Darren S.

Fully experience the REAL War of the Worlds!

Revisado: 01-15-20

If everything you know about H.G. Wells The War of the Worlds is a Halloween hoax and the sonorous tones of Orson Welles, prepare to have that impression obliterated. In this fully-realized, detailed and thrilling reciting of the classic tale, Kevin Theis and Fort Raphael accomplish so much. We're in England, noting explosions on the surface of Mars and then watching the invading horde as they land on Earth, rise up in their deadly machines and wander the formerly peaceful countryside spreading death and destruction. In this Fort Raphael version we hear the sound of the heat ray as it does its awful work and share in the storyteller's terror as he hides below the surface of a river to avoid being killed, only to be half scalded to death by the water. (Hear the hissing of the water as the beam's ray swings close by.) So many big and little details spelled out as we 'watch' the people and towns terrorized and the hopeless misery of the beleaguered inhabitants. But it's a "war" with two competing forces and we watch the battle move and the tactics employed by both sides. The strong narrative thread of Wells novel combined with "theater of the mind" sound effects makes this book a fascinating audio journey. Turn-of-the-century England in the grip of The War of the Worlds is a vivid place under the capable hands of Fort Raphael and accomplished narrator Kevin Theis.

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Very funny narration by a great comic actor

Revisado: 06-18-19

I am a big fan of Kevin Theis’s work, and this book did not disappoint. He has such a great handle on Wodehouse’s language and timing. Jokes set up and delivered, the relationship between Bertie and Jeeves is delineated perfectly. Bertie's voice and Jeeves' lower, more obsequious tones. (I could hear Jeeves say "Yes, Sir" all day, with Theis laying in a delightful, tiny pause between those two words.) Whether this is your first Wodehouse or you’ve been here or to his books many times before, you will have much to enjoy. A highlight here is Gussy Finknottle's inebriated visit to give away prizes at a local grammar school. After Bertie and Jeeves slip him a little -- actually a lot -- of gin to loosen him up, he's out of his mind from drink, and Theis really delivers the goods, with amazing Foster Brooks-style stumbles. Wodehouse is in his element as Finknottle lays waste to the event and insults all assembled -- terrific stuff!

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Poe treasures in a great package!

Revisado: 09-11-18

How long has it been since you've read Edgar Allan Poe? It had been a long time for me, and I was delighted to rediscover these two classics. Narrator Kevin Theis revels in the twists and turns of the 19th-century language, including impressive turns with foreign phrases in multiple tongues. These enhanced audio versions by Fort Raphael Press brings the stories to vivid life with audio flourishes that amplify the effects, sounds and strangeness of the tales. This two-for-one is a terrific way to tune the ear to Poe's language and style and enjoy this American master of letters.

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Take a quick journey with a horror classic!

Revisado: 09-11-18

Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat gets the full Fort Raphael treatment and the added audio touches serve to fully deliver the horror! This is a bite-sized piece of Poe, but it's a good one. If you're a cat owner or cat lover especially, you'll understand exactly how the tale could end the way it does. Narrator Theis dives deep into the energy of the story and the misery of the teller of the tale. We're left shaking our heads at the twists and turns of the human mind -- and of Poe's for bringing this story to us. Highly recommended!

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A fully-realized version of a classic tale

Revisado: 08-04-18

This is a wonderfully entertaining version of this classic tale! Not only does Theis do his usual masterful job with multiple characters, but the folks at Fort Raphael Publishing add exactly the right touches via sound design -- music, sound effects, animal and human (?!) noises -- to bring the book to stirring life. A delightful ride from beginning to end!

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A Terrifying, All-To-Plausible Tale

Revisado: 02-08-18

Would you listen to Seventh Extinction: The Genesis Project again? Why?

I don't need to listen to it again! It was terrifying enough the first time. This story of a planned roll-out of a genocidal pandemic is way too possible and real.

What other book might you compare Seventh Extinction: The Genesis Project to and why?

Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton. Frightening, realistic, plausible.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Theis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard other performances, and I'm a fan. Kevin brings a high level of performance energy to his audiobook narrating. He's also amazing at laying out characters, even when there are multiple male characters. He differentiates them well and brings them to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My reaction was more wide-eyed, with a lot of head-shaking. One man -- one man! -- could absolutely follow the madman's plan laid out in this book. With the current state of world affairs and the looseness of certain country's security arrangements, the scenario laid out here is just too plausible.

Any additional comments?

Just keep telling yourself: "It's only an audiobook!"

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An Incredible Achievement In the Literature of War

Revisado: 01-20-18

What made the experience of listening to A Reckoning for Kings the most enjoyable?

The verisimilitude, the sheer reality you can feel in every minute of this heart-pounding tale of the Vietnam War. The writers of this book are either sharing their lived experiences or have exhaustively researched this book. Every place name, every weapon, every detail sounds absolutely real. We are in the firefights, we are planning the tactics, we are surveying the hills and valleys and rivers and roads. We are there, as much as anyone can be.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Reckoning for Kings?

The firefights are memorable, the characters are memorable. We hear the back story of how so many of these men landed in this place at this time. The son and grandson of soldiers. The rich kid's son who screwed up and found himself in Vietnam. The Vietnamese sergeant and general. One memorable moment in this detailed and sweeping story is of Christmastime in the camp, with one very drunk soldier decorating his body as a Christmas tree -- including some very interesting choices of how to paint his intimate anatomy. Other memorable aspects include the rank and file grunts' opinion of their commanding officers. And the commanding officers reasons behind many of their decisions.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Theis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm a fan of Mr. Theis's work. He is such a good actor and brings so much detail and energy to every performance. I have to say that this is my favorite book so far. I don't how he does it. Dozens of characters across so many hours of material. Different races, different sides of the war, different ranks -- we lays everything out so clearly and vividly. The book races along with so much energy and excitement. Just a masterful performance!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Extreme reactions? To a very realistic book about the war in Vietnam? How could you NOT have an extreme reaction? We hear of brutal massacres of men and destruction of villages, the villagers cast out of their homes. We experience the triumph of victory in battles against overwhelming odds. We feel the pride when professional soldiers achieve greatness through bravery in the course of duty. We laugh at these people -- almost all young men -- and the insane antics they go through just to maintain their sanity. There is so much to enjoy and remember.

Any additional comments?

It's hard to imagine a more realistic and action-packed story about the Vietnam war. Anybody who is a fan of novels about wartime, or action novels in general and specifically about the Vietnam war would enjoy this book tremendously.

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A Great Book About Acting, Showbiz and One Actor

Revisado: 09-22-17

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

If you are an actor, know an actor or simply have any curiosity whatsoever about actors and showbiz, you should listen to this book! We hear the gritty, nuts and bolts details and VERY funny day to day story of a middle-aged professional who left his life and work in Chicago to make a try in LA, the land where every actor's dreams go to live -- and die.

What did you like best about this story?

Mr. Theis shares all the little details about pursuing an acting career, but makes every moment, even the most soul-crushing and cringe-inducing, interesting and somehow uplifting. You're pulling for him to succeed every step of the way, and whether or not he lands in the highest reaches of the business and becomes a Major Bankable Big Deal Superstar (spoiler alert: he doesn't) doesn't matter. Your journey through his invasion of Nirvana is wonderfully entertaining every step of the way.

What about Kevin Theis’s performance did you like?

There's nothing like hearing Kevin Theis reading the words of Kevin Theis. His style is so engaging and entertaining, you feel like you're listening to a story told to you by one of your actor buddies over a beer. As a long-time professional actor, Theis has a great voice and terrific comic timing. Just sit back and listen -- you're in the hands of a master entertainer.

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

Though I wasn't able to listen to it all in one sitting, I was certainly inspired to start up again between stops. Theis does a great job of pulling you along from chapter to chapter. Plus you want to hear how his journey ends!

Any additional comments?

An engaging, very entertaining professional actor reading a wonderfully interesting story about a fascinating subject -- a story he lived and wrote about himself. You can't go wrong by listening to this book!

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A complex classic benefits from a skilled narrator

Revisado: 06-06-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Meditations of Marcus Aurelius to be better than the print version?

The reason to listen to this version of Meditations rather than reading the book (or in addition to reading the book) is to get the assistance of a skilled guide through complex text.

What other book might you compare Meditations of Marcus Aurelius to and why?

Honestly? Parts of the Bible. There are few other works that have the pure instructive, useful power of Meditations.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Theis – was your favorite?

Marcus Aurelius!

If you could give Meditations of Marcus Aurelius a new subtitle, what would it be?

Life Is Short -- Lead a Good Life and Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

Any additional comments?

When moving through complex language, with long and winding stepping stones of words from beginning to end of many sentences, it's essential to have a top-notch professional guide to lead you through. Kevin Theis has the intelligence and power and energy to keep the listener on track and engaged.

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Heartfelt and masterful

Revisado: 01-30-15

Do not think you will be listening to a dry and dusty book of ancient, dead history. McCullough's book and Herrman's narration style breathe so much life and import and interest into this fantastic book, it is simply not to be missed. Of its many joys, one of the signal high points is the astounding relationship between John and Abigail, brought to vivid life in this telling.

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