
Empires of Sand
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Narrated by:
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George Guidall
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By:
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David Ball
After four trips to the Sahara and extensive historical research, David Ball crafted this sweeping adventure novel spanning two continents and 15 years. Set against a backdrop of the crumbling French Empire’s attempts to colonize the Sahara Desert, Empires of Sand follows the lives of two cousins who are raised as brothers but destined to become enemies. It is 1870, and France is at war with Prussia. The son of a French count and a Saharan noblewoman, Moussa has been born to privilege. His cousin Paul will be an Army Officer like his father. For two young boys, the siege of Paris is merely another grand adventure. But as tensions rise, the French become more and more suspicious of “outsiders.” When Moussa and his mother are forced to flee to her homeland, it will be 10 years before Moussa and Paul meet again—on opposite sides of a brutal battle for control of the Sahara. David Ball has created a swashbuckling tale with something for everyone. With his masterful narration, George Guidall perfectly captures the struggles of two men as their personal loyalties shift in a rapidly changing world.
©1999 David W. Ball (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLCListeners also enjoyed...




















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Less fill would have earned 5 stars.
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The story doesn't stop there. Next thing you know you are off to the deserts of Sahara. And there we have the Tuareg people. Again the author has built his story on research about these proud people. The women are unveiled and independent, but the men are hidden behind indigo colored veils. All one sees is their eyes through small slits. Here the book continues to follows Moussa and Paul within the framework of real events. France wanted to build a railroad that would cross the Algerian Sahara south to Timbuktu in the French Sudan, what is today Mali. Colonel Paul Flatters led an exploratory expedition for France in 1880-81. The true events of this massacre are related through this story.
You are delivered one adventure after another. You get love and hatred and the evils of the Church and balloon rides and...... put your self in a deep irrigation tunnel, naked, digging as a slave. This is an adventure story that teaches about real historical events.
You can tell the author is having fun. There is humor. You can tell the author is poking at the church.....wait till you meet the Bishop and oh, there is a demonic nun! The author clearly has a message about hatred, about love and about being an outsider, a person who doesn't fit in.
Impressive narration by George Guidall.The audiobook had both an author's note and a final interview with the author. Perfect conclusion to a fun book. The author says that the most successful parts of any book will be those parts where the author has had fun. Authors must write for themselves. It is difficult; you must persevere. You must build upon solid research. I think this author has had fun and there is solid research. It shows.
Exciting plot-driven adventure story
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What did you like best about Empires of Sand? What did you like least?
I enjoyed most of the characters. I thought they were fairly well thought out and certainly what is amazing is that this is the authors first novel. The story was entertaining but not enthralling This is not a "page turner". Had I not been a big fan of the narrator I might not have finished it.What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
Karma is karma.What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
His narration gives added meaning to the way words are used. if you have listened to enough of his narrations you are familiar with his various "people". This doesn't detract from the book. I really don't care that all the women sound like Irene Kennedy or the men like Mitch Rapp.Do you think Empires of Sand needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
I was not left hanging because the story was too fanciful for my limited imagination.A blistering history of the Tuareg
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A novel that stays with you even when it is over
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Cross vs Crescent
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my first review
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I had never heard of this author before, but would read another of his books.
Good Read
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An all-time favorite
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Would you try another book from David Ball and/or George Guidall?
Yes. Already read Ironfire, which was masterful.Would you be willing to try another book from David Ball? Why or why not?
Yes. Already read Ironfire, which was masterful.What aspect of George Guidall???s performance would you have changed?
The historical settings came to life for me. Ball has a rare talent for this. I am enriched for having read this. However, his descriptions in the first half of the book of the two young boys and their adventures growing up together were a bit too "Tom Sawyer-ish." These subplots seemed to go on forever and about 50% of this could have been cut out with little loss to the story. The shifts from world-altering global events to the boys trapping rats in the church basement just didn't work for me.Was Empires of Sand worth the listening time?
About 2/3 of it was very worthwhile. the rest was a bit laborious.annoying "Tom sawyer" element killed it for me
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Not in the same calibre as Ken Follet
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