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    Orders is Orders: Golden Age Stories
    Orders is Orders: Golden Age Stories
    Orders is Orders: Golden Age Stories
    Audiobook2 hours

    Orders is Orders: Golden Age Stories

    Written by L. Ron Hubbard

    Narrated by R.F. Daley, Brooke Bloom, Corey Burton and

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    About this audiobook

    The doomed Chinese city of Shunkien was being systematically destroyed. Japan's war machine was pounding wreckage into ashes—wiping out a city that had thrived since the time of Genghis Khan.

    One of the few buildings still standing is the American consulate where one hundred and sixteen US refugees are facing almost certain death, either from high explosives, the ravages of starvation or Asiatic cholera.

    Unbeknownst to the refugees, their fate rests in the hands of one Marine—Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell—and his ability to negotiate two hundred miles of occupied territory in order to bring desperately needed gold and medicine, while overcoming bullets, dive bombers, butchery and his own personal nemesis—alcohol.

    Add to these seemingly insurmountable odds, a seductive American fan-dancer who hitches along for the ride and saving the lives of the hostages is far from a fait accompli.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGalaxy Press
    Release dateMar 15, 2010
    ISBN9781592125081
    Author

    L. Ron Hubbard

    With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most enduring and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard. Then too, of course, there is all L. Ron Hubbard represents as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology and thus the only major religion born in the 20th century.

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    Reviews for Orders is Orders

    4/5

    57 ratings24 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Another great story for the trip to and from work!
    • 4/5
      I love these old pulp stories and Galaxy Audio has produced a series that is well worth your attention. The stories are formulaic, of course, because that's what they were. The production values in this series – the performances and sound – are excellent.I received a review copy of "Orders is Orders" by L. Ron Hubbard with performances by Brooke Bloom, R. F. Daley, Mr. Corey Burton, Jim Meskimen, and Michael Yurchak through LibraryThing.com.
    • 4/5
      Long before Kindles, Nooks and the Tablets, people relied on paperbacks, newspapers and magazines for their reading entertainment. In the 1930s and 1940s, cheap-made magazines, dubbed Pulp Magazines, flew off the newsstands, featuring adventure stores of every genre by well-established writers, such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Elmore Leonard and Ray Bradbury. The great science-fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard, published over one-hundred-fifty short stories during this era, known to most as the Golden Age. Galaxy Press has been releasing Hubbard's titles on audiobooks, with a talented voice-cast and amazing sound effects.Each and every month, I participate in the Earlier Reviewers program on LibraryThing, in which a reader gets a chance to win a copy of a book in exchange for a review. Over the last four years, I have won a handful of titles, several eBooks, a few paperbacks and a couple of audiobooks. Back in November 2013, I won a copy of Orders Is Orders, which I received a few weeks later in December. I was busy around the holidays, so I kept pushing the audiobook aside, well that is until last month when I finally got around to listening to it.Orders Is Orders first appeared in the December 1937 issue of Argosy and is set in the worn-torn Chinese city of Shunkien, The US has a small consulate that is filled with frightened and starving refugees in the city. To make matters worse, some are suffering from the Asiatic cholera. Their only hope is the USS Miami, which is located two hundred miles away, but the US can't take any sort of military action, including bringing supplies to the consulate, without causing an 'act of war' with the Japanese.The only option is to send Marine Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell and Private First Class "Toughey" Spivits into enemy territory on a supply mission. Outnumbered and outgunned, they must face impossible odds in the effort to save the Americans trapped in the consulate.I'm not the biggest "war" fan, as many movies and books in this era tend to be a bit boring to me. Orders Is Orders audiobook is a long war tale, lasting just over two and half hours. The plot follows a similar format that other tales by the author goes by, with a flawed war hero being thrown into a dangerous situation and there just happens to be a beautiful woman around. In this particular story, it has happens to be a fan dancer, Goldie Brown. Though the plot is a little cliched, there are plenty of twists and turns that keep the story interesting. The great voice-cast and sound effects give the story an added boost. Overall, Orders Is Orders a thrilling war adventure from start to finish.
    • 4/5
      I found this to be a fun listen. I am a big fan of the pulp fiction era. This was a nice story that brought the old-time war stories to life.
    • 4/5
      I was a little hesitant about how this story would flesh itself out considering that I'm not a big fan of war stories. However, I am a fan of pulp novels/stories. I was pleasantly surprised by the characters in this story and the arc each of them plays. Out of the 4 main characters the story ultimately revolves around only one individual and his quest/orders to deliver gold and medicine to a group of american's stuck at a consulate during war time. Hos struggle with drinking and the demons that caused him to drink. Those struggles are all subtly handled during the adventure these characters are involved. While I don't think the story was worthy of it's own book, it would be an excellent addition to any anthology series.
    • 5/5
      L Ron Hubbard is so great at what he does. His books never disappoint me, and I have also listened to his audio books. This book was an interesting read because it involved alcohol. Alcohol was perceived differently in the 30's and 40's then it is now. This was a great spy thriller that centered on Japan and it's relation to the survival of the citizens of the United States. I liked the title and once military orders are given, they are followed. WWII started in 1939 and Japan was not our allie. This story first appeared in 1937. I thought that was extremely important to the story. I am giving this book a 5/5. I won a copy from LibraryThing Early Reviewers, however all opinions are my own.
    • 3/5
      Orders is orders is a captivating adventure. While it is not epic in its proportion and it does not carry itself with multiple layers of literary depth, it does have the power to suck you in to the world Hubbard paints and as soon as you pick up the book, you must absolutely finish it, being a thin little thing it becomes doable in a few hours. The rough-cut thick paper is one of the central characteristic of the “Stories from the Golden Age” edition; it gives it attitude and uniqueness.
    • 4/5
      Another great story by L Ron Hubbard in the feel and grit of the old pulps. With each word it seems to wrap around your brain and makes you feel like you're there with the characters going through what they are going through. I'm thrilled to have discovered these stories and I look forward to reading many more in the future.
    • 4/5
      A very enjoyable and suspenseful story. Two marines are sent on an impossible mission deep into wartime China to deliver much needed medical supplies to a stricken consulate. Set at the very beginning of WWII, before America's entrance into the war. They must outwit Japanese soldiers and make their way through battling troops and even rescue a stranded fan dancer. This audiobook was well done with a multi person cast and sound effects, more like a radio drama than a typical audiobook.
    • 4/5
      I thought this was a well-paced audio book. It was fun to listen to on my way to and from work. It seemed to go pretty quickly.The story is interesting. It's a good military yarn with grit and gumption. There's enough downtime between all the action to digest the story. As with any story, I don't necessarily agree with what the characters chose to do, but ultimately the ending was satisfying.Fun to listen to if you like military and action stories.
    • 4/5
      This is the first book I have read by l. Ron Hubbard and I very much enjoyed it. It was an easy and fast read which is a must for me since I have trouble concentrating. I had no trouble following the story and found that once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. The story line kept you wondering what would happen next and never had a dull moment. I highly recommend this book to others to read.
    • 4/5
      Orders is Orders (Stories from the Golden Age) by L. Ron Hubbard. It is 2 hrs and 33 mins long on 2 CD's.The Chinese city of Shunkien is being bombarded by the Japanese, more than 100 Americans huddle in the halls of the American Embassy, they radio for medical supplies and money to buy food. The ambassador doesn't know what will get them first deadly Asiatic cholera, starvation, or the Japanese army. Our hero is Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell a hard drinking, hard fight Marine. His mission is to transport to money and supplies two hundred miles to Shunkien by Saturday. He has one a private PFC Toughy Spivists to help him with his mission. Along the way he finds another stranded American Goldy Brown a entertainer. they detour to the city of his birth, and and end up picking up his father. They have to travel through many Battles mostly on foot... it's along way to there destination. some profanity.(****)
    • 5/5
      Well First off i would like to say that L Ron Hubbard is one of my favorite authers. Thi s story has great charactors a really good storyline. . I highly recommend Reading the stories from the golden age u wont be disapointed
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this audio book from L. Ron Hubbard. I found it fun to listen to. I felt like a child sitting in front of the big radio set from eras past. I loved how the tension in the story was built up and all the cast members to give the story depth. I will definitely be reading and listening to more books from this author. Thanks Library Thing Early Reviewers for the chance to receive this new audio book in exchange for a review.
    • 4/5
      This audio book was a bit slow for me. I have listened to many by this author before, while most of them aren't extremely serious they are fun to listen to. This was not my favorite one but I did enjoy the main story line. I will still listen and read more by this author!Thanks from Library Thing Early Reviewers for a free copy of this in exchange for a review!
    • 5/5
      The audio drama was very well acted. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. After listening to this story, I am now going to read some of L. Ron Hubbard other works.
    • 4/5
      Galaxy Press has released another L. Ron Hubbard short volume of pulp fiction. This time, the single story is a military tale that takes place in China in the 1930's. Japan is at war with China and the U. S. Navy and Marines are monitoring the battles and supporting the American embassies with protection, and in this case, supplies. A consulate located in the Chinese city of Shunkien is currently under siege by Japanese combat troops. Cholera has broken out in the city because of contaminated water and civilians and embassy staff have gathered in the consular building. The consul, Thomas Jackson, has radioed Captain Blackstone of the USS Miami off the coast of China asking for help with supplies of serum for the doctor to inoculate the Americans and gold to pay for food during the siege.Two tough marines are selected to transport the serum and gold to the consulate through the Japanese/Chinese battle lines. Both Gunnery Sergeant Jimmy Mitchell and his subordinate Marine Toughy Spivits prepare for the difficult if not impossible mission. There is a great amount of action during the mission, and interesting characters are introduced in the story.L. Ron Hubbard was a prolific writer during the Golden Age of pulp fiction during the 1940's and 1950's. As I described in prior reviews of Mr. Hubbard's stories (Devil's Manhunt (Stories from the Golden Age) and Under the Black Ensign (Stories from the Golden Age)), he lived an adventurous life and wrote his fiction from the foundation of experience. He wrote in this volume, "Adventuring is a state of mind. If you adventure through life, you have a good chance of being successful through life." Hubbard had an 80% acceptance rate of his story submissions to pulp magazines. In Orders is Orders, he draws on his experience as a captain on vessels in four oceans.I recommend the Galaxy Press series of attractive renditions of Hubbard's work published in pulp fiction format. The publisher sells them in paperback and Kindle editions. The stories are exciting and fast reading with good authentic details.
    • 4/5
      I won this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I was happy to have won it and have enjoyed reading it. The book is fairly short but also contains a foreword by Kevin J. Anderson, a story preview of Wind-Gone-Mad, a glossary, a biography of L. Ron Hubbard, and a complete list of his Stories From The Golden Age. When I think of L. Ron Hubbard, I immediately think of Scientology. I had no idea he was such a prolific writer. This story is appropriate for people of all ages and contains lots of adventure and excitement so kids would enjoy it too. Hubbard is able to pack a lot into this short novel: the relationship between Mitchell and his dad, Mitchell's past growing up with his father being a reverend, the loveable character of Goldy, Mitchell's integrity to follow his orders....etc. This was definitely an enjoyable read. Thank you LibraryThing!
    • 4/5
      Received as part of Librarything's Early Reviewers.I really like pulp! Quick, fun reads that transport and entertain you. I didn't so much read this book as see it on a black and white movie screen in my mind's eye. Classic soldier tale of internal and external conflict and a dedication to order and orders.
    • 4/5
      Classic L. Ron Hubbard pulp fiction. I'm always surprised at how well he can get his characters across as succinctly as he does, and remains entertaining throughout. In this book and Marine and a sailor are charged with getting serum through to an embattled American embassy 200 miles inland in China. The time frame is before Pearl Harbor, so we're not yet involved in WWII. A good, quick, macho read, but one anyone wil enjoy.
    • 4/5
      "Orders is Orders" by L. Ron Hubbard was originally published in 1937 for Argosy Magazine. It is a classic pulp novel written to entertain the masses, printed in inexpensive magazines that were affordably for just about anyone in the country. Galaxy Press publishes the fictional work of L. Ron Hubbard in a manner representative of the original pulp books. The paper the story is printed on is thick with edges are rough-cut, the print is medium font, which helps the reader move quickly though a fast moving story. The physical feel of this book is wonderful and actually enhanced the reading process for me. Galaxy Press has even thought of the non-readers of our generation, who love books but have become used to the audio versions. Each story is also offered on CD with a multicast of actors. Each story is about 2 hours in length.The story itself kept me captivated - two Marines (prior to the official American involvement in WW!!) are tasked with carrying supplies from Shanghai to an american embassy in Shunkien, The men must move through 200 miles of war torn China, navigating around and though Japanese lines. They meet up with a young American woman, which lightens up the dark story a bit. Until I received this Early Reviewers Book, I did not realize L. Ron Hubbard was on of our most prolific pulp writers of the 1930's and 1940's. Galaxy has gathered all of his stories and published them in a manner that can take the reader back to the golden age for a short while. Cover art and any internal pictures are all reproductions of the originals. I could easily get these stories on Kindle and enjoy the ride each would give me, but because of the quality of printing I will much prefer ordering and buying these books so I can curl in bed at night and read until I fall asleep - much as I perhaps would if I were reading them when they were first published.
    • 5/5
      I received a copy of this as a free audio book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. Another excellent story from the Golden Age with fantastic sound effects and appropriate voices. These are so enjoyable to listen to. L Ron Hubbard is an excellent story teller. All of his heroes have faults and are very human. Each story seems to have a moral lesson with just the right amount of humor and adventure.
    • 4/5
      A fine audiobook story with the performances and sound effects which make this story quite vivid and easy to imagine.I gave my stepfather who has served in the Navy and is a huge John Wayne fan this drama with others in a ten box set of Hubbard's audiobooks. He enjoyed them all and this one stuck out in his mind for him of the collection. I remember his chuckle when he recalled listening to it.The hero here has to get serum delivered to save people from the ravages of Asiatic cholera.
    • 3/5
      A short stort of limited value. The story is somewhat entertaining but is more like a comic strip story. A can not strongly recommend it.