Lord Emsworth

Why would America let evil personified walk away?

Revisado: 11-06-19

This book grips the listener at three levels. One, three friends solving a 70-year old historical mystery – in the buddy cop tradition. Two, solving the mystery itself. A mystery where the clues come not in mysterious bloodstains or conveniently dropped matchboxes, but from meticulous review of reams of paper that the government neglected to destroy, redact, or withhold. And three, their quarry. A hideously cruel sadistic man who is the administrative counterpart of Werner Van Braun.

As someone who has read World War II books since 1985, this book had me sitting in the car after I got home, ears flapping to find out what happened next.

The book is a series of unforgettable vignettes:
• Will the Nazi’s ill son see the author?
• A fatherly Holocaust survivor who can describe unspeakable horror matter of factly;
• A loaf of bread tossed into the snow to see if a starving man would go for it, and murdering him if he does;
• Comparing dry sounding memoranda from US Army intelligence that give the listener the chilling realization that they had their man and let him vanish – but why?
• An unexpected package from the FBI;
• What did the Nazi have that was so valuable? Why hide him even from British allies?
• Walking to the spot where the Nazi reportedly shot himself.

This book is the final rebuttal to those who think that there is little remaining to be learnt about World War II aside from crank theories. The prevailing version of history is correct, but it has barely begun to scratch the surface. Nazi Germany was an intricate machine. And this book shows that we’ve just started to grapple with its most complex parts.

Here’s to the next book in the same vein.

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Great story but...

Revisado: 10-05-17

Gripping story. A series of man-on-the-scene first hand accounts of NYPD tales ranging from Sean Bell to Louima to 9/11.

My quibble is Mr. Campisi's incredible lack of empathy for the victims of police violence. He stresses its wrong, a disgrace to the uniform. He points out the thin blue line of silence isn't any more real than doctors protecting doctors or lawyers protecting lawyers.

But tgen, he cant seem to understand why people objected to stop-and-frisk (he dismisses a 200 page federal decision as "a court case") and dismisses Eric Garner's death by noting he had been arrested 30 times. Nothing about how Garner died as a result of an illegal chokehold. If zero tolerance works for citizens, should work for police too.

He dismisses liberals, lawyers, politicians as anti-cop.

I came away liking Mr. Campisi. He is no doubt a dedicated public servant, and would be a pleasure to have a meal with. He also tells a great story. But some of his views (though he disclaims this, the epilogue seems to suggest excluding Muslims from the NYPD-and his account of 9/11 doesn't mention that Muslim officers killed that day were initially suspected of being involved till their bodies were recovered) give me pause.

But it is a great book. Glad I bought it, and hope he writes more.

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The best of Clancy with the best of Law & Order

Revisado: 07-17-17

If you could sum up Three Minutes to Doomsday in three words, what would they be?

Agent captures spy

What did you like best about this story?

Everyone is human. Joe isn't super man. He shows his tricks. He falls flat occasionally e.g. running into the occasional brickwall by WFO, HQ, DOJ. The encounters with the office manager are priceless. Building rapport with his partners, specially She-Moody, is exceptionally well written.

Even the bad guy emerges as a human being, not a caricature. He committed treason. But you see how it happens - not as an excuse, but as an explanation.

I've read Joe's body language book before (remembered the abrazzo (?)) example, and that fits in neatly with the overall story. You can see him arranging the furniture, offering a soda at the right moment, directing him to the restroom with a sharp gesture... and arguing with the office manager as to why hauling the guy into the Tampa Field Office with its available conference rooms is a terrible idea.

At the end, when the story wraps up you sense why Joe couldn't celebrate the arrest, and why he was at his physical and mental limit. The moments with his family are tender, and a reminder of what he's sacrificing to the case.

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

No

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

Oh heck yes

Any additional comments?

Joe stated that his Mom reads the reviews. Mrs. Navarro, this review was written for you. Read Joe's book twice. Once for the story. The second time to see how he did everything. You have a lot to be proud of. God bless.

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esto le resultó útil a 43 personas

No. Just no.

Revisado: 07-10-17

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Hard core fans.

Would you ever listen to anything by Scott Meyer again?

Maybe. The first book was amazing. They have been going steadily downhill since.

The "women are wonderful" trope gets grating. Every man is an incompetent bumbling idiot. Every woman, even the exasperating and pointless Honor, and the uber moody Britt the younger is impeccable. Ok as a sitcom premise. Irritating in a series.

Moreover, there is no story arc, no character development, little consistency with their previous personas. Gooch the humanitarian? Really?

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

He has the perfect voice and performance.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The twist at the end, maybe some of the scenes with the Bishop.

Any additional comments?

Jimmy and the 2 agents make no appearance. They provided some of the best comedy and I miss them.

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Not a bad cozy

Revisado: 10-24-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're into the genre of Victorian streets, cozy fires, steaming soups and a whidunnit, this this is for you.

Would you recommend The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries to your friends? Why or why not?

Mixed feelings. The story isn't bad, I like Inspector Witherspoon (a variant on the Wodehouse character of the same name?). Some dialogue is good. The characters are pretty well drawn.

On the other hand, some things are egregiously wrong. Housekeepers don't sit to have tea or meals with their employers. Absolutely not done. It would be like sitting with your feet on the table at a very high end restaurant. Wrong tone altogether.

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

No.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I took the next one in the series. So that should tell you I did enjoy it.

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Fascinating, butoversold

Revisado: 05-27-16

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

I enjoyed it. I have always been interested in the Fundamental Attribution Error - or put differently, how people behave in given situations.

If you’ve listened to books by Sam Sommers before, how does this one compare?

NA

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

NA

Do you think Situations Matter needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

NA

Any additional comments?

While fascinating, I think he goes overboard on his theme. For example, his analysis of the Katie Genovese murder is based on the initial, incorrect press reports. It doesnt undercut the bystander effect, but does show he's focused on his thesis to the exclusion of other explanations.

A similar example of his explanations of gender differences. I have no doubt that stereotype threat is a significant issue for women. But his insistence that toys and color preferences are the result of socialization and preferences is an annoyingly grinding chapter where he tries to force his round peg into a square hole.

The analysis of race relations, bystander effects, feedback loops, expectations, etc., on the other hand, were fascinating. I was familiar with many of the studies from other audible books I have listened to. But he brought interesting insights into familiar contexts.

The final chapter - how his road rage changes when he understands what is going on with the other driver - is wonderful.

To me, it just shows he has plenty of interesting material to share. He should prune back those instances where he stretches his thesis to breaking point.

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Love a return to Lochdubh but....

Revisado: 04-01-16

Where does Death of a Nurse rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top third.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The office politics were interesting.

The ultimate resolution felt oddly unsatisfying.

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

Yes. A gifted reader who I always enjoy. This one is at par.

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

Case Closed?

Any additional comments?

I love the Hamish McBeth series. But they are beginning to feel rushed. She either needs to allow more space or cut out the lots of little mini-crises that blow up and are resolved within five minutes.

I wonder if the books are being ghost written.

This one felt "jolty" - like a new driver struggling with a stick shift, lurching from point to point.

I read the books because I cant afford to live or vacation in the Scottish highlands. Beaton drew some wonderful charachters that feel like old friends, even annoying ones. ("Annoying ones" echoed Nessie). I want to enjoy their company.

There's fragments of that in there, but its also increasingly formulaic... you know the outcome of Daviot, Blair, Anderson, and some particularly obnoxious or weak interloper the moment they step into the book.

I love the series, the village, and even the office politics. But I feel like what attracted me to Lochdubh in the first place is missing.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

Its like a chat with an affable friend.

Revisado: 03-07-16

Would you consider the audio edition of The Road to Little Dribbling to be better than the print version?

Cant compare.

What other book might you compare The Road to Little Dribbling to and why?

Notes from a small island.

What about Nathan Osgood’s performance did you like?

He switches regional accents that makes it a lot of fun.

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

Realizing that there are monuments that have been maintained in Britain - by human hands - for 3000 years.

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Would be a great BBC mini series

Revisado: 03-07-16

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Its an interesting story, well told. The man risked his life by keeping the diary after all.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Maisky was caught between two worlds. Moscow didnt understand London, and didnt want to. He was an effective ambassador, but his very effectiveness made him suspicious. And a suspicious man in Stalin's USSR was a dead man.

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

He goes into charachter periodically, for example with Churchill.

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

No, I knew the history. But getting it though Maiskys eyes made all the difference.

Any additional comments?

It was a good use of a credit.

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Strains of Hagiography....

Revisado: 02-23-16

Would you try another book from Seymour Morris and/or Charles Constant?

Perhaps.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Its non-fiction, but I would have put in more human interest stories rather than broader policy debates and discussions.

Still, there is plenty of human interest and its gripping.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Its an interesting story well told. But its worship of MacArthur gets monotonous. After all, he was a man, and had his flaws. For instance, the decision to sweep war crimes under the carpet was hugely significant. The book largely veers away from discussing the graphic details of those crimes, as well as how the perpetrators got away.

It does discuss the commander of Unit 731, but largely in the context of how MacArthur had no choice but to let him off scot free.

Did Supreme Commander inspire you to do anything?

Nope.

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