Bobbie Savitz

Simply Brilliant

Revisado: 01-04-25

As close as we'll ever come to experiencing the evil of slavery and how its legacy still echoes in--and contorts--our history. This book should be assigned reading in our schools. Instead, we have those who want to turn away from or erase this ugly, poisonous reality.

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Narrator mispronunciations beyond annoying

Revisado: 10-31-24

Did the author listen to his book? It seems not. How possibly could you publish an audiobook in which the narrator mispronounces important words and repeats them over and over. I found this basic flaw so annoying I will try to return this book. Shame on Kevin Starr, you ruined your good book.

I lived in San Diego for 16 years. To hear Tijuana pronounced TIA-juana over and over. Instead of listening to a part of the book I was highly interested in, I found myself yelling the proper pronunciation TEE-juana ad nauseam, then turning off the book. Imagine getting a book on Ronald Reagan and having the narrator saying "REEgan"? It would ruin the book for the listener.

I also went to school in Northern California and spent many Sundays in the late 1960s in San Francisco. Like thousands of others, I'd grab The Chronicle and go straight to Herb Caen. He was the most popular man in this city, just loved for his great columns and amazing humor. His last name pronounced properly is CANE. In this book? CAN. Again, over and over, ad nauseam. To listen in bed as I do with Audible books, then become so incensed borders on malpractice by the author.

If you know the topic of the book, don't get it. It'll make you crazy. I realize I'm particular, but the low standards established by this book are a deal breaker--and so unnecessary had the author done his job!

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I'm crying . . .

Revisado: 07-13-24

I will be 80 in a few days. I don't know why I'm crying after finishing this book. Maybe it's a bit like leaving a relationship you don't want to leave. I know that I've described what I see as the sadness and insanity of today's world as watching someone you love die. This beautiful and powerful book has given me a deeper understanding of the current world but also insight into the past. And by example, Klein offers a glimpse beyond the damage, the darkness, the apathy that has gotten us where we are.

Obviously, I've seen a lot in my life. I've read a lot, both fiction and nonfiction. But this is more than a book: it is an education, a life-altering experience. If that sounds hyperbolic, dramatic, I have no apology. I have heard Naomi Klein lecture, I think, or maybe a few times on Democracy Now. She is certainly impressive. But this book is different. It's as though I've bonded with a wise, loving, brilliant person--I've made a friend. And now it's my job to band together with others to try to reverse the damage we've done. Naomi Klein and her profound and meticulous work is a catalyst, a healer on many levels.

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Drowning in detail . . .

Revisado: 01-28-24

Barbra Streisand is a singer of extraordinary talent. But if you're wondering why her memoir is nearly a thousand pages, I'll give you a hint: She describes every "gown" she has ever worn on a stage--play, movie, or TV. Her assumption that everyone who listens is as obsessed with the detail of these costumes is astounding. No, completely lacking in common sense. I wonder why anyone would think this fascinating or informative--to be blunt (and probably sexist), especially straight men. Sometimes her descriptions of movie scenes or performances feels as if it lasts longer than the actual event.

This flaw, however, has not prevented me from the enjoyment and edification I get from her profound insight into what happens to those of us who felt growing up that we were not seen. My therapist once told me I was punished for my talents. So was she by her mother. A mother should revel in her children's talents.

Last, she takes her mammoth vocal talent for granted and wants to sing less and act more--and direct. Here, I think making movies, directing gives her more pleasure. But as is said in the book, singing IS acting and she does it magnificently. I'm not sure that that translates to the big screen in pictures in which singing isn't central. I'm sure I might be harsh--and also jealous. ("The Way We Were" is amazing, but directed by Sidney Pollack.) This does not change my observation that obsession with detail is both a blessing and a curse.

After listening to about half her book, I was talking to a good friend with whom I share common taste in music. He reminded me of our obsession with Jennifer Warnes. I got out her album, Shot Through the Heart. I quickly wondered why everyone knows Streisand. But Jennifer Warned seems to have been forgotten. She sings like an angel, she plays one fucking amazing piano, and the songs she's written are classics--to a few of us. Made me want to chuck the Streisand book and crank up the volume on "The Best of Jennifer Warnes." I suggest this for others . . .

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To spend so much time in research . . . but

Revisado: 12-23-23

Ryan Reilly has done yeomen's work in researching and writing a compelling book. The information is crucial to our understanding of the right-wing violence--terrorism--that has escalated in the past decade or so. I realize that as a reporter, money is an issue. But I wonder how many more Audible books would sell if read by a pro. I tried slowing it down, which helped a bit. He reads much too fast and his voice is grating. It's a shame. I will continue to listen but I am less than enthusiastic about recommending this audio book to friends.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Narration is incredibly annoying

Revisado: 07-25-23

Mr. Toobin’s emphasis on certain words and syllables is unnatural and distracting. It’s like listening to a piano piece that has strongly accentuated single notes but not in a pleasant or logical way. I slowed it down, sped it up, and still find myself paying way too much attention to the artificial, arbitrary emphasis. It’s hard to describe. I’m quite particular.

Too bad because I’m interested in the story and Toobin writes well.

Another review below has the headline: "Jeffrey, let someone else read it." I couldn't agree more. It's always nice to see that one is not alone.

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Footnotes interrupted by the story of McCarthy

Revisado: 03-18-23

If you want a narrative that is easy to listen to and follow, go elsewhere. The footnotes ruin this book. The narrator stops, says, "Footnote" then blah blah blah, then "End of footnote." It is so annoying that I doubt if I can finish listening. I bet if you dropped all the footnotes, it would make no difference to the book, except it wouldn't drive you batty. Thumbs down on this famous clown.

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Amazing and revealing story. Narration annoying.

Revisado: 02-05-23

That the FBI building is named after J. Edgar Hoover is a travesty. Hoover was a bigot of the first order. His paranoia about "hippies" and "the left" skewed justice away from important matters to the Hoover's political predilections, which were right wing to say the least.

Much of it is reminiscent of today's extremists in the Republican party, who want to investigate anything that isn't straight from the propaganda of Fox. We need more hard facts and less junk conspiracies. This book shows what can happen when fairness and competence are not abundant. The age of "influencers" and "social media have introduced an element of outrageousness (and celebrity) into our once thriving, respected edia landscape.

Read the book. The narrator is such an amateur and talks as though he's reading a story to 4 year olds. Really awful!

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Simply the best book I've ever read.

Revisado: 12-29-22

One is tempted to categorize an opinion about a book, best this or best that. The depth of Miller's experience and ability to perceive and express it goes far beyond anything I have known--or even imagined. Yet, it's familiar. In these times of abject superficiality and fleeting fad and "greatness," Miller represents all that is timeless--dare I say sacred about being human, about the human condition. I am tearful, not sure why. Maybe because I fear I'll never find another experience outside love itself as moving, as beautiful. To quote, " . . . but the truth, the first truth, probably, is that we are all connected, watching one another. Even the trees."

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Beautifully written, horribly narrated

Revisado: 01-09-22

Ben Rhodes does himself a disservice to write such an important book then skimp by reading it himself. The narration is about as bad as anything I've listened to on Audible. There's a clumsy and unnatural feel to the narration. It has odd ups and downs in pitch. He seems to be trying so hard to enunciate that sometimes I feel as though I'm in trouble and he's giving me hell.

It's such a shame. Buy the book but read it yourself. I know I'm not the only one who finds Ben's reading annoying.

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