Lutz von Peter

Good plot but serious failings

Revisado: 08-30-23

A very interesting plot with lots of twists and suspense. Some people might, however, react allergically:
1) Christians of any denomination. The story brandmarks all Christian organisations and their members as moral-free criminals bent on ruling over humankind as their flock to fleeze and dictators without a conscience.
2) History buffs. Any author has the right to tweak history to make the story work. This story has massive historical errors. Mussolini was not dragged into WWII by Germany, he forced Germany to bail him out in theaters Germany was not interested to open up such as the Balkans or Northern Africa. Constantine's Gift is a well-known document bestowing on the Catholic Church what is today the Vatican State. The Gift is known to be a fake from the 8./9. century
3) Anyone who has any idea how the Vatican works. It is inconceavable that American agents just burst into conclave, roam the shut-off Vatican or high-ranking clergy just destroy century-old evidence on a whim and without referring to their authorities.
4) Anybody who thinks that there are professionals that are NOT American. As an example, the Swiss Guards are all ex army and as a protection detail on par with any protection detail in the world.
5) Anybody who wants to follow the story without constantly being interrupted by the author's touristy note on locations.
6) Anybody who doubts that Americans can just show up somewhere, shoot up a lot of people and then just leave again

The reading is very good, the plot us colourful and interesting, and that saves the production from being a total bummer.

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Not worth the money

Revisado: 02-15-23

The story, starting from a good idea, is written without depth and without developing the characters. There are no side actions, no suspense, no surprises even though the story would have lent itself to it.
It does not help that the narrator tries to read it quirkily, which only makes it very hard to discern at times what is said. Audiobooks are usually listened to while doing other things, cooking, driving, whatever.... This was near impossible as the narrator speaks way to fast, does very often swallow syllables. I get it that the narrator tried to bring out the humorful, ironic side of the text. It did not work.
The crowning glory was the "Outro" before the acknowledgements. The writer telling the story of his writer's block during Covid, not being able to churn out his book that was already sold and marketed, thanking his army of helpers, supporters, etc etc etc . Well, bohoo ... That sound like a real luxury problem. Others were dying, out of a job or on the contrary working their backside off to keep the lights on, and he was not able tp perform his contract.
So, instead of the ordered book, he wrote this, quick, off the cuff, simple, not good enough ....

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Disappointing, lame storyline and development

Revisado: 12-13-22

Disappointing for several reasons:

Dan Brown's books usually are lavish, with multiple storylines and people intertwined. Not here: two locations, Seville and the NSA dome, very limited people interacting, very linear action.

The story goes from zero to panic at the very beginning. No buildup, no stage is created, and because panic starts right at the start, there is no feeling of development.

Several very unlikely (as opposed to unexpected) turns safe the story, which otherwise would have stopped there and then. It felt as if Gandalf was parachutet in, and 'simsalabim', the hero found a way out. Very weak ....

Finally, the basic idea (NSA might lose their ability to read the world's encrypted messages) might shock Americans and call for murder, deceit and slaughter, for the rest of the world the 'heroes' of the story are criminals saving the NSA's abilities whereas the vilain defends the world's lawful rights not to be snooped on by criminal Americans.

Very disappointing book, don't buy.

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Rip off

Revisado: 05-01-21

This is not the reading of the book " Unlimited power", it is Anthony Robins speaking about this and that in 54 minutes. I expected him the read the whole 452 pages of the book. As said, this is a rip-off.

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etwas albern...

Revisado: 01-15-18

...aber einige Aspekte sund uerlegwnswert. hatte akkerdungs mehr erwartet. mehr Spannung, mehr Denkanstoss, mehr.... vin Vielwm....

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Idea good, rest so-so

Revisado: 12-10-17

General idea good, first person perspective is problematic, tale is told very narrow, reader s voice annoying and only understandable with very good headset.
So: food for thought, yes. A pleasant book, no.

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Insightful and very well presented.

Revisado: 11-14-17

Keese observed well and puts the finger where it hurts. A must read. Do it.

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