JR Pinto

Required Reading

Revisado: 06-13-23

Douglas Murray is one of the best thinkers in the public sphere. This short book clearly defines the core arguments against Western Civilization. Murray provides an eloquent and well-reasoned defense of the West and the benefits we all now take for granted.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I wanted to like this more than I did....

Revisado: 04-09-23

I, Claudius is one of my favorite books of all time. Also, I am fascinated by Byzantine history. Therefore, I thought this book could be a perfect match for me. Alas, it reads a bit dry. It is mostly detailed descriptions of endless military campaigns. This is interesting from a historical point of view, but it doesn't make for gripping reading.

I had a similar impression when I read the sequel to I, Claudius. Whereas the first book was great because of its prose, its characters, its palace intrigue, and its history - Claudius the God, and His Wife Messalina felt more like straightforward history, mostly because of its focus on just one man. Kind of the same thing is going on here. None of the characters really jump off the page. There are no great scenes. It's actually more telling than showing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

As Good a Reading of Gibbon as You are Going to Ge

Revisado: 10-03-21

FULL DISCLOSURE: I haven't finished listening to this yet. I have only fully completed Book 1 of the six book set.

Having said that, I think that this is a great value and the best reading of Gibbon you are going to get. Of course, the narrator skips over the footnotes, but so do many editions of the text. His stentorian voice lends itself perfectly to the material. You get the distinct impression that this is how the prose is supposed to sound.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great Analysis of the Current Climate

Revisado: 10-03-21

Ben Shapiro is fast. Because he works so fast he is able to produce a book about current events that are still unfolding. He meticulously dissects current cultural movements that are converting America - and most of the West - into a soft authoritarian regime. He analyses how this trend has infected all aspects of public life: government, education, the workplace, the military, journalism, and entertainment.

Also, he speaks so quickly that he reads this book in just over six hours.

Especially useful are the footnotes that allow the readers investigate his sources and draw their own conclusions.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great Quick Overview of an Oft-Neglected Subject

Revisado: 10-03-21

I have been fascinated by the so-called Byzantine Empire for some time. Brownworth provides an engaging, fast-paced overview of a thousand-plus years. He covers the major personalities and events that involve the Eastern Roman Empire. Here, you meet Justinian and his wife, Theodora. We see the rise of Islam. The gradual decline of the Empire but - amazingly - just when you think that it is down and out, it rises again for more.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

It's "Pyschohistory" - Not "Psychology"

Revisado: 04-03-21

I know other reviewers have mentioned this ad nauseum, but I cannot understand why the producers of this audiobook decided to replace the word "Psychohistory" with "psychology." It defies explanation. Otherwise, Scott Brick does a good job performing the series but, every time he says "psychology" I had to say "psychohistory" to myself. Having read the book before, this was fine. I feel bad for those coming to this for the first time.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Not Crazy About The Performance

Revisado: 02-16-20

Treasure Island is one of my favorite books. I just felt that the narrator was reading much too slowly. I rarely do this but I played it at 1.5 speed. But then it became difficult to read every word, especially because he reads so softly.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Classic Bond

Revisado: 08-01-19

I’ve read this book several times before and Dan Stevens does a wonderful job performing it. His delivery is like the writing - straight and hard-boiled.

The novel itself is one of the best spy-thrillers ever written, introducing us to the greatest spy of all time. This is the tortured Bond of the Daniel Craig era. This Bond is much more thoughtful about his job and less interested in making quips over the bodies of his victims.

I will listen to this audiobook again!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Reading!

Revisado: 12-06-18

This is a great performance of one of the greatest novels ever written. Richard Armatage brings life to all of the characters. He reads it is I imagine Dickens heard the voices in his head.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Great system. No PDF with the audiobook however

Revisado: 09-03-18

If you’ve heard about the “Memory Palace” in things like Hannibal and Sherlock and wanted to learn how to do it, then this is your method. It is the clearest, most user-friendly version of that system.

Now, there are a couple of drawbacks to the audiobook. I didn’t really feel I could digest it while driving. Instead, I took notes. Also, the chapter on linking names with faces relies on a PDF that doesn’t appear to come with the audiobook. But the principle is simple enough to grasp.

Highly recommended.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 7 personas