Robbi Hartford

For the Haters: "I think I can do some good."

Revisado: 03-17-22

The Trump years of William Barr's memoirs will find haters on both sides of the isle. Staunch Trump supporters will be disappointed that Barr provides many graphic examples of The Donald's most glaring shortcomings. The left will be disappointed that Barr gives Trump credit for courageously disrupting the status quo while compiling an impressive list of accomplishements.

Several reviewers have labeled the story as boring. If you're not intrigued by looking at the most profound historical events and complicated poltical decsisions of the past four decades through the eyes a a twice-appointed Attorney General, maybe try a Nora Roberts novel. Mark Deakins' narration is clear and animated enough. The the pace was slow in real time but perfect for me listening at 1.6x.

The Trump years are the obvious immediate attraction, but Barr's early life, his time at the CIA, and his service under HW Bush are equally fascinating. His precision and clarity on issues from big tech's manipulation of information to the currrent attacks on religious freedom are excellent. "It is not the role of government to define the good life and lead men to it. . . The government has the modest purpose of preserving the ballance of personal freedom and order necessary for a healthy civil society to develop and individual humans to flourish."

Friends and family cautioned Barr that he would be treated badly if he chose to serve under Trump, and he replied to one, "I don't want or need this job, but I've been asked, and I believe I can do some good." I believe he did some good, both while in office and again with this book. Five stars for the story.

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Just. Plain. Brilliant.

Revisado: 09-28-20

"What does it mean to be a black American? The same as it means to be a white American." Thank you. I'm really tired of being told I'm racist for not seeing a difference and feeling like I should do something about it.

Your clear exposition of the current black dilemma, or lack of one, is the most sensible, comprehensive, and accurate portrayal I've ever heard in this arena. May your fierce indictment of those promoting social discord for their own selfish purposes cause many to rethink blind trust.

I listened to Blackout in one straight shot while driving from Florida to Virginia. The hours just vanished.

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Best Analysis of How We Got Here

Revisado: 07-04-19

I read "Bitter Pill" months ago months ago at the beginning of a long, intensive journey to understand the forces eroding healthcare in our country. After reading (or listening to) several other books and hundreds of articles, I believe Brill's breakdown finds a fairly objective viewpoint, and he delivers the best historical analysis of how we got here. Woren's performance is well-paced and an easy listen on some sometimes heavy subject matter.

I disagree with Brill's summary opinion that a single payer solution in the U.S. is "never going to happen." I wonder if his thoughts have changed over the last four years? The beam is crying out from the woodwork. Change is already in motion.

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No Criticism. Good Reasons To Hope.

Revisado: 07-03-19

I'd never heard of Pete Buttigieg before being attracted by the cover. In our current convoluted political landscape, the simplicity of a guy in a blue shirt rolling up his sleeves behind the words "Shortest Way Home" looked really good to me. I'm tired of detours and roads to nowhere.

This was the first book I recall listening to, or reading, and finding absolutely nothing to criticize. Really? A man who is humble enough to learn from his mistakes, think outside the box, implement practical solutions, and empower others to contribute to the greatest good for the most people? Buttigieg's story is not flashy or exciting, but it is fascinating and compelling. My guess is that smut mongers won't find a legitimate skeleton in his closet. I'm a believer til proven otherwise.

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Reshaped My Limited Vision

Revisado: 07-03-19

The stark, vulnerable cover accurately forecasts the tone of the book. One more amazing artist who struggled through profound periods of quiet desperation...

Sally, I applaud your openness in one more memorable performance. For whatever was wrong in your life, your brilliant artistic contributions made our world a better place. You just significantly reshaped my limited vision of who you are, but I loved you then, and I love you now. If we just happen to run into each other on a beach, could we possibly share a brief hug?

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Excellent Performance

Revisado: 06-05-19

Chike Johnson should get an award for his excellent narration of William Kamkwamba's inspirational story. The only negative for me was that the story peaked too soon, and the wind-down at the end was a bit anticlimactic. Still, this heartwarming story of personal triumph with few surprises is a very good listen. Johnson's brilliant delivery compelled me to participate with every sense on full alert. He made me see the deprivation, feel the hunger, and dance the joy.

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Strong and Touching Performance

Revisado: 03-22-19

The story comes in bits and pieces and feels random for extended periods, but Melinda Lopez's articulation and passionate connection kept me engaged. Many facing the death of parents, or anyone close, will find fragments of insight and an intimate connection to her experience. I applaud Melinda's courageous use of music and other sounds to weave fragmented scenes into an impressionistic tapestry laced with emotion. Her performance is excellent and should be an inspiration to other writers to perform their own work.

Melinda shares that her parents prepared her for everything--everything but this. As an ER RN, I often see the capricious arrival of death. It's never too soon to talk about dying and plan ahead. One gentle word of warning from an insider: Hysterical family members, like the sister who had to be restrained from climbing over the counter to attack the doctor, will never be seen as a credible source of direction during a crises or a replacement for advanced planning, planning which can be calmly carried out when the inevitable day comes.

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Excellent Exposition

Revisado: 10-29-18

Dr. Anna Lemke's title tells you exactly what to expect. I rarely read or listen to any book more than once. I listened to her excellent exposition twice during a three-day road-trip.

First, a couple of negatives: Be forewarned that the book sometimes comes across a little like a textbook, which is not a major deterrent for people eager to delve into the topic. Two long case studies might have worked better broken into smaller sections with some of the heavier statistics and analysis interspersed. The audio could use a little more energy, and there's some distracting "popping" in opiates. These are minor issues.

On to the positives: Dr Lembke spares no one, not even herself, in her brilliant analysis of how the failings in U.S. healthcare have created professional patients. She emphasis how our dysfunctional system promotes an identity of lifelong illness and misuses designations of disability rather than acknowledging and treating fixable problems. Her presentation is organized, thorough, focused, and well articulated. I applaud her courage in calling out The Joint Commission for their contribution to the debacle by making pain the fifth vital sign and pushing opiate treatment. From drug seeking patients to profiteering professionals to insurance companies that won't cover addiction treatment, there's plenty of blame to go around.

The last phrase of her title, "And Why It's So Hard To Stop," is an ominous predictor of the painful battle ahead in revamping the many failings of our system. Our president would be well-advised to give Dr. Lembke an appointment with a lot of power and money, currently wasted in less noble pursuits, to help heal this national disgrace.

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Raising the Bar

Revisado: 09-28-18

Jon Meacham's portrayal of the historical struggle in the United States to provide a just and equitable environment is an inspirational gem and an artistic masterpiece. His positioning of history and his selection of quotes from the voices that shaped our nation paint a graphic picture of how far we've come. In looking ahead, he suggests that even though we may flounder at times, an informed electorate will eventually solve problems and make our country a better place.

Thank you, sir, for raising the bar.

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Excellent History, Strong Warnings, Soft Solutions

Revisado: 09-13-18

Madeleine Albright's broad perspective and personal experience drive her fascinating, analytical portrayal of nations in conflict through the 20th century. Her thoughts on various struggles for power in the first part of this century are also interesting, insightful, and worth every minute of listening time. I applaud her courage for recording her own work; her feelings are clearly nuanced and well-articulated.

While the history lesson is unparalleled, I was disappointed by the last two chapters where worry, fear, and warnings dominated space that could have been used to inspire hope with actionable solutions. Albright's direct and indirect deploration of our current president, and the unthinking, instant-gratification crowd who elected him through a democratic process, will endear her to the intelligent people who were not deceived. Sadly, the litany of dire predictions is nothing new. (Do we really want any president to fail so we can declare that we knew better?) Failings of the democratic process in recent history, like our unsolved healthcare debacle, stifling regulations, and the economic recovery which concentrated wealth while gutting the middle class, are essentially ignored while pondering the oddity of the last election.

Seventeen minutes from the end of the book, Albright states the she participates in a think tank which generates excellent ideas on topics like "purging excess money from politics, improving civic education, defending journalistic independence, adjusting to the changing nature of the workplace, enhancing inter-religious dialogue, and putting a saddle on the bucking bronco we call the internet." She says she won't ask listeners of this book to wade through a long list of proposals because "the reports are out there and in need of consumers." I would be happy with a short list, just a few of the best ideas to raise the bar.

Albright's basic premise is solid and well defended. Democracy will remain our best option, and when it is not working well, we have to fix the process, not replace it. Being decent, respectful of others, and working together are essential to a better future. Her warning is well taken.

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