Roy

The best book I've read this year!

Revisado: 10-11-24

The Magdalene Laundries have a peripheral role in this story, i.e., we get glimpses of them through the protagonist's eyes. But, fear not -- this is not a downer story. Just the opposite, the writing was beautifully crafted such that one man's heart is the main story.

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Wrong Narrator for Over-rated Book

Revisado: 03-10-24

Why would Audible have a female narrate a book written in the voice of a male character? It took me a while to realize that the lady narrator was speaking Nick's thoughts. In this case, a male narrator would have been better for the voice of Nick; similarly, a male narrator would not be appropriate for a book written in a female voice. I wish I had gotten the version narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal. Actually, I wish I had skipped this book -- it may be the most over-rated book I've ever read.

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Nike summed it up better

Revisado: 08-19-23

Nike's slogan "just do it" is probably as effective as most the gimmicks in this book. If you *really* want to do something, you will. I was over-weight and drinking too much when I read Roger Bannister's words on running a marathon: "the four-minute mile is good, but the marathon is the acme of athletic heroism". Plus, I had a good friend who was a habitual runner. I decided I wanted to run a marathon, and I did, but it took over six years of prep. Having a friend who is doing what you want to do really helps (as Clear alludes to). Clear also mentions the will to get started, which was why I was 32 before I began training. I worked as an engineer and my running friends had the mantra "the hardest part of running is getting from your desk to the locker room". My friend would stop by my cubical every day at 11;30 and say, "come on; time to go". I owe a lot of my advanced years to that friend. So, read the book if you want, but it will not be a panacea; although you will likely find a few nuggets that help you on your quest.

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Don't buy this book; don't even steal it

Revisado: 06-22-23

This purchase was a complete waste of money and time for me. I do not understand how it has the ratings it has. It is largely "what" and very little "how". For example, the reader is offered such gems as "leadership is responsible"; "victory is inevitable"; "character and good values make trust possible. And trust makes leadership possible". Buy a book of quotes and skip the trite clichés -- and the author's religious proclamations.

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Nearly Every Branch of Science

Revisado: 03-02-15

Where does A Short History of Nearly Everything rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the upper quarter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The question does not fit the book. Bryson leads us through cosmology, sub-atomic physics, geology, dinosaur bones, the beginning of life, DNA, evolution, ..........., extinction of species.

Which scene was your favorite?

I have an engineering background, so I know something about science, but not most of the arenas that Bryson wrote about. He presented the information in a way that one does not need a PhD in Quantum Mechanics to understand (although it would have helped on a couple of points). I especially liked his ability to present huge distances in the universe and tiny dimensions of an atom in ways that I could understand.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

It is not going to be a movie.

Any additional comments?

I learned a lot listening to this book. I appreciated that he did not seem to be trying to convince me of, or against, anything. Religion was not mentioned.

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Good, Not Great

Revisado: 01-03-15

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I thought it was the best Reacher book I've read (about six or seven) -- UNTIL the end. The end was contrived and beyond reality.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was by far the weakest part of the book.

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was good.

Was Without Fail worth the listening time?

It beat radio, but it still falls into my "Fluff" category.

Any additional comments?

I really like the character Reacher, but lets have at least a plausible ending.

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Epic Creative Writing

Revisado: 10-27-14

What did you love best about The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay?

I loved the huge story, covering more than a decade, with characters developing throughout. The writing punctured my vocabulary sometimes, but it was no problem. I wish I could discuss this book with a reading group.

What did you like best about this story?

As great as the story was, the narration was even better. NEVER have I listened to a better narrator than Colacci. He seemed to have a different voice for each character and each was consistent through the book. Amazing work!

Have you listened to any of David Colacci’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it took me about three weeks of lunch-time walking and one long drive.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for listeners who enjoy epic stories.

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History at the Human Level

Revisado: 12-14-13

What did you love best about A Higher Call?

Getting to know people, decent people. Not all of our enemies were monsters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book is basically a biography of Franz Stigler.

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent voice adaptations for different characters.

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

Of course! The incredible incident that occurred over Germany.

Any additional comments?

This book is history at the lowest level. We see how some of our enemies were not monsters, but were people with values much like our own. I am continually surprised at the stories that come out of WW 2. Perhaps it is true of any war -- if we dig deep enough, we find humanity.

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Did not make his point

Revisado: 05-06-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. While I like his succinct rule of morality, science is not needed to live it.

What could Sam Harris have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

First, I am not a believer, so I am not protecting Christians. I find Harris to be a coward. He bashes all religions, but he saves his harshest vitriol for Christians. Muslims get treated very lightly -- could it be because Harris does not want a fatwa on his head? He does not have to worry about the Christians trying to kill him. Be objective, even (or proportional with regard to abuses), or shut the hell up.

How could the performance have been better?

He is too monotonic to read his own work -- hire someone!

Did The Moral Landscape inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to read no more Harris (although I like The End of Faith).

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Set in Northern Idaho

Revisado: 04-23-13

Would you try another book from Denis Johnson and/or Will Patton?

I was interested in Train Dreams because it is set in northern Idaho, near my home. I also wanted a taste of Denis Johnson's writing before hitting his bigger work. I am not sure that I will follow-up on Johnson's work. These left me luke-warm on his work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Train Dreams and Jesus' Son?

That is the missing element -- not much memorable.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

He did a good job.

Do you think Train Dreams and Jesus' Son needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. Better to start over.

Any additional comments?

This review sounds more negative than I intended. The stories were good and creative, just not remarkable. (Isn't that what we want? Remarkable?)

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