Andrew

Epic Production

Revisado: 04-18-11

After spending the last 5 months listening to the Word of Promise Audio Bible every day in the car, I am I'm happy I got through it though sad it is over. While there are definitely areas it could have used improvement, but there is no way I could give less than 5 stars for such an elegant production. Getting through most of the Old Testament was a challenge -- this is mostly a function of the material not the fault of the narrators; the one exception was Psalms which I thought was poorly narrated. The New Testament was executed flawlessly. I'd recommend this to anybody who has struggled to read the Bible and is a captive audience trying to make the best of empty time (commuting in traffic for me).

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Who knew?

Revisado: 11-21-10

I bought this book solely because I thoroughly enjoy the narrator, Paul Michael. What I found was a historical novel more riveting than fiction. The way the author describes the Amazon rain forest is nothing short of spellbinding. I have a new found appreciation for Teddy Roosevelt, a greater awe for the Amazon (and even a bit of adventurism spurred from this book). This is a story of a man who undergoes immense physical hardship to overcome depression; a perspective which is welcome in my own life. A full, unequivocal, 5 stars.

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Mixed feelings

Revisado: 11-21-10

Tale told from a fascinating point of view featuring both the life of the historian author and his grandmother who he is researching. It is the perfect book for audio since it is supposed to represent what the author is tape recording. It was engaging enough to stick through the end, but it leaves the audience empty. A one sentence review would be "enjoyable but entirely forgettable."

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Great book; wonderful narration

Revisado: 10-15-10

Filled with great history of the English language with etymology that is fun, educational and inspired. The voice of Robert Powell brings the words to life and makes the audio version of this book phenomenal.

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Good story, but long and melodramatic

Revisado: 10-15-10

I oscillated between loving this book and all of its details and wanting the author to just get on with the story. With any other narrator, I'm not sure I could have reached the end, but the narration is great and Paul Michael is my favorite voice on Audible.

One thing I'd like to mention to those considering purchasing, there are some graphic parts. Some of the details on torture and rape were disturbing and too gratuitous, in my opinion.

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Uninspired

Revisado: 07-19-10

As a self-identifying conservative, I had high hopes for this book, mostly predicated on its popularity (I know, that is a terrible strategy). After sitting through the book, I am left underwhelmed. I really wanted to enjoy this book and am sorry to give it a poor review, but have to say: if you are a conservative looking to be inspired, look elsewhere.

My metric for a good book is what I take away from it after it is finished. My metric for an audiobook is if it can make bumper-to-bumper traffic a tad more enjoyable. On both counts Levin's book falls short. There isn't any tidbit of insight gained from this book that I would share in conversation, no great quotes that made me think 'I need to remember that,' and I can't think of any way this book has improved my life. Levin's research wasn't compelling and his arguments came across as weak.

As for the audiobook version, the narration was grating and the narrator sounded computer generated; with little inflection or emotion. All in all, listening to it did not improve my daily rush hour commute.

Maybe the physical book is better, but I cannot recommend "Liberty and Tyranny" in good faith.

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Not as good as hoped for

Revisado: 05-25-10

While I found the book overall entertaining, I have to say that it didn't live up to the hype. Compared to Liar's Poker, Michael Lewis' opus, The Big Short came across as weak and uninspired. Some of the characters are interesting, and 'fun' to hear about, the book overall didn't offer anything new or have any lessons I could take away from it.

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good economic history

Revisado: 05-10-10

Very interesting story behind one of the great economists who stands in the shadow of Hayak and Keynes (but deserves to stand with them). It was not overly technical and all in all enjoyable.

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Chills

Revisado: 05-10-10

I listen to audiobooks commuting to and from work and until Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World never had listened to one that actually kept me in the car for longer than necessary. I'd be idling for extended time while it got later and later listening to this incredible work.

The narration is great and the story is spellbinding. I bought the book on a whim and have no regrets.

The first half is much better than the second half, but I enjoyed the story immensely from start to finish and highly recommend.

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No wonder this is a classic

Revisado: 05-10-10

I love reading about the stock exchanges at the turn of the 20th century. A full 100 years of financial innovation later, we are no further along than the environment Lefevre describes. And he describes it very well. The narration is excellent and the book is well worth the listen for anybody interested in finance or trading. The author also does a great job of discussing behavioral finance, a field which is supposedly 'new'.

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