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The First Ride: The Real Story of Santa Claus
- Narrated by: David A. Nickerson
- Length: 33 mins
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Publisher's summary
Forget Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, and St. Nick. It's about time you learned the truth. In the 1870's in rural Hopeville, Connecticut, the Clauses came to work at Max Pepin's farm. Christmas hasn't been the same since. This is a Christmas story you've been waiting for. Everyone has their own version of the Santa Claus story. Whether it's reindeer, a trip down the chimney, or elves crafting handmade toys, The First Ride breathes new life into the old myths surrounding everybody’s favorite saint: St. Nick!
As we read Max Pepin’s diary of life at his quiet, country homestead, we witness the arrival a quirky new farm hand: Nicolas Claus. Along with his extended family, mysterious Nicolas turns life on the farm upside down! Told through the eyes of Max’s grandson, this charming story is set amid the snow drifts of Max’s farm in Connecticut. Today, this farm is a part of the Hopeville State Park in eastern Connecticut. “Hopeville doesn’t exist anymore,” pines the narrator, for times long gone, but “you can still park your car along the road and wander through trails and trees that were once the temporary home of Santa Claus.” Come along! Take the journey and discover the real story of Santa Claus for yourself.
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For half a century, a terrible secret lay hidden, locked in a trunk in an attic... photos, official documents, and scraps of a diary written by a young girl. "The time has come when I must share my life story... some facts from the past that could make a contribution, however small it may be, to the history of mankind." The Secret Holocaust Diaries is a haunting eyewitness account of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a remarkable Russian-American woman who saw and survived unspeakable evils as a young girl.
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I respect Nonna
- By Susan on 12-26-11
By: Nonna Bannister, and others
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Coffin Corner Boys
- By: Carole Engle Avriett, Captain George W. Starks
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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As a young band of brothers flies over German-occupied France, they come under heavy fire. Their B-17 is shot down and the airmen - stumbling through fields and villages - scatter across Europe. Some struggled to flee for safety. Others were captured immediately and imprisoned. Now, for the first time, their incredible story of grit, survival, and reunion is told. Join George as he retraces his steps to freedom and discover the amazing stories of sacrifice and survival and how 10 young American boys plus their French helpers became heroes.
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Not what I was expecting.
- By Doug Riehle on 06-03-20
By: Carole Engle Avriett, and others
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The Meadow
- By: James Galvin
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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In short vignettes, Galvin gives us a deeply personal portrait of the people who lived in a mountain meadow along the Colorado-Wyoming border over its hundred-year history. His portraits illuminate the Western character and evolve a sense of place like no other.
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Reading the Meadow is almost like reading a poem..
- By Shelby Stephens on 04-30-12
By: James Galvin
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Hard Gold (I Witness)
- The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859: A Tale of the Old West
- By: Avi
- Narrated by: Alston Brown
- Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Early Whitcomb's family needs a miracle. Their Iowa farm has been in the family for generations, but a long drought has withered their savings and left them in debt - and in danger of foreclosure. Early's uncle, Jesse, thinks he has the solution: to head West and dig for gold. Fueled by reports of prospectors striking it rich in the Rocky Mountains, Jesse can't think about anything but gold. Early is wild to go with him, as much for the adventure as for the gold. But the journey costs money - more than the boys can afford....
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great story
- By Uki Dominque Lucas on 04-09-19
By: Avi
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Winterfrost
- By: Michelle Houts
- Narrated by: Amy McFadden
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost over the countryside. But twelve-year-old Bettina's parents have been called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia. In all the confusion, Bettina's family neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse who are rumored to look after the family and their livestock.
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My kids were riveted
- By Becca Horner on 12-05-18
By: Michelle Houts
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Beyond the Black Stump
- By: Nevil Shute
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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When Stanton Laird, American geologist, goes prospecting for the Topeka Exploration Company in the savage Australian outback, he finds something a good deal more precious than oil.
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Davina Porter is a wonderful narrator
- By Brian PDX on 07-26-14
By: Nevil Shute
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Nurse, Come You Here!
- More True Stories of a Country Nurse on a Scottish Isle
- By: Mary J. MacLeod
- Narrated by: Jill Tanner
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Mary J. Macleod and her husband left the London area for an idyllic place to raise their young children in the late '60s, and they found the island of Papavray in the Scottish Hebrides. There they bought a croft house on a "small acre" of land, and Mary J. (also known as Julia) became the district nurse.
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Great book!
- By Catt Pataky on 09-02-17
By: Mary J. MacLeod
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Remember Us
- My Journey from the Shtetl Through the Holocaust
- By: Vic Shayne, Martin Small
- Narrated by: Peter Altschuler
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Remember Us is a look back at the lost world of the shtetl: a wise Zayde offering prophetic and profound words to his grandson, the rich experience of Shabbos, and the treasure of a loving family. All this is torn apart with the arrival of the Holocaust, beginning a crucible fraught with twists and turns so unpredictable and surprising that they defy any attempt to find reason within them. Through the eyes of 91-year-old Holocaust survivor Martin Small, we learn that these priceless memories that are too painful to remember are also too painful to forget.
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A Tragic and Rich Life, With Lessons For All
- By still reading on 03-17-16
By: Vic Shayne, and others
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The Seamstress
- By: Sara Tuvel Bernstein, Louise Loots Thornton, Marlene Bernstein Samuels
- Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Told with the same old-fashioned narrative power as the novels of Herman Wouk, The Seamstress is the true story of Seren (Sara) Tuvel Bernstein and her survival during wartime. This powerful eyewitness account of survival, told with power and grace, will stay with listeners for years to come.
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Overcome with Emotion
- By Meryl on 05-16-13
By: Sara Tuvel Bernstein, and others
What listeners say about The First Ride: The Real Story of Santa Claus
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-19-19
cute little story
this was a cute little short story. my kids and I listened to this. they were a little lost by the change of point of view in the beginning but they eventually got it.
the narrator sounded like a grandpa telling the story. in a nice way.
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- Jaimie C
- 12-03-19
Origins of Santa Claus, set in Connecticut
If you know me, you know that I have a serious love of Santa Claus. I think he is the most magical figure. This of course explains why I wanted to listen to this audiobook and it did not disappoint. I LOVE the musical accompaniment, something I don't always hear in audiobooks and wish more folks did. This was done beautifully, so it complimented the story but did not distract from it.
David. A. Nickerson has a voice made for this story. His voice has a great timbre for books about snowfall and Santa Claus. Although I'm pretty sure books about other seasons and topics will be equally as charming when read by Nickerson.
I just finished watching Klaus on Netflix, a movie about the origins of Santa Claus, so listening to this audiobook came at a great time, because I got to experience two different origin stories about a man and a legend I hold so dear.
A sweet, quick read that I really enjoyed. It's just short enough to keep little ones from wandering and for adults to justify taking a break during the hustle of the holiday season, to sit and read while drinking hot cocoa.
Bonus points for taking place in Connecticut and for a grand use of sound!
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- Katie C.
- 10-31-19
A warm, new holiday tradition for the family!!
First off, buy this now! Christmas is upon us and this will be awesome to listen to as a family. Begin a new holiday tradition in your family. The tale is warm, kind, involving. I loved the well developed characters. Felt like real people.
On to the narrator. He is truly awesome!! Brings you right into the story. I found myself smiling, giggling listening. His voice brings you back to a kinder, gentler time. A warm feeling comes over you as he brings the story to life. This will be one I listen to over and over and play for the grandkids.
Grab this now!!! 💖💖💖💖
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- Connie
- 10-30-19
A very pleasant and refreshing tale.
It's a feel good story, sweet and entertaining. The only bad part is that I want more.
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- Janalyn
- 10-28-19
Merry Christmas!
When Nick Clauss and his wife Anna show up to Mr. Pepin‘s form to work as a form and. Mr. Pepin is more than happy to accommodate. Despite Mr. clause is funny quirks and his following surprises. He seems to do his job just right and always has his work done. I can’t really say much about the story as I don’t want to give it away. I will say I loved it and I can see having this this on after presents are opened, the turkey is in the oven and everyone’s getting ready for company with a fire in the hearth. Icould easily see this being a new tradition in anyone’s family. There is nothing greater than when a story gives you that happy feeling at the end you used to get when you were a child. That is exactly what I got with this book. I loved it and you will too it will be a great addition to your holiday reading list or like me you can make it a new staple in your holiday festivities. Drinking eggnog and listening to Santa’s first ride and Twas the night before Christmas. The narrator has the perfect voice for a Christmas time reading. He sounds familiar in like a close relative. This is just the perfect book for Christmas!
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- April H.
- 10-30-19
A New Christmas Eve Tradition
The First Ride
Gary Paul Bryant
This is a short yet wonderful production, that will become a family tradition for years to come. I found myself smiling as I listened, Twice because I liked it so much.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. David A. Nickerson brought the story to life, the musical accompaniment was perfect!!!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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1 person found this helpful