Empires of Sand

By: David Ball

Narrated by: George Guidall

After four trips to the Sahara and extensive historical research, David Ball crafted this sweeping adventure novel spanning two continents and 15 years. Set against a backdrop of the crumbling French Empire’s attempts to colonize the Sahara Desert, Empires of Sand follows the lives of two cousins who are raised as brothers but destined to become enemies. It is 1870, and France is at war with Prussia. The son of a French count and a Saharan noblewoman, Moussa has been born to privilege. His cousin Paul will be an Army Officer like his father. For two young boys, the siege of Paris is merely another grand adventure. But as tensions rise, the French become more and more suspicious of “outsiders.” When Moussa and his mother are forced to flee to her homeland, it will be 10 years before Moussa and Paul meet again—on opposite sides of a brutal battle for control of the Sahara. David Ball has created a swashbuckling tale with something for everyone. With his masterful narration, George Guidall perfectly captures the struggles of two men as their personal loyalties shift in a rapidly changing world.

©1999 David W. Ball (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Less fill would have earned 5 stars.

George Guidal... That has to be 5 stars for a narration that also helped me get through some of the filler that dilutes the story line of what could have been an incredible story.

Exciting plot-driven adventure story

Empires of Sand is an exciting, plot driven adventure story based on true events. It starts with a bang - a boar hunt in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Two cousins, Moussa and Paul, are playing in the very same forest,of course in close proximity to the furious, wounded boar. What will happen?! The adventure continues chronicling the de Vries family through Bismarck's siege of Paris, 1870-71, with balloon flights and subterranean escape routes under the streets of Paris. The hunger, the rats, and two boys up to pranks. The research is solid and the escapades are fun and exciting.

The story doesn't stop there. Next thing you know you are off to the deserts of Sahara. And there we have the Tuareg people. Again the author has built his story on research about these proud people. The women are unveiled and independent, but the men are hidden behind indigo colored veils. All one sees is their eyes through small slits. Here the book continues to follows Moussa and Paul within the framework of real events. France wanted to build a railroad that would cross the Algerian Sahara south to Timbuktu in the French Sudan, what is today Mali. Colonel Paul Flatters led an exploratory expedition for France in 1880-81. The true events of this massacre are related through this story.

You are delivered one adventure after another. You get love and hatred and the evils of the Church and balloon rides and...... put your self in a deep irrigation tunnel, naked, digging as a slave. This is an adventure story that teaches about real historical events.

You can tell the author is having fun. There is humor. You can tell the author is poking at the church.....wait till you meet the Bishop and oh, there is a demonic nun! The author clearly has a message about hatred, about love and about being an outsider, a person who doesn't fit in.


Impressive narration by George Guidall.The audiobook had both an author's note and a final interview with the author. Perfect conclusion to a fun book. The author says that the most successful parts of any book will be those parts where the author has had fun. Authors must write for themselves. It is difficult; you must persevere. You must build upon solid research. I think this author has had fun and there is solid research. It shows.

A blistering history of the Tuareg

What did you like best about Empires of Sand? What did you like least?

I enjoyed most of the characters. I thought they were fairly well thought out and certainly what is amazing is that this is the authors first novel. The story was entertaining but not enthralling This is not a "page turner". Had I not been a big fan of the narrator I might not have finished it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Karma is karma.

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration gives added meaning to the way words are used. if you have listened to enough of his narrations you are familiar with his various "people". This doesn't detract from the book. I really don't care that all the women sound like Irene Kennedy or the men like Mitch Rapp.

Do you think Empires of Sand needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I was not left hanging because the story was too fanciful for my limited imagination.

A novel that stays with you even when it is over

There are ok books, good books, and even great books. However, there are those novels that stand alone. David Ball's skill is evident as he transitions seamlessly from one world to another and back again. The way he weaves together two parallel and yet opposing worlds (and the people that belonged to them) keeps the reader engaged even in what some may call "slow points." Guidall's narration is exquisite, capturing and revealing both what is written and implied. The pairing of Ball and Guidall is a dynamic union that seizes the listener in the opening moments and holds them fast until the end. It is this that vaulted Empires of Sand to sit amidst my favorite novels the day I began it.

Cross vs Crescent

The best historical fiction about the conflict between Christianity and Islam. The siege of Malta became the eye of the storm during this age old conflict. David Ball did his research on this battle as evidenced by the battle details and the characters portrayed. The narration by George Guidall, one of the best audiobook narrator’s, is outstanding and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. A must read.

my first review

This book was so great it compelled me to write my first review. I will simply say that the book was perfect! It pulls you into the lives and minds and hearts of the diverse characters that people its pages; is full of action and feeling - never a dull moment throughout. I was so sad when it was over and am hoping the author is prolific!!

Good Read

I enjoyed this tale of boyhood friends united in childhood turned into enemies by their cultural seperation. The narration kept the characters distinct, without being annoying.

I had never heard of this author before, but would read another of his books.

An all-time favorite

David Ball is a wonderful writer. I highly recommend China Run and Iron Fire as well as Empires of Sand.

annoying "Tom sawyer" element killed it for me

Would you try another book from David Ball and/or George Guidall?

Yes. Already read Ironfire, which was masterful.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Ball? Why or why not?

Yes. Already read Ironfire, which was masterful.

What aspect of George Guidall???s performance would you have changed?

The historical settings came to life for me. Ball has a rare talent for this. I am enriched for having read this. However, his descriptions in the first half of the book of the two young boys and their adventures growing up together were a bit too "Tom Sawyer-ish." These subplots seemed to go on forever and about 50% of this could have been cut out with little loss to the story. The shifts from world-altering global events to the boys trapping rats in the church basement just didn't work for me.

Was Empires of Sand worth the listening time?

About 2/3 of it was very worthwhile. the rest was a bit laborious.

Not in the same calibre as Ken Follet

The Tuareg was an interesting source material. Especially in the light of the recent French intervention in Mali. However, it was not as sweeping an epic as the Sahara promised. I read it right after finishing Winter of the World by Ken Follet and I found myself continually measuring it up to it. I would have enjoyed it more if I had read them the other way round.