John

Like many things, better the second time around

Revisado: 01-31-22

My niece gave me this astonishing book which starts like straightforward (though bizarre) science writing and morphs into surrealism, finally revealing a character called the author. I wanted a reprise. Like complex music that becomes richer once you have memorized it, I wanted a second look. From Prussian Blue to cyanide to Zyklon B to Heisenberg’s struggle with quantum physics, there is much to chew on. I suspect, however, that it is better to read the book before listening to the audiobook.

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You need the graphs

Revisado: 09-16-15

It's a bit hard following this narrative without the graphs -- a tricky business while driving even if there is an accompanying pdf. Highly repetitive. Mr. Piketty: we get the idea that the postwar period was an aberration, not a model for the future and that the reason is the destruction of social and individual capital by the two wars. Perhaps in France it's necessary to refute the applicability of les trente gloriuse (excuse my French spelling) but not so much in the US. On the other hand many audiobooks -- Robert Caro's wonderful Vice Presidency and early Presidency installment of his LBJ chronicles comes to mind -- seem slow and repetitive. Maybe there is something about the pace of an audiobook as opposed to a paper book (the audiobook runs much slower) that makes repetitiousness more obvious. In Caro's case, however, I think the fact that he eschews word processing may contribute. Did I already write how hard it was for LBJ to make the transition to the Presidency? Really? It's so hard to search my typescripts. (On the other hand I heartily recommend the book and look forward to Caro's next installment.)

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An amazing book

Revisado: 03-06-15

Garrison Keillor is right: lasts year's Nobel for literature should have gone to an American and his initials at PR.

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This audiobook needs music

Revisado: 04-08-14

I bought this book after coming across John Shaefer's interview with the author on WNYC. In the interview, Mr. James' analysis of Ellington's music was illustrated with audio clips. What a missed opportunity to do this in the audiobook. All that would be needed would be a few bars of each piece and one's understanding of the analysis would be remarkably enhanced. Now I'm aware that radio stations have a blanket license to do anything they want with music and that an audiobook would have to separately license each song. I suspect, however, that the owner of Ellington's recorded works could be persuaded that the value of this library would grow if people really knew his work.

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History for Tourists

Revisado: 10-09-12

A very superficial old-fashinoned history. This doge did this and that doge did the other. Clearly designed so that you'll "know" what you're seeing on a brief visit to this fascinating city.

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The performance explicates the book

Revisado: 08-20-12

What a wonderful reading. I listened to it ten or so years ago and was amazed. Still amazed. Jordan’s performance makes Ulysses straightforward. What fun Joyce must have had.

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