You no longer follow Hope

You will no longer see updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can re-follow a user if you change your mind.

You now follow Hope

You will receive updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can unfollow a user if you change your mind.

Hope

Professor, PhD, and very eclectic reader!

Nacogdoches, TX, United States | Member Since 2006

HELPFUL VOTES

9 reviews
70 ratings
463 titles in library
19 purchased in 2013

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!

UNABRIDGED
- by Bob Harris
- Narrated by Brett Barry
Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 32 mins)

By Bob Harris

Narrated By Brett Barry

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(4)
Performance
(4)
Story
(4)

This is the story of a working-class guy from Ohio with little real knowledge of Ambidextrous Presidents, Things Made from Rubber, and hundreds of other categories, but who nonetheless plunges so far into cramming for Jeopardy that it changes his relationships, bends his worldview, and literally leads him to the ends of the earth, trying to understand it all.
John S. says: "Narration ended up carrying the story"
"Nerds Unite!"

Overall
Performance
Story

What other book might you compare Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! to and why?

Brainiac by Ken Jensen

What about Brett Barry’s performance did you like?

He was amusing and gave character to the dialog!

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

It made me laugh out loud, so my family kept asking me what was happening. Best to listen to this book when you are by yourself!

Any additional comments?

This book gives insight into the world of Jeopardy, entertaining, and engaging!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness

UNABRIDGED
- by Scott Jurek , Steve Friedman
- Narrated by Quincy Dunn-Baker
Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 24 mins)

By Scott Jurek, Steve Friedman

Narrated By Quincy Dunn-Baker

Overall
(309)
Performance
(274)
Story
(278)

A dominant force in the sport of ultrarunning, Scott Jurek is a seven-time winner of the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run and a two-time winner of the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon through Death Valley. Eat & Run offers an inspirational account of Jurek’s life as a runner and vegan. Regaling listeners with jaw-dropping tales of endurance, Jurek also delivers sound science and practical advice—as well as his favorite plant-based recipes.
Heidi says: "If you liked "Born to Run"...get this book!!!"
"Too Preachy"

Overall
Performance
Story

While I enjoyed the aspects of the narrative, all in all Scott Jurek tends to be too preachy in his approach to tell his story of being an ultimate runner.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water

UNABRIDGED
- by Charles Fishman
- Narrated by Stephen Hoye
The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 30 mins)

By Charles Fishman

Narrated By Stephen Hoye

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(149)
Performance
(104)
Story
(103)

The water coming out of your tap is four billion years old and might have been slurped by a Tyrannosaurus Rex. We will always have exactly as much water on Earth as we have ever had. Water cannot be destroyed, and it can always be made clean enough for drinking again. In fact, water can be made so clean that it actually becomes toxic. As Charles Fishman brings vibrantly to life in this delightful narrative excursion, water runs our world in a host of awe-inspiring ways, which is both the promise and the peril of our unexplored connections to it.
Lynn says: "Informative Book"
"Nice and Fun Listen"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book details many issues surrounded by water. Interesting and covers a variety of topics!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Father's Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son

UNABRIDGED
- by Buzz Bissinger
- Narrated by Buzz Bissinger
Father's Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 55 mins)

By Buzz Bissinger

Narrated By Buzz Bissinger

Overall
(9)
Performance
(8)
Story
(8)

Buzz Bissinger’s twins were born three minutes—and a world—apart. Gerry, the older one, is a graduate student at Penn, preparing to become a teacher. His brother Zach has spent his life attending special schools. He’ll never drive a car, or kiss a girl, or live by himself. He is a savant, challenged by serious intellectual deficits but also blessed with rare talents: an astonishing memory, a dazzling knack for navigation, and a reflexive honesty that can make him both socially awkward and surprisingly wise.
Deborah says: "Moving, courageous story about father and son"
"Heartwarming!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I quite enjoyed this memoir of the author and his developmentally delayed son. Very interesting and touching. An honest look at what it is like to parent a child with special needs.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town

UNABRIDGED
- by Nick Reding
- Narrated by Mark Boyett
Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 24 mins)

By Nick Reding

Narrated By Mark Boyett

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(551)
Performance
(175)
Story
(180)

Crystal methamphetamine is widely considered to be the most dangerous drug in the world, and nowhere is that more true than in the small towns of the American heartland. Methland tells the story of Oelwein, Iowa (pop. 6,159), which, like thousands of other small towns across the country, has been left in the dust by the consolidation of the agricultural industry, a depressed local economy, and an out-migration of people.
Melissa says: "Compelling & terrifying"
"Interesting Perspective, Although A Bit Biased"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a very interesting perspective on the "Meth Epidemic"-- giving a fuller picture than is typically found in the mass media. However, the author definitely has a bias and an opinion about this phenomena, and I am not sure I buy it 100%.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

UNABRIDGED
- by Christopher Hitchens , Thomas Mallon (foreword)
- Narrated by Simon Prebble
The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 11 mins)

By Christopher Hitchens, Thomas Mallon (foreword)

Narrated By Simon Prebble

Overall
(65)
Performance
(59)
Story
(57)

A Nobel Peace Prize recipient beatified by the Catholic Church in 2003, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was celebrated by heads of state and adored by millions for her work on behalf of the poor. In his measured critique, Hitchens asks only that Mother Teresa's reputation be judged by her actions - not the other way around. With characteristic élan and rhetorical dexterity, Hitchens eviscerates the fawning cult of Teresa, recasting the Albanian missionary as a spurious, despotic, and megalomaniacal operative.
Michael Friedman says: "Another View of our Saint"
"Interesting... but obviously biased"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book has an interesting take on the life of Mother Theresa. However, it is obviously only presenting one side of the story, so if you are looking for a balanced account, you should find another source. But overall, this is a perspective that few take, and I enjoyed the book, even if it is not one that I fully endorse.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir

UNABRIDGED
- by Donna M. Johnson
- Narrated by Carrington MacDuffie
Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 4 mins)

By Donna M. Johnson

Narrated By Carrington MacDuffie

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(18)
Performance
(14)
Story
(15)

A compassionate, humorous story of faith, betrayal, and coming of age on the sawdust trail. She was just three years old when her mother signed on as the organist of tent revivalist David Terrell, and before long, Donna Johnson was part of the hugely popular evangelical preacher’s inner circle. At seventeen, she left the ministry for good, with a trove of stranger-than-fiction memories.
Sandee says: "An Amazing Story of Courage and Hope"
"Good listen, but somewhat lacking"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Holy Ghost Girl to be better than the print version?

The narration of the book adds to the interest of the story.

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

I was hoping for more insight into the narrator's spiritual journey. Instead, it is more about the events and what happened than an introspection into her faith.

What about Carrington MacDuffie’s performance did you like?

The characterization of the narration was excellent.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies

UNABRIDGED
- by Tyler Cowen
- Narrated by Stephen Hoye
An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 24 mins)

By Tyler Cowen

Narrated By Stephen Hoye

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(27)
Performance
(23)
Story
(23)

Food snobbery is killing entrepreneurship and innovation, says economist, preeminent social commentator, and maverick dining guide blogger Tyler Cowen. Americans are becoming angry that our agricultural practices have led to global warming-but while food snobs are right that local food tastes better, they're wrong that it is better for the environment, and they are wrong that cheap food is bad food. The food world needs to know that you don't have to spend more to eat healthy, green, exciting meals. At last, some good news from an economist!
Sean says: "Rambling"
"Food for Thought!"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to An Economist Gets Lunch again? Why?

Yes, in fact, I have already re-listened to this book a second time!

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I will now second-guess every food choice I make while out of the country. Just kidding! I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of BBQ, and as a native Texan, the author is right on the money!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
America’s Four Gods: What We Say About God - & What That Says About Us

UNABRIDGED
- by Paul Froese , Christopher Bader
- Narrated by Robert Blumenfeld
America’s Four Gods: What We Say About God - & What That Says About Us

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 20 mins)

By Paul Froese, Christopher Bader

Narrated By Robert Blumenfeld

Whispersync for Voice-ready

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

The greatest divisions in America are not between atheists and believers, or even between people of different faiths. What divides us, this groundbreaking book shows, is how we conceive of God and the role He plays in our daily lives. America's Four Gods draws on the most wide-ranging, comprehensive, and illuminating survey of American's religious beliefs ever conducted to offer a systematic exploration of how Americans view God. Paul Froese and Christopher Bader argue that many of America's most intractable social and political divisions emerge from religious convictions that are deeply held but rarely openly discussed.
Hope says: "Intriguing"
"Intriguing"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up America’s Four Gods in three words, what would they be?

Facintating, Intriguing, Entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book provides interesting data concerning the changes in the religious preferences and demographics in America, supplemented with vignettes that illustrate the author's points.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful