Todd

I was immediately drawn in

Revisado: 11-22-19

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and loved Scott Brick’s narration. The combination of the way the author told the tale and the interpretation of the reader drew vivid images in my mind.
The only reason I gave the story 4 stars instead of 5 is that there are a few threads of the story, which I will not elaborate on to avoid spoilers, about which I would have enjoyed some closure. They do, however, leave me hopeful that the author is not done telling the story.
If you enjoyed Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, try this one. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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Much better the second time!

Revisado: 01-16-19

I purchased the original audible recording. I love Brandon Sanderson’s novels but I was pretty....meh...about this book.
Then I saw that it had been recorded again with a new reader, Alyssa Bresnahan. The sample seemed promising so I bought it again.
Wow! What a difference a reader can make!
Alyssa Bresnahan made this story come alive!
It illustrates, very clearly, how much the reader impacts how you might feel about a story. It is a fantastic story but the reader of the first version just wrecked it for me. (Sorry, but it’s how I feel). This novel is Sanderson at his finest, which is saying something. But I can’t say enough about Alyssa Bresnahan! She is terrific!
Trust me. If you bought the first version and didn’t care for it, try this one. You WILL NOT be disappointed!

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Disappointing

Revisado: 05-13-16

After reading all of the glowing 5 star reviews, I thought this was going to be exceptional.
Wow! Were they wrong. I do not, for the life of me, understand how this book deserves all those 5 star reviews.
This book just never goes anywhere. It reads more like a chronological history of the main character, describing events and little adventures, mostly of his time in "the academy". I thought (hoped) they were building toward something, but they are not written in such a way that they are events that build on each other, but more like isolated little stories. With the exception of one major event toward the beginning, that sets up the story, one major event at the beginning of the final third of the book, and then the last few paragraphs of the book, the rest is just so unnecessary, I found it really difficult to get all the way to the end.
His writing is not without merit. He is a decent writer, as far as imagery, but the structure of the story is seriously lacking. If I had been his editor, I would have saved the 3 events, mentioned earlier, as the beginning of book one, and made the rest a prequel novella for release after book two, perhaps. The content would've been infinitely more interesting if I had been already invested in the story.
The basis for a good story is there somewhere (I think, but who knows. You can't really tell by the end of the book) but the author's editor did not do a very good job of guiding him toward a gripping story that is likely to get listeners hooked.
But then I am definitely in the minority with this opinion. I drive truck over the road and listen to 50 to 60 hours a week of audible books. I have listened to hundreds of books. Many have been fantastic, and some just OK. Not this one.
Had it not been for the exceptional narration of Tim Gerard Reynolds, this book would have nothing to recommend it. I doubt seriously if I will pursue this series anymore.
As it is, I found this book to be painfully dull and cannot recommend it at all.

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I Loved it!

Revisado: 05-07-16

I really enjoyed this entire series.
As stated by some other reviewers, the plot line is not as complex as others of this genre, but that is actually what I liked about it.
Shae Ford does a terrific job telling the story.
What I mean is this. Some fantasy authors get REALLY wordy describing every little detail about every little aspect of every rock, tree, building, article of clothing, and on and on. While some description is necessary to create the image in your mind, when they drone on and on about it, my mind wanders, and I just want them to get on with the story.
Shae Ford tells the story. There is plenty of detail to create a vivid image of each scene, each event, but the story moves along. That leaves more time to develop the character, give insight into their thoughts and emotions.
I also loved the periodic, subtly humorous quips, events and mischief from some of the characters. I enjoy a rye wit, and sarcasm. There were little things here in there that actually made me laugh out loud as I listened.
But my favorite thing of all, (and for me to really enjoy a book, it is critical) is that I really began to love the characters. I was rooting for them. Hoping for them. Wanting certain things to happen for them.
If I care about the characters, I become invested in the book. This series did that for me.
The only slight criticism I would offer is that there were a couple scenes that were a little ambiguous as to the outcome. I don't want to inject any spoilers here, but there was one event where I was uncertain if something had been actually resolved permanently, until near the end of the story, when it became obvious that the villain was not going to re-emerge. Maybe I was just a little slow at grasping it, but it seemed like the door was left open for him to pop up again, but the story progressed, ended and , well...I guess it was actually resolved. It didn't really detract from the story. It just left me wondering.
The narrator, Derek Perkins, is exceptional. Each voice for each character is distinct and very well done. He is absolutely brilliant.
Bottom line. I enjoyed this tale very much, and recommend it highly.

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I Loved it!

Revisado: 05-07-16

I really enjoyed this entire series.
As stated by some other reviewers, the plot line is not as complex as others of this genre, but that is actually what I liked about it.
Shae Ford does a terrific job telling the story.
What I mean is this. Some fantasy authors get REALLY wordy describing every little detail about every little aspect of every rock, tree, building, article of clothing, and on and on. While some description is necessary to create the image in your mind, when they drone on and on about it, my mind wanders, and I just want them to get on with the story.
Shae Ford tells the story. There is plenty of detail to create a vivid image of each scene, each event, but the story moves along. That leaves more time to develop the character, give insight into their thoughts and emotions.
I also loved the periodic, subtly humorous quips, events and mischief from some of the characters. I enjoy a rye wit, and sarcasm. There were little things here in there that actually made me laugh out loud as I listened.
But my favorite thing of all, (and for me to really enjoy a book, it is critical) is that I really began to love the characters. I was rooting for them. Hoping for them. Wanting certain things to happen for them.
If I care about the characters, I become invested in the book. This series did that for me.
The only slight criticism I would offer is that there were a couple scenes that were a little ambiguous as to the outcome. I don't want to inject any spoilers here, but there was one event where I was uncertain if something had been actually resolved permanently, until near the end of the story, when it became obvious that the villain was not going to re-emerge. Maybe I was just a little slow at grasping it, but it seemed like the door was left open for him to pop up again, but the story progressed, ended and , well...I guess it was actually resolved. It didn't really detract from the story. It just left me wondering.
The narrator, Derek Perkins, is exceptional. Each voice for each character is distinct and very well done. He is absolutely brilliant.
Bottom line. I enjoyed this tale very much, and recommend it highly.

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I loved it

Revisado: 05-07-16

I really enjoyed this entire series.
As stated by some other reviewers, the plot line is not as complex as others of this genre, but that is actually what I liked about it.
Shae Ford does a terrific job telling the story.
What I mean is this. Some fantasy authors get REALLY wordy describing every little detail about every little aspect of every rock, tree, building, article of clothing, and on and on. While some description is necessary to create the image in your mind, when they drone on and on about it, my mind wanders, and I just want them to get on with the story.
Shae Ford tells the story. There is plenty of detail to create a vivid image of each scene, each event, but the story moves along. That leaves more time to develop the character, give insight into their thoughts and emotions.
I also loved the periodic, subtly humorous quips, events and mischief from some of the characters. I enjoy a rye wit, and sarcasm. There were little things here in there that actually made me laugh out loud as I listened.
But my favorite thing of all, (and for me to really enjoy a book, it is critical) is that I really began to love the characters. I was rooting for them. Hoping for them. Wanting certain things to happen for them.
If I care about the characters, I become invested in the book. This series did that for me.
The only slight criticism I would offer is that there were a couple scenes that were a little ambiguous as to the outcome. I don't want to inject any spoilers here, but there was one event where I was uncertain if something had been actually resolved permanently, until near the end of the story, when it became obvious that the villain was not going to re-emerge. Maybe I was just a little slow at grasping it, but it seemed like the door was left open for him to pop up again, but the story progressed, ended and , well...I guess it was actually resolved. It didn't really detract from the story. It just left me wondering.
The narrator, Derek Perkins, is exceptional. Each voice for each character is distinct and very well done. He is absolutely brilliant.
Bottom line. I enjoyed this tale very much, and recommend it highly.

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Love Sanderson., but not this book.

Revisado: 12-31-15

For me to really love a book, I need to become invested and care about the characters. Or I need to really feel something. Hate them...get frustrated with them...feel their pain, their anguish, their passion, their fury, their love.
Well...that doesn't happen in this book. I felt nothing. Zip. Zilch. There is only one character that has some dimension, and it's not one of the main characters, oddly enough. The main characters are just too virtuous and flat.
Anyway, the story itself is just so-so. I thought the ending was way too predictable and actually found it to be anticlimactic.
As far as the narrator goes...ugh.
When he just reads, he's ok, but his voices with their lame, unnatural inflection and overly dramatic soap-operaesque delivery are ridiculous. much better suited for Saturday morning cartoons. It was so bad, I would not buy another book if this guy reads it, I don't care how good the reviews are.
Bottom line, I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as most of the reviewers, and nowhere near as much as Sanderson's other works. He has definitely grown (by light-years) in subsequent works. But I would not recommend spending a credit on this book.

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esto le resultó útil a 18 personas

A terrific, fun series

Revisado: 07-30-12

I've read all of Sadlers books in this series, most of them over 20 yrs ago. I've always enjoyed history and fantasy. Sadler does a brilliant job melding the two in this series. Casca is inserted in real points of history and occassionally interacts with some real historical figures. It makes these books a lot of fun, although they can be a bit too graphic for younger listeners. If you want something that passes the time without having to invest a lot of brainpower other than listening, then these stories will suit your tastes.

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The Most Engaging Book I've Ever Heard

Revisado: 04-01-12

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

This book was a complete surprise. I stumbled across it and it sounded odd but intriguing, so I tried it. Was I ever glad I did!!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The tale involves the relationship between Denny and Enzo, and Enzo's evolution into his own humanity. It is such a refreshingly original approach to telling a story I was rivetted from start to finish. Enzo's view of his own life, his mortality and his loyalty toward his master will leave you longing for such a friend.

Which character – as performed by Christopher Evan Welch – was your favorite?

The reader was terrific. Nothing fancy, but very well read. He made all of the characters come alive, not with voices, but with his dramatic inflection and timing.

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

The whole book is moving, but the ending is brilliantly written, particularly if you are a dog lover. I found it validating and strangely comforting.

Any additional comments?

This story takes twists and turns that you would not expect from a typical story about a

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What were the founders thinking?

Revisado: 03-17-12

What made the experience of listening to Ameritopia the most enjoyable?

This book is an educational, fact based dissertation on the principles on which our founding fathers based our Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States. In it, Levin references, over and over, the great thinkers and their philisophies that influenced the language and ideals set forth in those all-important documents. This is not a book of fiction or even opinion. It is a well thought-out illustration of the destructive ideals creeping into our culture, which are clearly contrary to our founders intentions.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Levin contrasts, in depth, the thinking of various individuals, such as Plato, Thomas Hobbs, Thomas Moore, Karl Marx, et al...whose goals were to envision and design a Utopian, albeit impossible, society in which all needs are met by an altruistic, benevolent sovreign, admittedly at the cost of individual liberty and personal freedom.
Further, he illustrates how those soul-sapping social structures run counter to the ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Then he goes on to lay out the thinking of the philosophers whom the founders embraced, and the debates that shaped the language and principles that formed our great nation.
Finally, he lays out a very cogent arguement why the current entitlement mentallity and the culture of big government is precisely what the founders feared and warned about repeatedly, and how they PURPOSELY tried to structure our Constitution in an effort to prevent what is clearing occurring, and threatening to destroy our great nation.

Which scene was your favorite?

The book makes clear that the founders fully intended that the Constitution was meant to limit government and was to be followed literally. It IS NOT, nor was it intended to be, a

If you could give Ameritopia a new subtitle, what would it be?

Our Willing Decent Into Tyranny

Any additional comments?

This volume should be a text book in every high school in the United States and passing a full semester course should be a prerequisite for graduation.

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