Mario

A Hero's Journey

Revisado: 03-15-18

What made the experience of listening to Byzantium the most enjoyable?

It encompassed the Viking saga, Arab history and the intrigue and glory of Byzantium.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The central character Aidan and the Viking king Harold held my attention throughout the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where they are all leaving the silver mine as free men.

Who was the most memorable character of Byzantium and why?

Dougal. His faith never wavered

Any additional comments?

A great book for those who enjoy a journey well lived.

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Title was more interesting than the novel

Revisado: 01-25-18

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It did not give you a sense of the war but seemed to be about four uninteresting stories that gave you little impression of the Great War.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeff Shaara again?

I would be hesitant - might be disappointed again

What didn’t you like about Paul Michael’s performance?

Performance was standard and acceptable

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment - Not nearly what I expected

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A New HIstory but not a better history

Revisado: 03-28-14

What disappointed you about The Fall of the Roman Empire?

I have enjoyed several book books on the Roman Empire and on Roman emperors. I am particularly fascinated by the last 150 years of the empire and the decline of the imperial state. This book focuses so narrowly on the barbarian invasions (which certainly played a key role) that it does not give me any consistent idea of the succession of emperors and the lost of governmental control over the provinces that occurred. It is well intended but could have been much better edited to create a more informative text.

I was greatly disappointed.

What could Peter Heather have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

He focused too much on the barbarian invasions without clearly identifying the Roman emperors. I had no sense of life in Roman during this time. I have heard other texts that give me a clear sense of the nature of the imperial government and the personalities involved. He focused so narrowly on the barbarian tribes without describing the individual leaders of the Roman empire.

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esto le resultó útil a 18 personas

A great battle not well retold

Revisado: 09-06-13

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I would have liked more detail of this battle as the great heroic event that it was rather than the description of various incidental Greek figures who were not key to the battle itself. It was more of a recitation of political events rather than a tale of perhaps the greatest heroic triumph and self-sacrifice. In short, it was disappointing.

Has Thermopylae turned you off from other books in this genre?

No it has not.

What three words best describe John Lee’s voice?

Authoritative

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

There was some discussion of the battle and the heroic nature of the battle but not not nearly enough.

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Ponderous

Revisado: 02-12-13

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

A detailed and scholarly work but does not seem suited for those who read history to make it come alive. This text was weighed down with events surrounding Charlemagne and not enough regarding the man himself. I read history to have a sense of the times and of people who lived then. History should excite and in a few instances, entertain the reader. This work did neither.

Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Winston again?

Perhaps. It would depend on the subject.

Would you be willing to try another one of Charlton Griffin’s performances?

Yes. In fact I listened to an excellent narration of a history of Hannibal that he performed. I truly had a sense of Hannibal as a figure of history and the traits that he displayed as a great leader.

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Short but Not Engaging

Revisado: 11-03-12

What would have made The French Revolution better?

This text lacked the details that characterize a good historical recounting of the French Revolution. A description of the base life of the peasant class as well as the Jacobins, Robespierre, and the chaos of the uprising are not brought to life in this narration. I would not recommend this title.

Would you ever listen to anything by William Doyle again?

Perhaps but on a different topic than the French Revolution.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did a passable job of presenting the material

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Great Expectations (not met)

Revisado: 10-01-12

What would have made The Late Roman Empire better?

I was looking for a more in-depth description of the rulers of the late roman empire and did not find it in this book. The book dealt more in generalities than detail of the chaos of the late empire in the west.

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