• Jack Hinson's One-Man War

  • By: Tom C. McKenney
  • Narrated by: David Colacci
  • Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,127 ratings)

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Jack Hinson's One-Man War  By  cover art

Jack Hinson's One-Man War

By: Tom C. McKenney
Narrated by: David Colacci
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Publisher's summary

A quiet, wealthy plantation owner, Jack Hinson watched the start of the Civil War with disinterest. Opposed to secession and a friend to Union and Confederate commanders alike, he did not want a war. After Union soldiers seized and murdered his sons, placing their decapitated heads on the gateposts of his estate, Hinson could remain indifferent no longer. He commissioned a special rifle for long-range accuracy, he took to the woods, and he set out for revenge.

This remarkable biography presents the story of Jack Hinson, a lone Confederate sniper who, at the age of 57, waged a personal war on Grant's army and navy. The result of 15 years of scholarship, this meticulously researched work is the only account of Hinson's life ever recorded and involves an unbelievable cast of characters, including the Earp brothers, Jesse James, and Nathan Bedford Forrest.

©2009 Tom C. McKenney (P)2016 Tantor

What listeners say about Jack Hinson's One-Man War

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  • DZ
  • 01-17-17

Historically accurate Nonfiction as captivating as Author's prose

As a special forces veteran, kudos to the author for his captivating writing style, history research, and insight into combat and sniper TTP - all intricate to this little known piece of the Civil War. Also: outstanding narration.

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13 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Ponderous

Incredibly boring. This book sould be 2 chapters. Never gets to the point. Never gets to the story. The author states that there is very little documentation to this tale therefore most of the book is supposition. The author goes on and on with insignificant descriptions of irrelevance in order to give this story added volume in a attempt to disguise from the reader the absolute absence of any actual documentation.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting story; editor badly needed

What would have made Jack Hinson's One-Man War better?

This was a five hour book, crammed in 14.5 hours. Endless repetitions, foreshadowing and poor structure screamed for a serious edit.

What could Tom C. McKenney have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Should have been one-third the length, and kept to the central story.

What aspect of David Colacci’s performance would you have changed?

Narration was fine.

What character would you cut from Jack Hinson's One-Man War?

Everything in the first 4.5 hours could go.

Any additional comments?

I suspect this was written as a shorter piece, and lengthened to make it seem more commercial. Author did some serious research, but was clueless about how to weave it into the narrative. That's what a good editor is for; none apparently involved here.

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9 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Historical Fiction

This book is historical fiction. I am not sure if it is the authors first book but I did not believe it was well edited or written. There were many clichés used over and over again to the point of ad nauseum.
I purchased the book because I thought it was going to be an historical account of Jack Hinson. It turned out to be historical fiction based on the life of Mr. Hinson.
I think the book could have been better off if it was written as history in the style of Stephen Ambrose or similar which used historical facts to tell a story instead of “fleshing” out the story with fiction.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing everyone should know this story

Where does Jack Hinson's One-Man War rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the very top of my non fiction list. I can not praise the author enough for his research and ability to turn that into the story of Jack Hinson and everything that went on around him during that tragic time in history.

What about David Colacci’s performance did you like?

He is a excellent narrator and perfect for this story, listen and I'm sure you will agree.

Any additional comments?

I can't believe I've never heard of the story about Jack Hinson it really is almost to hard to believe but it really is fact. Even if your not a fan of history this is a real page turner one of those American history events you should really read about for yourself.

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9 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not great

interesting information is in this book but the length of this book could have been cut in half. the repeated sentences in this story was tedious. however, the story is good

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7 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

So much potential...lost

This was a great story that could have been a great book. Unfortunately the level of detail invested into issues and insights that have no basis in historical fact (the author explains this thoroughly in the introduction and first chapter) made this very tiresome. Those details also only caused the story to drag along rather than leading us into any narrative. I was halfway through the book before the first assassination takes place. I was very disappointed.

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6 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great story hampered by poor author

First off let me start by sating that this is an exciting story of a truly awesome character. The problem lies mainly in the mediocre writing abilities of the author partly due to what appears to be a southern sympathies bound up in his work. I cannot determine if this is simply an attempt to bring his character's points of views into life or perhaps reflects his own personal thoughts but it is a but irritating to be drug through the same old revisionist arguments concerning the Southern States reasons for secession and subsequent war. It was never about slavery, the author reiterates time and time again. " State's rights to succeed" and while that is partially true it is also overly simplistic and absolutely and deliberately misleading. The prose is given to overuse of poetic revelation and a meanders a bit too far into romanticizing the south into some sort of genteel and idealic rural paradise. One in which the slave looks fondly upon his benevolent master and looks on with apprehensive trepidation and confusion as the Northern States terrorize and threaten his way of life. The author even spends a whole 10 minutes trying to justify the south's stance on slavery by pointing to cases of historical hypocrisy in the North....but of course thats not why the Civil War was fought.... Honestly though these things aside the book is saved by the story and worth the annoyance.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story with perfect narration

Overall a great story - it draws you into Jack Hinson's world and holds you there to the end. David Colacci has to now be my favourite narrator, with a soothing voice, perfect English, and a pace that is just right.

The things about the book I didn't like was that there were many redundant parts - phrases that were repeated to the degree I thought I'd accidentally rewound. Also, more than half the book was the set up and backdrop of the story, with little on Jack's story until the last half. Finally, there is a sometimes not too subtle southern bias in the story that at times makes you raise your eyebrows, but if you keep reading it passes.

Overall, a comoelling story with a brilliant narration, and well worth the read.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it.

Great story about a little known historical figure that deserves to be brought out into the light.

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5 people found this helpful