JanaMacEye

Brilliant theory, distracting mispronunciations

Revisado: 03-05-25

The theory of how intelligence evolved is brilliant and is, in fact, exactly what I have always thought. Not, of course the details, but the concept of pattern recognition.

The book could have been better organized and would have benefited from a strict editor, but I loved it nonetheless. As a well educated person, Chapter 6 is still dense, but interesting, and the author did warn the reader to skip it if they wanted to.

Very happy the author did not narrate the book. Please leave that to the professionals who know how to pace and enunciate (if not always pronounce properly).

Looking forward to the sequel. Can't wait to see where he has taken this.

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Inspiring, illuminating and funny

Revisado: 10-26-24

I didn’t want it to end, but as I interrupted reading (hardcover) The Genetic Book of the Dead, to listen to this when I found it yesterday only on Audible for a few more days, I didn’t feel that bad!

Thank you Audible for making it available for free.

Everyone will enjoy it unless you are offended by science.

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Narration could have been MUCH better

Revisado: 03-20-24

I loved "I am Pilgrim" and only bought it because of the author's Jack Carr interview. Thus I was terribly disappointed in this title. To start with, the narrator's natural voice is wonderful and I would have enjoyed it except:

His folksy supposed hick accent came off as fake and was very annoying
He mispronounced many, many simple words

The black ops action was deeply flawed and unbelievable even to me, who was never in special ops but have read many, many books which included plausible scenarios. Hayes tale did not.

I got fed up with the ridiculous scenes after the rescue of the girl on the beach...then I read the story was going to be veering into Science Fiction and that was the last straw. No thanks.

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The author's bias shines through

Revisado: 02-12-24

Currently a bit over half way through this and am putting it down (so to speak). The discussion regarding Bonobos was shallow, in my opinion, and did not offer much beyond what we already know.

The ridiculous discussion of chimps rubbing each other's genitals as proof of "something" is like saying a dog humping a human leg means they are really bi-species and it is all just normal sexual behavior. Just because it might feel good, or intimidate someone, does not mean the chimps are pair bonded and are planning a family. Ludicrous.

His vehement objection to what he calls "neo-atheists" is laughable. If Christopher Hitchens were alive he would mop the floor with de Waal and he knows it. To call his treatment of this body of knowledge "masterful", as one reviewer did, is sad. Take a look at Ian's review from 12-08-15. It is spot on.

Finally though, despite the fact that the narrator was not the author, he did a good job at sneering at views other than his own.

For a really unbiased and excellent volume on the origin of human morality, try Audible's "On Human Nature: Revised Edition" By: Edward O. Wilson

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Well researched by an unbiased professional.

Revisado: 02-08-24

Really fascinating and thorough research. Convinced me the Lindbergh, a narcissistic and sociopathic monster.

Author was not a good narrator, and this marred my enjoyment of the book, but not fatally so.

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Thorough and sometimes shocking

Revisado: 12-08-23

If the author had kept out ALL personal opinions it would have been 5 stars. Every person interested in learning about what was going on in Afghanistan beyond what mainstream media reported should read this.

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"Global Warming" Agenda

Revisado: 11-06-23

Having thought this would be about the mission to find the Endurance, the author chose, instead, to insert his personal opinion regarding climate change at every moment possible.

That is not science, and had no business here. Completely ruined any possibility of enjoying this read and I stopped listening after less than an hour.

A real shame. But climate hysterics cannot help themselves.

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Truly different and delightful

Revisado: 10-24-23

Surprisingly tender and moving. Well written and narrated. One of those stories you will be glad you found.

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Narrator sounds like your Mom

Revisado: 10-15-23

Was really looking forward to this comprehensive history but barely got through 49 minutes. The narrator is just one of the worst I have listened to on Audible.

I could do a better job than this and I am not good at it at all.

There was no way I could listen to 80 hours of if.

Such a shame. Why would anyone choose this person?

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Give me more and a lot of it!

Revisado: 12-22-22

Watched Jack Carr's holiday special yesterday where he read the "negative" reviews with amazing grace and diplomacy. So here is my rebuttal. First of all, for the record, I own all of his books and have read them. In fact, the first two twice, which is unusual for me. No doubt I will do the same for the rest.

Yes, there is violence and a lot of it, because James Reece is is a very highly trained professional in a very dangerous business. His incredible skills and how he performs them, when required, make him who he is and is the deepest part of the story, after his love of family, his brothers in arms and his code of honor. There would be no story without it. For me, the demonstration of those skills, and the excellent story telling around them, is the reason to read the stories and come back for more.

Some people complained of the rah, rah My Country attitude. But, were they really paying attention? James Reece has no illusions that every person in the government, or the military for that matter, is worthy of his trust. Far from it. The stories are quite nuanced in that regard.

Product placement? Love it!!! The people in the stories, particularly James Reece, use real tools of the trade and real everyday stuff, like Black Rifle Coffee for instance. When fiction authors describe such things they usually just call it "coffee" or a "gun". It is more than that; James Reece chooses what to drink and what to shoot with for good reasons. James Reece was a Navy SEAL, and his creator actually used (and still uses) the things described in the book. There is a rich history behind these tools of the trade and many people, including me, get a kick out of being brought into that world.

The author has many, many friends in the SOF world who also use all of these tools and accoutrements and have gotten out of the military or other government service (most anyway) and are now making their way in the world as civilians. They produce these very same items because they know people want, need and/or desire them. They are real and so are the things they make. Including these in the story just connects the reader with reality, even though the story is fiction. Pretend descriptions do not age well.

Most of Jack Carr's book fans are probably men, but not all. I am a woman (a biological one and like men and was never a Tom boy), but love the books for the same reason men do. The well crafted stories, the weapons, the tactics, the deep sense of honor and duty, and above all, the fantasy of being able to right a wrong in a spectacular, or at least very, very clever, way, all make a perfect package.

Although Jack Carr obviously needs no advice, here it is from a big fan. Please do not change a thing! Ever. The stories will change, but you have proved beyond all doubt that the methods are tried and true. Maybe you learned this as a SEAL?

Thank you, from a former USAF Nurse and LOL, proud owner of many of the items placed in your books :)

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