Michael

A Graduate level education

Revisado: 11-07-20

This is book three of a four part series detailing the Eastern Front of WWI. I would satisfy any in-depth overview of a Graduate Military History program. There is nothing superfluous in Mr. Buttar's analysis. His analysis gives you the type of information someone seriously interested in the causes, conflicts, and outcomes of this theater of the war. Mr. Buttar gives brief biographical information on the major power players without going down a rabbit hole to the point you lose focus of his previous point The book does not bog down in biographical sketches that tell you little of the Casus belli from the point of view of the belligerents.
I'm happy that Roger Clark read the complete series. His voice led a gravity to the subject matter that gave the necessary weight and relevance to subject. It was a pleasure to listen to.
I am now reading book IV and will continue to read Mr Buttar's books. They are academic, but easy to follow without needing to much background education in the war.

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Best narration yet!

Revisado: 05-15-19

I've read this book before, it is one of my favorites. This unabridged version is by far my favorite. George Guidall uses character voices that really encapsulate and give flesh to the characters. Amazingly, he never forgets the accent and inflection of each character, and there are many! His rendition of Sancho Panza is so well done I forget I'm listening to a narrator. Very well done!

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The definitive history

Revisado: 06-21-18

This is the definitive history of the KL! Every aspect of that horrific program is covered. I learned so much more than I thought I knew about the Holocaust and the concentration camp system. There are excellent anecdotes from both victims and victimizers that tell a more complete story of the KL system. It is so in depth in its coverage that there were times I needed a "palate" cleanser for my mind. It is really difficult but absolutely necessary to read this book. It elucidates and dispels so many conceptions and misconceptions people have about this issue. Importantly, this book is a lesson to us as a society to be every vigilant least we start a slide down that hellish slope! Mr. Hodgson's narration is superb. He has the talent to present a subject with the tenor it deserves and requires. My only detractor is the unnecessary reading of quotes with accents. It needlessly takes away from the levity of the subject to the point it becomes almost farcical. Whoever was in charge of that edit got it wrong. That being said, don't let that cause you to skip this recording. It is a minuscule detraction against this fantastic work of history. I know I will be listening to it again.

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History Primer

Revisado: 07-26-16

Would you consider the audio edition of Silencing the Past to be better than the print version?

N/A I did not read the print.

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

It makes me think

Any additional comments?

Before you consider reading or listening to a History account, read or listen to this book! This book will make you change the way you view and read history. Think you understand a Historical event, time, or personage? Think again. This book forces you to make a paradigm shift as how to receive historical information, even your own! Just because you experienced it doesn't make it the true historical account. Before assessing blame, condemning players, or bestowing prestige and according accolades, read this book and get a better understanding on how to read, study and understand History. If I ever teach History, this book will be week ones required reading!

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Not a conspiracy theory

Revisado: 06-11-16

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

This is not a conspiracy theory type of critique. It is a well measured, thoughtful, and informed analysis of one of the realities of why wars rarely, if ever, serve altruistic or moral purposes. MG Butler was there, so this is not conjectural.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Unfortunately the narrator sounded a bit cartoonish. I cannot imagine a MG in the USMC sounding like a carnival barker.

Any additional comments?

Overall, this is an excellent short read, but well worth it.

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Think you understand politics, think again!

Revisado: 07-01-14

What made the experience of listening to The Dictator's Handbook the most enjoyable?

I was angry about the premise because I didn't want to believe it. However, the more I read and the more independent research I did the more I came to believe. That is what is enjoyable about this book, it's a paradigm shift in political human nature!

What other book might you compare The Dictator's Handbook to and why?

I would compare this to, and recommend reading of, "Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty" They should be companion readings to understand global politics and economics.

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

This is my first audio book read by Johnny Heller. His hushed, raspy voice was disconcerting at first, but I can't imagine a better performer for the info now. No false accents, or grandiose announcing, just well read hard truths.

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

Not only was this a book to listen to in one setting, but one of the few I know I will listen to again. What it has to tell is vitally important to anyone who votes and controls policy.

Any additional comments?

This should be read in High School so that when those students reach voting age, they won't vote with their heads in the sand.

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A sad story about the spirit of Australians

Revisado: 02-01-14

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

What made this story "enjoyable" was learning about the sacrifice the Australians endured for their country and the allied, pacific war effort.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sandakan?

The final death toll!

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

Yes. Very moving. I had to control my anger about a people long gone and not shift it to their descendants.

Any additional comments?

Paul Ham is a very knowledgable author and his stories are engrossing and necessary. I have read the majority of his books and each one makes me appreciate the "digger" more and more. I served with the Aussies in Afghanistan. Truly remarkable soldiers!

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An Odyssey

Revisado: 02-01-14

What made the experience of listening to A Voyage Long and Strange the most enjoyable?

Mr. Mayer did a wonderful job of conveying the story as though he where giving a fireside chat.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that the author actually tracked down people and places that descended from the story of America and made the whole affair more human than history.

Have you listened to any of John H. Mayer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, it's a story of us, not necessarily about us. He shows that memories can be quite long, i.e., the story of the oldest city in America. The present inhabitants are still arguing over it.

Any additional comments?

An excellent addition to anybody's American History reading list.

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The real man

Revisado: 02-01-14

What made the experience of listening to Washington: A Life the most enjoyable?

Mr. Chernow removed Washington from the pedestal history placed him upon, but didn't lessen his character, accomplishments, or appeal. Indeed, I respect and admire Washington more after this examination. A person's deeds are more the laudable when you know the shortcomings they overcame to achieve them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Marquis de Lafayette. He really adored Washington and was a man of conviction who tragically suffered for it.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Mr. Brick is a phenomenal storyteller! When he recites Washington's letters, he fully animates and fleshes out the great man to the extent you feel you can see him.

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

Sheepishly, tears came to my eyes from the recount of Washington's death. Though I certainly knew it was coming, Chernow's description, and the way Brick presented it, was very touching.

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Honest and balanced account

Revisado: 12-07-12

What did you love best about Hiroshima Nagasaki?

Paul Ham presents a honest and balanced account of the atomic bombings. Ham shows that no decisions, whether horrific or insignificant, can be pigeon holed as either a black or white finality by later day armchair historians. Ham presents the cacophony of voices that spoke for and against the use of atomic weapons and gives flesh to a few of the Japanese who survived the attack. I thoroughly enjoyed that Ham presented all sides, facts, opinions, and innuendoes and did not lead the reader, but allowed you to come to your own conclusions about this time in our history.
I learned more about the Manhattan Project and the results of its work than any other source I have yet read. "Hiroshima Nagasaki" reads like a historic novel where I sometimes forget I already know the ending.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hiroshima Nagasaki?

It was very illuminating to learn about the real reasons for Japan's surrender.

Which character – as performed by Robert Meldrum – was your favorite?

I thought Mr. Meldrum portrayed all characters very well, but I enjoyed his rendition of Roosevelt the most.

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

Another Day of Infamy

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