The Great Secret

by L. Ron Hubbard Narrated by R.F. Daley, Bruce Boxleitner, Jim Meskimen, Chuck White, Lynsey Bartilson

Overview

Women. Liquor. Power.
Women. Liquor. Power.

That is Fanner Marston's mantra-his reason for being-and while he knows a little about the first and a lot about the second, he may well be on the verge of learning everything there is to know about the third. Power. He may, in fact, be about to uncover the key to gaining absolute control over the entire universe. The only problem is, Fanner is certifiably insane....

His starship has crash-landed, and he's the sole survivor, which doesn't matter to him. Driven by greed and lust for power, wracked by thirst, hunger and pain, all he cares about is reaching the ancient city of Parva and making himself at home. Because there lies The Great Secret to universal domination-and what's a little suffering on the road to becoming God?

Does Fanner have a prayer? The writing's on the walls of Parva-and you won't believe what it says....

Also includes the science fiction adventures, The Space Can, in which a decrepit space battleship is a civilian fleet's only defense; The Beast, the tale of a hunter in the jungles of Venus, chasing an immoral beast; and The Slaver, in which an alien race has enslaved the human race, but can't repress the power of human love.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Hubbard's classic pulp fiction tale was originally published in 1943 but shows no signs of age. With the tremendous attention to detail and production, audiences will find themselves captivated from beginning to end. This multicast performance, headed by Bruce Boxleitner, is a wonderfully rich and textured experience, complete with realistic sound effects and moody atmospheric score. The result is an almost theatrical experience, with Boxleitner leading listeners on a futuristic journey that will have their pulses racing and imaginations running wild. Also included are three shorter science-fiction tales, each as entertaining as the last. A Galaxy Press paperback.(Sept.)

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From the Publisher

"A wonderfully rich and textured experience, complete with realistic sound effects and moody atmospheric music.”—Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award winner for 2008

“. . . Hubbard was one of the country’s most prolific pulp science fiction writers.” —Alan Cheuse, National Public Radio

“One of the masters of pulp science fiction.” —Library Journal

Each of these of these outstanding audio books are two hour productions characterized by talented multi-cast performances, which are enhanced with impressive special effects and thematic music. Flawless technical recordings, each and every one of these very special audio books provides the listener with a true 'theatre of the mind' experience and is enthusiastically recommended. —Midwest Book Review

OCT/NOV 08 - AudioFile

This volume from Galaxy Press's new cache of Hubbard's golden age stories contains four adventures that take the listener from the treacherous jungle to the scorching desert to outer space. R.F. Daley narrates three, supported by a full cast and sound effects. He performs best when the story is action packed, like "The Beast." "Space Can" is a somewhat weaker entry, and even Daley and the supporting cast sound less engaged. On the other hand, Bruce Boxleitner handles the introspective first story, "The Great Secret," with a steady, rumbling, almost cinematic vocal swagger. The over-the-top performances may startle the listener who is accustomed to more subtle recordings, but it's part of the intended style. Just sit back and enjoy a nostalgic, old-fashioned listen, complete with extravagant melodrama. A.H.A. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171729189
Publisher:	Galaxy Press, LLC
Publication date:	03/15/2010
Series:	Golden Age Stories
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Sweeping clouds shadowed the tawny plain, and far off in the east the plumes of night spread gently, mournfully, burying the corpse of the Livian day. Fanner Marston, a tattered speck upon a ridge, looked eastward, looked to the glory he sought and beheld it.

Throat and tongue swollen with thirst, green eyes blazing now with new ecstasy, he knew he had it. He would gain it, would realize that heady height upon which he had elected to stand. Before him lay the Great Secret! The Secret which had made a dead race rule the Universe! And that Secret would be his, Fanner Marston’s, and Fanner Marston would be the ruler, the new ruler, the arbiter of destiny for all the Universe!

—L. Ron Hubbard

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