Play Audiobook Sample
Landsman Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.09) - 145 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
In the summer of 1853, in Lafayette City, Louisiana, eleven-year-old Elias Abrams loses his mother to yellow fever. Grief-stricken and alone, he becomes embroiled in the street life of New Orleans. After Elias is falsely accused of a crime, and in order to escape arrest, he enlists in the Third Louisiana Regiment, where three thousand other Jews will ultimately fight for the Confederacy. Before long, though, Elias' past catches up with him, and he realizes that he must face his demons, or lose the woman he loves.
Download and start listening now!
"This book grabs you with violence and a taste of the dark side of New Orleans during the civil war. But its focus is maturing, redemption. A debut by the author, it is beautifully written, lyrical yet raw as hell. The characterizations are stellar. Once I got on it, it was done within days. "
— Nathan (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“What could be more worth of praise than a novelist who takes something that everyone's already looked at and considers it from the other side of the telescope in a way that's both unique and mesmerizing...Peter Melman has crafted a sensitive, important story with a debut worth making a big fuss over.”
— M. J. Rose, author of The Reincarnationist -
“Much remains untold about the impact of Southern Jews in the Civil War; Landman invites us into this rich, lost world that once was, though the power of one man’s story.”
— Robert Hicks, author of The Widow of the South -
“Melman’s tale is meticulously researched, but the details of his narrative—the lay of the Missouri and Arkansas battlefields, the rush and roar of battle, the delicate waltz and lingo of innocent young love—Only season it; they do not bury it…Landsman is an undeniably fine and absorbing first novel by a promising talent.”
— Oregonian -
“At times ribald and always real, Melman creates a rich and authentic story.”
— Booklist -
“Melman has mixed a sumptuous blend of all the elements of classic storytelling to create a profoundly satisfying work.”
— BookPage -
“Landsman is both eartly and mystic, with themes of patricide, betrayal, and hope brought to satisfying and human resolution.”
— BookSense
Landsman Listener Reviews
-
" fabulous book!!!!! recommend if you like American Civil War period, love stories, southern men "
— Gay, 2/12/2014 -
" Supposed to the the new Red Badge of Courage. Don't count on it... "
— Amy-Karen, 12/18/2013 -
" It was an interesting book. The writing style was a bit stiff - kinda victorian, also very violent. "
— Catherine, 11/8/2013 -
" I rarely give up on a book but I'm abandoning this one a bit over halfway. Way way too much nasty language and gratuitious sex. "
— Cheryl/Aradanryl, 8/15/2013 -
" I finished this because I can't stand not finishing a book I started but I didn't like it. Nothing about the story hooked me. There are better Civil War stories out there. "
— Cupcake_Orgasm, 8/6/2013 -
" Amazingly well written. My husband and I read ALOT and this has been one of favorites! It's not just the story, but the use of the language that makes it special. It's a quick read because you cannot put it down. I highly recommend it. Can't wait for his next book. "
— Tama, 7/5/2013 -
" Good story, if a bit graphic for my tastes at times. The main character's transformation from a gangster to a guy trying to set things right was done well - instantaneous transformation or fall in love at first sight stories like that usually drive me nuts. "
— Jen, 7/2/2013 -
" I picked this up randomly at the library...I love a Civil War novel, usually. Let's just say this was a borderline bodice ripper and I cannot even believe the author has a phd in creative writing....it was unbelievably bad and took all I had in me to finish. "
— Lewis, 1/6/2013 -
" This book is beautifully written. It's gritty, violent, romantic, and heatbreaking. I would recommend it to anyone interested in History, The Civil War, Jewish History, and love stories. Visually stunning. And the author's hot! "
— Elena, 10/27/2012 -
" insanely eloquent prose, yet brutally unrelenting all the same. total page turner. if you like the works of cormac mccarthy you will definitely enjoy this. "
— Davidhfinkel, 9/6/2012 -
" This book grabs you with violence and a taste of the dark side of New Orleans during the civil war. But its focus is maturing, redemption. A debut by the author, it is beautifully written, lyrical yet raw as hell. The characterizations are stellar. Once I got on it, it was done within days. "
— Nathan, 7/12/2012 -
" Street smart Jew in Civil WAr South in love with Miss Nora Bloom "
— Jane, 6/9/2012 -
" Ubber book minus the curse words. "
— Richard, 4/9/2012 -
" This was one on the $1 table at Barnes & Noble. Hard to get into, but the last 1/4 of the book was interesting. Fighting on the wrong side of the Civil War, starvation, and walking in the snow without shoes stuff for pages and pages. Ok, but not anything I'd recomment. "
— Ann, 4/1/2012 -
" I listened to the unabridged audio edition. I love reading historical fiction. This book introduced me to aspects of life in Civil War America that I'd never considered. The story is brutal so I can't say I "enjoyed" it. But I'm very glad I listened to it. "
— Teresa, 11/2/2011 -
" This book is an incredible debut. The lingo and culture of the South during the Civil War is so raw. I loved this book. "
— David, 9/11/2011 -
" Gritty. No holding back. Well written accounts of civil war battles, but not all the focus of the story. Keeps you wanting more. "
— Justin, 12/20/2010 -
" A poor man's Cold Mountain. "
— Eleanor, 9/3/2010 -
" I am biased. My best friend wrote this book. I love it. The story is solid and classic. The characters are smart. The backdrop of the south feels like home. I have enjoyed this book every single time I read it. "
— Kelley, 11/1/2009 -
" Dad said it was too Romancey for his taste. From what he said it seemed like it would be an excellent read-a-like for Cold Mountain. "
— Kate, 9/27/2009 -
" Supposed to the the new Red Badge of Courage. Don't count on it... "
— Amy-Karen, 7/10/2009 -
" I rarely give up on a book but I'm abandoning this one a bit over halfway. Way way too much nasty language and gratuitious sex. "
— Cheryl/Aradanryl, 1/30/2009 -
" It was an interesting book. The writing style was a bit stiff - kinda victorian, also very violent. "
— Catherine, 7/5/2008 -
" A poor man's Cold Mountain. "
— Eleanor, 5/6/2008 -
" Good story, if a bit graphic for my tastes at times. The main character's transformation from a gangster to a guy trying to set things right was done well - instantaneous transformation or fall in love at first sight stories like that usually drive me nuts. "
— Jen, 3/5/2008 -
" I picked this up randomly at the library...I love a Civil War novel, usually. Let's just say this was a borderline bodice ripper and I cannot even believe the author has a phd in creative writing....it was unbelievably bad and took all I had in me to finish. "
— Laura, 2/16/2008 -
" This book is beautifully written. It's gritty, violent, romantic, and heatbreaking. I would recommend it to anyone interested in History, The Civil War, Jewish History, and love stories. Visually stunning. And the author's hot! "
— Elena, 1/28/2008 -
" I am biased. My best friend wrote this book. I love it. The story is solid and classic. The characters are smart. The backdrop of the south feels like home. I have enjoyed this book every single time I read it. "
— Kelley, 1/27/2008 -
" Ubber book minus the curse words. "
— Richard, 1/11/2008 -
" insanely eloquent prose, yet brutally unrelenting all the same. total page turner. if you like the works of cormac mccarthy you will definitely enjoy this. "
— Davidhfinkel, 8/17/2007
About Peter Charles Melman
Peter Charles Melman was raised in Louisiana, where he earned his doctorate in creative writing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He currently teaches English at Hunter College High School in New York and lives in Brooklyn.
About Daniel Oreskes
Daniel Oreskes is a narrator as well as a film, television, and stage actor. He has earned two AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations and has twice been a finalist for the Audie Award, including for 2012 Audiobook of the Year. His several film roles include The Thomas Crown Affair and Day Zero, and his many television credits include episodes of Law & Order. He has acted on Broadway in Electra and Aida and in the off-Broadway Arthur Miller play Mr. Peters’ Connections with Peter Falk, as well as in numerous Shakespeare performances. A native New Yorker, he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.