The Moonshine War

By: Elmore Leonard

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

It was Prohibition, and a big, hell-raising Son Martin had himself something special: $125,000 worth of Kentucky's finest home-made whiskey, no one was going to steal it. Because when it came to shooting, fighting, and outsmarting the Big Boys, Son Martin wasn't just good. He was bad . . .dangerous. . . and deadly.

©1969 Elmore Leonard (P)1996 Recorded Books Inc.

A good as it gets...

I loved everything about this book, but the narrator nailed it! Without him, I am not sure what my reaction to listening to a Leonard book would look like. I've read every book he's written and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE his writing.

This was the first time I listened to a reading of one of Leonard's book and it was everything I hoped it would be. The narrator was stellar. Can't go wrong - as far as I am concerned.

3 people found this helpful

Classic Elmore Leonard

The Moonshine War is the story of Son Martin a Prohibition Era bootlegger in rural Kentucky. Son's father hid over $100,000 of top grade moonshine. Now Frank Long, an old army buddy of Martin's is looking for it. Long is now a prohibition agent and wants the whiskey for himself. Long brings in some bootleggers to help him and things get hot.

This book was published in 1969, but like all great books, still holds up to repeated readings. This has Leonard's classic style. Heavy emphasis on dialogue, interesting characters, and sudden explosions of violence.

Mark Hammer gives a wonderful reading of the text. His voice captures the sound of the hills and the rhythm of Leonard's prose.

2 people found this helpful

Awesome

Would you listen to The Moonshine War again? Why?

i loved the dialogue. It is so clever and witty.

Any additional comments?

It was a great listen. I love Mark's performance his accent. Leonard is such an intelligent writer and I love his work.

1 person found this helpful

Whiskey

The story was interesting and the way the characters were written it seemed like the main character stood above everyone watching them as a silent parent watches children blunder as they learn to walk. The antagonists in the story certainly were written with a mean streak to them but at times were fettered by their inability to understand the steely resolve of the main character, Son Martin, and his desire to keep the faith alive, the fires burning and his family history intact. The narrator was good but his pace seemed a bit slow at times adding to the idea that we were actually in Kentucky during prohibition on a lazy summer day. He was able to convey the different characters very nicely by changing his voice patterns, etc. I love Elmore Leanord's ability to tell stories and the manner in which he does.

In summary; whiskey is for drinking, not for burning.

1 person found this helpful

Elmore Leonard is the Clint Eastwood of fiction

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Had trouble putting it down. Good character development and good plot.

1 person found this helpful

Not one of Elmore Leonard’s best

I’ve read-and loved-almost all of Leonard’s works. This one was just fair. I enjoyed the narration.

Awesome Dialogue! Super Cool!... in other words, Elmore Leonard!

Elmore Leonard kills, as always! Mark Hammer nails the nuance of a redneck dialect. I usually bank on George Guidall and Frank Mueller’s readings of Leonard but this makes me want to listen to another Hammer strike!

Mark Hammer captures Leonard's essence.

Elmore Leonard weaves his tale of bad guys and worse guys again in this artfully written and masterfully performed story of life in depression era rural Kentucky. The hero is a lovable rogue, the lawmen are outlaws and the bad guys make you cheer each time one of them dies. Classic Elmore Leonard.

Needs a better narrator.

The narrator made the store drag and boring. Made all the characters were the same. At times I couldn't tell the difference between characters. I love Elmore Leonard boss, but I couldn't finish this one.

I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT

This was the longest 7hrs and 22 minutes I've ever had to spend listening to a book. I mean Mark Hammer was totally in the moment for 7 hours. The drawl was unending. There was not one character that spoke at a quick pace. It was sleep inducing. .....

But I have to say it's a good story ...