Area 51

By: Bob Mayer, Robert Doherty

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Bob Mayer, writing as Robert Doherty....

Deep in the Nevada desert is the most secure compound in the United States: Area 51.

The most chilling experiment of all time is about to begin there. The President doesn’t know about it. Just a few scientists and military personnel working for Majestic-12 do, and they are about to make a very big mistake....

Former Green Beret Mike Turcotte, assigned to Nightscape, security for Area 51, begins to realize things aren’t as they seem. Deep inside the Great Pyramid in Giza, an archeologist makes a startling discovery in the lowest chamber. On Easter Island, what are the giant statues guarding? What was Thule and why were the Nazis so intent on finding it during World War II? What are the strange stones off the coast of Bimini? All these clues and more add up to a frightening countdown that could bring about the end of our planet. Turcotte and Presidential Science Adviser Lisa Duncan must race against time to save the world from the secret hidden at Area 51.

Over 1.5 Million copies of Area 51 sold—also author of the best-selling Atlantis series.

©2011 Bob Mayer (P)2011 Bob Mayer

Critic reviews

Praise for Bob Mayer: "Spell-binding! Will keep you on the edge of your seat. Call it techno-thriller, call it science fiction, call it just terrific story-telling.” (Terry Brooks, best-selling author of the Shannara series and Star Wars: Phantom Menace)

Enjoyed the story

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

This book was fun and I enjoyed listening to it. Might listen a second time for kicks.

10 hours of setup for a sequel

Would you try another book from Bob Mayer and Robert Doherty and/or Jeffrey Kafer?

No

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

Didn't even come close to the setup.

Did Area 51 inspire you to do anything?

Not buy another book from him.

Any additional comments?

There are many threads being pulled together to weave this story. Although they all worked from a plot perspective, the story was unsatisfying. There were hours and hours of setup, the sort of thing that usually happens in the first third of a book, only here it was the entire novel. There were no surprises, just a hash of all the expected "woo" elements: Nazis, pyramids, UFOs, Atlantis, ancient runes, government coverups, etc. Maybe the author wanted to connect every fringe theory on the internet in one story, thereby getting all the niche markets at once.

In the end, it was mostly there as a setup for the sequel.

Nice story, nice ideas :(

I don't know why but it didn't connect.
some facts about historical monuments and security at government facilities are totally Bogus.
But the main problem for me was the unfinishness of the book, and concentration of plot.
You can read last 30 pages and don't miss anything interesting or factual.........

interesting

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

Yes I would, the book was interesting, it made me wonder if stuff like this was really going on.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that the book incorporated stories that we hear about today. We have all heard about Atlantis and we know there is an Area 51. So it just put different thoughts in my head..

What does Jeffrey Kafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

None

This Review is ....

Good military Sci-fi. This novel is the first book. Entertaining and fast paced read with an intriguing plot. This is the first book of a series of ten. The characters are clearly described. Author (what's his name?) mixes the ancient mysteries-- makes a new possible outcome for our future and what might happened. Does a really good job of weaving into the plot most of the well known alien conspiracy theories. Narrator, Jeffrey Kafer did not do his review on some of the words and they're mispronounced. Where's book #2?

Fantastic Future of All Possibilities

I enjoy futuristic stories, I enjoy learning Astronomy, Universes, Other Planets! I really would travel this small planet.

Moves Around and Keeps you Interested

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

Yes. It covered a lot of ground with little or no dull spots.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Area 51?

The attempt at the end to tie everything together with one grand theory.

Any additional comments?

It is a fun read. Yes, the characters are as shallow as a wading pool, but I don't think it matters. You are not reading it for that. The plot moves around quickly and never drops from a steady pace. Also enjoy the notion of us learning to fly the alien craft.

I hope I can make it through this!!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I am about three quarters of the way through this book and I am sticking with it because I want to see how it ends. And..I have paid for it!! But the narrator is irritating the crap out of me!! He needs to go!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Please see above!

What didn’t you like about Jeffrey Kafer’s performance?

It's all pretty much the same. All the characters sound the same. Even the German scientist has the same voice as all the others except for a cheesy German accent which slowly disappears over the course of the first few chapters and then continues to make surprise re-appearances randomly through the rest of the book but not every time the scientist speaks!!He sounds like one of those announcers who love the sound of their own voice. I DON'T love it.

Do you think Area 51 needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

A moot point really. There already is one!

Any additional comments?

I like the concept of the story and under other circumstances would be interested in follow up books. However, I notice that the follow ups listed by Audible are also read by Jeffrey Kafer. So I will pass.

Dull

It was dull seemed liked it was dragged out with little action didn't finish story

One of the Favorite Book Series!

Any additional comments?

This is an 8 book series and the incredible thought process that went into this is amazing! Love the blending of history, SyFy, and the military. Prefect. Makes you think...