John Mettler

Starter Villain

Revisado: 09-23-23

Another great book by John Scalzi narrated by the one and only Will Wheaton. Bravo

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Freedom from Fear

Revisado: 10-30-12

A very through and comprehensive rendering of this turbulent period in the history of America. There was so much going on during this 15 year period that it is easy to loose the forest while looking at the individual trees. Mr Kennedy keeps the narrative moving without falling into the trap of to much detail. Two items that I take issue with are the treatment of Japanese Americans post Pearl Harbor and the length of time spent on WWII. Mr Kennedy doesn't even mention the interment of Japanese American citizens in internment camps nor the role that the army battalions of these volunteers played in WWII (442 the most decorated battalion in the army and the role that japanese speaking intelligence officers played). The role of Native Americans played in the pacific theater (wind talkers). Other than that this is a great over view of this period.

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The Time Traveller

Revisado: 09-10-12

A unique approach to telling the every day lives of the peoples that lived during this period in world history. Most books that give over views of a large historical period usually get lost in the names and dates of this and that, by using a travel log approach Mr Mortimer puts you into the period.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Tibetan Buddhism and Science

Revisado: 08-20-12

More than a basic knowledge of both subjects is needed to not get lost while listening to this book. I am a practicing Buddhist and I found myself going back over many of the sections to grasp the corollaries that Mr Mansfield was getting at. This book takes several and concentrated listenings but well worth the effort.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

Fire and Rain

Revisado: 08-17-12

Focusing on four of popular music most influential groups to tell the story of 1970 draws the music junkie into a history lesson of one of the most turbulent times in recent American history. Mr Browne is able to focus on the groups while giving an over all background history of the end of the sixties and the beginning what some refer to as the desert of the seventies. In an effort to maintain focus on the chosen subject he gives cursory or no attention to the other forms which also developed during this time (prog rock-Jethro Tull Yes Pink Floyd King Crimson et al, the horn bands-Chicago Blood Sweat and Tears, the rise of funk-Earth Wind and Fire Tower of Power) which leaves the listener with the feeling that we were only bound for the land of Disco. Overall, the nit picking aside, this is a very informative and enjoyable book.

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The Tao of Physics

Revisado: 08-17-12

What did you like best about The Tao of Physics? What did you like least?

A clear and concise introduction to quantum physics.

Any additional comments?

Unfortunately this recording is a transcription of the cassette tapes which came out with all the noise associated with it. It would have been better to have rerecorded this abridged version of the book or to have digitally washed it to improve the sound quality. Now to the abridgment. I read the book when it first came out and found it very informative, clearly written, and easy to understand. The abridgment cuts way to much out of the original narrative in an apparent effort to reach the widest audience possible. An unabridged version would be appreciated.

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esto le resultó útil a 21 personas

Cycling: Philosophy for Everyone

Revisado: 08-17-12

If you could sum up Cycling in three words, what would they be?

Not only for gear heads.

Any additional comments?

This book goes a long way in explaining why we ride bikes and can be so addicted to the activity.

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A World Undone

Revisado: 08-16-12

What did you love best about A World Undone?

The comprehensive narrative of one of the most devastating events of the twentieth century.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are too many individuals involved with the events of the first world war to single out singular charecters as a favorite. What the author has done is to show the forces that drove all of the major individuals and the all to human side of them.

What about Robin Sachs’s performance did you like?

Evenness of delivery and exact pronunciation of difficult names and places.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was stunned by the scope of the tragedy.

Any additional comments?

Most of the books dealing with the first world war choose a single subject (e.g. "Dreadnaught" which covers the naval move from sail to coal powered vessels and the advent of the super war ship) or battles. The books that try to deal with the whole leave me with a good nap. Undone is the first book to tackle the whole which doesn't send me to the sofa for a nap. Every time the narrative begins to bog down in the minutia there is a side bar back ground inserted which details some aspect that has the effect of livening up the narrative so that when you return to the main body your mind is ready to take on the battle again.

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esto le resultó útil a 34 personas