The Last Hero

By: Peter Forbath

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 26 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

In the greatest adventure of the Victorian age, a famous explorer makes a heroic relief expedition to a beleaguered British outpost deep in the heart of Africa.

The British Empire, at its zenith, is shocked by the fall of Khartoum and the murder of General Gordon. But word reaches London that all is not lost; one garrison, commanded by the Emin Pasha, still holds out against the Mahdi leading the rebellion against the British in the Sudan. The Emin Pasha is hailed as a hero of mythic proportions, Gordon’s successor, and England’s hope. From the Queen to the mob, his rescue is demanded.

But only one man is up to the challenge of this mammoth expedition across 5,000 miles of the uncharted Congo, where no white man has walked: Henry Morton Stanley, a hero of amazing complexity and daring. Whatever the cost, Stanley will rescue the Emin Pasha.

©1988 Peter Forbath (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The first 10 hours were the best...after that, meh

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No, I don't think I would recommend The Last Hero to a friend. The second 10 hours got progressively like Peter Forbath ran aground with his story line.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was a huge letdown.

Great adventure story.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Last Hero to be better than the print version?

I could never have read this book to long. Simon Vance made it easy for me to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Hero?

When one of the main characters proves he is a loyal friend.

Which scene was your favorite?

To many to mention.

If you could rename The Last Hero, what would you call it?

The title is perfect. A hero depends on your definition of one. I found some of the more minor characters to be the true heroes. Not the character leading the expedition.

Any additional comments?

I knew nothing about this author or this story. I took a chance on this book because Simon Vance was the narrator. I was very pleased with my choice. I like long interesting audio books and this one worked for me.

Completely Inappropriate Title But Great Adventure

I am surprised this has not been discovered by more listeners. It's a very interesting adventure and story of the beginning of the whites exploring deep Africa and exploiting (and killing) Africans. That part of the story is obviously very disturbing, at times cruel and unjust. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be written about. It seemed like a fair characterization of what may have happened to the explorers and natives. And that is why I disagree with the title (without giving anything away). I recommend this book and in the end, you will be the judge on that.

It's certainly an adventure but also very character driven. Lots of people drive the story along.

As usual, part of what makes a great listen is the narrator and here is it Simon Vance who does an amazing job with a myriad of accents.

Well into the book, I was constantly wondering how true to life the story is and so far, have not done further research. Did Stanley really do all the things this story purports? There are a ton of twists and turns to the story and probably mostly fiction, but that didn't deter me from being very interested in the on-going story.

Fantastic story, even better narration!

Where does The Last Hero rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best, if not the best, audio books I have ever listened to,and there have been hundreds. The story of the expedition is compelling and would make a great book read - but Simon Vance's narration makes listening to the book a compelling experience. The book tells the story not just of Stanley, but of the others who make up the expedition, and Vance's reading of these characters, each with a unique accent and intonation, brings the book to life in a way that probably isn't possible from reading the printed page. Highly, highly, recommended.

Great stroy, Fantasticlly told but be aware...

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jepson, because he was the only one who kept his humanity throughout the ordeal.

Which scene was your favorite?

When they caught the mule boy trying to desert. It was the turning point of the whole adventure.

If you could take any character from The Last Hero out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Stanly. I would like to hear how he thought things turned out and if he thought it was a success or a failure.

Any additional comments?

The author librally use the N-word throughout the stroy. While it is historically accurate I think the story could have been told equally as well without using that offensive word. I cringed every time that it was said. I listen to books at work and several times I thought "I hope nobody heard that."

Best Entertainment Value You'll Find

This 27 plus hour book isn't long enough. There isn't dull moment, in fact there are countless parts of the adventure where, if you listen in your car like me, you'll find yourself sitting outside your destination waiting for what happens next. It's nearly non-stop. The author couldn't have picked a better true life adventure with its larger than life protagonists to start his Audible offerings (I hope there'll be many more to come). There's trickery, betrayal, harems, sex, drugs, slave traders, hostile and friendly natives, wild rivers, seething jungle, and clever, idiotic, ruthless, and honorable people on all sides, in other words, real life. This book is a great triumph for both the author and the narrator who delivered an outstanding performance. I have listened to over a hundred audio books, and this is one of the best.

Phenomenal!!

Incredible story. We'll read as well. Henry Morton Stanley was really a piece of work.

Wish HBO would make this a show. Incredible story

Hard to believe this story happened. Too fantastic. I reread it every couple of years, and I'm always staggered by the raq strength of the main characters.

Simon Vance at his best!

Riveting, chilling account of Henry Morton Stanly's expedition to "save" Emin Pasha. I love listening to Simon Vance, and his narration is astonishingly spot on. Wonderful listen - and was educational for me as well.

An Incredible Journey with Heart and Soul

Any additional comments?

Prepare to be immersed deep into a land no man has traveled. This book will uncover everything or anything you could ever experience in living, dying, surviving, conniving, lying, stealing, trusting, sharing, begging ....... There are no boundaries. It will uncover perseverance and determination to outwit, outlast, and outplay - survive and the reward will only be that you made it. The book is long and probably could have been edited down a bit. I don't think I would've enjoyed it as much if it had been since every painstaking detail of every day or event is what made you keep listening- anticipating what would happen next. It felt real and Simon Vance once again captured each character with perfection. At the end, or maybe even sooner, you will realize who the real 'Last Hero' truly was.