shifting back and forth between Ethan Saunders and Joan Maycott to be the convenient method for explaining the lives of the counter protagonists and the cause/effect for not only their lives but to build the tension towards the inevitable collision of their two worlds.

What does Christopher Lane bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I found his narration increasingly convincing to a point I even forgot it was a man reading the part of women in the change over.

Any additional comments?

I had expected a more direct account relating to the Whiskey Rebellion and found that it was more of a side story to the overall adventure - the underlying current - but not really the primary focus. However, I was pleasantly involved in the story by the third chapter to not be able to out it down.

Excellent book made better by the reader

If you could sum up The Whiskey Rebels in three words, what would they be?
Among Liss' best.

What other book might you compare The Whiskey Rebels to and why?
As good as "The Coffee Trader, but far funnier and more witty.

Which character – as performed by Christopher Lane – was your favorite?
The protagonist. Christopher Lane perfectly expresses the tone of a highly intelligent, high-functioning alcoholic. His intonation added a great deal to the already superb text. I had not encountered him before, but in this reading he rivals Simon Vance and the other superstars.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The protagonist's false deprecations and witty asides were hilarious. There were many.

Any additional comments?
A fantastic listen.

I really liked this book...but

mostly because I loved the writing and the protagonist (Ethan) as much, rather,more than the story. He steals the show. The plot is sometimes confusing...and a little bit of a stretch...as are the other characters ...but those small criticisms aside, the author has created a wonderful tale and delivered with an 18th century prose and style that is...well TERRIFIC! Difficult to recall a picaresque hero I’ve enjoyed more. Bravo Whiskey Rebels.

Could have been a bit shorter

Well written and interesting. I thought it was a bit long and convoluted But enjoyed it in a cool rainy Florida day

Great Historical Fiction

I have listened to many David Liss novels and this is one of his best. Well developed charachters, historical insight, and finely crafted plot made this one I sat in the driveway and listened to because I wasn't ready to stop. Christopher Lane did an excellent job with the narration. I always enjoy a book more when each character has his/her own distinct manner of speaking. I highly reccomend this book and this author.

Good Book

I really liked this book. I thought the narrator was excellent. He really conveyed personality for each of the characters. The story was interesting, and I would recommend this audiobook. I think it is better than "The Coffee Trader" by the same author.

Engaging Historical Fiction

Good writing, flawed main characters, famous historical politicians, complex plot. What's not to like?

I absolutely loved this book.

I am a huge colonial history buff and this book combined really interesting history with a Great story and wonderful characters. The narrator is perfect and does a fantastic job worth both main characters.