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Thomas Levin

TNL

Chicago | Member Since 2007

HELPFUL VOTES

9 reviews
105 ratings
0 titles in library
10 purchased in 2013

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The Storyteller

UNABRIDGED
- by Jodi Picoult
- Narrated by Mozhan Marno , Jennifer Ikeda , Edoardo Ballerini , Suzanne Toren , Fred Berman
The Storyteller

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 13 mins)

By Jodi Picoult

Narrated By Mozhan Marno, Jennifer Ikeda, Edoardo Ballerini, and others

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(906)
Performance
(749)
Story
(745)

Jodi Picoult's poignant number one New York Times best-selling novels about family and love tackle hot-button issues head on. In The Storyteller, Sage Singer befriends Josef Weber, a beloved Little League coach and retired teacher. But then Josef asks Sage for a favor she never could have imagined - to kill him. After Josef reveals the heinous act he committed, Sage feels he may deserve that fate. But would his death be murder or justice?
Suzn F says: "The Baker, The Nun, The Virgin and The Monster"
"Extremely well written"

Overall
Performance
Story

What made the experience of listening to The Storyteller the most enjoyable?

Great performances. Easy to determine which character is which by the dramatization

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Storyteller?

The ending

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

This novel is far from my usual 'genre' but I found it to be captivating. Particularly liked the story within the story and the associated allegories.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior

UNABRIDGED
- by Rorke Denver
- Narrated by Rorke Denver
Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 58 mins)

By Rorke Denver

Narrated By Rorke Denver

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(130)
Performance
(126)
Story
(127)

Rorke Denver trains the men who become Navy SEALs - the most creative problem solvers on the modern battlefield, ideal warriors for the kinds of wars America is fighting now. With his years of action-packed mission experience and a top training role, Lieutenant Commander Denver understands exactly how tomorrow’s soldiers are recruited, sculpted, motivated, and deployed. Now, Denver takes you inside his personal story and the fascinating, demanding SEAL training program he now oversees.
AXiD says: "Wonderful autobio,but sort of deadpan delivery"
"Simply outstanding"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

A great, compelling and personal story of dedication, bravery and commitment.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything.

What does Rorke Denver bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of the funeral of his colleague killed in action

Any additional comments?

A highly motivational story.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Night Ranger: A John Wells Novel, Book 7

UNABRIDGED
- by Alex Berenson
- Narrated by George Guidall
The Night Ranger: A John Wells Novel, Book 7

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 32 mins)

By Alex Berenson

Narrated By George Guidall

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(114)
Performance
(99)
Story
(100)

Four friends, recent college graduates, travel to Kenya to work at a giant refugee camp for Somalis. Two men, two women, each with their own reasons for being there. But after twelve weeks, they’re ready for a break and pile into a Land Cruiser for an adventure. They get more than they bargained for. Bandits hijack them. They wake up in a hut, hooded, bound, no food or water. Hostages. As a personal favor, John Wells is asked to try to find them, but he does so reluctantly. East Africa isn’t his usual playing field.
Michael G. Kurilla says: "Wells is finally moving out of the desert"
"Not what I expected"

Overall
Performance
Story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This was not the action packed compelling story I was expecting from this writer or his character. I kept waiting for the story to take off. The book ended somewhat unexpectedly.

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

I would like to hear the reader expand his narrative accents and character range. Seems to have only two or three differing expressions

Could you see The Night Ranger being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

A little bit let down on this one. I have enjoyed reading or listening to each of his other John wells books

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Threat Vector

UNABRIDGED
- by Tom Clancy , Mark Greaney
- Narrated by Lou Diamond Phillips
Threat Vector

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 22 mins)

By Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney

Narrated By Lou Diamond Phillips

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1891)
Performance
(1614)
Story
(1617)

Jack Ryan has only just moved back into the Oval Office when he is faced with a new international threat. An aborted coup in the People's Republic of China has left President Wei Zhen Lin with no choice but to agree with the expansionist policies of General Su Ke Quiang. They have declared the South China Sea a protectorate and are planning an invasion of Taiwan. The Ryan administration is determined to thwart China’s ambitions, but the stakes are dangerously high as a new breed of powerful Chinese anti-ship missiles endanger the US Navy's plans to protect the island.
Charles says: "The Clancy that gave us Clear & Present..."
"Excellent narration. Interesting listen"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Threat Vector to be better than the print version?

I would never sit through a read this long. Bit, the audio was very entertaining

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Like the TV show '24'

Which scene was your favorite?

The bombing at the end

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Fifth Assassin

UNABRIDGED
- by Brad Meltzer
- Narrated by Scott Brick
The Fifth Assassin

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 3 mins)

By Brad Meltzer

Narrated By Scott Brick

Overall
(359)
Performance
(295)
Story
(298)

From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, there have been more than two dozen assassination attempts on the President of the United States. Four have been successful. But now, Beecher White - the hero of the number one New York Times best seller The Inner Circle - discovers a killer in Washington, D.C. who's meticulously re-creating the crimes of these four men. Historians have branded them as four lone wolves. But what if they were wrong?
Janice says: "I had to stop listening a little bit into the book"
"too much drama in reader's voice"

Overall
Performance
Story

Did Scott Brick do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I ordinarily like him but it was too much for this book. Undulating narration. Highs and lows in tonal quality-made listening to it difficult whenever there was background noise

Any additional comments?

Like a movie that is 30 minutes too long, the story could have been shortened.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Gone Girl: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Gillian Flynn
- Narrated by Julia Whelan , Kirby Heyborne
Gone Girl: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 11 mins)

By Gillian Flynn

Narrated By Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(9431)
Performance
(8187)
Story
(8165)

It is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?
Teddy says: "Demented, twisted, sick and I loved it!"
"Amazing book 'noir' thriller"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

Excellent, suspenseful and well written

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gone Girl?

The reveal

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

no-too long for one sitting

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. A smart thriller

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves

UNABRIDGED
- by Dan Ariely
- Narrated by Simon Jones
The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 41 mins)

By Dan Ariely

Narrated By Simon Jones

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(192)
Performance
(159)
Story
(154)

Does the chance of getting caught affect how likely we are to cheat? How do companies pave the way for dishonesty? Does collaboration make us more honest or less so? Does religion improve our honesty? Most of us think of ourselves as honest, but, in fact, we all cheat. From Washington to Wall Street, the classroom to the workplace, unethical behavior is everywhere. None of us is immune whether it's the white lie to head off trouble or padding our expense reports.
Doug says: "You Cheat (and I Do Too)"
"Excellent narration. Interesting listen"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to The Honest Truth About Dishonesty again? Why?

Yes-it's an interesting topic about human nature that seeks to understand why we do things we do when it comes to being dishonest or try to cheat. Similar in style and content to Blink and tipping point

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Honest Truth About Dishonesty?

How people who habitually lie end up believing their lies

What about Simon Jones???s performance did you like?

Very engaging narration

If you could give The Honest Truth About Dishonesty a new subtitle, what would it be?

Why we lie

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the writers interviews at the end

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Third Gate: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Lincoln Child
- Narrated by Johnathan McClain
The Third Gate: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 39 mins)

By Lincoln Child

Narrated By Johnathan McClain

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(701)
Performance
(599)
Story
(590)

Under the direction of famed explorer Porter Stone, an archaeological team is secretly attempting to locate the tomb of an ancient pharaoh who was unlike any other in history. Stone believes he has found the burial chamber of King Narmer, the near mythical god-king who united upper and lower Egypt in 3200 B.C., and the archaeologist has reason to believe that the greatest prize of all - Narmer's crown - might be buried with him. No crown of an Egyptian king has ever been discovered, and Narmer's is the elusive crown of the two Egypts.
Amanda says: "Reliable Entertainment for Child Fans"
"disappointing"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you like best about The Third Gate? What did you like least?

Lackluster writing, lackluster performance, boring story

If you???ve listened to books by Lincoln Child before, how does this one compare?

worse than others

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

a lot of things. Dry performance except in a few places

Did The Third Gate inspire you to do anything?

stop reading these types of books from this author

Any additional comments?

Truly disappointed. Couldn't decide if this was to be a ghost story or mystery thriller. Seemed wrong for either genre

2 of 3 people found this review helpful
A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing

UNABRIDGED
- by Lawrence M. Krauss
- Narrated by Lawrence M. Krauss , Simon Vance
A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 32 mins)

By Lawrence M. Krauss

Narrated By Lawrence M. Krauss, Simon Vance

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(434)
Performance
(383)
Story
(376)

Where did the universe come from? What was there before it? What will the future bring? And finally, why is there something rather than nothing? Krauss’ answers to these and other timeless questions, in a wildly popular lecture on YouTube, has attracted almost a million viewers. One of the few prominent scientists to have actively crossed the chasm between science and popular culture, Krauss reveals that modern science is indeed addressing the question of why there is something rather than nothing—with surprising and fascinating results.
Dennis says: "If you are new to the subject, listen to it!"
"Interesting listen"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does A Universe from Nothing rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Among this genre, it is an interesting book but it becomes technical at various points making it somewhat difficult to follow while listening. The listener needs to be focused and avoid distractions. There is much to be missed if the listener isn't paying attention at all times.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful