Mica

While I appreciate many of Scott Brick's audiobooks, he misses the emotional impetus behind the characters and Ayn's incredible grasp of satire. Many of her characters are archetypes, and Hurt just plain understands how she intended them to come across. There are some issues with the audio quality(background noise, etc). This drawback is overwhelmed by the brilliance of his acting. He really brings the book to live. Brick on the otherhand comes across flat, misses the characters emotional states and motivations, and turns a great story less so. I have both versions, but if you only purchase one yourself, select the Hurt version. You will not regret it

A timeless story. A sensational reader. Never let's go of your attention. And great to listen to again and again. All the essentials of an essential purchase. More than makes up for the credit it costs.

Like many who listened to the free snippet and many a Dresden fan who believes that Marsters is Dresden, I was terribly disappointed he wasn't reading the book. So much so that I almost didn't buy the audiobook. But now having bought and listened to it I have come around 175 degrees. Yes it's not Marsters, but Glover does a magnificent job of capturing the right intonations to keep long time listeners happy. You will recognize the voices of all your favorite characters, just imagine Bob the Skull sounding different. Well he doesn't, Bob is Bob. Murphy is Murphy. etc. It initially sounds a little off, but after a little time Glover becomes Dresden, and his world returns, snarky humor and all.
If your hesitation is the narrator. Hesitate no more.

Marsters made a really good series into a masterpiece. This narrator doesn't even capture the inflections of Harry Dresden, He totally misses the sarcastic style. Been waiting for this book for ages, now I am not even sure I will get the audiobook.

You will enjoy this listen, especially if you have the first two novels. It is missing something, however; a satisfying climax. If that is enough to deter you, you will miss out, as the novel is a gem. Even with the non-explosive climax it is better than either two initial books.

If you haven't yet listened to the Dresden files, go and start at book 1. You will only appreciate everything that happens here with the full background. If you have read all the Dresden files except this you do not need me to encourage you to purchase Changes. Dresden is addiction more than fiction. And this hit of the Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresden adventure pipe is ripe with humor, dense with anticipation and emotion, and will leave you suffering from serious heart wrenching withdrawl, fiending for the next installment....if there is one.

Ayn's razor sharp depiction of the mind set underlying the anti progress progressive green movement is a must listen. Schwartz's essay are passable, though perhaps less intellectually rigorous. Keep in mind this is not an entertaining audiobook. It is a glimpse at a political movement, it's conceptual foundation and the circumstances surrounding their "revolution"

Brick is usually a great narrator, but falls a little flat here. If you are interested in this title Christopher Hurt's voices gives more life to the characters, and an edge that makes the the individuals and their nature live in your mind. Brick on the other hand has the same emotional depth no matter whom is speaking. Brick's very dramatic slow style doesn't really seem to totaly relate to the content. You will enjoy this reading, as brick holds your attention, however here is another version you will enjoy more.

Emotionally flat, with the occasional anthill or small valley, this book leaves you with nothing. Unable to capitalize on his earlier success and grow, this installment by the author lacks the depth and range that make a good premise into a great novel.

Instead it is a tiresome plodding series of events that do not flow, and characters whose motivations lack the ring of authenticity. His world has elements that are interesting in and of themselves. It is a place of magic, and mystical creatures, love, war and strife, things that almost always make for a good escape.

That is why it got three stars.

That he took those elements and made a hash of it is disappointing to say the least. If you are interested in those sorts of worlds, Goodkind, R. Jordan (RIP), and George R.R. Martin are genuine masters, even if they have the occasional flaw.

If you read the first two novels of this series, you could take this one or leave it without gaining or missing out.

a collection of misleading short stories that maul the lives of a few philosophers. Great insights in the book include that a french philosopher farted and was impotent. This was painted as a wonderful gem of wisdom that shows us that even our more unpleasant aspects are only human. Perhaps the author suffers from the delusion that we are not sure if we are? The collection of stories amount to a handful of anecdotes. Some are: Who can know anything? Who cares if people don't like me? No one can know anything anyhow. Happiness comes from the simple things in life. Etc. if you need a self help book get a self help book. If you want philosophy, look elsewhere.