S. White

Not My Kind of Book

Revisado: 07-30-15

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

I really can or cannot recommend this book. This is not my kind of read. In reading the description, I thought it might be, but it did not meet my expectations of what I care for. Nothing against the book or author, just my reading taste

Would you ever listen to anything by Elizabeth Haydon again?

I really can't say. Depend on the book

What about Kevin T. Collins’s performance did you like?

Very good, good intonation of voice and well played reading the characters' dialogue

Was Rhapsody worth the listening time?

I only listened to about 1/2 and just couldn't do it anymore. Very disappointed with this purchase, again nothing against the author. Author has great imagination and descriptive talents.

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Awesome storytelling at its best!

Revisado: 12-01-13

Where does Consequences rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Consequences ranks among the highest of all my 'listen' books. Author, narrator and story!!!This was a dark horse for me and I have been pleasantly surprised

What did you like best about this story?

There is an easy flow from one generation to the other with each making the reader seem so much a part of the lives of the characters. The author's historical content was outstanding and woven in with the fictional portion one would think these were actual characters being written about. Its difficult to put time into a character in order to convey the atmosphere of that era, but this has been done very will with the utilizing of one family and the extended characters, Kudos too, go to the narrator. Her flow from character to character was smooth and easily done and no question whose role was being taken. Outstanding all the way around. Best about the story-the whole thing!!

Which scene was your favorite?

There were too many excellent scenes to choose one. This was such a well written and narrated book

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, I cried, I celebrated and thoroughly enjoyed!! The author has a way of making the reader feel so much a part of the story as did the narrator!

Any additional comments?

To anyone who is interested in pre-WWII England to the present, I highly recommend this book! I hope they enjoy it as much as I.

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Another outstanding read from John Jakes

Revisado: 04-04-13

Where does Charleston rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Charleston ranks among the top of the audiobooks of my listening experience. John Jakes, once again has proven his story telling skills while integrating historical events of the time. As a former social science instructor with this era being my area of concentration, I noted some events not in the chronological order of history, yet he explains it well in his afterward and gives his reasoning behind the 'slips' of time. This is a nice companion piece to his "North and South" series giving a clear perspective of the people of Charleston, their beliefs and determination. I like the mention, on occasion, of the Main family that ties them together. I think it explains much regarding the severe hostility of post Civil War among Charlestonians and the south in general toward northerners. Though much time has passed, it is clear to see the effects of this bitter time in the south and explains so much of the feelings of the people which are understandable given the atrocities of pre, during and post Civil War days.I highly recommend "Charleston" to anyone who has had experience with the "North and South" series and wants to learn more of the area and its people/

Who was your favorite character and why?

Usually I don't have one character that stands out in a piece as it takes them all to make a story. However in this book, Alex emerges as one outstanding woman who would stand by her beliefs to the point of leaving her family and braving the trip and settlement in the north and taking the risks that were involved in publically conveying her story and encouraging others in freedom for all and women's suffrage. Her return to her home state during the war, knowing the hostility that she would and did face and given the choice remained through threat to her family and her personal life speaks of a conviction and determination that served her well. She was a true caring person for others, no matter their race or gender and kept to her beliefs no matter what.

Would you listen to another book narrated by George Guidall?

I probably would if it was a well known author that I liked. However I don't care for his style of reading. He reads too fast and in a book born out of the south, not once did I hear the classic southern drawl that is so distinctive of that geographic area. I kept waiting to hear it, know that during revolutionary times it probably wasn't yet present, yet there comes a time in the history of the south the is it most definitely present. That takes away from the authenticity of the read.

If you could rename Charleston, what would you call it?

Charleston is a perfect name for this book. After all, this is what its about!

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Wonderful Research,

Revisado: 03-20-13

Would you try another book from Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard and/or Bill O'Reilly?

No, I don't think so, especially if it is the same narrator.

What didn’t you like about Bill O'Reilly’s performance?

I really didn't care for the performance, reading was choppy with hesitations midsentence that were not necessary and always coming up in voice as in an inquirey at the end of a sentence. Read too fast like he was hurrying to get through with it and get it over with. Its the performance, actually that made me stop listening to it. I am a former social sciences instructor with a great love for the Civil War Era, but just could not get through this one. Sorry

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Outstanding "read" with awesome performance!

Revisado: 03-11-13

If you could sum up Love and War in three words, what would they be?

Authentic, Captivating, Exciting

What other book might you compare Love and War to and why?

I would definately compare Volume Two, as well as One and Three to Ken Follett's "Winter of the World" and "Fall of Giants" as well as many of his other works. Jakes' research, story building, character development and the interactions of all these components are as indepth as Folletts'. As a former history instructer I find the authenticty of this book, as in the others of the trilogy relates the amount and indepth research he has completed to make this an extraordinary true read. The planning of the background of his characters and their interactions as well as their movement throughout the trilogy reflects early planning of their background, talents, behaviors and personalities that takes them through to the end of book Three.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Grover Gardner has a way of making each character become memorable in you mind. His talent of developing each character complete with voice recognition, accents and foreign language is outstanding. He makes you feel that the "reader" knows each and everyone on a personal level.

Who was the most memorable character of Love and War and why?

It is difficult to name just one character as standing out from all the rest. It takes them all, weaving their story and interacting with the other characters to make this an excellent protrayal of the time prior, during and after the American Civil War.

Any additional comments?

I am most impressed with John Jakes research, not just into the surface facts, but beyond to the obscure that most would not know of unless their geographic residence was close by or they were students of history beyond the common knowledge.

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Other Rangers Stand Up Better to This One

Revisado: 01-07-13

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

If one searches for adventure, no; for sex and romance, yes!

Would you be willing to try another one of Robert McNab’s performances?

No, he lacks the necessary authentic Scottish Brogue, rarely did it come through. Rather, he sounded more like one of the cartoon characters on my grandson's shows. Stilted and pompus. He made the heroin sound weak and dependant rather than the stong willed adventerous lady of Monica's creation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily, I enjoy listening when I drive. If its a long enough drive-one sitting does it, but I like the continuation

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Outstanding novel and narration!

Revisado: 09-30-12

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

I would and have recommended this audiobook to several friends based not only on the enjoyment that I had in the novel itself but in John Lee's narration of it. I am a hard core fan of both gentelemen. Follett, always and outstanding author, has put together a story that follows families from both sides of WWI that intertwines their lives in a historically correct accounting of that era as well as conditions of each of the social strata that he involves. In turn, John Lee narrates it utilizing his talents in taking on each part as if he were that person, right down to the accents, voice and emotion. "Fall of the Giants" follows the pattern of writing, accuracy and narration of both of these men just as "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" . Can't wait for the next of this series, "Winter of the World" to continue this story!

What did you like best about this story?

No one part is my favorite, it take it all to make the story complete

Which scene was your favorite?

Same as with liking that best-Follett protrays it all so well, there is not any way to make a choice

If you could rename Fall of Giants, what would you call it?

Title is perfect, wouldn't call it another -just would not be the perfect title that it has!

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