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LifetimeRoad

Deep South | Member Since 2010

38
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 38 reviews
  • 57 ratings
  • 173 titles in library
  • 6 purchased in 2013
FOLLOWING
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FOLLOWERS
2

  • Moby-Dick

    • UNABRIDGED (21 hrs and 20 mins)
    • By Herman Melville
    • Narrated By Frank Muller
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (709)
    Performance
    (477)
    Story
    (475)

    Labeled variously a realistic story of whaling, a romance of unusual adventure and eccentric characters, a symbolic allegory, and a drama of heroic conflict, Moby Dick is first and foremost a great story. It has both the humor and poignancy of a simple sea ballad, as well as the depth and universality of a grand odyssey.

    Brendon says: "An American Classic!"
    "I'm just not THAT interested in whaling!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    No. I don't have any friends that would be interested in whaling.


    Any additional comments?

    I guess I haven't learned my lesson. Some "classic" books are very slooooow moving and filled with excessive detail.

    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28060)
    Performance
    (19728)
    Story
    (20022)

    Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

    Teddy says: "The Book Deserves The Hype"
    "Didn't live up to the hype"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of The Hunger Games to be better than the print version?

    Haven't read the print.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    Using the wasp nest for a weapon.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    Defiance of defeat and death.


    Any additional comments?

    In my view this is a book for youths. I am really surprised at its reviews. There is definitely an intensity missing for the adult reader.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Revolution 1989: The Fall of the Soviet Empire

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 40 mins)
    • By Victor Sebestyen
    • Narrated By Paul Hecht
    Overall
    (80)
    Performance
    (40)
    Story
    (38)

    For more than 40 years, communism held eight European nations in its iron fist. Yet by the end of 1989, all of these nations had thrown off communism, declared independence, and embarked on the road to democracy.

    Mike From Mesa says: "Unsurpassed"
    "Cold War "101""
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of Revolution 1989 to be better than the print version?

    Never read the print.


    What did you like best about this story?

    The author researched well and I enjoyed the flow of information.


    Have you listened to any of Paul Hecht’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    I don't remember but he does a great job.


    Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

    When Nicolae Ceaușescu showed absolutely no remorse when confronted with his crimes.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Day of the Jackal

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 21 mins)
    • By Frederick Forsyth
    • Narrated By Simon Prebble
    Overall
    (450)
    Performance
    (224)
    Story
    (223)

    One of the most celebrated thrillers ever written, The Day of the Jackal is the electrifying story of an anonymous Englishman who in, the spring of 1963, was hired by Colonel Marc Rodin, operations chief of the O.A.S., to assassinate General de Gaulle.

    Darwin8u says: "Tight & fantastic political/cat-and-mouse thriller"
    "Dated."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

    No. Too slow moving.


    How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

    Taken out the sexual references.


    If this book were a movie would you go see it?

    Nope.


    Any additional comments?

    I get weary of choosing classic/highly rated books only to stop after less than an hour because of bad language or content.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 57 mins)
    • By Steven Callahan
    Overall
    (99)
    Performance
    (37)
    Story
    (35)

    Before The Perfect Storm, before In the Heart of the Sea, Steven Callahan's Adrift chronicled one of the most astounding voyages of the century and one of the great sea adventures of all time. In some ways the model for the new wave of adventure books, Adrift is now an undeniable seafaring classic, a riveting firsthand account by the only man known to have survived for more than a month alone at sea, fighting for his life in an inflatable raft after his small sloop capsized.

    Christopher says: "I listened all the way through"
    "Where do I start?"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

    A decent narrator!


    What did you like best about this story?

    The survival element.


    Would you be willing to try another one of the narrator’s performances?

    Absolutely not.


    If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Adrift?

    His describes a lengthy fantasy/dream at one point. Made me wonder if he was "all there."


    Any additional comments?

    One of the worst books I've purchased with a credit. Terrible narrator. He has a STRONG Midwestern type accent, sounds nerdy, and talks way to fast, (this is the only audible book I've listened to where I had to run my iPod in slow mode.)
    The book itself is poorly written. Overly dramatic. One gets the impression that the subject is reveling in recounting his adventures and that he actually enjoyed every minute of them.
    Terrible, terrible, terrible!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Last Battle

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 50 mins)
    • By Cornelius Ryan
    • Narrated By Simon Vance
    Overall
    (77)
    Performance
    (72)
    Story
    (73)

    The Battle for Berlin was the culminating struggle of World War II in the European theater. The last offensive against Hitler’s Third Reich, it devastated one of Europe’s historic capitals and marked the final defeat of Nazi Germany. It was also one of the war’s bloodiest and most pivotal battles, whose outcome would shape international politics for decades to come.

    A User says: "Thanks to Dan Carlin of Hardcore History podcasts."
    "I recommend it."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Where does The Last Battle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    Among the top 10.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Adolph Hitler. I enjoy his breakdown toward the end of the war and ultimate suicide. A taste of the suffering he put so many through.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    Hitler's tirade upon meeting with his generals for one of the last times.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    No. One can get a little bogged down in a couple of places with all the war details.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Desperate Passage: The Donner Party's Perilous Journey West

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 22 mins)
    • By Ethan Rarick
    • Narrated By Christopher Prince
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (280)
    Performance
    (221)
    Story
    (219)

    In late October 1846, the last wagon train of that year's westward migration stopped overnight before resuming its arduous climb over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, unaware that a fearsome storm was gathering force. After months of grueling travel, the 81 men, women and children would be trapped for a brutal winter with little food and only primitive shelter. The conclusion is known: by spring of the next year, the Donner Party was synonymous with the most harrowing extremes of human survival.

    Roger says: "I REALLY enjoyed this book"
    "Sorry, couldn't enjoy this"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

    Not really. I would have much rather enjoyed another more captivating book.


    Would you ever listen to anything by Ethan Rarick again?

    Possibly. Depends.


    How could the performance have been better?

    The narrator sounds like a dad scolding his 10 year old son up in the bedroom. The tone could be expressed by the phrase " How many times have I told you not to etc., etc, etc, "


    Did Desperate Passage inspire you to do anything?

    No.


    Any additional comments?

    I appreciate the research put into Desperate Passage but it could have been written in a more concise manner, and certainly could have had a better narrator.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Alfred Lansing
    • Narrated By Simon Prebble
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1050)
    Performance
    (496)
    Story
    (497)

    In August of 1914, the British ship Endurance set sail for the South Atlantic. In October, 1915, still half a continent away from its intended base, the ship was trapped, then crushed in the ice. For five months, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men, drifting on ice packs, were castaways in one of the most savage regions of the world.

    Thomas says: "The best book I've had"
    "Exellent!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of Endurance to be better than the print version?

    Never read the print version.


    What other book might you compare Endurance to and why?

    River of doubt. Grueling, "Inch by inch" journeys. Amazing survival stories.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    The sea leopard chasing one of the men across the ice.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    No, it is intense and can wear you out after a while.


    Any additional comments?

    Amazing how the sequence of book listening can effect your perception. I just finished "Black Hawk Down". Both of these books were survival stories but the author of BHD SQUEEZED every ounce of emotion out of the characters, whereas I feel Alfred Lansing did NOT exploit these same emotional characteristics. The men of the Endurance almost seemed indifferent at times. I think depression was only mentioned once. Also I believe God was only mentioned once and prayer none at all ( If I remember correctly). SURELY, facing death as they did several times would cause introspection and supplication to ANY BEING that could possibly help! Makes me wonder if Lansing was an agnostic?

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Night

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 20 mins)
    • By Elie Wiesel
    • Narrated By George Guidall
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1746)
    Performance
    (573)
    Story
    (578)

    Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Gold Medal, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel offers an unforgettable account of Hitler's horrific reign of terror in Night. This definitive edition features a new translation from the original French by Wiesel's wife and frequent translator, Marion Wiesel.

    Ella says: "This book consumed me"
    "Concise, gripping."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of Night to be better than the print version?

    Haven't read the print edition.


    What other book might you compare Night to and why?

    Hiding place. Confinement in a Nazi death camp and final release.


    What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    Just his European accent.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Much pity for the Jews at that time.


    Any additional comments?

    Few have their faith in God tested as Elie did.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Black Hawk Down

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 17 mins)
    • By Mark Bowden
    • Narrated By Alan Sklar
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (63)
    Performance
    (56)
    Story
    (58)

    Ninety-nine elite American soldiers are trapped in the middle of a hostile city. As night falls, they are surrounded by thousands of enemy gunmen. Their wounded are bleeding to death. Their ammunition and supplies are dwindling. This is the story of how they got there - and how they fought their way out. Black Hawk Down drops you into a crowded marketplace in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia with the U.S. Special Forces and puts you in the middle of the most intense firelight American soldiers have fought since the Vietnam war.

    Iain says: "A Modern Classic"
    "Gritty, exhaustive."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of Black Hawk Down to be better than the print version?

    Haven't read the print version but don't see how it could be better.


    What did you like best about this story?

    Feeling "with" the soldiers as they were under attack.


    What does Alan Sklar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    A masculine, military-like voice.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Yes, anger at politics in war. Disconnect between those on the ground and those in D.C.


    Any additional comments?

    One can mention prostitution without naming each particular sex act and position, and one can write a book on war without using a MULTITUDE of F----k's and blasphemies.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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