David M

A cutting but appropriate analysis of ignorance

Revisado: 10-30-22

A short and confronting analysis of the capability, or rather the lack of ability, in recent American leaders. Each of those "leaders" are on display in their own words; making light but alarming reading. I wish he had added the chapter on Newt, that man has a lot to answer for and it would place his immortal quotes in like company.

If you take the time to read this and are American, please view your right to vote also as a responsibility. In Australia we must vote or get fined if we don't. Please use your right, get involved, speak to your friends, change minds. Most of all listen to them as the author councils. The other 93% of the human race would appreciate it!

I have to declare that I am not, and am very glad not to be, American. But as a citizen of three of America's staunchest international allies who are subject to vagrancies of what passes for the American electoral process. We are also being infected by what the author calls the "age of ignorance". His call to action at the end of the book is as applicable in London, Ottawa and Canberra as it is in Washington.

Lastly, I hope this book is maintained current so when my grandchildren hold their version of the Nuremberg trials for the responsible for supporting and perpetuating the age of ignorance in the Climate and Culture Wars, it can be called into evidence.

Well done Mr Borowitz.

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Thoroughly enjoyable, clever and well presented

Revisado: 07-10-22

An outstanding series. well written, clever plot, with believable characters.

Another great performance by Michael, always a pleasure to hear clear diction, correct pronunciations and varied voices.

More please!

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Sorry you lost me at werewolves and vampires

Revisado: 07-10-22

The writing is acceptable, even competent at times. But the author uses modern American venacular phrasing which is not help by the very young voice used by the narrator.

The story and behaviour of the female protagonist appears inconsistent with the implied cultural context. The fantasy elements are what drove me away, particularly when coupled with the use of historical place names that had no apparent parallel social or historical relevance to anchour the story in some alternative place and time.

I really can't see why this series is so highly rated. maybe the "boddice ripping" aspects of the story are appealing to some, but it not a series I will be burning credits on...

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Clever, witty, thoroughly enjoyable

Revisado: 06-25-22

One of the cleverest pieces of work I have listened to in quite a while. Great voice acting enhances a good yarn. my thanks.

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Some great ideas and challenges

Revisado: 04-18-22

Some great ideas and challenges, held back by a scientifically illiterate narrator.

Personal actions of varying degrees of difficulty mixed with a spiritual and interpersonal philosophy. I found worth considering. The test is a bit dated as world events have moved on, however the issues remain unaddressed and the actions recommend are still valid.

I found the naration middling, but the incorrect usage of general American english and in particular miss reading units of measure left me shaking my head. Pronouncing the abbreviations of units of power "W" as W rather that correctly as Watts or Wh as Watt-hours drove this engineer mad!

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Worth the read, food for thought

Revisado: 10-29-21

Solid life advice.

The reasoning is presented academically so it meanders a bit, but the essential ideas are worth consideration.

The arguments reference Christian doctrine and writings, clouding the message and in my view detracting from the supporting arguments. The old testament in particular is a poor basis for support of universal and objective morality. The actions of a fickle bronze age diety do not demonstrate the essential morality contained in the 12 rules. Buddha may have been a more relevant reference.

Note that this is my view as a middle of the road secular humanist

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This could be good but OMG archangles!!!

Revisado: 06-14-21

Not recommended for serious SF readers. Give this a miss unless are Christian fundamentalist in which case it will nicely reinforce your world view and assumptions.
I though initially that the ideas introduced in the first book could take us some interesting places, then I though we were heading for light space opera, then maybe a satire or farce. Unfortunately I think the author is dead serious. The first book introduced, rather abruptly some interesting concepts. Respect based economics, complex trans galactic politics; I thought the sex crazed G human female were a bit of a stretch but Ok lets see where this goes...

Well I managed to complete the second book...given his education and place in society I think we should expect better and more complex thinking by the author. His assumptions and ideas are steeped in American exceptionalism, big " C" Christianity and pseudo economics. There are positional diatribes agains big government, taxation and international commerce that are so counter factual as to be actively disingenuous, this goes beyond the bounds even for a work of fiction. This is why I though we were heading for a satire.

The author is, as with unfortunately many Americans, uniformed on other cultures and in the relative demographic and power politics position of the United States vs the rest of the world. As a non-American living in a first world country, his characterisation and knowledge of other nationalities was frankly bordering on the insulting, thus I though we may be heading for farce.

However when we went over the edge with self referential extensions of the literal truth of the Christian new testament, complete with archangles and the devil, I could only continue to listen as we are dragged through this train wreck of reasoning and justification. This has shades of L.Ron Hubbard, I hope this author refrains from falling into the madness of his own fiction!

If you want good galaxy spanning politics and strategy, try David Webb and his collaborators, want to add a bit of sex and action try John Ringo and his group, want some humor then Skippy and the Bobiverse rule!

Great reading as always Jeffery, you made the pain bearable.

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A well meant attempt to explain interesting math

Revisado: 04-18-21

If you are interested in math and need a starting point consider this as an introduction to nonlinear and fractal theory.

If you are interested in systems analysis and information theory this is essentially worthless ... move on.

The narrator was poorly coached and could not even pronounce key terms like hysteresis correctly, poor QA on the producer's part.

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Another good story from Olan

Revisado: 03-12-21

Though this story has a bit of exciting action; this is speculative science fiction at its best - think Bova, Clark and Pournelle. Its a story of smart people who live regular lives, connecting and crossing paths in a realistic and plausible manner in an exceptional situation. Thorensen has a gentle slightly academic style that may be a bit slow for some people more used to the Hollywood inspire "death a minute" scifi. Though this is definitely a cautionary tale inspired by current global concerns, its a tale for the thinking person. No spoilers, but I think the author is going to take us to some interesting places.

My only critique is the editors need to up their game as the audio version still has quality assurance verbal notes and there is some duplication that should be edited out, e.g. we don't need to know how the Inuit spy was paid...three times...

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A fascinating glimpse inside the Whitehouse

Revisado: 08-22-20

Though the underlying narrative is a defense of Bolton's policy recommendations, the book provides an interesting first hand account of the inner workings of the highest level of the American government. It also describes the current Trump administration's geopolitical strategy, or lack thereof, in stricking detail.

Recounting his attempts to guide and moderate a clearly intelectally lazy and inconsistent President, Bolton paints a picture of the reactive and hesitant nature of the exercise of American power. He also defends his efforts to translate a mercurial leader's outbursts into effective policy while the long term professional civil servants also work, many times at cross purposes, to mitigate the real and reputational damage generated by Trumps behavior on the international stage.

Lastly Bolton's blow by blow account of his interactions with Trump and his senior team shows the appallingly devisive and ineffective character of Trump's approach to personnel selection and management.

My personal take:

As a senior business leader with four decades of perspective and five countries of experience in my view a man, a President, like Bolton describes would have been managed out of any reputable firm and if in a senior role any competent board of directors would have rapidly exited the individual.

I currently live in Australia where voting and participation in political discourse is viewed not just as a right but as a responsibility. Here you must vote and are subject to a significant fine if you don't. It guarantees that we all get our say. A professional independent and well respected civil service objectively draws and maintains the boundaries of electoral districts and an equally independent and professional body actively promotes and maintains voter registrations. Its not perfect but works well enough for us and ensures that our politicians are regularly held to account for both their policy decisions and their behaviour.
That Americans can sit passively and watch their own disenfranchisement through Gerrymandering and selective voter registration is both appalling and disheartening.
If it were not for the fact we are talking about the USA I would wish you the joy of your choices. But with your potential impact on the global political and economic environment, the other 94% of the human race can only wish you wisdom and urge you to action irrespective of your political beliefs.
Please choose better this time.

DM
Perth Aus.
Aug 2020

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