James

A wonderful story of wartime hardship with a Downton Abbey feel. A nurse discovers an inner strength that she would never have known apart from the stark ruthlessness of her own illness and the First World War. From a privileged military family in Britain, the heroin determines to return to France to serve the wounded after having, herself, survived the Spanish Flu pandemic that rivaled the war in numbers of fatalities. There is intrigue coupled with valor. This is a tribute to the strength and determination of women. It was hard to put down. Well narrated, I highly recommend this easy listen.

Whew! As a result of this definitive study of fundamentalism I now have a new insight into why there have always been religious wars. Sharlet asserts that American Christian Fundamentalism is the singular most influential religious and political movement in the history of this country. It explains the rise of right wing conservatism in response to the era of the New Deal and the Fair Deal. In an all out war since the conclusion of the FDR/Truman years, Christian fundamentalism has sought to undo the Labor movement, social service networks, intellectualism and what they disdainfully name secular humanism to bring about the Kingdom of God, as defined by the movement. The writer did his homework in tracing the movement of radical fundamentalism from the founding preachers of the twenties/thirties to the modern politicians and mega church pastors who promote wealth and power as evidence of being blessed by their God. In the fundamentalist mind, America is the true promised land where their God will establish the perfect nation. Their concept of the manly Jesus is the lynchpin in all of this religious fervor, and the individual is the primary object of God's intent for His world. The craziness unfolds as the influence of this movement exerts itself — it would be hilarious if it weren't so serious. This is a must for anyone seeking to trace the regressive tendencies of modern conservatism as it seems to have evolved. Not an easy read, this book held me spellbound. The narrator performed spectacularly in his presentation, and after I recover from being shaken up by this work, I will listen to it again!

While a rather long and tedious work, this book reveals the man George Washington to be more and less than legend has presented him. Chernow has studied hard to present a most interesting narrative of just who the father of this country was. Credit is due to Scott Brick for his excellent narration—straight forward and comfortable. Much of the work that unfolds has the nature of a novel. After the experience of Washington: A Life, I have a clearer and more appreciative concept of the American Revolution and the formation of the American experiment in democracy. If one has the perseverance to stay with it, this book is well worth the effort. As a lover of history, I found this book easy to love.

As a student of the American Civil War, I found McPherson's work to be utterly fascinating. I gained new insights into the great American tragedy that never would have occurred to me. Well narrated, this immense work is a must for anyone interested in what divided and divides us as a nation. The ultimate in historical research, Volume 1 opens the door to the clearest look available into the mind of a fractured nation. You will learn from this volume, but you will also want to find out even more from Volume 2.

I applaud Fred Howard's book for its research and its tenacity. However, it took me a long, long time to get through it. What drudgery. I love history, and am sure I learned a lot by reading this tome. However, the man I admire the most is narrator Larry McKeever. How he managed to read this entire work is a marvel. I recommend this biography to anyone who has an absolute fascination with flight, with Dayton, with Kitty Hawk, etc., but be forewarned that it will take you places you'll wonder why you went. I used to read The Doctors Mayo to put me to sleep during the ten years of my advanced education. This book would have worked even better.

Don't bother with the movie. This book is much better! Larsson's ability to develop characters leaves nothing to be desired. There is no falling asleep in this very well narrated piece. It's a story that makes one cheer for the underdogs and the eccentrics. You can't read this without wanting to visit Sweden. However, it's no travelog. Evil predominates until justice finally reigns, and the experience won't let you put it down until Audible "hopes you have enjoyed this..." If you read this, you will have to read at least Book 2.

As one who is deeply interested in American Civil War history, I had heard this story many times prior to Bonds's work. Well narrated, I found it hard to put this one down. The tragedy that was our "Civil" War had some bright, humorous moments, and this story captures one of them. Here's this band of Yankees daring to go deep into Rebel territory not to assassinate someone, but rather to steal a hissing, rattling, tooting, steam engine--ultimately pursued by another steamer running backwards. Outright laughter is tempered by lots of human despair, but this is a great read. It's difficult to keep all the characters clearly in place, but anyone interested in the tragedy of the Civil War needs to have this book.

Coupled with the narrative skills of Bill Wallis, the author (Wilson) paints a fascinating look at one of the most intriguing tragedies of the twentieth century. It was especially interesting to see the distinctions that existed between how the first class survivors coped with the Titanic disaster compared to the "lower" class survivors. There is something to be said of the nature of those who see themselves as "entitled" over against the rest of us "mere mortals." A wonderful look at an historical event that remains definitive of human tragedy.

I felt compelled to read this one after Larsson's initial "Girl who..." work. I was drawn to the character development and the continuity with book 1. I felt that things bogged down toward the conclusion, but found it hard to put down. Overall well done, and the narrative was exceptional.

Stephen King at his very best. I can't remember being any more captured by this storyteller engaged in his articulate craft. Don't enter into the world(s) of these stories unless you are ready to be completely caught up in the narrative(s). I will listen to them again, I think, but not until I'm once more willing to face myself wholly for one (like the characters in each tale) who may very well be possessed of two (at least) people. For the moment I'm just going to let these morality tales ferment someplace deep within me. Wonderful. Engulfing. Stephen King at his best.