ddsharper

This is, so far, the best book I've consumed about writing. Stein's advice is practical and his experience as an editor shows in every sentence and paragraph - yet he uses a humble tone. He successfully includes plenty of examples to clearly get across each point. The book is interesting, lively, extremely well paced and hard to put down. If you are a beginning writer, in fiction genre or nonfiction genre, Stein has real answers for all. He gives the listener concrete niches in which to place information and lessons about writing. He takes you by the hand and shows, while telling, and instead of creating MORE anxiety and insecurity about writing, which is what I have found many writing books end up doing, Stein eases the effort of creating on the page. I listened to this book every chance I had and have already ordered a hard copy. I also ordered some of his novels because this title was so well done. Finally, I cannot say too much about the incredible narration of the book by Christopher Lane who didn't get in the way of the material but in a professional and sincere voice imparted what was on the pages as though he himself had written the book. You cannot go wrong with this title.

I couldn't listen long enough to comment on the entire plot, because the writing was so stereotypical and pedestrian. I am sick and tired of black women being portrayed as desperate whores and sexual animals. When the first character encountered women on the stoop of her complex, they sounded like B in heat. What made it worse is that they were married. Then the married woman climbs stairs, cannot catch her breath, but perseverates on and on about this guy being so attractive and sexy that she was willing to entertain sexual fantasies about him, without knowing him, and go on and on about what she wanted to do with and to him. In the middle of respiratory failure, this guy asks her if she's all-right, and her mind leaves her physical distress as she lusts after some stranger? Please. give me something with plot twists and depth, and dialog between human beings and not people ready to jump into bed with people less familiar than even strangers. How far the mighty have fallen.

Not at all.

There were no favorites, at all. No insight, predictable, and formulaic.

Nothing. The narrators are accomplished actors and voice-over-greats.

It seems like some non-black wrote the book, or some black person who has joined the band-wagon of portraying black women as lust-ridden-animals, abandoning all logical thoughts or action in order to think or act on endless lust. I could not finish the book-junk in, junk out. I am longing to read meaningful stories by substantive black authors, but I suppose such books could never pass the muster of the system of you-know-what, in the West. If you portray all black men as criminals, all black women as sex crazed whores, then I guess you have a best seller. Also, in most black books, black people have miserable lives, etc,, which is why I rarely buy fiction books written by modern black authors. This is my opinion. I have found, with rare exceptions, that nothing in any form of media, save the occasional honest documentary, or actual lectures on YouTube, remotely reflects the real lives and characters of actual black people, who are the most diverse group on earth, Give me something where they aren't criminals, or downtrodden by racism, or sex-crazed-dogs, or on drugs. I guess that's what sells, but I'm not buying.

In my opinion, the strength of the Monk TV series, like the series, "House", is the special skills the main character possesses. I don't want to here from the whiny assistant, nor do I care about her point of view. I expected hard core Monk, spotlighting his point of view and his many skills and special diagnostics of criminals and their acts, which were lacking, as far as I could see. I was so agitated and frustrated with the narrator's voice, as well as the lack of substance of the story, I could not finish. Perhaps if I'd gone further I'd be pleasantly surprised, but I found this to be too great a chore.

New fable, undermining established belief systems, seemingly designed for atheists, youngsters and those who have yet to form their own beliefs about God and Jesus. Propaganda of the NWO in my opinion and I couldn' listen beyond the first 30 minutes. How pathetic. Nothing here less fantastic than the traditional story of creation. Like Greek mythology I suppose. Lots of books like this coming out. Thought this was scholarly. Guess I should have previewed it longer. Beware.

I am grieving the loss. It has been a very long time, before this series, that I was so deeply drawn into a saga. Consequently, I haven't known how to react now that it's over and I know the author is dead. It's strange. You must read all 3 books in order to appreciate this author's ability to weave a complex tale and create such realistic characters. His prose are great and his style skilled, in every way. I feel as if I am grieving in that I know Steig Larsson is gone and Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander with him. I wish American authors possessed the depth of soul and expression to write as honestly as this Swedish author but I suppose the machismo and warlike attitude of America precludes such a thing. I am at a loss. What to read now? After experiencing such interesting characters and well spun stories I am at a loss. Well, I guess it is back to Alexandre Dumas. In closing, I highly recommend the series. Thank you.

I have come to really appreciate this author. The book has a great plot, all loose ends are tied together and the characters are all memorable. I started with his first book, open and shut, and liked it so much I paid the full retail price for this title. Most of all, I love the author's use of irony and sarcasm. He's a firecracker and demonstrates the author's intelligence. Wholly recommend this book for intelligent readers, especially. Wish there were more titles out there like this one, more authors with Rosenfelt's talents.

Great information, thorough and power packed facts reside in this book. If you learn best through listening, perhaps this book is for you. If you need to ruminate and grasp facts and concepts before moving on, this book moves way to fast, in my opinion. It is one of the titles I've downloaded that I will listen to when I already have a framework set, and understanding of this period in western civilization, and then I can use this book as a solid review. Now, I use it to help my insomnia.

I enjoyed this title because the characters were pleasant, the story simple and because it didn't focus on judges, police lawyers and criminal element like many modern novels. This is a good love story. Without spoiling the story, I can say I'd recommend the book as a delightful listen.

This was an easy listen and made learning a pleasure: thought behind every sentence. Took what could have been a boring topic and turned it into a real interesting read. Gave me insight into the growing crime rates in the 80's through early 90's America, due to the drug trade, and the reason crime stats are today below some of the stats from the 1960's. Many other explanations of trends that were surprising,logical and supported by reason and numbers. I think all Americans should read this book.

Josiah Henson was the man who's slave live forms the basis of this book. This book influenced many people to take a stand against "the peculiar institution" and served to give humanity to the slave himself. Anyone interested in reading a book that changed the face of this country should read Uncle Tom's Cabin. Prior to that however a quick google search of the author will give the reader perspective! Because it is a period piece it can be difficult to cherish, or even finish, without understanding the background of the writer and why she wrote it.

I enjoyed this book. It is the first fiction title I've listened to, in a while, that I actually finished. The characters were distinct and interesting, the story entertaining and well told. In my opinion, many modern fiction novels I've downloaded haven't been able to keep my interest. I felt they were too negative, too full of gratuitous profanity, dark in mood and low in action. Maybe it's me but I tire of stories with dark tones and full of preachy new age philosophies. I just want a decent story and don't want to feel depressed after listening to a book. Well crafted stories, even with violence, can have an up tone and this book delivers. Fade gives you great characters, plenty of action, it keeps moving and keeps you listening. You care about the characters, want to know what happens next and everything is tied up in the end. It's a fun listen, not too deep and the story is told so you can keep up with what's happening: you won't get lost with too many characters. I don't want to spoil the plot. I'll end by saying this book is well written for audio and I found myself wishing it wouldn't end and wishing that this author had more books available on audible.