Cassandra

Held My Interest

Revisado: 11-13-23

I didn't realize until I was well into this book that it was actually published in 2015. I was looking for more recent books about the subject, specifically about whether big pharma will ever be held acountable. I have no regrets about purchasing the audiobook as I was hooked from the very beginning when Quinones went into depth about the micro-economy that sprang up from the small-time trafficking of black tar from conservative Mexican towns. Quinones has that rare journalistic talent of providing the reader with "who, what, where, when, how" details and at the same time hold our interest by interweaving personal stories, history and analyses.

There are many excellent reviews of this book on Amazon. I just want to point out that I found the audio version a great listen, finishing it in two days. It's also a good introduction to the "morphine molecule". I'm looking forward to learning more about how opium is different from other addictive drugs.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Where are the photos?

Revisado: 01-17-22

I purchased this on a cold snowy day and spent the weekend binge listening. This is a period of history that interests me greatly and I found that the author touched on some good topics. However, it was just enough information to pique my interest to want to learn much more. Most of the chapters can be read/listened to at random. My favorites were chapters VI and VII on the economy which talked about currency reform, the Marshall Plan, the beginning of the Cold War, and the company town of Wolfsburg. These are subjects that I definitely want to read more about.

There was a brief chapter on American G.I.s, but very little info on how the Germans felt about the occupied Allied forces.

According to the publisher, there are more than 40 photos in the book. Surely, they could have found a way for Audible customers to download them as an attachment.

I don't read or speak German, but I found Shaun Whiteside's translation excellent in that it had a natural and engaging flow. Although he is Irish, the book sounds very American.

Also, props to Rob Shapiro for a great narration. He has a lovely voice and a natural delivery.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 20 personas

Excellent biography

Revisado: 06-10-15

Where does The Passage of Power rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love a good biography that reveals a subject with all his flaws and warts and still makes me care about him. This one rates very high. I snatched up this audiobook on sale, not realizing that it was part of a trilogy. I really wished that I had started with the first book just to see the profound difference between Johnson as a strong effective Senator and later as an emasculated vice-president.
I was initially put off because there was so much material on the Kennedy brothers, but this was essential in understanding Johnson's journey.

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

Gardner could make the phone book sound interesting.

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

I was deeply moved by discussion of the Civil Rights bill. Johnson was so invested in this that he risked political suicide because of it. I believe this is why he didn't run for president at a time when he was all but guaranteed the nomination

Any additional comments?

I found Caro's writing to be very engaging and look forward to his other books.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The making of a cult leader

Revisado: 06-04-15

Any additional comments?

The main reason I bought this long book about Hitler is because I admire John Toland as a writer and historian, but my real interest was in trying to understand cult leaders and messianic personalities. It is amazing how much detail Mr. Toland has amassed about Hitler's life, and the reader is able draw their own conclusions and create a portrait from their own perspective.
Kudos to Mr. Toland for setting the record straight about the Jesse Owen's story.
For more info on cult leaders, I recommend "Prophetic Charisma" by Len Oakes.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

More relevant and important than ever

Revisado: 06-04-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a book that I knew I needed to read, but put it off for several years because I thought it would be somewhat boring. I was surprised to find that I didn't want to put it down. In spite of its long length, I found it to be concise and with no extraneous material. Good writers can take any subject and make it compelling. Even listening at 2x the normal speed, it was easy to follow and held my interest.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The authors were objective, honest and brave in broaching a subject that most fear talking about.

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

He did an excellent job, but mostly he saved me a lot of eye strain.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Somewhat skewed, but no less true

Revisado: 06-04-15

What made the experience of listening to Verdict on Vichy the most enjoyable?

I gave this an overall rating of 4 because it is a mine of information, but it could have used some serious editing. I knew what to expect from reading other reviews, but I was hoping there would be at least some details of French life under occupation. This book is really an exhaustive indictment against not only the Vichy gov't but the French people as well. The few times the Resistance is mentioned, it is done so dismissively.
A good book on life under Nazi occupation is "Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France" by Nicholas Shakespeare.

What three words best describe James Patrick Cronin’s voice?

Narration was not terrible, but not good either. I recommend listening at 2x normal speed. His French was excellent.

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

This would make a terrific documentary in the right hands.

Any additional comments?

I recommend it in spite of its flaws.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Another hero bites the dust

Revisado: 04-04-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book because I'm all about historical accuracy. Lafayette had long been a hero of mine, so I knew it was going to be difficult to read that someone who was so instrumental to the American Revolution worked against the French Revolution. There's lots of good information about both in this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Marquis?

It was difficult listening to the chivalric aspect of Lafayette's pursuits. He comes across as a quixotic character desperately seeking fame and glory. However, this is the part that interested me most and piqued my interest in the subject of chivalry and medieval history.

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

Chivalric feet of clay.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Somewhat interesting

Revisado: 04-04-15

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

As someone who spends a fair amount of time studying the nature of reality, I was drawn to this book because of the title. Even though it turned out to be not at all what I expected, it had some interesting info and because of that I would give it a lukewarm recommendation.

What could Ajit Varki and Danny Brower have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I would have liked a deeper understanding and conversation about reality.

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

Narrator did an excellent job.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It would probably make a good documentary.

Any additional comments?

What really turned me off about the book was the author's facile treatment of Buddhism. He states that the objective of the practice of Buddhism and meditation (specifically zazen) is the denial of reality, when in fact it is the total opposite. Zen is ALL about the integration of the relative and absolute, and the mundane suffering world is where that happens. Zazen is even done with eyes open in order to facilitate that.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Pleasantly surprised

Revisado: 02-24-15

Where does The High Middle Ages rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the category of History, this is one of my favorites. I only purchased this to give me some background to help me appreciate current history. I expected a dry, boring lecture, but was surprised to find that it held my interest throughout. I've also listened to The Early Middle Ages, which I found just okay. This one is the more interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I most appreciated that this was not so much a history of battles and personalities, but more an anthropological survey of how our social, political and religious institutions evolved to what they are today. The information is valuable for understanding class structures, prejudices, and what we hold valuable.

What about Professor Philip Daileader’s performance did you like?

I first thought he did a decent job, considering it was a lecture. I've since listened to other Great Courses lectures and would rate him very highly, both in delivery and content. Looking forward to listening to his other courses.

Any additional comments?

I'm really looking forward to listening to other Great Courses lectures. My local library has a few on DVD. While the DVD format is nice because it provides maps and such, they are frequently damaged. For ease of listening, I prefer the audiobook downloads.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

Fascinating page-turner

Revisado: 12-10-14

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I already have. Ok, so I didn't actually turn any pages, but I did listen to the last two-thirds of the book in one Saturday sitting. This is a subject matter that I'm passionately interested in, but lack any science background to appreciate previous books that I've read. I would recommend it as a good broad introduction to evolution and natural selection.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The author's theories. He covers many questions that I have pondered on myself, offers some fascinating theories, and compels the reader to continue questioning. There are some interesting rebuttals to Jared Diamonds books. I also appreciated the citing of Fukuyama's books on political order. Wade suggests (I think) that our propensity for different forms of government may be inherited in our genes. This would explain why tribal cultures have difficulty in maintaining democracies.

What about Alan Sklar’s performance did you like?

I found the narrator's voice to be pleasant and commanding. I never want the narrator to be the star. If I'm rarely aware of the voice and delivery, then s/he has done a good job. That was the case here.

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

I wouldn't say that I was "moved", but what I read is still with me a week after I listened to it, and it has piqued my interest enough to read more about the subject.
Having read some of the book reviews on Amazon, I applaud Wade's courage to write such a controversial book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 14 personas