Ian

I would most strongly suggest that to get an *idea* of how petrifying the state of the Earth is in the eyes and fact presentation of the author, skip to the last 45 minutes of the book-- *first*-- which cuts to his Twelve key points that are common to geat society's death (throughout history) and signals thereof. As the US (us). There is no way to read this book and think that we are anything more than the Aztecs on their last hair.

While this is a book that I believe *must* be read by any American with a conscience (or a book similar hererto), I come away with one conclusion: The United States, in the author's eyes, is in the proverbial final dance of re-arranging the chairs on the Titanic. While the author concludes after reeling off 8 hours of depressing fact after mortifying horrible fact, and then another sign that we are all [Going Down], he has the NERVE to conclude in a wistful way that "[we still have time to change the course of human events]," a conclusion that rings hollow and disingeneous after his mountains of terrifying FACTS and cogent arguments.

A truly horrifying book. But if you can "handle the truth," please know that I recommend it most highly.

I've read some Taibbi - and he's a frustrating read. For example, the reviews above this are *both* correct The best thing about Griftopia is also the worst: Matt is now so entrenched among the "common person," he has lost perspective of where we are as readers. Taibbi does a great job of decoding some bank "definitions" and moves. And at the same time, Matt is close to Lewis Black inasmuch as his opinions come through in ways where I ask: MATT, next book, just write from the gut, and make the issue your OWN. In other words, Taibbi has strong and ultimately interesting - but he is slippery where fact meets opinion. What a relief from the glut if taking the banking establishment too seriously. Is he right about Ayn Rand and objectivism? He made me think - which is what one gets in only the best of books. MOST EXCELLENT: he reads it.

The history of the inevitable failures of "central banks" dating to the 16th c. is analyzed with binding speed and clarity, more importantly, proof is offered for every fact asserted.
To the extent that author Marrs was writing on information and belief, as I believe he did in hi THEE RISE OF THE FOURTH REICH, another fantastic audible.com selection, it comes right down to one assertion, as was so memorably spoken to Tom Cruise by Jack Nicholson to Tom Cruise: "*you can't *handle* the truth."
Jim Marrs is saying: I am telling you the truth, but most people *cannot handle it* - and candidly, by 1/5 of the way through my head was spinning.
I'm sure there are many who feel the same but do not want their identity connected to this work of boldness.
/is/

First, as the reviewer who actually heard author Pollan speak live notes, I agree that Scott Brick's reading of this book is *outstanding*--Brick has the talent of reading long sentences--many of which might be arcane or esoteric if simply read om page, and emphasize the important phrases--like reader Grover Gardner, the reading is brilliant.
I inhererited my Uncle Larry's book addiction---so I've read all that are on the list now (6 May 2006)--and the list is as streong as ever. This is a shockingly fantastic book.
The presentation is: Obective, Socially responsible, Overwhelmingly well-researched with proof in detail.
One reviewer wrote that Scott's delivery was "snobby" and "overread." So it is not for everyone, I know. This material is fact intensive, politically charged, and impeccably researched-the Sample is indicative of this long book--I listened and I thought: "Audible's first instant *classic*"---especially when you consider the price of the book-- If you are interested in this type of material: anthropology, politics, human nature, I could not recommend this more highly.

The book is masterful and compelling. Also, one of those that is enhanced, especially given the book's premise, at least x2 because it is read by the auther.

Now, to be frank, I had seen the author interviewed on the Colbert Report--and Steve Colbert dominated the [interview] to the point that one couldn't get an idea what the book was about.

What the book is about is a woman turning herself in to a man for a *year and a half*. Incredible. I've read Black Like Me (masterpiece) , Nickel And Dimed In America (the most keen social commentary on the "living wage" for middle aged people entering a new field around). Ok--take the premise of Nickel & Dimed--a strange person trying to get a job out of nowhere (freelance writing) in their 40s. *Now add* the element of the woman looking for the job--and taking a series of "Red Bull" jobs, not only turning herself male--the author went with a beard, deep voice, men's glasses, proper handshake--*and* date and recite a sharp analysis of modern gender issues.

The author joins a Robert Bly-esque group--then, takes us as far as a Robert Bly-esque retreat.

My prejudice was shattered: I thought this would be a male bashing tantrum. Quite the contrary. The book is written with the most keen empathetic compassion for people in general, no matter the gender---and then highlighting with a honed precision what is really going on. Not to give away the end of a non-fiction book, I must say that after the 18 months the author says: *I'd rather be a woman!* Understatement.

Severely highly recommended.

Tim Green's audiobook is hampered only in that as of this date one can only download it as an "audio 2" format--so the sound is very early radio.

So said, this book is by a man who was always reading through his career in sports. Other althetes would soothe themselves in whatever way they could during offtine--Mr. Green took jokes for it as a multi-year defensive linmeman for the Atlanta Falcons in the 1990s.

Mr. Green's established a football career and at the same time was going to law school--so his reading of his own work is highly credible as a presumption.

I'm a lawyer and a 35-year NFL addict (Jets fan-so I must be addicted)--and this book could not have been better. Insights into things as cool as why it's not that great to win in the playoffs to none of the nonof the guys wear cups to what they really yell, miked and unmiked, during the game, to how much of the game is really segregated.

I would put this in a class with the new book about Belichick by Halberstram--though, personally, I found this I found this more persuasive and entertaining. Check out samples on that for personal taste. Moneyball and the Phil Jackson and Lombardi books are this good. I'm waiting for audible.com to acquire "Juiced."

Oh--the Faye Resnick book is niot to go unmentioned--truly an experience--one of the best on audible, period, for its relation to sports and pure blindness and vanity.

Ian Schneider, New York

The "greatest" generation craze and the "war" on terrorism have eclipsed the most evil regime of the 20th century: the Russian barbarians, and the East, mysterious, dangerous, left therefrom.
This book, quite simply, in print, or as brilliantly narrated here, in a riveting gripping fashion that makes one listen 8 hours at a time.
Frankly, I was embarrassed that I had not read this book.

Could not be more highy reccomended.

I have been an Audible.com customer for years, and I have to rate this as an immediate top 10 choice. I'm a lawyer who's worked for the government, and this book is the best since that PJ O'Rourke thing back in the 80 (Confederancy of Dunces?). This time, the analysis turns the mirror, in a the biting way only a mirror can, to the bizarre contemporary behavior in th eoh so overrated land of sex relations. And it's *right on*.
This book, read by Miss Dowd, is the nest social commentary out there. Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Christopher Hitchens fans: this is simply brilliant. Absolute 5.5

Note: I, as a man, was forced to listen to much of Miss Dowd's savagely brilliant analyis on "slow" mode on my iPod--she's too quick, and some points made are so well done that it's worth hearing them slowed up a bit.

This book oon the drug counterculture in california iin the early 70s is a masterpiece as written.
The reading is as good or better--
Brilliant--if you are in any way interested in this American period sociologically.
Almost done with it---definitely will listen again.