R. Schumacher

This is an extraordinary book that is well thought out and extremely well written. The depth of knowledge the author has on most of the pertinent science (observation) and religion (revelation) that point to possible cataclysmic events occurring on 12-21-12 is truly remarkable. So is his tongue in cheek humor for a subject so moribund.

For all those who reviewed the book and were troubled by the author leaning towards a point of view, that is the very nature of a masterwork like this. Charles Darwin advocated his views. So does the Bible. Same goes for Nostradamus, although he was a great deal more obtuse. A point of view that is well documented and persuasively presented is what makes for a great read (or listen in this case).

I highly recommend this book. I do agree that 2 credits is a bit steep for any Audible book.

Best of all, on 12-22-12, we can see if the author was right or wrong! I can hardly wait..

Judas Unchained is the ultimate Sci-Fi saga. It has it all. Extraordinary science, engaging characters, edge of the seat action, multiple plot lines that come together and all manner of characters you will become engaged with.

But you must read Pandora's Star before you read this book. Judas unchained is actually the second half of Pandora's Star, rather than a sequel to it. If you don't read Pandora's Star first, you will have little idea of what this excellent book is about. Think of the two books as actually one extremely large book.

Taken together, these are superb books well worth the credits.

This is just about the slowest paced and most tedious book I have ever listened to. There are about 44 hours of boredom slowly, torturously metered out. You wait for scores of mostly irrelevant characters to do anything more than aimlessly ponder what they might do, but don't do. At most, there are about 5 hours of anything interesting that actually does happen in this enormous story. Nor does Roy Dotrice's once superb narration add anything to the book. For some inexplicable reason, in this book he has given Denaris, the 14-year old gorgeous queen, a voice like a broken old ancient hag. The first three books and narration were superb. Sadly, the 4th and 5th books are about as enjoyable as a kidney stone. It seems like the author, George RR Martin, is merely rambling aimlessly along just to milk this series as long as he can.

This is a trully engaging book from start to finish. A wonderful depictation of life aboard a circus train during the great depression. Unlike typical circus stories, this one does not go on about the death defying acts, but rather the animals, the people and a most touching love story. Memorable characters, fantastic readers (one for the younger and one for the older narrator). For those of you, like me, who want to know if after investing so much time in a book they will feel up or down after hearing it, this one is genuinely uplifting. I loved the endings to both the younger and older narrated stories. In fact, I so wanted the book to go on.

I'm an avid audible listener. This is the first book of about 100 audio books I have listenened to that I have ever been so negative about. It's probably because it reminds me of the dreaded high school assigned reading from my past. I would ask myself, "of all the millions of books published, why did they pick this tedious, boring, plodding one?"

Having completed hearing this wonderful book, I could praise the author/reader on so many dimensions, but most important is that I actually now miss these characters so much. Rarely are characters so engrossing and so endearing that at the conclusion of a book you simply long to know how their continuing lives will unfold. I keep thinking about them and wishing them well. This is one of those wonderful books that hearing it, in the author's own voice, adds immeasureably to the believeability and impact of the work. I genuinely loved this book and the way it was presented.

This was the first Hiassen book I heard, selecting it because I lived in South Florida. What a terrific book, as well as a superb reader. It is clever, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. I have since downloaded and heard two additional Hiassen books, each as excellent as the others. I intend to hear all of Hiassen's books. In a word Hiassen is addictive.