Anónimo

Bloody storyline and broken people

Revisado: 04-11-24

This book was not enjoyable to listen to.
The characters are horrifying, broken people.
The oddest part is the politics/morality angle. Conservative people = so vile that only the sickest pedophilia can satisfy them. Progressives = so morally stalwart that they can sustain sex for 8 straight hours. (I fell asleep during the big sex scene and woke up later to realize it was still going on.)
Bizarre.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Red Scare

Revisado: 01-12-24

This is one of the stranger books in the Freddy the Pig series. It’s definitely about the fear of Communism and the Soviet Union. I don’t know if Walter R Brooks is trying to explain The Iron Curtain to children in a form they can understand, or if he’s writing out his own fears. But the whole thing does get a little unnerving at times.

If you want to understand the Zeitgeist of the early 1950’s, this is a good book to read. Just remember: The good old days weren’t all that good. There are things in here that are offensive. You can get angry, or you can be glad that people in the 1960’s and 1970’s fought to make the world a better place.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I liked the second half better than the first

Revisado: 03-06-11

If you like science and history and religion, then I think you will like this book. But be warned, the first part can be tedious. The author goes into the history of different items, including parchment. I was glad I was listening to the book instead of reading it, so I could "zone out" during parts I wasn't interested in. On the other hand, the narrator (who does a great job, BTW), has to describe details of the numerals that can't be seen. The second part was more about Gerbert's life, and like all good gossip, was fascinating. I've always been interested in the Holy Roman Empire, and what role it played in history. This gives a close-up view of how the Emperor chose popes. And how the pope was viewed by the other bishops. And the conflict between the people of Rome, who had their bishop chosen by an outsider, and all the other conflicts going on at the time. And I was happy to see how the author gave due respect to the women in history, too. So I think that scholars will enjoy the book, but the first part might be bit slow.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Not as good as the other Freddy books

Revisado: 03-06-11

I read most of these Freddy books as a child, and now that I have children of my own I have an excuse to experience them again. I just love listening to them with my son.

But this one caught me a bit off guard. It's interesting from a historical point of view, because of the attitudes of the characters. When they set out for Mars, they intend to colonize the planet and put the citizens under the authority of the United States government. And when Freddy runs into someone from "Mars" for the first time, one of his first reactions is to shoot! I usually enjoy pointing out to my kids how life was so much different - how the bank has a watering trough in front of it (for the horses), and how there are no interstate highways in these books. But I had a much harder time with imperialism and "shoot first" attitudes.

As usual, Walter Brooks spins a good yarn, and John McDonough narrates wonderfully. I just found myself shaking my head a bit during this one.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Good clean fun for kids; not bad for adults either

Revisado: 09-21-10

This is a story I remember from my childhood, and I have to admit that I still love this series. I was thrilled to find it on audiobook, so my son could listen to them as he fell asleep. This is an old series; I believe this was the first book, written circa 1928 about animals on a farm that learn to talk. They decide they don't like the cold of upstate New York, so they will take a trip to Florida. I love the personalities of the animals, and how they talk to eachother. I also liked the chance to explain to my son about life "back then", when walking to Florida meant walking on roads, not getting on the interstate! Not everyone owns a car, and an alarm clock works by winding it.

There is enough action in this book to keep the older children satisfied, but the narration is calm enough for younger children to listen to.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas