Harriet

Lack of resolution

Revisado: 05-25-16

This series is a who's who of famous cases, but since the majority of them are not ones that are solved, it becomes boring. There's a setup to a fascinating case, tension and suspects, then a quick, but it wasn't solved before moving on to the next case. I enjoyed the doctor famous cases from the great courses much more. It had all the same elements, but a resolution to each case.

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THe Ups and Downs of Romance - Wodehouse Style!

Revisado: 11-27-12

I really enjoy P.G.Wodehouse! He makes me laugh!! I did laugh a few times at the ridiculousness of the happenings in this story. It occurs primarily on a ship. Poor Bodkins, a rich guy, who is not the brightest bulb in the pack, but who is deeply in love with his fiance. He is trying hard to prove his worth to her Dad so they can be wed. Everybody unintentionally interferes in their relationship. Sometimes I wanted to just yell at him, to just tell her what is going on instead of listening to the ridiculous advice that his friends gave him to help him work things out, but alas, that wouldn't be Wodehouse. Thank goodness for that.

I did enjoy the story. Not sure I will make time for a relisten, but I know that some of the children will enjoy this book. This is not his best story, but certainly worth the time it takes to get through it, especially if you are a Wodehouse fan.

Jonathan Cecil does his usual excellent job of narrating.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

A story about Family and Challenges

Revisado: 11-27-12

Overall I enjoyed this story. I have always enjoyed survival adventure stories. This is the story of 4 siblings who are deserted by their father years ago and then their mother leaves them in a shopping mall and doesn't return. THey were on their way to visit an unmet aunt. THe children have very little money and only their wits and legs to travel the couple hundred miles to their aunt. They visit their aunt and then when that doesn't work out they split to go meet their 'crazy' Grandmother whom they have also never met. THey are hard working children and use their wits and survival instincts to make it through.

Is this a realistic story? No. I was also annoyed at the author's attempts to make it a 'deeper' book by trying to address the topic of death. Nobody dies in the story! It is just painted on like a facade. There is no moral basis for their discussions, just random thoughts. Still trying to figure out why she went there at all. It accomplished nothing. My other annoyance with the story was the obligatory flesh reference... giggling over the jiggling of ladies breasts. Really? Totally pointless. My third annoyance was her attempt to discriminate about when stealing and lying was ok and when it wasn't. Again, there was no reference point for these decisions, just their own feelings. They didn't really wrestle with it, just kinda did what was easiest for them. I guess in our world, feelings and ease trump everything.

I like Barbara Caruso as a reader. She was great in the Anne of Green Gables books. There were some technical glitches in the middle of the book where there was an echo.

Bottom line was that I liked the adventure part of the story, it is well written, I disliked the annoyances. It is not a book that I will be giving to the kids to listen to and I very well might return it.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Portrays the Reality of the Civil War for Children

Revisado: 11-18-12

The Civil War was such a complex event. It tore the fabric of our nation as well as within families. This is the story of the Civil War as it affected ten year old Jephtha. He was a petted youngest brother at the beginning but had to take over running the farm when his older brothers all went to war. Two of his brothers went to fight for the North and one for the South. A cousin went and fought for the North and after two years of heavy fighting deserted. Jephtha has to wrestle with the issue of who to ask for help in deciding what to do (He ends up writing Lincoln, and getting a personal letter from him.) The reality of war is presented carefully in letters from the front. This lets you know what it was like without putting a child through emotional stress listening to it.

If your family is studying the Civil War, I highly recommend this book. It will give you lots to talk about re the issues of the war.

Terrry Bregy does a good job of reading, although there is this harmonica music that occurs randomly ( not at chapter breaks) that was rather strange.

My children and I enjoyed this book down to and including my 7 year old daughter,

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A Peak into the Life of Royalty

Revisado: 08-03-12

This book was fascinating and it gave a lot of background into the history of the Post WWI and up until 1950. This book is written from the letters and memoirs of the author's grandfather, who was the King of England's Speech therapist and friend. It was neat to see how much the royal family came to appreciate the help the king had been given with his speech. If you like history or enjoy learning about royalty, you will really like hearing this book. There is not much info on the type of speech therapy that was used. But it was encouraging to see how much change in speech that even an adult can obtain with the proper help and encouragement. I enjoyed the actual audio-recordings of the King's speeches that were included appropriately.

I can say that the book has no issues with swearing unlike the movie version. I could and will share this with the family.

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Enjoy a Real Life Rags to Riches Story

Revisado: 08-01-12

Our family LOVES the Ralph Moody stories. He was an amazing man and we have really enjoyed his autobiographical stories. This book takes place in the interval between WWI and WWII. Ralph continues to struggle with his health issues, but he perseveres and overcomes. He is always looking to learn and is humble enough to consult with his elders. He works hard and is loyal. These books demonstrate good character in action. Doing what's right even when it is painful.

These books have really motivated our children to be more entrepreneurial. They look for opportunities to work and start their own businesses. They really have impacted their lives. THey are good stories for children and adults.

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The Joy of Introducing a Dear Friend to the Family

Revisado: 08-01-12

I grew up reading the Anne of Green Gables books. The older children had also read a few of them, but the younger ones had missed out. I was so happy to be able to get this book for a car trip. Barbara Caruso does a wonderful job of reading this book. Everybody enjoyed listening together. They couldn't wait until we could load up the second book in the series. This is a wonderful book for family bonding!

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Makes Learning History Unforgettable!

Revisado: 07-31-12

This was a great story that is based on history. I listened to this one with my seven year old and we both enjoyed it! David Thorn does a nice job creating the voices of even the children. It is a story with a lot of adventure and human relationships. This was back when life was hard, even for the wealthy rulers. This book helps one understand what life was like back then. THis is not a book that is written at a dumbed down level. Charlotte Yonge wrote back in the late 1800's. She knew hew history and it was a pleasure to learn from her. This book has stood the test of time. We will listen to it again soon on an upcoming car trip with the rest of the family.

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esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

Amazing Sea Story

Revisado: 07-31-12

I have enjoyed reading many of the Patrick O'Brian books. The story is really fine. I had previously enjoyed the movie very much also. I love naval novels and adventure stories and this satisfactorily does both. My only complaint was that somehow the coarse language grated on me more hearing it read out loud. I guess I have learned to filter the 'cuss' words when I read, but that is simply not possible when listening to the book. This is not a book I would let my youngsters listen to, and quite frankly, I won't listen to it myself again. It simply didn't meet our family standards.

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Real Life Battle and Victory over OCD and PANDAS

Revisado: 07-03-12

This is an amazing human interest story. It shows the resilience of the human mind and body. A mother fighting for the life of her son. Doing incredible amounts of research to find the answer to her son's illness. My heart grieved for the hardship the Mom went through in caring and battling for her son. She went from doctor to doctor until she found the one with the answer that matched her research. You feel the son's pain as he is caught in his many obsessions and tics. It takes him two hours to leave the house, only to have something happen and have to start all over again. She has the patience of Job as she lives with her son and his disability. You see how it impacts the rest of the family too.

This book was written by the mom to share a lot of the information she learned in her journey. She promised God that she would tell others of the help she had found. If you are looking for help with a child who has mental illness this book may give you direction and hope. If you don't, this book is still a great story to listen to. You won't want to stop until it's over. This book is a fascinating real life listen!

Incidentally, my teenagers listened along and really enjoyed it.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas