Dorn

A few years back, I read the Cluetrain Mainfesto, and thought that while it was likely true that the internet would continue to have a major impact on society, the authors pounded the point home that in 'the future' one would not be able to draw a breath without internet support.

The approach to FutureShop is much the same, though with Ebay and the 'Auction Culture' at the center of the universe.

Let me ruin the plot for you - The ability of the common man to access the secondary (resale) markets through web auction sites will alter the puchasing habits of web-enabled people, and will spawn a number of supporting business. The changes in consumer's shopping habits will change the way retailers address the market and will force them to recognize resale value as a factor in product evaluation.

I don't disagree with any of this, but the author overstates his thesis.

As a regular Ebay user, I didn't learn much about the history and operation of web auctions. I really didn't get the book for that, but the author's tireless recitation of history was unnecessary.

If you have never used Ebay, or if you like your logic delivered with repetetive blows of a small hammer, this may be the book for you.

This was a good story, nicely told. Interesting, adventurous, suspenseful, and well-written.

That I came away disinclined to read the rest is probably only my disinterest in the genre.

I would recommend it.

Many of the other reviews define the core content of the book, so I won't rehash that.

This is a well-told story with engaging and believeable characters who encounter situations that don't stretch the bounds of credulity too far. I would challenge anyone to read this an not feel the highs and lows of the protagonist.

As I listened to this, I thought of another, similar character I had read many years ago - A Confederacy of Dunces by O'Toole, I think.

I enjoyed that, I enjoyed this, and I think you will too.

I had tried reading one of Eco's books some time back and found the text very dense and too hard to read.

The audio version would be better I thought, so why not give it a try, even though it was a very long book. (For what it's worth, I have no difficulty with reading, comprehension, of vocabulary - his writing style just made it difficult.)

This book at times could be tedious (He really didn't have to spend so much time in the attic!) but just as often was like talking to an old friend.

The narrator was excellent. I was apprehensive when I heard an older man with an unusual accent and delivery, but he was certainly a good choice for this - the book could not have been the same without him.

A long listen, but I would do it again.

As good a view of the Oklahoma/Texas Panhandle as the Shipping News was of Nova Scotia.

Well, I could be wrong, having spent no significant time in either place, but after reading this, I felt I knew the people and the culture. On top of that, there's a good story with genuinely interesting characters. The narration is excellent, always interesting with very clear and consistent distinctions between characters.

I have no regrets about this one!

Been listening for several months now, and the Brain Brew Crew truly has excellent observation, good insight, and an amazing ability to add value to an idea on a moment's notice.

That they can do this week after week without rehashing ideas is testament to their experience and ability. Though they do have an affinity for direct mail, I'll accept that as what is truly the right solution for a lot of callers.

The format is clear, quick, and never boring. Calls from the aspiring (or fearful) capitalist, a 30-second distillation of business insight from a recognizable if not familiar source, and the occasional call to the wilds of Maine. Never a dull moment.

Everytime I try another subscription, I come right back to this one. An excellent investment of your time, whether you're a storefront, electronic marketer, service provider, or just a person with a message and an aspiration. Try it - you won't be disappointed.

This book might also have been named 400 quotations somewhat linked to 100 statements supporting about 30 ideas built on about a dozen techniques to motivate, along with some thoughts on time management, happiness, and leadership. But that would have been too long.

Seriously, there are some excellent observations included within, and there's a good book lurking somewhere inside, but it's just too hard to find.

This should also be a good example of the need for an independent narrator. For a book on motivation to be read in a long, droning, hang-dog fashion is just - unmotivating!

I would also suggest for books like this that Audible mark the paragraph divisions better. The jump button doesn't deliver to the next of 100 items, but to somewhere way up ahead. And there will be times you will want to use it.

The book is also repetitious. I suppose a case can be made that focusing, thinking about one thing, and concentrating are not the same, but really....

In summary - Good observations, repetitious, and very loosely organized, delivered with droning narration.

Following up on some of the other reviews, I would agree that yes, the plot is predictable - you know that the bad guy must get it in the end, and one need not have a doctorate to figure out the pieces of the puzzle.

Still, the book is an excellent 'read!' Without the narrator's outstanding skills, I would probably rate this as 4 stars - good, but not great. The narration though, puts this over the top. He pulls the nuances from the characters, bringing them to hysterical life. Definitely worth it in my opinion.