The Trail of Ninety-Eight

By: Robert W Service

Narrated by: Maynard Villers

This is the story of the great stampede of gold seekers to Alaska, written from the eyewitness viewpoint of the author. Not just a spectator, the author was among the first gold seekers who took part in the initial mining activities in the northland.

The story is one that reflects incredible daring by those who held the dream of fabulous wealth. The story is also reflective of the less desirable elements including greed, cruelty, and suffering. Here is a drama of superb magnitude, embracing characters that hold the listener in unabated interest right down to the intense climax.

©1910 Robert W Service (P)2005 Books in Motion

Love and Ice

I listen in the car commuting 2 hours a day. This book kept my attention for hours. Boiled down it is a love story amid terrible circumstances. Historically accurate with very detailed character development often I would drive slower home just to listen to the next development.

Great story of the gold rush in the Yukon

Robert Service is the namesake of my high school Alma mater in Anchorage, AK. I grew up listening to the works of Robert Service, but never read any of his books. This one captures the trying times and hopeless ventures of those with gold fever. An innocent love story unfolds in the wild country of the Yukon despite all the trials. Robert Service captures the spirit of the times and brings the reader into 1898.

Such a powerful story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I have recommended this book to several friends.

The story is amazing in it's stark realalism. Man's lust for gold is amazing. The pain and suffering for a relatively worthless metal is overwhelming. The cruelty is just shocking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, the story teller, really won me over. I'd be proud to call him my friend.

Have you listened to any of Maynard Villers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

not really

Melodramatic

Very melodramatic with one dimensional characters and lots of inaccuracies in dealing the gold rush. Don't waste your money.