Dave

Impressive and depressing

Revisado: 10-07-18

Bob Woodward is a great reporter, which he shows again in this incredibly detailed book. The problem, of course, is that it preaches to the choir. Believers will believe; flat-Earthers will continue to deny. Please remember to vote.

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What it means to be a great American

Revisado: 07-24-18

Give this book a listen if you’ve forgotten what a great American looks like. You have to respect John McCain (mostly) even if you rarely agree with him.

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Well-told, true-life adventure story

Revisado: 06-11-17

What other book might you compare The Lost City of Z to and why?

"Born to Run," oddly enough. Both are stories about lost or near-lost civilizations as well as tales of incredible human endurance. And in both books, the author's presence as a character enhances rather than detracts from the story.

Have you listened to any of Mark Deakins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

Superb nonfiction writing. I've added more David Grann books to my Audible Wish List. Narrator does an excellent job.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 03-17-17

Any additional comments?

I ordered this after listening to "Road to Sparta," an absolutely wonderful book, and my first Dean Karnazes book. I think what I found in "Road to Sparta" was someone who is really growing as an author -- who realizes that the story has to be about more than, well, the author. There was enough Dean in Sparta to make it personal, and enough history to make it universal. I was really looking forward to reading/hearing more. And I'm still going to buy "Ultramarathon Man." But "Run" read like someone who had run out of things to say, but still had a book contract to fulfill. It is 26.2 chapters of homage to Dean, and when he runs out of things to say about himself, he recruits his wife to write a chapter about him, then he has a friend write a chapter about him, then he interviews their kids about what he's like as a dad. Then there's a chapter of "Dean, you're great" letters from fans.

And this all seems odd ... because he doesn't come across as some raging egotist. He sounds like a nice guy, who has run out of things to say. That's really understandable ... and I think came to see that he needed to reach beyond himself to write Sparta.

So, oddly, while I didn't like this book, I'm looking forward to "Ultramarathon Man" and to whatever he writes next.

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Heartbreaking and infuriating

Revisado: 02-23-17

This is the most powerful and important book I've read in a long time. A frank and honest look at poverty and one of its primary causes -- lack of affordable housing. Yes, Desmond writes of housing as a cause, not a result, of poverty and makes his case well. It's a heartbreaking book but ends with an important message: We can actually do something about this ... if we are willing.

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If this is the best....

Revisado: 02-08-17

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Male members of high school track teams.

Has Once a Runner turned you off from other books in this genre?

There are too few novels in this category to be turned off.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Poor differentiation between characters.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was offended by it on many levels. There are hints of racism and sexism, and all but elite runners are degraded as being slow, fat wannabes.

Any additional comments?

Amateur writing, poor dialogue, little character development and, 90 minutes into an eight-hour book, no discernible sign of a plot. This will be the first Audible selection that I just won't be able to finish.

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Fascinating history

Revisado: 01-12-17

Not my favorite of Larson's books but still fascinating. And like so many books about pre-war Germany, startlingly familiar.

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Worth the time

Revisado: 06-17-16

I was intimidated by the length, but it's a compelling story and very well read. I'm downloading part 2 now.

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Compelling ... and Infuriating

Revisado: 04-06-16

What made the experience of listening to Dark Money the most enjoyable?

I listened to several hours of this book while working in the yard. That proved to be a good combination because every time I got ticked off, I could lop another branch off of a tree or shrub. My yard is more neatly trimmed than it has been in years. Mayer's research is incredibly thorough and her conversational writing style keeps the book from becoming either a boring recitation or a mere screed. It is a perfect election year book (if you're not already overwhelmed by political news ... or even if you are). It's compelling, and maddening, and important. But enjoyable? You'll have to ask my shrubbery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dark Money?

I had sort of a vague notion of what the Koch family, and especially brothers Charles and David, were about. The background about their father and grandfather, and the details about the internecine legal battles, were illuminating.

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

She lets the story be the star -- a pleasant reading voice and an unobtrusive style.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's never boring, but I just had to turn it off from time to time.

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Heartbreaking and important

Revisado: 03-19-16

This is as compelling a piece of reporting as I've seen in years. Impeccable research and a dispassionate tone let the story to have its own impact.

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