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Chapters: Ringo Starr, Craig Charles, Betty Marsden, Rex Harrison, Paul Mcgann, Tom Baker, Leonard Rossiter, Michael Williams, Ken Dodd, David Morrissey, Jason Isaacs, Cilla Black, Kim Cattrall, Edward Askew Sothern, Gillian Kearney, Annie Russell, Frankie Vaughan, Peter Serafinowicz, Elisabeth Sladen, Alexei Sayle, Lesley Sharp, Jennifer Ellison, Ray Quinn, Cornelia Frances, Les Dennis, Tom Bell, Charles H. Workman, Margi Clarke, Malandra Burrows, Magda Szubanski, Philip Olivier, Kate Robbins, Liza Tarbuck, Arthur Askey, Geoffrey Hughes, Ian Hart, Joseph Dempsie, Alison Steadman, Derek Nimmo, Claire Sweeney, May Whitty, Antony Booth, Terry O'neill, Rita Tushingham, Doug Bradley, Faith Brown, Kenneth Cope, Katy Carmichael, Jean Alexander, Patricia Medina, Ozzie Yue, Mark Mcgann, Gia Scala, John Gregson, Bill Dean, Peter Adamson, Tony Forsyth, Clive Swift, John Robinson, Tony Haygarth, Neil Fitzmaurice, Charles James Mathews, Graham Bickley, Kerrie Hayes, Mark Moraghan, Paul Barber, Robb Wilton, Amelia Warner, Ted Robbins, John Scott Martin, Leon Lopez, Frank Pettingell, Sue Jenkins, Tina Malone, Megan Burns, Louis Emerick, Shaun Evans, Rupert Davies, Alicya Eyo, Cathy Tyson, Clive Hornby, Lizzie Hopley, Paul Angelis, Michael Angelis, Christine Tremarco, Kent Riley, Joe Mcgann, Sam Grey, Samuel Kane, Simon O'brien, Barry Sloane, Phina Oruche, Vickie Gates, Sunetra Sarker, David Yip, Tony Maudsley, Brian Oulton, Avril Angers, Philip Whitchurch, Gerald Sim, David Swift, Tom Georgeson, Victor Mcguire, Stephen Mcgann, Paul Usher, Anne Rogers, Pauline Fleming, Michael Starke, Mark Womack, David Burke, Dean Sullivan, Chris Perry-Metcalf, Ravi Kapoor, Russell Boulter, Gary Bleasdale, Gladys Ambrose, Richard Bird, Jean Boht, Alexandra Fletcher, John Warburton, Cheryl Murray, Andrée Melly, Raymond Pickard, George Christopher, Gary Bannon, Emile Charles, Angela Clarke, John Mcardle, Ken Jones, Gilly Coman, Brian Regan, Steven Cartait, C...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=25832 ... Read more

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Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Sean Maguire, Richard Armitage, Edward Woodward, Richard Haydn, Paul Mcgann, Eddie Redmayne, David Graham, Shaun Parkes, Ronald Allen, Nicholas Clay, Dan Clark, Felicity Kendal, Jim Carter. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Sean Martin Michael Maguire (né le 18 avril 1976, à Ilford, Essex) est un acteur et chanteur anglais, qui connut le succès en 1988, à l'âge de 11 ans lorsqu'il interpréta le rôle de "Tegs" Ratcliffe dans la série de la BBC Grange Hill. Maguire est déscendant d'une famille irlandaise originaire de Cavan. Ils s'installèrent à Londres à la fin des années 1970. Tous pratiquaient la danse irlandaise et donnaient des préstations régulières lors d'évènements ou de compétitions. Sean Maguire suivit cette tradition familiale depuis son plus jeune âge. Son premier rôle fut à l'âge de 5 ans, aux côtés de Laurence Olivier dans A Voyage Round My Father. A l'âge de sept ans ensuite, il joua l'un des nombreux enfants du numéro musical "Every Sperm is Sacred" issu du film Monty Python : Le Sens de la vie de 1983. En 1993, il rejoignit le casting du soap opera anglais EastEnders, jouant le rôle d'Aidan Brosnan, un jeune footballer irlandais. En 1994, Sean quitte la série pour prendre un rôme dans la série dramatique de la BBC Dangerfield. Il apparait également dans Holby City et Sunburn. Maguire décide de débuter une carrière musicale. Il sortira trois albums ; Sean Maguire en 1994, Spirit en 1996, et Greatest Hits en 1998. Sur plus grand succès sera la single Good Day, classé à la 12 place en mai 1996. Maguire fait également une carrière au cinéma. Au début des années 1990, il joue dans Waterland aux côtés d'Ethan Hawke et Jeremy Irons, ainsi que dans Un baiser avant de mourir. En 2001, Magu...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

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A highly original and magical debut novel, about Tom, caught between his elfin home and the world of humans.It combines a gripping story and strong characters with powerful images and insights into what it is that makes us human. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Exercise in Perspective-Taking
I just read this book with a boy I tutor and I think we both enjoyed it very much. I feel that as a story, it's a little thin-- but please don't make you think that you ought to avoid this book because of that description. What I mean by "thin" is that it covers such a small amount of time (it seems that, at most, it may be a few days, I'll say 10 at the most) that you really want to see more story. Again, you want to see more story in a good way.

This book does something that is very useful for the recommended age group-- it is an exercise in perspective-taking. We see humans through the eyes of Tom, who sees a young girl as large, slow, loud, and smelly. His physical experience of the human world is repulsive, and the description of unfamiliar emotions and actions (everyday human interactions, for example) do a good job of knocking the reader a bit off kilter and are just confusing enough to help us move into Tom's mind.

It is a good starting-off point to help kids who are developing a new sense of others' experiences to really explore an extreme example. From there you can walk them back to the individual difference between us all.

The upshot is that it's wrapped up in a fairly quick, fun story.

Books like Watership Down also move us out of our comfortable human perspective, but this one does it much more quickly and single-mindedly. But, again, it does leave you wanting more (and I don't mean a sequel, either), though maybe it's better to err that way than not knowing when to stop.

A Tale of Enchantment
How would you feel if your family shunned you and never wanted to see you anymore? Tom, the protagonist of Cold Tom, could create a sorrowful reply to this powerful question. In the story, he must wander off as an outcast because he has been perceived as a failure by his Elven brethren, the Tribe.

As he roams the land astray, not knowing where to go, Tom stumbles upon the city of "demons." And in that city, he does whatever he can do to avoid its inhabitants. He even attempts to use his natural Elven power of invisibility many times, by which he can use by "calling upon the stars." But even with his strong perseverance, Tom is discovered by the "demon" Anna, who he continuously declines help from. Later in the story, he is also discerned by Joe, Anna's half-brother, and Edie Mackintosh, their neighbor. These three secondary characters are important to the story because somewhere near the end, they all witness the event in which Tom's life changes forever.

Cold Tom, by Sally Prue, is a captivating fictional-adventure novel that can teach its reader to accept help when it is needed. When I read it, I felt emotions of both delight and sorrow, and I would recommend it for young adolescents with a clear understanding for an impulsive imagination. And though this is an adequate book to read, I think that the beginning of the story may need some improvement, but overall, Prue has formulated her debut novel as a tale with a heavily-troubled protagonist that matches an intricate plot.

-RT

NOT just for kids!! (A review for grown-ups)
I am a voracious reader, but have never been moved to write a review until this book, if only because I worry it will not get the attention it deserves.
I picked Cold Tom purely by accident at my local library, and the story so successfully gripped me that I finished it the same day. Not because it was easy, but because it was excellent! At the time I was in a sort of reading slump, and this so-called children's fantasy was like ice water in the desert. And let me tell you: if you're in the desert and you find water, it tastes amazing no matter what size the glass is! ;-)

Cold Tom is a tale based on the age-old subject of humans and fairies, but crafted with a unique and refreshing view of both (though I agree with reviewer Heather Scott that the fairies seem to actually be portrayed more authentically if judged by the standard of ancient myth).
The otherworldly point of view that this story is told from can be either confusing or mesmorizing. Tom's internal dialogue concerning 'aliens' at first had me ready to believe the book was set in an entirely different world containing extraterrestrial races. But it then slowly, smartly revealed itself to be an entirely different kind of story...

I would compare the book's tone or feel and use of point of view, as well as the story itself, to that of the revolutionary 'new classic' faery tales collected and chronicled by authors and editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (Another book, or rather set of books, that I STRONGLY recommend. Incidently, they themselves have another intriguing anthology entitled "The Faery Reel" that is well worth a look). Indeed, to the more mature reader Cold Tom may seem more like a somewhat long short story, that would be much at home in a fantasy anthology.

If I believed in the perfectly written book, this may well have gotten 5 stars. As it stands, I, having read so very VERY many books and being prepared to read many many more :-), cannot give any book a perfect 5. But Cold Tom is one of those few books that just might deserve it.

My final plea: don't let the age recommendation deter you from the opportunity to read a wonderful fantasy book! Consider it a refreshing little detour, in which you enjoy a gourmet literary 'snack' before moving on to whatever 'adult' book has been chosen as your main corse. Your taste buds will not be disappointed!

cold tom
the book that i am reading is called cold tom it is about a tribe of people that are elf-like creatures that have a normal temperature of below zero. The tribe lives on a place called the common it is mostly woods. The plot of the story is about tom one of the tribe who is left out all alone and is being hunted by his parents who want him dead because they think he is dangerous to the tribe . The conflict is that he is being held and protected at the same time and is getting sick at the and he relizes that not all humans are bad and becomes one himself

K. Hafoka
This book is a really good boook. Yes, it can get confusing but in the end you'll understand it.

It was one night when Tom was supposed to be watching out for the demons and they must have slipt past him because they almost found the tribe. So Sia told Larn thatTom was a danger to them so they tried to kill him but couldn't catch him. Then once he stays with a demon, the next thing you know he's just one of em.

I think that if you like mystery or stories that keep you guessing on something then you'll really like this book. So I recomend this book to any of those kind of readers. So I recomend this book to kids who are the age of 12 and up.

... Read more

Product Description
The ultimate bedtime story. All the animals on the farm are sleeping happily -- until Dog starts to snore!This is a re-issue in a larger format and with a new cover, of the successful, SNORE!Something has to be done about that Dog! He's keeping the whole farm awake with his noisy snoring. Will the rest of the animals be able to restore the peace?They get together and make every noise they can think of to wake up Dog, but still he just keeps on sleeping -- and snoring. As the sun rises in the morning Dog finally wakes up, ready for another day. The other animals of course, are more than ready for a good day's sleep. A perfect bedtime story on tape, with four bedtime songs included -- just to make sure. ... Read more

Product Description
The ultimate guide to classroom survival -- on tape!Can you tell a toadie from a twit, or a sneak from a swot? Do you know how to deal with a mad teacher or demonstrate pupil power? Do you go to school? Then this tape is for you! Cram-packed full of fun (and some seriously dodgy jokes) it sums up school life as it really is, complete with nits and zits and loads of nasty niffs! So pay attention and learn some loony lessons! Classroom riots led by Paul McGann. ... Read more

Product Description
The selection of poems, both familiar and less so, provides an illuminating context both for the bitter denunciation of Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est and for Katherine Tynan's portrayal of the First World War as necessary, just and Christian, while other poems consider the devastating impact of war on those friends, family and loved ones who remain behind. The collection also includes works by Anne Finch, Louisa Costello, Byron, Tennyson, Kipling, Hardy, Graves, Sassoon, Brooke, Jessie Pope, May Wedderburn Cannan, Walt Whitman, Henry Reed, Adrian Mitchell and Roger McGough among many others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Evocations of War
This historically-arranged selection of poems about warfare and its effects on the human mind, body, and heart, covers nearly 200 years between the late 1700s and the 1960s. Produced in Britain, and read by two British actors, Paul McGann and Regine Candler, it concentrates on English poets, with short forays into works by American authors.

Warhorse selections - "Charge of the Light Brigade", "In Flanders Fields" - are mixed with less well-known poems like "The Dead Statesman", a surprising (at least to me) burst of post-WWI bitterness from Kipling. Glory and horror intertwine from the earliest works to the most recent, but horror dominates as the present approaches. Changes in attitudes about war and patriotism come to vivid life. The effect of hearing these works read aloud is almost one of traveling in time. Paul McGann reads the lion's share - not surprising with so masculine a subject matter-and is IMO much the better reader, tho Ms. Candler is strikingly effective in places. The majority of works are from WWI - the period that produced so many gifted poets - and in them one hears older, strongly-held beliefs about Duty and Country clashing with the despairing fury engendered by the incomprehensible waste of trench warfare. McGann is able to bring understanding and force to everything from innocent jingoism to pity, from rage to transcendance, without forcing the material. His readings of WWII and Cold War pieces (Reed's "Lessons of the War", Lowell's "For the Union Dead", and McGough's "Icarus Allsorts" are remarkable) bring home the fear and ambivalence felt by a humanity realizing its power to destroy itself and the earth that supports it. ... Read more

Product Description
Centring on the trauma suffered by two World War I veterans, this novel also deals with gender, class, truth, survival and love.Amazon.com Review
The Eye in the Door is the second installation of Pat Barker'sacclaimed and haunting historical fiction trilogy about British soldierstraumatized by World War I trench warfare and the methods used bypsychiatrist William Rivers to treat them. As with the other two, the bookwas recognized with awards, winning the 1993 Guardian Fiction Prize. Here,Lieutenant Billy Prior is tormented by figuring out which side of severalcoins does he live -- coward or hero, crazy or sane, homosexual orheterosexual, upper class or lower. He represents the upheaval in Britainduring the war and the severe trauma felt by its soldiers. The writing issparse yet multilayered; Barker uses the lives of a few to capture an entiresociety during a tumultuous period. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

WWI caused Brits to make tough choices
This is the second book in Barker's "Regeneration Trilogy" that deals with the way some British soldiers reacted to the horrors of battle in the First World War.In this volume, Lieutenant Billy Prior is now working for the Ministry of Munitions, watching out for potential saboteurs among the conscientious objectors and any other "low-lifes" who might be trying to undermine the war effort on the home front.Dr. Rivers, Charles Manning, and Seigfried Sassoon also make appearances, but this volume is definitely Prior's book.We discover that Prior has childhood friends who are involved in anti-war activities, whom it is his duty to report to his superiors.His inability to reconcile his feelings of duty to his country (and his fellow soldiers) with his feelings of loyalty to his friends causes him to develop two distinct personalities, with devastating consequences.

Like its predecessor "Regeneration", this is a very dark and almost painful book.Homophobes won't get past the opening pages, which are so graphic that they seem designed more to shock the reader than to inform the story.Otherwise, this volume is more focused than its predecessor, which to this reviewer seemed to be all over the place.But don't be looking for entertainment value here; this is a series for those who are willing to look deep into the face of despair so that they might better understand their fellow men.Definitely anti-war and pro-humanity, but acknowledging the reality that at this juncture in human history, war is winning out.

The Eye in the Door is the second in Pat Barker's award winning World War I trilogy of novels
World War I London. Suffragetes and anti-war protesters are in prison being forced to inhabit cold cells in the nude. A painted eye in the door gazes in indifferent stare upon these prisoners of conscience. Overseas the war in the trenches has led to the slaughter of millions of Europe's finest young men and women.
This grim novel takes readers into thewaste land of human struggle against the demons of war, hatred and psychic waste. The chief characters are Dr. William Rivers whose role is to care for the shell shocked and demoralized soliders of the British Army. Rivers deals with the traumatized officers who are cared by him at Craiglockhart hospital in Scotland, Rivers hates war but seeks to restore these broken men to strength. The men are then released to serve again in the insatiable iron maw of the French trenches. Rivers was a real historical figure who died in 1922.
The second major figure in Barker's novel is the fictional Billy Prior. Prior is a complex bisexual officer disillusioned by the war yet missing his battalion in France. He is being treated for his asthma and inability to communicate in Rivers' hospital. Prior is also spying for the Ministry of Munitions on antiwar figures such as a family he knew growing up in working class England.Homosexuals, pacifists and anyone who criticizes the government is in dangerous of government surveillance and imprisonment. Prior is a tragic figure torn by his service to the Crown and his sense of betrayal of his friends in the anti-war movement, He is an aristocrat who is having an affair with a fetching factory girl much to the displeasure of his family.
Siegfried Sassoon the real life trench poet plans to return to France as the novel ends. Dr. Rivers has been treating Sassoon who dared to criticize the mindless bloodletting in a public statement to the press.
Barker makes no authorial comment on these characters but lets the story speak its own antiwar message. Her style reminds one of Hemingway/D.H. Lawrence and Robert Graves (himself a character mentioned in the trilogy).Her trilogy won the prestigious Booker Prize
in 1995. The Booker is given to the best novel written by an English author during the year.
Pat Barker is a civilian who knows how to write about modern warfare. Her novels are sexually explicit which may turn off some readers. Anyone wanting to know the mindset of Great Britain in World War I should read these insightful fictional works by a first class novelist. Top notch!

WWI's creepy little sidebar
The second book in the Regeneration trilogy, this novel follows Billy Prior, one of the characters in Regeneration. He's a "temporary gentleman", which is an interesting concept: a working-class young man trained to be an "upper-class" officer. He finds himself moving between two worlds, not entirely comfortable, or accepted, in either.

Pat Barker also describes a Britain in which appearances matter--but don't necessarilly reflect reality.

I was more interested in reading about the personal journey of the characters, rather than the larger social themes that Barker also addresses...specifically, the atmosphere of paranoia that seems to always overshadow a country at war.

Also, the 1960's bad cover art on the edition I read irritated me.

Healthy and Unhealthy Mind Dualities Driven by War Tragedies and Paranoia
If you haven't read Regeneration, you are making a big mistake if you read The Eye in the Door before Regeneration. Regeneration sets the stage for The Eye in the Door and provides much background information that you need to appreciate this book.

Those who liked the first book in the Regeneration trilogy, Regeneration, will absolutely adore The Eye in the Door. The characters from Regeneration return, and you have a chance to find out the consequences of the treatments they received from Dr. William Rivers in Regeneration. Pat Barker builds on the tensions, damage, doubts, and despair of mid-World War I to show how much more desperate matters were for the British by the spring of 1918.

In developing these themes, Pat Barker does a masterful job of explaining how a soldier has to operate both by emotion and by objective distance in order to function. From there, she helps us use the crucible of war to see how that duality is important to everyday functioning for all people.

As the title indicates, the book builds on a central metaphor of everyone being under observation as doubts build about Britain's ability to win the war. Those on the margins are most under pressure and at greatest risk.

I thought that the portrayal of Lieutenant Billy Prior was brilliant. He comes across as the kind of complex, interesting character that can help us learn a lot about Ms. Barker's messages for us. The eye metaphor is nicely developed in the context of Billy's life.

Brava, Ms. Barker!

A war time society bends and buckles
After reading "Regeneration", the second novel of the trilogy "Eye in the Door" expands in terms of characterization and plot complexity. Whereas Regeneration is superb in its exploration of the consciousness of Siegfreid Sassoon and his psychiatrist, Dr. River; Eye in the Door expands the character of Billy Prior to become one of the most psychologically well developed and complex characters in English fiction.

Billy Prior , a bisexual, has both male and female lovers in this novel. These relationships are embedded in the homophobic atmosphere of war torn London. Prior, suffering from "shell shock" struggles with his identify of war hero and pacifism. He struggles with childhood trauma in a society where repressesions are let lose in a war charged atmospher.

The book is beautifully written. Whereas Regeneration explores Sassoon's struggles to brng meaning into a meaningless situation, Eye in the Door explores more of the societal struggles with the war and individual reactions to the pressures of a war time society.

I loved this book and would give it 10 stars if I could. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Avoid
In 2006, BBC7, the BBC's digital archive radio station, after airing some previously recorded Eighth Doc stories, asked Big Finish Productions to produce a series of new 50 minute tales, with a new companion, Lucie Miller, later to be released on CD.They should have been wonderful.Big Finish wheeled out some of their most respected writers, the casts were, in radio terms, stellar, Paul McGann (one of the finest radio voices of his generation) was still in the lead chair.It all looked rosy right from the off.The remit seems, understandably, to have been 'new series for the radio' but for all their lining up of the big guns, what makes the NEDAs so much less than they should have been is that they are so slavishly adhere to the norms of new series TV, with its constant musical accompaniment, casual slaughter (specifically of women), and with modern youth as something to be pandered to, rather than analysed or, god forbid, criticised.The Doctor is, for Lucie, more a figure of ridicule than one of mystery (for no other reason than he is older than she is).One doesn't expect a Victoria Waterfield clone in this day and age but had I been the Doctor, I would have booted her out of the Tardis quicker than you could say "Turlough".(Actually, he does try to do just that quite early on in the previous story.)

'The Horror of Glam Rock' is story number two and there are a couple of funny moments.The cast ain't that bad, although Lucie is really annoying and the whole thing crawls its way into predictabilty pretty quickly.When the most engaging supporting character is killed, it is not only sadly predictable but the death is then happily forgotten by everyone in no time at all.Since when did death become so easily shrugged off?

There is a certain poignancy in hearing the late Stephen Gately (and he is rather good) but 'The Horror of Glam Rock' is, as audio entertainment, a badly choreographed train wreck. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very fun episode
Max Warp brings the fun combination of a veritable "boys with toys" episode and combines it with the threat of interplanetary war.

The plot revolves around a show MAX WARP about the latest spaceship designs.As the Doctor is admiring the various ships and Lucie's eyes are rolling at the apparent overstock of testosterone a murder among the cast of the show and suspicion being thrown on an alien race who once waged war against them in blame.

Into the mix comes a prime minister with a "spinbot" to advise them of the peoples preference to as to war or peace.What will she decide and how will the Doctor manage to save the day.

This episode has a brisk pace and a healthy mix of comedy and a little bawdy humor.Just right for an early episode in the season.

It's is definitely a keeper ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Nursing Scholarship, published by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 4104 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Comparing various short-form Geriatric Depression Scales leads to the GDS-5/15. (Clinical Scholarship).
Author: Sandra Kenney Weeks
Publication: Journal of Nursing Scholarship (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2003
Publisher: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Volume: 35Issue: 2Page: 133(5)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A chase through time
From the first line of this audio, you can tell it isn't a run of the mill adventure.

While relaxing in Singapore, the Doctor is approached by Sebastian Grayle, an immortal being who claims to have killed the Doctor in the past.This prompts the Doctor and Charley to embark on a quest throughout history to find the secrets of Grayle's unnatural powers.

The story is epic in scale, what scriptwriter Paul Cornell describes in the liner notes as a "road story ... where out heroes desperately dash from one location to another."

The Doctor's pursuit of Sebastian Grayle and his mysterious masters takes him to Scotland in 305, London in 1055 and Buckinghamshire in 1806.As expected, the TARDIS crew spends a fair amount of time being captured and then subsequently escaping.

It isn't all just skipping through time in a retread of an old Hartnell episode through.There is an engaging story here with a great pay off: the surprising return of a monster from the classic series.

Events in this story will impact Charley's future, which makes this essential listening.

A fun villain
Another great adventure of the 8th doctor and Charlie as they meet a foe who has gone through time fighting the doctor.The Doctor meets his foe who gloats over his victory forcing him to backtrack through time leading to their meetings. (wibbly wobbly timey wimey).Thus the doctor finds him self in Roman England, the time of Edward the Confessor and a fun time in the early 1800's as he tries to defeat this "new" foe and perhaps an old one too.

As usual McGain and Fisher run with a great script, the supporting actors come through as the story flows forward toward a climax.The only real question seems to be are McGain and Fisher capable of a sub par performances?Apparently not at least so far. ... Read more

Product Description
Seven stories of excitement and adventure in distant times and places! This second volume of MP3-CD readings features: The Planet of the Daleks read by Jon Pertwee Warriors of the Deep read by Peter Davison Vengeance on Varos read by Colin Baker The Novel of the Film read by Paul McGann Earth and Beyond three original short stories read by Paul McGann For PC and Mac users, this MP3-CD also features a special TARDIS-themed viewer screen, images from the original series, excerpts from other Doctor Who CD releases, web links and additional features. The readings also feature incidental music from the original TV stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Eighth Doctor meets the Cybermen
. . .and triumphs. But then, here's someone who'd give Tenth Doctor a run for his money in smarts, charm and energy!

The surprise is given away at the start. Oh never mind. Welcome back, Paul.

Return of the Cybermen
What would Doctor Who be without its trademark villains?Having reanimated the Daleks, Big Finish now sets about thawing out the Cybermen.

Sword of Orion is a remake of an old amateur audio production and there is a decidedly retro feel to the tale.It is interesting and well executed, but there's nothing really new here and, as a reintroduction of the Cybermen, it's vaguely disappointing as they are not front and centre in the story.In some ways, I think the production would have been better served if the Cybermen's appearance had been surprise instead of being so obviously announced on the cover.

A Good Old Fashioned Doctor Who Adventure
Following on from the events of Storm Warning, the eighth Doctor and his new companion Charley soon find themselves a few hundred years in the future visiting first a futuristic space port and then facing the silver giants known as the Cybermen. After the triumphant beginning of Storm Warning Big Finish choose to take a still relatively new Doctor up against an old enemy in a story that is steeped well in Doctor Who tradition. While perhaps a bit too traditional, if not predictable, at times, Sword Of Orion is still a good old fashioned Doctor Who adventure.

Both Paul McGann and India Fisher build on their strong performances from the previous story. Given that this is essential a traditional style story it's interesting to note just how good the performances are out of both McGann and Fisher as both bring their distinctive performances to what are effectively archetype characters of the Doctor and companion. The chemistry between them present in the previous story continues here as well and it is especially apparent during the first episode in particular. McGann is also given a bit more exposition to sayin this story as well such as the absolutely haunting reading he gives of the Cybermen's back-story to Charley. While the writing may be archetypes. The performances sure aren't and the story is all the better for it.

The supporting cast is good as well. Michelle Livingstone gives a nice performance as scrap ship captain Deeva Jansen who is far more then she first seems to be. Bruce Montangue, who I rather disliked in his role of Chief Librarian Elgin in Big Finish's The Genocide Machine, gives a much better performance here as the rather tough and even unlikeable Grash. The scrap ship crew consisting of actors Helen Goldwyn, Ian Marr, Hylton Collins and Toby Longworth come across rather well in their respective roles. Not to forget the brief appearances of Mark Gatiss and Barnaby Edwards in the story's beginning either. All told it's a good supporting cast all round.

Then, of course, there's the Cybermen themselves. In there first Big Finish appearance the silver giants are voiced by Nicholas Briggs and Alistair Lock and their work captures the voices of the Cybermen from their 1980's appearances spot on. The Cybermen come across rather well as both a threat to the characters and has characters facing a threat themselves. That said the Cybermen do take ages to show up and star having any real type of effect on the plot which seems rather odd considering that unlike say Earthshock where their late appearance was meant to be a surprise, this story puts them on the front cover and gets nearly half way through the story before they start making a sizable impact on the story. While it might not be their best appearance the Cybermen do get a nice audio debut here and certainly better the Daleks got.

The post-production of the story was done by Nicholas Briggs, who also wrote and directed it as well. Briggs post-production work is pretty good in establishing the places in which the story takes place such as the electronic yet recognizably Arabic bazaar music in the first episode. Briggs also adds little touches such as the sound of breathing and slightly muffled voices of characters while they are wearing space suits for example. In terms of the quality of its post-production Sword Of Orion is as good as any other Big Finish audio.

The script on the other hand is a different story as it is effectively a "Doctor Who story by numbers." The script is adapted from a story Briggs wrote back in the 1980's for the Audio Visuals series of fan audios which was, as Briggs has said, deliberately written that way and became quite popular back in the day. Having listened to that version there's a lot of that story here especially once the story leaves the space port behind and the scrap ship heads out into space. The problem with the script is the very fact that it's a "by the numbers" story which contains many of the cliches of the Cybermen's appearances in the original TV series. These range from their late appearance in the story to them menacing an isolated group of humans right down to the return of the worm like Cybermats. The problem is that the story becomes quite predictable which makes much of Briggs attempt to create atmosphere and suspense downright futile at times. The story does get a boost from the inclusion of a subplot regarding the far off war with Androids in the Orion system and how it all relates to the events of the story which keeps the story from being entirely predictable. While I like traditional style stories this one is just too traditional for its own good.

While suffering from being a far too traditional story, Sword Of Orion has its pluses. It has fine performances from McGann and Fisher, good performances from its supporting cast and some fine post-production work to boot. While it might not be the best of the eighth Doctor audios if you enjoy the more traditional stories or want to get all of the Doctor's up against the second longest running villains of the series, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise this is a good adventure but nothing spectacular.

Almost perfect
The Doctor and Charley's 2nd adventure is one of the episodes that simply sings.

The acting as usual is first rate not only from Paul and India but the supporting cast comes through very strong.The plotting is really strong and really comes through on this adventure.I've never cared for the Cybermen too much but I'm really in the minorty on that one and the story was so good that really doesn't matter.

The only real weakness is the lack of the shock as Miss Pollard finds herself on different worlds, in space and in the Tardis.Granted her first adventure exposed her to both but I would have expected to see a little more of it.

Anyways this is a great 2nd episode of the 8th doctor era (not counting the movie).It rightly forshadowed great things to come.

"They turned the burning light of their technology on something they felt was holding them back."
The Eighth Doctor, as played by Paul McGann: most prolific, or least? Well, it rather depends. In terms of television, this incarnation has but merely one appearance, the ill-fated 1996 TV movie meant to kickstart the program's revival to no avail. One almost feels McGann was cheated, given a chance at this iconic role only to have it snatched away. And to the degree that "Doctor Who" is after all primarily a TV show, that's indeed about the long and short of it. And yet the Eighth Doctor would go on for years to star in other media, especially radio dramas such as "Sword of Orion" here, thus in a way extending McGann's tenure and gradually generating an impressively massive multitude of adventures.

All of which is mostly Terra Incognito for me. As a fan, I tend to cleave pretty closely to the television series and for the most part leave it at that. Idle curiosity, though, and the sight of one of my particularly favorite villains, the Cybermen, led me to "Sword of Orion" kind of on a lark.

All in all, it's a thoroughly enjoyable tale, one that feels familiarly "Doctor Who" in spirit. Maybe just a tad too familiar. The plot comes across somewhat as little more than a clever recapitulation of "Tomb of the Cybermen"--only with a derelict spaceship instead of an underground installation and a team of salvage collectors instead of archaeologists. This effect seems the result less of intentional mimicry than unconscious influence, however. Paul McGann's fine vocal portrayal of the Doctor gives the story its own particularly unique feel, just as intriguing twists, interesting characters, and startlingly horrific motifs all manage to keep the listener thoroughly engaged in what's going on. The well-crafted dialogue carries the unfolding plot along in a compelling way that never seems artificial--you know, in that stilted way radio dramas can be prone to. Most of all, though, "Sword of Orion" succeeds wonderfully in asking that fundamental question any Cyberman tale should ask: just what is it that makes us human? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

That Sinking Feeling
The Doctor and Charley arrive in future Venice hours before it sinks.Can an ancient curse be reversed in time to save the great city?

This story is filled with familiar, perhaps even stereotypical, characters.There is an unsavoury Duke, a strange old woman, a mutated human, and followers of a strange cult.All these things have long been staples of Doctor Who, but for some reason this story failed to grab me.Instead I found it to be rather formulaic.

There is, however, no denying the incredible rapport between Paul McGann and India Fisher.This is the first story the pair recorded, but their character seem like old friends.Their performances are truly the best thing about this audio.

2.5 stars

Anything But Your Traditional Story
When I first listened to The Stones Of Venice I admit I wasn't hugely impressed with it. However as I've been going back and listening to the firsts season of audio stories for the eighth Doctor from Big Finish I was surprised to discover that it was a much better story this time round. Not only that but I came to really enjoy and appreciate this classically inspired tale of Venice's final hours, a cult worshiping a dead woman, amphibious gondoliers, an ageless duke and his lost love.

Paul McGann and India Fisher given nice performances as the Doctor and Charley. This was the first story they recorded together (although it's the third in proper story order) and the chemistry between them is fantastic to listen to. McGann's performance is interesting as this was his first outing as the Doctor since the 1996 TV movie and there echoes of that performance tobe heard in this story (such as this Doctor's ability to pick up on the pasts of other characters almost instantly). Yet McGann pushes towards being his own Doctor from the teaser sequence right to the finale itself. Fisher too gives a marvelous performance that, more then in either Storm Warning or Sword Of Orion, gives her a chance to really show off her skills as Charley ends up separated from the Doctor for a while. Fisher makes moments like Charley's being hypnotized and her reaction to it credible as well which I can imagine is nowhere near as easy as she makes it sound. All told, it is this story that really cementsas a fine Doctor/companion combination.

The story has a fine supporting cast as well. Michael Sheard is fine as Venice's ageless and cursed Duke Orsino who finds himself at the heart of the events in the story. Then there's Nick Scovell as the duke's art curator Churchwell who becomes something of a companion to the Doctor while Charley is away and a target of a cult. That cult is led by Vincenzo who is played by none other thenMark Gatiss and with considerable tongue and cheek at that. Then there's Big Finish regular Barnaby Edwards who plays the gondolier Pietro, one of the many amphibious gondoliers who plots to reclaim Venice after it sinks into the sea. Last but certainly not least is Elaine Ives Cameron as Ms. Lavish, an elderly lady who is amongst those to see Venice in its final hours yet is far more then she seems. In particular it is Cameron's fine performance in the last two episodes of the story that helps to make this story really stand out. Like the two stories before it, Stones Of Venice has a fine supporting cast backing up its stars rather well.

The script by Paul Magrs is in itself interesting and probably not for all tastes. My real change of heart regarding this story was here as well. It places the Doctor and Charley in 23rd century Venice as its about to sink into the sea. The city's only remaining people is the Duke Orsino who a hundred years earlier was cursed by his beloved Estella before she threw herself into the Grand Canal, the cult that worships her and hopes she will return to save the city, the revelers awaiting the end of the city and the long oppressed amphibious gondoliers who hope to reclaim the sinking city. If this doesn't sound like your typical Doctor Who story then you would be correct and I suspect this was the reason I didn't enjoy it as much the first time round. Yet it is a story that, is grounded in classical literature and themes,is about how people face disasters both epic and personal. It is also a tragic love story about a man who threw away his only love that somehow seeks to make things right which reaches its end in the incredible finale as well. The story, despite seemingly being buried too deep in magic, also does something Doctor Who has always been doing: disproving magic with science. The script is also full of some the best dialog you are likely to find in any audio story (or beyond for that matter) with a strong wit (Charley's line to the Doctor about what happens on their travels in part three and his response) and a fine sense of drama (see the part three cliffhanger or the story's finale). While it might not be a traditional story it is still a fantastic piece of work by Paul Magrs.

The Stones Of Venice is one of the best stories of the first McGann season, if not the best. It has fine performances from its leads, a supporting cast that is just as good and a first rate script by Paul Magrs. Yet it also more then just that of course. The Stones Of Venice also proves something else as well: that sometimes Doctor Who is at its best when its anything but your traditional story.

I'm not a Paul Magrs fan...
...but I do like Paul McGann, so I ended up not liking this audio very much, despite enjoying good performances by McGann, India Fisher (companion Charley) and the guest cast. My biggest problem was with the dialogue. Even good acting couldn't make it sound like anything anyone would really say. Ok, it came out of their mouths, and I have to believe my ears, but...arrgh. My second problem was in believing in the setting.

It's a futuristic Venice, in its last days before it drowns in the sea. The remaining inhabitants are partying to the end, doing odd cultish stuff, or waiting for the handover from human to amphibian (the Gondoliers seem to be some kind of oppressed slave race, but that wasn't terribly convincing either) control, or...just standing around being insane. There's something about a tragic love story between the Duke and his lost love. And then the Doctor and Charley land in the middle of all this... Two things: no one seems to have access to any kind of aircraft or even boats (besides the local water taxis!), and no one seems to have heard of aliens, even though by this time Earth has made contact with plenty of alien races in the DW universe.

This is one of the earlier 8th Doctor audio adventures, so I have the feeling they were still trying to establish his character. The Doctor does that "I know you" trick where he mysteriously knows about someone's past/childhood (as he did in the TV movie), but at least there were no footwear (or "is that your real hair?") gags (as has happened in other audios/books. I suppose that's what he gets for only appearing onscreen once) and thankfully, none of that "half-human" business.

I did like parts of it, but overall, for me, it fell flat.

... Read more

Product Description
From the author of THE BLOODY GROUND, a historical novel which features Richard Sharpe. In 1804, Sharpe is an army sergeant serving in India, on the trail of a renegade East India Company officer. His pursuit takes him into several bloody battles, the most notable of which sees Sharpe fighting at the side of the future Duke of Wellington. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (53)

Get the paper version, not the Kindle version
You save a whole 8 cents buying the Kindle version instead of the paper version. This joke of a pricing difference is going guarantee the eventual failure of the Kindle unless Amazon decides to do something about this.

"Nothing is achieved in war by officers without men, but a good deal by men without officers."
It's the early fall of 1803 and Richard Sharpe of His Majesty's army in India has had his sergeant's stripes for four years. He's good at his job, but he has developed the ambition of becoming an officer, if only so he can go back home someday and swagger into his old haunts with a sash and sword.Meanwhile, though, he's sent off with Col. McCandless, General Wellesley's head of intelligence, to locate and drag back a traitorous lieutenant from the East India Company who has changed sides and is now fighting as a major with the army of an enemy rajah. Wellesley is seeking battle with yet another traitorous Company man who commands the rajah's huge army, and Sharpe, McCandless, and the general will all reconverge at the Battle of Assaye -- which, even after Waterloo, Wellesley (now Duke of Wellington) still considered his own greatest victory. As always, the plot is complex, with numerous subplots, the action is meticulously and accurately described, the characters are entirely believable, and the narrative will carry you right along. Sharpe continues on his way up the ladder of promotion and the reader will be following right behind him.

Good one, moves along well....
I typically don't like books that depicts battles since I find them hard to follow, but this one I liked. Looking forward to the 3rd in the series.

small wonder
Small wonder that the brick and mortar shopping venues are in trouble; with Amaazon shopping is just a click and a delivery, so simple and precise and I can purchase used books and tapes at a substantial discount!
Hail the new medium!!
Matt

Glory in the Midst of Bloody Battles and Duplicity
If you haven't yet read Sharpe's Tiger, I recommend that you begin your reading of this exciting series with that book. The characters and story in Sharpe's Triumph will make more sense that way.

If you liked Sharpe's Tiger, you will probably enjoy Sharpe's Triumph even more. The story here is more historically accurate, the various battles are brilliantly described, and readers will find it easier to identify with Sharpe as the hero of the story.

As the book opens, Sergeant Sharpe has been sent to pick up some ammunition . . . a seemingly dull assignment that soon becomes quite meaningful. There's a rogue lieutenant from the British East India Company who has a bounty on his head, and Sharpe is soon drawn into the search for Lieutenant Dodd and the sepoys he took with him.

In the background, Sharpe has been enjoying a leisurely four years since he earned his sergeant's stripes in Sharpe's Tiger. The cushion that his wealth has brought is about to become a curse, however.

In the search for Dodd, Sharpe is presented with the opportunity to better his station in life, meets a new love interest, and has some hard choices to make.

The high point of the story comes in the detailed recounting of the Battle of Assaye which was important to defeating the Indian forces and helped establish the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

Those who don't want to read about the bloody side of war would do well to avoid this book.

... Read more

Product Description
Two cassettes.Playing time 3 hours.Read by Paul McGann. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

For anyone who loves animals.
Couldn't watch the film....because I'd recently lost 2 dogs.It hurt too much.
The book was equally hard to read, until I got caught up in it.
It's just beautiful, and there is 1 page (start of chapter 14) which is just fantastic.

A short wonderful road trip with a dog.

Not so fussed on the reincarnation theme, but it's still a great story.

FLUKE
FLUKE IS A NOVEL ABOUT A DOG WHO HAD FORMERLY BEEN A MAN BUT WAS REINCARNATED. IT IS VERY GOOD IN DESCRIBING THE WAY THE WORLD LOOKS THROUGH A DOG'S EYES. IT WAS VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE...
Being a huge James Herbert fan, relishing in his tales of brutal horror, drawn into his colourful (albeit sometimes over-indulging) absorptions of scenery, this was definitely a "fluke" of a find.

Discovering this hidden gem in an old bookstore while looking for a copy of "Once...", I thought "James Herbert, hmm.A horror/thriller written in a dog's (or possibly a man's?) perspective? I must get this."And so I did.

Within the first 2 pages I was instantly drawn into this beautiful story.Everything is here - death, life, lost love... and the insatiable desire to "right the wrongs" (or wrong the rights).

This is an intensely moving story.If a dog wrote a book, this is it, and many times throughout one would have to wonder WHO wrote it!Sharing my household with animals and dogs my entire life, there have been many times in which I thought "what would you like to say, to express in human terms?"Oh how this book does it...

This is a quick read (just over 200 pages), even though I wish it could have lasted 700+.The instances and situations Fluke gets caught up in are just too engrossing and hilarious for me to quickly sum up on an online review.So, I've decided to re-publish this review by Damien Kane (care of damienkane.com)... he did what I wanted to do.
Monday, 7 April 2008
Book Review: Fluke by James Herbert (1977)
Horror is as varied as it is interesting. James Herbert was one of my favourite writers over a decade ago (Rats, The Dark, Shrine, The Fog) but Fluke isn't one of them. It's written by a master of horror, and that's what I expected when I first picked the book up, but it wasn't what I got.

Instead, what I did get, was an eloquently plotted book about a man who dies and is re-incarnated as a dog. The first three or four chapters contains no verbal interaction which was interesting, because I was so engrossed in the story, I never realised until the second time I read it!

It's difficult to write this review without spoilers. I want to tell you everything. It's one of my favourite reads, and for good reason. It was later turned into a movie in 1995 (see IMDB here). I haven't had the opportunity to watch it but I still trawl the video shops looking for it.

The basic storyline is that the reincarnated dog (Fluke by name, fluke by nature) gradually starts to remember his previous life as a man, fragmentary memories trying to push themselves to the surface from being repressed. There's an instinct deep inside that he can't get; a diamond of knowledge that Fluke, no matter how hard he tries, can't reach. His instincts tells him that it is important to know what it is.

It sounds like a simple storyline, but the feelings that Fluke has of his milieu is insightful. There are scenes where Fluke, instead of trying to dig up antiquated feelings of his past, stop and thinks about what's happening a that moment: about the things he sees and smells, and feels, and the relationships he has encountered, both animal and people. I felt these to be breakthroughs in the novel as the man-turned-dog starts to come to terms with who he is, and the end of the novel indeed gives us that impression.

Some of the characters are very memorable, my favourite being Rumbo, the junkyard dog who takes Fluke under his paw, so to speak, showing him the ropes of the doggy-dog world. I found a number of underlying themes and feelings in this novel, from friendship to self-acceptance to name just two. The maturity of storytelling makes Fluke one of my favourite novels. It is rich in content and character, has a unique resonance, and of course, the bold perspective of being a dog.

Overall, Fluke was a surprising read by a horror writer, read by a horror reader. It injects a scope and gravity that despite not being in control, we should strive for what we want to achieve, regardless of what God did or did not give us. You'll be hard pressed to find similar novels with as much character development, and if like me you enjoy good prose and solid reads, this is a book you'll be keeping for a very long time.
RATING: 5 OUT OF 5

However, I HAVE seen the movie - but only after reading the book.I urge one not to watch it first and only if you really, REALLY want to see an adaptation - I wasn't impressed.

Why'd I mention "Once..."?Because Rumbo makes a comeback.

Finally, this book is such a classic that I buy every copy I can find and give it to friends.If you're considering buying it for yourself, by all means buy the hardcover!

Totally, forever enduring.SIX stars!

A Marvellous And Delightful Story For Young And Old!!!
This book is a delightful and wondrous tale told by a writer who is best known by his forays into the Horror Genre.Author James Hebert abandons his usual ghosts and scares and takes the reader on a marvellous journey through the eyes of a dog , Fluke who was once a man in a previous life. In this book we see Fluke trying desperately to regain his life as a man as he goes on a journey to find his Human Family.Read this book and then give it to your children to read as it is a enchanting story for young and old.

Beautiful and Moving
It was a dog's life for Fluke the puppy until the images that had been haunting his canine mind came into sharp focus - he wasn't supposed to be a dog, he was actually a MAN!How had he ended up in this furry body?What of his wife, his child?What of HIM?Soon, though, the truth came - he the man had died, and had been reincartnated as a dog.And the visions hinted that he had been murdered!This begins a quest as Fluke sets out to his old town, determined to deliver out justice to whoever murdered him...An excellent book and a personal favorite of mine.But the best part of all was Fluke.He remained at all times a dog, even though he had human intelligence and memories, rather than some bizarre mix of human and animal that all too many books have.Fluke's friend Rumbo is also an enjoyable character, even if he did have a passion for crime.One of the best, well-written and beautiful stories I have ever read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not even the Brigadier could save this one
In this audio adventure Paul McGann gives a brilliant performance as a man who has lost his memory and quite possibly his mind.Sadly, there's lot of other silliness tacked on that spoils the story.

I'm sure Minuet in Hell sounded like a good idea in theory, but in actual practice, it is a bit of a mishmash.There are far too many plot points: political ambitions, psychic devices, a recreated Hell Fire Club and the first pairing of the Eighth Doctor and the Brigadier.Several of these ideas are quite good and could have been developed into stand alone stories, but when they are thrown all together, they just don't work.

Most of the characters are unbearably clichéd.We have a corrupt televangelist, a squawking politician who sounds exactly like Foghorn Leghorn, a love-sick doctor who mourns her lost youth, and a Buffy rip-off who fights demons.

Usually the voice work on Big Finish audios is impeccable, but this one features some of the most patronising and unconvincing American accents I've ever heard.

2 stars.

A Cold Assessment Of Hell
One of the interesting things to have happened as I've been listening to the first McGann season of Big Finish stories is how my opinions of two of those have changed. The first was The Stones Of Venice which I rather disliked upon my first listening but now found to be an excellent story. The second one was Minuet In Hell which, outside of some dodgy accents, I enjoyed the first time around but found to be a rather dull story upon this recent listening. The story perhaps is best summed up in the phrase "good concepts poorly executed."

One of the things on the plus side is the performances from its leads Paul McGann and India Fisher. McGann as the Doctor in particular shines despite the fact he is given not a lot to do throughout much of the story except mumble about hell and ask "who am I?", which at least in the case of the second item comes across unintentionally as a rehash of part of his performance in the TV Movie. Where McGann shines in his attempts to make the amnesic plot work and in the fourth part where he is finally given something to do. The same is very much true of Fisher as the Charley who spends the first half of the story virtually amnesic before finally being allowed to do something plot wise in the second half. In fact, much of the story's middle section is carried by Charley which once again gives Fisher a chance to show her talents off when the writing is able to let her. While the writing might not be stellar the leads do try and be and make the story listenable as a result.

The supporting cast is a real mixed bag if ever there was one. First up the good news: Nicholas Courtney and Nicholas Briggs. Courtney of course returns as the Brigadier, former UK commander of UNIT and friend of the Doctor, who comes to a new American state on a mission for UNIT. Courtney is in fine form as the Brigadier and is highly convincing as an older, wiser but just as active version of the character plus he has some fine chemistry with both McGann and Fisher during his scenes with them. In fact the Brigadier's scenes with the eighth Doctor is the biggest reason to listen to it. Then there is Nicholas Briggs as fellow asylum "patient" Gideon Crane. Briggs does a commendable job in the role especially during one of the plot twists where the identity of the Doctor is supposed to be in question. Outside of that Briggs also shares some nice chemistry in his many scenes with McGann as well which always helps too. Together these two are the best players of the supporting cast.

Now for the bad news: the rest of the supporting cast. None of the supporting cast members, especially Morgan Deare as Senator Waldo Pickering, manages to be convincing in their roles. Much of this is down to some really badly done accents including, once again, Deare who plays the former U.S. Senator as though he is Foghorn Leghorn from the Loony Toons cartoons of old. It is also down to the writing as well which doesn'thelp the unconvincing accents in trying to really sell the story. While much of the supporting cast have given wonderful performances elsewhere in the Big Finish range (Robert Jezek in The Holy Terror for instance) this is far from their best work and a real disappointment.

The real problem with the story lies in its script. Minuet In Hell started its life back in the 1980's as a story from the fan group Audio Visuals, many of whose members went on to work for Big Finish and was set in 18th century London involving the Hellfire Club and the notorious Bedlam asylum. Having heard the first half of that version andhaving re-listened to this version one question stems to mind: why was the remake set in America? It doesn't work as a story set in America not just because of the aforementioned accents but in terms of the plot as well. It seems clear that the story was written without a good understanding of the American political system or society (especially the whole idea that a section of a state can just succeed it and become a new state quickly) is just one example. It's not just that problem as there's some holes in the plot (what are the Psionovores up to anyway?) plus at plot twists that fall completely flat as well (see the cliffhanger for part two for example) despite showing a considerable amount of promise. Last but not least is the dialogue which is quite good at times but (in the form of Waldo Pickering and Becky Lee especially) can be downright cringe-worthy to put in very politely. That said the concept of an amnesic Doctor in an insane asylum is a neat idea that unfortunately is badly used here and because of the choice of Doctor seems to even bea rehash of an old idea. The result: "good concepts poorly executed.".

So where does MinuetIn Hell rank? While it features good performances from its two leads, two members of its supporting cast and a good concept or two it is held down considerably by its many problems. To be specific in the unconvincing performances of much of the supporting cast and a script that, despite that good concept or two, manages to fall flat on its face more times then not. Overall then Minuet In Hell ranks as the weakest of the stories of the first McGann Big Finish season and as a rather underwhelming finish to an otherwise fine set of stories.

Worst. "American" accents. Ever.
At least, the worst I've ever heard in one of these Doctor Who audio plays, bad to the extent that it made it painful to listen to. That said...

Oh look! The Eighth Doctor's lost his marbles. Again. Now, some of this may be an artifact of me listening to the stories in the wrong order, but I preferred a much later audio story where he loses his memory. (Something Inside (Doctor Who)) He is the amnesiac Time Lord! Hear him whimper! Anyway, he can't remember who he is, and maybe he isn't the Doctor, because this other chap locked up with him insists that HE's the Doctor, and they play 20 questions to try to prove who's who. Amusing to hear (and the actors do a good job here), but it isn't really convincing. What about all that two hearts business? Huh? Huh?

Charley, the companion. Charley is a bit confused at first, too, but she recovers quickly. Apparently spends much of the story running about scantily clad, but as this is an audio play, it's not as if we get to SEE her.

And wow. There's some evil American stereotype who wants to...um...take over a newly formed state? Is it New West South Virginia Carolina Texas? No. It's "Malebolgia". "Malebolgia"!? *head desks*He might as well run ads saying "Vote for me: I summon demons for fun and profit!" When he's not campaigning, he's hanging around the Hellfire Club and plotting with demons.

The demons...there are indeed demons. Not impressed with the demons. They do help the mad scientists with their...mad scientist...stuff. The whole memory and mind swap thing that the TARDIS does so easily. Apparently.

Moving on to the demon hunter. Hey, look! It's the Buffy the Vampire Slayer ripoff! Not that bad, but not that good, either.

And finally, our special guest star the Brigadier! I did enjoy his part in this, especially his meetings with the Doctor. (That's the sad fan in me.) They do have some good scenes. That is about the only reason to purchase this audio.

3 1/2Yay for the brig boo to the stereotypes
The first 5 doctor adventure that I've head that didn't rate 5 stars in fact it could really have rated below 4 if there was a half star system.

THE STRENGTHS:

As always strong performances from both McGain and Fisher, the Charley character become better and better each time.

An interesting set of relationships between the villians of the piece

Nicholas Courtney as the Brigadier.One of the favorites of the series and as usual acted very well.

Losing the pet.

The dueling doctors was well written.

THE WEAKNESSES:

Too over the top in terms of parts of the plot and some of the villians particularly the demon.

The stereotypes, granted this is an English production but you might think you could do better than a stereotypical southeren senator particular since that type of senator hasn't existed in 50 years.

The directing seemed off, in an audio medium directing is harder since one has to be sure the actors "see" things that are there or if they don't see things in front of them there is a reason, Russell didn't convey that for me, this is a surprise since he was the co writer of the episode.

Some neutral observations:

This is one episode that I suspect the teenage boys in the Doctor Who audience wish was not strictly audio.The costumes described don't leave much to the imagination, then again since it audio it leaves everything to the imagination and for teenage boys that can run pretty wild.

There 20 questions bit was amusing particularly when he asked the question about Turlough, the question referenced the next episode released Dr Who Audio Twin CD Loups Garoux (Doctor Who), a neat way to bypass putting a "coming soon" bit usually at the end.

Very nice little continuing plot hints toward the big problem with Charley, we see more of them later in Seasons of Fear (Doctor Who) and likely others that I haven't heard.

The demon vs alien angle:The way the "demons" are played are a neat trick, although the writers couldn't know this at the time (March 2001) the contracts between demon and demon hunter might get some play in Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series.

There is actually a provision in the document annexing of Texas that allows it to split up into as many as 5 states.Many Americans aren't aware of it, nice catch by our English friends.

All in all you do want it, particulary for the Brig but I was expecting better.

Oh and BTW Amazon you might want to get the actual image rather than the incorrect one displayed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Cry 'Havoc', and let slip the Daleks of war...
There is a crack in time and Shakespeare is fading from history.While trying to set things right, the Doctor and Charley are understandably surprised to learn that the Daleks number themselves among the Bard of Avon's devotees.

Daleks quoting Shakespeare - it just doesn't get any better than this!Nicholas Briggs and Clayton Hickman actually manage to infuse a touch of the poetic into those menacing mechanised voices.

This is one of my all-time favourite Big Finish audios.There are a lot of layers to the story, so it's worth listening to more than once.(I've listened to it more times than I care to reveal.)

Scriptwriter Justin Richard incorporates aspects of the classic series while giving a fresh spin on the familiar and often over-used Daleks.Fans of the new series will find this adventure instantly accessible, even if they haven't been following the Eighth Doctor stories.

As always Paul McGann is brilliant - there is such depth and passion in his interpretation of the Doctor.

Bottom line, there is a fantastic adventure that should not be missed.

All Our Yesterdays
The Doctor follows a crack in time back to its source and finds Britain in a secret alliance with the Daleks.But that isn't the weirdest part: the Daleks want to help Britain discover time travel so they can shake hands with William Shakespeare.So why is there an armed rebellion on palace grounds?Why has the PM suspended Parliament?And why are copies of Shakespeare's First Folio turning blank?

Justin Richards, author of some of the best Doctor Who novels of the 1990s, pushes the character by making him question his own assumptions about his greatest enemy.This story presages some of the narrative ambiguity and self-assessment that were part of the TV series' high points when it came back in 2005.And Paul McGann makes an admirable Doctor; too bad he never got more screen time.

Though this is part of an ongoing story arc featuring the Eighth Doctor, it is one of the few Big Finish stories for McGann that doesn't require you to be have heard all the priors.It is possible to join this story already in progress.If you like the Eighth Doctor and want to see him mix it up with the Daleks, here is your one and only chance.And enjoy it, because this story helps give the coming stories teeth.

Time is Out of Joint
This is one of the few Dr. Who audio adventures that is worthy of being remade as a TV production.It is funny, smart, and well acted.I am sad that so few Dr. Who fans on the U.S. West Coast know that it exists.

Imagine the author thinking:"How can I write a story that involves the Daleks quoting Shakespeare?"

This is how.
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