The Civil War

In Their Own Words

By: Anna Lyse Erikson, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Moira Quirk, Matthew Wolf, P.J. Ochlan, Karen Malina White, Michael Crouch, Nick Nerangis, Alison Larkin

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

In this star-studded audiobook commissioned specially for audio, Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s narration is woven together with powerfully acted scenes from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the speeches and writing of Lincoln, Emerson, and others, bringing the Civil War to dazzling, authentic new life. Riveting dialogue, personal letters, and the infamous Lincoln-Douglas debates reverberate with powerful relevance today.

“America has never been so divided—except during the Civil War. I kept thinking, ‘What if we could produce an audiobook that gives voice to the great leaders of that time period? Could the words of those great leaders help us now?’” shared executive producer Alison Larkin.

Adapted, written, and directed by Audie award-winning director Anna Lyse Erikson, this brilliantly performed audio experience stars Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick (Grammy-nominated and Earphones Award winning) as Abraham Lincoln, Moira Quirk (Emmy Award winning) as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Matthew Wolf (Game of Thrones, The Royals, Scandal) as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rif Hutton (General Hospital, NCIS) as Uncle Tom and others, P J Ochlan (Award-winning Broadway actor) as Stephen A. Douglas and others, Karen Malina (Emmy-nominated actress) White as Eliza Harris, Michel Crouch (Golden Voice narrator) as Younger Clarence, and introducing writer and actor Nick Nerangis (The Wire, West Wing) as Older Clarence and the author of the play A Life of Honor. Exclusively for Audible, this edition is followed by four songs sung by a lone soldier, introduced by Alison Larkin and performed by Rich Follett.

©2023 Alison Larkin Presents (P)2023 Alison Larkin Presents

Critic reviews

"Audie Award–winning producer Erikson offers a spectacular debut, adapting the words, thoughts, and speeches of Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Stephen A. Douglas, and others to provide a new perspective of the Civil War. Erikson covers many aspects of the war that nearly tore the United States apart: Lincoln’s election, his personal tragedies, and his assassination, as well as the experiences of young soldiers toward the end of the war. Listeners get firsthand accounts of the war between brothers, the struggle to unite a nation, and the thoughts of abolitionists, enslavers, people who were enslaved, soldiers, and writers. An outstanding cast of voice actors, including Scott Brick as Lincoln, Moira Quirk as Stowe, and Matthew Wolf as Emerson, narrate this stunning production. Their evocative performances piercingly capture varied thoughts and feelings about the war. The narration is enhanced with musical interludes from songs, hymns, and other selections from the era. As a bonus, the book concludes with four songs by a lone soldier, sung by Rich Follett. VERDICT An informational and atmospheric audiobook that checks all the boxes. Recommended for Civil War buffs and anyone interested in literature, history, and stories well told." — Elyssa Everling

From UNCLE TOM'S CABIN to the "Gettysburg Address," this concise and thought-provoking oral history of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery is told through the powerful words of those who were there. Each narrator delivers unique voices for the characters they portray. Moira Quirk accentuates Harriet Beecher Stowe's compassionate prose. Matthew Wolf finds the moral certitude in Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays. Scott Brick delves deeply into the biblical and Shakespearean overtones and rhythms of Abraham Lincoln's most elegant prose. Lastly, Michael Crouch delivers the winsome letters that a young Union soldier sent back home. Inspiring, heartrending, and prescient--this collection proves that spoken word can be mightier than the sword. B.P. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

They all help bring this production to life.

Scott Brick's performance as Lincoln is excellent, as are all the other narrators. Combining scenes from Uncle Tom's Cabin while explaining more about the Civil War is avery good concept. The only issue is when narrators jump back and forth at times, though that doesn't happen much. Still, an excellent concept for an audio drama.

A BRILLIANT new audiobook about the Civil War.

THIS is dazzling. The idea to use the actual words of Abraham Lincoln, Ralph Waldo Emerson and superbly acted scenes from Uncle Tom's Cabin is nothing short of brilliant. Combine that with a beautifully written script and deep, moving, powerful performances from Scott Brick as Abraham Lincoln and Moira Quirk as Harriet Beecher Stowe who act as narrators and guides, and Rif Hutton's stunning Uncle Tom and you have something that will appeal to experts on the Civil War and people who don't know much about it at all. I loved the play A Life of Honor which is woven in at the end, with an impressive performance from Nick Nerangis who, as s first time narrator, delivers an authentic, moving performance, as does Golden voice narrator, MIchael Crouch, who plays Clarence, the fifteen-year-old soldier. Using the Lincoln Douglas debates in this way was pure genius - great to hear them - P J Ochlan's bombastic, dramatic delivery as Douglas contrasts so well with Scot Brick's measured Lincoln, what a treat! Scott Brick's Lincoln had me in tears more than once as did Moira Quirk's Harriet Beecher Stowe. I really loved the singing at the end too, with the songs from a soldier returning from the war. I am purchasing this for all my kids for the holidays. THIS is very very special. FANTASTIC! Bravo!