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cliff

LAS VEGAS, NV, United States | Member Since 2007

4
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 12 reviews
  • 23 ratings
  • 119 titles in library
  • 6 purchased in 2013
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  • Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, and the Long Con That Is Breaking America

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By Matt Taibbi
    • Narrated By Patrick Egan
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (347)
    Performance
    (160)
    Story
    (153)

    The financial crisis that exploded in 2008 isn’t past but prologue. The stunning rise, fall, and rescue of Wall Street in the bubble-and-bailout era was the coming-out party for the network of looters who sit at the nexus of American political and economic power. The grifter class - made up of the largest players in the financial industry and the politicians who do their bidding - has been growing in power for a generation.

    Jerome says: "News In America"
    "Greedy Bastards"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to Griftopia the most enjoyable?

    It was all great. The intensity of Matt Taibbi is a joy to listen to.
    The narration by Patrick Egan was spot on.
    Well worth the one credit. Looking forward to Matts next book.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

    • UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 28 mins)
    • By George Crile
    • Narrated By Christopher Lane
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2744)
    Performance
    (560)
    Story
    (580)

    Charlie Wilson's War is the untold story behind the last battle of the Cold War and how it fueled the rise of militant Islam. George Crile tells how Charlie Wilson, a maverick congressman from east Texas, conspired with a rogue CIA operative to launch the biggest, meanest, and most successful covert operation in the agency's history.

    Chuck says: "Best Non-Fiction Book - Extremely Compelling!!!"
    "Another Must Read"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up Charlie Wilson's War in three words, what would they be?

    In three words? How about.. We Gave Stingers !!
    I read this book before the movie was in production. The book was great. I haven't read it again since the movie came out, but will again someday.Charlie Wilson's War was very well done. The writing, the narration both were spot on. Non-Fiction and entertaining. Well worth the one credit.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Painted House

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 7 mins)
    • By John Grisham
    • Narrated By David Lansbury
    Overall
    (663)
    Performance
    (111)
    Story
    (110)

    In a departure from the legal thriller genre, John Grisham's latest novel draws inspiration from his own rural childhood in Arkansas. Listen and enjoy this moving tale about a 7-year-old boy and the dose of reality that comes, one autumn during the harvest, to take away his innocence. Also available abridged.

    Janelle says: "Bittersweet way of life of time past...."
    "Luke warm"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    No I wouldn't. I Just need a fiction book that is unpredictable.
    This book just didn't do it for me. Way too slow and easy.
    I will not give up on John Grisham, but "A Painted House" fell short "sale".


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 13 mins)
    • By Stephen Kinzer
    • Narrated By Michael Prichard
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (161)
    Performance
    (35)
    Story
    (35)

    "Regime change" did not begin with the administration of George W. Bush, but has been an integral part of U.S. foreign policy for more than one hundred years. Starting with the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 and continuing through the Spanish-American War and the Cold War and into our own time, the United States has not hesitated to overthrow governments that stood in the way of its political and economic goals.

    Stanley says: "Looking at the dark side"
    "An Audible Must Read."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to Overthrow the most enjoyable?

    This is a book that is well worth the one credit.
    Stephen Kinzer wrote an excellent book, Michael Prichard narrated perfectly.
    A must read piece of the puzzle that helps document American history.
    Easy to stay with, and facts well researched. Well done.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Stephen Kinzer
    • Narrated By Michael Prichard
    Overall
    (483)
    Performance
    (114)
    Story
    (120)

    In a cloak-and-dagger story of spies, saboteurs, and secret agents, Kinzer reveals the involvement of Eisenhower, Churchill, Kermit Roosevelt, and the CIA in Operation Ajax, which restored Mohammad Reza Shah to power. Reza imposed a tyranny that ultimately sparked the Islamic Revolution of 1979 which, in turn, inspired fundamentalists throughout the Muslim world, including the Taliban and terrorists who thrived under its protection.

    A User says: "Fascinating & Insightful View of US/ Iran History"
    "Great Must Read book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about All the Shah's Men?

    History your college courses left out. Well worth the one credit.
    A must read.The book flowed perfectly and the narrator was spot on.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Kings of Cool: A Prequel to 'Savages'

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 21 mins)
    • By Don Winslow
    • Narrated By Holter Graham
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (88)
    Performance
    (79)
    Story
    (79)

    In Savages, Don Winslow introduced Ben and Chon, twentysomething best friends who risk everything to save the girl they both love, O. Now, in his high-octane prequel, Winslow reaches back in time to tell the story of how Ben, Chon, and O became the people they are. Spanning from 1960s Southern California to the recent past, it is a tale of family in all its forms. As the younger generation does battle with drug dealers and crooked cops, they learn that their future is inextricably linked with their parents' history.

    Lauren says: "Prequel Not As Good As Sequel"
    "Run away NOW !!.."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you try another book from Don Winslow and/or Holter Graham?

    Holter Graham also narrated a great new book "No Easy Day". Hearing Holter's voice again after listening to this book, the Kings of Cool was a distraction. The Kings of Cool was just hard to listen to, and the numbered sentences ( into the hundreds ) sucked. Its like, here comes one sentence - or two, then the number is announced "148". Then two more sentences then "149", then another sentence, "150", and on and on... I guess there is movie speak for whats going on here, but it sucks to be on the receiving end. The book jumped all over the place. I'm a worker. I listen to books while doing other things. There are so many great books on Audible. Books like," No Easy Day" and "Steve Jobs". " I Heard You Paint Houses" (Unabridged)- and "Griftopia" a Matt Taibbi book, - "Legacy of Ashes" by Tim Weiner, and on and on, that you can stay with and not have to go back to get a point, well this book is not one of them. Hard to listen to, and a book that leaves you with a feeling of relief- That its over!!! No redeeming value in this book.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 38 mins)
    • By Charles Brandt
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (134)
    Performance
    (48)
    Story
    (48)

    "I heard you paint houses" are the first words Jimmy Hoffa ever spoke to Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran. To paint a house is to kill a man. The paint is the blood that splatters on the walls and floors. In the course of nearly five years of recorded interviews Frank Sheeran confessed to Charles Brandt that he handled more than 25 hits for the mob, and for his friend Hoffa.

    Jean says: "Don't give up!"
    "read this book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm always looking for a great- or good audible read. this book did not disappoint.
    This was another expertly done audible selection. The narration was perfect, the story was gripping, and as a non-fiction fan this was a perfect book for me. I am now less confused about the disappearance of James Hoffa, including the ending scenario. There are also JFK tie in's. You cannot discount this book.
    This book is well worth the one credit.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 54 mins)
    • By Mark Owen, Kevin Maurer
    • Narrated By Holter Graham
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2559)
    Performance
    (2305)
    Story
    (2314)

    From the streets of Iraq to the mountaintops of Afghanistan and to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden's compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group - commonly known as SEAL Team Six - has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines. No Easy Day puts listeners alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the 24-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives.

    Darwin8u says: "Gripping, first-hand narrative of Op Neptune Spear"
    "Well written, sets the record straight."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about No Easy Day?

    A very well written Non Fiction book, with no gimmicks. Easy to listen to, understand, with a great ending. This book is a " must purchase" Audible selection.


    What did you like best about this story?

    Non fiction, straight to the facts. The book flowed great in Audible form. Couldn't put it down.


    What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

    I'm coming off one of the worst books in the Audible library( The Kings of Cool ) with the same narrator, Holter Graham. The Kings of Cool is the book that inspired the movie "Savages". It was friggin torture. The time of the audio book is about the same as No Easy Day. I finished No Easy Day in one day. I couldn't put it down. After two months Ive yet to finish The Kings of Cool. And when I heard the voice of Holter Graham I cringed.Even in this book he can give a feminine voice where it definitely doesn't belong.In my opinion, No easy Day was a Home Run, Had a different narrator been chosen the audio book would have been a Grand Slam.


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

    So many things could have gone wrong. Because of the quick action of the helicopter pilot " Teddy" soldiers lives, and the mission were saved". This was no sure thing. And I have to say some disappointment. There is a 2008 movie titled Virtual JFK, director Koji Masutani. The movie examines JFK, and his Vietnam policy. What difference can the President make regarding the lives of those who serve our country and Military? By the end of that war, 58,000 American soldiers died with over 2 million enemy/civilian deaths. I do not believe America would have been taken down that road if JFK had been alive. The President can make all the difference, He's choosing the path.


    Any additional comments?

    This book needed to be written, just to set the record straight. This is a special case, and I wish the Matt well. Now go cut the grass brother.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Steve Jobs

    • UNABRIDGED (25 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Walter Isaacson
    • Narrated By Dylan Baker
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (8634)
    Performance
    (7383)
    Story
    (7332)

    Based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

    Chris says: "Good Biography, Fine narrator"
    "a great read"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about Steve Jobs?

    His uncompromising vision.


    What did you like best about this story?

    The way that the audiobook flowed. Just a perfect job putting this great book to audio.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    not sure, I love the insight to his early years. I love that the book was allowed to be written with full descriptions his negative side, then approved by the Jobs family. I love the honesty of the book.


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

    well, i started painting my house on chapter one. I finished the house on the last chapter.


    Any additional comments?

    I hesitated when this book came out. finally I gave in. I love audible, but some books just disappoint me. well, this book " Steve Jobs" was one of the great ones. It flowed perfectly. The narration - the story- the content, plus it was non-fiction -my favorite. This is a must read if you ask me. Out of 100 books that I have listened to, this book is in the top five. And Im not going to rate those, because they are all like great art. priceless.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Jack Weatherford
    • Narrated By Jonathan Davis, Jack Weatherford
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2506)
    Performance
    (1230)
    Story
    (1242)

    The Mongol army led by Genghis Khan subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. In nearly every country the Mongols conquered, they brought an unprecedented rise in cultural communication, expanded trade, and a blossoming of civilization.

    Peter says: "Brilliant, insightful, intriguing."
    "Will listen to this audiobook more than once."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World the most enjoyable?

    The amount of research that had been done. It becomes clear in the end that the author Jack Weatherford lived and breathed this book for many years.
    Also, the narration was perfect.
    All of the pieces came together for Audible on this one.


    What did you like best about this story?

    So many parts that peaked my interest.


    Which character ??? as performed by Jonathan Davis and Jack Weatherford ??? was your favorite?

    not sure.


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

    yes, will edit and explain in the future.


    Any additional comments?

    I enjoy the non-fiction audiobooks. I have a few favorites, This book has gone close to the top of the list. Im very happy I found it. In the case of this book, as well researched as it was - If the narration had been irritating then I may have just given up on it. It wasn't, the book went smooth and was easy to keep up with. The voice was clear.
    The book is a must buy-read if you ask me. well worth the one credit.

    3 of 4 people found this review helpful

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