Gabe Schwartz

Fascinating Life Story

Revisado: 04-05-16

I was captivated by Jewel's story. As a fan back in the late 90s and early 2000s, I knew only a tiny portion of her background. Her life experiences are so different

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A story of true courage and political resolve

Revisado: 01-28-16

The Israeli rescue of the hostages in Uganda is a nearly mythical story which this book does a remarkable job telling. I was enthralled with the hour by hour description of the hijacking as well as the events leading up to the rescue. I was completely captivated during the actual rescue and couldn't stop listening until it was done.

I was also impressed with the way the politicians both within and across parties came together to support such a dangerous and high risk strategy.

It was disappointing (though unfortunately not surprising) to hear that many in the UN tried to condemn Israel for rescuing its civilian hostages and yet remained silent in their condemnation of the terrorists as well as their Ugandian coconspirators.

Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable listen and one which I highly recommend!

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

A self indulgent story of a selfish anti-American

Revisado: 01-21-16

I'm not sure why this book has received positive reviews. This is the story of a self indulgent war photographer who matches the stereotypical New York Times reporter who looks down on our heroic soliders and idealizes our radical Islamic enemies. Ms. Addario believes that America (and Israel for that matter) is a force for evil and that the Taliban and other radicals only want the best for their country and to be left alone -- maybe she has forgotten about 9/11 or the countless Islamic terrorist attacks which have occured. Ironically, when she is trapped in a firefight, she is saved by the very American soldiers which she damns elsewhere in her book. Unbelievably, this prototypical "if it bleeds, it leads" journalist actually hopes that the U.S. soliders with which she is embedded will come under fire so she will have better pictures. Ms. Addario wants readers to believe that she is heroic for taking reckless risks to herself and her guides (which leads to two of their deaths) rather than the true heroes who protect us from the world's barbarians. Those, by the way, would be the same monsters whom she thinks are "the most hospitable people in the world."

Aside from her distasteful anti-western politics, Ms. Addario comes across as a selfish, unfit mother. While her husband and previous partners (both married and unmarried) are adults and can chose to accept the risks in which she places herself, her unborn and then born, child cannot. The choice of becoming a parent means that one needs to make certain sacrifices, and not going into dangerous war and disease zones seems like pretty basic ones (regardless of whether you are a father or a mother). There is nothing admirable about a six month pregnant women choosing to put herself at very real risk and yet, she is effectively seeking recognition for having done so. I am sincerely shocked that someone would be so cavalier about her baby's life or need for him to have a mother.

It would seem, however, like Ms. Addario is a skilled photographer. Unfortunately the audiobook does not include a PDF of her work. Had there been photographs, there might have been something redeemable about this work.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Thought Provoking

Revisado: 01-17-16

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I appreciated the contrarian take on this issue. It is hard to argue that life in the modern world is much better than in pre-industrial times directly as a result of all of the innovations which have resulted from cheap, plentiful and reliable energy.

Any additional comments?

I had never thought about how we live longer, are healthier and have a cleaner environment in many ways (think of the streets of any major city or the Thames river as examples) than before the widespread use of fossil fuels. It is always good to have a logic based counter argument to conventional wisdom.

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