Thomas

This is a fascinating book about an ill-fated whaling voyage that was the basis for Moby Dick. THe author does a masterful job of winding the history of the whaling industry in the first half of the 19th Century with the amazing story of the sailors and how they suvived an amazing journey through the Pacific. A testimony to both people's stubborn idocy as well as to our ability to survive. I found this story much more interesting than I thought it might be and would recommend it to other that like historical fiction. This is not fiction, but the story is compelling enough that you will think it is. Once you read it, you will feel compelled to visit Nantucket.

Well written and well read, this is an interesting story about a woman working for British Intelligence in the 1970s. McEwan does a good job of developing the characters and the story keeps you interested, but it is overall more about the literary device than about real plot. I enjoyed it, but was left wanting a bit more from the story.

First off, this is a book like Neverwhere or Master & Commander (Patrick Tull version) that is worth listening to just because the performance is so good. The story defies easy description and if I had read a description I would probably not have listened to the book. However, several people highly recommended the book and they were right. The story can drag a bit at times and the need to pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter is not immediately apparent. However, these minor foibles do not take away from this interesting adventure story placed at the boundary between fantasy and reality. A great read if you are OK with stories whose key theme is magic.

I saw this promoted a lot and thought I would try it out. It makes the Twilight novels look like great literature. If you are in the mood for a hokey vampire book with the sophistication of a baloney sandwich, this is your book. If you want something with plot, characters and a modicum of style, move on.

I found that this book started rather slow and at first I did not think I cared for the narrator. However, Hart wraps you around a slew of great Southern characters and keeps the twists and turns coming so that by the end I broke my hard and fast rule of only listening while I ran. Hart writes very well and he is a good yarn teller. The reader also grew on me quite a bit over the length of the book. If you like a mystery with a substnative story and good characters, this is a great choice.

If you have njoyed other books in the series, this one will not disappoint. Good twists, turns and adventure. Patrick Tull deserves credit for giving incredible life to these books. He is one of the best readers I have encountered.

The book is poorly written and poorly read. I hung on until the end thinking that the book had to have some redeeming feature. I was wrong. I love spy and espionage novels that are clever and suspenseful. This book had glimpses of cleverness, but they were few and far between. What appeal the characters had, was destroyed by the reader, who seemed to have a sneer on his face throughout. Don't waste your time.

Normally I would avoid on principle all books billed as being inspirational. However, this is the exception. It is one of the most fascinating true life adventures that I have heard in quite a while. Well read and extremely well written. The book takes you through the life of an Olympic runner who crashes in the Pacific during WWII and survives against all odds some of the most harrowing crcumstances imaginable. Not only is this a great tale, but it offers insight into the the anti-Japanese attitudes of many Pacific theater WWII veterans. However, while explaining the basis for these sentiments, the book ultimately focuses on teh redemption brought through forgiveness. If this all sounds too heavy to be enjoyable, don't worry about it. The story is so riveting that you won't think about the lessons underlying the story until after you are done as you are too busy trying to figure out what the next twist will be.

This book is well read and a wonderful tale. If you liked #1 Lady's Detective Agency, then listen to this as it has the same rhythm and charm, just set in the English countryside. The main characters are well developed and you see their flaws and strengths as they work through the multiple clashed of culture that make up life today. The book is humorous and witty and, miraculously, avoids falling into being kitschy. Don't expect great literature, but if you are looking for a heartwarming and entertaining tale, this is a very good choice.

The Company was a great book. This is, unfortunately only a so-so book. There are some good characterizations, but ultimately does not hold together as much of a book. Disappointing.