Daniel

Very well done

Revisado: 08-29-23

Fascinating take of early 18th century seafaring and naval adventure. It is difficult to truly fathom the horrific circumstances these men found themselves in. This book does a fine job of narrating the events before, during and after the loss of the Wager. It is a good listen and a riveting account.

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Don’t get the hype

Revisado: 08-21-23

I was looking forward to this because of excellent reviews. The author spends a great deal of time outlining American history but does not really connect the dots. There were some interesting perspectives but I don’t think there was nearly the impact I was hoping for.

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Absolute drivel

Revisado: 06-06-22

I have no idea why anyone leaves anymore than a mediocre review.

As some have already mentioned, the first part of the book is mildly interesting as a story about the evolution of man. For that alone, it might be of interest. But the rest of the book exists, unfortunately.

Sadly, the author devolves into a rather sophomoric treatise about the modern world and inequities and injustice. After spending the entire introduction on the nature of "myths" that pervade human existence that are arbitrary, he goes on about why his own personal idea of myths has not been achieved and how that is bad. He also boldly asserts that nature allows "whatever is possible" as some sort of justification for a lot of human behavior and then seems to be upset when it allows things he doesn't approve of.

It is hard to capture the totality of internal inconsistencies that exist in this book. For these reasons alone, it is a book of little substance that can hardly be recommended.

The narrator is excellent and makes even this uninteresting and unenlightening book at least lisentable.

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Interesting story

Revisado: 04-28-17

Worth a listen for insights into a regular German soldier in WWII on the Eastern front. Limited in scope so it is not cluttered with too much historical context. The narrator is a bit tiresome. Not every sentence needs to end on a dramatic inflection!

I do recommend this book.

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Excellent

Revisado: 03-13-13

What did you love best about The Rise and Fall of Alexandria?

A very comprehensive history.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ptolemy. Didn't realize how much of an influence he was.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Engaging voice, Makes the story flow.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The decline of the city

Any additional comments?

Excellent listen. This audiobook made the history very entertaining. I had a hard time not listening to the whole thing at once!

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Would listen again

Revisado: 03-13-13

What did you love best about Smart Talk?

Very useful information.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author is very engaging.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This would not make a good film.

Any additional comments?

A little longer than needed. But definitely a good read for people working in the business world.

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There's a kernel of a good book in here

Revisado: 03-13-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It did have some valuable insight into contemporary failures at a grand level. Like Enron and the mortgage crisis.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No characters in here really.

What didn’t you like about Margaret Heffernan’s performance?

Unfortunately, her reading sounded just as smug as some of the passages in the book. The book probably would have been better with someone who was objective.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

It should have been called "If they had only asked me."

Unfortunately, the author presents a rather confusing story of failures and their causes. She wallows in the usual stereotypes of evil corporate directors and their helpless victims while glossing over root cause analysis of these issues. It is easy and gratifying to impugn the characters no one loves while sanctifying the "victims" but life is much more complicated than that. What about all the "Cassandras" (as she calls them) who were wrong? I'm sure there were many more who were wrong than right. But in the author's world, the cure for blindness is 20/20 hindsight. Not very helpful.

She describes all kinds of issues with biases. And then presumes to believe that she has none. And that the obvious disasters she describes are proof of her theories, despite knowing that the same general processes she faults have also resulted in major advances.

The answer is, of course, that we need a more compelling mix of oversight (hierarchy) while at the same time encouraging local (non-hierarchical) control. Not sure how she reconciles these two incompatible modes in her world. The listener won't learn here either.

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Excellent Marketing Primer

Revisado: 03-13-13

If you could sum up All Marketers Are Liars in three words, what would they be?

Sound, fundamental marketing.

What did you like best about this story?

That the author recognizes that "stories" are important. And that you need to genuinely live your "lie".

What does Seth Godin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It's a bit like a friend walking you through the process.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I would definitely listen to this one again!

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True Hero

Revisado: 03-13-13

What did you like best about Fearless? What did you like least?

I liked the personal background of Adam Brown. He clearly struggled much in life but was a better man for it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Adam Brown.

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Performance was Ok. I did not like the voices he used for the other characters. That didn't add much.

Was Fearless worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I thought the story of his final mission in Afghanistan should have had more substance to it. He clearly did an heroic thing but the description seemed to short.

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Good listen

Revisado: 03-05-13

What made the experience of listening to Standing for Something the most enjoyable?

The author has a lifetime of experience. It is refreshing to hear someone reminiscing in such a positive way.

What other book might you compare Standing for Something to and why?

Not sure.

What about George Grizzard’s performance did you like?

Authentic voice.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Standing for Something?

Being honest and decent is still as relevant today as it has ever been.

Any additional comments?

It was a little longer than I expected. But it is an enjoyable and worthwhile listen to reinvigorate your sense of purpose.

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