Stanley

Loved the book. Hate dual narration

Revisado: 04-24-14

What made the experience of listening to Things That Matter the most enjoyable?

The book is a compilation of previous articles arranged by theme. Dr. Krauthammer gives a reader/listener pause based on his impeccable logic (even if you disagree with it) and consistency. Conservatives will rejoice in his voice. Liberals should read/listen to it in order to see a truth that disagrees with their own.

The first part of the book is read by Dr. Krauthhammer himself and I enjoyed hearing the writer in his own voice. It seemed more honest with the intent of the author shown by pause and inflection Unfortunately, the narrator changed mid-book. This is a horrible disservice to readers and I am greatly disappointed. There was no explanation for the change. It seems cheap and distracting. If Dr. Krauthammer could not complete the whole narration it should have been reread by Mr. Newbern from the beginning.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fascinating, threatening, and not enough

Revisado: 09-04-13

What did you love best about Automate This?

I generally listen to nonfiction. I would rate this in the highest category of the books to which I have listened. I try to save "5" for the top 10% rather than 20%. It is a very timely book since the use of algorithms is really picking up steam in our economy. It was a well constructed and fun narrative.

While I found the stories great examples and helpful to understand how algorithms are used a greater number of examples with a bit less time spent on each would have enhanced my experience a bit. Nonetheless, I rated it a 5 on both overall and story.

This is a book for beginners. You don't need a PhD in math to understand the concept that a bunch of PhD quants are trying to replace almost every mental task you perform using computer logic.

It made me realize how visionary Kurt Vonnegut's classic piece of fiction, "Player Piano" really was.

p.s. audible. - I never read the same category of nonfiction twice. Your algorithms should know that and recommend books that are different rather than one I just read, not the same. Hire a better breed of quant. :)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Must read for introverts and those that love them

Revisado: 10-01-12

I read nonfiction to gain better understanding of topics on which I have little understanding. I did not know much about what makes introverts they introverts that they are. I have always believed that somehow I was a flawed extovert. I gained insight into two introverts I love and an understanding that I might not be an extrovert myself after all. I now understand the introvert perspective and have gained a better appreciation for their secret/silent strenghts.

The work was scholarly and thoughtful. It is definitely not a pop psychology piece. The sited studies added credibility. The author did a great job of fusing ancedotes and research studies. I will be ordering several hard copy versions to give as gifts as signs of appreciation to a several introverts who are dear to me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Classic style-great storyline-wonderful narration

Revisado: 06-27-12

I loved the narrated novel. Great storyline in the same way Maltese Falcon and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy are great stories.. The storyline held suprises and was not overly contrived like so many books of this genre can be. Yes, you had to suspend your supicious mind from time to time to get into a few scenes, but aren't we willing to do that when we begin a novel of this sort. Part of me loved the beautiful imagery, and part of me felt it got a bit long and formulaistic at points. Will Patton really brings the story home. Even his female and foreign voices were effective.

I will plan on doing another of Mr. Burke's novels at some time in the future. Hopefully one narrated by Will Patton.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Equal footing with greatest war novels of all time

Revisado: 12-07-11

Thank you Karl Marlantes for writing this riveting book. This is the "All Quiet on the Western Front" of our time. Thank you as well Bronson Pinchot for an amazing verbal interpretation. I had to pause listening from time to time because of the intensity and to absorb the visual images created by Mr. Marlantes. Of the 50 or so audio books I have listened to the only other that compared is "The Old Man and the Sea" written by Hemmingway and read by Donald Sutherland. You will be amazed by "Matterhorn."

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Engaging theme with drawbacks

Revisado: 11-15-11

I found this an interesting theme which provided a fair and balanced perspective of what went wrong and right in the life of two young men. It avoids cliches and tells it like it is. It provided hope and at the same time created sadness. I listened while driving which is not the best way to evaluate editing but my assessment is that it lacked substantially at times. Mr. Moore did his story a disservice by reading the book himself. His reading style was short and truncated, pausing frequently mid-sentence like he was out of breath. In my listening this was serious enough flaw that it substantially reduced the enjoyment of the book. I would rate the story favorably, but the other elements were enough of a distraction that I would not recomment it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Ashes to Ashes

Revisado: 11-04-11

From the authors point of view the CIA has done little succesfully over the last 60 years. It felt like the author began with a bias for which facts were sought. I am sure there were successes, perhaps they were more secret. I would have enjoyed a book which was a bit more balanced. It is the nature of a book like this to not know enough. It made me wonder if the KGB etc, while built up by the author as being subtantially more succesful were more inept than the CIA? It is the nature of a book like this that you are left wondering what is missing from the tale.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

The Volcano Book

Revisado: 02-05-11

I suppose this book was well researched and written, but I was hugely disappointed by the material. It was extremely redundant regarding volcanoes and folk literature and barely touching on classic Greek and Roman mythology as I had expected. One of my more disappointing listens. Yes the explanations of myth techniques was okay, but I grew weary of the story of long strands of red firey hair being explained as lava streams. I understood the concept the first time explained.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Engaging-Try It!

Revisado: 01-19-11

I bought this audio book because I love words but it was so much more than just a story of words. It was the story of a massive undertaking by fascinating people transcending 80 years which resulted in the English language having order for the first time. The plot contained protagonists and foils all with quirks and peccadilloes. The words were rich and joyous, but l enjoyed the people and the story more. It was clear that the author loved his material and by reading it himself did more justice to it than someone else reading it. I hope that this book might find a wide audience because it is a most deserving narrative.

I have listened to nearly three dozen audiobooks and i would definitely rate this in the top 5.

This is the type of book that outside the normal course for many listeners that I would encourage them to try. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

Addition of Last Minute Character Diminishes Value

Revisado: 11-11-10

My objection to many modern books is the addition of a last minute character who quickly redirects the flow of the novel from where it would have gone otherwise. I was a hijacked reader who was forced to make a 90 degree turn. The ending was unreasonable and diminished my enjoyment of the book. Frankly, I had written a better ending in my head.

Having said that, both readers did a fantastic job and made the journey up to the last couple of chapters enjoyable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas