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Blake

Williamstown North, Australia | Member Since 2010

HELPFUL VOTES

10 reviews
10 ratings
0 titles in library
11 purchased in 2013

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

Whitethorn

UNABRIDGED
- by Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by Humphrey Bower
Whitethorn

UNABRIDGED (24 hrs and 33 mins)

By Bryce Courtenay

Narrated By Humphrey Bower

Overall
(175)
Performance
(113)
Story
(115)

From the author of The Power of One comes a new novel about Africa. The time is 1939. White South Africa is a deeply divided nation with many of the Afrikaner people fanatically opposed to the English. The world is also on the brink of war, and South Africa elects to fight for the Allied cause against Germany. Six-year-old Tom Fitzsaxby finds himself in The Boys Farm, an orphanage in a remote town in the high mountains, where the Afrikaners side fiercely with Hitler's Germany.
Karin says: "Whitethorn"
"Another excellent African story from Bryce C."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Whitethorn again? Why?

No because I've already listened to it. It's a long book.

What did you like best about this story?

Africa. I like Bryce's interpretation and painting of Africa.

Any additional comments?

If you like Bryce Courtenay, you won't be dissapointed.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
World Without End

UNABRIDGED
- by Ken Follett
- Narrated by John Lee
World Without End

UNABRIDGED (45 hrs and 38 mins)

By Ken Follett

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(95)
Performance
(58)
Story
(58)

On the day after Halloween, in the year 1327, four children slip away from the cathedral city of Kingsbridge. They are a thief, a bully, a boy genius, and a girl who wants to be a doctor. In the forest they see two men killed. As adults, their lives will be braided together by ambition, love, greed and revenge. They will see prosperity and famine, plague and war.
Brodie says: "Astounding!"
"A worthy sequel to Pillars"

Overall
Performance
Story

You need to read Pillars of the Earth first. This sequel then starts a few hundred years after the end of Pillars and makes references to the characters and events in Pillars. The story however stands up on its own, and is a thrilling read from start to finish, just like the original.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Pillars of the Earth

UNABRIDGED
- by Ken Follett
- Narrated by John Lee
The Pillars of the Earth

UNABRIDGED (41 hrs)

By Ken Follett

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(150)
Performance
(99)
Story
(91)

The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known... of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul... of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame... and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother.
Alan says: "Very very surprised"
"Pillars of a great book"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does The Pillars of the Earth rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up there. Ken Follet is my new favourite author, next to Bryce Courtenay.

What other book might you compare The Pillars of the Earth to and why?

It's one of those books where you get the full story. From the start of the characters' lives to the end.

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

John Lee is an excellent narrator. Can't fault him in any books I've listened to so far.

Who was the most memorable character of The Pillars of the Earth and why?

Jack, Aliena, Phillip, Tom, many memorable characters.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fall of Giants

UNABRIDGED
- by Ken Follett
- Narrated by John Lee
Fall of Giants

UNABRIDGED (30 hrs and 43 mins)

By Ken Follett

Narrated By John Lee

Overall
(189)
Performance
(160)
Story
(164)

A huge novel that follows five families through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for votes for women. It is 1911. The Coronation Day of King George V. The Williams, a Welsh coal-mining family, is linked by romance and enmity to the Fitzherberts, aristocratic coal-mine owners. Lady Maud Fitzherbert falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German Embassy in London.
S. R. Gibb says: "Disapointing"
"Thoroughly Enjoyed"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you like best about this story?

The basis on fact and the authors creation of fictional but believable characters to explain the impact of peoples lives through WW1.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Earl Fitzherbert

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

Yes, especially towards the end.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Witness

UNABRIDGED
- by Nora Roberts
- Narrated by Julia Whelan
The Witness

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 18 mins)

By Nora Roberts

Narrated By Julia Whelan

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(5097)
Performance
(4404)
Story
(4370)

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever. Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems.
Maha Bali says: "not great, not terrible"
"Not bad at all for a 'chicks' book"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

No idea, never read the print edition.

What other book might you compare The Witness to and why?

Again no idea, as I don't read many books of this style.

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

First one I've listened to by J Whelan.

Any additional comments?

This is essentially an action thriller with romance. The story is gripping and interesting. The performance was great, although I cringed a little at her male voice at times.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany

UNABRIDGED
- by William L. Shirer
- Narrated by Grover Gardner
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany

UNABRIDGED (57 hrs and 13 mins)

By William L. Shirer

Narrated By Grover Gardner

Overall
(2350)
Performance
(1480)
Story
(1484)

Since its publication in 1960, William L. Shirer’s monumental study of Hitler’s German empire has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of the 20th century’s blackest hours. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich offers an unparalleled and thrillingly told examination of how Adolf Hitler nearly succeeded in conquering the world. With millions of copies in print around the globe, it has attained the status of a vital and enduring classic.
Jonnie says: "Held my interest for 57 hours and 13 minutes"
"Essential history of WW2"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich in three words, what would they be?

Excellent account of history

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich?

I particularly enjoyed the years before WW2, the build up of the Nazi party and how Hitler got there in the first place.

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

N/A

Any additional comments?

50 hours well spent. I couldn't put this one down. If you have any interest at all in European history over this period I recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
That Deadman Dance

UNABRIDGED
- by Kim Scott
- Narrated by Humphrey Bower
That Deadman Dance

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 5 mins)

By Kim Scott

Narrated By Humphrey Bower

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3)
Performance
(2)
Story
(2)

Bobby Wabalanginy never learned fear, not until he was pretty well a grown man. Sure, he grew up doing the Dead Man Dance - those stiff movements, those jerking limbs – as if he’d learned it from their very own selves; but with him it was a dance of life, a lively dance for people to do together…
Blake says: "Even H. Bower couldn't make this one interesting"
"Even H. Bower couldn't make this one interesting"

Overall
Performance
Story

What disappointed you about That Deadman Dance?

The story was hard work. Hard to follow and retain even a small amount of interest.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kim Scott again?

Unlikely, unless I was convinced from a thousand reviews that it was worthwhile.

What three words best describe Humphrey Bower’s voice?

Great for narration

What character would you cut from That Deadman Dance?

All of them

Any additional comments?

Disappointing. I bought this book because it had won an Australian literary award. I should have known awards don't necessarily mean the book suits my taste.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Confessions of an Economic Hitman

UNABRIDGED
- by John Perkins
- Narrated by Brian Emerson
Confessions of an Economic Hitman

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 19 mins)

By John Perkins

Narrated By Brian Emerson

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1756)
Performance
(341)
Story
(334)

"Economic hit men," John Perkins writes, "are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder."
Robert P. says: "Excellent Story for people have traveled"
"Opens your eyes a little"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to my friends who are interested in politics or economics

Any additional comments?

I still wonder after reading the book how true it is. Really makes you think.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Story of Danny Dunn

UNABRIDGED
- by Bryce Courtenay
- Narrated by Humphrey Bower
The Story of Danny Dunn

UNABRIDGED (23 hrs and 29 mins)

By Bryce Courtenay

Narrated By Humphrey Bower

Overall
(191)
Performance
(123)
Story
(118)

At just 16 years Danny Dunn has everything going for him: brains, looks, sporting aptitude - and luck with the ladies. His mother steers him towards a university education, but with just six months of his degree to go, he signs up for the AIF, driven by a desire to serve his country and plain wanderlust. Danny serves in South-east Asia, spends three and a half years as a POW, and returns a broken man, embittered and facially disfigured. He is scared and overwhelmed by the need to sort himself out, to find out who the hell he is....
Eddie says: "Oh Danny Boy!"
"One of Courtenay's top three"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definately, this is an excellent Australian story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Danny Dunn, because he is the main character

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to pick a favourite, the whole story is excellent

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

UNABRIDGED
- by John Medina
- Narrated by John Medina
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 29 mins)

By John Medina

Narrated By John Medina

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(385)
Performance
(266)
Story
(255)

In his New York Times best seller Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina told us how our brains really work—and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools. Now, in Brain Rules for Baby, he shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five.
cynthia says: "Neuroscience for the nursery"
"Essential reading while you're pregnant"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Brain Rules for Baby in three words, what would they be?

Great baby advice

What did you like best about this story?

Practical guidance on how to give your baby a good start in life

What about John Medina’s performance did you like?

Good use of expression to make it interesting

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

No

0 of 0 people found this review helpful