Audiobooks narrated by John Banks

Brought to you by Penguin. After decades of warfare, Malazan forces are now close to consolidating the Quon Talian mainland. Yet it is at this moment that Emperor Kellanved orders a new campaign far to the north: the invasion of Falar. Since the main Malazan armies are otherwise engaged in Quon Tali, a collection of orphaned units and broken squads has been brought together under Fist Dujek - himself recovering from the loss of an arm - to fight this new campaign. A somewhat rag-tag army, joined by a similarly motley fleet under the command of the Emperor himself. There are however those who harbour doubts regarding the stewardship of Kellanved and his cohort Dancer, and as the Malazan force heads north, it encounters an unlooked-for and most unwelcome threat - unspeakable and born of legend, it has woken and will destroy all who stand in its way. Most appalled by this is Tayschrenn, the untested High Mage of the Empire. He is all-too aware of the true nature of this ancient horror - and his own inadequacy in having to confront it. Yet confront it he must, alongside the most unlikely of allies . . . And then the theocracy of Falar is itself far from defenceless - its priests are in possession of a weapon so terrifying it has not been unleashed for centuries. Named the Jhistal, it was rumoured to be a gift from the sea-god Mael. But two can play at that game, for the Emperor sails towards Falar aboard his flagship Twisted - a vessel that is itself thought to be not entirely of this world . . . Here, then, in the tracts of the Ice Wastes and among the islands of Falar, the Empire of Malaz faces two seemingly insurmountable tests - each one potentially the origin of its destruction . . . These are bloody, turbulent and treacherous times for all caught up in the forging of the Malazan Empire. ©2023 Ian C Esslemont (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Ian C Esslemont, Ian C. Esslemont (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Invisible Man: A Grotesque Romance

A mysterious stranger in a long-sleeved coat, with a bandaged face and wide-brimmed hat, arrives in a small English village. But his incongruous appearance is nothing compared to the secret of the clandestine experiments he is undertaking… With his face swaddled in bandages, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses and his hands covered even indoors, Griffin – the new guest at The Coach and Horses – Is at first assumed to be a shy accident-victim. But the true reason for his disguise is far more chilling: he has developed a process that has made him invisible, and is locked in a struggle to discover the antidote. Forced from the village and driven to murder, he seeks the aid of his old friend Kemp. The horror of his fate has affected his mind, however – and when Kemp refuses to help, Griffin resolves to wreak his revenge. About The Reader John Banks is one of the UK’s most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor. About The Author Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the “father of science fiction.” His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

H.G. Wells (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

The First Men in the Moon

As a result of an accident with an experiment, two unlikely friends are propelled on a journey to the moon. But a whole new universe of terrors await them there, including the insectoid Selenites. Will they be able to overcome these perils, and find a safe way home? When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to the Kent coast to write a play, he meets by chance the brilliant Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist on the brink of developing a material that blocks gravity. Cavor soon succeeds in his experiments, only to tell a stunned Bedford the invention makes possible one of the oldest dreams of humanity: a journey to the moon. With Bedford motivated by money, and Cavor by the desire for knowledge, the two embark on the expedition. But neither are prepared for what they find – a world of freezing nights, boiling days and sinister alien life, on which they may be trapped forever. About The Reader John Banks is one of the UK’s most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor. About The Author Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the “father of science fiction.” His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

H.G. Wells (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Time Machine

When a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year 802,701 AD, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realises that this beautiful people are simply remnants of a once-great culture – now weak and childishly afraid of the dark. But they have every reason to be afraid: in deep tunnels beneath their paradise lurks another race descended from humanity – the sinister Morlocks. And when the scientist’s time machine vanishes, it becomes clear he must search these tunnels, if he is ever to return to his own era. About The Reader John Banks is one of the UK’s most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor. About The Author Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the “father of science fiction.” His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

H.G. Wells (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

The War of the Worlds

A meteor-like alien object lands on Earth, spearheading an apocalyptic chain of events. Earth has been watched, and now the aliens have landed and their intent is conquest and war… H. G. Wells’s The War of the Worlds, the first story to speculate about the consequences of aliens (from Mars) with superior technology landing on earth, is one of the most influential science fiction books ever written. The novel is both a thrilling narrative and an elaboration of Wells’s socio-political thought on the subjects of imperialism, humankind’s treatment of other animals, and unquestioning faith in military technology and the continuation of the human species. About The Reader John Banks is one of the UK’s most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop. He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens. He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor. About The Author Herbert George Wells was a novelist, teacher, historian and journalist, who has become known as the “father of science fiction.” His works have been adapted countless times, and provided the basis for many literary and theatrical productions.

H.G. Wells (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sky

“The Juganet is a circle. The circle is a machine. The machine is a cross-over point. The point is a paramagnetic intersection. That is where I must be. Not here…” Eerie, unsettling and a benchmark production for children’s television in the 1970s, Sky was created by Doctor Who stalwarts Bob Baker and Dave Martin as one of the run of outstanding children’s dramas HTV produced in that decade. Sky is a mixture of ecological fable, science fantasy and good, old-fashioned peril. An ethereal boy called Sky materialises on an Earth that is as unprepared for him as he is for it. He soon realises that he’s been brought to the wrong time and must seek out the Juganet to return to his correct place in reality. With the help of tearaway Arby Venner, his sister June and friend Roy he must race against time as Nature rejects Sky and the Earth’s immune system creates the evil Goodchild, who is out to stop him at all costs… Based on one of the most memorable television series of the 1970s starring Marc Harrison, Stuart Lock & Cherrald Butterfield. About The Author: Bob Baker, co-writer of three Oscar and BAFTA winning Wallace & Gromit films, creator of K9, and writer of numerous Doctor Who episodes. A stalwart of HTV, Bob has worked with Sir Laurence Olivier, Leonard Rossiter, Ron Moody, Toyah Willcox and Trevor Eve. Among his many TV credits, Bob wrote a number of episodes of Doctor Who with co-writer Dave Martin, several episodes of Bergerac starring John Nettles and the smash hit children’s show, Into the Labyrinth; Bob also script edited the popular crime series Shoestring.

Bob Baker (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

King of the Castle

Ignored by his dad, bullied by the teachers at his posh school, and picked on by the gang of kids who roam the stairways of his tower block home, Roland Wright thinks he has it pretty bad. Then, a broken lift hurls him into a strange kingdom where fantasy and reality meet, and Roland finds that his nightmare has only just begun. Who can Roland trust in this bizarre new world? The obsequious caretaker with his rattling keys and cryptic advice? The enchanting Lady who just wants to care for him? The King of the Castle himself? Roland soon realises that he will need to have all his wits about him if he wants to escape the mysterious Castle… A brand new novelisation, based on the eerie 1977 Children’s TV classic starring Talfryn Thomas, Fulton Mackay and Milton Johns. About The Author: Bob Baker, co-writer of three Oscar and BAFTA winning Wallace & Gromit films, creator of K9, and writer of numerous Doctor Who episodes. A stalwart of HTV, Bob has worked with Sir Laurence Olivier, Leonard Rossiter, Ron Moody, Toyah Willcox and Trevor Eve. Among his many TV credits, Bob wrote a number of episodes of Doctor Who with co-writer Dave Martin, several episodes of Bergerac starring John Nettles and the smash hit children’s show, Into the Labyrinth; Bob also script edited the popular crime series Shoestring.

Bob Baker (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Victorian Gentleman's Ghostly Anthology

Twelve of the very best Victorian short ghost stories, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors. The Victorian era is remembered for many things, but one of the fondest is the wide and varied array of short, ghostly, suspenseful tales…often enjoyed around the fireside at Christmas time. In this new anthology, John Banks performs twelve of the very best, all written by incredibly talented, but oft-times overlooked or forgotten, authors. Once you tire of Dickens and James, these are the true masters of short-form suspense: - “The Steel Mirror” by W.W. Fenn - “A Real Country Ghost Story” by Albert Smith - “The Weird Violinist” by Anonymous - “Walsham Grange: A Real Ghost Story” by E. Morant Cox - “Haunted” by Coulson Kernahan - “Nicodemus” by Alfred Crowquill - “The Veiled Portrait” by James Grant - “The Ghost Chamber” by Anonymous - “The Doll’s Ghost” by F. Marion Crawford - “How Peter Parley Laid A Ghost: A Story of Owl’s Abbey” by Anonymous - “The Ghost’s Summons” by Ada Buisson - “A Terrible Retribution; or, Squire Orton’s Ghost” by Anonymous

Ada Buisson, Albert Smith, Alfred Crowquill, Coulson Kernahan, E. Morant Cox, F. Marion Crawford, James Grant, W.W. Fenn (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version – Anglicized Edition

JOHN BANKS brings the words of the NRSV Bible to incredible life…including all the books of the Old & New Testaments. Acclaimed by both biblical scholars and general readers as the most reliable English Bible available, the New Revised Standard Version follows in the great tradition of the King James Version in being true to the original meaning of the text, while presenting it in a style that speaks powerfully to contemporary readers of all religious backgrounds. This unique combination of accuracy and elegance makes the NRSV the ideal Bible for personal use, for sharing aloud in groups or for buying as a special gift. In this exclusive newly recorded audiobook edition, JOHN BANKS brings the words of the Bible to incredible life. THIS EDITION: Contains all the books of the OLD and NEW Testaments: - Genesis - Exodus - Leviticus - Numbers - Deutoronomy - Joshua - Judges - Ruth - 1 Samuel - 2 Samuel - 1 Kings - 2 Kings - 1 Chronicles - 2 Chronicles - Ezra - Nehemiah - Esther - Job - Psalms - Proverbs - Ecclesiastes - The Song of Solomon - Isaiah - Jeremiah - Lamentations - Ezekiel - Daniel - Hosea - Joel - Amos - Obadiah - Jonah - Micah - Nahum - Habakkuk - Zephaniah - Haggai - Zechariah - Malachi - Matthew - Mark - Luke - John - The Acts of the Apostles - Romans - 1 Corinthians - 2 Corinthians - Galatians - Ephesians - Philippians - Colossians - 1 Thessalonians - 2 Thessalonians - 1 Timothy - 2 Timothy - Titus - Philemon - Hebrews - James - 1 Peter - 2 Peter - 1 John - 2 John - 2 John - Jude - Revelation

New Revised Standard Version (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

First Be Nimble: A Story About How to Adapt, Innovate and Perform in a Volatile Business World

The how-to guide to building an adaptive, productive business environment Graham Winter, author of the best-selling Think One Team, brings you First Be Nimble: A Story about How to Adapt, Innovate and Perform in a Volatile Business World. This book addresses the challenge of how to equip businesses to adapt and thrive in an unpredictable and demanding economy. Told in the form of a fable and illustrated with case studies and powerful tools, the book is designed to engage, inspire, and inform readers from all walks of business life. Helping leaders, teams, and whole organisations to bring their values to the frontline of the battle to be adaptive and productive, First Be Nimble shows readers how to align people and teams, collaborate and co-create with others, reduce resistance to change, boost trust, personal resilience, and performance, and prepare for the unique challenges of adaptive change. Helps businesses adapt to today's environment, learn to innovate, and build a "one team'" mentality Gives leaders the practical tools to facilitate change and foster the conversations that help people to learn and grow together Uses a unique, fable-style format, with inspirational examples, to bring key concepts to life While many business leaders are well versed in the importance of company values, they are often ignorant of how to bring them to life, and how to build an adaptive, high performing business. First Be Nimble is here to help.

Graham Winter (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

microDomination: How to leverage social media and content marketing to build a mini-business empire

Microdomination is based on the premise of building a strong personal brand around what gets you jazzed every day and then growing a sustainable business enterprise around it.The book paints a vivid picture of the possibilities that exist today for someone who has experience and expertise in - and importantly, a passion for - a particular subject, topic, or vocation. This passion could be a professional discipline - i.e., your day job - or a hobby or sideline interest that you're keen to turn into a full-time gig.Part One sets the scene - what constitutes a 'Micro Maven,' who they are, what their characteristics are. Jam-packed with real-life examples of highly inspirational individuals who are living the dream.Part Two gets more into the nuts and bolts - we dissect what the experts are doing and set about looking at ways and means how you too can replicate what they do to build your platform, your brand, and ultimately your business.

Trevor Young (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

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Mr Atkinson’s Rum Contract: The Story of a Tangled Inheritance

‘Rarely has family history been so vivid’ JENNY UGLOW ‘An extraordinarily original work’ AMANDA FOREMAN Richard Atkinson was in his late thirties, and approaching a milestone he had long dreaded – the age at which his father died – when one day he came across a box of old family letters gathering dust on top of a cupboard. This discovery set him on an all-consuming, highly emotional journey, ultimately taking him from the weather-beaten house of his Cumbrian ancestors to the abandoned ruins of their sugar estates in Jamaica. Richard’s searches led him to one forebear in particular, an earlier Richard Atkinson, a brilliant but flawed West India merchant who had shipped all the British army’s supplies during the American War of Independence, and amassed staggering wealth and connections along the way. ‘Rum’ Atkinson died young, at the height of his powers, leaving a vast inheritance to his many nephews and nieces, as well as the society beauty who had refused his proposal of marriage; forty years of litigation followed as his heirs wrangled over his legacy. Drawing on his family’s personal correspondence, Richard writes with rare candour about his worldly ancestors and their involvement in the slave trade – for, like many well-to-do Georgian families, the Atkinsons’ wealth was acquired at a terrible cost, through the lives of enslaved Africans. When the first of the Atkinsons sailed to Jamaica in the 1780s, the island was the jewel in the imperial crown; by the 1850s, when the last of them returned, it was an impoverished backwater. This vivid tale of a single family, their lives and loves, set against a panoramic backdrop of war, politics and slavery, offers a uniquely intimate insight into one of the most disturbing chapters in Britain’s colonial past.

Richard Atkinson (Author), John Banks (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by John Banks