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John B. Zerkel

stratmanz

Tempe, Az USA | Member Since 2004

HELPFUL VOTES

16 reviews
37 ratings
0 titles in library
17 purchased in 2013

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Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever

UNABRIDGED
- by Bill O'Reilly , Martin Dugard
- Narrated by Bill O'Reilly
Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 49 mins)

By Bill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard

Narrated By Bill O'Reilly

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2959)
Performance
(2635)
Story
(2645)

The anchor of The O'Reilly Factor recounts one of the most dramatic stories in American history—how one gunshot changed the country forever. In the spring of 1865, the bloody saga of America's Civil War finally comes to an end after a series of increasingly harrowing battles. President Abraham Lincoln's generous terms for Robert E. Lee's surrender are devised to fulfill Lincoln's dream of healing a divided nation. But one man and his band of murderous accomplices are not appeased....
William says: "Decent Book - Bad Narration"
"Good story, but poorly narrated"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, but I think this book is probably better read than listened to.....

Do you think Killing Lincoln needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Too late.....Killing Kennedy is out....

Any additional comments?

I thought I could listen to O'reilly...in fact another reviewer said that even if you can't stand him personally the story is worth it.....I would agree, the story is excellent, but O'reilly really sounds like he's reading it, there is no characterization, or emotion which is really ashame because the story is very good

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sorta Like a Rock Star

UNABRIDGED
- by Matthew Quick
- Narrated by Cynthia Holloway
Sorta Like a Rock Star

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 52 mins)

By Matthew Quick

Narrated By Cynthia Holloway

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(17)
Performance
(16)
Story
(16)

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom's boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). Still, Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. But when a fatal tragedy threatens Amber's optimism - and her way of life - can Amber continue to be the rock star of hope?
John B. Zerkel says: "After being hooked by Silver Linings playbook....."
"After being hooked by Silver Linings playbook....."

Overall
Performance
Story

What made the experience of listening to Sorta Like a Rock Star the most enjoyable?

The story was a positive uplifting one ...Although I think it might have been aimed at a younger audience, but was pleased I gave it a chance anyway.

Which character – as performed by Cynthia Holloway – was your favorite?

I liked the bitter old lady in the nursing home because I can relate to her cynicism

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

Not an extreme reaction, but it was one that I couldn't stop listening to

Any additional comments?

This book reminds me of a young lady I work with who is the sweetest, most optimistic person Ive ever met despite the loss of her mother as a child and some other tough circumstances...I've recommended she give this a read

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Matthew Quick
- Narrated by Ray Porter
The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 22 mins)

By Matthew Quick

Narrated By Ray Porter

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(618)
Performance
(559)
Story
(555)

During his years in a neural-health facility, Pat Peoples has formulated a theory about silver linings. He believes that his life is a movie produced by God, that his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and that if he succeeds, his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. When Pat goes to live with his parents, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki, and his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy.
richard says: "A remarkable achievement."
"I was really hesitant"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to The Silver Linings Playbook again? Why?

Absolutely!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silver Linings Playbook?

Well, the dance scene was completely different than the movie, and I thing overall the book was better than the movie even though the movie was excellent

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

He was easy to listen to, good acting and separation of characters

Who was the most memorable character of The Silver Linings Playbook and why?

The Father, because the book gave you more insight into the character

Any additional comments?

I very rarely if ever get a book after seeing the movie...I am sure that had I read the book before the movie the movie wouldn't have been as good as it was. That is how good this book is.....it is even better than a very good movie....in fact I didn't fill in Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence into the characters like you usually do with a book turned movie..SO SO HAPPY I DECIDED TO DOWNLOAD!!!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
12.21: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Dustin Thomason
- Narrated by Fred Sanders , Noel Rodriguez , Dustin Thomason
12.21: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 52 mins)

By Dustin Thomason

Narrated By Fred Sanders, Noel Rodriguez, Dustin Thomason

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(239)
Performance
(202)
Story
(199)

For decades, December 21, 2012, has been a touchstone for doomsayers worldwide. It is the date, they claim, when the ancient Maya calendar predicts the world will end. In Los Angeles, two weeks before, all is calm. Dr. Gabriel Stanton takes his usual morning bike ride, drops off the dog with his ex-wife, and heads to the lab where he studies incurable prion diseases for the CDC. His first phone call is from a hospital resident who has an urgent case she thinks he needs to see.
cristina says: "Three stars, but enjoyable"
"A bit disappointed"

Overall
Performance
Story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The jumping back and forth between past and present wasnt very smooth...Lost interest

Has 12.21 turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.....this was just disappointing..maybe my expectations were too high

Could you see 12.21 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No doubt it will and I doubt very seriously it will follow the book very closely

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Gone Girl: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Gillian Flynn
- Narrated by Julia Whelan , Kirby Heyborne
Gone Girl: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 11 mins)

By Gillian Flynn

Narrated By Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(9387)
Performance
(8147)
Story
(8128)

It is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?
Teddy says: "Demented, twisted, sick and I loved it!"
"First time Gillian Flynn Listener"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Gone Girl in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't stop listening

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, just when I had the characters figured out.....twists...I liked the alternating he said, she said chapters

What about Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne ???s performance did you like?

They were believable...I felt like I was "in" the story

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

YES

Any additional comments?

I'm definitely going to check out the other Flynn books!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Supreme Justice: A Novel of Suspense

UNABRIDGED
- by Phillip Margolin
- Narrated by Jonathan Davis
Supreme Justice: A Novel of Suspense

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 22 mins)

By Phillip Margolin

Narrated By Jonathan Davis

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(104)
Performance
(29)
Story
(30)

New York Times best-selling author Phillip Margolin returns to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., with an exciting thriller about a ghost ship and the President's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sarah Woodruff, on death row in Oregon for murdering her lover, John Finley, has appealed her case to the Supreme Court just when a prominent justice resigns, leaving a vacancy.
Daniel says: "Good but..."
"Not his best"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about Supreme Justice?

A decent thriller, the author really is quite good

Who was your favorite character and why?

No favorite...

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He's one of my favorite narrators and this is as good as any he has done

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

Hey man, where's the ship...

Any additional comments?

Lost interest about the time the ship gets lost....seemed to go all over the place, but still a good listen....primarily because of the narrator.....Maybe I'll give it a closer listen...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Last Innocent Man

UNABRIDGED
- by Phillip Margolin
- Narrated by Christopher Lane
The Last Innocent Man

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 7 mins)

By Phillip Margolin

Narrated By Christopher Lane

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(25)
Performance
(10)
Story
(10)

Defense attorney David Nash has made a career out of setting monsters free — and no one does it better. Now a case has come to “the Ice Man” that could help cleanse Nash of the guilt and doubts that torment him: that rarest of all defendants, an innocent man.
Charles says: "Another hit from Margolin"
"Twist and Turn"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to The Last Innocent Man again? Why?

No, I don't re-read or re-listen..too many books too little time!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Innocent Man?

Too many to name, but all of the parts with Tom Galt

Which character ??? as performed by Christopher Lane ??? was your favorite?

Tom Galt

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, it was all good

Any additional comments?

Real page turner with lots of twists and turns. Great character's also!!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Undertaker's Widow

UNABRIDGED
- by Phillip Margolin
- Narrated by Eric Dawe
The Undertaker's Widow

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 35 mins)

By Phillip Margolin

Narrated By Eric Dawe

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(39)
Performance
(30)
Story
(30)

Judge Richard Quinn is young, idealistic, and honest to a fault. That's why he's handed the most sensational homicide case in Oregon history. Locked in a race for the U.S. Senate, Ellen Crease gunned down the intruder who murdered her wealthy husband. In a single, brutal instant she became a widow, a victim, and a hero. Yet disturbing questions remain. What secrets did the man who started his fortune running mortuaries keep that might have cost him his life?
bryan1214 says: "very good read"
"Worst Narration I have EVER heard.."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story wasn't bad, but the narration was pathetic!! It ruined the story for me.. I am going to find out who the narrators were and make sure to NEVER listen to anything they narrate again...even if it's the best book of all time....What a shame.....I think the Author would be embarrassed by the way this was read!

Would you be willing to try another book from Phillip Margolin? Why or why not?

Yes as long as it's a good narrator

What didn???t you like about Eric Dawe???s performance?

See above....the voices were awful and a couple of them sounded robotic...AWFUL!!!

Was The Undertaker's Widow worth the listening time?

NO...I would rather have read it so I didn't have to put up with the narrator

Any additional comments?

FIRE ERIC DAWES....

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

UNABRIDGED
- by E. L. James
- Narrated by Becca Battoe
Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 47 mins)

By E. L. James

Narrated By Becca Battoe

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(10767)
Performance
(8508)
Story
(9117)

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Penelope Poopendorfer says: "Holy Crap minus the Holy"
"I got sucked in by the hype"

Overall
Performance
Story

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

Didn't live up to the hype, in fact it was a load of rubbish.....Last time I get drawn in by hype!

What do you think your next listen will be?

not the other two books in this series for sure!...Probably a good Herman Wouk story

Did Becca Battoe do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

So-So but she had little to work with in character development anyway!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

3 of 5 people found this review helpful
The Lonely Polygamist

UNABRIDGED
- by Brady Udall
- Narrated by David Aaron Baker
The Lonely Polygamist

UNABRIDGED (23 hrs and 10 mins)

By Brady Udall

Narrated By David Aaron Baker

Overall
(265)
Performance
(146)
Story
(150)

In The Lonely Polygamist, Udall pens a tragicomic tale starring Golden Richards - who despite having four wives and 28 children, hasn’t quite found fulfillment in life. Like other men in the midst of a mid-life crisis, Golden feels as though he’s drowning. His wives squabble amongst themselves, and he hardly has time for all his children - least of all the 11-year-old who’s taken a keen interest in explosives.
FanB14 says: "Believe the Hype"
"I Loved this story"

Overall
Performance
Story

Maybe because I live in a heavily populated Mormon territory with some bad history of polygamy?!
I thought the characters were great, and well written. The narration was pretty good too.Whatever, it grabbed my attention and kept it....Of course I probably never would have bought it but for the summer sale!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful