Act of Oblivion
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $24.48
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Tim McInnerny
-
Written by:
-
Robert Harris
About this listen
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
From the bestselling author of Fatherland, The Ghostwriter, Munich, and Conclave comes this spellbinding historical novel that brilliantly imagines one of the greatest manhunts in history: the search for two Englishmen, charged in the killing of King Charles I, by the implacable foe on their trail—an epic journey into the wilds of seventeenth-century New England, and a chase like no other.
"From what is it they run?"
He took a while to reply. By the time he spoke the men had gone inside. He said quietly, “They killed the King.”
1660. General Edward Whalley and his son-in-law Colonel William Goffe board a ship in London bound for the New World and an uncertain future in exile. They are wanted for the 1649 murder of King Charles I – a brazen execution that marked the culmination of the English Civil War, in which parliamentarians successfully battled royalists for control. But ten years after Charles’ beheading, the royalists returned to power. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, the fifty-nine men who signed the king’s death warrant have been found guilty in absentia of high treason. Some parliamentarians, including Oliver Cromwell, are dead; others have been captured, hung, drawn, and quartered. A few are imprisoned for life. But Whalley and Goffe escaped to New England. In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is charged with bringing the traitors back home to justice and will stop at nothing to find them. A substantial bounty hangs over their heads for their capture—dead or alive. Encompassing a period of tremendous upheaval in English history the novel brings alive pivotal moments including the Black Death and the Great Fire of London as Nayler closes in on the exiles. Act of Oblivion is an epic story of religion, vengeance, and of power—and the costs to those who wield it.
You may also enjoy...
-
Imperium
- A Novel of Ancient Rome
- Written by: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: Simon Jones
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Tiro, the confidential secretary (and slave) of a Roman senator, opens the door to a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually propel his master into one of the most suspenseful courtroom dramas in history.
Written by: Robert Harris
-
V2
- A Novel of World War II
- Written by: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rudi Graf is an engineer who always dreamed of sending rockets to the moon. But instead, he finds himself working alongside Wernher von Braun, launching V2 rockets at London for the Nazis from a bleak seaside town in occupied Holland. As the SS increases its scrutiny of the project, Graf, an engineer more than a soldier, has to muster all of his willpower to toe the party line. And when rumors of a defector circulate through the German ranks, Graf becomes a prime suspect.
-
-
Rober Harris did it again!
- By CCabral on 2023-03-08
Written by: Robert Harris
-
Silverview
- A Novel
- Written by: John le Carré
- Narrated by: Toby Jones
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Julian Lawndsley has renounced his high-flying job in the city for a simpler life running a bookshop in a small English seaside town. But only a couple of months into his new career, Julian’s evening is disrupted by a visitor. Edward, a Polish émigré living in Silverview, the big house on the edge of town, seems to know a lot about Julian’s family and is rather too interested in the inner workings of his modest new enterprise.
-
-
A bit wanting
- By Sonny on 2024-03-02
Written by: John le Carré
-
Empires of the Steppes
- Written by: Kenneth Harl
- Narrated by: Corey M. Snow
- Length: 17 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The barbarian nomads of the Eurasian steppes have played a decisive role in world history, but their achievements have gone largely unnoticed. These nomadic tribes have produced some of the world’s greatest conquerors: Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, among others. Their deeds still resonate today. Indeed, these nomads built long-lasting empires, facilitated the first global trade of the Silk Road and disseminated religions, technology, knowledge and goods of every description that enriched and changed the lives of so many across Europe, China and the Middle East.
Written by: Kenneth Harl
-
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel
- Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I
- Written by: Douglas Brunt
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
September 29, 1913: the steamship Dresden is halfway between Belgium and England. On board is one of the most famous men in the world, Rudolf Diesel, whose new internal combustion engine is on the verge of revolutionizing global industry forever. But Diesel never arrives at his destination. He vanishes during the night and headlines around the world wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or murder.
-
-
I now know
- By Charlie on 2024-05-12
Written by: Douglas Brunt
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
A compelling, very informative book
- By Armstrong on 2023-05-07
Written by: John Toland
-
Imperium
- A Novel of Ancient Rome
- Written by: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: Simon Jones
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Tiro, the confidential secretary (and slave) of a Roman senator, opens the door to a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually propel his master into one of the most suspenseful courtroom dramas in history.
Written by: Robert Harris
-
V2
- A Novel of World War II
- Written by: Robert Harris
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rudi Graf is an engineer who always dreamed of sending rockets to the moon. But instead, he finds himself working alongside Wernher von Braun, launching V2 rockets at London for the Nazis from a bleak seaside town in occupied Holland. As the SS increases its scrutiny of the project, Graf, an engineer more than a soldier, has to muster all of his willpower to toe the party line. And when rumors of a defector circulate through the German ranks, Graf becomes a prime suspect.
-
-
Rober Harris did it again!
- By CCabral on 2023-03-08
Written by: Robert Harris
-
Silverview
- A Novel
- Written by: John le Carré
- Narrated by: Toby Jones
- Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Julian Lawndsley has renounced his high-flying job in the city for a simpler life running a bookshop in a small English seaside town. But only a couple of months into his new career, Julian’s evening is disrupted by a visitor. Edward, a Polish émigré living in Silverview, the big house on the edge of town, seems to know a lot about Julian’s family and is rather too interested in the inner workings of his modest new enterprise.
-
-
A bit wanting
- By Sonny on 2024-03-02
Written by: John le Carré
-
Empires of the Steppes
- Written by: Kenneth Harl
- Narrated by: Corey M. Snow
- Length: 17 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The barbarian nomads of the Eurasian steppes have played a decisive role in world history, but their achievements have gone largely unnoticed. These nomadic tribes have produced some of the world’s greatest conquerors: Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, among others. Their deeds still resonate today. Indeed, these nomads built long-lasting empires, facilitated the first global trade of the Silk Road and disseminated religions, technology, knowledge and goods of every description that enriched and changed the lives of so many across Europe, China and the Middle East.
Written by: Kenneth Harl
-
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel
- Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I
- Written by: Douglas Brunt
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
September 29, 1913: the steamship Dresden is halfway between Belgium and England. On board is one of the most famous men in the world, Rudolf Diesel, whose new internal combustion engine is on the verge of revolutionizing global industry forever. But Diesel never arrives at his destination. He vanishes during the night and headlines around the world wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or murder.
-
-
I now know
- By Charlie on 2024-05-12
Written by: Douglas Brunt
-
The Rising Sun
- The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945
- Written by: John Toland
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 41 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This Pulitzer Prize-winning history of World War II chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of the Japanese empire, from the invasion of Manchuria and China to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Told from the Japanese perspective, The Rising Sun is, in the author’s words, "a factual saga of people caught up in the flood of the most overwhelming war of mankind, told as it happened - muddled, ennobling, disgraceful, frustrating, full of paradox."
-
-
A compelling, very informative book
- By Armstrong on 2023-05-07
Written by: John Toland
What the critics say
"A remarkably versatile novelist whose settings range from Ancient Rome to 800 years in the future. A former political journalist, he often explores the darker aspects of politics and its corrupting effects on individuals.... Harris underpins the book with substantial research and writes in unobtrusively effective prose.... This is Harris at his best, which is very good indeed.” —The Guardian
"Read as thriller or gripping history, Robert Harris is at his best in this Civil War page-turner…. Robert Harris is one of the finest thriller writers alive, but what he does best, really, is history…. For a time...things become existential. One episode in the darkness of a cave, where the pursuit comes agonisingly close, could almost be found in a novel by Joseph Conrad. At the same time, and this is Harris’s great strength, the cave scene is quiveringly tense. Hollywood-ready…. You could read this as a pure thriller, and it is one of Harris’s most compellingly paced to date. You could read it as a piece of intelligent historical immersion. I think it is more; I think it is his best since Fatherland." —Sunday Times (UK)
"A gripping manhunt for the men who killed Charles I... Act of Oblivion is a belter of a thriller. It will be compulsive reading for those who loved An Officer and a Spy, Harris’s book about the Dreyfus affair. Like that novel, the research is immaculate. A chewy, morally murky slice of history is made into a tale that twists and surprises. The characters are strong and we care about their predicament. The story stretches over continents and years, but the suspense feels as taut as if the three main characters were locked in a room with a gun." —The Times (UK)
What listeners say about Act of Oblivion
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-02-06
Compelling
This is a very good work of historical fiction. Interesting and well-researched. Enjoyed the story and highly recommend this audiobook.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ishbel
- 2022-11-09
Five Star
Gripping yet touching . As a historical novel both aspects are covered to the fullest in Harrises usual detailed descriptive style. A pleasure.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Five Fingers
- 2022-10-11
Intense historical fiction
What a tale. And well-told. This taut intense story of Colonels Wally and Gough, convicted of regicide, and the man tracking them down, is hard to put down. Historical fiction done well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- alan carroll
- 2023-01-17
Bloody Murder
A well told story by a wordsmith who pulled together many happenings on two continents. Characterization was consistent and clear. An excellent if bloodthirsty book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!