Terence

An Embarrissing Study in Bias

Revisado: 02-19-23

There's nothing wrong with an author of one political persuasion writing a critique of another. Good investigative writers do their homework, present their findings, and leave it to the reader to decide.

This book purports to do just that, but is laughably ignorant of it's own topic, even after repeating to the listener time and time again that she spent years on the project.

Other than the robotic narration and constant mispronunciation of names, the big problem here is the failed attempt to conflate the ideologies, presumed behaviors, personalities, etc. of the books 3 protagonists: Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, and Cliff Maloney. After all this presumptive study, she completely fails to understand the differences between conservatives and libertarians, and the organizations that these three people represent and promote.

This is a polemic posing as an objective tale.

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Great Writing, Horrible Narration

Revisado: 02-19-23

Maybe it's just me, but if you can't mimic an accent of another language, culture, gender, etc. - DON'T TRY! The story is interesting, the writing is great, but the haughty tone of the narrator makes listening almost impossible.

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Fascinating and Expertly Reported!

Revisado: 10-09-21

Kudos to the producers and Mr. Scott to have produced an objective telling of the circumstances regarding an otherwise "charged" case. I knew nothing of the story, and though very tragic, I found it refreshing to listen to an expertly presented podcast without any obvious agenda. A job well done in light of tragic circumstances.

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Mostly Pejoritive and Ponderous

Revisado: 09-30-21

There are some interesting revelations in this book, but it predictably misidentifies and misunderstands the politics of Thiel and and those that seem to have influenced him. I'm guessing that this is intentional as the author clearly comes from a lefty bent. Maybe he's just simply ignorant of the facts. Though, as the book regularly points out, Thiel is an enigmatic figure, Chafkin horribly conflates libertarianism with nationalism, white supremacy, etc. For instance, he seems to think that people like Ron Paul, John Bolton, and Donald Trump are somehow part of the same cabal, when nothing could be further from the truth. It's a shame that a talented writer should parrot the same ole' tired untruths as facts.

Will Damron, though, is an excellent narrator.

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5 Stars to the Author; 10 to the Narrator

Revisado: 09-16-21

Such a pleasure to listen to a master storyteller being read by a master narrator. Only this tandem could make the humdrum days of prison compelling listening. Highly recommend.

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Unbelievably Bad & Utterly Boring

Revisado: 08-31-21

If your idea of fun is listening to your grandfather regale you with stories about his brilliance, and the inferiority and incompetence of the rest of the world, this one's for you.

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A Pedestrian Telling of a Pedestrian Life

Revisado: 07-27-15

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A more interesting and challenging story.

What do you think your next listen will be?

"On Drink" By Kingley Amis, or anything I can find by Chris Hitchens or Dylan Thomas.

Have you listened to any of Sarah Hepola’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Well Narrated. I would like her to stick to narration instead of memoir.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Yawns. This is a re-telling of an agonizingly monotonous, predictable, and uninteresting life by a seemingly talented, yet wildly insecure person. I suppose this is why so many people appear to like the book. This is not a story by and about a real drunk finding real redemption, but instead a book by 1) someone who drinks more than is advised, 2) blacks out occasionally, 3) sleeps with occasional strangers, and 4) give up the bottle. WOW - EXCITEMENT! Ask yourself, if that doesn't describe 1/2 your college pals and suburban neighbors...Now, ask yourself if you would choose to listen to them describe all of their unremarkable experiences ad nauseum for several hours only to have them tell you that they figured out in middle age that drinking is probably not the best course for them.

This is a story by and for for whiny, self-obsessed people that drink a couple of glasses of chardonnay, listen to a Tom Waits song and suddenly pretend to be Bukowski, Burroughs, Dylan Thomas - even Elliot Smith, and all the rest. All of the latter would puke from this story even more than from a good bender.

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A Complex Story Expertly Written & Narrated

Revisado: 12-22-13

Any additional comments?

The story of Amazon and its founder (Bezos) has so many moving parts, that I walked away highly impressed with the author's ability to paint the picture clearly - and in an entertaining fashion. The author also does a very good job at presenting Bezos objectively - neither lionizing, nor "trashing" him, but instead presenting him as he is: brilliant, complex, and difficult.

The narration here is excellent as well. Very clear, very straightforward, very professional.

All in all, a very interesting and highly entertaining work. A job well done!

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Funny, Informative, & Entertaining

Revisado: 12-22-13

Any additional comments?

Pollak is clearly a funny guy, but is also a very good story teller. Only occasionally does his shtick get a bit tiring, but most of the time his stories and anecdotes are a lot of fun. A light, enjoyable read told with pluck and verve.

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Hilarious, But Exhausting

Revisado: 12-22-13

Any additional comments?

Really, really funny material here and excellent comedic narration. However, kinda like an SNL skit that gets morphed into a movie, the jokes tend to get a little tired. I listened to it in 15 or 20 minute intervals.

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