Since1791

Solid post apocalyptic story with a personal focus

Revisado: 11-22-24

The doomsaying, rising waters, global warming stories are "flooding" the market, and this one brings nothing new to the genre itself. Where it manages to stand apart from the competition is its touching focus on realistic characters that aren't shotgun wielding maniacs or razor sharp survivalists dueling against road warrior style villains.
These are just people who make choices, and then the author explores those choices. Imperfect people in imperfect families dealing with imperfect neighbors. I never felt taken out of reality, even with Wanda's abilities.
The book hits all of today's check marks for inclusivity and environmental prognostications in a way that has become formulaic and mandatory for publishing houses. I found it unbrave, but not detracting from the story itself.
For me, the story and characters and writing carried it through the cliches to an enjoyable conclusion.

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Really good

Revisado: 10-31-19

It's the type of book I wish I had written. Well done, good twists, and a solid ending.

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Nicely wrapped up

Revisado: 06-01-16

I hadn't intended to become involved in a series, even a duology, but Hyperion hooked me enough to get book 2. I have to say I really enjoyed it. While I predicted a lot of the end, some big surprises gave me a wallop. Very cool ending.

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Why this is the best audiobook ever

Revisado: 03-21-16

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

Is it worth reading (ahem, listening to) a 50 year old book? Yes, Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is five decades old, and yet it is a fantastic story the drags you in and won't release you till the file closes. It is premium science fiction that not only launched many other similar stories, but has yet to be passed in quality and innovation.

The main character is a mutt (along with most Loonies) coming from a mixed racial background. The future on Luna doesn't see race but instead people are judged primarily on their ability to respect women. No big deal, right? But in 1966 this was a very big deal, with women's rights and racial mixing opposed in large circles. For Robert Heinlein to foresee this wasn't just a dream but logical peek into the future society and its ability to self correct.

Manuel O'Kelly aka Manny is a computer technician who befriends a newly sentient computer Mike, and their friendship is the lynch pin to the revolutionary movement beginning on the moon. The story progresses with wonderful parallels to the American Revolution, and a future twist on the attitude Benjamin Franklin must have had. The novel calls into question the need for the overreaching arm of government in our lives, and touches on these concepts both overtly with its libertarian slant, and subtly with references to Ayn Rand.

The dates in the book are clearly off (taking place in the 2070s), but mentally tack on a hundred years to the calendar and your brain green lights it. There were other fun 'technologies' that I found humorous as they scan books into the computer for it to read or the lack of cell phones, but this doesn't detract from the story.

So let's talk-talk about Lloyd James, our narrator. He had a daunting job as Heinlein wrote the book in a broken English and slathered on Russian and future speak. I once tried to read it aloud and gave up after a chapter. Lloyd not only does it but pulls it off fantastically, nailing the Russian, French, American, and other accents. I'm convinced another narrator couldn't have pulled it off.

Whether you have read Heinlein or are new to his old work, this is worth the money you spend on the audiobook. A great experience for me, and I have read the book four times. Pick it up in a library if you have to, but if you have the means, buy it. Remember... TANSTAAFL.

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Fun zombie stuff

Revisado: 02-18-16

Would you listen to Mountain Man again? Why?

I didn't expect much from this book and found it actually pretty fun. The plot doesn't advance quickly, but it isn't a trip I minded taking. The main character is a guy's guy, a potty mouth, and I have to say I laughed out loud while listening to it.

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Dry facts make for a refreshing book

Revisado: 02-18-16

What made the experience of listening to It IS About Islam the most enjoyable?

When you take Glenn Beck writing on the topic of Islam, you are guaranteed to strike some chords and immediately send people around you into mud flinging mode, sans any information at all. He's a conspiracy theorist, he's a cuckoo, he's a bigot/racist/hater/whatever.

What you get in this book is facts. A lot of them. So many that I am somewhat annoyed I got the audiobook since going back and reviewing the information isn't as easy as it is with a paperback or ebook. With that said, the facts are laid out to make an argument and it is done well. You don't have to draw the same conclusions as he does, but -by the end of the book- you would be hard pressed to make a different conclusion.

What the book doesn't do is 'hate' on anybody. Beck is very careful to lay out his points in a matter of fact way, and he really had to given the nature of the world and political correctness. It was appreciated.

Any additional comments?

The narrator, Jeremy Lowell, does a decent job. He's got a voice that doesn't grate, which is even more important for non-fiction than fiction. Pronunciations were spot on. I did find the whole aspect of the book written by Glenn Beck in Beck's voice done by Jeremy to be a tiny bit off-putting, but can't think of a better way to do it so... 4 stars there.

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solid story for the audiophiles and readers alike

Revisado: 08-08-15

First about the audio book itself... The narration was good and the sound quality was sharp. Nothing bad to say at all.

The story itself was enjoyable and unpredictable. There were only two aspects that I felt detracted from the story. The first was the initial mentions of the main character's drinking problem. He tells you.. a lot. Thankfully the story takes off and so that gets lost along the way. The second and probably largest problem with the story was the over the top aspect of the villain. I suppose there could be people like that out there, but I would have enjoyed it more if he were justified more in his thoughts as opposed to simply enjoying being a badass. Beyond that, I liked it. I never felt the desire to put the book away and the ending surprised me.

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