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Benjamin

Nashville, TN, United States | Member Since 2012

HELPFUL VOTES

8 reviews
13 ratings
35 titles in library
4 purchased in 2013

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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

ABRIDGED
- by Erik Larson
- Narrated by Tony Goldwyn
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

ABRIDGED (6 hrs and 5 mins)

By Erik Larson

Narrated By Tony Goldwyn

Overall
(277)
Performance
(53)
Story
(54)

Two men embodied an element of the great dynamic that characterized America's rush toward the 20th century: Daniel Hudson Burnham, the brilliant director of works for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair; and Henry H. Holmes, who used the attraction of the great fair and his own satanic charms to lure scores of young women to their deaths.
KMP says: "Wonderfully evocative, and well-presented"
"Exposition Excels while Murder Doesn't"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

The discussion of the Columbia Exposition was outstanding. The murders were less so. I understand there are others that would like it as well.

Would you recommend The Devil in the White City to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes and No. I think it captures the period well and let's you understand how the exposition made Chicago great. The murders are tedious.

Did Tony Goldwyn do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes

Do you think The Devil in the White City needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. He author did a great job taking complete license with history.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change

UNABRIDGED
- by Al Gore
- Narrated by Al Gore
The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 46 mins)

By Al Gore

Narrated By Al Gore

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(72)
Performance
(60)
Story
(59)

Ours is a time of revolutionary change that has no precedent in history. With the same passion he brought to the challenge of climate change, and with his decades of experience on the front lines of global policy, Al Gore surveys our planet’s beclouded horizon and offers a sober, learned, and ultimately hopeful forecast in the visionary tradition of Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock and John Naisbitt’s Megatrends. In The Future, Gore identifies the emerging forces that are reshaping our world....
Zbodhimama says: "Should be required reading for all citizens."
"Gore has more information than the rest of us"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Future to be better than the print version?

I think the print version would be better though harder to get through. Gore has done a great job with his data but there is no opportunity to reflect on it in audio

Who was your favorite character and why?

not applicable

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Gore should not be narrating. His intelligence exceeds his place as a evocative compelling narrator

If you could give The Future a new subtitle, what would it be?

The Future For Now and What We Face and Do Not Know or Address

Any additional comments?

There is a bit of the sky is falling and it may indeed. The strength of the book is the questions; the weakness is its answers....

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

UNABRIDGED
- by Jon Meacham
- Narrated by Richard McGondale
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 21 mins)

By Jon Meacham

Narrated By Richard McGondale

Overall
(190)
Performance
(67)
Story
(66)

Beloved and hated, venerated and reviled, Andrew Jackson was an orphan who fought his way to the pinnacle of power, bending the nation to his will in the cause of democracy. Jackson's election in 1828 ushered in a new and lasting era in which the people, not distant elites, were the guiding force in American politics. Democracy made its stand in the Jackson years, and he gave voice to the hopes and the fears of a restless, changing nation facing challenging times at home and threats abroad.
John says: "Unlikable Old Hickory"
"Meacham is always impressive"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to American Lion again? Why?

No.
Jefferson was so much better in my view.

What was one of the most memorable moments of American Lion?

the fact that the Civil War could have started in Jackson's administration.

What about Richard McGondale’s performance did you like?

I thought he was very good- although not excellent

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

American Lion is the perfect description

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Casual Vacancy

UNABRIDGED
- by J. K. Rowling
- Narrated by Tom Hollander
The Casual Vacancy

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 55 mins)

By J. K. Rowling

Narrated By Tom Hollander

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1916)
Performance
(1674)
Story
(1683)

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early 40s, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils.... Pagford is not what it at first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town's council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen.
Darwin8u says: "Pagford upon Avon"
"Crass View of Small Town England"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you try another book from J. K. Rowling and/or Tom Hollander?

yes

Has The Casual Vacancy turned you off from other books in this genre?

If she writes another one like this the answer is yes.

Which scene was your favorite?

None. I am not sure what her purpose was other than show the failings of the British human condition.

Did The Casual Vacancy inspire you to do anything?

read Harry Potter.

Any additional comments?

she is a good writer that for some reason needed to air issues that appear to be relative to her personal background. While this is a bit presumptuous, the Queen will no longer honor her for this crass view of British life.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Waging Heavy Peace

UNABRIDGED
- by Neil Young
- Narrated by Keith Carradine
Waging Heavy Peace

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 51 mins)

By Neil Young

Narrated By Keith Carradine

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(122)
Performance
(111)
Story
(114)

An iconic figure in the history of rock and pop culture (inducted not once but twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Neil Young has written his eagerly awaited memoir. Young offers a kaleidoscopic view of his personal life and musical career, spanning his time in bands like Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Crazy Horse; moving from the snows of Ontario through the LSD-laden boulevards of 1966 Los Angeles to the contemplative paradise of Hawaii today.
John says: "Great book for Neil Young Fans"
"Young and restless"

Overall
Performance
Story

What would have made Waging Heavy Peace better?

I adore his music
There is no poetry in his biography
I understand he is now sober
It's a failure in sobriety

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably the last speech

Would you listen to another book narrated by Keith Carradine?

I hope not

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Waging Heavy Peace?

Too much to cut

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Art of Racing in the Rain

UNABRIDGED
- by Garth Stein
- Narrated by Christopher Evan Welch
The Art of Racing in the Rain

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 56 mins)

By Garth Stein

Narrated By Christopher Evan Welch

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(4431)
Performance
(2470)
Story
(2463)

Why we think it’s a great listen: If you’ve ever loved a dog - or even patted a dog - this book, told from the perspective of man’s best friend, will tug at your heartstrings...and won’t let go until long after Welch performs the last word. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively and by listening very closely to the words of his master.
Lora says: "Enzo (because he's so wize) for president."
"Sophmoric"

Overall
Performance
Story

What disappointed you about The Art of Racing in the Rain?

It was clever to tell the story through a dogs eyes. Nothing else was clever

What was most disappointing about Garth Stein’s story?

Ditto

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

It was better than the book but not much

What character would you cut from The Art of Racing in the Rain?

the author.
I think I will need to shoot my daughter who reccommended it

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Hannibal: One Man Against Rome

UNABRIDGED
- by Harold Lamb
- Narrated by Charlton Griffin
Hannibal: One Man Against Rome

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)

By Harold Lamb

Narrated By Charlton Griffin

Overall
(836)
Performance
(269)
Story
(270)

This is the breathtaking adventure of the great Carthaginian general who shook the foundations of Rome. In the world's first "global" conflict, Hannibal Barca marched up and down the Italian peninsula for 18 years, appearing well nigh invincible to a Rome which began to doubt itself for the first time in its history.
Karen says: "Fascinating - not to be missed!"
"Hannibal- the unknown history"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

Yes. One of the best written histories ever

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hannibal?

There were many moments . For such a lengthy book, it was a fast listen.

What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?

I thought Charlton was the perfect narrator for this history

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

My reaction to the book is that it is one of the best histories ever written

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen

UNABRIDGED
- by Brandon Webb , John David Mann
- Narrated by Jon Bailey
The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 40 mins)

By Brandon Webb, John David Mann

Narrated By Jon Bailey

Overall
(226)
Performance
(200)
Story
(200)

Brandon Webb's experiences in the world's most elite sniper corps are the stuff of legend. From his grueling years of training in Naval Special Operations to his combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, The Red Circle provides a rare and riveting look at the inner workings of the U.S. military through the eyes of a covert operations specialist. Yet it is Webb's distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy "sniper cell" that makes his story so compelling.
Robert says: "Decent story, narration left a lot to be desired."
"Excellence Matters"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

it was too long but interesting

Would you be willing to try another book from Brandon Webb and John David Mann ? Why or why not?

No.I have enormous respect for Webb and the Seals. The self absorption is diminishing.

Did The Red Circle: My Life in the Navy SEAL Sniper Corps and How I Trained America's Deadliest Marksmen inspire you to do anything?

Yes,It gives me great respect for the military. It also operates in its own movie- outside the purview of economy and family.On a positive basis, it can be a source of inspiration to build for the future.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful