March Upcountry

Prince Roger Series, Book 1

By: David Weber, John Ringo

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 17 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Roger Ramius Sergei Chiang MacClintock was young, handsome, athletic, an excellent dresser, and third in line for the Throne of Man. So it wasn't surprising that he became spoiled, self-centered, and petulant. After all, what else did he have to do with his life?

But that was before his mother, the empress, packed him off to a backwater planet and he found himself shipwrecked on the planet Marduk, with jungles full of damnbeasts, killerpillars, carnivorous plants, and barbarian hordes of bad disposition. Fortunately, Roger had an ace in the hole: Bravo Company of Bronze Battalion of the Empress' Own Regiment. Now all Roger has to do is hike halfway around the planet, capture a spaceport from the Bad Guys, commandeer a starship, and go home.

Don't miss the rest of the action in the Prince Roger Series.

©2001 David Weber and John Ringo (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"Sure to please....Superb storytelling." (Publishers Weekly)

2 GREAT WRITERS 1 FANTASTIC STORY

Both writers do a wonderful job writing separately, but it adds so much more
when they join up.This book takes it's time in the set up, and the main character
seems to be an unlikeable dweeb.

Just like in other Weber and Ringo novels plenty of interesting action takes
place. As the story progress we find this unlikeable prince marooned on
a distant planet . The military guard assigned to protect him all believe him a
spoiled peacock, but prince Roger surprises them all.

As usual Stefan Rudniki does a fantastic job of narrating this book. He brings
each of the characters to life.

Wonderful sci-fi fantasy with a sense of humor

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

Absolutely. I grew up reading Asimov and Douglas Adams. A lot of SciFi is now derivative or just plain odd and I have a hard time finding compelling new material. This made me think somewhat of Stainless Steel Rat, I guess as it didn't take itself too seriously.

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

The personal growth of the characters (Prince Roger) in face of adversity was well executed.

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

I love some of the names in this book, but I'm glad Stefan had to pronounce them and bring them to life. Since I'm typically driving, he has a hard task in keeping me engaged over varying blocks of time and yet he manages to keep the appropriate pace and engage me. Great narration.

Any additional comments?

It took me a while to get into this book, give it a chance as it's when they land that things start to develop. If you realize that some of the humor is tongue-in-cheek and can relax and enjoy the odd cast for their eccentricities I think you'll enjoy this. Don't be put off by the cheesy cover art either, please.

Fun story and a great narrator!

This was fun enough that I'll definitely listen to the 3 remaining books in series.

listen to a frop turn into a prince

High adventure and battles to roil your blood. Endearing characters who wiggle into your emotions and drag you into their experiences. Swashbuckling mission that puts other shipwreck tales in the shade.

Great adventure

I've been a fan of David Weber from the Honor Harrington Series. This audio book was a fun listen all the way through. Very easy to follow and a good story. It's not a monumental masterpiece, but its very entertaining and a good listen.

Where's the next Book?????

This is destined to be an "All time great" by two great writers (and They Just happen to be two of my favorite Authors, They're even better when they're teamed up).. Lots of Good solid Sci-fi and adventure..

But as has already been mentioned, "Where is Book Two"????

"March to the Sea"?

It's a bummer listening to Books 1 and 3, and having to READ book 2, I don't read and drive as well as some people ;)

One of my Top Ten Book Series

I just finished listening to this series for the third time in about seven years. I found "March Upcountry" originally in a discount bookstore on CD. I purchased it and it took me a while before I got to it. I'm more of a Fantasy fan than traditional Sci-Fi. After listening to the first book, I immediately found the next three and purchase them.

This is a great series, full of very memorable characters. Weber and Ringo do a great job in developing the characters, especially Prince Roger, and then Stefan Rudnicki brings them all to life. What a wonderful talent he has in helping you walk alongside these men and women of the Bronze Barbarians. He is a fantastic performer, for this audiobook series at least.

If you haven't started this series, I believe you will enjoy this even if you aren't already a fan of David Weber. Take the chance and enjoy the walk through Marduk.

Great first book of a series.

One of my favorite series of books. I periodically re-read or listen to the series and enjoy the adventure each time. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next set of books that will continue the series by Ringo and Weber. Although I enjoy Ringo by himself, I do not enjoy most of Weber's work without the grit of combat that Ringo provides. Overall a great book and it will make you read the others.
AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

A Classic in it's Own Right

If you haven't read David Weber and John Ringo's Empire of Man series, you're missing out on one of the best coming of age stories of all time, not to mention a kick ass bit of military science fiction.

Love to hate the protagonist, then fall in love

Where does March Upcountry rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best audiobooks I have read...listened to....in the last four months.

What did you like best about this story?

I was so enthralled by the story that i would get to work, park the car and then stay there until a logical break and I love to work so that tells you how involved I was in the story.

What about Stefan Rudnicki’s performance did you like?

Strong passionate voice that makes the character flow easy to follow. I can't wait to listen to more of his performances.

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

This was a book that I wanted to listen to all at once, but then I wanted to savour it...Oh, the agony of it all! It is the only time that I have wanted to get stuck in traffic so I could listen to more of the story.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to listen to the next episode of the story. It's going to be great if it is only half as good as this one.

Great sci-fi.

Have fully enjoyed this audio book. At first I found the reading a little hard to listen to but really got into it and now find it brilliantly engaging. Have since downloaded the other two books in the trilogy as I could not wait to find out how the story and characters progress.
It contains some quite complex battles that you have to concentrate quite intently to stay switched on to where all the characters are but often found when you miss parts you can piece it together after but I digress a great yarn with great character development and a world that is well easy to picture and a good narrative. Defo. one for the sci-fi geeks amongst us however.

March Upcountry (Unabridged)

I really enjoyed this audio book i would say it was a cross between starship troopers and avatar.
This if the first book of four and i look forward to getting the rest.

A very good book

Any additional comments?

Stefan Rudnicki is one of the few American voice artists I have found on this site that can really bring the books he is reading to life; his performance brings an edge and depth to the characters that is so often missing in audio books. Even his female characters are believeable without him having to resort to silly voices or the dull monotone of many of his counterparts (I REALLY wish they could get him to record the Honor Harrington books which, I found, were impossible to listen to).
Highly recommended

An Epic Story

This series is up there with the epic Deathstalker audiobooks by Simon R Green. Start with this book and work your way though - you won't be disappointed.
Exceptional story vividly read and spanning a vast world of surprises.
Great action and characterisation adds to the plot.

Prince in trouble

I’ve had this in my library for a while it was one I brought a few years ago......why did I wait so long....

If you like the honourvers books and his safehold books you will enjoy this as well.

Great tales of adventure......

Good book - good series.

I very much enjoyed this "Prince Roger" series and have listened to it more than once.



For fans of epic science fiction this is a good buy - although the emphasis is more on low tech than high tech.

Great book and series

The only complaint I have about the price Rodger series is there are only four books.

The story is well written and reasonably paced, the humour is well placed and not out of context.

The book has the feel of Webers Honour Harrington

Fantastic

Wow, I couldn't put this away once I started it. I hope the next "March to the sea" is just as good.