OYENTE

Amazon Customer

  • 24
  • opiniones
  • 2
  • votos útiles
  • 120
  • calificaciones

For diehard LOTR fans

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-21-24

I consider myself a pretty big fan of LOTR, but this is more like a glossary or backstory for key characters rather than a stand alone epic.

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Essential reading

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-21-24

My only complaint is my version cut off with about an hour left in the performance. This was an audiobook that I got "included' with my subscription (i.e., didn't pay for it with a credit), but I expected better quality than that. Didn't pursue it since I've listened to several books by R. Conquest, A. Applebaum and others that tread over the same territory (with this as a reference), but was very interested to listen to this as a "primary" source of sorts.

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Great Presentation

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

My headline relates to my overall star review (5 stars across) and my view of the both the content and presentation of the subject. However, I do have to say it was disheartening to 'know' who the mole was during all of these consequential historical events being recounted in the book. What I would say to anyone reading this review and thinking about listening to this book, be prepared to be angry at the betrayal of Philby and his 'friends' and the incompetence of his pursuers. How is it the best outcome to let someone defect because they come from the right social class? I will be listening to other Ben Macintyre offerings for sure!

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Excellent Repudiation

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

The author does an excellent job of deconstructing IQ tests and proves their irrelevance for comparing broad racial groups while also acknowledging their utility for individual cases. While there may be a "bell curve" for many measurements of human anatomy, cultural and educational differences make this fraught for any measure of "g".

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Heartbreaking

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

Good review of the 'troubles' from the IRA side, heartbreaking outcome for murdered (more so) and murderers (still some sympathy for them given the context). Gerry Adams doesn't come out looking too good, but what do you expect from a supercilious politician? I'll definitely seek out more from this author and on this subject.

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A little smarmy

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

Maybe because I'm in the industry, I was put off a little by this book. Not that there aren't characters like this in real life, ignorant money-grubbing philistines willing to do whatever it takes to get rich but who also occasionally come up with a useful structuring tool (MBS). Maybe I was in the wrong mood when I listened to this, but I can't delight in the petty battles between arrogant MBAs who by the way also destroy other peoples savings (where is the fiduciary responsibility for these moronic bond buyers?!?). I guess this is a useful wake up call to anyone counting on the honesty or good faith of traders and investors of retirement and pension funds.

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My kind of leader

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

Nimitz presents the man as a no-nonsense, competent leader of men with great respect for his subordinates' skills and abilities. He was also humble in the best way and devoted to the cause of victory. Given his personality and promotion of those who actually led the battle fleets, I'm surprised he is as well remembered as he is. For me, he is a great companion to George C. Marshall as the army leader, meritocratic competence leading the US to victory in WWII (although technically King was Admiral of the Fleet, guess I'll have to listen to a book about him). Could the US have won in the Pacific without him? Probably, but it would have taken longer and cost more blood and treasure. One of the anecdotes I remember most from this book is when Nimitz's daughter averred at the dinner table that England sank its own ships to demonstrate the reach of the enemy, quoting a Soviet Russian source. Nimitz put down his fork, gathered himself (I'm assuming) and coolly informed her "anyone who would believe that will believe anything." That is the sort of clear headed thinking we need in these times.

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What was it all for?

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

I bought this because I had always been raised on the belief that Vietnam was all bad, an example of America's totally incompetent and wasteful foray into SE Asia that had no sense or purpose and was conducted with mendacity. Well, I now think of Vietnam as an example of a perhaps honestly held view initially being carried through to the bitter and disastrous end by leaders so invested in victory they had no capacity or ability to extract themselves ('my dick is bigger than yours' LBJ). Of course, there was plenty of incompetence and mendacity along the way, but this book shows glimmers of how it could have been different. The US wasn't helped by the South Vietnamese dictatorship and of course using a multimillion dollar plane to fire a multi thousand dollar missile at a peasant is no way to win a war. What I liked most about this book is the view of the other side, North Vietnam. They were no saints, but callous and bloodthirsty tyrants well-steeped in Stalinist methods of control. What still sticks with me is the quote of one of the victors when asked 'was it worth it?' His answer: no.

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Applicable to modern times?

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

Well researched and chronological story of why Rome was doomed. I bought this because I wanted to glean something about modern day civilizations (or empires if you prefer), which the author addresses re: the British Empire. My interest is a little west of that, and centered in North America. The reasons for the downfall are unfortunately mostly truisms, but still illuminating story of one of the more consequential civilizations in European history. Will American Civilization someday fall? Yes, but who knows what will follow, after all England is still around.

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Modern Day Cult

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-27-23

What's frustrating are the precepts of this modern day, totally American religion. Grown men using some 19th century perversion (intentional use of this word) to rape teens and preteens is blood-boiling. The casualness of the murderers also stuck with me for a while. For me, the most ridiculous part was when one brother said he was OK with his brother strangling him with a sheet while in prison, but when he couldn't pull it off (too bad Epstein wasn't there), he suddenly had a change of heart and thought, yeah...no thanks. The malice and ignorance of these murderers is breathtaking.

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