William G. Stuart

Great Story

Revisado: 08-27-24

This is a fascinating story of hope, courage, and liberation. It's one thing to read about slavery in a school textbook and another to meet slaves through historical writing. I found this audiobook riveting.

My one compliant is that the male reader wasn't prepped on a lot of pronunciations from the couple's time in Massachusetts. Yes, it's not intuitive that Worcester is pronounced "woos' ter" and not "woo' ster." But it is. And the first syllable of Tremont isn't pronounced like "tree," but rather with a soft "e." And others.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Fascinating Look at an American Family

Revisado: 08-23-24

I'm not a Trump zealot nor a hater. I chose this book because I wanted to gain more insight into his family and how it influenced who Donald Trump is today. Fred3 certainly delivered. He traces the family back to Germany (his grandfather was an immigrant) and Ireland (his mother immigrated, though the family conveniently changed the story of her arrival to fit a narrative). He provides information on four generations of Trumps to help us understand the path that the family navigated and family members' relationships with each other. Who knew that Donald wasn't the first in the family to make money from gambling and sex? Or how he shifted the family's real-estate legacy when he assumed control of his father's empire.

All in all, an interesting reflection from a family insider. It seems balanced, addressing the high and lows of Donald Trump. I suspect that his sister Mary's book is less so.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The World's Fair - and World Affairs

Revisado: 08-23-24

I wanted to learn more about the Fair, which I attended when I was ages six and seven. I was somewhat disappointed that a lot of the book was bout the cultural phenomenon and political climate in the 1960s. I appreciate the author's setting the Fair in the context of the era, but he went into far more detail about racial unrest in Mississippi and Alabama, the Beatles' history in the US, Bob Dylan's transformation from poet to lyricist/singer, and LBJ's management of the Vietnam War than necessary to place the fair in context. But a nice overview of the Fair - the controversial lord of the Fair, how geopolitics affected countries' participation, the racial tensions in New York City as they related to the Fair, and the politics leading up to the opening and closing of the Fair.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another Terrific Michele Campbell Novel

Revisado: 11-15-23

A veteran of more than 700 audiobook listens, I only recently discovered Michele Campbell. I've been engrossed in all of her novels as I've listened on highways to Paragould, Ark. and Tarrant County, Texas, in the woods on long walks with our dog, and while mowing the lawn and blowing leaves (with ear buds and noise-blocking earmuffs).

I figured out why I find her novels so compelling after listening to a recent book (from one of my favorite authors) that didn't excite me. A key to Ms. Campbell's writing is that it's not linear. She introduces plot action in the present, then strategically goes back in time to give the reader perspective on the people who are acting in the present and their actions long ago. This approach allows her to tell the story across decades without detracting from the here-and-now.

In addition, her characters are well-developed and relatable. Her descriptions are appropriately not overly complex (so that I can follow them while I engage in certain activities). And the action doesn't move outside the realm of the believable.

Time to order and listen to more Michele Campbell.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A Deep Dive into a Complicated Mind

Revisado: 11-14-23

Even though Elon Musk has been a public figure for more than two decades, I knew very little about him. My brother-in-law has a man-crush on Elon, so I decided to learn all that I could to converse with my b-i-l as we worked together on a project.

This book was typical Isaacson - very thorough research and compelling writing. I feel as though I really understand what makes this man tick after listening to this biography. I understand that Musk is a very complicated man. His personal life (as a youth, a husband, and father) is, to say the least, colorful and complicated. His work style as a boss is demanding and unforgiving. And his mind is wired as few other people's are.

This is truly a generational thinker and doer. He increases wealth and options for all humanity, even as those closest to him personally and professionally pay a price for his inconsistent behavior.

The seeds of genius are planted in few minds. Even fewer are those who tend to that plot and raise crop after crop. Musk is one of those people. Kudos to him for making the world a better place. And for being one of the few who can even identify the horizon, never mind see past it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Interesting Spotlight on Two American Icons' Lives

Revisado: 11-14-23

I found this book very interesting. It delivers deep detail about the lives of two "heroes" of mid-century America. These men were legends. Adam Lazarus provides an in-depth look into each man's life and what makes him tick. He helps us understand their life intersections and their fondness for each other.

To me, the most surprising aspect of the book was Ted Williams and the two wars. I thought he was a patriot who eagerly enlisted when his country called. The author presents a very different picture. Ted was reluctant to leave baseball for World War Two. He thought that his reserve status would keep him out of Korea and was surprised and angry to learn that he would be called to active duty again.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another Great Grisham Story

Revisado: 11-14-23

I've really enjoyed reading Grisham during the past quarter century or so. He's never failed to deliver a novel with great and relatable, characters, generally believable plot twists, and action that's believable (e.g., the hero doesn't walk away from an assassin shooting and missing at point-blank range, as some authors write).

Grisham is simply a great storyteller. I've never read one of his books. My only exposure has been through audiobooks. He's one author who tells a story so well that I want to hear rather than read it, even though it's not a Michael Beck narration.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Are Margolin and Lockwood Losing Steam?

Revisado: 11-14-23

I've been listening to Phillip Margolin books for more than 25 years and eagerly pre-order everything that he writes. I really enjoy the Robin Lockwood series overall. Generally compelling characters, interesting plots, etc.

This one left me disappointed. The story was all too predictable. Outside of a twist to the end, the plot followed a pretty linear path. There really weren't spellbinding moments that I'll remember months from now. It was just a straight murder-and-trial novel. Margolin has set bar higher than this with his other works. This book is good, and for most authors it would rank among their best work. It simply doesn't represent the author at his sharpest.

I haven't soured on the author. This is the only one of his dozen or so books to which I've listened that I would rate fewer than five stars. I'll pre-order his next work and count the days until it's available for listening. But if someone unfamiliar with but interested in the work of the author asked me for a referral to a Phillip Margolin novel, this isn't one that I'd recommend.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I Didn't See THAT Coming!

Revisado: 02-24-23

This book was a typical husband-kills-wife story until near the end. We know that he killed her. We know that others know that he did it. We know that prosecutors don't have the evidence to convict him.

But the conclusion shows us that we didn't know what we didn't know. Fascinating.

Well written, good characters, totally believable plot - right up until the surprise ending.

Definitely recommend.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Stretches the Limits of Belief - Not in a Bad Way

Revisado: 02-24-23

It took me a while to get into this book. Two distinct stories going, first in in different parts of the country and then in different parts of the same state. But then they came together in a mind-stretching conclusion. The plot stretches the imagination without leaving the reader disappointed in a conclusion too fantastic to be believed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona