The Great Secret

This volume from Galaxy Press's new cache of Hubbard's golden age stories contains four adventures that take the listener from the treacherous jungle to the scorching desert to outer space. R.F. Daley narrates three, supported by a full cast and sound effects. He performs best when the story is action packed, like "The Beast." "Space Can" is a somewhat weaker entry, and even Daley and the supporting cast sound less engaged. On the other hand, Bruce Boxleitner handles the introspective first story, "The Great Secret," with a steady, rumbling, almost cinematic vocal swagger. The over-the-top performances may startle the listener who is accustomed to more subtle recordings, but it's part of the intended style. Just sit back and enjoy a nostalgic, old-fashioned listen, complete with extravagant melodrama. A.A. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 28, 2008
Galaxy Audio is bringing L. Ron Hubbard's magazine stories and novellas from the 1930s and '40s to audio with a full cast, music and sound effects. More than 80 Hubbard audios are scheduled for release over the next few years.
The Great Secret
L. Ron Hubbard
, read by a full cast. Galaxy Audio
, unabridged, two CDs, 2 hrs., $9.95 ISBN 978-1-59212-249-3

Hubbard's classic pulp fiction tale was originally published in 1943 but shows no signs of age. With the tremendous attention to detail and production, audiences will find themselves captivated from beginning to end. This multicast performance, headed by Bruce Boxleitner, is a wonderfully rich and textured experience, complete with realistic sound effects and moody atmospheric score. The result is an almost theatrical experience, with Boxleitner leading listeners on a futuristic journey that will have their pulses racing and imaginations running wild. Also included are three shorter science-fiction tales, each as entertaining as the last. A Galaxy Press paperback.