Diana Prince

Great Story, Great Narrator

Revisado: 05-15-12

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The author creates personas for each of the major generals of the Civil War and the narrator does an outstanding job putting voices to the men. The story is gripping and heartrending.

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Enjoyable and Educational

Revisado: 05-06-12

I enjoyed this book once I grew accustomed to the reader's (author's) heavy Scottish accent and vernacular. He is a better reader than most authors, on a par with a professional reader. He showed great compassion for the mentally ill subject matters of his memoir of the locked psychiatric ward, as well as a great deal of insight. An all-around good book.

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Bought This Book As A Gift

Revisado: 05-01-12

I was fascinated by this book, so much so that I bought it (in hard copy) for my son-in-law's birthday after listening to it here. The book not only discusses the process of memorizing but also branches into educational theories and other areas that I found very interesting, including so-called idiot savants. It all appeared to be well-researched and documented. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the process of memorizing and in our educational system.

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Mixed Feelings

Revisado: 05-01-12

I enjoyed the author's descriptions of how our brains work and many of the anecdotes. I don't think he really made the case for his Mindsight method, or perhaps there wasn't enough depth for me to really grasp it, or perhaps this is a book better studied in print. I also found his voice somewhat gravelly, which annoyed me at times.

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Good, Interesting, Educational

Revisado: 05-01-12

I like the style of this book. The author involves just enough of his personal life to make it interesting but not so much that it interferes with the main story. The reader was very good although he did mispronounce some California town names, which I only know because I lived in California for many years (Merced, for example). It would have been more interesting for me had the book focused a bit more on how rehab-resistant and hard to kick meth is compared to other drugs, which I personally believe is part of what makes it so destructive. Nevertheless this book offered a good overview and provided information I did not already know about meth and was a worthwhile listen.

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Short Book!

Revisado: 05-01-12

The reader of this book is outstanding and brought the characters to life. If, like me, you like lots of bang for your buck then pay attention to the length of the book; it is very short. It is a sort of slice of life book, which I enjoy, and well-written, but it is so short it is not very satisfying to listen to. I think this book is better read in hard copy.

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Relevant and Comprehensive

Revisado: 04-21-12

This was a long book but I listened to it intently and through to the end. So much of Washington's history is relevant to our politics today, especially when the supposed wishes and desires of the Founding Fathers are hurled about so casually. With the focus (obviously) on Washington, the book fills in many of the gaps I had in my knowledge of the early days of our country. Chernow does a good job of portraying a very admirable Washington without glossing over his shortcomings and human foibles. He also does a good job of trying to describe the mind-boggling and inexplicable oxymoron of the harsh slave owner who is at the same time against slavery as an institution. All in all a good and worthwhile book.

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Highly Entertaining!

Revisado: 04-21-12

I truly enjoyed this book. Books that give a different perspective into everyday life are among my favorites. All of us have dealt with waiters but few of us know what it is like to be on the other side of the check. This book was informative, entertaining and amusing.

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I Learned A Lot

Revisado: 04-21-12

I enjoyed this book. It wandered around the country in the time leading up to the Civil War and illustrated the mood of the country, capturing a moment in time. There was a lot about the campaign and election of Abraham Lincoln that I never knew or even suspected. It is quite a contrast viewing him before the Civil War versus the entrenched of him post-Civil War. I recommend this book as a unique view of American history full of interesting and little-known or -noticed nuggets.

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More of a Reference Book

Revisado: 11-06-11

I made it all the way through the book and learned a great deal I never knew or suspected about World War II so I'm glad I did. Despite the always-fantastic narration by Simon Vance, the book reads more like an encyclopedia or a reference book than a novel or even a historical book. If you are a true WWII buff I would think you would the hardcopy of this book so you can thumb through it and look up the topics that interest you. If you are more of a casual historian (as I am) it can be tough to make it through but it's definitely worthwhile. Note that the author minimizes the U.S.'s role in the war and role in bringing the war to victory. His position is well-substantiated but some Americans might find that viewpoint off-putting or even painful.

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