• Only You Can Save Mankind: Johnny Maxwell, Book 1

  • By: Terry Pratchett
  • Narrated by: Tony Robinson
  • Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (125 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Only You Can Save Mankind: Johnny Maxwell, Book 1  By  cover art

Only You Can Save Mankind: Johnny Maxwell, Book 1

By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Tony Robinson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.07

Buy for $13.07

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

As the mighty alien fleet from the very latest computer game thunders across the computer screen, Johnny prepares to blow them into the usual million pieces. But then they send him a message: "We surrender". They're not supposed to do that! They're supposed to die. And computer joysticks don't have "Don't Fire" buttons....

It's hard enough trying to save Mankind from the Galactic Hordes. It's even harder trying to save the Galactic Hordes from Mankind. But it's only a game, isn't it. Isn't it?

Here is a hugely entertaining and thought-provoking new adventure from the master of comic fantasy, Terry Pratchett.

© Terry and Lyn Pratchett; (P) RHCB Audio

Critic reviews

"A wonderful new Pratchett-style fantasy: funny and thrilling enough for anyone." (Daily Mail)

What listeners say about Only You Can Save Mankind: Johnny Maxwell, Book 1

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    51
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    34
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36
  • 4 Stars
    12
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

boring

kinda got bored with the plot. It needed more substance. which makes me sad I was really excited about this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

This is an earlier work by Terry Pratchett and - unlike the "DiscWorld" novels - firmly rooted in contemporary planet earth. It kept me and my kids (12 & 16) entertained and laughing on a long car journey. The narration is beautifully judged and the whole thing shows that the mark of good writing for children is that it can be enjoyed by adults too. For those who have not yet sampled the delights of Pratchett's other books and for those who want to stimulate a love of reading in their kids, this is a great buy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Short, Sweet, and Entertaining

I was a little skeptical when I decided to purchase this audiobook. It's only 2 hours 47 minutes, which is around the length of one of today's "epic" movies. For over $10.00, this seems rather steep for an audiobook, when you can buy 50+hour books for the same credit...
As far as the story goes: it's an interesting take on "do unto others..." but with a video game twist. I liked its non-violent approach to solving problems, and I feel that it would have been a good read for a kid 8 to 15, especially when said kid is slightly violent. (Don't get me wrong, I video game all the time and I don't think that video games cause violence, but it's a nice view on an alternate solution)

The narration is very good as well, and I didn't feel like I was just being read to.

All in all this was a nice story. Was it worth $10+? No, I don't think so, (which is mainly why I rated it 4 instead of 5) but I had a bunch of extra credits that were just sitting around so I went for it. If you're a Pratchett fan, you'll enjoy this story. If you're older than 15 or you prefer more "grown up" stories, check out his Diskworld series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful