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Karen

Colerain, NC, USA

57
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 5 reviews
  • 26 ratings
  • 315 titles in library
  • 0 purchased in 2013
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  • Churchill | [Roy Jenkins]
    Churchill
    UNABRIDGED

    Churchill

    • UNABRIDGED (37 hrs and 31 mins)
    • By Roy Jenkins
    • Narrated By Robert Whitfield
    Overall
    (448)
    Performance
    (128)
    Story
    (127)

    In this magisterial book, Roy Jenkins' unparalleled command of the political history of Britain and his own high-level government experience combine in a narrative account of Churchill's astounding career that is unmatched in its shrewd insights, its unforgettable anecdotes, the clarity of its overarching themes, and the author's nuanced appreciation of his extraordinary subject.

    Karen says: "Best of British Political Soap Opera"
    "Best of British Political Soap Opera"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a LONG book (and thus great value for money). You get not only the portrait of Churchill as a confident, sometimes bungling, always charistmatic figure, but also Jenkins's insights into the British political scene. For instance, when he says that chancellors of the exchequer often expect to become prime minister, he making a wry comment on his own lost expectations. There is just enough analysis and just enough political gossip to make it all fun, and even to sustain suspense, given that we know how it is all going to turn out. The reader is great. He "does" Churchill just well enough to be believable, but not with such emphasis as to be annoying. I have listened to all 25 disks and when my Altzheimers does its job I'll start all over again. The ONLY negative is the time it took to download!

    49 of 50 people found this review helpful
  • Anna, Where Are You?: A Miss Silver Mystery | [Patricia Wentworth]
    Anna, Where Are You?: A Miss Silver Mystery
    UNABRIDGED

    Anna, Where Are You?: A Miss Silver Mystery

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 56 mins)
    • By Patricia Wentworth
    • Narrated By Diana Bishop
    Overall
    (72)
    Performance
    (33)
    Story
    (33)

    Thomasina Elliott never expected to keep in touch with lonely orphan Anna Ball after they left school. However when Anna wrote to her, she felt obliged to reply. The correspondence between them was constant for years until Thomasina found herself waiting for a letter that never came. Thomasina has no particular reason to believe that anything has happened to her old friend, but when she makes some enquiries she discovers Anna has disappeared without a trace.

    Elizabeth says: "Classic Miss Silver"
    "Visit 1950's England"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    About all Wentworths: Writing sometimes a bit repetitive but good plots. Mostly it is a visit to a vanished England complete with afternoon tea, governesses and classic murders.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • A Kind of Transaction | [Roy Lewis]
    A Kind of Transaction
    UNABRIDGED

    A Kind of Transaction

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Roy Lewis
    • Narrated By Tim Bruce
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3)
    Performance
    (0)
    Story
    (0)

    The arrival of Malaysian businessman Simon Chan in the north-east brings the prospect of business for Morcomb Estates and an assignment for solicitor Eric Ward: find the missing executive Harry Staughton. At the same time, the merchant bank on whose board he reluctantly sits asks him to investigate an aggressive takeover bid against their clients, Artaros SA. Neither task is clear cut.

    Karen says: "Sorry, too graphic for audio?"
    "Sorry, too graphic for audio?"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The excellent long review by "Amy" is accurate, but the first chapter of the book is almost gratuitously descriptive of a pre-rape scene. It's not like you are reading a book and can skip the graphic passages you really don't need. Unless readers really enjoy that kind of description, they might start listening at chapter two. The plot would be the same and the squirmy-ness avoided.

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
  • The Man in the Queue | [Josephine Tey]
    The Man in the Queue
    UNABRIDGED

    The Man in the Queue

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Josephine Tey
    • Narrated By Stephen Thorne
    Overall
    (20)
    Performance
    (1)
    Story
    (1)

    A smash hit has drawn a standing-room-only crowd to one of the final performances at a London theater. The surging throng carries along a man standing in the queue. A woman right in front of him turns to him, objecting to being pushed. As she does so, he drops to his knees and keels over. At first, those around him think he has fainted, but soon it's clear that he has been stabbed to death by a wicked dagger.

    Alison says: "The Man in the Queue"
    "Visit post -war London in a rattling good tale."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is the first novel by the best British female detective writer of the 20th century. Her Brat Farrar is one of the five best detective novels ever written. Her Daughter of Time almost single handedly changed the assessment of the life of Richard III and the manipulations of the Tudors, although most historians would not agree with ALL her judgements. Elizabeth Mackintosh (Tey) wrote only nine novels, but most of them have a brilliant sense of place. If you want to visit Britain in the 1950's here is your ticket. Also, her characters are the best defined of the genre. That said, The Man in the Queue is not the best of the nine novels, and is probably the least engaging. Still well worth it. The reader is fine. Just hope Audible gets the others!

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Desolation Island: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 5 | [Patrick O'Brian]
    Desolation Island: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 5
    ABRIDGED

    Desolation Island: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 5

    • ABRIDGED (5 hrs)
    • By Patrick O'Brian
    • Narrated By Tim Pigott-Smith
    Overall
    (18)
    Performance
    (5)
    Story
    (6)

    Commissioned to rescue Governor Bligh of Bounty fame, Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend and surgeon Stephen Maturin sail the Leopard to Australia with a hold full of convicts. Among them is a beautiful and dangerous spy - and a treacherous disease that decimates the crew.

    Browse more Patrick O'Brian.

    George says: "good book"
    "Great news, good news, bad news"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The great news is that this is a terrific series, as you can tell by reading the reviews of other titles. It is fun. It is easy to listen to. Even the naval jargon becomes clearer as you go through the stories.
    The bad news about this particular audiobook is that it is abridged. The books follow a rhythm, like a voyage, and abridgement destroys that. Also, you are always wondering what you missed.
    The good news is Tim Pigott-Smith, who is the best of the readers. For the accents of the characters, particularly, he is just right!
    Overall, it's worth the abridgement to get the excellent narration.
    Now, UNabridged AND Tim Pigott-Smith..... wow.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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