John P. Stierman

Essential History--Not Engaging

Revisado: 10-18-17

This tome has enjoyed critical acclaim from leading scholars. It is chock full of information, and I am happy that I read it. Having said that, I did not find the book engaging. And the reader needs to learn more about American history. I cringed when I heard her pronounce, repeatedly, George Whitfield, Roger Taney, and Clement Vallandigham (especially the latter). Having said that, I did enjoy her voice, and think she was a good choice. The errors mentioned previously could have been easily corrected, which makes my wonder how one prepares for reading a book such as this.

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great writer and reader

Revisado: 04-03-17

I did not know what to expect when I bought this book. I knew I wanted to know more about her life, especially the early years, when she was establishing herself. But I was not prepared for how well written this book is, and how professionally Ms. Simon narrates it. I have to say that I am a sucker for anyone who reads their own memoir. I also bought and listened to Mariel Hemingway's memoir, and she also reads it herself. Ms. Hemingway's book is good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but she is not the accomplished writer that Carly Simon is. Like any good book, I am thankful that she wrote it and for the honesty she revealed. There are sections of the book that are not easy to listen to, esp. if you are a huge JT fan. But I respect her for sharing and including us in her growth.

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Great voice and writing

Revisado: 11-09-15

I have known about Joan Didion for a long time, but never read her. After this book I will checkout other books by her. But this narrator is gold! I could listen to her all day.

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Weak narration

Revisado: 11-09-15

I am unimpressed with this narrator, who happens to be the author as well. I enjoyed the historical quotes. The message is pretty obvious but good to be reminded. I almost asked for a refund because I could not take the narration, but the substance was worth sticking it out.

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Love Jill Lepore, but performance needs revision

Revisado: 05-30-15

Anyone who reads the New Yorker, knows that you never go wrong with Jill Lepore. She is very entertaining, and I always come away learning something thought provoking. The narrator, however, does not know a lot about 20th century history. For example, she mispronounces W.E.B. Du Bois's name. I am sure that this has been pointed out to her. "The pronunciation of my name is Due Boyss, with the accent on the last syllable." -David Levering Lewis W.E.B. DuBois, Biography of a Race, p. 11 Also, in the same section of _The Mansion_ she refers to a law as Title "X" not title Ten. I also found her delivery to sound automated. I actually thought it was until she tried some oral interpretation, which was not bad. Great book. Performer could have been more informed and skilled.

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Narrator Makes Stuff Up

Revisado: 04-17-14

I was amazed to learn that the narrator added his own words, not in the text. I am listening while I read on my Kindle. Either the Kindle version is off, or this reader adds and subtracts words as he goes. In one passage, the author is describing a name on an ambulance, and the reader says Hezbollah, at least to my ears, and the text says Hatzolah. I have found mistakes in other books when I have read and listened (Infinite Jest, for example), but the errors are usually few and far between. This narrator gets it wrong regularly, unless the Kindle version of this book is riddled with errors.

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Worth the investment of time and money

Revisado: 11-16-12

Where does The Satanic Verses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love this author and I love this performer.

Have you listened to any of Sam Dastor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

Rushdie is very funny and insightful. Like all good works of literature, deserves multiple reading and need to read lit crit.

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