Eire Stewart

View into Hungary’s precarious position in WWII

Revisado: 11-01-23

Well written and nuanced look into some key moments of Hungary’s history during and post WWII as well as the immigration to the US which occurred immediately afterwards. I usually don’t like author read books but this one works well!

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Great Read; Difficult Listen

Revisado: 01-24-22

The contents are timely and fascinating, but nearly every other paragraph contains "Look at the graph shown on the PDF". Unless you want to listen with your laptop open so you can follow along with all the charts and tables, this is a slog. That said, the information contained provides great perspective on where we are in the historic cycle of both economics and social development, and a great preview of where we may end up n the next ten years or so.
I truly think that some form of summary of the information contained in the charts could have made this a better audible book. Something like "As you can see in the downward slope shown on the pdf, the trend is ...." but there is none of that. The information is compelling enough that I bought the hardcover book.

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Worth it for the Tips Warren Buffet Didn't Teach!

Revisado: 01-24-22

There is a lot to like about this set of essays. On the whole, there is an intimate feel, like having a conversation with a close friend. I did find it ironic that the same woman who bristled at a wealthy friend poking the author over a knock off dress purchased at Macy's would shame women over not wearing matching bras and panties (I'm not giving up my favorite undies for you or anyone else) like that's low rent, but well worth the listen for the other truths this book offers.

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Not What It Could Have Been

Revisado: 10-16-19

This book is really a witnessing of converts to the Evangelical faith, and, in that light, it's probably a terrific read for someone about to face the challenges of missionary work. As a historical piece on the events leading to the negotiations with the FARC, the author's perceptions of his work overly influence the narrative. I think my biggest disappointment was the need the author felt to criticize other Christian denominations (I want to insert here that I am not Catholic, the most common target of his ire) and the lack of humility I found in the story was told. On several occasions, I found myself remind of the Parable about the Publican and the Pharisee.

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Prose in the hands of a master!

Revisado: 01-11-16

What did you love best about In Morocco?

Edith Wharton's use of language is beautiful, her descriptions colorful and her experience delightfully presented. Although the visit takes place in a bygone era, the descriptions of people and ceremonies gives a feel for the recent history of this country and for the background of the people still living there.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In Morocco?

Edith Wharton's empathy for those forced into slavery or raised to labor is moving, especially given the time period in which she writes. The descriptive scenes of homage and ceremony are a delightful repast, vivid and yet concise.

What does Anna Fields bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This is a first person narrative, and as such, it is important that the voice have a real authenticity to it. I found that to be true. I also appreciate that care was taken not to be overly dramatic, thus keeping the narrative moving and contemplative.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Nothing Recent, Revelatory or Relevant

Revisado: 01-11-16

What would have made Travel Tales Collections: Morocco & North Africa better?

The 12 minute intro is self congratulatory and repetitive. We are told 3 times that the author has been to 125 countries, but he certainly hasn't been to North Africa recently if these tales are any indication. I listened to the first 14 chapters, most of them drug infused tales from the 70s or unverified 3rd party tales of blondes kidnapped for white slavery - nothing identified itself as being from this century. The author bills himself as a Travel Psychologist, claims to have even coined the term, but unless it takes places after chapter 14, no insight is given. The whole things comes off as a "Darwin's List" of stupidity.

Has Travel Tales Collections: Morocco & North Africa turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes. Simply put, I was hoping for a compilation of tales that provided color and context for any upcoming trip. There is nothing to be gained in these tales except the knowledge that hasheesh was plentiful and potent 40 years ago.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator conjures up images of the author and the voice feels authentic but one or two of the tales are from a woman's perspective and would have been better narrated in a woman's voice. I didn't understand that the teller was a woman until quite late into the stories as a result.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I enjoyed one tale of a man who connected with a group of shop merchants in the Medina over music. He made certain assumptions about them, but after having lunch, and later, dinner with them, found himself enlightened and discovering trust. OF COURSE, the story ends with the group smoking hash in a rooftop bar and the teller becoming so loaded that he had to be helped back to his hotel.

Any additional comments?

I would be interested in a chronicle of recent travel tales, but this isn't it.

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