Val

Such Great History Here!

Revisado: 08-25-22

After reading "The Woman Who Smashed Codes" (which was also excellent, and worth a sparkling review), this fleshed out the often unsung history of the large part women played in WWII.

Having joined the military during the Cold War, and not even being issued combat boots - just two pairs of loafers, believe it or not, I could really relate to all the details about getting these women uniformed and ready for work. Lots of small things in here that I think would surprise readers, indeed!

But it wasn't just the women, as the book checked in with various main characters throughout the volume. It was the amount of work, the secrecy, the sheer quantity of decoding and labor that went into their mission that the author really portrayed effectively. All of this was done while painting an almost dystopian image of a Washington DC during wartime, barracks, and all.

The importance of Dayton, Ohio and Wright Patterson AFB (where I lived during grad school and had no idea of the historical significance with respect to the Enigma machine!) surprised me.

Moreover, I respect the vast research efforts and historical archives that would have had to have been sifted through to put these facts into a readable, informative, AND enjoyable format. Brava Ms. Mundy!

I can't recommend this book enough for anyone who has only recently fallen in love with history as I have, as well as long-time history, military or otherwise, and even spycraft enthusiasts.

Eventually I'll get around to reviewing all the books I've been gobbling up on these subjects, so hopefully others will find them - and, of course, enjoy and share them too.

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Ballsy & Laying it out There. Brava, Lis!

Revisado: 08-25-22

Having steered clear of anything political for nearly two years, I was happy this came out just about the same time as her friend, a former Republican strategist, Tim Miller, dropped his book. So I think reading both of them one after the other is an insightful journey across partisan perspectives, as well as a rough dive into the psyche of these younger political operatives.

Lis laid it all out there for everyone to see, which I think is important for anyone considering sticking their toe into the political waters that have turned disturbingly acidic. But as Lis says, politics touches every aspect of our lives, and it is very important to take it seriously.

I could go on, but I'm not a lover of politics; only someone who has developed some respect for those putting it on the line to maintain whatever decency can still be found in the political cesspool of America.

On that note, can I once again request, that if one is going to record a book on a subject matter on which clearly one is not familiar? Do some research.

The reading itself was really well-done, and I often forgot it wasn't Lis narrating her book. That was, until Chasten's name was mis-pronounced EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Every utterance of the verb versus the name yanked me annoyingly back out of the story.

My biggest complaints with these audio books are lack of research done by the narrators. There are plenty of clips with Chasten Buttigieg's name pronounced out there. I mean, she got "Buttigieg" right.

Otherwise, if the rest of the world has been pronouncing Chasten's name wrong the whole time, I'll gladly take a knee and drink some water.

Bottom line, Lis bares her soul here, and I respect her all the more for it. Brava, lady!

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A Memoir & Much More Depth Than 'Spilled Tea'

Revisado: 09-07-20

I read a few of the reviews where the readers felt there was more focus on the author's story than the "behind the scenes" information on Melania. However, from the beginning, I appreciated the author establishing herself as a main character as well providing ethos that gives her credibility for the logos to follow.

This book was much more than the "spilled tea" I believe many readers may have thought this book would be. In order to tell the story of how a decade-long friendship was brushed aside for politics (welcome to a situation more common than not these days), the author was able to fully develop her own character, along with Melania's, and bring the reader to almost root for her fierce protection of the First Lady and her initiative, to include defending her from a vicious press, as well as West Wing saboteurs (again, another common theme of the times).

I found myself rooting for Melania, her right to privacy, and the future of a bipartisan initiative that probably didn't have a chance thanks to the partisan vileness of an administration that has since been found to be rife with corruption and lawlessness. The takedown of the inaugural corruption, leaving the author to take the fall for the now-proven criminals on the committee, was a disappointing and painful journey to the pathos that shifts to the author's regret, pain, and efforts to take back her once successful and accomplished life.

This isn't the book I thought it would be, but I'm not disappointed - rather, pleasantly surprised at the story's ability to pull you in. After watching the author in an interview, and listening to her recount her own insecurities, so much is explained that magnifies the devious and subversive nature of the "first daughter" and the combative communications director who really doesn't serve the American people at all with respect to making Melania appear more warm and caring toward the nation and its people. In fact, these people don't seem to care at all about our country - only their power grabs. The book only disappoints to confirm what has slowly been revealed to the American people over these past four painful, vituperative, and destructive years in American history.

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Disturbingly Entertaining

Revisado: 09-07-20

This book was not only well-written, but expertly narrated by the author. While this family comes across as seriously dysfunctional, greedy, and extremely materialistic, one can empathize somewhat as many of us come from dysfunctional backgrounds: no family is perfect.

That said, it does not excuse a country's tolerating the vile behavior and sick, twisted violations of law, norms, and American ideals by the subject of this book. Once can feel sorry for "the most dangerous man" for the lack of love, encouragement or foundation for a healthy development into adulthood, while at the same time realizing America needs an intervention from this reviled, pathologically dishonest and dangerous interloper and family members who don't seem to realize they aren't royalty.

Mary at once humanizes and explains this person, and launches the reader on a journey of emotions one might experience with their own sociopath family members, for better or worse. There is an occasional, much-needed laugh or droll story that softens the blow of this modern American societal tragedy of a presidency.

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Wanted to throw my phone - unlistenable!

Revisado: 05-27-19

This is the 2nd book I’ve returned over bad narration, and the 2nd book on the subject of wine where the narrator clearly had no idea how to pronounce common wine terms.

There are plenty of tools available to allow a voice artist to learn how to navigate words like Tokaji, Gaja, Moët, Vitis Vinifera, Bardolino, etc. before getting behind the mic.

I really care about this content, & love Mike Veseth’s writing. However, I couldn’t handle this abomination of a narration; it was without expression or any evident desire to communicate the stories laid out on the pages.

Listen, anyone drawn to this subject- particularly as written by a wine economist - will be frustrated by this performance. We care about this subject, and expect the author’s message and expertise to be given the courtesy of a decent voice recording.

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Hope from a Recovering Republican

Revisado: 08-04-18

As a 25 year veteran of the military & former Republican, I’m absolutely horrified at this whole Trump disaster. Sane, funny, hopeful & intelligent voices (& bourbon) keep me grounded, inspired & more acutely aware of how important it is for people to think critically, pay attention to context, & get involved. Thank you for recording your side of history & offering it to us to learn from going forward. Signed, A Friend of the Pod.

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Everything I Thought “Jen Reading Jen” Would Be

Revisado: 05-14-18

Have been a fan of Jen’s storytelling for years. Hearing her voice telling her story was the real, compelling deal I needed from this audiobook experience.

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