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The Sum of All Men Audiobook, by David Farland Play Audiobook Sample

The Sum of All Men Audiobook

The Sum of All Men Audiobook, by David Farland Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Ray Porter Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 14.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 11.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Runelords Series Release Date: October 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483076003

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

62

Longest Chapter Length:

70:55 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:38 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

21:14 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

14

Other Audiobooks Written by David Farland: > View All...

Publisher Description

David Farland’s acclaimed Runelords series introduces a world where the social structure is based upon the magical exchange of “endowments” such as stamina, grace, and wit. The Runelords are those who receive these endowments from their vassals, becoming superhuman in exchange for the responsibility of caring for those they have deprived of strength, or beauty, or sight.

Young Prince Gaborn of Mystarria is traveling in disguise on a journey to ask for the hand of the lovely Princess Iome of Sylvarresta. Armed with his gifts of strength and perception, the prince and his bodyguard stop at a local tavern, where they spot a pair of assassins who have their sights set on Princess Iome’s father. As they race to warn the king, they realize that more than the royal family is at risk—the very fate of the Earth is in jeopardy.

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"This book series has a fantastic magic system where men and women give particular attributes to another person in a lifelong link between the two. This leads to some unexpected and wonderfully imagined scenarios, all tied together by a wonderful story. A must read!"

— Alan (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Farland once again proves himself a wizard at storytelling…This latest is certain to summon past readers of the series back to bookstores.”

    — Publisher's Weekly
  • “Ray Porter keeps the battles fresh with a tone of wonder as the events unfold. He uses pace effectively to vary the intensity of the battles and to show the vulnerability and humanity of Gaborn and his allies. Porter narrates as a historian, with subtle clues to his biases and prejudices, but a general dedication to telling the story objectively.”

    — AudioFile
  • “The author’s inventive approach to magic and his skill at depicting complex, believable characters make this tale a good choice.”

    — Library Journal
  • “Farland gets a prospective series off to a dynamic start with a compelling, action-packed story set in an intricate created world in which magical powers are unusual and convincing.”

    — Booklist

The Sum of All Men Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.423076923076923 out of 53.423076923076923 out of 53.423076923076923 out of 53.423076923076923 out of 53.423076923076923 out of 5 (3.42)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 2
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: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Daniel van der Linde, 4/3/2017
  • 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

    " I enjoyed this booka lot, it has an interesting system of majic and the pace of the book is good. I am lloking forwards to the rest of the series. "

    — John, 2/5/2014
  • 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

    " One of the freshest fantasy books I'd read in a long time. An unusual magic system, driving story, and unexpected ending made for a good read. "

    — William, 1/30/2014
  • 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

    " I remember really enjoying this book, the first in its series. The magic system was pretty fascinating, and the characters were interesting, if not always memorable. The first trilogy stayed interesting to me, but I didn't really enjoy the later ones much. "

    — Neil, 1/14/2014
  • 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 is a decent start into a great series, a lot of people complain that it is slow but as a start to a nine book series i think it builds a good foundation. The magic system is unique and awesome. "

    — Kenneth, 1/10/2014
  • 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 series was new and inventive. The magic system was very well put together, as was the world. I loved the creatures in this series, and the characters as well. "

    — Boyd, 1/8/2014
  • 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, but not as good as I'd heard. "

    — Jordan, 12/31/2013
  • 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

    " Interesting premise, enough so that I read the second book. Slightly weak writing. "

    — Josh, 12/16/2013
  • 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

    " Rather standard fantasy fare, except for the intriguing twist that the power of the Runelords comes from the taking of endowments of other people to enhance wit, stamina, brawn or senses. "

    — Terry, 12/15/2013
  • 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

    " Caught at another time, I might have finished this. As it is, I renewed it at the library twice and lost momentum. Perfectly serviceable 80s epic fantasy. "

    — Valerie, 12/4/2013
  • 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

    " One of my favorite fantasy series of all-time. "

    — Maggie, 10/31/2013
  • 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

    " The first book was quite addictive, and featured an incredibly neat premise. The following books were not nearly as interesting though, and failed to execute on the potential created by the first book. "

    — Allen, 6/13/2013
  • 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

    " A little too descriptive during the bloody parts for my liking, but very creative and a great book. "

    — Kaylee, 2/11/2013
  • 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

    " What a great original premise... royalty receive desirable attributes from their devotees - the catch is that the devotee then loses that attribute. Very interesting story and characters. "

    — Michele, 9/26/2012
  • 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 different kind of story, a bit different concept from those I've read so far. Mostly its good, keeps engaged but at times becomes kind of boring with seemingly useless fluff. I liked the writing style of David Farland. "

    — Amit, 3/7/2012
  • 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

    " Above average fantasy, interesting concept and good charctarization, will read more of the series "

    — Paul, 12/19/2011
  • 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

    " A great fantasy series with an interesting concept of magic. I cant wait until the next book comes out ! "

    — Kathryn, 11/25/2011
  • 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

    " 4.5 stars. Awesome magic system. Very good twists and turns. More original than most fantasy. "

    — BQ, 7/28/2011
  • 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

    " I liked it all. The magic, the plot, and the characters. All very well done. "

    — Ryan, 6/28/2011
  • 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

    " My brother bought this book and i read it. Though the concept of sorcery was new but i just disliked the way it had been written and the way the story goes.<br/>First 100 pages or so was so... draggy and boring. <br/> "

    — Sham27, 5/6/2011
  • 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

    " A little too descriptive during the bloody parts for my liking, but very creative and a great book. "

    — Kaylee, 4/4/2011
  • 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

    " One of the few books I've ever read that I thoroughly enjoyed, that has stuck with me over the years, but that I cannot muster up the desire to read the sequels for. I can't figure out why, either. "

    — Ruth, 3/28/2011
  • 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

    " Really good book and series with a cool original plot "

    — Don, 3/24/2011
  • 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

    " It's not quite poop, but nothing too interesting and new, and way too fluffy, black and white, lighthearted fantasy for my tastes. but that's just me.<br/> "

    — Dan, 1/14/2011
  • 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

    " Way too bloody the premise was so very ridiculous. The use of peasants etc. for &quot;endowments&quot; I did not finish this book. "

    — Norma, 1/1/2011
  • 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

    " Above average fantasy, interesting concept and good charctarization, will read more of the series "

    — Paul, 12/11/2010
  • 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

    " The world and the system of magic were really cool, but the acutal execution was only ok. And the characters were pretty one-dimensional. I'll still probably read the second though. "

    — Marc, 12/2/2010

About David Farland

David Farland is the pseudonym of Dave Wolverton, an American author of fantasy fiction who lives in Utah with his wife and five children. He was a budding author during his college years but came to prominence when he won the Writers of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Gold Award for On My Way to Paradise in 1987. He has achieved much renown in the science fiction field, but fans may know him best as the author of Star Wars novels; The Courtship of Princess Leia was met with acclaim from critics and readers alike and became a New York Times bestselling novel.

About Ray Porter

Ray Porter has garnered two Audie nominations as well as several Earphones Awards and enthusiastic reviews for his sparkling narration of audiobooks. A fifteen-year veteran of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.