DDSC

An Ageless Tale of Passion and Love

Revisado: 03-29-25

A fascinating story of social mores among New York society elites around 1900. Newland, May and Ellen’s characters are well developed. The narrator is good. The only problem is that I wasn’t ready for the book to end. A classic that has stood the test of time. When there’s heartbreak you feel it in your soul and when there’s romance and passion your heart beats faster.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Brilliant Mind, Interesting Insights, Apologetic

Revisado: 01-05-25

First, I like Bill. The book is so good for the first 3/4ths, but the author then gets overly apologetic for Hillary and the Democratic Party’s losses. I wish he would have been harsher on his own party. What is his blueprint to restore a powerful center? He barely touches this. He doesn’t burn bridges.
Still, I wouldn’t have missed hearing this fascinating politician’s story. The reader misinterpreted the writer’s voice several times, but was not distracting.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Worst Narration I’ve Ever Heard

Revisado: 09-29-21

There is little “story” to this book. It is more a recitation of minute facts. I finished the book because of the importance of this battle. The narrator seemed to be trying to get through the boringly written book as fast as he could. The performance is grating and monotonous.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Amazing Islamic 7th Century Conquest

Revisado: 07-03-21

This is an important work which goes a long way in explaining why today’s world looks as it does. As a Christian I gained respect and even admiration for the 7th century spread of Islam. Through devote faith and brilliant military leadership Islam spread at an incredible speed across the world. I’d always wanted to know how that happened and this book was a good overview of the subject. The narrator was very good and kept the story moving.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

As Great a General and Man as America has Made

Revisado: 05-30-21

Though written in the 1950s this book holds up well. It’s clear, concise and easy to listen to. The narrator is excellent. I was disappointed when it ended. Note that this book doesn’t cover Lee’s life after the end of the Civil War.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Revisionist & Biased & Redundant

Revisado: 05-26-21

In line with recent trends in academia this book is intended to put down the South. The biases run throughout the work. The author’s conclusions are predictable. It is written from a Yankee and Grant perspective. That might appeal to some readers of that persuasion and to Confederate bashers. On the positive side the Vicksburg campaign is an interesting and crucial segment of the Civil War taking up much of 1862-1863. The author rehashes the background too often as if the reader was suffering from short term memory loss. That was tiring, but other than that the work flows well. The performer’s tone and inflection seemed to put emphasis on Southern misdeeds and Yankee heroism. At least he didn’t put me to sleep. I did not see a need for this book. There’s already a number of good works on the fall of Vicksburg. I recommend works by Terry Winschel, Tim Smith and Ed Bearss.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 11 personas

Lots of Riding, but No Fighting to Speak Of

Revisado: 05-11-21

Like Sherman’s March to the Sea this cavalry raid was a walk in the park. The raid showed what had always been truth of the Confederacy, there was no defense in depth. For example consider the Federal Navy’s penetration into North Alabama days after the fall of Ft Henry. It had been skillfully planned and made use of the Federals strong numerical advantage. All kinds of diversions were utilized on multiple levels of command. However the nearest Confederate cavalry never numbered enough to do anything but harass the raiders. Then add that the Federal raiders repeating rifles gave them the firepower of 3-5 times their number. It is an interesting and colorful story that reminds me of John Hunt Morgan’s raids. Worth reading as is Dee Brown’s book on this subject. The first five chapters give the background information. Start at chapter 6 if you’re just interested in the actual raid.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Last Words, Deeds and Life of a Great Man

Revisado: 01-22-21

This highly readable work is one of the best about Robert E. Lee and I believe I have read most, if not all the books on Lee. If anyone takes the trouble to read about Lee they will be saddened that he has recently become the target of hysterical and uninformed mobs. Though he gained fame on the battlefield, perhaps his greatest achievement was in reconciling the defeated South back into the United States. Lee had lost most of his wealth and it’s interesting to watch him rebuild his life. To start over. I’ve read Douglas Freeman’s 4 volume biography of Lee in the last couple of months and I find that this slender book gives a more intimate picture of Lee as a family man. This is my third reading of this book on Lee and I think it has stood the test of time well.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Still the Best General Lee biographer

Revisado: 12-04-20

The author makes you feel as though he was present at the events he describes. He is not timid about giving his opinion and that was a plus in my mind. This work is one of the best that I have read on the Civil War. (I own over 1,000 books on the Civil War). Freeman knows all the supporting characters in Lee’s life in depth. I found that fascinating and enjoyed how he seamlessly worked them into the narrative. So many authors take a timeout from the story to introduce a new character. Freeman doesn’t do that and that is refreshing. Of course Freeman’s biography is a defense of Lee, but not in any way that is unwarranted. I’m glad I finally got around to tackling this 4 volume work. If you’re serious about learning about Lee and the Civil War you need to read this.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

The Story of a Wonderful, Moving Friendship

Revisado: 04-27-20

In this time of quarantine I intended to catch up on my reading, but after 4 weeks I had yet to get through even three chapters. Nothing could distract me from the news updates. So I decided to give “Hank and Jim” a try. I don’t know any greater praise for a book than to say “I hated to see it end.” For a boomer like myself, this book describes the time of our parent’s generation through the life of these two famous actors. The strength of their friendship was the central theme of the book, but it is also a thorough biography of each of them. Along the way we learn about the life’s of many of their closest associates in the movie industry. The narrator does a very good job, neither bland nor over the top. The story is well paced and never bogs down. I plan to listen to it again sometime soon.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona