James Ball

Suspenseful, Despite Knowing How It Ends

Revisado: 02-11-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The mark of a great work of nonfiction is when you find yourself gripped by the unfolding of its events even when you know exactly how it's going to end. Millard does exactly that with this fantastic retelling of the inevitable, fateful meeting of James A. Garfield and Charles Guiteau, the latter of whom only turns out to be partly responsible for the former's death.
This book is part American Reconstruction history lesson, part indictment of the now-horrific medical practices of the 1800s. I rarely find historic works to be too short, but this one almost was.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alexander Graham Bell who desperately works to save the president's life. This is a little-known piece of American history that's endlessly fascinating.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

Alexander Graham Bell. Perfect Scottish brogue.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Take The Later Train, Mister President.

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He puts the em-PHASIS on the wrong syll-ABLES

Revisado: 11-27-13

What did you like best about The Magic Skin? What did you like least?

Did the real narrator call in sick? Does this narrator not have more than a passing familiarity with the English language? Yes, apparently, on both counts.

First of all, five stars for Balzac because, well, Balzac. It's a fantastic story, but I'm afraid it's rendered unbearable by this reader.

Remember when kids would be called upon to read passages of a story out loud by the teacher in grade school? Remember their flat, unremarkable, dispassionate dictations? That's what you get with this reader who can't even pronounce many English words (conjuring becomes con-JUR-ing in his hands), much less the French accents. A computerized LibriVox version would be preferable to this. John Cleese's silly French knight in "Holy Grail" was more believeable.

Unfortunately, this one is a pass.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Magic Skin?

That freeing moment when I decided to read the kindle version instead.

How could the performance have been better?

Simon Vance or the late Frederick Davidson.

Could you see The Magic Skin being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not really.

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Airplanes, a dog, post-apocalyptic survival

Revisado: 10-28-12

What made the experience of listening to The Dog Stars the most enjoyable?

Heller clearly is a poet and he brings a dreamy, verse-like style to this book, which I'd describe as a mashup of "The Art of Racing in the Rain" with "The Stand." It hit all my buttons: airplanes, dogs, apocalyptic survival, a sap-free romance and middle age. Best thing I've read all year.Also worth noting: I have a hard copy of this book and the physical writing style as it's laid out on the page is a bit jarring. Sort of like looking at e.e. cummings' work for the first time. In this audio format, the book finds it's perfect home. Mark Deakins really is main character Higg.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Probably Pops. I won't say much about him in order to avoid spoilers.

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

Higg, the main character.

If you could rename The Dog Stars, what would you call it?

"I, Aviator" or "The Omega Pilot" (Not really. It's perfectly named, as is.)

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Spellbinding

Revisado: 05-31-07

Swanson craftily frames the manhunt for Booth and his co-conspirators as a tale of suspense, relying on witness testimony, trial transcripts and newspaper accounts. He shies away from speculation, and the book is the better for it.

Although the book focuses on the manhunt, providing thrills and twists at every turn, it's actually a great primer on Booth, giving us a glimpse into the motivation of this complex player in American history.

The reading is solid and fast-paced, perfectly matching the tone of the written work. You'll want to know more after listening, and that makes this book a smashing success.

In three years of being an audible subscriber, I've finally found that holy grail book - a pitch-perfect tale that never, ever disappoints and is over way too soon.

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Harris is a horrible narrator

Revisado: 12-11-06

In the hands of a skilled narrator, even a mediocre novel can be brought to life in unexpected ways. Sad to say, this is indeed a mediocre novel, despite my high hopes that it would be otherwise.

With author Thomas Harris narrating, Hannibal Rising becomes almost unbearable. His otherwise charming Southern accent is a mismatch for the European locales of the book and his voice lacks the proper nuance for moments of both tenderness and of gripping evil. The end result is a grating and irritating experience.

I really wish I could file a positive report here, but this listen is just completely sapped of all life by the author's flat reading.

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Dry as a bone

Revisado: 07-02-06

Dallek's overview of the Kennedy legacy is a political, not personal one. He stays away from pretty much everything that made Kennedy a compelling figure, focusing on a cut-and-dried political biography. One wishes he'd linger a bit on Kennedy's persona, charm and wit, but he instead plows full steam ahead with a "just the facts" account of JFK's brief White House tenure.

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