Frank H. Spearman Lot of 4 Unabridged Classic Audiobooks
in 4 MP3 Audio CDs
Frank H. Spearman
(1859 - 1937)
Spearman was known for his books in the Western fiction genre and especially for his fiction and non-fiction works on the topic of railroads. The books were illustrated by leading artists, such as N. C. Wyeth for Whispering Smith.
Although he wrote prolifically about railroads, his actual career was that of a bank president in McCook, Nebraska, and did not himself work for a railroad. Spearman was also a devout Roman Catholic convert and held political views best described as proto-Libertarian, both of which beliefs are also reflected in his novels.
His western novel Whispering Smith—the title character of which was modeled on real-life Union Pacific Railroad detectives Timothy Keliher and Joe Lefors (though the name of the titular hero was apparently derived from another UPRR policeman, James L. "Whispering" Smith)—was made into a movie on eight separate occasions, four silent films in 1916, 1917, 1926, and 1927, with later versions in 1930, 1935, 1948, and 1952. In 1961, NBC aired twenty episodes of the television series Whispering Smith, starring Audie Murphy in the title role and Guy Mitchell as detective George Romack.
Most of his novels have been reprinted frequently. For example, The Paper Tiger press brought out reprints in 1996, complete with the original illustrations.
Laramie Holds The Range
Read by Bob Rollins
Running Time:11:51:00 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
Genre(s): Westerns
As with most of Frank Spearman's novels (and non-fiction), "Laramie Holds the Range" is set in the West during our early railroad days. He used the best of the illustrators of the day, such as N.C. Wyeth. Occasionally, a character would appear in more than one of his stories. The strongest elements of his novels, including this one, are his outstanding descriptions of the landscape and the physical elements of his characters. In this story, Kate Doubleday travels West to join her father, whom she has never seen. Laramie is a mountain rancher, who is opposed by Kate's father and all of the large cattlemen of the range. While it is a familiar struggle, Spearman effectively weaves a plot that holds the reader's interest.
Robert Kimberly
Read by Bob Rollins
Running Time:10:28:03 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
Genre(s): Literary Fiction
he novel is set among the wealthy of the Northeast in the USA of the early 1900's. A close knit group of about ten couples in high society visit each others homes for dance, drink, conversation and partying. The male members are mostly affiliated with a closely held conglomerate controlling the sugar refinery industry. Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles are the top executives. Robert Kimberly is very highly respected and is seen as the leader; unlike most of the group, he is not married. He cares for his very decrepit oldest brother, with the help of a hired Catholic monk. Alice McBirney and her husband have recently moved from the Midwest to join the group. He has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and is now an officer. Robert Kimberly is soon very attracted to Alice. She tries to avoid any such improprieties; she wants him only as a friend.
The novel has some serious themes, like the sanctity of marriage, the Catholic Church, the relationship of classes in society, labor vs. management, divorce, etc. Robert has the highest of values in most regards, but falls hopelessly in love with Alice. The idea of adultery is a horror to Alice, though her marriage is an unhappy one. She will not consider divorce. The resolutions in the story are not happy ones.
It is most interesting that Frank Spearman should write this novel. He is known for his Westerns; they always concerned the early days of the railroads. He preceded this romance novel with two Westerns; after "Robert Kimberly", all were Westerns. This reader thinks "Robert Kimberly" was this best work.
The Daughter of a Magnate
Read by Bob Rollins
Running Time:06:34:47 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, Westerns
This is an American Western without any bad guys. The main characters are trains, and the elements---snow, terrain, weather and water. Frank Spearman wrote six novels about the building, and early days, of the transcontinental railroad. This was his first. He introduces characters who will reappear in several of his later novels. Those novels all have villains. The daughter of the new owner of the railroad travels by rail with her father to see the new line and the West it covers. They encounter several dozen rough and capable employees, who constructed and run the line. They are thoroughly dedicated men; the railroad is all they know. A supervisor, Ab Glover, falls desperately in love with Gertrude Brock--the daughter of the Magnate. The story is about that love, but even more, it is about the great challenges of weather, terrain and accidents. The numerous terms Spearman uses to describe the railroad and the natural environment had this reader referring often to the dictionary. This reader feels that Spearman's novels are superior to those of the other several writers of American Westerns of the early 1900's. (Summary by Bob Rollins)
Whispering Smith
Read by Bob Rollins
Running Time:09:47:48 in 1 MP3 Audio CD
Genre(s): Westerns
Whispering Smith, like most of Frank Spearman's western novels (and some non-fiction as well) are set in the world of railroads, in the late 1800's. The main character, Gordon Smith, is a railroad detective; he first appears in this novel, then later in others. This novel was popular enough to be made into film eight times (four being silent) and into a TV series. In this novel, Smith finds that the culprit of the railroad mishaps he is investigating is a close friend, Murray Sinclair. That plot may seem overworked, but Spearman makes it nuanced enough for it to be quite interesting; two interwoven romances are included. The strongest feature of Spearman's novels is probably his beautiful descriptions of the American western landscapes. His character descriptions and plots also hold up well against the other writers of westerns of the early 1900's.