Thrilling adventure! Outstanding narration!

Thrilling is the word to use for the new audiobook of Mark Pieper’s novel “I Survived Gettysburg.” The main character of the story, a Civil War buff like the author himself, leaves Ohio to visit Gettysburg and through a series of strange events, receives a souvenir of an actual confederate soldier’s uniform. After trying it on, and it fitting him perfectly, he's suddenly transported back in time and finds himself wearing this uniform while paired with other southern soldiers as Pickett’s charge begins. It’s exciting enough on the page (I read the book when it first came out), but David Allen Vargo, the award-winning narrator, adds arresting and effective sound effects along with creating many different voices for the various characters to make this adventure all too real. This audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who wants to experience what the largest battle of the Civil War must have been like for the men who fought and died at Gettysburg.

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A haunting journey through history

Prepare yourself to take a haunting journey through history, blending the horror of the American Civil War with a gripping tale of mystery and the supernatural. “I Survived Gettysburg”, by Mark Pieper, is an incredibly captivating exploration of the past, offering a unique perspective on one of America’s most defining conflicts.

Jack, a Civil War enthusiast seeking relief from the monotony of his empty nest life he finds himself once his children have all left home, embarks on a camping trip to Gettysburg, unaware of the eerie events that await him. The house he lives in has always been a little haunted, so he’s no stranger to the supernatural, but what awaits him on the battlefields is nothing he could expect.

He unwittingly stumbles upon a world where the lines between past and present blur, and the ghosts of history come alive. What starts out like early-warning foreshocks before the main earthquake, Jack slips into a different stream of time where he briefly glimpses the past. Windows rattle from the booming canon fire, and people run for safety.

At its core, the novel grapples with themes of the futility of war and the passage of time. Jack’s own philosophical musings on the meaning of history and his own place within it add an interesting depth to the story.

For parts of the book, I wasn’t sure if it was written from a purely confederate sympathiser point of view, as there was a lot of “Monday-morning quarterbacking” on how General Lee should have done x or someone else should have done y and the war could have played out much differently. Indeed, early parts of the book talk of General Lee with a form of reverence for how well he did early on.

As the book goes on though, while Jack does feel sympathy for the confederate soldiers, it’s clearer that it’s sympathy for the poor souls forced into fighting rather than sympathy for the cause behind them. As the battle rages on, Jack forms a close bond with a couple of the doomed soldiers, and Pieper skilfully treads the line between loving the solider but hating the war.

As expected in events set during the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, there is frequent descriptions of horrific injuries, blood and gore, and battlefield surgery of the 1860s, so be warned if you’re a little squeamish.

The production value and narration of the audiobook was top-notch. The narrator, David Allen Vargo, has one of those voices that is both gravelly yet refined that is easy to listen to and suits the story well.

The audiobook draws you in for an immersive experience with added sound effects which make you feel as if you’re right there beside Jack. Thunderous canon booms and the crack-crack-crack of rifles, and the misery of men dying on the battlefield. None of it overpowering the narration though, only adding to the experience.

Overall, a hauntingly good tale. When you dive into the murky waters of history and the supernatural, you may find some moments in time are destined to linger long after the battle has finished.

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Stellar Narration of Civil War Historical Fiction w/ Dash of Paranormal

The narration performance by David Allen Vargo is amazingly good in this full effect audio script (with sound effects) of this intriguing Civil War history novel with a touch of paranormal or syfy. The historical research structuring this ghosts & time travel tale is flawless.

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The Past is Always with us

Review by Kat Eickhoff

Facing tragedies of the past both personally and historically is explored in quite a unique way in this novel. Mark Pieper incorporates the paranormal elements into a beautifully crafted and powerful story that mesmerizes the reader, yet the narration by David Allen Vargo’s incredible talent behind the microphone transports the listener back in time. The addition of sound effects added realism and a sense of bubbling fear, immersing me completely in to the mesmerizing experience.


“I Survived Gettysburg” is a must for fans of history and those fond of ghostly tales. Brace yourself for a heartbreaking and terrifying experience as the main character, Jack is forced to deal with his own tragedies and those of others far worse than his own.

An exceptional story narrated to perfection.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

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Very Well Written

Being a Civil War Buff, I couldn't wait to hear this. I enjoyed it immensely. It was a time when we were Brother against Brother. A truly Momentous time in American History.

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Excellent storytelling

Mark combines his knowledge of the civil war with beautiful storytelling. He certainly knows how to paint a picture.

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A Hidden Gem!

I went into this book not entirely sure what to expect as a Civil War buff. History meets ghost story…..and a great one at that! I was taken into the storyline within minutes. The research and knowledge into the war is spot on but the story-telling was intriguingly good. Just enough graphic detail to capture the horrors or war, making the skin crawl, and still being historically authentic.

The performer? Absolutely spectacular! I could listen to this sonorous performer all-day. His voice is rich and he captured each character with perfection. I enjoyed his pacing and inflections—a true performer that takes the reader on the battlefield alongside the protagonist!

I highly recommend both the book and its performer—you won’t be disappointed!

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An Amazing Experience!

What a fantastic listen! This isn’t just another book on Gettysburg. It’s a time tripping ghost story that left me wanting more! The storyteller brings to life the tale like nothing I’ve ever listened to before! David Allen Vargo’s production creates a realistic environment for the listener. The drama, the feel of battle, the horrors of war. Then there’s the story itself, hauntingly magnificent. The dark and eloquent poetry adds to the overall ambiance of the story.
The work is masterful in all ways! An audiobook that isn’t just a good listen but a fully immersive experience.
The authors in depth knowledge of the battle shows as there is plenty of real history imbedded within his frightful tale of a paranormal experience unlike any other. A “must listen“ for anyone that loves a good ghost story , Gettysburg, or the Civil War in general.

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Outstanding!

After visiting many tunes, I know that Gettysburg PA exudes an atmosphere of haunting solemnity. This book expertly presents the horrors of war through the eyes of people on the battlefield on July 1-3, 1863. Their raw emotions of anguish, fear and sadness comes through in the battle scenes and their interactions. This book perfectly captures the ambience that exists around this ground consecrated by the blood of so many Americans. The narration is excellent and the sound effects add to the overall experience. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War and Gettysburg. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

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Very enjoyable from start to finish

This book is very well written by an author who is quite a gifted storyteller. It grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. I hope there's more to come from him. The narration was pitch perfect and was as natural as if the author himself was telling the story. There were surprisingly well done sound effects too which never interfered and only enhanced the story and the narration. I've always been interested in the Civil War and have done a lot of studying on my own about it. I enjoyed it a lot from start to finish. A great listen and a great story!

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