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The Boat of a Million Years Audiobook, by Poul Anderson Play Audiobook Sample

The Boat of a Million Years Audiobook

The Boat of a Million Years Audiobook, by Poul Anderson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Tom Weiner Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 10.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: June 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483076645

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

113

Longest Chapter Length:

47:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

43 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

10:43 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

30

Other Audiobooks Written by Poul Anderson: > View All...

Publisher Description

Others have written science fiction on the theme of immortality, but in The Boat of a Million Years, Poul Anderson made it his own. Early in human history, certain individuals were born who live on—unaging, undying—through the centuries and millennia. This story follows them over two thousand years, up to our time and beyond—to the promise of utopia and to the challenge of the stars.

As time goes on, these unique individuals must learn to cope with—and hide—their true nature. Facing suspicion by the mortals around them, they become wanderers, disconnected even from their families. But hope lies ahead.

A milestone in modern science fiction and a New York Times Notable Book when first published in 1989, this is one of a great writer’s finest works.

Download and start listening now!

"Good mix of historical and science fiction. Gets nice and trippy at the end. Of course since he is a science fiction author he lays on the bullshit libertarianism a little thick at a few points, but still a really good read."

— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Succeeds admirably.”

    — New York Times
  • “Anderson brings proven storytelling abilities and research skills to chronicles that range from 310 BC to a centuries-distant future.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Ambitious in scope, meticulous in detail, polished in style.”

    — Library Journal
  • “An unforgettable novel, with a cast as big as mankind and an adventure that charts the course of time. Read it, enjoy it, savor it.”

    — Jerry Pournelle, multiple award–winning science fiction author
  • “This is the book we’ve all been waiting for!”

    — Joe Haldeman, author of The Forever War

Awards

  • A 1989 New York Times Notable Book
  • Nominated for the 1990 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award
  • Finalist for the 1990 Hugo Award for Best Novel
  • Nominated for the 1989 Nebula Award for Best Novel
  • An iBooks bestseller in Science Fiction & Fantasy

The Boat of a Million Years Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.566666666666667 out of 53.566666666666667 out of 53.566666666666667 out of 53.566666666666667 out of 53.566666666666667 out of 5 (3.57)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 5
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fascinating story. Immortal, but not impervious to violence, several characters maneuver through all of human history, and well into the future, in order to survive. "

    — JLA, 12/2/2019
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Probably worth the extra half a star the average is at right now. "

    — Patrick, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " not as good as the hype but still very good. it left me wanting to know what happens next. "

    — Angela, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very well written story with three or four interwoven storylines that only come together in the last third of the book. It has many of the same issues that plague many Poul Anderson books, notably his heavy handed application of libertarian themes and concepts. "

    — Colin, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " this was a good book. it definitely made think. what fun is immortality if there is nobody to share it with and if there is no goal other than survival? "

    — Mark, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fantastical and grandiose ideas that is marred by Anderson's political interjections and an unwieldy plot. The characters were all distinct and complicated, but the limp ending makes the journey a wild goose chase for all but the biggest fans. "

    — Jared, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Favorite book about immortals - would love to see this as a movie some day. The movie Hanncock could have been partially based off a segment of this story. "

    — Theboss, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This work of scifi is boring I could not finish the book because it did not even come close to grasping my interest. From page 1 it is not interesting, the only interest was the title. Reading this piece of work is a challenge for me but I will try to read it again. "

    — Joseph, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good, not great sci-fi. It tends to drag at the end. Fans of Highlander might enjoy. "

    — Garnett, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As I've said elsewhere, I only like this book until the story reaches "present day". After that it's not very interesting anymore. "

    — Michael, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I listened to this as an audiobook and couldn't bear to finish it. The story just seemed like garbage. This is simply science fiction drivel. If you were trapped in a prison cell this might be pretty cool but if you have any options at all there is no reason to choose this. "

    — Mitchell, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Probably one of my favorite books of all time. I can still remember many of the scenes from this book vividly, something that is very rare for me with books I have only read once. "

    — Freedom, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really really love this book. I've read it a zillion times or so. The themes it explores, such as the logistics of immortality, are realistically and beautifully dealt with. One of the best books I've read in years. "

    — Jaya, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Tedious stuff, I couldn't be bothered to finish it. "

    — Alan, 8/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The boat of a million years is a very neatly done work about people who don't age. Not immortal, because they can die. They just don't age. It's an amazing and large-scope story. "

    — Martin, 6/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I want to write the screen play of this book. I have read it 3 times...so far. "

    — Bobo, 4/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It should have ended about 100 pages prior to when it actually did "

    — Friedrich, 4/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not one of his better stories, but still worth reading. "

    — Brent, 2/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An interesting story of a group of immortals and their trek through the centuries. Some science fiction is good like Arthur C. Clarke and this book is one of them. "

    — Joseph, 2/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Even the masters stumble sometimes. "

    — Keith, 2/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Should have been better--good premise, following long-lifers/possible immortals through different eras, describing their eventual meetings...came across as ponderous and pretentious to me, and I hate to say something like that about an author I like. "

    — Thannasset, 1/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The book had promise, but it tailed off toward the end. I was almost 100 pages from the end when I stopped reading - I just didn't care any more. "

    — David, 10/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mind blowing, its a fabulous idea. "

    — Tammy, 7/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An interesting story of a group of immortals and their trek through the centuries. Some science fiction is good like Arthur C. Clarke and this book is one of them. "

    — Joseph, 6/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It should have ended about 100 pages prior to when it actually did "

    — Friedrich, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Probably one of my favorite books of all time. I can still remember many of the scenes from this book vividly, something that is very rare for me with books I have only read once. "

    — Freedom, 1/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " El libro en general es muy bueno, pero un final que quiso ser muy ambicioso terminó por decepcionar. "

    — Sul, 11/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " the ending was hard to swallow "

    — Apiksaal, 8/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good, not great sci-fi. It tends to drag at the end. Fans of Highlander might enjoy. "

    — Garnett, 7/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The boat of a million years is a very neatly done work about people who don't age. Not immortal, because they can die. They just don't age. It's an amazing and large-scope story. "

    — Martin, 3/6/2010

About Poul Anderson

Poul Anderson (1926–2001) was one of the most prolific and popular writers in science fiction. He won the Hugo Award seven times and the Nebula Award three times, as well as many other awards, including the Grand Master Award of the Science Fiction Writers of America for a lifetime of distinguished achievement. With a degree in physics and a wide knowledge of other fields of science, he was noted for building stories on a solid foundation of real science, as well as for being one of the most skilled creators of fast-paced adventure stories. He was author of over one hundred novels and story collections, several hundred short stories, and several mysteries and nonfiction books.

About Tom Weiner

Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.