Join Us in Ancient Rome in FOR THE TEMPLE from Heirloom Audio {Product Review}

Whenever there is a chance to review one of the amazing audiodramas from Heirloom Audio, I always beg like the child hopping up and down HOPING the teacher will notice and pick him. Our family LOVES these amazing audiodramas and we all were excited to be able to listen to the latest installment For the Temple!

About the Product

For the Temple the latest installment in the Heirloom Audio collection of award winning audiodramas. This 2 CD audiodrama, based on the book by G. A. Henty of the same name, focuses on the days and events leading up to the final destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. The story follow both Romans and Jews during this time period and incorporates many

Live the Adventure of the Courageous Huguenots in St. Bartholomew's Eve from Heirloom Audio {Product Review}

Once again, I am thrilled to be able to review another amazing audiodrama from Heirloom Audio! This story brought to life a time in history I know every little about and it made me eager to search our more information about the time period. Unlike some of the other Heirloom Audio productions, the theme of this particular story really stuck with me and applied to my life right away. So I encourage you to stick around and read more about the latest release based on a novel by G.A. Henty...St. Bartholomew's Eve!

Live the Adventure with Wulf the Saxon {Product Review}

We were thrilled to kick off the 2018 Schoolhouse Review Crew season with the latest audiodrama production from Heirloom Audio Productions, Wolf the Saxon! We have been so thankful to have received all the previous audiodramas over the last few years, and were hopeful that this latest release would be just as good as the others!

About Wulf the Saxon

Wolf the Saxon (a 2 CD set) is the latest in the line of quality audio dramas from Heirloom Audio Productions. Based on one of the beloved works from G. A. Henty, this story takes the listener back to the era of the Normans and Saxon’s—when the French and English were bitter foes. The year is 1065 and Edward the Confessor is King of England. There is a tenuous peace with France—as long as each party stays on their own land. But things don’t always go as planned. Through the course of the story, a simple boat party with the King’s intended heir, unfortunately leads to capture by the Normans, time in a French dungeon, a daring escape, trickery from a supposed friend, and a desperate struggle for the throne of England. Wulf is a young Saxon landholder who serves a Christian friend Harold—who happens to be in line for the throne. Wulf and Harold become close because they share common beliefs in regards to duty and honor. But when their boat capsizes off the coast of France and they are captured by the Normans, their friendship takes on new levels as Wulf works hard to get his friend—the future King—out of harms way! They serve in battle together and each encourages the other in their life’s journey. Wulf is even there when Harold is tricked by William the Conqueror (a Norman) to swear allegiance to him—a problem since both Harold and William expect to be the future King of England! Through it all, Wulf continues to serve England with duty, courage, and honor even when it seems all hope is lost.

Our Thoughts on the Product

As always, we enjoyed Wulf the Saxon. It is a treat to listen to during our road trips and our lunch breaks. The boys prefer to listen when they are a “captive audience” so they can follow along better. While they didn’t dislike the story at all and loved the battles, of all the ones we have listened too, this one didn’t end up a favorite. But the story was new to them and they wanted to learn more about William the Conqueror and the time of the 1000’s AD. After listening to the story, I too wanted to learn more, so I did some more research myself into William the Conqueror, King Edward, the Battle of Hastings, and the Bayeux Tapestry. I also wanted to learn more about the attacks on England by the Welsh. I loved the comments by the Saxon soldiers about how crazy the Welsh were. LOL

Anything that gets people interested in history is always a win—which is why these historical fiction audiodramas are such great resources to add to our collection. These audiodramas also feature fantastic soundtracks and stellar voice casting. This particular audiodrama featured the voice talents of Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear), Chris Larkin (Master and Commander, Valkyrie), Helen George (Call the Midwife), Jack Farthing (Poldark), Patrick Godfrey (Les Miserable, Ever After), and more!

As an extra aside, the Bayeux Tapestry is discussed at the beginning of the audiodrama. It is a tapestry thought to date back to the 11th century and is the Norman view of the Norman conquest of England concerning William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex. The release of Wulf the Saxon which tells the tale of William the Conqueror and Harold, Earl of Wessex and the Battle of Hastings goes perfect with some news from France. I just read yesterday that on 18 January 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the Bayeux Tapestry would be loaned to Britain for public display. It is expected to be exhibited at the British Museum in London from 2022. It will be the first time that the Tapestry has left France in 950 years. (Bayeux Tapestry, Wikipedia). Pretty cool huh how the timing worked out!

Want To Learn More?

We have enjoyed listening to Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions. I encourage you to check out the Live the Adventure club to get the inside scoop on all the latest news from Heirloom Audio Productions! By joining the club you will get three 2-CD audiodrama sets shipped to you each year, have access to hundreds of fun activities and games, stream over 500 old-time radio shows, and much more! 

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I am happy to add this audiodrama to our collection and will be looking forward to using it as a resource when we are studying the early 1000's in world history in the future. I encourage you check out Heirloom Audio Productions for yourself--you will be glad you did! 

Go West with Captain Bayley's Heir from Heirloom Audio Productions {Product Review}

There is one review product that we always look forward too--the audiodramas from Heirloom Audio Productions! We already were blessed to be able to review In the Reign of Terror earlier this year, but we've been blessed with yet another story to share--this time it's Captain Bayley's Heir, another in the line of Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty!

About Captain Bayley's Heir

In this story from the grand storyteller G.A. Henty, you will journey from the shores of London to the wild wild west during the time of the California Gold rush. You will get to learn the mystery of Captain Bayley's Heir, as well as follow the story of young Frank who, after falsely being accused of theft at his prep school, escapes to America--sure that everyone he loves has turned their back on him. You will get to follow his

Live the Adventure In The Reign of Terror {Product Review}

We have a thing for audiodramas that was started with the very first Heirloom Audio Productions product we ever received. Since then we have made it our goal to own as many of the Heirloom audiodramas as we can! We have quite a collection, but were eager to add In the Reign of Terror to our collection as part of our review this month!

About In The Reign of Terror

In the Reign of Terror is another fabulous audiodrama from Heirloom Audio Productions, based on the Extraordinary Adventures of GA Henty books.This story is set during the beginning stirrings of the French Revolution and takes place in France. You follow a young Englishman of about fifteen years old named Harry Sandwith as he journeys to France to work as companion/tutor for the Marquis de St Caux family. While he is there, he witnesses the terror that overtakes the country as the nobles are systematically rousted out and killed--just because of their noble birth. He vows to protect the St Caux children as they flee to safety. What follows next is a journey of courage, sadness, grief, bravery, miracles, and so much more. Throughout the experience, the family places their ultimate trust in God no matter what--and seek to find good that can come out of the bad.

In the Reign of Terror is available as a 2 disc CD set or a digital download. Also available with the audio drama is a digital (or downloadable) Study Guide which coordinates section by section with the story. You will be able to ask your children questions about what they heard, as well as guide them to explore the topic in more depth with some critical thinking questions.

You also should check out the BRAND NEW Live the Adventure Club! Membership to this new club not ONLY allows you to get new PHYSICAL copies of the Live the Adventure audiodramas shipped to your house three times a year, but you also have full access to their complete website! There are teaching guides and curriculum treasures, parent resources and daily information, and listen & Learn audio adventures that even come with the script for your child to follow along! Sign up for your free three month club trial today and receive their newest Audio Adventure, Captain Bayley’s Heir (2-CD set) for only $1.00! Plus, you also get instant access to the digital version!

What do you get for In the Reign of Terror in the Live the Adventures Club?
★Stream In the Reign of TERROR
★In The Reign Of Terror Original E-Book
★Official Soundtrack
★Printable Cast Poster
★Study Guide & Discussion Starter
★Inspirational Verse Poster
★Desktop Wallpaper Download
★Official Script Download

Definitely go check it out!

Our Thoughts on In The Reign of Terror

The #1 thing I liked the best about this audio drama this time, was that I had the study guide right there on my phone with the mp3 when it played. As soon as the section was done I could immediately go over the study guide, without having to have a second document or screen up. This is MAJOR plus in my book! So handy for listening to it on the go--I can simply hook up my phone to my car that has bluetooth capabilities! If I don't care about the study guide, I just use the physical CD's so they keep playing without me having to stop them.

This is the time of history that I am very fascinated with, so I greatly enjoyed learning more about the era. The French Revolution was such an incredibly bloody time period and I think we do not spend enough time studying it to realize what a reign of terror it truly was. We listened to this with friends while driving, and she and I both commented about how it made us want to go and rewatch Les Miserables again--and we both agreed that this audiodrama would be an asset when studying the French Revolution during history in our homeschool.

The boys favorite part was definitely the wolf attack! There was silence in the car when we got to this part of the story. After it was over, my oldest remarked that it reminded him of the gladiator/lion scene in one of the other audiodramas from Heirloom Audio.

One of the questions I would have is regarding the religion of the characters. I could never figure out if they practiced Catholicism (what would be most likely for France) or Christianity. It wasn't anything major, just a minor question that niggled me. I did appreciate the references to the American War for Independence because it can be hard to remember at times that it was recent history to the men and women of the time.

I would say this is just as excellent as the previous audiodramas we have listened to. I always enjoy having a spin-off discussion about this time period. We haven't really covered world history yet, but I know that I will be referencing In The Reign of Terror whenever we study the French Revolution for sure.

Want to Know More About In the Reign of Terror?

Over the last couple weeks, we have been enjoying listening to the latest Heirloom Audio Productions audiodrama In the Reign Of Terror. Please visit some of the other crew members to see what they thought about this latest release!

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As so many times before, we have fallen in love with this story set in such a brutal time of history. We are eager to get our hands on the next release from Heirloom Audio Productions...Captain Bailey's Heir!

Live the Adventure with The Cat of Bubastes from Heirloom Audio Productions! {Product Review}

Once again, we have had the chance to review another audio drama from the fabulous Heirloom Audio Productions--this one taking us to Ancient Egypt in The Cat of Bubastes! I love all things ancient Egypt, so I looked forward to another awesome adventure like all the other ones before.

About The Cat of Bubastes

The Cat of Bubastes is the SIXTH installment of the Heirloom Audio Productions family of audio dramas based on the classic adventure books by G.A. Henty. This adventure takes us to Ancient Egypt where we meet Prince Amuba and his mentor Jethro--slaves who were captured by the Egyptians and taken to the city of Thebes, where he was put under the house of a priest of Osiris. Over time, he becomes friends with the family and learns a lot about the Egyptian religion and that of a mysterious people living in Goshen. They soon find themselves overcome in a murderous plot against their Egyptian friend that will test their loyalty. Through it all, they will find the beauty of God's providence. 
The audio drama is voiced by an all-star cast including Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, Robin Hood), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who), Elizabeth Counsell (The Chronicles of Narnia), Russell Boulter (Ben-Hur), and John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones). 
Emmy-Award winning composer John Campbell contributes a fabulous original soundtrack. With full movie sound effects, this isn't just any old audiodrama--it's an ADVENTURE! 

The Cat of Bubastes is a 2 CD set (2 1/2 hrs of story) for $29.97 and comes with instant access MP3 download. You will also receive the following bonuses:

*Official mp3 Soundtrack

*Downloadable Study and Discussion Guide (47 page)

*And an Inspirational Verse Poster

Perfect for ages 6-100+, this is a high quality production, you don't want to miss!

Our Thoughts About The Cat of Bubastes

The boys are always happy to begin these audiodramas. They liked the name of this one and that it was going to be in Egypt. We really like things related to Ancient Egypt, especially their obsession with their gods/idols. The story is another great one and I love the way the events of the story link up with the history of ancient Israel as slaves in Egypt. Also the mention of a certain well known Egyptian prince (I won't spoil it!! It is easy to see why this story is one of the favorites in the GA Henty collection! If only they would turn it into a movie...but then I think that about ALL of the ones we have heard so far!

We used both the actual CD's and the Mp3 recording (a bonus included in a larger package--or available for purchase by itself), but found the mp3 to be frustrating, for as soon as we paused it, it would start back at the beginning again instead of where we stopped, and we couldn't get it to go to where we wanted it. It might have just been the Kindle doing it, because we've never had that happen before with mp3's from this company. I also looked over the Study Guide and Discussion and pulled some comprehension questions, as well as a few "thinking further" questions to help us internalize the story more. It's so handy to have that available just right on my Kindle.

Example of what the Study Guide includes.

The boys can't decide if this one is their new favorite or not, because they just love them all! I just appreciate having something to listen to that provides, not just history and a great story, but teaches about courage, faith, love, and strong Christian values!

Would We Recommend This Product?

I will always recommend this product to every family. The quality is superb--it's always like closing my eyes and listening to a movie. The stories are very exciting for the whole family--the adventure, the drama, and yes, the humor too! It is a 2 hr audio spectacular for everyone to enjoy. Not only will your family learn more about history, but they will hear stories of faith and courage! Having the Study Guide to go with it, makes it even more valuable--and that's just one of the lovely bonuses that come with your purchase.

Want to Know More About Heirloom Audio Productions?

We have had the pleasure of reviewing The Cat of Bubastes from Heirloom Audio Productions. These have always been a win for our family, and this story was no different. Make sure you visit other crew members to see their thoughts on this delightful product!

You can stay on top of the latest and greatest from Heirloom Audio Productions with these social media outlets:

Facebook * Twitter * Google+ * Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial 

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We just love the Heirloom Audio Productions audio dramas and eagerly await any new one released!

Live the Adventure and travel to Ancient Rome with Beric the Briton {Product Review}

Ever since we were first chosen to review an Heirloom Audio Productions audiodrama, we discovered that they were a perfect match to our family. We love HEARING the adventure as we travel in the car and it's something we all enjoy. We've been blessed to have been on the review list for ALL of the audiodramas they have produced thus far, and I was so glad to once again be able to review their newest product Beric the Briton!

About the Product

Beric the Briton is the FIFTH installment in the audiodrama collection of adventures based on the classic adventure books by G.A. Henty produced by Heirloom Audio Productions. Beric the Briton takes us back to the days of Ancient Rome during the time of the Roman conquest of Britannia during the first century AD. The story follows the life of Beric the Briton, a young man who takes on the incredible power and might of the Romans. Rising to fame in success in battle against the Romans, he then is captured and rises to fame again in the gladiator world in Rome itself. Conflict arises when he is introduced to the forbidden Christian faith and he must decide how far he is willing to go for what he believes in. 
Beric the Briton has the voice talents of greats like Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan), Brian Cox (The Bourne Identity, Braveheart), Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War), Cathy Sara (Downton Abbey), John Rhys-Davis (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones) and more! Emmy-Award winning composer John Campbell contributes a fabulous original soundtrack. With full movie sound effects, this isn't just any old audiodrama--it's an ADVENTURE! Beric the Briton is a 2 CD set (2 1/2 hrs of story) for $29.97 and comes with instant access MP3 download. You will also receive the following bonuses:
1. The complete Beric The Briton eStudy Guide and Discussion Starter (50 page PDF) 2. A beautiful, printable copy of the inspirational verse as quoted by Julius in Beric the Briton which can be framed. 3. The Official Beric the Briton Soundtrack MP3 download. Perfect for ages 6-100+, this is a high quality production, you don't want to miss! We were given the 2 CD set, and the bonuses to review with our family.

Our Thoughts on Beric the Briton

When I showed the boys the audiodrama package, they immediately noticed the lion on front and were asking if it was going to have lions in it! Because I didn't know, I simply said that we would just need to make sure we listened to it to find out. LOL. We prefer to listen to the audiodramas in the car where I can make sure we have everyone's attention for a period of time. Needless to say it was the listening choice for our very next trip into town. 
As before, the story opens in "present day" with Mr. George writing to the characters Ned and Harold--two boys he met back in the first audiodrama (Under Drake's Flag)--about how he was on his way to a new adventure in Egypt and couldn't wait to tell them all about it--but in the meantime was going to share a story about Ancient Rome...and that's how the story gets started. 
As usual, the high quality of the audiodrama sucks you in immediately. We love the soundtrack with its movie quality effects that surround us with the sounds of a swamp or the clang of swords in battle or the roar of the crowd in the Colosseum. The actors and actresses are so talented and bring us into the story so well. 
In this story, we were able to introduce the boys to Queen Boadicea and Emperor Nero in this story. I was so excited when I heard Queen Boadicea in this adventure! I LOVED learning about her back in world civ in college, so it was cool to hear her play a part in this drama. The historic characters involved in this audiodrama really opened up some conversations. We spoke about who was fictional and who was real. We spoke about the challenges of being a Christian in Rome and what the Apostles were going through living during the time of persecution. 
The boys both agreed (me too!) that the most exciting part of the audiodrama was Beric in the Colosseum as a gladiator. Oh how we waited with bated breath as we listened to the scene play out! It was simply fabulous and I think that particular portion is what made it the "best one yet".  Both boys agreed that this was their favorite audiodrama because they said it had "way more exciting adventure stuff!" I think it was the best so far because it really made some fabulous rabbit trails. My oldest wants to know more about Ancient Rome and especially about the gladiators.
Now, Beric the Briton also comes with a downloadable eStudyGuide. While I don't choose to use it WHILE we are listening, I do like to pull it out and pick some questions to ask them after we listen to chunks of the story. They are great for checking comprehension. I also love the "thinking further" sections which take it beyond the story--like reading a poem about Boadicea, reading biographies, going to maps, recipes (!!), and more. I enjoyed having it accessible on my Kindle.
Another thing that I really liked, was being given the mp3 version of the audiodrama as a bonus and I was able to have the audiodrama with us everywhere without having to keep track of the CDs. I played it on my Kindle during lunch a couple days to catch us up!

Would I Recommend Heirloom Audio Productions?

100% yes. It is a great product for all ages and it will be enjoyable for everyone. Not only does your child get to enjoy a great story, but they get to dabble their toes into history and meet some historical figures for the very first time! We have consistently found that the audiodramas were things we spoke about months after we listened and especially when we ran into a similar topic later. For instance, somehow my oldest learned that there was a movie called Braveheart and it was about William Wallace--and he remembered that this was what our In Freedom's Cause story was about. Recently he saw a preview to the new Ben-Hur movie and recognized the Colosseum and Rome thanks to the descriptions of it in Beric the Briton. So it's a great way to bring history to LIFE for your family!

Want to Know More?

We absolutely enjoyed our review of Beric the Briton from Heirloom Audio Productions! I hope you will pop over and check out what the other 99 reviewers thought about it! Heirloom Audio Productions is ALWAYS chatting about their fabulous audiodramas and are quick to spill the beans on any of their new products, so make sure you follow them on these social media outlets: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories  Google+ https://plus.google.com/b/114534826166314080647/114534826166314080647   Instagram:  @HeirloomAudioOfficial
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We just love the audiodramas that Heirloom Audio Productions creates and I do think that Beric the Briton has moved up in the ranks as being our favorite. I know it definitely opened up some rabbit trails for us to follow, and Little Britches is eager to learn more about Ancient Rome and the Gladiators because of it.

The Dragon and the Raven: Kings, Castles, Vikings, and Adventure! {Product Review}

Heirloom Audio Productions just recently released the next G.A. Henty audiodrama in their collection, The Dragon and the Raven! We have already been blessed to have copies of the three previous audiodramas in their collection, and were eager to review this exciting new story. Would it be up to the high quality of the previous productions? We sure hoped so!

Product Summary

The Dragon and the Raven is #4 in the collection of audiodramas produced by Heirloom Audio Productions. Adapted from the book by G.A. Henty of the same name, the story takes us to the early 9th century and the world of King Alfred the Great--when he was still just a king of Wessex-- as he attempts to keep the invading Danes from completely taking over England. With everyone else surrendering in the wake of the viking destruction, King Alfred of Wessex is joined by young Edmund, and together the two young warriors fight to turn the tide and save their world as they know it. With God on their side, nothing is impossible!

With a cast ensemble of John Ryhs-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), Helen George (Call the Midwife), Brian Blessed (Star Wars, Tarzan, King Lear), and Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who VII, The Hobbit), the production is superb! Once again Emmy-Award winning composer John Campbell contributes a fabulous original soundtrack. With full movie sound effects, this isn't just any old audiodrama--it's an ADVENTURE!

The Dragon and the Raven is a 2 CD set (2 hrs of story) for $29.97 and comes with instant access MP3 download. You will also receive the following bonuses:

1. The complete The Dragon and Raven eStudy Guide and Discussion Starter (48 page PDF)
2. A beautiful, printable copy of the inspirational verse (Proverbs 21:31) as quoted by King Alfred in The Dragon and The Raven which can be framed.
3. The Official The Dragon and The Raven Soundtrack MP3 download.

Perfect for ages 6-100+, this is a high quality production, you don't want to miss!

We were given the 2 CD set, and the bonuses to review with our family.

How Did We Use the Product?

As we typically do, we simply started at the beginning! We had to run a lot of errands one day, and I knew we would be in the car for at least an hour, so we began The Dragon and the Raven. I didn't have the eStudy Guide with me at the time, so I didn't look at it WHILE we were listening. I did pull it up and pull out some questions to incorporated in our discussions later. I prefer having it printed out, but since that would use up a lot of ink/paper, I opted to just read it from my Kindle Fire which worked perfectly fine this time. It was a simple download.

The other bonus I used was the mp3 complete soundtrack of the production! That's actually a really nice background music for when I am driving!

What Are Our Thoughts on the Product?

Oh my. I don't know that there is anything I can say that I didn't say on the last three reviews I did of a Heirloom Audio Production audiodrama! That stories are intriguing and fun. The soundtrack is phenomenal. The bringing to life of the characters, simply marvelous. There were a few actors/actresses in this production that I know from TV, so when I heard their voices on the production, I knew immediately who they were. Having experienced performers makes the production that much better because they know how to do their voices with the right intonations.

And as for the music...sigh. What a treat to have such a high quality soundtrack! It is so nice to have the soundtrack itself as a bonus mp3 with this product. Sometimes you miss the beauty of the music as you are listening to the dialogue.

As usual, the The Dragon and The Raven eStudy Guide and Discussion Starter was great to check the attention of my boys. I always like how it adds discussion questions for you to take it further. This one also provided internet links, so you could look up more information, like on the Alfred Jewel that is mentioned in the story. Little Britches was eager to see what it looked like...though he declared it rather ugly. LOL.

I also love that the focus throughout the story is how on God and His help and protection through the trials and situations the characters find themselves in.

Are there any cons?
No, not really. We just love these productions. Knowing I can keep the family interested in something for the 2 hrs per audiodrama is just fabulous for long trips...although lately they have been asking to listen even for shorter errands!

Would I Recommend the Product?

Absolutely! This is one product that I really think the whole family would enjoy. The history is brought to life with great drama, and the study guide helps you take it even further for critical thinking and discussions. I didn't know anything about the Danes and King Alfred, so now I want to research more into the very incredible story!

As I have said about the other three audiodramas, the quality of the whole thing is simply incredible. You will love how it brings you in. If you want to have a stash of great selections to play for those long car trips or plane rides, you need to be thinking about adding the audiodramas from Heirloom Audio Productions to your list!

As an aside--these are Christian productions, so there is a lot of mention about the relationship with God each of these main characters had and how it was such a part of their lives. So if that would bother you, you might reconsider purchasing this product, because it's definitely a major part of the story.

Want to Know More?

We reviewed The Dragon and the Raven from Heirloom Audio Productions. You know how much we enjoy the audiodramas, but what did the rest of the review crew think?

Stay up to date on all the latest information from Heirloom Audio Productions on these social media sites:

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio

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I am so glad that this 4th installment of the stories of G.A. Henty was just as enjoyable as the others were. We have already received the news that the next audiodrama to ve released with be The Cat of Bubastes which was G.A. Henty's first book and takes place in Ancient Egypt. I'm sure it will be a spectacular production as well!

With Lee in Virginia~ A Civil War Story of Courage, Honor, and Duty {Product Review}

We have been blessed to be able to have reviewed Under Drake's Flag and In Freedom's Cause--audio dramas from Heirloom Audio Productions. These two stories, wet our whistle for all things G.A. Henty, and we were eager to get our hands on the latest of his stories to be adapted for audio theater by Heirloom Audio Productions to review...With Lee In Virginia.

Product Information

With Lee In Virginia is the third audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions. It's adapted from the book, With Lee in Virginia by G. A. Henty. The story is set during the Civil War and follows 15 year old Vincent Wingfield as he eagerly joins the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia. He soon finds himself side by side with the likes of great  Confederate generals including Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson. He learns about what true Christian duty looks like from being around these men and it forces him to take a stand for his country and everything he holds dear--even if it costs him his own life. 
Brought to life with an incredible full original score by Emmy winning composer John Campbell, and voiced by an all star cast including Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Rudy), Kirk Cameron (Fireproof, Monumental, Left Behind series), Brian Blessed (Star Wars, King Lear) and more...this audio theater production is a must have!
With Lee in Virginia is a 2 1/2 hr production geared for ages 6 to adult.
With your purchase of With Lee In Virginia Single Package ($29.97 plus shipping/handling) you will also get access to the eStudy Guide and Discussion starter (digital), a printable copy of the inspirational quote by Robert E. Lee (digital), and the official With Lee in Virginia Soundtrack MP3 download. 

I received With Lee in Virginia (with special bonuses) to review with my family.

How Did We Use This Product?

I admit. We love what Heirloom Audio Productions has done thus far, and we were eager to dive into With Lee in Virginia when it came. Little Britches was especially interested since he had done a pretty extensive study during history this year over the time of the Civil War. When it showed up, we all did a dance.

The easy thing about this product, is you simply pop it into your CD player and begin. The soundtrack immediately fills your mind with a historic time period as you are taken back to where the story begins. My boys liked to play with their toys while they were listening at home, so it was easy to just go for it.

When we began, I pulled up the eStudy Guide and Discussion starter on my Kindle, so I could follow along and ask questions about the story. This new guide now has track numbers noted on the questions so it is easy to figure out what questions go with what part of the story. It was easy to get the download, as I simply visited the link included with my CD and then downloaded from it to my device. I like being able to have it pulled up on my Kindle for quick reference.

As we went along, it was easy to see that Little Britches just wanted me to leave him alone to enjoy the story, so we stopped pausing the story, and I just let him listen.

I really liked that in this study guide, there was a map at the beginning noting the different places from the story so that your child could follow along. And I always like how the study guide is laid out with questions from the story, vocabulary AND extra discussion questions.

Map for You to Follow Along With

from the eStudy Guide and Discussion Starter

Though we were given access to several bonuses, I chose to only use the eStudy Guide at this time. I do plan on reading the With Lee in Virginia eBook in the future.

All the Special Bonuses I received--and are available with purchase of the Family Four-Pack Package

What Are Our Thoughts on This Product?

As with our other Heirloom Audio Productions audio dramas, we love it. Little Britches really listens to the story because he is an audial learner, so he retains so much from what is shared. He remembered studying about many of the battles and men mentioned, which made him enjoy it even more.

I thought it clever that the CD's were blue and grey, matching the colors of each army. I thought the photographs/graphics were stunning and high quality. It added a lot having real historic photos to look at as we went through the study guide. To be able to put real faces with the famous men. I loved that it worked for my Kindle AND my iPhone 6 so I could always have it with me, even if we took the CD's to the car.

Any cons?
Well, I guess my one con is from a frugal family side...paying $30 for this fabulous product, even WITH the special bonuses, is going to be out of the price range of some. It would be mine. But I know that there will be specials offered by companies where you will be able to find it on sale--so keep your eyes open! It will be well worth the money spent--especially if you are homeschooling and like to add in extra historical goodies.

Would I Recommend This Product?

Definitely! Not only will you and your family learn more history, but the deep faith of these men who shaped our history is explored and brought out. These audio dramas are so perfect for long car rides and I have yet to hear one at a higher caliber than what Heirloom Audio Productions has produced!

Want to Know More?

We reviewed the audio theater drama With Lee in Virginia from Heirloom Audio Productions. You have seen what our thoughts were on the product, but what did the other reviewers on my team think? How did they use the study guide and extra materials? Make sure you visit and find out!

To stay in touch with the latest news from Heirloom Audio Productions, please follow them at these social media sites:
Facebook:
  https://www.facebook.com/WithLeeInVirginia
                https://www.facebook.com/heirloomaudio

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories

Google+:
https://plus.google.com/b/114534826166314080647/114534826166314080647/posts

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We are so happy to now have three of these incredible productions in our inventory, and they will be great for us to pull out and listen to when we go on our big road trip later this year to Jekyll Island, GA!

In Freedom's Cause: An Audio Theater Adventure! {Product Review}

If you read our review of Under Drake's Flag last year, you will know that we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the next audio drama by Heirloom Audio Productions, In Freedom's Cause. When the opportunity to review the new In Freedom's Cause Single Package was made available, my son urged me to hurry and try to get it! We hoped that it would bring as much enjoyment as our other audiodrama did.

Product Summary

In Freedom's Cause comes from Heirloom Audio Productions, the producers of last years hit audio drama Under Drake's Flag. In this new adventure, listeners will travel back to the late 1200's early 1300's to meet the Scottish legend, hero and martyr William Wallace! Adapted from the classic adventure story In Freedom's Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G. A. Henty, the story revolves around William Wallace and his stand against the English oppression of Scotland. The story looks into the source of Wallace's passion, his faith in God. He forever changed the history of Scotland and inspired the leader who would eventually gain Scotland's freedom from England, King Robert the Bruce. Voiced by an all-star cast including Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Skandar Keynes (Chronicles of Narnia) and James Cosmo (Braveheart) to name a few, this production is high quality and spectacular in bringing the story to life for the whole family! With your purchase of In Freedom's Cause Single Package ($29.97 + S& H), you will receive the following: *In Freedom's Cause (2 CD Set - Physical Copy) *In Freedom's Cause Study Guide (Digital Download) *In Freedom's Cause Soundtrack (MP3 download) *Printable copy of The Prayer Of William Wallace. (Digital Download)
I received the In Freedom's Cause Single Package to review with my family.

How Did We Use This Product?

We decided to listen to it at home this time, during our evenings and recess time. I pulled up the study guide download onto my Kindle Fire and looked over it as we listened. Each of the sections in the study guide matches scenes from the audio drama and provides questions for testing comprehension and for taking it further, encouraging further research and vocabulary words. As we went along, I just picked certain questions from the study guide that I wanted to ask--pausing the CD as we went along. We listened to the CD's on our stereo system in the house and enjoyed the surround sound effect of the battles and excellent soundtrack. When it was over, I read the prayer of William Wallace and printed it out (it was included in the bonuses) for us to examine.

What Were Our Thoughts on This Product?

Little Britches: "I like it. It is just as fun and interesting as the other one was! I like learning about the people. It has lots of funny parts too. Like the goat woo!"
Me: I love audiodramas and I enjoyed this one. I think they are a great way to learn a bit about history and historical figures as well as character lessons. As with Under Drake's Flag, it is interesting to learn how passionately the men and women of this time were about their faith and how it motivated them to do great things no matter the consequences. With the dramatic music and character dialogue, it makes the story far more entertaining than if I was reading the book myself. Once the story was completed it definitely made me want to seek out more information about William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. When I looked it up, I discovered (as I already pretty much knew) that the audio drama took a VERY VERY VERY brutal story and greatly sanitized it (Braveheart anyone?)

Would I Recommend This Product?

Yes! Just as with Under Drake's Flag, we totally enjoyed this audiodrama. It is a great way to enjoy classic literature on the go! These CD's provide great entertainment for the car on trips (2 1/2 hrs of non-stop adventure!) and the boys continue to ask to listen to them. I value them most for the CD itself over the extra digital downloads, though being able to have the others on portable devices are great. I liked being able to have the study guide on my Kindle for quick reference--great for having in the car! I also loved having access to the bonus soundtrack that is included in the purchase. I preferred having everything either on the CD or my Kindle for easy reference. I think that this is a valuable resource for any family and if you are studying this time period, a great educational extra! This time period was a very brutal one, but this audio drama provides a more gentle look at the events making it a great introduction to this history. Would I purchase this product or more like it? I think I would purchase it as a homeschool resource over just entertainment. My boys learn well from audio resources in general and they remember these audio dramas very well.
Want to Learn More? I was just one of the 100 reviewers of In Freedom's Cause Single Package from Heirloom Audio Productions. You know what we thought about it, why not head over and read about what some of the other families thought! Want to stay up to date on things pertaining to In Freedom's Cause?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InFreedomsCause
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InFreedomsCause
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/112701427096792421838/112701427096792421838/posts
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jointhecause
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Did you miss out on reading my review of Under Drake's Flag? It was a our first introduction to Heirloom Audio Productions and is still much loved. I am pretty stoked because we were just sent an email announcing that the next audiodrama With Lee in Virginia is going to be released around Memorial Day! With these two previous programs being such loved, I don't doubt we will enjoy the new release when it comes out!