Vaughan

How the wealthy beneficiaries of crime behave!

Revisado: 07-13-17

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Some of the dialogue between charactgers is irritating, with Tango One in particular often ending his statements with yeah?

Would you ever listen to anything by Stephen Leather again?

Yes> I am a Stephen Leather fan, having read all of the Dan Shepherd series so far released and several other titles.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I might have enjoyed this book more if it had been read by Paul thornely, who is the master of the Stephen Leather novels and short stories.

Any additional comments?

The book offered so much, and although the story line is acceptable, I don't regard this as Stephen Leather's best offering. I might have enjoyed this more if the dialogue was more natural, and the audio publishers had chosen a better narrator.

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Compelling and intriguing.

Revisado: 07-13-17

What did you love best about The Last of the President's Men?

It described the power and importance of credible investigative journalism and the importance of the media as a means by which wrong-doing is exposed, and how easily people in power can abuse the trust placed in them by millions of ordinary people.

What about Campbell Scott’s performance did you like?

The narration complimented the intentions by the authors to account the way in which Richard Nixon and his closest advisors moved more deeply into a dark and shady realm of political intrigue

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

It gave me an outsider's glimpse into the importance of the separation of the Legislature, theExecutive and the judiciary and how those branches are designed to preserve and protect the democratic virtues of the United States Constitution.

Any additional comments?

The Last of the President's Men is sitll current, as it sends strong signals about how elected officials and their advisors should not behave, but if they do transgress, the role of the investigative press is to uncover corruption and illegal behaviours.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A straight forward account of Reagon's life, his p

Revisado: 07-13-17

If you could sum up Reagan in three words, what would they be?

optimistic, principled, sincere.

Would you recommend Reagan to your friends? Why or why not?

The book is recommended to friends, because of its honesty appraisal of Reagan. It remains focused on the man himself and the issues of his time.

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

I am always moved by the speech following the Space Shuttle disaster, in which all crew died.

Any additional comments?

The book discusses at length Reagan's foreign policy. As a New Zealand however, I was disappointed that it was not seen as significant the antinuclear policy which banned United States warships from visiting our ports. Fundamentlaly altered relationships throughout the South Pacific and created a long period of diplomatic and military tension.

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Still one of the best in the British commedt genre

Revisado: 07-13-17

What did you love best about Yes Minister & Yes Prime Minister - The Complete Audio Collection?

The cynical and humourous portraytal of the tensions between politicians and public servants.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hasa to be Jim Hackett - Minister and Prime Minister. He is the truly optomistic politician, wanting to do the right thing, but often foiled by his staff who are simply smarter than he is.

Any additional comments?

Some inconsistencies in the reproduction. Announcements concerning credits which should be at the beginning and end of each episode disappears from later episodes. I have the unconfirmed impression that the adaptations for radio may not have been as thorough as they coul dhave been. The key to the success and popularity of the entire package is the very clever dialogue and the scheming interactions by all of the characters.

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Easy t'o read account of the lives and theories of two economic protagonists.

Revisado: 06-30-17

A lively account of the lives and economic thoughts of two contemporary, which portrays ,Keynes and ,Hayek as contrasts in personalities and in ideology4. There is good historical context which demonstrates how ,Keynes, and then ,Hayek seemed to have supremacy with respect to economic orthodoxy. ,I feel however that more nation case studies could haveeen included, showing how at different times, Keyes and Hayek controlled the debate. For example: I live in New Zealand, and during the 1980s, the ideas of Hayek dominated our political and economic discourse to an extreme n really seen in the United States or the United Kingdom. For us - the freeing up of our economy as promoted by Hayek and his contemporaries has had lasting consequences which include challenges to our notion of egalitarianism. In general - this provides a good summary of competing economic ideologies and is an introduction to modern thought which should not intimidate beginning students or the interested lay person.

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Revisado: 01-10-17

This latest offerings in the Jack Ryan series has the perfect balance of context, suspense, mayhem and a satisfying ending. The book also serves as a reminder to all of us about the growth and power of the internet as a vehicle for acts of terrorism on a massive - we should all be cautious about our online profiles and activities. The sub plots are developed steadily, and the ending through the epilogue is the perfect conclusion. Scott Brick reads rhythmically and his familiarity with this type of novel is obvious. Brick does not make extensive use of different voices or accents, with the exception of central and Eastern European characters. Recommended to anyone who enjoys the new genre of the modern day thriller which makes use of geopolitics, cyber based espionage and technology

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A comprehensive and credible biography.

Revisado: 12-30-16

This is an extensive investigation of the life, work and politics of J. Robert Oppenheimer. It describes in detail the terrible damage caused to a man by the kangaroo court into Openheimer's security clearance which was set against the anti-communist hysteria known as Mcarthyism. Represented are tall poppy syndrome phenomena of anti-intellectualism, anti-scientist and anti-liberalism. Although well narrated, my copy's quality suffered through changes in tone through clumsy editing by the audio engineer. My recommendation is to anyone who is curious about the beginnings of the Cold War, the nuclear arms race and the power of political extremism.

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A comprehensive analysis of 25 years of change.

Revisado: 12-22-16

If you could sum up The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 in three words, what would they be?

informative, balanced, critical.

What other book might you compare The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 3 to and why?

The Passage of Power, by Robert A. Caro. Although contexts are different, Churchill and Johnson were both experiencing periods of political wilderness, needed to rise to incredible challenges, and succeeded where lesser mortals would have fallen short.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Clive Chafer and Paul Reid ?

Possibly not.

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

"These were his finest years."

Any additional comments?

The entire series as a listening experience suffers because narrators were different for each title. chafer was the least able to develop the distinctive Churchillian mannerisms of speech - the growl, the lisp etc. Although it is never easy for a second author to pick up from where the first left off, Reid clealry worked hard to carry out the task left to him by Manchester. Perhaps however - an epilogue could have been prepared, which summarised the complexities of Winston Churchill and brought up-to-date the status of the Churchill family. The book, (and consequently the series) ended abruptly and I was left feeling that perhaps there should have been more, just to round out the life and times of a truly remarkable man.

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An enjoyable listen: solid on use of authorative s

Revisado: 12-22-16

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

Yes: particularly if I knew that my friend had an interest in Russian and European history.

What did you like best about this story?

It explained in detail why Peter is regarded as "The great" and much insight was provided into the European power struggles from the late Seventeen Century.

What aspect of Frederick Davidson’s performance would you have changed?

The tempo - sometimes ponderous and a little too much of the Oxbridge.

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

The determination to build St Petersburg as the new capital of Russia.

Any additional comments?

This is the second of Massey's books purchased from Audible. I plan to buy and read more of them: Massey's style is lively, informative and it seems that every attempt is made to research thoroughly and to represent issues in a fair and balanced manner.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 12-22-16

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes: with qualifiers. Friend would have to enjoy cricket, and have appreciated the contribution made by CMJ to this great game.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Didn't get to the ending.

What about Charles Collingwood’s performance did you like?

Professionally narrated. Could have easily been CMJ himself. Collingwood left the impressionsthat he also genuinely enjoys cricket as a spectator, and maybe as a former player himself.

Was CMJ: A Cricketing Life worth the listening time?

Could have been more worth it:too much emphasis on county matters and criticisms of the BBC's coverage of football to the expense of cricket.

Any additional comments?

CMJ covers his visits to the major cricketing nations, and not always treated each country fairly. He was somewhat disparaging of New Zealand and our cricket. The English snobbery showed through here - CMJ didn't feel it worthy of recording that there have been many advances in recent years, and seemed to forget that New Zealand has occasionally beaten England, and that issues of English complacency have meant a generally poor treatment by England of New Zealand as a test playing nation.

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