Area 51

By: Bob Mayer, Robert Doherty

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Bob Mayer, writing as Robert Doherty....

Deep in the Nevada desert is the most secure compound in the United States: Area 51.

The most chilling experiment of all time is about to begin there. The President doesn’t know about it. Just a few scientists and military personnel working for Majestic-12 do, and they are about to make a very big mistake....

Former Green Beret Mike Turcotte, assigned to Nightscape, security for Area 51, begins to realize things aren’t as they seem. Deep inside the Great Pyramid in Giza, an archeologist makes a startling discovery in the lowest chamber. On Easter Island, what are the giant statues guarding? What was Thule and why were the Nazis so intent on finding it during World War II? What are the strange stones off the coast of Bimini? All these clues and more add up to a frightening countdown that could bring about the end of our planet. Turcotte and Presidential Science Adviser Lisa Duncan must race against time to save the world from the secret hidden at Area 51.

Over 1.5 Million copies of Area 51 sold—also author of the best-selling Atlantis series.

©2011 Bob Mayer (P)2011 Bob Mayer

Critic reviews

Praise for Bob Mayer: "Spell-binding! Will keep you on the edge of your seat. Call it techno-thriller, call it science fiction, call it just terrific story-telling.” (Terry Brooks, best-selling author of the Shannara series and Star Wars: Phantom Menace)

Interesting book

I confused this book with one of the same title Area 51 by Annie Jacobsen, however; the book was very interesting and action packed, with some real historical facts. I enjoyed listening to this book, no regrets.

not the best

I'm kind of at a loss for words. I guess it's a typical alien conspiracy theory book. It starts vary slowly and then things pick up a bit. There isn't really a climax at the end. It just sort of stops and leaves you hanging wanting more. I think I may listen to more of the series, but I'll try to find something better on my wish list first. Oh, and the narrator is mediocre at best. His monotone is kind of dry and just barely tolerable.

My second time through and still love this book

I read this book way back when it came out back in 1997 and the entire series. I wish they would make this into an actual movie or series to showcase the story. I highly recommend this book if you like science fiction, military and aliens written in a story that is very palatable.

Great book.

Very entertaining read. I got this book on sale and it turned out to be great. Just be prepared that this is fiction. They mention facts that are meant to be fictional. When I realized this, I was able to enjoy the book. Also, this book was written in 1997, and they mention an iPhone. Apparently they changed some stuff in the audio version.

Great Story!

What made the experience of listening to Area 51 the most enjoyable?

Easily written, but not too simple. I like that it has all the criteria that I love in a book: science, fiction, history, aliens, military action.... This is a great story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

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

Absolutely! I could barely put it down.

Pleasantly Surprising!

I have been interested in Area 51 and the UFO thing ever since I saw one myself…many years ago. When I saw this book, I purchased it with some trepidation, expecting a way out SciFi. But as the story went along, I found myself more and more intrigued until the book completed! Amazingly, I had listened to the entire book and had NOT become bored or disappointed with it. Warning…if you have any interest in this story line, it will lead to the other books in the series. I'm on book 4 now. Still intrigued!

Pretty good if you like UFO stories

As far as the story goes, I really enjoyed the handing of the UFOs and their origins. This particular book though seemed like it lacked an ending. That tends to be this author's style but on the flip-side, he then does a good job of continuing the story in subsequent books to the point that you feel like you've read one long story rather than multiple books in a series. If that type of storytelling annoys you then you might want to avoid this series and pick a different one. While I found this series enjoyable, I prefer the author's Atlantis series over this one as far as the reading experience. I haven't listened to the audible version of that series yet though so I can't speak to how good the audio versions are.

As far as the narrator goes, I wish the rating system offered half stars. I consider 3 stars to be adequate but Kafer's performance was above adequate just not quite into the good or great. In his defense... I felt almost like I was reading mission briefings rather than reading a story but, given the military aspect of the book, maybe that was intentional...

Brain Candy for Sci-Fi Lovers

If you're looking for deep conspiracy/alien cover up books stop here.
This novel is very much what I call Brain Candy and it's action packed, low on accuracy and high on TV movie fun.

It's fun, easy to listen and just as easy to walk away from too.

The reader makes it better for certain.

Hey, I had a busy day and I was looking for something to listen while working and this fit the bill.

As other readers noted: the ending is a little to snappy and neat. I felt like the author rushed to resolve things and lost perspective. If there's a sequel, I'll think about picking it up.

Good Story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. The story was interesting and I enjoyed how the author brought elements in from other mysteries around the globe.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The flying machines.

What three words best describe Jeffrey Kafer’s performance?

Very good.

Was Area 51 worth the listening time?

Yes.

And so it begins!!!!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Area 51 to be better than the print version?

I had read this book first as I could not get the audio on tape or cd as it was published many years ago. For me audio is always better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Area 51?

The build up giving you info about area 51, very visual.

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

He is an excellent narrater, he has a very descriptive way of telling the story.
It flows very well. Shame he did not do the whole series i.e. The Grail

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I think its when the military with all their tech come across the phew Fighters

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this series of 10 books. the story finishes at "the Truth" but the rest really add to the area 51 universe. "The Grail" apart from the worst narration I have ever heard is an excellent story so you have to suffer to get the full story.