Emily Robertson

Amazing Analysis....won't be able to press pause

Revisado: 08-12-19

Mollie Hemingway and Carrier Severino wrote the definitive book covering and analyzing the circus that was the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. Relying on facts and primary sources, not emotions, Hemingway and Severino provided the commentary and coverage that our modern-day media was loathe to cover. The performance was phenomenal as the authors themselves read the book (alternating chapters) and I had trouble pressing pause. Excellent source material and highly trusted authors. I highly recommend this listen for anyone who watched the Kavanaugh confirmation process wondering where our independent press was.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Author makes great leaps and assumptions

Revisado: 01-23-18

What disappointed you about On Tyranny?

How the author projects his knowledge of 20th century tyranny onto the Trump Administration. While there are no shortage of criticisms of the President, the author fails to consider the checks and balances in American and examples of how President Trump's policies have been successfully challenged. I also think the author paints a rather unfavorable picture of Trump voters; you won't win anyone to your side comparing them Nazi enablers.

What was most disappointing about Timothy Snyder’s story?

He's clearly very intellectual and well studied. The 21st century is not the 20th and America is not Europe or Russia. I'd diagnose him as suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

What three words best describe Timothy Snyder’s voice?

No complaints here.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from On Tyranny?

All of the parts where he speculates how fascism, Nazism, and tyranny are COMING TO AMERICA RIGHT NOW IN THE FORM OF DONALD TRUMP. Good lord, take your meds.

Any additional comments?

I was sorely disappointed in this book. While no fan of Trump I wish his critics would stick to more sensible and fact-based arguments. I'd highly recommend Mark Lilla's book, The Once and Future Liberal. Constant comparison to Nazis, fascists (can anyone even accurately define this word anymore?), and racists is driving away moderates that could be persuaded in 2018 and 2020.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Very Poor Recording Quality

Revisado: 01-23-18

Would you be willing to try another one of Deaver Brown’s performances?

Not likely, the sound quality of the recording did not sound professional at all.

Did Declaration of Independence inspire you to do anything?

Obviously I find no fault with the Declaration. It's one of the finest documents ever written.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Insight, Gets a bit carried away

Revisado: 07-07-17

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, if they had a good understanding of math and could easily detect and correct for author bias. I enjoyed the book overall but feel that O'Neil took her analysis a step too far, ie too political, and jumped to conclusions that were not necessarily true. Based on my understanding of law enforcement, I found that her chapter on criminal justice had several errors and jumped to conclusions. My subject matter expertise on this makes me question the accuracy and reliability of other topics with which I am not as familiar.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Non-math people are fascinated with the idea of an algorithm solution for all their problems. This "fascination" makes them easy prey for unscrupulous mathematicians (I can't believe I just wrote that) or poorly designed algorithms. Proxy variables are highly dubious and overall I think everyone needs to employ more critical thinking skills. It's not just math that is going to keep poor people poor, it's deficits in critical thinking. I strongly believe in, and was convinced by O'Neil, about the structural barriers put up to separate the rich from the poor (esp in education and housing) but I don't think more government programs are the answer. We clearly need to be teaching more financial literacy and critical thinking skills in schools.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think the chapter on going to college "Arms Race" was very enlightening. I did not know much about the history of US New & World Report College Rankings but I see their affect on how colleges "market" themselves. I was a tour guide at my college and was told to highlight amenities and downplay the skyrocketing cost of education (driven in part by Federal loans which also drive up the price). I'm aghast that so many higher education institutions play this wretched game.

Do you think Weapons of Math Destruction needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I think she could expand on some of the topics but I think her policy recommendations went too far and always leaned on government intervention.

Any additional comments?

Very enlightening book with specific, well explained examples. I disagree with most of O'Neil's recommendations for increased government programs/oversight (except in the case of private algorithms being using in the criminal justice system). She overlooks the roll of individual education and thinking critically of programs offered to you.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Informative History of Critical Topic

Revisado: 04-14-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Territory to be better than the print version?

The same. Doesn't rely on images or maps which means it transitions seamlessly to audio.

What other book might you compare Dark Territory to and why?

I think it dovetailes Playing to the Edge (Michael Hayden) very well. It fills in more details about the early cybersecurity players in the IC.

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

No I haven't. But, his voice is not annoying and I had no issues to listening to this book for long periods. I would listen to more of his recordings in the future.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Matthew Broderick is an American Patriot. The movie War Games prompted President Reagan to ask critical questions of the DOD.

Any additional comments?

Very informative book, I own the paper copy as well and reference it for work.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Applicable skills for all areas of life

Revisado: 04-04-17

Would you consider the audio edition of The Like Switch to be better than the print version?

No, not better. There was a PDF with pictures to highlight some of the behaviors but I obviously couldn't consult that while driving.

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

You could compare it to How to Win Friends and Influence People. I found it more applicable to work and parenting situations. Also, with helpful tips to gauge how people perceive you already.

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

I found his voice very calming and did not find it annoying. I could listen to this book for more than an hour at a time.

What did you learn from The Like Switch that you would use in your daily life?

How to apply skills such as deception detection to parenting and how to approach bosses with requests for resources.

Any additional comments?

A good listen, worth the time and credit.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

So Funny

Revisado: 09-19-16

What made the experience of listening to The Martian the most enjoyable?

This was one of my favorite books of 2015 and I loved listening to it even more. The narrator was engaging and not annoying. The different accents for the characters, especially the ones from India and China, were a bit much. Overall, I recommend this however has a hilarious and engaging listen. Great for car rides and long trips.

What did you like best about this story?

The humor.

What about R. C. Bray’s performance did you like?

Narrator had good timing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I couldn't stop laughing.

Any additional comments?

I had wanted my husband to read the Martian but he's resistant to reading fiction. I started listening to this one night while doing the dishes and he became very interested. We listened to the entire book while driving on our family vacation.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing Book, Awful Narration

Revisado: 08-18-16

Would you consider the audio edition of Intelligence and Surprise Attack to be better than the print version?

NO! The narrator sounded like my GPS was reading the book. No intonation or character.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the detail Dahl goes into on different intelligence successes which most authors/researchers fail to include.

How could the performance have been better?

A narrator that doesn't sound like a machine.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

A fascinating book, you may be better served to read the paper copy.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña