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Charles W. Van Way

Fairway, KS, US | Member Since 2002

HELPFUL VOTES

10 reviews
17 ratings
450 titles in library
8 purchased in 2013

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

Fast Food Nation

ABRIDGED
- by Eric Schlosser
- Narrated by Rick Adamson
Fast Food Nation

ABRIDGED (8 hrs and 56 mins)

By Eric Schlosser

Narrated By Rick Adamson

Overall
(1227)
Performance
(111)
Story
(109)

To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar America. Fast Food Nation is a groundbreaking work of investigation and cultural history that may change the way America thinks about the way it eats.
Bruce says: "Should be required reading for all"
"The Upton Sinclair of the 21st century"

Overall
Performance
Story

Mr. Schlosser has carried out three years of research for this book, by his own account. Unfortunately, his well-documented polemic against the fast food industry is seriously flawed by a lack of focus. It's an impressive attack on the fast food industry, but he also attacks urban sprawl, George Bush (senior, not junior), the US Dept of Agriculture, agribusiness, the decline of family farms, and, of course, the Republican party. He lovingly traces the links between the Republicans and agribusiness, while completely ignoring the similar links between, for example, Tyson Foods and the Clinton Administration. His partisanship strongly detracts from his message. Truly, the American Nutritional Catastrophe deserves a great book to describe it. This one isn't it, but one has to give Mr. Schlosser credit for a good effort.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Affinity Bridge: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation

UNABRIDGED
- by George Mann
- Narrated by Simon Taylor
The Affinity Bridge: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 4 mins)

By George Mann

Narrated By Simon Taylor

Overall
(53)
Performance
(25)
Story
(27)

Welcome to the bizarre and dangerous world of Victorian London, a city teetering on the edge of revolution. Its people are ushering in a new era of technology, dazzled each day by unfamiliar inventions. Airships soar in the skies over the city, while ground trains rumble through the streets and clockwork automatons are programmed to carry out menial tasks in the offices of lawyers, policemen, and journalists.
Doug says: "nowhere near as bad as reviewed"
"Clockwork Britain"

Overall
Performance
Story

Basic clockwork universe book, set in an alternate Victorian England. Appealing protagonists. First of a series. Simon Taylor does an excellent job. Plot has a couple of elements which are hard to swallow, but overall, a very enjoyable "read." If Audible doesn't commission the next two books in the series, I'll be forced to buy them!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Her Royal Spyness: A Royal Spyness Mystery

UNABRIDGED
- by Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by Katherine Kellgren
Her Royal Spyness: A Royal Spyness Mystery

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 9 mins)

By Rhys Bowen

Narrated By Katherine Kellgren

Overall
(2186)
Performance
(1788)
Story
(1768)

Georgie, aka Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, cousin of King George V of England, is penniless and trying to survive on her own as an ordinary person in London in 1932. So far she has managed to light a fire and boil an egg... She's gate-crashed a wedding... She's making money by secretly cleaning houses... And she's been asked to spy for Her Majesty the Queen.
Coffee Lover says: "Joy, Joy, Joy!"
"The Very Worst Reader"

Overall
Performance
Story

Perhaps its the high-pitched voice. Or perhaps it's the nearly incomprehensible English accent. Or perhaps its just the lisp. Is it a lisp, or can she simply not speak clearly? Or the hurried diction. In any case, Ms Kellgren makes listening to a reasonably enjoyable story into something like work. Even with the speed on my Nano turned down to "slow," it's hard to follow this story. Ms. Bowen deserves much better. Back to the print version for Her Royal Spyness series!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Native Tongue

UNABRIDGED
- by Carl Hiaasen
- Narrated by George Wilson
Native Tongue

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 57 mins)

By Carl Hiaasen

Narrated By George Wilson

Overall
(467)
Performance
(177)
Story
(182)

Ex-reporter Joe Winder had been working in the public relations department of a sleazy family entertainment park, The Amazing Kingdom of Thrills, when he chanced upon a news-breaking story inspired by the disappearance of two blue-tongued voles and the bizarre death of Orky, the killer whale.
Tricia - Audible says: "A Perfect Summer Listen!"
"Something stolen, something blue"

Overall
Performance
Story

Another of Hiaasen's whackos-running-around-Florida books. Usual cast of characters - evil developers, pristine wilderness, etc, etc. He found the right balance on this one. Apocalyptic ending. Devastatingly funny.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Scat

UNABRIDGED
- by Carl Hiaasen
- Narrated by Edward Asner
Scat

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 17 mins)

By Carl Hiaasen

Narrated By Edward Asner

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(197)
Performance
(65)
Story
(67)

Mrs. Bunny Starch, the most feared biology teacher ever, was last seen during a field trip to Black Vine Swamp. The school's headmaster and the police seem to have accepted the sketchy, unsigned note explaining that her absence is due to a family emergency. Theres no real evidence of foul play. But still, Nick and Marta don't buy it. Something weird is definitely going on.
Carl Hiaasen is a columnist for the Miami Herald and is the author of many best-selling titles, including Sick Puppy, Nature Girl, and The Downhill Lie.
Vicky says: "not just a kids book"
"The cat is the best character"

Overall
Performance
Story

Yet another tale of evil developers, greedy people, pristine wilderness, Florida panthers, good kids, mostly-noble hero, and supportive babe in Carl Hiaasen's series of books in the whackos-running-around-south-Florida genre. Even for Hiassen, this one's too heavy-handed. But very funny.

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

UNABRIDGED
- by David Weber
- Narrated by Charles Keating
Out of the Dark

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 48 mins)

By David Weber

Narrated By Charles Keating

Overall
(337)
Performance
(145)
Story
(145)

Earth is conquered. The Shongairi have arrived in force, and humanity’s cities lie in radioactive ruins. In mere minutes, over half the human race has died. Now Master Sergeant Stephen Buchevsky, who thought he was being rotated home from his latest tour in Afghanistan, finds himself instead prowling the back country of the Balkans, dodging alien patrols and trying to organize the scattered survivors without getting killed.
Barry says: "Collapses at the finish line"
"Aliens vs Earth, with a new twist"

Overall
Performance
Story

Memorable book. Shows signs of having been "upwritten" from a shorter work. Nasty aliens, heroic Earthlings, and a well-telegraphed surprise ending which is anticipated in the book's title. Not Weber's best, but even his second best is pretty good.

0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World's Top Corporations

ABRIDGED
- by Mikel Harry , Richard Schroeder
- Narrated by James Lurie
Six Sigma: The Breakthrough Management Strategy Revolutionizing the World's Top Corporations

ABRIDGED (5 hrs)

By Mikel Harry, Richard Schroeder

Narrated By James Lurie

Overall
(99)
Performance
(15)
Story
(15)

Streamline. Improve quality. Eliminate defects or mistakes in everything your company does. These are the principles of Six Sigma, a breakthrough management strategy that is helping the world's top organizations - from Sony to Ford to GE - reduce costs and increase the bottom line. Learn how Six Sigma can work for your organization with this program written by the founders of Six Sigma Academy.
Tom says: "Not happy"
"Just call it One Sigma"

Overall
Performance
Story

Six Sigma is the latest management theory to hit the big time. Starting at Motorola, it has moved throughout the manufacturing world, making converts and strongly influencing business practices. It is now moving into the service world, most notably in health care. And Heaven knows we need improvement in health care. It's an important theory, but more than that, it's a coherent set of practices for process improvement. Unfortunately, you won't learn much from this book, which is written in the classic "let's all get on the bandwagon" style often found in bad management books. It's more appropriate to advertising copy than to a serious examination of the theory and practice of Six Sigma. In short, the book doesn't come close to doing justice to Six Sigma. And in the audio format, it's impossible to skip over the extensive amount of fluff to get to the good stuff. If you have to get it, buy the book. At least, you can skim the book. Don't waste your money on the audiotape, unless you need something to get to sleep at night.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful
The Summons

UNABRIDGED
- by John Grisham
- Narrated by Michael Beck
The Summons

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 47 mins)

By John Grisham

Narrated By Michael Beck

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1029)
Performance
(102)
Story
(102)

The long-awaited new legal thriller from John Grisham is here. In The Summons, law professor Ray Atlee and his black-sheep brother are called home by their ailing father, the Judge, for a family meeting that never takes place. The Judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray. And perhaps someone else.
Charles W. Van Way says: "Duller than a lawbook"
"Duller than a lawbook"

Overall
Performance
Story

Grisham must have been paid by the word for this interminable book. It's main characters are drawn from the Handbook of Literary Cliches, and its plot - what there is of it - would be stretched to fill a short story. Its protagonist, suposedly a professor at a very prestigious law school, is seriously stupid. As an example, here's a man who was raised in a small Mississippi town, supposedly knowing about firearms. Yet he picks up and uses a pistol, without checking on whether or not its loaded (it's not). After making his big discovery, he does nothing but dither about. We're supposed to be sympathetic because his wife left him for a rich man. After the first hour or two, my sympathies were entirely with the wife. Listening to this dullard deal with his father's illegal legacy, his substance-abusing brother, and his own insecurities is more tedious than enjoyable. Not worth buying.

16 of 17 people found this review helpful
Dragon Tears

UNABRIDGED
- by Dean Koontz
- Narrated by Jay O. Sanders
Dragon Tears

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 19 mins)

By Dean Koontz

Narrated By Jay O. Sanders

Overall
(467)
Performance
(39)
Story
(39)

Police detective Harry Lyon is a perfectionist who likes his files error-free. To Harry's dismay, his partner, Connie Gulliver, embraces chaos, urging him to "get in touch with the rhythms of destruction." But when Harry and Connie have to kill in the line of duty, the ensuing surreal nightmare makes Connie's cynical world view seem all too accurate.
Dan's Gal Sal says: "My first Koontz, but not my last!"
"Tick-Tock"

Overall
Performance
Story

Imagine a demonic, sadistic, and all-powerful creature walking through the world, destroying at a whim. Dean Koontz has toned down his usual character-creation engine, bringing a number of ordinary people - well, mostly ordinary - to interact with each other and with his villain. The plot development and suspense are almost unbearable. Folks, this one will keep you in your car or in your running shoes.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Face

UNABRIDGED
- by Dean Koontz
- Narrated by Dylan Baker
The Face

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 36 mins)

By Dean Koontz

Narrated By Dylan Baker

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1188)
Performance
(135)
Story
(145)

He's Hollywood's most dazzling star, who is worshiped by millions and hated by one twisted soul. His existence is under siege as a series of terrifying, enigmatic "messages" breaches the security systems of his Bel Air estate. The boxes arrive mysteriously, one by one, at Channing Manheim's compound. Manheim's security chief, ex-cop Ethan Truman, is used to looking beneath the surface of things. But until he entered the orbit of a Hollywood icon, he had no idea just how slippery reality could be.
A User says: "A deluge of adjectives and metaphors"
"Zombies and angels"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a Dean Koontz book. In other words, it takes a present-day setting, peoples it with outrageous characters, and throws in a slice of the para-normal or supernatural. The Face is a pretty good book. It doesn't have the depth of - say - Next Door to Heaven, but it keeps you listening. In this case, the supernatural element has a strongly religious theme, which might turn off the seriously irreligious person as well as the devoutly religious individual; being neither, I found the theme interesting, although not particularly original. All in all, a very good "read".

1 of 1 people found this review helpful