Sprangers

Well, as I was listening, history was unfolding.

Revisado: 01-24-21

I was worried when I saw reviews that were excoriating - "he focuses too much on ecnoomy", "it is too much about him" (what autobiography isn't ?) are the two that stuck out. Well yes, there is a lot about the economy - both within the US starting before he was elected in talks with the previous administration and following TARP on the global level. The truth is not always a gripping story but given all that we have been through and what we have to yet to tackle, there are gems of insight that should help those of us who are not politicians get a grasp of reality. I found the parallels of Obama's recent history and the events of the past year eerie yet enlightening. Of course I was aware of what has been reported in print and on the air waves during the campaigns and during his administration - and I know where I tried to fill in the blanks/discrepancies between what he had campaigned on and how events unfolded. It was helpful to learn the 'background' stories both domestic and foreign. The rise of conspiracy theories and the far right in response to a President with pigmented skin is detailed honestly and sets the foundation for what we need to consider in the here and now. I expect I will return to the print copy for a chance to think more deeply about several points. I enjoyed hearing Obama reading - I have always appreciated his oratorial style but important to me, I could hear his emphasis and emotions, something that is lost in printed word.

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OK, I want more :)

Revisado: 07-30-18

This series, like the Inn Keeper Series, while in some ways formulaic, keeps one's interest from start to finish. There are always twists and turns - just often enough to keep one off balance. At the same time, I enjoy picking up on details that become central at a later point in the book. Red carnations, for example. These stories keep my attention on what could be boring drives. Not so. About to run out on all three series and about to be frustrated.

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Prepare to have your eyes opened

Revisado: 09-14-17

If you could sum up Hidden Figures in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, informative, inspiring

What did you like best about this story?

Brining forth almost buried history without subtext or polish but pride and solid research

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The history of the Commonwealth of Virginia trying to stifle public education because of resistance of having people with differently pigmented skin attend school - as late as the 60's.

Any additional comments?

I was thrilled by the movie as it not only portrayed smart black women as smart, women who were capable, able and overlooked but came at a time in our history when we need to stop being so pig headed about 'change'. I knew the story was altered to accommodate the essentials for a movie so we listened to the book on a 16 hr drive. Wow! I am so pleased to have been able to have the full story and be made aware of what history I thought I knew from the time when I was growing up watching the space shots in school having dreamed of working for NASA and ending up as a research scientist. But I was sheltered living in New England and was less than full ware of the obstructionists as far as race was concerned. As a female who went to what had been an all male University South of the Mason-Dixon line I focussed on 'being not good enough' but 'better than' to make headway and I was woefully ignorant of what my black sisters were having to cope with in order to use their talents. Thank you for bringing the story forward. I still wish we would honor each other's talents regardless of the outer layers - we would be so much further ahead.

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Great piece of work for a long road trip

Revisado: 09-09-17

Love these works - the author loves his subject and weaves botany, horticulture & history together well.

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Good listen but ending pointedly said "series"

Revisado: 09-29-14

If you could sum up The Emperor's Blades in three words, what would they be?

Well woven tale

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is a saga with interwoven tales so was fun to listen to on a set of long drives

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In the tradition of good historical who-done-its

Revisado: 12-26-13

Would you consider the audio edition of The Queene's Christmas to be better than the print version?

It was difficult to not be distracted when driving & listening to the start of each chapter as they begin with a 'trad' recipe for the delectables of Christmas. Harper's series of mysteries are delightful and tickle the mind wondering as you go about what is fact and what is fiction. At the end there is always a summary to put any worries to rest. I applaud her ability to weave a good story around figures known and not. It made the hours of driving go by in a flash (and prompted some follow up research into Elizabethan culinary history).

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This was not a cliff hanger, per se, but this was not a problem as it did make you think about who-do-it and a motive.

What does Katherine Kellgren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It was well narrated without being too dramatic or, worse, monotonic.

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And I thought I knew a lot about the gut

Revisado: 12-26-13

What made the experience of listening to Gulp the most enjoyable?

There was certainly lots of material presented in this book going from orifice to orifice. Just when I felt something was too awful to contemplate I was grabbed by some interesting bits of information that made me re think our cultural taboos.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gulp?

Learning that the eating of feces by several species is a biological necessity.

Which character – as performed by Emily Woo Zeller – was your favorite?

There were no "characters" per se - just a travel from mouth to anus via nutritional, physiological, anthropological, pathological and historical perspectives.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were several reactions, from being grossed out, shocked, amazed and amused - all of which contributed to making this an engrossing experience.

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