couchalot

Gripping story, great narration

Revisado: 01-10-25

Although I was aware of the story behind this book, the author not only brought it to life, he was able to make me feel as though I was walking alongside the decoys in that cold terrible winter. No one really knows what they will do when and if they are called upon to put their life on the line. This is a true story of multiple people who, working under conditions most of us could not comprehend- the women not getting overtime for being bait - made many decisions that ultimately led to the capture of a serial rapist. The laws at the time regarding sexual assault, the length of sentencing coupled with the horror of a ‘life license’ will make the reader gnash their teeth. The book is also an excellent object lesson in how the accused may continue to assault victims via the trial process, not to mention the sheer brutality of reporting a rape and the chaos that ensues. Given the dramatic statistics regarding sexual assault of women, this book probably ought to be required reading. The narrator was clear and easy to understand.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The careful recollection of actual testimony rather than gossip.

Revisado: 01-12-24

Having read much about the titanic- from the accurate to the fantastic, this book falls squarely into accuracy. The book also takes a serious look at how the class structure of the era, pre war, pre income tax, skewed the perception of how safe the ship was. If the ‘best’ people built it and declared it unsinkable, then so it must be. The narrator does a wonderful job relating the facts without making it tedious, indeed I was nailed to the spot listening to the names and the testimony. He even provides different voices and accents for the testimonials. This is not the movie version, the Poseidon Adventure, nor the work of internet and television conspiracy theorists. Because the author paid attention to the people not immediately interviewed following the accident- for the newspapers of the time were far more interested in the Society angle- there is a wealth of information from junior crew and second and below class passengers. It is a thoughtful book of an event still as devastating so many years ago.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A deep dive into Egyptian History that won’t put you to sleep!

Revisado: 05-06-23

I followed this book up by listening to the shorter Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

It’s important to know that- because after listening to this much longer book I was just as delighted to listen to the other book.

Both books are narrated by Prof. Brier- and lay out the history- as he calls it- in a sort of People Magazine version. In both books he brings these long dead people to life. Prof. Brier says it best- ‘don’t worry about the dates, everyone forgets the dates anyway- my goal is to show you the personalities of these great leaders.’ (Apology for my paraphrasing- but it’s pretty close.)


What makes his books so much fun is his devotion to said personalities. Without making it into a work of fiction he is able to bring the pharaohs to life. Despite saying not to worry about the dates, the way in which his subjects are described helped me organize the various dynasties in my own mind.

He does give homework in this lecture. I highly recommend doing it- it’s not time consuming and very interesting. This is also one of very few books where I downloaded the entire PDF and referenced it at specific moments. You will get to learn how to write your name in hieroglyphs.

The vast time frame covered by this history will blow your mind.

I’m looking forward to taking him up on his challenge and taking my grandchildren to the various museums and being more confident in being a capable guide.

I’ve always loved Egypt- always wanted to go- but enjoyed my time living in Kenya- so I was already an Egyptian history buff. Now I do feel as though some of the gaps in my education have been filled in, and each pharaoh has been ‘fleshed out’ enough so that I shall be able to recognize more details of the art and funerary equipment- enough to bore my son to death but possibly create a new pair of Egypt buffs in my grandchildren.

Here’s to hoping I make it to Egypt someday- Prof. Brier REALLY makes it sound enticing!

His narration is Brooklyn best- and you can hear how much he loves his topic- hear the smile as he describes things like the ‘smiting pose.’

Despite the overlap of the two books I highly recommend listening to them both. I’ve moved on to another book where he does some of the narration while awaiting this month’s credit so I can purchase Prof. Brier’s other non great courses books.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A perfect way to learn about the Egyptian Pharaohs

Revisado: 05-06-23

I had already listened - and loved- the far longer History of Ancient Egypt. Also narrated by Prof. Brier- both of these books lay out the history- as he calls it- in a sort of People Magazine version. In both books he brings these long dead people to life. Prof. Brier says it best- ‘don’t worry about the dates, everyone forgets the dates anyway- my goal is to show you the personalities of these great leaders.’ (Apology for my paraphrasing- but it’s pretty close.)


What makes his books so much fun is his devotion to these personalities. Without making it into a work of fiction he is able to bring the pharaohs to life. Despite saying not to worry about the dates, the way in which his subjects are described helped me organize the various dynasties in my own mind.

I’m looking forward to taking him up on his challenge and taking my grandchildren to the various museums and being more confident in being a capable guide.

I’ve always loved Egypt- always wanted to go- but enjoyed my time living in Kenya- so I was already an Egyptian history buff. Now I do feel as though some of the gaps in my education have been filled in, and each pharaoh has been ‘fleshed out’ enough so that I shall be able to recognize more details of the art and funerary equipment- enough to bore my son to death but possibly create a new pair of Egypt buffs in my grandchildren.

Here’s to hoping I make it to Egypt someday- Prof. Brier REALLY makes it sound enticing!

His narration is Brooklyn best- and you can hear how much he loves his topic- hear the smile as he describes things like the ‘smiting pose.’

Despite the overlap of the two books I highly recommend listening to them both.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Loved it!

Revisado: 02-15-23

I am deeply concerned by how many reviews on every audible selection are political in nature.

Remember that as you read reviews. People who hate literature due to political leanings are the same folks who like to ban/burn books.

That said: I both lived and loved this. As a person who also lived within an African community- and was pleased to send my own son back 23 years later- as proof that I had finally gotten married. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of his own work. If it encourages one more person to go, whether through peace corps or college (my path) or some other way; then it is a worthy read. For traveling and living- for a long time- in another culture is the best sort of education.

I also enjoyed hearing about the anthropologists that he loved- some were old names to me but enough were new and I’ll be looking them up.

I would’ve enjoyed a deeper dive into the proto-sapiens crew, but that’s me.

He is an engaging narrator who so obviously loves his topic that it is easy to smile along with him.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Newts!

Revisado: 07-06-22

So much fun to hear this take on a great old sci-fi book. Eastern European sci-fi has always been some of the most extreme yet at the same time- a deep
reflection upon (at the time) current events. This book was written as the Nazis began their roll across Europe, when people in countries not yet affected were turning a blind eye.

How this master story teller weaves a tale of how an ideology may alter the world before people manage to notice- via Newts- is reason alone to listen to this adaptation.

Great cast and fun original music. Enjoy!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A new take on War of The Worlds

Revisado: 04-01-22

Extremely enjoyable! To be honest, I will listen to anything with Leonard Nimoy in it. However the sound craft was beautifully done, giving it that radio feel. As someone who loves radio, both old and new, this was authentic. It’s short- as was the original broadcast- but faithful to the original short story. Having all the other familiar Star Trek voices sprinkled throughout made me smile- but let’s be honest- you’re going to listen so you can hear Leonard Nimoy just like me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Scary and depressing

Revisado: 02-11-22

I listened to this because I am a hard core fan of the narrator. The story was actually rather upsetting and I wish I hadn’t listened to it. However it is an interesting take on the mist/fog/zombie story with characters that are fun and believable.

If you’re feeling stout of heart then it won’t have the same effect on you. It was too much for me, but that’s not the author’s fault.

It was delightful to hear David Linkski in his native dialect. His range of character voices makes him my favorite- other than Neil Gaiman- narrator on audible.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Best reading of this story

Revisado: 01-01-22

20,000 leagues is a must read classic. It is full of amazing imagery of the ocean floor, much of which holds up even to this day. Jules Verne was fascinated by the natural world and is at his best discussing natural phenomena both real and imagined. David Linski puts passion into the words of the ever so mysterious Nemo. He’s able to give us accents and turns of phrase without beating the listener over the head with excess sound. This is an audiobook that I turn to as a relisten if I want to relax and see the depths of the ocean.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

An old favorite

Revisado: 09-27-21

An old favorite beautifully read. I love this era of sci-fi/fantasy where the author leaves much up to the reader to imagine or base upon. So much current media is spoon fed to readers, leaving little open to interpretation.

But that, of course, is another story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña