Horne's authoritative yet warm voice is a fine fit for Walker's fascinating exploration of what happened to the Civil War submarine the H.L. Hunley, which suffered a catastrophe and sunk in 1864. The legendary submarine lay lost, buried in silt near Charleston, S.C., for 131 years until it was recovered. Listeners will hear the strategy behind designing a submarine for warfare and come to better understand the technical superiority of the Hunley, named for a businessman and Confederate supporter who helped build the vessel and even captained it until he died on one of its test voyages. They will also be privy to the contemporary methods used to search for and excavate the missing sub. Though the Hunley was the first submarine of her day to sink an enemy ship (the USS Housatonic), disastrously, she never returned to port to receive praise for her accomplishments. Horne succeeds in keeping scientific concepts from sounding too dry and in making the Hunley feel like a real character in Walker's tale of "bravery, mystery, bones and gold." An enhanced CD accompanying this program features a crisp slideshow of 81 images and captions that provide a visual component to the Hunley's story. This is an enthralling listening (and viewing) experience for history and archaeology buffs of all ages and for anyone who loves a good mystery. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)

Gr 6-10
In 1864, the last year of the Civil War, a Confederate submarine, the H. L. Hunley , became the first submarine to sink an enemy warship (the USS Housatonic ). But something went wrong, and the Hunley suffered the same fate and lay buried in Charleston harbor for more than 100 years. In 1995, archaeologists discovered and raised the submarine from its watery grave. Sally M. Walker's book (Carolrhoda Books, 2005), winner of the American Library Association's Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal in 2006, covers the construction of the submarine, its mission, and how it was finally located and excavated. The enhanced CD features over 80 maps, photographs, and illustrations from the book that complement the listening experience. Actor J. R. Horne's reading brings this historic event to life. This story of adventure, courage, and treasure will enthrall listeners interested in archaeology, history, the Civil War, and adventure.-Larry Cooperman, formerly Seminole High School, Sanford, FL

"The mysterious disappearance of a Confederate submarine in 1863 becomes even more fascinating when seen through the eyes of the divers, archaeologists, engineers, and other experts who pieced together the details more than a century later. Full-color photographs, helpful diagrams, and engaging writing contribute to this unique and multi-faceted look at how history works." —School Library Journal