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Manie

Graaff-Reinet, South Africa | Member Since 2006

HELPFUL VOTES

12 reviews
33 ratings
147 titles in library
5 purchased in 2013

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The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

UNABRIDGED
- by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Narrated by David Chandler
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 20 mins)

By Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Narrated By David Chandler

Overall
(1541)
Performance
(499)
Story
(492)

Maverick thinker Nassim Nicholas Taleb had an illustrious career on Wall Street before turning his focus to his black swan theory. Not all swans are white, and not all events, no matter what the experts think, are predictable. Taleb shows that black swans, like 9/11, cannot be foreseen and have an immeasurable impact on the world.
Paul Mullen says: "A fun Diatribe Against Silly Thinking"
"Exceptional"

Overall
Performance
Story

How can the bell curve stay unpunished after this book? After it destroyed the savings and lives of thousands, and still used by 'portfolio manager's to fool us all?

1 of 4 people found this review helpful
The Racketeer

UNABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by J. D. Jackson
The Racketeer

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 44 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By J. D. Jackson

Overall
(81)
Performance
(70)
Story
(68)

Given the importance of what they do and the controversies that often surround them, and the violent people they sometimes confront, it is remarkable that in the history of the USA only four active federal judges have been murdered. Judge Raymond Fawcett just became number five. His body was found in the small basement of a lakeside cabin he had built himself and frequently used on weekends. When he did not show up for a trial on Monday morning, his law clerks panicked, called the FBI, and in due course the agents found the crime scene. There was no forced entry, no struggle, just two dead bodies
Joe Talcott says: "Hung Jury"
"One of Grisham's best"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Racketeer in three words, what would they be?

Great Unique Plot

What other book might you compare The Racketeer to and why?

Grisham's "Testament" as it keeps you guessing until the end

What about J. D. Jackson’s performance did you like?

He is one of the best. Read with enthusiasm.

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

Many moments of intrigue

1 of 2 people found this review helpful
City of the Sun

UNABRIDGED
- by David Levien
- Narrated by Vincent Marzello
City of the Sun

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 24 mins)

By David Levien

Narrated By Vincent Marzello

Overall
(5)
Performance
(3)
Story
(3)

Twelve-year-old Jamie Gabriel gets on his bike before dawn to deliver newspapers in his suburban neighbourhood. Somewhere en route, he vanishes without a trace. Fourteen months later, still with no sign of Jamie and having lost all faith in the police, his parents Paul and Carol are on the verge of abandoning hope. Then they meet private investigator Frank Behr, a tough, reclusive ex-cop.
Manie says: "Spellbounding"
"Spellbounding"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has a credible storyline and keeps the listener bound until the end

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

Yes, The constant question of whether they will get the boy back alive or not.
Although some credibility was lost in the last chapter.

Which character – as performed by Vincent Marzello – was your favorite?

The Detective

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

Yes

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Safe Man

UNABRIDGED
- by Michael Connelly
- Narrated by David W. Collins
The Safe Man

UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 33 mins)

By Michael Connelly

Narrated By David W. Collins

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(334)
Performance
(286)
Story
(283)

Like his father before him, Brian Holloway is a safe man. That is, his specialty is opening safes. Every job is a little mystery, and he has yet to encounter a lock he can't break or a box he can't crack. But the day Holloway gets called in to open a rare, antique safe in a famous author's library, his skills open a door that should have remained closed.
Robert says: "great ghost story"
"Excellent shortish story!"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Safe Man in three words, what would they be?

Interesting and its 'unlocks' a skill and expertise people seldom hear about in stories.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Safe Man. He was skillful

Which character – as performed by David W. Collins – was your favorite?

Main. The Expert

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

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

Something different!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Disappointment with God

UNABRIDGED
- by Philip Yancey
- Narrated by Jay Charles
Disappointment with God

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 33 mins)

By Philip Yancey

Narrated By Jay Charles

Overall
(33)
Performance
(16)
Story
(16)

Is God listening? Can he be trusted? In this book, Yancey tackles the questions caused by a God who doesn't always do what we think he's supposed to do.
cynthia says: "On the defensive"
"Yancey at his best. Extremely upliftting."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. You will reconsider your times of doubt.

What other book might you compare Disappointment with God to and why?

Lee Strobel's

Have you listened to any of Jay Charles’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but this was very good.

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

It changed me and took many doubts in God away.

Any additional comments?

For any Christian who experienced disappointments and sometimes feel that God is silent in times of his/her crisis. This is highly recommended.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Chamber

ABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by Michael Beck
The Chamber

ABRIDGED (6 hrs and 12 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By Michael Beck

Overall
(8)
Performance
(3)
Story
(3)

Adam Hill is 26 years old and in his first year at a top Chicago law firm. He volunteers for the toughest assignment any lawyer could ask for. His prospective client doesn't want Adam or his law firm. He is an unrepentant and outspoken racist with a violent past. He is on death row for the murder of two Jewish children in a horrific bombing in 1967. Why would he take on Adam, a complete novice, to defend him? And why would Adam want his case so desperately?
Manie says: "A low for Grisham"
"A low for Grisham"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you try another book from John Grisham and/or Michael Beck?

Regardless of Becks's narration he could not make something of a weak plot.

If you’ve listened to books by John Grisham before, how does this one compare?

Towards the low end

Which scene was your favorite?

The initial plot. A guy in the death chamber, a young inexperienced lawyer. It had the makings, but alas.

Did The Chamber inspire you to do anything?

To be careful with Grisham next time.

Any additional comments?

How could Grisham make the guy on deathrow die and the young lawyer fail! To make a point about the death penalty? Sorry, I could not get the point. I loved almost all his other books to bits!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Animal Farm

UNABRIDGED
- by George Orwell
- Narrated by Simon Callow
Animal Farm

UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 11 mins)

By George Orwell

Narrated By Simon Callow

Overall
(50)
Performance
(29)
Story
(29)

Animal Farm is George Orwell's great socio-political allegory set in a farmyard where the animals decide to seize the farmer's land and create a co-operative that reaps the benefits of their combined labours. However, as with all great political plans, some animals see a bigger share of the rewards than others and the animals start to question their supposed utopia.
ESK says: "First class! Superb! Must-have!"
"Excellent and still perfectly relevant"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Animal Farm in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking Read and strongly reminding me of 'King Rat' or 'Lord of the Rings'

What was one of the most memorable moments of Animal Farm?

Molly's escape

Which scene was your favorite?

Final scene

If you could rename Animal Farm, what would you call it?

Irrational Revolution

Any additional comments?

Orwell's 'Lord of the Rings'

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets

UNABRIDGED
- by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- Narrated by Sean Pratt
Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 1 min)

By Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Narrated By Sean Pratt

Overall
(735)
Performance
(246)
Story
(243)

This audiobook is about luck, or more precisely, how we perceive and deal with luck in life and business. It is already a landmark work, and its title has entered our vocabulary. In its second edition, Fooled by Randomness is now a cornerstone for anyone interested in random outcomes.
Wade T. Brooks says: "Pass on this one and read The Black Swan"
"A Black Swan Experience"

Overall
Performance
Story

The book was for me, a 'black swan experience'. Audible's statistical rating system does not allow for due credit. I would have given it 10 stars!

4 of 7 people found this review helpful
The Innocent Man

ABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris
The Innocent Man

ABRIDGED (5 hrs and 56 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris

Overall
(14)
Performance
(2)
Story
(2)

John Grisham's first work of nonfiction, an exploration of small-town justice gone terribly awry, is his most extraordinary legal thriller yet. In 1982, a 21-year-old cocktail waitress in Ada, Oklahoma, named Debra Sue Carter was raped and murdered, and for five years the police could not solve the crime. For reasons that were never clear, they suspected Ron Williamson and his friend Dennis Fritz. The two were finally arrested in 1987 and charged with capital murder.
Manie says: "Spellbound!"
"Spellbound!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I listened to this audio in my car while driving a distance of 500 miles between two remote areas of South Africa. Before I knew it, my destination was afew miles away and I was listening to the last page! Afterwards, regardless of a tired body, I felt enriched, informed and pondering about all the implications of Grisham's book. On top of everything good, was the narrator; Dennis Boutsikaris! Combine a good book with Dennis and you have a masterpiece! Congratulations Audible!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Broker

ABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris
The Broker

ABRIDGED (5 hrs and 37 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris

Overall
(6)
Performance
(0)
Story
(0)

With fourteen years left on a twenty-year sentence, notorious Washington powerbroker Joel Blackman receives a surprise pardon from a lame duck President. He is smuggled out of the country on a military cargo plane, given a new identity, and tucked away in a small town in Italy. But Backman has serious enemies from his past. As the CIA watches him closely, the question is not whether he will be killed, but rather who will kill him first.
Manie says: "A Rare Gift!"
"A Rare Gift!"

Overall
Performance
Story

The Broker is good. The narrator is brilliant! Congratulations, Denis Boutsikaris! I listened to his portrayal of 'The lost gospel....'and will now try to get hold of all the books he has read. He really has a gift to bring even ordinary text to fascinating light!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful