RSH

With sincere hope Jonathan Hogan is healthy, it should be noted the narration is absolutely terrible. Plurals are dropped with appalling frequency; at times even altering meaning. Surely the producer of this book must have noticed the performance sounds as if the narrator had been drinking. I've enjoyed over 300 audio books... unfortunately, Jonathan Hogan is a horrendous distraction to an otherwise excellent piece. Read "Go Down Together" rather than waste money on this version

It's not unheard of for me to read and listen or listen and then read - but that pattern only occurs when one or the other is abridged. Far Appalachia is unabridged - but still too short. The author/narrator conveys a loving glimpse of a land both filled with folklore and rich in bedrock history. I would have enjoyed a longer audio trek with more time to examine the nuance however I accept that Far Appalachia is a personal recollection. It fits in Noah Adam's memories and he doesn't have to share everything; only enough to make we wish for more.

Smoothly flows along like the river he's describing.

Only as an NPR reporter The two experiences are incomparable being from entirely different styles.

Just enjoyed it.

For those who want a more dramatic trip on the river, try "Deliverance" as written by James Dickey and narrated by Will Patton. It's much better than the film!

Top 20

Realizing the logic of the premise

Silly question

Another silly question

???The best way people can honor (Micah True -the hero of Born to Run as "Caballo Blanco") is to donate to his charity, which benefits the Raramuri Indians (AKA Tarahumara) as did the race Micah founded. The Raramuri are barely surviving the worst drought in Mexican history".

The disclaimer from the publisher that the author may have been misled or that certain characters may be composite is interesting. It does, however, avoid the larger questions. Such an oversight is in addition to being an after-the-fact admission the publisher never properly vetted the work before selling it to the public. Every non fiction book is the perceptions of the author, editor, etc. who elect to include or exclude material. Certain facts may be featured while others that don't forward the narrative will be neglected. The public has repeatedly proven they have no taste for raw data and they'll be dammed if they'll be made to discern between what's truth and hyperbole. Authors are hired for their ability to condense and make coherent the pure information pouring from an event. That a scribe may not get it 100% right is expected - unless the buyer is truly naive. Anyone wishing to be erudite on a subject understands s/he is well advised to review multiple sources before forming their opinion.This book may contain more or less truth that many others. The listener will draw their own conclusions. The indisputable evidence is the publisher failed to evaluate the material in advance of attempting to profit from it.

Books that provide insight along with story are special. Since I don't wish to spoil this for anyone by revealing too much, I'll just note there were new elements introduced I was unaware of until "City Of Thieves". I enjoy history in general and have read of the era. Discovering a unique perspective was a treat.

The narration made it seem quite real so I believe this could easily be a fine film.

Not the typical tattle tale as the author delves deeply into Dylan's historical influences and extraordinary talent as a 'minstrel'. There are brief snippets of musical material throughout but what Wilentz really elicits is a desire to hear more; to listen carefully with nuanced ears and newly acquired insight so as to reevaluate the entire recorded legacy of a man arguably the most profound troubadour of the 20th and 21st centuries.

This is a serious work and as such, those seeking a peek behind Dylan's multiple personas, may not be satisfied the author can only provide exquisitely detailed signposts instead of pop punditry. However, musicians and poets alike -as well as anyone alive during Bob Dylan's life and times- may find this audiobook the closest we'll get to grasping Robert Zimmerman's true genius.

John Grisham gives voice to a collection of stories. The tone of the pieces and the timbre of his words reflect a rural Mississippi that's redneck and refined all at once. Like listening to Rick Bragg narrate, there is an authenticity to John Grisham reading. His unique vocal patterns add a layer to his tales that convey his area of the country like humidity infuses deep southern heat.

As noted elsewhere: there is no story, the characters are sketches, the narrator monotone, the history a Cliff Notes rehash. The author did create a feeling I've never experienced from a book before. Listening was like sitting in small room on a humid day in S. Florida while a bored child shuffles randomly through faded photos commenting on people of no interest to anyone.

It's hard to reduce pre revolution Cuba to little more than scattered postcards and nostalgia for a repressive past, but the combination of lack of plot, poor editing and bored narrator leave the listener aching for the sun to set on this indulgence. If you want a short version, key in "Preston, Cuba" on YouTube. At least the faded images offer some color.

For an audiobook that handles the era with insight, Havana Nocturne is extraordinary.

If you're looking for an adventurous and historical period piece, "The Pillars Of The Earth" is a much more enthralling experience. Similarly, "The Time Traveler's Wife" is a vastly superior exploration of temporal dislocation as well as a stunningly moving love story. Where does that leave "Outlander"? It's a simple minded bodice ripper. The story line is repeatedly destroyed by dime store sex scenes that border on S&M. Don't be fooled by the high ratings. This is nothing more than formula fiction and gratuitous erotica.

Worst narrating I've ever experienced in listening to 100s of audio books. Scott Brick is totally out of touch with the material. His absurdly self-indulgent narration randomly inflects, pauses, emphasizes, etc. with no relation to the story. There literally are times you have to re state the words in your mind to untangle this aural disaster so you can understand the author's meaning. Perhaps Joe Mantegna's abridged version is better....