Dalekchap

Surprisingly boring

Revisado: 11-08-19

I am a fan of Dean Koontz - love his stories and humor. This book did not deliver. It is a formulaic “run around and shoot people” story with a female protagonist. It is overly wordy, describing stuff in such excruciating detail that it feels the book is being padded (we need another 100 pages, Dean!). Half way through was long enough.

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A Holmes Pastiche to Pass On

Revisado: 12-27-16

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The character of the apprentice. Too young to make a good Holmes foil.

Which scene was your favorite?

None. I found the book quite boring.

Could you see The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I hope not.

Any additional comments?

Pass on this. The older Holmes is mildly interesting, but the story as a whole not worth the reading effort.

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Riveting and quite disturbing

Revisado: 12-27-16

What did you love best about Poorly Made in China?

The clear and concise breakdown as to how China's manufacturing engine works. Initially losing money on deals, the factories move to reducing quality (the author calls it quality fade) and thereby increasing profits. Fascinating!

If you could give Poorly Made in China a new subtitle, what would it be?

If you are making it in China - pay very careful attention!

Any additional comments?

This book is a page turner - the author REALLY knows his subject and tells the story well. You will feel sorry for a lot of the US companies that use China to make products for them; they are so naive in some cases or so late to the party that they simply do not survive.

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Reads like a novel - complete page turner

Revisado: 12-27-16

Where does Bush rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in the top 20 (I have read a bunch). I don't think I would read it again but it is fascinating the first time.

What did you like best about this story?

The blend of third party commentary and the views and vision of the man himself.

Which character – as performed by Tom Perkins – was your favorite?

Well, there is really only one. Bush.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It was very compelling.

Any additional comments?

The book starts with a background of Bush - a very funny, witty, and sympathetic man. The book ends with the Bush that the world saw following Sept 11 - he was struggling to fully understand what had happened and really did not comprehend the wide reaching problems his actions would have. I was not a fan of Bush as President, but this book humanized him and made me more aware of the complexity of the job, the poor advice and resulting poor decisions he made. While my feelings about him as a poor president did not change I feel that now I understand him better.

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What happened to the whole story?!

Revisado: 04-20-16

What did you like best about Strange Highways? What did you like least?

The story is not really fresh - is has been told by others and many times. It felt a little like Odd Thomas - same Koontz style. The biggest disappointment by far was it just "ended"; when the narrator said "we hope you have enjoyed this story" my reaction was: wait, what? Did I miss something? Nope that was the end.

Has Strange Highways turned you off from other books in this genre?

No - I have read a lot of Koontz (good commute books) - but this one was not worth the effort.

What about Jeff Cummings’s performance did you like?

He did a very good job animating the characters - I liked his style and pace.

Was Strange Highways worth the listening time?

Not really - if the story had been finished it would be have OK.

Any additional comments?

Save your credit - not worth it.

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Really good ripping yarn

Revisado: 10-17-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is a good tale and well told by Christopher Lane who really made the book come to life. Ripping yarn in the old school sense - lots of stuff going on at the same time.

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

Excellent story teller - good character identification and voices.

Any additional comments?

I found the end to be a bit contrived - and a lot impossible. Suspending disbelief is OK if it is for the whole story but this one did not need that until the end - which was a bit disappointing. The whodunit aspect was weaker than I would have liked. Still recommend the read though!

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Refreshing, funny and great!

Revisado: 04-12-15

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

The reader is flawless - does not matter the person he is interpreting: he gets it right every time. The story is hard to put down - I listen to it in my car, in the house, anywhere I can.

What other book might you compare Fated to and why?

Has a Terry Pratchett sense to it - one of his more serious ones, however. Well written and thought out - and quite witty in parts.

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

Alex Verus of course. He is a typical Brit, self-deprecating but with a magical twist.

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

Made me order the entire series! Had to hear more. I also want to hear more by this author and by this reader.

Any additional comments?

Don't miss this - I almost did. Seemed another Meh type of Harry Potter stuff (not a fan) but it is not.

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Class, Empires and War - who could ask for more!

Revisado: 12-21-14

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

The story is a page turner. World War I completely changed how people in Europe and the United States perceived themselves and their masters. This book tells the story of how that occurred through the lives of all the people concerned. Quite an experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are excellent. We experience the lives of people who experience real lives during the period of World War I. Thus we also suffer the changes, deprivation and fun that they lived and loved through.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

He rendered every single character, be they man, woman, German, British, American, upper or working class, accurately and believably. Doubtful there could be a better reader for this story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it would have meant not sleeping for at least one day! Was great to continue where it had been left of, however - the book was something to look forward to.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to reading Parts 2 and 3!

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Page Turner!! What an excellent story!!

Revisado: 11-08-14

If you could sum up The Hundred-Foot Journey in three words, what would they be?

Great human story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hundred-Foot Journey?

Any piece with the father - he is a wonderful character to read about.

What about Neil Shah’s performance did you like?

He switched voices perfectly. Always felt real.

If you could take any character from The Hundred-Foot Journey out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably the father - he has such depth and experience in life.

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Please end!

Revisado: 10-05-14

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If you like chewing gum for the mind (and I do for fun) this is that; but it is somewhat dried out, old flavorless chewing gum. The character is a hopeless mess making absurdly bad decisions. The other cast members are weak but not as pathetic.

What about Jay Snyder’s performance did you like?

The reader is excellent - brought real life to each character he narrates.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No - not even if it was free to get in and someone drove me there and back.

Any additional comments?

This book was disappointing on so many levels. Superman protagonists are quite common in this genre (and The Grey Man is no exception), but normally the Supermen make fairly good decisions and do not make a hopeless mess out of everything they touch.
His pain killer addiction while an interesting aside does not explain the heroes inability to do anything right. And I mean anything.
Superman surrounded by a mountain of kryptonite would have been in better shape than Mr Gentry.

I would pass.

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