Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway

Potpourri of Delightful Columns from Wisconsin’s Favorite Journalist

By: Bill Stokes

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews, James Foster, Joe Hempel, Stefan Rudnicki, David Stifel, R.C. Bray

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

For 10 years Bill Stokes was a roving reporter and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal. He has written reams of material about his vivid impressions of people, animals, events, personal activities, and "things in general".

Through his travels, Bill has met with the unusual and unique to the humorous, trivial, and tragic. This select group from his collection of stories and columns indicates the broad scope of his journalistic efforts, brilliant talents, and professional ability. Listeners will enjoy this potpourri of delightful columns as they move with Bill through the seasonal changes of life in Wisconsin. People rarely succeed at anything unless they have fun doing it. Bill Stokes obviously enjoys his role as Wisconsin's favorite journalist. In this delightful book he shares that fun with all.

©2017 Paul Stokes (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great collection of Bill's stories!

This is a great collection of Bill's stories from when he was a journalist for the Milwaukee Journal. These stories are all about his life experiences growing up in Wisconsin. They will certainly make you laugh! I had several strange looks at work when I burst out laughing a few times at these stories. Bill is a great writer and I have enjoyed all of his books so far that he has brought to audio. Each book has some very skilled narrators as well. This one is no exception! Great audio talents in this book. I am very familiar with Joe Hempel, R. C. Bray, and David Stifel's work but all of the narrators did a great job telling Bill's stories! Certainly looking forward to hearing more of Bill's work!

A Delightful Potpourri Indeed

I enjoyed everything about this audiobook right down to the title and cover. It wasn't just the bones that were good; Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway was filled with amazing stories. Each story told was reminiscent of a time or place. Bill Stokes gives the listener a cornucopia of life experiences through his eyes. A wonderful and recommended listen.

ALL the narrators were amazing. This was a perfect group of voice actors to lend their talent to such an exquisite book. I can't say I have a favorite as they were all my favorite.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

More good stuff by a great story teller.

This is my third audiobook by Bill Stokes. Even though most of the snippets in this book are from several decades ago, they are still relevant and entertaining today. His stories range from having an emphasis on funny outdoor adventures/mishaps to more personal things dealing with relationships and emotions- topics that are always relatable.
Personally, I preferred Trout Friends and Other Riff-Raff the most of the three books. I think it is because the stories were a bit longer on average- probably around 10 minutes or so. However, this book was also very good. Several times I found myself smiling or softly chuckling along with the stories. At other times, Bill pulls at your heartstrings.
Several narrators collaborated on this book, taking turns reading several stories at a time. I usually do not care for that format. However, these narrators all did a very good job and I found myself enjoying the variety they brought to the table.
If you're looking for a read to brighten your day -and one that can often do it in just a few minutes- you should give one of Bill's books a try.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Prairie Home Companion makes it's way to Wisconsin

This is a collection of stories written about the trials and tribulations of living/growing up in Wisconsin. Some of the stories are great and truly captivate the listener. In fact, I found myself laughing at quite a few of the stories as I envisioned the scenarios taking place.

The collection is performed by multiple narrators who each perform multiple stories in each segment. All of the narrators are clear, with great diction and articulation. Many fit the stories perfectly with their performances. I did find it difficult with one of the narrators. He didn't change his voice/cadence between each of the stories which made it difficult to decipher the beginning and end of each story. Even though each story title was announced prior to the story being told, it still became difficult for me as a listener to follow along at times. Overall though, I thought it was a great compilation of tales with great narrators.

Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway

Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway
: Bill Stokes

A fun collection of articles from the past. Soe of these I had read before and some were new. I really enjoyed this book.


The narration was well done. MacLeod Andrews , R. C. Bray , James Foster , Joe Hempel , Stefan Rudnicki , David Stifel did a fantastic job of bringing these tales to life!!


“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Written years ago but still great today

I've read a few of Bill Stokes short stories and I've enjoyed them all. I didn't grow up in Wisconsin or even near it. You don't have to be from Wisconsin to enjoy the caliber of writing that Stokes provides in Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway.

This book reminds me of the golden age of the newspaper columnist. This art is seemingly going away and sadly I'm a part of the reason why. I don't have a newspaper subscription, and I get all of my news from multiple sources online.

Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway had me smiling from beginning to end, sometimes interrupted by a laugh or a chuckle and not always in an ideal place (side note: when you're driving to work and see a person laughing in their car... what do you think about them?)

Stokes' work has this ability to transcend generations. I know that these were written quite some time ago, but most of the content could have been written a week or two ago. Even some of the assumptions and theories that Stokes came up with are true or seemingly coming true.

The only thing better than Stokes stories (seriously they're like warm apple pie after a nice family dinner) was the narration provided by all of the amazing narrators. I won't call any of them out specifically because I enjoyed them all. They were able to add a nice break between the stories and bring Stokes' work to life.

Overall, this was one of those books that I'm glad that I got the chance to read and I'm even happier that I was able to listen to some amazing narrators tell Stokes' stories.

I was given a free copy of this book. That has not affected my review in any way.

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Geezers, Young and Old Will Love This

Would you listen to Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway again? Why?

Yes, I will! It's down home. Thought provoking "folksiness". The selected narrators are wonderful to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

These are newspaper column entries originally published in the late 1960's. They are well expressed. Timeless.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This group are all Valedictorian level voice actors, storytellers, narrators, Artists. Each lends a uniqueness to the stories chosen.

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

Absolutely NOT! This should be ingested in small bites. Savor the writings!!

Any additional comments?

Every once in a while I'm lucky enough to come across an Audible book that stays with me long after. This is one of them in the most positive meaning of that statement.

I strongly suggest adding "Hi-Ho Silver, Anyway: Potpourri of Delightful Columns from Wisconsin’s Favorite Journalist" to your Audible and Kindle libraries!!

If you haven't caught on by my review, this was an entertaining work. And well done!

Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author at no cost. Which I can only assume was voluntary on their part. I am happy to give my honest review of it. I think I'm suppose to mention how reviewing this was voluntary on my part too.

Entertaining Recollections

I really enjoyed this book. I guess it meant a great deal to me that I am from Wisconsin and grew up at a time when these stories were very relevant to me. Being able to travel back in the past with the writer was extremely pleasing for me. I do wish I could find more books like this one.