FinalFrontier

Excellent Book with Something for Everyone

Revisado: 03-24-20

This book is one of my favorites. Whether you're blind yourself, as I happen to be, a dog lover, or someone who likes a good story, this book has a lot to recommend it.

I happened to hear the author speak ad a conference, where he told his story before the book was released.

I am fully aware that books or movies about blindness can get sappy, sentimental, or shallow. If the book or film has a guide dog, they might focus on the dog, but not on the person. This book doesn't do that. Instead, the author focuses on how he and the dog work as a true team. While the book is inspiring, it's deeper than those that describe a blind person as either helpless or amazing. The author is an ordinary person who has a good mind, and just so happens to be blind. It is well-rounded, much like its author, which is why I enjoy it.

I appreciate the author's vivid descriptions of his surroundings, especially as he recounts going down the stairs of the World Trade Center. I can imagine being there with him, and I feel like I can relate.

I also happen to like dogs, and I enjoy a good story.

During this time of craziness, I'd recommend this book if you're looking for inspiration and reassurance along with a good story.

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Just Right

Revisado: 12-04-18

This is a very good analysis of the Federalist Papers. It can compliment any of the additions found on Audible, and it's neither too long nor too short, but as Goldylox would say, it's just right.

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The Best Book for Understanding These Documents

Revisado: 11-13-18

Anyone who cares about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution may want to have this on their phone. If you're a student, you'll likely want to use this as you go through these documents in your textbook, especially if you're taking courses in history, social studies, or government. Teachers may wish to play parts of this book to their students or to make it available to them. Commuters, if you're tired of talk radio, you can use this to get past the headlines and sound bites to get just the facts about these documents.

The book is well-written, objective, and clear, and the narration is just right.

I know there are many longer books out there, but this one is short, clear, and to the point without insulting your intelligence. It's a good one to have on your phone around the Fourth of July or Constitution Day. Highly recommended.

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Beautiful Narration of a Beautiful Story

Revisado: 07-27-18

The Moana story itself is beautiful. It's one of those stories that stands out immediately when you first see the film. At least, that's how it was for me. I enjoy the film, since it gives you a lot to think about. I love the idea of finding your life's call and purpose

This book adaptation is just as good, since you get to use your imagination and not just rely on the people at Disney to create pictures for you.

But enough about the story. The narration by Rena Owen is beautifully done. I'm not sure what she was thinking, but her pacing is perfect. Here, we have a New Zealand-based actor who knows something about how to tell a good story. She narrates slowly enough so you hang on every word, yet you don't fall asleep. She is also very clear and precise in her diction, so if anyone has trouble reading due to a disability, she seems to encourage you to hang in there. She is not unlike the storyteller at the beginning of the film, using the words, along with her skills as an actress, to create an atmosphere and tell the story.

Bottom line: This book is what you get when you merry a good story with a good narrator. Highly recommended.

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Makes you Think about Audio Books

Revisado: 05-10-17

This is one of those books that makes you think. If you like audio books, as I do, it's stunning to learn the history of this art form.

As a member of the blind community, I am a user of the Library of Congress talking book program. But I also enjoy finding books on Audible that the Library of Congress program does not record.

I have also read books that have been recorded through both Audible and the Library of Congress. I often find that each version has its strengths and weaknesses.

The portion of this book that really stunned me was the chapters devoted to the origin of the audio books. The dreamers who predicted such technologies as the whispering machine could not have guessed that a portable media player along with a headset is fairly close to what was imagined.

The idea of professional actors narrating audio books seems to have been a common thread from the beginning of audio books until now. Many well known actors can be found narrating audio books, and others are narrated by voice talents that may not be as well known, but are very competent and capable.

The book often refers to Dickens in that section, and this prompted me to do a search for Great Expectations. That book couldn't be recorded in the early days of audio books, but today, it's possible to enjoy this book in full. I noticed several narrations of this book on Audible. Any of them would fit on a smart phone or media player with enough memory.

The rest of the book is indeed insightful. It sheds light on the issue of listening versus reading, and it does so in a way that encourages you to think about it.

If you like audio books, it's wonderful to learn about their history and think about where audio books have gone and what they can become.

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Best Performance I've Seen of the Nut Cracker

Revisado: 12-26-16

I'm so pleased that there now is a good performance of The Nut Cracker on Audible, just in time for Christmas. I looked at some of the other performances, and with one exception, all of them seemed to be missing something.

There is one performance on Audible that is straight narration, but I decided not to get it. But what was I to do if I wanted to have a performance of this story to play around this time of year?

Thanks to the BBC, this excellent dramatization won me over. They seem to be reminding us of the power of audio drama, something that somehow has gotten lost here in the states.

I must admit that I had some expectations going into this. I expected that I would hear young children in the two leading roles, and I get that. The two young actors bring a real child-like enthusiasm to the story.

As often happens with eh BBC, the whole

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A Breath of Fresh Air

Revisado: 12-26-16

There are so many versions of A Christmas Carol, and finding lesser known Christmas stories can be a real challenge.

Having Audible narrators share their own personal Christmas stories is a real breath of fresh air.

Two stories really stand out for me, the one narrator telling about wrapping presents for others, and the narrator who recounts watching her father, then her brother, performing A Christmas Carol in her community.

I really believe Audible has hit onto something with this idea. I think they ought to do it again. It's brilliant.

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Audio theater Excellence

Revisado: 10-22-16

Whether you're a major Star Wars fan, or, like me, you just like good stories told well, this is audio theater at its best. I discovered this on CD through my local library, but when I realized Audible had it, I picked it up on impulse.

This dramatization really adds a lot to the story, fleshing out Luke, Han Solo, and just about every other character. I'm sure it was both fun and challenging for many of the actors to rely on vocal tone and inflection rather than facial expression, but I think the challenge only adds to the enjoyment of this program.

Anyone who has seen the movie will recognize the music and sound effects. I'm thankful that NPR was able to use the sound effects and music, and that they didn't have to write a new musical score from scratch. For many fans, the music is a true star in these films, and it's used well in this audio dramatization.

I really enjoy this as a way to stimulate your imagination. In this age where there is so much visual stimulation, it's good to bring out a good audio theater producation like this, sit back with your iphone and a good sound system and let your imagination fly. You have all you need right in the story, since the characters describe what's happening, and you can fill in the rest by creating mental pictures of, for instance, what the ships might look like.

In summary, whether you're a major Star Wars fan, or you just enjoy a good story told well, you can fine value in this audio program.

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This Voice Talent Totally Gets It

Revisado: 08-18-16

Paradise Lost is one of those books that can be hard to deal with if you try to read through it on your own. The different spellings of words and the archaic language could drive you crazy.

Luckily, a good voice talent can bring the text alive, or, at the very least, give it clarity.

Anton Lesser is just such a voice talent. Even though I have only played the first few minutes of this recording, I can tell he really gets it.

Lesser is a Naxos regular, and he's recorded a lot of Shakespeare. Since Shakespeare and Milton both wrote in blank verse, I have to wonder if doing all that Shakespeare helped him prepare for Milton. He certainly knows how to pace the reading, and he truly understands the power of good poetry.

In short, this recording comes highly recommended.

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Excellent Commentary on the Divine Comedy

Revisado: 08-14-16

This is an excellent introduction to this poem. The lecturers are engaging, lively and informative.

The format reminds me of a sports commentator who describes an event and is assisted by his color commentator who gives the audience additional information.

Just as Virgil and others serve as Dante's guides on his journey, these lecturers serve as our guides through the poem. They especially remind me of how Virgil patiently explains things to Dante, since they give us some idea of what to expect, no matter what translation of the Comedy we work with. Also, like Virgil, they step back and allow us to explore the poem without them having to be there.

If you're having trouble with the Divine Comedy, this lecture series is highly recommended.

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