Leigh

Far more interesting that you might think

Revisado: 04-06-18

We don't give much though to the materials that surround us and from which our lives are shaped. Mark Miodownik does a fantastic job of bringing those ordinary bits of our world to life. Each chapter tells about a different material, giving insight into its discovery and how it attains its usefulness. It certainly gave me a new appreciation for the stuff around me.

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As wonderful as I expected

Revisado: 04-06-18

I absolutely love the movie The Princess Bride, and this story does not disappoint as Cary Elwes gives behind-the-scenes peaks into the making of this iconic film. I now cannot watch the movie without looking for specific incidents mentioned in the book. Bonus points for getting some of the actors involved in the production to narrate their own memories. Please listen and laugh.

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I didn't learn as much as I expected

Revisado: 04-06-18

I have been fascinated for years with the story of Josh Waitzkin, the real-life person who is the central character from the film "Searching for Bobby Fischer." After attaining such impressive achievements in the world of chess, he then replicated his success in the world of martial arts. The title of the book led me to believe that perhaps he could offer some insight as to how he managed to learn new topics so thoroughly. Unfortunately, I did not feel that I came away with that piece of knowledge. However, I did enjoy his story and am certainly not sorry I listened. I just didn't quite come away with what I had hoped.

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Fantastic listen on a road trip

Revisado: 04-06-18

We listened to this book while on a road trip during the summer. Even the teenagers in the car were engrossed and actually stayed awake to listen. The author's narration was very engaging and we were all impressed with the time, research, and dedication his work involved.

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I didn't want to stop listening

Revisado: 04-06-18

I normally listen to books while I drive to and from work. While listening to this book I found myself sitting in the car parking lot, or in my garage just because I became so engrossed in the story. My husband didn't understand why I kept waving him off.
The book is a work of non-fiction, but so well crafted as to feel more like novel. The author does a good job of weaving his story with the science of his profession. I acquired this title thinking it would be more of a straight science presentation. However, the science is interwoven with the author's biographical history, adding a great richness to the story.

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Entertaining fluffy listen

Revisado: 09-07-13

This book did exactly what I wanted it to do - give me a fluffy listen over vacation. It was pretty engaging, amusing, and ultimately satisfying. I have not craved listening to it again -yet.
But it's good to know it is in my library if I want to be amused again on another long drive or vacation.

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Makes you take a second look at mental illness.

Revisado: 09-07-13

My husband and I listened to this book on a long drive to the LA area. It is unusual for my husband to listen to books with me, but he was very involved in the story and wanted to follow it through to the end with me.
Ms. Maloney paints a heartbreaking picture of what it is like to live with a family member afflicted with devastating mental illness. Our hearts were breaking for her. How do you survive something like that? And unlike Ms. Maloney, there are many others in this world for whom there is no cure.... tragic.
The search for Sammy's cure is fascinating and amazing. Ms. Maloney's struggle against the modern medical establishment is becoming a more common theme as many find that medicine is an art, not a science, that ofttimes conventional wisdom has it wrong. I am grateful she has marked a path for others who may have similar struggles, whether due to an illness like Sammy's, or a fight against the established medical community to find the root cause and cure of an illness.

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An extremely well crafted and unsettling story

Revisado: 09-07-13

When I finished this book I said "ahh!" Not, "ahhh" as in I'm satisified, but "ahhh" as in, I've lost my balance and am trying to keep myself upright. Weeks later I am still unsettled.
The narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life, and I greatly enjoyed their performances. The only reason I did not give this title an overall rating of 5/5 stars is because of the language issue. I do not understand why the need for constant vulgarity in today's literature. And while I can skip over words when reading, it is much harder when they are coming into my ears as part of a story I do not want to turn off, but detest the language in which parts of it are delivered.
That being said..
This story sucked me in and did not let me go. I didn't have the luxury this listen of getting the whole book in in just a few days, as is my wont. But every time I had the chance, I was listening, totally wrapped up in the drama unfolding in Nick and Amy's lives. And feeling increasingly uneasy.
This is not a comforting read, but it is engrossing and thought-provoking.

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Much of what I learned I won't be able to apply

Revisado: 08-04-12

In listening to this book, I discovered I must be more of a foodie than I realized, because there was not much in this book I did not already know, or at least have some idea about. I didn't have any problem understanding the technical aspects as some have noted in previous reviews, perhaps due to excessive Food Network consumption.
I did appreciate the actual scientific testing the author performed regarding some kitchen myths, such as the best way to get juice our of a lemon or lime. Now I know the two-step method. The background on salt, sugar and fat was interesting. And now I know I can't tell my kids automatically "the alcohol cooks out" when they question my liberal use of wine in a few of my dishes.
The performer did fine and read the chemical names etc. without difficulty. However, nothing about the performance really stands out to me either.
Bottom line, this was an ok book. I don't regret purchasing it and listening, but not a whole lot stands out to me either.

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I'm truly a bit horrified now

Revisado: 08-04-12

Let me start by saying how much I loved Rachel Maddow's reading of her own work. She puts the emphasis exactly where she wants it, and you can hear in her voice the incredulity of some justifications and situations that would never come across in print. It's funny, but also deadly serious.
There is a good, easy-to-understand history lesson here about the intent of the founding fathers and how far the country has gone astray. I was and am a fan of Reagan, but after this book I certainly see him with more critical eyes. I remember the Iran-Contra hearings, but this clearly told me the story behind them. She recounts the Granada invasion through the lens of its illegality and ineptitude. It's laughable, except that real people died in the U.S. show of muscle.
By making real and understandable the consequences of power run amok, Rachel has done a great job of making me want to hold my elected representatives far more accountable. She also clearly illustrates the state of our current nuclear capabilities - and they are horrifying, but not necessarily for the reasons you would expect. (Great indirect plug for better science and technical education in this country.) "Whoopsie" will now always have a double meaning for me.
I highly recommend this book. I especially think kids in high school taking World History could greatly benefit from having a broader perspective on the last 50 or so years of U.S. foreign policy. Maddow makes the topic so approachable and entertaining in her lessons to us that it is unforgettable.

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