Post updated on April 7, 2018.
With the release of my new book—Enemy of the State—has come a flood of emails and reviews related to one of America’s favorite audiobook voices. Everyone wants to know what happened to George Guidall. Here’s the scoop…
Even my mother called to yell at me when she realized that the voice she’d always equated with Mitch Rapp had changed. “How could you fire George?” she asked me. Of course, I told her it was because she didn’t get me that bike I wanted when I was seven.
I Didn’t Fire George Guidall!
In fact, George was offered the job to read Enemy of the State but he couldn’t fit it into his work schedule.
And no wonder. For those who haven’t followed his career, George has narrated more than 1,350 audiobooks over the past twenty years and also spent quite a bit of time performing on stage. Here’s a look at the many titles he’s voiced.
Who Did We Choose To Replace Him?
We hired Scott Brick to read Enemy of the State because he’s one the world’s foremost audiobook narrators. He has an impressive list of work, spanning from John Grisham to Clive Cussler and Steve Berry.
Yes, he sounds different than George Guidall. For some listeners, this has turned their reading experience upside down. I get it—Mitch Rapp and his companions sound a certain way, just like your own friends and family do. Replacing his voice (well, George’s voice) with someone else’s has proved disorienting for some.
I, more than anyone, understand what big shoes Scott has to fill. I was in his position just a few years ago, staring into Vince’s world and hoping fans would accept me. And in many ways, it’s even worse for Scott. While I can dissect and emulate Vince’s style, Scott can’t change his voice into the one everyone is familiar with.
So I’m asking you to give him a chance. Or, in some cases, a second chance. Let’s celebrate George’s many years of reading while giving Scott the same support you extended to me. Vince’s legacy is important to us all, and this is just one more way to help it thrive.