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A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom Audiobook
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(3.11) - 55 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A two-time Newbery Honor Book author, Jim Murphy is among the world's finest writers of nonfiction for children. In A Savage Thunder he takes listeners back to the American Civil War to tell the terrible yet extraordinary story of the Battle of Antietam. With the entire world watching, two armies met in Maryland in 1862. The Union needed a victory. The Confederacy hoped to continue its success. When the smoke cleared, 23,000 men were dead or wounded-and the momentum had shifted to the Union.
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"Very well done.Even though it is an informational book, it reads more like a story.Nice blend of fact and personal accounts. some quotes from Wisconsin soldiers! "
— Ginny (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Kevin Orton lends even-handed authority to the gripping account with a voice that would suit a major network news anchor—only with more passion. Orton seems to be gripped by the unrelenting action in his narration, and he passes on that ‘you are there’ feeling to readers.”
— AudioFile -
“In a logical, accessible way, Murphy discusses the battle both in detail and in a broader context, making a good case that it changed the course of the Civil War…A stirring, well-researched addition to Civil War shelves.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Orton’s masterful reading provides a ‘you are there’ intensity that recalls newsreel war reporting…Orton’s ever-changing speech rhythms, force of delivery, and shifting tempos, which match the intensity of the text, are most arresting, helping to turn nonfiction into moving historical truth.”
— Booklist (audio review) -
“Murphy provides readers with a lucid and compelling narrative, drawn mainly from firsthand accounts…The unflinching prose compels readers forward in anticipation of the events yet to unfold. Ever-present throughout the narrative is the dichotomy in leadership styles between the two generals…An outstanding account.”
— School Library Journal -
“What makes this impassioned volume speak—literally—are the many primary-source quotations of those involved, from the least to the most. The author deftly develops his characters, most notably the stubborn, vainglorious McClellan…Grand.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“In-depth…Come[s] alive for young and old readers a like.”
— Children’s Literature
A Savage Thunder Listener Reviews
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" One Sentence Review: Although I greatly appreciated a book on this subject being written for kids (and better yet, by master of the form Jim Murphy) I felt that the layout didn't break up the text adequately, and will perhaps scare off potential readers who would be interested in the subject. "
— Betsy, 3/28/2013 -
" Nice use of primary sources, detailed account of the lead-up to the battle, the battle itself and the after effects. A good resource on Antietam, especially for further information beyond the general overview you "
— Jason, 3/7/2012 -
" great history facts and the pics are perfect for the upper elem. and over. "
— Nancy, 7/29/2011 -
" I love Jim Murphy's approach to nonfiction writing! Very engaging and I learned something new about the war. "
— Jennifer, 5/31/2011 -
" Nice use of primary sources, detailed account of the lead-up to the battle, the battle itself and the after effects. A good resource on Antietam, especially for further information beyond the general overview you?d get from a book covering the entire war. "
— Jason, 3/3/2010 -
" great history facts and the pics are perfect for the upper elem. and over. <br/> "
— Nancy, 10/6/2009 -
" One Sentence Review: Although I greatly appreciated a book on this subject being written for kids (and better yet, by master of the form Jim Murphy) I felt that the layout didn't break up the text adequately, and will perhaps scare off potential readers who would be interested in the subject. "
— Elizabeth, 6/27/2009
About Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy is an editor and writer with more than a dozen books for young readers to his credit. Research Mr. Murphy was doing on the Civil War inspired his book The Boys’ War, as well as The Long Road to Gettysburg.
About Kevin Orton
Kevin Orton is a musician, composer, and actor. He performed in the 1999 Broadway revival of Amadeus and has appeared in numerous other New York and regional theater productions, as well as on television and in film. As a musician, he is most noted for composing and performing original music in the Tony Award–winning production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.