Charles F. Luce, Jr.

Great Biography Even if You Never Watched Magnum

Revisado: 03-22-25

I never watched Magnum, but have seen every episode of Blue Bloods, so was interested in knowing more about Tom Selleck.
Blue Bloods only gets a passing mentioned at the end, but the story and performance held my interest enough that any time I had a few minutes I listened. The delivery is conversational, the way a friend might tell you about his life.

And great stories, in depth about particular episodes of Magnum and the movies Tom made. So interesting were the descriptions that as I worked through the book I downloaded specific episodes of Magnum (all available on Amazon Video) and found “The Sacketts” for $5 new on Amazon. Great western with an all-star cast.

15 hours was just the right length for Tom’s pace. I only hope he follows it up with a similar book about Blue Bloods.

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Thoughtful but a Bit Preachy

Revisado: 03-22-25

I liked Kat’s first book, “You Can’t Joke About That.” But this effort seemed a bit preachy in its delivery and had far less humor. If you are looking for funny, snarky Kat, look elsewhere.

That said, her point, that politicians manipulate people in rival camps to enhance their own powers and that binary thinking is not only stupid, but also tends to foreclose what could be enriching relationships, is accurate and important. So, perhaps it is the subject matter that affects her delivery.

Worth listening to and considering, and at about 5 hours does not overstay its welcome.

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Third Time and Still Charming

Revisado: 10-30-24

A marvelous capper to this trilogy, featuring an Alice and a new character, Collin. The performance is so good you will actually boo the villains and cheer when they get their comeuppance. Sorry to see the trilogy end, but glad the author will not be leaving Starfall Point with her next book. If it is nearly as good as this trilogy we all be charmed, I’m sure.

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Flag Down this Cab if You Love NYC

Revisado: 09-17-24

A five-hour scripted standup routine that literally gave me side-splits in almost every chapter. Failla’s delivery of his own work is told with energy and authenticity as if you were sitting at a bar with him. If you ever spent any time in NYC, you’re going to love this book. Be sure to tip the driver.

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The Years Melt Away

Revisado: 02-03-24

From sixth grade through high school I lived just outside New York City. "77 WABC," the local Top 40s AM station, was the radio channel preferred by everyone my age,

Not me. I grew up listening to WCBS, "News Radio 88." Nonstop. Whenever I could listen to the radio. So much so that during a week-long stay in a hospital, when I could listen for hours, my roommate, also in his teens, cried out in disbelief, "Is news all you listen to?"

Well, yes . . . yes it was. News Radio 88 was informative and entertaining, and from 1967-1974 there was a lot of interesting news. Plus, WCBS had great local special segments. Which brings me to Charles Osgood.

While most people now Charlie Osgood from his long-running stint as the host of CBS Sunday Morning, I knew him from his daily three-minute stories on WCBS, where he was the first anchor of the first morning drive shift after the station converted to all news in 1967.

In addition to his anchor duties, Charles created "The Osgood File," a series of three-minute stories broadcast first as a segment on WCBS in 1967. The Osgood file was not "hard news." It was "fun" news. Charles had a great nose for finding the kind of quirky topics that make an interesting story, such as a man who tried to evade police by pulling twenty dollar bills out his underwear and throwing them to slow down the cops' pursuit. And Charles knew how to write these story for radio. Short sentences and short paragraphs he said were the key.

But as anyone who grew up listening to Charlie knows, it was his voice that made these stories. Warm. Buttery. Welcoming. Like a cup of hot chocolate next to a warm fire on a snowy day. He wrote for himself and his unique style of delivery. Respites from "hard news" delivered in three-minute slices.

"See you on the radio" was his trademark sign-off, and this audible book collects scores of his best stories over the years. Charles kept producing his radio stories even as he became known to a wider audience for hosting Sunday Morning. You cannot listen to this book for hours straight as you might another. Like chocolate mousse, each carefully crafted vignette is too rich, too filling. They are best consumed in small doses. Besides, like a good mousse, you will want to make it last.

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Not a Lot of Laughs, But You Can't Joke About It

Revisado: 04-28-23

Those who pre-registered for Kat's book expecting to drive off the road laughing will be disappointed. However, as the title declares, you can't joke about the attack on humor in America these days.

Kat's books is not without it's humorous moments, and she is most comfortable as a narrator during those parts. But it is serious subject, and thoughtful work, and worth listening too. Kat has clearly done her research, as well as lived the topic. I was a little disappointed with her as a narrator, but it's her first outing, and there is a reason why great narrators have great followings. I look forward to her next effort.

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Like Going on a Road Trip With Bill

Revisado: 04-15-23

I think I saw a review of this in AOPA Pilot -- I'm not sure. But I was fishing around for a new audible book, and not ready to tackle any of the 18+ hour colossals in my Wish List, and Audible was nagging me to burn credits, so I thought, "what the hey?"

Good call. As I got into the book I read one review that said the listener didn't know Bill Shatner spoke so fast. Having seen Bill in person on stage many years ago, maybe I was just prepared. But I don't think Bill speaks quickly. He just speaks like Bill. Like a man with so many memories and thoughts that he wants to pour out, that they just spill out in the most natural way. It's like going on a road trip or spending a weekend camping with Bill. Thank God he doesn't "read" his printed words. If ever there was a work made for Audible, this is it.

Shatner has some great observations on his life and life in general. Stories from his career, from his family, and general observations on his and the human condition that require about 91 years to ferment and distill. It's personal, and touching, and funny. As the subtitle says "reflections on a life of of awe and wonder." If you are of an age where you grew up on Star Trek, you'll get it.

Spend a few hours Bill. You'll enjoy the ride.

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You’ll Feel Like You Were There

Revisado: 03-28-23

I have been a “Titanic Buff” for almost 60 years. I own almost every book on the subject, including all of the survivors’ published accounts. When I received a $10 coupon for a free Audible book, I chose this one, purely because of the price, and with low expectations. Boy, was I pleasantly wrong.

What makes this recording special is its selection of survivor accounts to bring the reader onboard for the journey, the sinking, and the rescue. In many ways, it reminds me of “The Only Plane in the Sky,“ the account of 9/11 told through eyewitness accounts. The original survivor accounts, written in the prose of 1912, can be pretty dry reading. What the author has done here, and what the narrator has taken to another level, is to select excerpts from various survivor, accounts, and weave them together to bring you onboard. It tells the complete timeline of Titanic’s journey into history.

It is a marvelous job of editing and storytelling. No matter how many books or survivor accounts you have read about RMS Titanic, this concise retelling is worth your time, and much more than the nine dollar free coupon it cost me. Bravo.

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Mostly, but not only, for lawyers

Revisado: 02-20-20

Justice Neil Gorsuch's collection of lectures and opinions, combined with contextual narrative, provide a wonderful insight into his judicial mind -- that of a Constitutional originalist. I would have enjoyed a few more personal anecdotes; the story of how he was spirited away to Washington, D.C. for his introduction as a nominee to the high court left me wanting more.

Having a legal background is helpful as the some of the material gets down in the legal weeds, but this book is not just for lawyers. It's for anyone who wants to understand the judicial philosophy of Originalism that Gorsuch embodies -- one that respects the separation of powers and practices judicial restraint over activism.

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Didn't keep me up at night, but kept me listening

Revisado: 02-20-20

Michael Pollan writing was inconsistent and his narration style took a while to get used to. However, these are minor faults. Once I got used to his rhythms his 360 view of the history, chemistry, and social aspects of caffeine was good to the last drop.

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