Darkling Thrush

Best of the Series

Revisado: 06-30-24

Was not impressed by first two books, but this one . My biggest gripe with the series is the Kaldorei seeming too weak to have ever built an empire, like dumb kids just lucky the time travelers show up to save them. And Azshara and Illidan seeming far too dim-witted to ever become the masterminds we know they will be. Here Azshara still comes off as shallow and naive. Illidan still easily duped. Jared grows up. Night Elves somewhat more capable.

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OK for Teens

Revisado: 05-24-24

Not much depth to the characters. Story has since been retconned. Best taken as one person's skewed perception of what happened.

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Should Be Required Reading

Revisado: 06-21-22

Should be required reading for every Forest Service employee, and for everyone who agrees that we should be trying to leave a nice world for our kids to enjoy.

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Profound Reflections on the Human Condition

Revisado: 11-18-21

What does it mean to be human?
What is the nature of good and evil?
I am intrigued by the possibility that we can outgrow some of our petty character flaws and become something better. Or create something that is. And I'm curious what that would look like. Personal redemption, even in extreme cases, as participation in our redemption as a species.

This book explores all of that, and manages to be a great story at the same time.

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Good Book, Decent Narration

Revisado: 08-28-21

I especially enjoyed the parts where Bernd reflected on connections between distance running and the aging process, a subject close to my heart as a 58yo distance runner. I also enjoyed the last couple of chapters, where he discovers trail ultras for the first time at age 79-80, and has a religious experience (trail ultras are all I've ever run, because being out in nature is my favorite part of running).

I did not always feel like the lines were delivered with the same inflection/emotional flavor that Bernd would have used if he were talking. The narration was not bad (I gave it 3 stars), but I sometimes wished I was reading instead so I could supply my own (imagined) voice tones.

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Raises Important Questions We Should All Be Asking

Revisado: 12-13-20

Worthy sequel to "Sapiens" and "Homo Deus". Harari leads us on a big-picture tour of current events, helping us put them in perspective of the overall human story. In doing so he raises questions we should all be asking about what's really important and where we headed.

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Brilliant & Thought-Provoking

Revisado: 11-16-20

Brilliant inter-disciplinary look at current trends, and thought-provoking analysis of where we might be going in the next century. As a historian, the author states the purpose of studying history is to recognize past patterns so we make better-informed decisions about our future. The implications discussed in "Homo Deus" will have your head spinning. On the plus side, stepping back for this big-picture view makes it easier to rise above day-to-day political craziness.

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I'm trying

Revisado: 10-12-20

I'm trying to appreciate this classic more, knowing so many have found inspiration. While I agree with most of the recommended behaviors, I am disappointed by so much emphasis on external motivation, i.e., over and over with how we should act thus to avoid torment in hell (I thought that was mostly a Christian hangup?).

To be honest, I find more inspiration in right action as its own reward. Also in what we are learning about humans as super cooperators, the power of reputation as the science behind karma, and in playing some small part in our growth as a species.

This was my second effort with Guide to the Bodhisattva; I may try again in a few years. At the moment I am finding Yuval Harari more inspiring than Shantideva.

(Narration was fine btw. My review is about my honest response to a Buddhist classic).

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas

Same Characters, Different Narrator

Revisado: 05-02-20

After getting to know the characters in one voice, it was strange hearing them narrated in another. Too bad they could not strive for consistency within one series!

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