D. Sims

It was Okay

Revisado: 01-06-13

Would you try another book from John Grisham and/or J.D. Jackson?

I really like Grisham. I am a little disappointed in this book, but I will certainly read more of his books. I don't normally look at who the narrator is, but the narrator cannot be faulted here.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was--not memorable. It was kind of a surprise, but one where you just shrugged and said, Oh!

Was The Racketeer worth the listening time?

Yes, if you wanted to kill some time, The Racketeer would do that for you.

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"To Jump in the River and Drown"

Revisado: 12-12-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Sometimes a Great Notion to be better than the print version?

The audio edition was great. Was it better than the print version? I can't go that far. The audio edition did have great inflection though. The narrator, Tom Stechschulte, does an excellent job of differentiating between the characters. Sometimes I had trouble following the time sequence and the switch in orientation in the audio edition that I did not have in the book, but it was still an excellent production.

What other book might you compare Sometimes a Great Notion to and why?

It is difficult to compare this book to other books. It is quite unique in many ways. The author writes in first person from the viewpoint of several different characters and then switches to the third person and back again. I have never seen another book do it quite like this. It makes it a little hard to follow at times, but it also made it a very interesting style. I liked it, but I don't think many authors could pull it off.Ken Kesey's other book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, was not at all like this. The current book is much more realistic in that it is dealing with a family, the logging Stamper Family of Oregon, and their problems--problems that exist in most families. The biggest problem being, like most families, a failure to communicate.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are many, many scenes that I really enjoyed, but there are two scenes that really stick out. One is when Joe Ben Stamper has a log fall on him and he is pinned in the river with the water rising. Hank Stamper gives his cousin breaths of air while he is underwater, but the two can't help but laughing which has deleterious effects.

The other scene that I particularly liked is the very end where Viv, Hank's wife and Lee's love interest is in the bus leaving town while Hank and his brother Lee, having reconciled to save the family business, are running the logs down the river. Meanwhile the frustrated union organizers are lined up on the riverbank where they see logs going downriver and are shocked to see the unique symbol of defiance and disdain for them displayed on the roof of the tugboat.

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

This was a book that is nearly impossible to listen to in one sitting, but you want to anyway. I found myself getting up in the middle of the night to listen just a while longer. It is a shame that Ken Kesey was not more prolific.

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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Revisado: 11-24-12

What disappointed you about Why Are You Atheists So Angry??

The book is pretty much a rant. I was really disappointed that Ms Christina was not able to put together a coherent world view. She ascribed anything that she didn't agree with to those "horrible" Christians, indicating that she really understands nothing about Christians.

Would you ever listen to anything by Greta Christina again?

It is unlikely that I would ever knowingly listen to Ms Christina again.

What three words best describe Greta Christina’s performance?

The three words that best describe Greta Chistina's performance, in my opinion, are: ranting, disjointed, and, frankly, ignorant, in that she does not seem to know the Christian doctrines she takes issue with.

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

Overall this book generated disappointment in that I expected a coherent understanding of the atheists' viewpoints. Instead I discovered that this atheist, at least, is as unclear about what she believes as she is about what others believe.

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Yes, I would recommend it!

Revisado: 10-02-12

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

The thing that I liked about this book (and the two earlier ones) is that it is exciting, yet written where I don't have to be ashamed of my 12 year old granddaughter reading it. There is NO foul language in the book and the little bit of sex is not gratuitous. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book was written from Katniss' viewpoint and she is my favorite character. It was great watching the character development--seeing her change and grown.

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

Carolyn McCormick brings the story to life as Katniss. She narrates the story from Katniss' perspective.

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

I wasn't able to listen to it all in one sitting, but my wife did. She would have listened to all three in one sitting. If her parents hadn't put the brakes on, my granddaughter would have listened all in one sitting too.

Any additional comments?

This was an enjoyable trilogy. I hope Suzanne Collins will write more in this vein.

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Leaves me hungry for more!!

Revisado: 08-27-12

Would you consider the audio edition of The Hunger Games to be better than the print version?

The audio version followed the print version very well. I like the audio edition better because I run into fewer cars on the way to work listening to the audio edition.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hunger Games?

The most memorable moment was when District 11 sent the protagonist a gift for her friendship with Rue. It gives a sense that there is more to come. I can't wait to read/listen to the next part.

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

Not listened to her before. She did a wonderful job.

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

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

Any additional comments?

I appreciate that there was no gratuitous sex or foul language. It isn't needed. This is a book that I am comfortable sharing with my 11 year old granddaughter. She likes it as much as I do.

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A Misrepresentation

Revisado: 08-06-12

What would have made The Shooting Salvationist better?

Author Stokes leaves out or downplays 1) the threat against J Frank Norris; 2) the fact that J Frank Norris' assailant was armed; and 3) where J Frank Norris got his gun. Stokes appears to have had an agenda to disparage Norris and he conveniently stresses the facts that make Norris look bad and leaves out the facts that exhonerate him.

Stokes tries to make it seem a miscarriage of justice that Norris was acquitted, but he was acquitted because the evidence did not warrant a conviction. Stokes does not give an accurate picture.

Has The Shooting Salvationist turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I enjoy reading historical works, but I try to always look for the author's agenda. In this case Stokes' agenda was to disparage J. Frank Norris.

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