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Dan

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BIRMINGHAM, AL, United States | Member Since 2011

HELPFUL VOTES

13 reviews
13 ratings
157 titles in library
25 purchased in 2013

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker

UNABRIDGED
- by Kevin Mitnick , William L. Simon
- Narrated by Ray Porter
Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 59 mins)

By Kevin Mitnick, William L. Simon

Narrated By Ray Porter

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2152)
Performance
(1895)
Story
(1895)

Kevin Mitnick was the most elusive computer break-in artist in history. He accessed computers and networks at the world’s biggest companies—and however fast the authorities were, Mitnick was faster, sprinting through phone switches, computer systems, and cellular networks. He spent years skipping through cyberspace, always three steps ahead and labeled unstoppable.
Blaine says: "Worthy of five stars, if not more"
"Hard to grasp."

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Ghost in the Wires in three words, what would they be?

Watch your security.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon ? Why or why not?

No.

What three words best describe Ray Porter’s performance?

OK with material.

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

No. Too mind numbing.

Any additional comments?

A real eye opener. People can see whatever we are doing. Internet, cameras, etc. A little creepy and eye opening. I was amazed/fascinated/frightened at the minds that get and use the electronic mediums to their advantage. A new World!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Dark of the Moon

UNABRIDGED
- by John Sandford
- Narrated by Eric Conger
Dark of the Moon

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 22 mins)

By John Sandford

Narrated By Eric Conger

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1403)
Performance
(474)
Story
(486)

Virgil Flowers kicked around for a while before joining the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. First it was the army and the military police, then the police in St. Paul, and finally Lucas Davenport brought him into the BCA, promising him, "We'll only give you the hard stuff." He's been doing the hard stuff for three years now, but never anything like this.
Crystal says: "Great winding road of a story"
"Flowers does it again."

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about Dark of the Moon?

Sandford nails Minnesota, again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Virgil Flowers. An interesting character. A lot more depth that what appears on the surface.

Which scene was your favorite?

None in particular.

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

No

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Winner

UNABRIDGED
- by David Baldacci
- Narrated by Frances Cassidy
The Winner

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 17 mins)

By David Baldacci

Narrated By Frances Cassidy

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(217)
Performance
(172)
Story
(177)

She is 20, beautiful, dirt-poor, and hoping for a better life for her infant daughter when LuAnn Tyler is offered the gift of a lifetime, a $100 million lottery jackpot. All she has to do is change her identity and leave the U.S. forever. It's an offer she dares to refuse...until violence forces her hand and thrusts her into a harrowing game of high-stakes, big-money subterfuge. It's a price she won't fully pay...until she does the unthinkable and breaks the promise that made her rich.
Diana says: "worse baldacci ever, narrator puts you to sleep"
"Interesting with twists"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

The Narrator. He was able to capture the sometimes whimsical moments well.

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

The ending with the twist from the 'Winner".

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

No

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

Not particularly

Any additional comments?

None

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Vertical Coffin: A Shane Scully Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Stephen J. Cannell
- Narrated by Scott Brick
Vertical Coffin: A Shane Scully Novel

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 44 mins)

By Stephen J. Cannell

Narrated By Scott Brick

Overall
(228)
Performance
(35)
Story
(35)

In Shane Scully's most terrifying case to date, two elite SWAT units from the L.A. Sheriff's Department and the ATF appear to be engaged in a deadly midnight war. Officers from both agencies are being sniped at and murdered in vertical coffins. As the violence escalates, the mayor directs the LAPD, the only uninvolved and unbiased law enforcement agency, to investigate. Shane's wife, Alexa, under orders from Chief Tony Filosiani, assigns him to the case.
Matthew says: "Thrill To The Last Minute"
"TV Show."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Vertical Coffin again? Why?

No. It's like watching re-runs of a cop show.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vertical Coffin?

None really.

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

Brick is a pro. He does the characters well but I cannot listen to him back to back.

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

It's like watching a typical TV Cop Show. Interesting, due to Brick, but not memorable.

Any additional comments?

I find it amazing how succesful writers can get so much of the technical details wrong. Cars, guns, etc. Check the facts before you write it!

Why is it that all of the characters have money from somewhere? That's NOT real life.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Litigators

UNABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris
The Litigators

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 33 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3259)
Performance
(2633)
Story
(2594)

The incomparable master of the legal thriller takes us deeper into the labyrinth that is the American justice system, always drawing us in with an irresistible hook, pulling the thread of tension tighter and tighter, and then knocking us out with a conclusion that's never "by the book". Maybe that's why, after more than 20 years of consecutive number-one New York Times best sellers, a new novel by America's favorite storyteller is still a major publishing event.
June says: "Typical Grisham, entertaining"
"A feel good novel."

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about The Litigators?

The humor.

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

It did. There were just enough twists to keep it interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

None in particular.

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

Both. The main character seems to be a real guy with a real human "good guy" reaction to the situations he is put in.

Any additional comments?

Grishams books always seem to have a redeeming human message. It's understated but there. I appreciate his ability to teach us a lesson but not hit us over the head with it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Creole Belle: A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 19

UNABRIDGED
- by James Lee Burke
- Narrated by Will Patton
Creole Belle: A Dave Robicheaux Novel, Book 19

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 11 mins)

By James Lee Burke

Narrated By Will Patton

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1204)
Performance
(1035)
Story
(999)

Creole Belle begins where the last book in the Dave Robicheaux series, The Glass Rainbow, ended. Dave is in a recovery unit in New Orleans, where a Creole girl named Tee Jolie Melton visits him and leaves him an iPod with the country blues song “Creole Belle” on it. Then she disappears. Dave becomes obsessed with the song and the memory of Tee Jolie and goes in search of her sister, who later turns up inside a block of ice floating in the Gulf.
Melinda says: "Burke & Patton -- Synergistic Phenomenon"
"Burke is only listenable if narrated by Patton."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Creole Belle again? Why?

No. I tire of Burke's injections of his views.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Creole Belle?

None really. However, Pattons impression of Clete Purcell is priceless.

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

Clete Purcell. Patton gets South Louisiana.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Swamp Tails.

Any additional comments?

Without Patton, the books would not be listenable. I tire of Burke's injection of his liberal views. Keep your views to the newspaper. Just tell the story.

I do not like Burke's books that have strayed from the South. Stick with what you know.

I'm done with Burke.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945

UNABRIDGED
- by Tony Judt
- Narrated by Ralph Cosham
Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945

UNABRIDGED (43 hrs)

By Tony Judt

Narrated By Ralph Cosham

Overall
(271)
Performance
(183)
Story
(181)

Almost a decade in the making, this much-anticipated grand history of postwar Europe from one of the world’s most esteemed historians and intellectuals is a singular achievement. Postwar is the first modern history that covers all of Europe, both east and west, drawing on research in six languages to sweep readers through 34 nations and 60 years of political and cultural change—all in one integrated, enthralling narrative.
History says: "Great book, but not terrific listening"
"A must listen."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 again? Why?

I would. It explains why we are where we are today, as a society.

What other book might you compare Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 to and why?

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich-Shirer.

Which scene was your favorite?

None in particular.

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

No, too long to listen to at once but it was NOT boring.

Any additional comments?

It is amazing to hear the real world intrigue that went on and still does.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Grapes of Wrath

UNABRIDGED
- by John Steinbeck
- Narrated by Dylan Baker
The Grapes of Wrath

UNABRIDGED (21 hrs and 5 mins)

By John Steinbeck

Narrated By Dylan Baker

Overall
(929)
Performance
(788)
Story
(793)

At once naturalistic epic, captivity narrative, road novel, and transcendental gospel, Steinbeck’s, The Grapes of Wrath is perhaps the most American of American classics. Although it follows the movement of thousands of men and women and the transformation of an entire nation during the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s, The Grapes of Wrath is also the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads, who are forced to travel west to the promised land of California.
Parola138 says: "Pleased"
"A True Classic"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up The Grapes of Wrath in three words, what would they be?

Classic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

None really.

Which character – as performed by Dylan Baker – was your favorite?

None really.

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

It made me think. Nothing is really different, regardless of time, when one looks at the character of people.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Bourne Deception

UNABRIDGED
- by Robert Ludlum , Eric Van Lustbader
- Narrated by Jeremy Davidson
The Bourne Deception

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 43 mins)

By Robert Ludlum, Eric Van Lustbader

Narrated By Jeremy Davidson

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(256)
Performance
(70)
Story
(69)

Jason Bourne's nemesis Arkadin is still hot on his trail and the two continue their struggle, reversing roles of hunter and hunted. When Bourne is ambushed and badly wounded, he fakes his death and goes into hiding. In safety, he takes on a new identity, and begins a mission to find out who tried to assassinate him. Jason begins to question who he really is, how much of him is tied up in the Bourne identity, and what he would become if that was suddenly taken away from him.
Miike says: "It Is a Deception"
"A little hard to follow."

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about The Bourne Deception?

None really.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bourne. A little hard to believe but maybe people like this do exist.

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

A well done narration with enough voice variety to keep you interested.

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

No

Any additional comments?

You really have to pay attention and listen to the series in order. I found it a bit "fractured" if you didn't know the whole Bourne legacy.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bad Blood: A Virgil Flowers Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by John Sandford
- Narrated by Eric Conger
Bad Blood: A Virgil Flowers Novel

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 43 mins)

By John Sandford

Narrated By Eric Conger

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1642)
Performance
(791)
Story
(784)

One late fall Sunday in southern Minnesota, a farmer brings a load of soybeans to a local grain elevator - and a young man hits him on the head with a steel bar, drops him into the grain bin, waits until he's sure he's dead, and then calls the sheriff to report the "accident." Suspicious, the sheriff calls in Virgil Flowers, who quickly breaks the kid down...and the next day the boy's found hanging in his cell. Remorse? Virgil isn't so sure....
Bob says: "EXCELLENT!"
"Typical Sandford"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Bad Blood in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining and easy listening.

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

Somewhat. There are no real low points.

Which scene was your favorite?

None really.

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

Yes, if I could have.

Any additional comments?

Typical Sandford. For anyone with a Midwest (especially Minnesota) background, Sandford nails, as always, the local flavor. For me, even though the subject is dark, the local knowledge makes me smile.

As mentioned, Sandfords subjects can be quite dark and frightening but there is enough local humor injected to keep it entertaining.

A good listen. I prefer the Virgil Flowers series over the others. The Virgil Flowers character has a lot more depth than the others.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful