Dave

A revolution has taken place on wall street, and Patterson shows us how it happened.

Dr. McGonigal provides an overview of the theory and practice of willpower, much of which is drawn from McGonigal's course at Stanford. I thought it was interesting, but I think the same content could have been delivered more efficiently if, perhaps, 1/3 of the text was edited out.

I'm sure that many listeners would say that Walter Dixon's narration was pleasant and well delivered, but it was way too slow for me. I played much of it at 2x speed (a first for me) because it seem to be going in slow motion.

Josh Bazell is a stunningly effective writer whose prose crackles with energy in this book about a former mob enforcer turned physician. Robert Petkoff gives, perhaps, my all-time-favorite narration bringing a wide range of voices to life.

This book features the synergistic pairing of Daniel Suarez and narrator Jeff Gurner, in a thriller whose premise is definitely not far-fetched.

I thought the first part of the book was especially good as the plot unfolded. The action lagged in the middle third, but picked up toward the end of the book. I am sure there will be a sequel.

I don't want to disclose any of the plot, but suffice it to say that when you listen to this book, and reflect upon related newspaper articles, the premise is entirely believable. It would not surprise me at all if some (maybe not all, but some) of this stuff starts to happen in the near future. Scary.

High-speed trading has revolutionized the stock market over the last 10 years and brought with it a whole array of risks, including flash crashes. And it could get worse as the computer-driven system becomes increasingly autonomous and too complex for people to understand.

This book tells the story of how it happened.

The title is spot on when is says algorithms "rule our world." The scope, extent and impact of algorithms is mind-blowing.

This book struck me one of the weakest of the Juan Cabrillo series. It seemed hastily constructed and didn't fit together well.

An outstanding performance, compelling characters and a good story make this a "must listen"--even though it has shadings of what some have called "chick lit."

This prequel to Winslow's "Savages" provides a lot of context and answers many questions that come up in Savages. It's a complicated story, but ultimately worth the effort and I think there is plenty of material for Winslow to produce a third volume in this series.

The book is also interesting because it makes the case that the change from the a drug culture based on marijuana (mellow, working on a groovy thing, Woodstock’) to a drug culture based on cocaine (intensity, violence, and the potential to make big money, Altamont) is a metaphor for a larger change in American society.

I liked Michael Kramer’s performance in “Savages” better than Holter Graham’s performance in “Kings of Cool.” They are both really good, but Kramer brings an edge and attitude to his interpretation that better supports the text.

Shirer was in Germany during the nazis rise to power and this monumental historical account is based on what he personally observed (often in the same room as Hitler) as well as original documents seized by the allies after the war. Grover Gardner's performance is excellent.