Charles Of New York

Splendid Narrative of a Legend

Revisado: 08-29-19

Superbly outlined adventure of the air hero that captures the spirit of things heroic in a man who both sides in any war can admire.

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Spectacular Sweep of a Much Obscured Subject

Revisado: 08-25-19

From Anthracite Coal Patches I lived the anthracite culture in blind ignorance of its meaning. Spledidly narrated, rich in history, I am informed in depth by every episode to now better understand who I am and how my family endured. Most interesting was the bit of coverage of the miners, their families and personalities histrically involved.

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Stunning, Definitive Historic Epic

Revisado: 09-09-17

What did you love best about Masters of the Air?

Its absorbing historic sweep, brilliant historical detail, a reverent tribute to the 8th Air Force, memorializing the air men who won the final victory of the WW II in Europe. Both sides, US - German, are covered in revelatory depth. Uncovered long forgotten of a historic time. In my years of Audible Books Listening, this Audible Book stands outas the best ever.

What did you like best about this story?

The prose, clear tempo of the superb writing, the brilliant narration, the depth of its revealing historic sweep, its startling, hidden history of WWII air war. Covers the leaders, both foolish and brilliant men who strategically stumbled through the European Air War. It gives a history of US air power, it gives views of both the US and German sides, the to and fro tempo of their battles, their strategies, the pace of war. Especially giv, the focus of the men on a close personal level, details of their live and survivals. It vividly captures WII, both home and in depth at the battle fronts. The writer perceptive insights give unique insight into each of the major players, covering the individual, unique personalities engaged in the great battles.

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

First, if an authentic WWII bomber pilot were to read this book, the narrator sounded like on the hat hard bitten, war confident bomber pilots. Roberson Dear/s voice enhanced the narrative, he sounded like a WWII bomber pilot. This brought to book uplifted to the time and place of WW II: in the air and on the ground. In the UK. The narrator sounds like he has been there. Is perfect, enhances the splendid writing. Never tiring, respectful, always giving a moving tribute with his voice. He is perfect.

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

No. One sitting is not enough. It is something to listen to in time segments because it is so moving, so rich in content, so powerful, at times stunning. To rush through it would not properly respect the work. Nor get full ability to uncover its richness. I lived with this book for several weeks, intimately reading it in the US and then Europe. Transported to the book's time and place. And I wanted to savor the words, the narration. I rationed the book out over time, to keep its intimacy, its absorbing world, to ration out its value. It is so packed with history, personalities, drama from both the sides of the Allies and the Axis, it is on my list as one of the best Audible Books ever.

Any additional comments?

This book fully captures and gives tribute to the almost forgotten men who waged the air war against the evil of the Axis in so many other areas, in a way I still can not fully articulate but can only hold within my private memory.

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Difficult and Dry

Revisado: 08-01-16

Skiped chapters glad it ended. lacked vivid excitement of the era's in which he lived. but kept lovelesd dry encylapedic as an IEEE meeting, unvivid,

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A Staggering Epic

Revisado: 02-26-16

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

History before this audible on Venice was all US and Western Europe with never a mention of the Venetian Empire epic years of 10th to 15th century, covered in this narrative. Even Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" a historic mystery until now.

The narrator is superb, keeps the pace absorbing, every interesting. .

What was one of the most memorable moments of City of Fortune?

The revelation of the that impelled Western Europe to bypass Venice's monopoly and find new routes to India and China. The forces that what impelled Columbus, a Genoan, to seek passage around the Ottomans and Venice, and thus discover the new world.

How Venice Ruled European riches, 10th to 15th Century Europe, a Europe then in the Dark Ages, until the Ottoman Empire paralyzed Venice and further impelled Europe to find new routs to the riches of Asia, India and China.

It covers parts of Europe and Asia little known to any European and American, due to the life-long myth making and pride and self-absorption in Western European and American Histories, and how they ignore the glory of historic forces impelling these Histories.

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

A mountain of information and impressive research and vivid word pictures with sensuous nothing held back excitement. Conveyed the human characters in near cinematic exactness. The writer is not timid in wording the way is was, a standout in writing that keeps the listener absorbed.

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

Oh yes. But alas, the depth and length of the book made me, at times, have to return to earth and get on with daily life. But left a deep longing for my to return to the narration.

Any additional comments?

I have been listening to books, lectures and internet downloads for years now and this book is an stunning stand-our experience.

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Unsurprising

Revisado: 08-01-13

What disappointed you about Biography?

It was more an encyclopedia than a flesh and blood biography. Too tame. But revealing in its background coloring of Rush and his caree. No depth at all, though.

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

It commercial pace.

Any additional comments?

Too slick, TV smooth, not even trying to be literate.

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A Spectuacular Series, Brilliantly Portrayed

Revisado: 11-19-12

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

I listened to the entire series:

For me, British History was a jumble of technicolor MGM Movies, scattered on a screen without reason, more nonesense. This whole series sequentially showed dramatic British history in form, near Shakspean. The interplay of the brilliant readers kept a fresh, fascinating pace gripping, ever changing. Never has an Audible narration held me captured in such awe. I also discovered how much of our American foundation is based on the trial and error, blood and drama of centruries of British history, kings and queens comings and goings, a history of good examples, bad examples, examples enough to be used by the US Founding Fothers for the founding our country. Thank you Brisitish History. Every American should listen to this and learn.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrators. I sensed they treasured their history and took what could be just another narration and lifted it up to emotinal heights. I had no royal favorites, the all seemed to be the same, petty and wonderful, power users, using people to die for their royal greedy needs.

What about Anna Massey and Robert Powell ’s performance did you like?

They were wonderful, brilliant, kept up a pace that sped the narration fresh through the entire series. Their superb talent was one of the quality gifts I admired throughout listening to the entire series, start to finish. They cared from someplace deep down, cared to make their history more than just another narration, but a proud, warts and all, truth about the historic characters they narrated. I felt they deeply enjoyed the sound of the writing too. If there is an Academy Award for Audible narration, it should be given to these performances.

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

Yes. I felt emotional awe, deeper gratitude for what laws British history has given us. I did amuse at the petty humanness of the aritistocrats and how the country stood up to wrongs or just let them slide. I sensed of anger at how religion's power caused such human despair.

Any additional comments?

This is the best of the best, an example of deep brilliance. Thank you Audible, I would be a lesser person without your taking me to these newer mental heights.

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Worst thing I ever heard

Revisado: 02-02-12

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

If it were erased.

What do you think your next listen will be?

J. D Salanger biography.

What didn???t you like about Tom Weiner???s performance?

How could he participate in this poison.

You didn???t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes. It made me aware of the visceral hatred people had and still have for FDR.

Any additional comments?

FDR's Social Security, and its orphans and widows' financial support, and later social plans, lifted our widow-oprhaned family out of the orphanage and poor house, saved us, lifted us into education worlds denied to so many millions before us. So I am sore at this stupid, prejudiced book. I could not get through 25% of it with its constant one note acid theme of trying to make FDR the great Satin. There was no balance, no humanity no intellegence of anything human about this messy book. Only neurotic, twisted FDR haters could love it.

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