Mercenary


Read by Mark Nelson

(4.4 stars; 338 reviews)

Every status-quo-caste society in history has left open two roads to rise above your caste: The Priest and The Warrior. But in a society of TV and tranquilizers--the Warrior acquires a strange new meaning... (Introduction from the Gutenberg text) (2 hr 32 min)

Chapters

01 - Part 1 54:38 Read by Mark Nelson
02 - Part 2 48:27 Read by Mark Nelson
03 - Part 3 49:07 Read by Mark Nelson

Reviews

Interesting story


(4 stars)

I could see the author thinking that people were heading in this direction, and it would seem he isn't too far off from how things are today. :-) Joseph Mowser started out as a member of the lower caste. He is not satisfied with this, and decides to rise above it. But how do you rise above your caste when your entire society is based on tranq's, television, and wars? Simple, become a war hero. Oh but there's a catch... but I won't spoil the story for you. The story is short, but interesting. Mark Nelson is always a fine reader. Overall, this is a story worth listening to. Enjoy!

Mercenary


(4 stars)

Very well read. On its face the story is quite dated. Beneath, however, is a familiar theme. Don't think so highly of yourself that you are totally dismissive of those you feel beneath you. They just may have the key to your future.

great story


(5 stars)

great story well read. a shame it stops so quickly, would have love to follow the characters and society a bit more! Brilliant idea of a status-quo society living in the cold war... with some hints of what can become

entertaining and prophetic


(5 stars)

Captain Joe Mauser has an engaging energy about him and his personality keeps the plot moving. There is a lot in this work foreshadowing the world we live in circa 2024. The one big exception is the same one almost every '50s writer makes: they did not predict the course of the Cold war very well at all, the fall of the Soviet Union was too far, not credible in the tense and paranoid atmosphere.

Ok


(3 stars)

Well decent story but totally out of reality. Sort of like it’s based off a 30 minute brain storm of cliches and and extreme social ideas on a single piece of paper. At least they don’t eat people. Another “ok once through” book.

Bravo from Borneo


(4 stars)

Really enjoyed this short book and the underlying premise for the story. Mack Reynolds creates an interesting social structure and an intriguing way for corporations to settle disputes between themselves. As always, Mark Nelson brings the book to life.

Great short story, very unique.


(5 stars)

This is the first story that I've listened to from this author, for a "short" it was very entertaining and creative in its storyline, and of course the reader, Mark Nelson, is one of the best.

Blah


(3 stars)

Mark Nelson can read a bad book and make it fun. This one was a tough listen. No fault of Mr Nelson. Thank you for your hard work.