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O'Brien

Singleton, Australia | Member Since 2011

HELPFUL VOTES

11 reviews
11 ratings
66 titles in library
1 purchased in 2013

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I'm Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59

UNABRIDGED
- by Douglas Edwards
- Narrated by Douglas Edwards
I'm Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 19 mins)

By Douglas Edwards

Narrated By Douglas Edwards

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(716)
Performance
(556)
Story
(554)

Comparing Google to an ordinary business is like comparing a rocket to an Edsel. No academic analysis or bystanders account can capture it. Now Doug Edwards, Employee Number 59, offers the first inside view of Google, giving readers a chance to fully experience the bizarre mix of camaraderie and competition at this phenomenal company. I'm Feeling Lucky captures for the first time the unique, self-invented, yet profoundly important culture of the world's most transformative corporation.
Stephen says: "Definitely worth a credit"
"Entertaing and incitefull read"

Overall
Performance
Story

Entertaing and incitefull read from a person who worked inside google during it's startup period through it's major growth period.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Ready Player One

UNABRIDGED
- by Ernest Cline
- Narrated by Wil Wheaton
Ready Player One

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 40 mins)

By Ernest Cline

Narrated By Wil Wheaton

Overall
(77)
Performance
(73)
Story
(74)

It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place.
Gabriele says: "Where's the sequel?!"
"A really great read, clever and unique."

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Ready Player One in three words, what would they be?

Hmm, clever, unique and daring. I grew up in the eighties and connected with almost every part of Ernie Cline's wonderful book. When I found a part that I wasn't familiar with I would pause the book and look it up on Google. I ended up listening to Rush 2112 and rented War Games, which I had watched when it first came out but really enjoyed watching again.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the references to the eighties and video games and the fact that by creating a virtual world he made almost anything possible. Even giant Japanese robots LOL

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

UNABRIDGED
- by Mark Owen , Kevin Maurer
- Narrated by Holter Graham
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 54 mins)

By Mark Owen, Kevin Maurer

Narrated By Holter Graham

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2548)
Performance
(2294)
Story
(2303)

From the streets of Iraq to the mountaintops of Afghanistan and to the third floor of Osama Bin Laden's compound, operator Mark Owen of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group - commonly known as SEAL Team Six - has been a part of some of the most memorable special operations in history, as well as countless missions that never made headlines. No Easy Day puts listeners alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the 24-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives.
Darwin8u says: "Gripping, first-hand narrative of Op Neptune Spear"
"Well written and well read"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about No Easy Day?

This book does not go into the details of becoming a SEAL as many others have already done but instead talks about operations and as indicated int he title the killing of UBL. Very enjoyable, one you will get through quickly.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Vietnam: The Australian War

UNABRIDGED
- by Paul Ham
- Narrated by Peter Byrne
Vietnam: The Australian War

UNABRIDGED (31 hrs and 16 mins)

By Paul Ham

Narrated By Peter Byrne

Overall
(62)
Performance
(27)
Story
(29)

Drawing on hundreds of accounts by soldiers, politicians, aid workers, entertainers and the Vietnamese people, Paul Ham reconstructs for the first time the full history of our longest military campaign. From the commitment to engage, through the fight over conscription and the rise of the anti - war movement, to the tactics and horror of the battlefi eld, Ham exhumes the truth about this politicians' war - which sealed the fate of 50,000 Australian servicemen and women.
A User says: "Fascinating detailed account"
"A really good story, well read"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

For me yes. I have difficulty reading full novels as I am usually too tired. Listening to Audiobooks in my car takes the monotony out of driving.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Peter has great voice control and makes the story flow.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the the battle of Long Tan

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives

UNABRIDGED
- by Steven Levy
- Narrated by L. J. Ganser
In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 52 mins)

By Steven Levy

Narrated By L. J. Ganser

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2051)
Performance
(1336)
Story
(1340)

Few companies in history have ever been as successful and as admired as Google, the company that has transformed the Internet and become an indispensable part of our lives. How has Google done it? Veteran technology reporter Steven Levy was granted unprecedented access to the company, and in this revelatory book he takes listeners inside Google headquarters - the Googleplex - to explain how Google works.
Lynn says: "A Rip Snorting Story"
"Narration not up to standard"

Overall
Performance
Story

Sounds like they dragged someone out pf the 50's to narrate this one. Really took away from the experience. Maybe better to try the print edition IMO.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men

UNABRIDGED
- by Peter FitzSimons
- Narrated by Richard Aspel
Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men

UNABRIDGED (26 hrs and 42 mins)

By Peter FitzSimons

Narrated By Richard Aspel

Overall
(22)
Performance
(11)
Story
(11)

Known to millions of Australians simply as "Smithy", Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was one of Australia's true twentieth-century legends. In an era in which aviators were superstars, Smithy was among the greatest and, throughout his amazing career his fame in Australia was matched only by that of Don Bradman.
Tim says: "Adventure and the invention of aviation"
"Another wonderful book by this author."

Overall
Performance
Story

This book covers not only the life of Charles kingsford smith but the history of aviation itself up until the 1930,s. A must read for any aviation of war buffs.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base

UNABRIDGED
- by Annie Jacobsen
- Narrated by Annie Jacobsen
Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 11 mins)

By Annie Jacobsen

Narrated By Annie Jacobsen

Overall
(1222)
Performance
(814)
Story
(816)

Myths and hypotheses about Area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. Some claim it is home to aliens, underground tunnel systems, and nuclear facilities. Others believe that the lunar landing was filmed there. The prevalence of these rumors stems from the fact that no credible insider has ever divulged the truth about his time inside the base. Until now.
A User says: "Reality, always more interesting than fiction."
"Fantastic read, well done"

Overall
Performance
Story

A great book and really well read, I would love to see more buy this author. Annie, you can read my audiobooks anytime :-)

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945

UNABRIDGED
- by David M. Kennedy
- Narrated by Tom Weiner
Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945

UNABRIDGED (31 hrs and 28 mins)

By David M. Kennedy

Narrated By Tom Weiner

Overall
(145)
Performance
(81)
Story
(78)

Between 1929 and 1945, two great travails were visited upon the American people: the Great Depression and World War II. This Pulitzer Prize–winning history tells the story of how Americans endured, and eventually prevailed, in the face of those unprecedented calamities. The Depression was both a disaster and an opportunity. As David Kennedy vividly demonstrates, the economic crisis of the 1930s was far more than a simple reaction to the alleged excesses of the 1920s.
Ray says: "Good summary of a pivotal time."
"Bored me to tears"

Overall
Performance
Story

Couldn't finish this one, great material for insomniacs. If you are really intereted in this then buy it, otherwise stay away.

0 of 7 people found this review helpful
Kokoda

UNABRIDGED
- by Peter FitzSimons
- Narrated by Lewis FitzGerald
Kokoda

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 58 mins)

By Peter FitzSimons

Narrated By Lewis FitzGerald

Overall
(69)
Performance
(51)
Story
(51)

For Australians, Kokoda is the iconic battle of World War II, yet few people know just what happened and just what our troops achieved. Now, best-selling author Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in a gripping, moving story for all Australians.
Mark says: "A Tribute to Fighting Australians"
"Another top book by this author"

Overall
Performance
Story

An engrossing read which will keep you entertained to the end. Write some more like this please Peter.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory

UNABRIDGED
- by Ben Macintyre
- Narrated by John Lee
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 18 mins)

By Ben Macintyre

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(620)
Performance
(241)
Story
(242)

As plans got under way for the Allied invasion of Sicily in June 1943, British counter-intelligence agent Ewen Montagu masterminded a scheme to mislead the Germans into thinking the next landing would occur in Greece. This extraordinary operation called for a dead body, dressed as a Royal Marine officer and carrying false information about a pending Allied invasion of Greece, to wash up on a Spanish shore near the town of a known Nazi agent.
Jack M says: "Better than the movie"
"A good story spoiled by the narration"

Overall
Performance
Story

I found the story interesting and engaging. The narration however seemed rushed and lacked any emotion. It seemed as though the narrator was working to a budget of either time or money. A real shame. I would encourage John Lee to go back and listen to this reading, slow down a bit please.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful