ArcaneCode

This history of the impact of advertising

Revisado: 03-15-17

What did you love best about The Attention Merchants?

Another reviewer called this the history of advertising. I think it would be more accurate to call it a history of the impact of advertising on us as a society. The Professor does a wonderful job of exploring what the ramifications of advertising have been over the years.

A good example was how advertising for Newport cigarettes in the early part of the 20th century wound up making the same shade of green used in Newport packaging one of the hot fashion colors at the time.

What did you like best about this story?

The author makes clear that advertising is a form of propaganda, and goes on to explain what propaganda is and how it works. Today we think of propaganda as something evil, a way to send a subversive message. Professor Wu helped me understand that at one time the word propaganda had neither a positive or negative connotation, but was instead a method for swaying public opinion.

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

I have, this one is equally as good as his others. Some narrators seem to get in the way of the story, but Mr Cashman does a good job of making the story be the star, the mark of a good narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoyed hearing about Edward Bernays and the impact he had on the world of propaganda and advertising. I'd heard of him before (most notably on the podcast 'Stuff They Don't Want You to Know'), but learned many new things about Mr Bernays from this book.

Any additional comments?

I think I enjoyed Professor Wu's work "The Master Switch" a tad more, but that I believe is due to my interest and work in the tech world. (If you haven't read it yet I highly suggest making it the next book you get.)

When I saw this work though I immediately bought it and don't in the least regret it. I learned many new things, and it gave me pause to think about what impact advertising (propaganda) has had on me.

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At the tippy top of my list of favorites

Revisado: 03-15-17

Would you consider the audio edition of The Tipping Point to be better than the print version?

I'd have to say so. Mr Gladwell's narration really made the book come alive, more so than just printed text could.

What did you like best about this story?

The exploration of an idea. What makes something "go viral" to borrow a phrase. The book does a great job of exploring this concept.

Which scene was your favorite?

Likely the story that starts it out, the resurgence of Hush Puppies from an event that was out of their companies control, and not even deliberate on their part.

Any additional comments?

So what can I add that hasn't already been said? Mr Gladwell is such a popular author it is hard to know how I can add value, but I shall nonetheless attempt to do so.

Out of all of Mr. Gladwell's books, this one is my favorite (and I've read all of them). Perhaps it is due to it being the first one I read, but I really love the exploration of this concept of a tipping point.

In addition, his narration is delightful. His voice is calming, and puts you in a frame of mind to be thoughtful and receptive to the concepts. I could almost envision sitting out front of a coffee shop, enjoying a nice Chai tea latte, in a small group with Mr Gladwell leading a fascinating discussion.

When it comes to the exploration of ideas, Mr Gladwell leads the pack of authors, and this book especially so.

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Making work fun again

Revisado: 03-15-17

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

Absolutely. Anyone who works in a stressful job, or just in a place that could use some lightening up.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not really applicable, so I'd have to say the narrator/author, Scott Christopher, who did a wonderful job.

Any additional comments?

I first became aware of this book through Scott Christopher's work on the TV show Granite Flats. Always looking to improve life in the work place I purchased this title, and am glad I did. It was a fun, enjoyable read, but more importantly were the ideas and concepts.

Even though I wasn't a manager I was still able to informally implement many of the suggestions as part of my team. This was especially helpful during high stress situations such as big software deployments.

I should insert a disclaimer, after buying the book my wife and Mr Christopher wound up becoming internet friends. I can say that he "practices what he preaches", providing appropriate amounts of levity to the world in his private and public life. This happened though after I was able to vet his book's ideas for myself.

Even if you are not a manager, I'd encourage this book if your work place is at all stressful (and let's face it, whose isn't these days). The ideas will help make your work a much more enjoyable place to be.

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A Spy Novel for Nerds

Revisado: 03-15-17

Where does Countdown to Zero Day rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Out of my collection of (as of this writing) 699 Audible titles, this one is in my top 5.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Countdown to Zero Day?

There were so many, but I'd have to say the initial discovery of the virus early on in the book.

What about Joe Ochman’s performance did you like?

He correctly pronounced the various technology components, as someone who works in the tech field it drives me nuts when technological terms are mispronounced (or misused). Kudos to Mr Ochman for getting it right.

If you could give Countdown to Zero Day a new subtitle, what would it be?

A Spy Novel for Nerds

Any additional comments?

This was, in many ways, a spy novel for nerds (like myself). It begins with the discovery of Stuxnet by various people and weaves their stories together wonderfully. In addition the technological aspects of the story are told clearly and correctly. This is one of my favorite books in my collection.

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A Geek's History of Tech

Revisado: 03-15-17

What did you love best about The Master Switch?

The detailed history of technology, starting with the phone and going to today's internet.

What other book might you compare The Master Switch to and why?

Probably The Victorian Internet.

What about Marc Vietor’s performance did you like?

He did a great job with difficult names, and correctly pronounced the various technologies that were involved.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It had to be the way the president of RCA/NBC suppressed the development of FM radio as it would have meant retooling their radio factories to move from AM to FM.

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful history of tech, perfect for a geek such as myself. I enjoyed the story progresses over time, as a good history should. When technology evolved and changed (such as moving from the telegraph to the telephone) he does a masterful job of explaining both the shift and ramifications thereof.

I also enjoyed the exploration of technology in the early motion picture industry, something I've never thought of as a "tech" phenomena previously.

If you are a geek, this is a must read. It's fascinating to see how the internet of today wouldn't be possible without all the tech that came before it, going all the way back to the telegraph.

I have (as of today) 699 books in my collection, and this book is right at the top of my favorites, definitely in my top 5 list.

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Best Audible Book Period

Revisado: 03-15-17

Where does The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have (as of this writing) 699 books in my Audible library. This one ranks as #1.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

When Hitler seized control of Germany.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably when the author had to leave Germany for England after the US entered the war, and Germany expelled all US reporters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't know that it was moving, but I appreciate the fact that the "back story" of Hitler's youth was kept to a minimum. Just enough to give me the necessary info without the over analysis of his childhood claptrap too many books want to give.

Any additional comments?

Due to its size, for far too long this book has been the butt of too many jokes about the book everyone has but no one has read. I admit in print form I might not have tackled it either. But audio? Well that's another story.

Grover Gardner has the PERFECT voice. The book is written by a newspaper man who was actually in Germany during the first part of the war, then in England once the US entered the fray. Mr Gardner sounds just like the classic radio announcer from the 1940's, his performance wonderfully fits the time and story.

I fully admit to being consumed by this book. I was travelling for work a lot at the time I read it, many a night I'd return to my hotel room and instead of watching TV would instead put on this book.

Do yourself a favor. If you are at all interested in WW2 history, get this book! You'll get sucked in quickly, then all of a sudden those hours will have gone by fast.

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Reads like an action / adventure thriller

Revisado: 04-27-16

If you could sum up Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates in three words, what would they be?

Really good book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates?

When they snuck into port and burned down the USS Philadelphia.

Which character – as performed by Brian Kilmeade – was your favorite?

Far too many good characters to pick just one.

Any additional comments?

This was a gripping story of a piece of history most of us know little to nothing about. It read more like an action / adventure sea novel than history. I only wish my history books when I was in school had been this good.

I highly recommend this, and will be having my kids read it as a supplement to their school work.

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A fun course

Revisado: 06-06-15

What about Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius’s performance did you like?

I found his presentation extremely entertaining. He had a nice voice, and was very relaxed. I really felt like he was telling us a story rather than a lecture.

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

Too long for all one setting, but it was interesting enough I went through it in just a few days.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this just for fun, and really enjoyed it. The course starts way back in history, all the way to the days of Mesopotamia, and moves forward through time to today. If you are looking for a fun course you'll really enjoy this.

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Outstanding history of the CIA

Revisado: 04-30-15

Would you listen to Legacy of Ashes again? Why?

Absolutely. Gripping story that never gets boring.

What does Stefan Rudnicki bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice just sucked me right into the story. He did a great job.

Any additional comments?

After listening to John C. Dvorak constantly talk about this book on the No Agenda Show, I broke down and got it, and boy am I glad I did. It is an excellent story of an organization misused by the powers that be for their own purposes.

It is one of the few books I just could not stop listening too, I had my earbuds in non stop for the 3 days it took me to consume it.

This ranks as one of my top 10 Audible favorites, and should be a must read for everyone.

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Scared? You will be.

Revisado: 04-30-15

If you could sum up Future Crimes in three words, what would they be?

Internet. Scary Place.

What about Robertson Dean and Marc Goodman ’s performance did you like?

Mr Dean did a good job, had a good voice for this type of work.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The internet. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Any additional comments?

Before you read this book make sure to put on a pair of Depends, as it will scare the you know what out of you. The author does a good job of pointing out all the potential holes in the security of the internet and our increasingly connected world.

In addition, he also reminds us of the spying taking place. Not just by evil doers, but by the places we voluntarily go to such as Google, Facebook and WebMD. How they mine everything we do and say and resell that information. As they saying goes, if it is free you are not the customer, you are the product (something the guys at the No Agenda Show have been preaching for years).

My one nitpick is his frequent references to "Crime Inc.". I realize he does this because a) he wants to remind us internet crime is a big business and b) it is far shorter than "all the hackers out on the internet", but those not familiar with the workings of the web could quickly start to think there really is a company out there called "Crime Inc.".

This book should serve as a wake up call. We need to start protecting ourselves NOW, and demand the companies we interact with do the same.

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