Post Haste


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.8 stars; 6 reviews)

In this book, Ballantyne weaves the story of Phillip Mayland and his friend, George Aspel with an interesting portrayal of the British Post Office as it existed in the 19th century. In the words of R. M. Ballantyne himself: "This tale is founded chiefly on facts furnished by the Postmaster-General’s Annual Reports, and gathered, during personal intercourse and investigation, at the General Post-Office of London and its Branches.
It is intended to illustrate—not by any means to exhaust—the subject of postal work, communication, and incident throughout the Kingdom.
I have to render my grateful acknowledgments to Sir Arthur Blackwood; his private secretary, Charles Eden, Esquire; and those other officers of the various Departments who have most kindly afforded me every facility for investigation, and assisted me to much of the information used in the construction of the tale.
If it does not greatly enlighten, I hope that it will at all events interest and amuse the reader."

R.M. Ballantyne. - Summary by AlaynaMay (9 hr 18 min)

Chapters

Prologue 1:11 Read by AlaynaMay
Chapter 1- A Hero and His Worshipper 12:02 Read by AlaynaMay
Chapter 2- Tells of Woman's Work, and Some of Woman's Ways 17:32 Read by AlaynaMay
Chapter 3- Brilliant Prospects 6:20 Read by David Alda
Chapter 4- The Royal Mail Steamer 10:49 Read by Lynne T
Chapter 5- Wreck and Rescue 25:18 Read by Lynne T
Chapter 6- Treats of Poverty, Pride and Fidelity 21:40 Read by Rosie
Chapter 7- Phil Begins Life, and Makes a Friend 17:15 Read by Natalie Paula
Chapter 8- Downward- Deeper and Deeper 15:24 Read by Natalie Paula
Chapter 9- Mr. Blurt and George Aspel in Peculiar Circumstances 22:44 Read by Grace Byrne
Chapter 10- A Mystery Cleared Up 19:23 Read by AlaynaMay
Chapter 11- The Letter-Carrier Goes His Rounds, Aids a Little Girl, and Overwhe… 39:26 Read by Jairus Amar
Chapter 12- In Which a Bosom Friend is Introduced, Rural Felicity is Enlarged o… 19:48 Read by AlaynaMay
Chapter 13- Miss Lillycrop Gets a Series of Surprises 30:13 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 14- Formation of the Pegaway Literary Association and Other Matters 15:09 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 15- George Aspel Receives Various Visitors at the Ornithological Shop, … 20:26 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 16- Begins with Juvenile Flirtation, and Ends with Canine Cremation 18:46 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 17- Tottie and Mrs Bones in Difficulty 19:49 Read by Jairus Amar
Chapter 18- Business Interfered with in a Remarkable Manner 13:29 Read by Jairus Amar
Chapter 19- Deep-Laid Plans for Checkmating Mr Bones 13:58 Read by Jairus Amar
Chapter 20- The Post of the Olden Time 26:26 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 21- Tells of a Series of Terrible Surprises 19:37 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 22- Shows How One Thing Leads to Another, and so on 24:06 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 23- The Turning Point 17:53 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 24- Plans and Counter Plans 14:53 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 25- Light Shining in Dark Places 15:46 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 26- Tells of a Sham Fight, and a Real Battle 18:49 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 27- The Greatest Battle of All 15:12 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Chapter 28- The Storming of Rocky Cottage and Other Matters 13:27 Read by Lynne T
Chapter 29- Describes an Interview and a Rencontre 17:15 Read by Rachel
Chapter 30- The Last 14:08 Read by Jay Wills

Reviews

Post Office Info: Yes. Story: Not so much


(3 stars)

The storyline is thin, but the facts and praises of the post office are very thick. It is more of a story-advertisement for the P.O. than a story in itself. There are sub-themes of temperance and Christianity as well. Readers are fair to good. Chapter 13 desperately needs volume-leveling help, going from quite quiet to quite loud in spurts. Chapter 16 and 22 are not understandable in many parts due to the volume fluctuations. Other chapters have plosives and other sound issues.