The Flying Lizard

There is wisdom in this book…Presented in a radical style. It took me some time to get used to and appreciate that style.

Revisado: 04-24-25

It has taken me a while to appreciate John Kim's work because I am so used to "standard therapy" environments. For lack of a better description…Once you get used to John Kim's "rock and roll" style of speaking, you find the wisdom in his words. John speaks quickly so you really have to listen. The next time I listen to this book, I will probably slow it down. Thank you John for sharing your story and your wisdom. I'm starting to "get it".

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This book questions standard psychiatric treatment as it exists today, but leaves you the freedom to make your own choices.

Revisado: 04-16-25

As a person who has been on medications to treat OCD and depression for 35 years, it was good for me to take a look at the life of someone who decided to get off of these types of medications and who has had successful results. But at the same time she fully admits that life is hard and that she still struggles with her mental health challenges, but chooses to deal with them by using her own wisdom which she has developed through many years of trial and error, and doing intensive research on her own. She has fully accepted that she is simply human and has strengths and weaknesses… As we all do. She has found her own way of navigating life, during both good times and bad… That works for her, and does not require the assistance of medications. She is very clear that what works for her may not work for you and me.

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Very good spy/mystery story.

Revisado: 03-09-25

Lots of twists and turns. KGB versus CIA versus FBI versus local police. A good mystery. Hard to tell who the good guys are. You do have to work at it to keep the characters straight.

I enjoyed the narrator. Deep voice... good for this mystery. I was surprised to see so many negative comments about the performance. Recommended.

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Nicely done classic science fiction 

Revisado: 04-21-24

A well thought out  story about how humans relate to machines. That was the best part. Machines trying to understand human emotions, and humans trying to understand the lack of emotion in machines… And how the lines blur when a "Robot" is a combination of part human and part machine. Wrapped around this psychological "investigation" is a good old-fashioned science fiction story of good versus evil. There was a lot of good humor mixed in, and it was well narrated. I enjoyed the entire series. Recommended! 

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The master of fear.

Revisado: 02-26-24

I loved this book because it motivates me to try to overcome my chronic problems with anxiety and depression that I've been fighting for 35 years.

Chuck Yeager admits that he was afraid of dying every time he took a risk in an airplane. But his love for flying overcame that. He was willing to take risks in order to do what he loved to do. He minimized his risks by studying to be the best pilot he could be, both in his pilot skills,  and in his knowledge of how airplanes worked mechanically. That mechanical knowledge allowed him to maximize his ability to get out of trouble when things went wrong in the air.  He still almost died on several occasions during his career, and readily admits that luck played a part in his success. 

Chuck knew that he was an unusually gifted pilot and he admitted that. He had some genetic advantages  from birth: amazing eyesight and eye hand coordination. But he says the rest came from working as hard as he could to master his craft,  and I believe it. He had reason to be proud of himself, and he doesn't hide that pride in the book, so some may interpret this as arrogance and be turned off. I think he was just being brutally honest. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind. 

I don't fly but I'm fascinated by airplanes, and I am also fascinated by the psychology of what makes one person brave and accepting of the risks in life, while another person chooses to limit what he or she can do because of fear. Risk taking is a very personal decision. Everyone has to make their own decisions in that area. 

I don't have the answers to why some people have more courage than others. But I am inspired by stories of people who have far more courage than me.

Loved the story of Chuck Yeager's flying adventures, and admire his bravery… Which currently inspires me since I just finished the book. I'm sure that will fade… But I'm grateful for the boost in motivation.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in military aircraft and in learning a bit about  people who have a high risk tolerance. 

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Well done...the next book should be the last...

Revisado: 01-22-24

Several "challenges" (sub plots) remain in play. The series should have been shorter (9 books total perhaps). Book XII should wrap up the sub plots in exciting ways...there have to be some failures along the way for balance...then I would like to see an ending that points to a positive future. I almost dropped reading this series when there were too many variations of monsters to overcome. I will read book XII. If XII does not provide closure, I will not read XIII.

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Captivating and riveting from beginning to end.

Revisado: 09-18-23

What makes this story incredible is that it is almost entirely true. The parts of the book that were "enhanced" by the author to make the story more logical and exciting are fully disclosed at the very end of the book. Anyone who enjoys learning about Russia's part in World War II and about the life of a Russian sniper during that war should enjoy this book. I was completely hooked and listened to it in two days (staying up all night on day two!) I can't give it a higher recommendation than that!

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Listen to this… More than once…

Revisado: 06-24-23

I listened to this during a very challenging time in my life. I’m struggling with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. This book has not cured me, but it has made me look at life differently. Maybe it will help me improve my state of mind. I’m not sure yet, but regardless, I’m glad I listened to it. It has taught me a different perspective, and I will listen to it again.

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If you are familiar with the computer chat room environment...

Revisado: 11-12-22

...where roughly 3 to 7 people are typing messages back-and-forth in a group discussion, then you will be fine (as I was) with listening to this audiobook. I really enjoyed it! However, if this kind of "bantering back-and-forth quickly" communication is not something you have experience with, I have to recommend buying a hard copy version of the book. I found listening to the "chat room environment" in an audiobook to be a new and enjoyable experience, but it is a bit of a challenge…as you really have to pay attention. Regardless, in audiobook or hardcopy form, this book is a winner :-)

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Not extraordinary, but very good.

Revisado: 07-18-22

First, the narrator is excellent, and he is a big reason that this series works. There have been a couple of times when I finished one of these books and said to myself: “No more. I’m tired of the theme of explorers facing new challenges that seem impossible to overcome, but they always find a way to succeed.” This theme repeats in every book. But the stories are always “just good enough” to keep me interested. I would give the author an 8 out of 10 for his storytelling. It reminds me a bit of the original Star Trek television series. The writing is good enough to keep me engaged and entertained, but this is not the stuff of science fiction giants like Isaac Asimov or Arthur C Clarke.

Bottom line (at least for me). Enjoyable reading for escape from reality, but don’t expect to be blown away by storylines that you have never seen before. I give the series a high recommendation, but not the highest. Give it a try by reading book 1… If it doesn’t feel good then walk away. If you enjoy it then keep going! :-)

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