The Callahan Chronicals

By: Spider Robinson

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 16 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

This omnibus edition contains the trio of books that introduced the world to Mike Callahan, Jake Stonebender, Doc Webster, Mickey Finn, Fast Eddie Costigan, Long-Drink McGonnigle, Ralph Von Wau Wau, and the rest of the regulars of Callahan's Place, in the stories that helped Spider Robinson to win both a John W. Campbell Award and a legion of fans.

Callahan's Crosstime Saloon is the neighborhood tavern to all of time and space, where the regulars are anything but. These time travelers, talking dogs, alcoholic vampires, and cybernetic aliens really, truly care about each other. It's the rare kind of place where bad puns are as appreciated as good conversation.

Time Travelers Strictly Cash is their policy. Lay your money on the bar, name your poison, step up to the line drawn on the barroom floor, and after drinking make a toast and throw the glass into the fireplace. It's an odd tradition but one that's led to some interesting stories.

Callahan's Secret may be something even the regulars would never guess. Then again, it may be as simple as listening to those post-toast stories. After all, like Callahan says, shared pain is lessened and shared joy is increased, a simple concept that could, after a few drinks, lead to saving the world.

©1997 Spider Robinson (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Robinson is the hottest writer to hit science fiction since Ellison, and he can match the master's frenetic energy and emotional intensity, arm-break for gut-wrench." (Los Angeles Times)
"Tall tales....fine and funny....A significant achievement for light humor!" (Houston Post)

Punday Night comes to life

If you're already a Callahan's regular you don't need any encouragement. If "The Place" is new to you, come on in, we've been waiting for you. What took you so long?

Barrett Whitener's reading does Spider's creations proud. Audible, thanks for finally getting the right strings pulled to bring Spider's books into the fold - MORE, MORE!

And, yes, as Spider once told Ben Bova - "apparently it is supposed to hit the fan"

Probably a better read than listen

A friend who loves puns suggested this book to me. Since I rarely find time to read I figured I would give the audiobook a try. Probably not the best idea...

The narrator is extremely dry with not much emotion put into the characters. He kinda drones on and on. Also the book is a collection of shorter stories that take place at different times and about different people and the narrator doesn't even pause for a breath between the chapters. It really needed longer pauses and maybe a chapter title announced so you know when they happen. One minute a guy is talking about his army days and then the next there is an alien saying he is about to destroy Earth and you have no idea when this transition took place. I found myself scratching my head often and rewinding it unsure if I missed something.

Overall the stories seem decent. I am about halfway through it and I would say I was gripped by about half of stories so far. They have a lot to do with morality, reconciliation, and forgiveness. I was going through a tough fallout with a friend at the time of reading this and it helped me to realize that forgiveness is not always deserved if the other person doesn't put forth the effort to make things right.

If you like punny humor you would probably get a kick out of this book. I found it to be fun but again it would probably be better to read because often the punchlines would go over my head and they might not have if I was able to read it instead.

Magnificent

My dad told me about this a long time ago. I guess I purchased this because I needed to. Now that I have, my dad and I have been able to share the joys and the pains of less and increased value. Brilliantly, and still even better, across time.

original and FUNNY

love these books, and performed perfectly. I'm a big fan of pun-ishment so this is great!

mary's place

shared pain is diminished shared joy expanded! Thank you Mr Robinson. see ya at Callahans!

Everyone should read or listen to this book

I have owned several copies of this and also the respective books this one entails. I have loaned and gave the books to others so they could enjoy this series. I am so happy to have it now in audio form. Great series and excellent author.

Truly great

Now that I've finished I have to give it the highest honor running awat while holding my nose

The Callahan Chronicals

I had never heard of Callahan's place. I downloaded it out of curiosity. Oh the puns, such groaners, but oh how I grew to love those mutants and misfits. I miss them already. I am going to listen to the next Callahan book, and then go back and listen to this one again and again.

The Callahan Chronicals

Enjoyed reading them as they where published and always wished to have them collected. The audio collection is a great success. I was entertained with each presentation.

Come on in...

The audiobook is made up of the novels Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon, Time Travelers Strictly Cash, and Callahan’s Secret. These three books contain the stories of Mike Callahan and the visitors to his bar somewhere in the Northeast. It is the type of place with the type of people that all of us would like to find. Where no one is a stranger for long and people are willing to lend a helping hand.

I first read paperback versions of these books years ago and could not get enough of Spider Robinson’s writing after that. His sense of humor fits perfectly into what I find funny and the audiobook does a great job of conveying it.

Warning: if you do not like dry humor and puns, this series is not for you.