MR MICHAEL S. LIMA

What most accounts of the war delete.

Revisado: 06-14-22

I have read well over 40 books on various aspects of the Vietnam War, most about units in battle and individuals. Sadly, I've come to realize, both from having served in uniform but also from countless Vets, that the real conduct of the war is not in print or spoken about. It's the fact that Kill Anything That Moves were not mere words, they did kill anything that moved. The horror, the anguish and sorrow borne upon a people -- the South Vietnamese themselves, by both their government and the government's allies, are impossible to conceive. All of my readings on the war downplay the reality. Everyone was lying. The Winter Soldiers were not lying to end the war. U.S. forces quickly realized that the elusive VC were hard to kill in large numbers. 80% of the engagements were initiated by them at a cost of American lives. And if an American dies, hell would be unleashed on a hapless population that in most areas didn't want any involvement. Run over like blades of grass by a lawn mower, with no reason, no purpose other than proximity, with absolutely no redemption, apology, remorse or concern. Now I take in awe the great lie. A lie that confirms the bitter argument -- what were we doing in Vietnam??? Truth is the 1st casualty in war. And a war that destroys the very thing you're trying to save is equivalent to moral self immolation. It's a lesson to argue against war, and war is usually the worst course of action. Finally, a "competent" is used to pronounce kom-bat-ent. Nick Turse's book is timeless. Many thanks for your extraordinary efforts. 🙏

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Now I Know -- thanks Rick Atkinson

Revisado: 06-01-22

Sweeping in scope both in scale and in detail, Rick Atkinson's "The Guns at Last Light" captures all levels of the greatest event in the history of humankind. For me, whose father arrived in the European Theater of Operations the 2nd week after D-Day, it brought forth an emotional response I hadn't anticipated. My Dad came home from the war early after German 88's hit around his position during the Battle of St. Lo in France. He never spoke of what he had to do, but he was forever proud of his service, his war buddies, and his country.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

99% of the book is filler material & unimportant.

Revisado: 09-16-21

This book couldn't have had an editor as everything substantive that happens could've been covered in 5 pages - 10 tops. So instead of documenting various details from hundreds of cases, we get just 2. And boy are they uninteresting. I couldn't take it anymore and stopped listening after 100 pgs. Worst book I've ever encountered, period.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Drew me in and made me want to know

Revisado: 08-12-21

What causes a man in his 20s, trying to find his way, making mistakes and even doing time, feel compelled to convert to Islam and become an extremist overnight? His past has zero indications of being or becoming an extremist of any kind. He then travels to Syria, joins Isis and engages in violent jihad. And he grew up in Reading, Pa. Who is Russell Dennison? Great job by Trevor Aronson. I just wish Russell had never gone.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Phenomenal narrator & intriguing topic.

Revisado: 08-09-21

Bravo Nick Redfern! Although written in a conversational manner, the narrator expresses the prose naturally, as if they were speaking directly to you. With nuance, emotion, and sincerity, Mr. Kenerly is one of the best narrators I've heard. When it comes to Alien Abduction Files, parts of it did not have significant evidentiary support. Take the Dulce Bases, for example, there is no evidence other than anecdotal stories. If missing people are being held there, couldn't there be just one name that got out and just one entrance someone reveals? As someone well-read on the topic, I did enjoy the lightness of the stories as some are actually much deeper. What I enjoyed most was Nick's choice of words - contemporary, spoken (not written in a few cases) yet engaging with good pacing, detail, description, and context. I consider it a very good primer in the field yet fun and not too heavy.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The emerging forces changing influence.

Revisado: 04-06-21

First, I think it is fascinating and insightful to read the negative reviews. As an adult, we often fail to learn. We intentionally, whether we realize it or not, judge information as to whether we want to believe it or not, despite facts being facts. We curate what we want to believe. We accept ideas and facts that fit into our worldview, and we discount or dispose of ideas that do not fit our worldview. This is why you can encounter intelligent people, even educated people, who expound uneducated views. This is why learning is a process. Sometimes in order to accept an opposing view that is actually correct, you have to let go of a previous notion you believed as true. But, it's more than that, it's not just erasing the board and rewriting the new information. Hardly. All information carries an amount of emotional weight.
Power Moves is a collection of face-to-face interviews with movers and shakers at Davos, otherwise known as The World Economic Forum. World leaders, business leaders, celebrities, journalists, and academics meet for one purpose -- to improve the state of the world. Dr. Grant's interviews highlight the forces at work changing and influencing heads of state, business leaders as well as the world. The practical application of these lessons directly apply to leaders at every level. From listening to front line workers and empowering them to take steps to improve quality and/or output, to Norway requiring all companies there to have 40% of their board of directors be women. Studies of these boards found the men suddenly started reading board communications. Workers want to feel safe, be validated and have a voice in their workplace. Dr. Grant's interview with the president of Goldman Sachs regarding new employee turnover is particularly valuable. Ivy League employees were leaving after a few years while other college grads were staying aboard. What wasn't stated is that these 22-year-old college kids are being hired at >$70k/year to start, and in 3-5 years are making $100k or more. Tech companies were poaching them. How do you stem the bleeding and not break the bank? If you are a leader serious about becoming a better leader, Power Moves is a worthy focus. Furthermore, just as repetition is the mother of skill, listening to this book over and over reinforces the values expressed in it. If you want to achieve positive outcomes, ultimately you must change your root behaviors. This goes back to my original paragraph. So here you are, presented with views from the top from Davos, what are you going to do with it?

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The view from outside to inside the White House

Revisado: 04-05-21

Of the 96 Audible books I've listened to, to the over 500 books I've read, I can say without a doubt that Barack Obama's prose tops them all. The greater one's vocabulary, the greater one's ability to express nuance and meaning, and Barack's word choice, or syntax, immediately jumps out at you as a unique voice of exceptional intelligence. Second, to walk alongside him on his journey to the White House and his reelection, and the many obstacles he faced and overcame, was a journey I'll never forget. Amateur political enthusiasts will talk superficially and attack people, Barack speaks to the issues, the details, the facts. An issue is never simply an issue, but a division supported by a combination of truth, belief, and who is to gain and who is to lose. Politics is a negotiation of power within a window of time. All of this falls on the backdrop of the fact that people often don't want to hear or know the truth. Instead, they seek to support only what they want to believe. A Promised Land conveys Barack's personal experience of navigating the landscape of local, national and presidential politics. It covers his life before the Illinois legislature to his Presidency up to the death of Osama Bin Laden. It is captivating, enlightening and powerful. Regardless of your political affiliation, it is required reading by anyone interested in politics. It's my favorite and I wasn't even sure when I picked it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Feast for Hard Core Bruce Lee Fans

Revisado: 11-24-20

As a ten-year-old when Bruce Lee died, his life greatly impacted my life. As we grow up, we seek to identify and connect with those qualities and virtues embodied by those we adore. I too grew up in a tough neighborhood. The way out for Bruce was to go through it until he was sent to America as a way out. Over the years I've read almost every book and picked up dozens of Hong Kong magazines on Bruce, but of late only Unfinished Business and by a greater margin, Bruce Lee: A Life, was I finally able to see clearer who Bruce Lee the man, really was. While I was familiar with 70% of the book, the level of detail and personal accounts brought me so much closer to the person. It's one thing for a person to be ten-feet tall after their death, but Bruce was an enigma to those who knew him personally. Thanks Matt, for reintroducing someone I thought I knew, whose life mattered beyond his dreams, and whose reach eclipsed his highest aspiration. Bravo!!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Slow at times but momentous ending.

Revisado: 07-16-20

Well-researched and unbelievable at times, Dark Alliance puts evidence first and lays bare the undeniable involvement of the U.S. government in manifesting the crack epidemic in the U.S. in the mid-80's. Great voice characterizations by the narrator make a compelling listening experience.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Epic account of the first army of evil.

Revisado: 10-15-18

The history of the rise of ISIS tells the stories of the perpetrators and resistance.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña