Alex V. Landing

great idea but just not for me

Revisado: 03-13-23

I'm a huge found footage horror fan and a huge fan of this author's work. So I'm totally puzzled that I didn't enjoy this book more. Some of my issues are from the audio book production. Some are with the writing. I guess it's my own fault as I can't stand the characters written for reality TV shows, these characters are perfectly created clichés. just like in reality TV shows.

one warning, be prepared to hear the same chapter heading over 110+ times, seriously. They read the title of the fictitious show, also the title of the book, that many times. Even when Some chapters were only 2 or 3 minutes long. I don't think this was supposed to create the horror in the book but it became the most scary thing, besides the song.

If you do enjoy this book definitely check out the found footage movies grave encounters 1 and 2. It's very similar in concept and execution.

if you want a great haunted house story involving "ghost hunters" check out Richard Matheson's Hell House.

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good intro into the teaching method of pimsleur

Revisado: 02-24-20

15 minutes is a explanation of the style of teaching followed by a very basic but useful Thai lesson. I've used books, apps, and a private tutor. This feels like the best audio book teaching style I've heard yet. the difference in style is subtle, but significant.
the lesson is
"excuse me, do you understand English?"
"no I don't understand English"
"do you understand Thai?"
"yes, I understand Thai a little bit"

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a thoroughly enjoyable conclusion

Revisado: 01-30-19

Easily my favorite of the trilogy. Kept me guessing and interested in the characters. Felt like each book the author became more confident and the story more enjoyable. I'm off to go find his newest book though I'll miss the legions and the risen.

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a pleasant return to zombie infested ancient Rome

Revisado: 01-24-19

I think the added character depth created by the previous books story sucked me in quicker. Quite a few unexpected turns this time round kept me guessing and meant the story steered clear of formulaic zombie fiction. I'll of course need to get the next on to see where it all ends up.

I found the performer a little hard to follow again. may very well be the Roman names just being too much for my brain to juggle. These are the first books I've ever slowed down, 90% was perfect, just means entertainment for longer ")

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a fun historical horror mashup

Revisado: 01-09-19

actually went through this one in a single day, almost in one listening. it moves fast and has the feel of a old pulp novel.

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another teenager's fight each in a game story

Revisado: 01-07-19

A few spots felt genuinely interesting. Otherwise very derivative, most of the plot is fairly obvious and on rails. Revenge fueled teenager sets out to overturn a corrupt society through class warfare. Almost as if this book was written purely to make the series marketable to the correct demographics and the authors real passion is still to come. It was rather tough to not see the strings so to speak. Hoping that the next story is a more original segment.

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A big disappointment, a drawn out advertisement

Revisado: 11-24-18

The short version. Eat a vegan Mediterranean diet and BUY MY PRODUCT! . . . And ignore my obvious biases or contradictions.

I've watched Dr. Longo in countless interviews and documentaries touting his copyrighted FMD plan many times. I thought perhaps he may finally give a better explanation of it for people to put to use, or understand the mechanisms though I was quite skeptical. But sadly no he doesn't, actually quite the opposite. Chapter six which is the real crux of his whole push, the fasting mimicking diet(FMD), he literally gives out the web address where your should go so your doctor can prescribe his prolon product to you. He even follows his horrible plug with a classic advertising "or else" threatening hurting yourself doing it on your own. He points out that all proceeds go to charity and he makes no income off the proceeds. This of course doesn't help the countless patients that don't have the money or insurance to spend in the first place. It's become quite tiresome to hear Dr. Longo reference how fasting has been a part of human history and religion for thousands of years, including water only fasting, then go on to say but you can't do that on your own so buy my product because it gives you just enough nutrients to not ... uh hurt yourself? This idea that individuals without pre-existing conditions are incapable of water fasting for 4-5 days without spending thousands of dollars at a clinic is absurd. Especially after explaining that humans have been doing it forever.

While I understand all too well that fasting is difficult the idea that it's just not possible for people to do it anymore is incorrect. The real problem for modern medicine is it's free and your can't sell it. Check out Dr. Jason Fung's book a guide to fasting for a much better explanation and straight forward walk through. The first bit of chapter six, I went back to make sure I heard it right, says basically the whole reason he developed the FMD was because 100 people said it was too hard to water fast. He of course spends the rest of the book telling people not to eat animal products besides fish unless your over 70. If they had a problem just having water for three days I wonder how this other recommendation would be received. Estimated world vegetarian population is less than 500 million out of 7+ billion.

The rest of the book is more a biography of Dr. Longo's life, work history and traveling destinations. With a portion set aside for praising the Mediterranean diet and explaining that a vegan version with dashes of fish is basically recommended longevity diet. There are separate chapters on recommendations for action for various medical conditions. Which of course reference back and say check out chapter 6 again, yeah the one with the advertisement. I guess the editor thought maybe putting the plug in every chapter went too far.

It almost became comical between the ads and contradictions. There is a long explanation of why terms like "intermittent fasting," "Mediterranean diet" and "moderate" are too general and need to be more specific. Of course when laying out the longevity diet I lost count how many times the same broad terms were used making it practically useless.

Save your money and check out his interviews on YouTube or podcasts, nothing new to see here. If you do buy it be sure to download the PDF. The 100+ page document has some graphs that are easier to see them rather than listen to them described. Again if your interested in more utilitarian fasting information look up Dr Fungs guide to fasting.

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esto le resultó útil a 105 personas

Could have been great

Revisado: 10-19-18

I tend to love similar stories, but the political angle on this one is just a anchor. The story as a whole feels a bit all over the place, the central theme was weak at best.

The author skipped hugely pertinent questions and ideas because of their political bias. Even admitting as much when asking "who is more likely to survive a tornado a Republican or a Democrat?" instead of the obvious one associated with the topics and data. "are you more likely to survive if you've been in one before?" I may be paraphrasing the last. I think that comparison of the two questions and which one that was actually asked of the experts when given the opportunity shows the motive. So much great information spinning around this story and the current political climate just gets in the way. This will be a great story in maybe 10 years as a book written without the clouded political frustration that is evident now in it.

I'd recommend reading Isaac's storm instead, it is a excellent read about the Galveston hurricane that is referred to a few times in this. It also gives a unbiased history of the founding of the weather service.

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Solid zombie apocalypse story

Revisado: 09-28-18

Many laughs in what can be a dark series at times. A great change of pace from the usual high speed super soldier zombie hunters in other series. Would recommend to fans of the genre.

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zombie apocalypse with chuckles

Revisado: 09-22-18

As a big fan of the genre it's always nice to cone across a series that is enjoyable and has a voice that sits close to home. I love the super star elite soldiers of the arisen series and anti hero vibe of the surviving the dead series. But working construction fors years it was cool to actually identify with a main character for a change. Had me laughing out loud quite a few times and feeling like a story I might hear at lunch break inn the shanty on a job site. looking forward to the rest.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas