"A Rich Read!"
I enjoyed this listen so much I lost sleep to continue listening. Scott Brick is my favorite narrator and he doesn't disappoint here. Set in Chicago in the late 1800's the book tells two stories. The fascinating story of Chicago's rush to build the White City and hold the World Fair of 1893 (celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America and visited by everyone who was anyone); as well as the murderous actions of Herman Mudgett (a.k.a. HH Holmes) a well respected doctor who preyed on young trusting women, and anyone else who got in his way.
The author writes in such a way that you can truly imagine the excitement and boom happening in that place and time. Other added details such as the detectives' intense search for evidence, appearances by famous people, and a tale from the Titanic make this story a rich and enjoyable read.
This was a huge undertaking for any author and I'm glad Larson ventured to uncover this enthralling story, however more details of both the murders and the building of the city would have been welcomed. Still a fascinating read that for the first time makes me look forward to the movie so I can see the incredible White City come to life.
"A Very Entertraining Story & Listen!"
If you get a little turned off by the idea of a 32 hr book - don't worry. You'll wonder why it's over so quick. A fantastic story & narration. (Left me wondering if Big Jim the Chief was contrived while listening to Carol King's Smackwater Jack song). It's a small world after all. Mankind should behave at least 1/2 as intelligent & diligent as ants to be worthy enough to share it. Enjoy
"Fast Paced & Bone Chilling"
My husband and I listened to this book together & both agree it's one of the best we've come across in a long time. We were hooked from the first chapter - the cringing & carnage never stopped. We devoured this listen in days!
A special ops force lands in a small town and an intensely gruesome and unrelenting nightmare begins. Leaving only a handful of people to fight back.
My only criticism, beside yelling at the victims to wake up & take action is that the author should have put a little more effort in developing the victories. He falls just short of having you cheering for the good guys.
This author wrote a few books using the name J. A. Konrath (cop stories). Jack Kilborn's second book 'Trapped' is due out Winter 2010 & we can't wait!
"Eloquently written and read"
Eloquently written and read I couldn't put this book down. Publishers Weekly sums the book up wonderfully: "Set in 17th-century China, See's fifth novel is a coming-of-age story, a ghost story, a family saga and a work of musical and social history."
It is rich in history, tradition and superstition. A friend of mine went home to China for a funeral several years back and I didn't fully understand (until now) all the things Chinese tradition believes you must to do to ensure your loved ones a safe and peaceful passage in death. A very interesting listen! As impacting, eye opening and enjoyable as Memoirs of a Geisha.
"eh!"
The narrator/author did her job well; if she doesn't have a future in writing perhaps we'll hear her narrate more.
The book itself is very light, not much on story and made me laugh but once! The author is quick to criticize American’s for what she complains is a grave lack of knowledge in geography but then admits that during her first day of class the teacher asked her mother to point where on the world map Iran was located and she could not. In fact an American teacher taught her, her mother & the rest of the class where Iran is located. Perhaps she’s happier now that due to their dirty deeds every American knows exactly where Iran is? She also criticized how later Iranians became to American and did not receive such a warm welcome but never mentions that American’s have never been welcome in Iran.
She doesn't talk much about how bad things were in Iran (well, she mentioned its lot as hell there and they had no air conditioning) and how America made it possible for her to have a full and rich life. Instead she comes across as arrogant. If America is so lacking why are all of her family members clamoring to get in? When the booked ended I was asking “is that it?” I just didn’t get why a book so light on content (none of it being that memorable) would be published. This author will have to dig a lot deeper if she wants a future in writing.
"Painful"
I kept asking why did the author bother to write this book? (and why am I bothering to listen to it?) Slow, goes no where! Painful! Try the abridged version - I wish I had!
"An Honest Look at One's Life"
Some of the extremely negative reviews of "My Life So Far" were very obvious written by people who have NOT read the book. Instead, these "reviewers" are judging the author "Hanoi Jane"
Now for the book: what a read!!! Whoever would have guessed that underneath the immensely talented, strong, sensitive, beautiful, entrepeneurial Jane Fonda existed a depressed and tortured soul. And what fortitude it took to reveal the details of "the other Jane's" real life: gut-wrenching, eye-opening, tragic and hopeful. Most surprisingly, we realizing that the gutsy, joyful, healthy Jane we thought we knew is as legitimate and real as the emotional wreck we never saw.
I'm sure that money was not out of consideration as a motivating factor in writing this autobiography, but there is also an honest, palpable need to reach out to others that leaps off of every page.
The adage "never judge a book by its cover" has never applied more accurately than to Jane Fonda, in more ways than one.
"Predictable Quick Read"
Narrated well, some funny/entertaining parts, nothing special. A quick rainy-weekend read.
"Entertaining & 'Well Read'"
This book was not read it was acted and it raised the bar on anything I will listen to in the future (and I've been listening for years - the narrator is as good as Scott Brick). She is very believable and conversational which really made this a pleasurable listen.
The book is as fun & lighthearted as it seems. A quick beach listen that somehow makes you pity the poor rich girls.