"Listen to this book!!"
Don't think this book doesn't apply to you because you don't have cancer. If you're alive, I'd highly recommend that you get familiar with this information - it's important to you and your family ... and especially the kids! I knew a lot of this, but I also learned a lot. My only complaint is that I see the book has been updated, but it appears this is the original version - it's not old by any means, but I do like to keep current =)
"Love the book; dislike the narration"
I know, I know, there are a lot of reviews talking about the narrator, but he's just making me crazy. I love the series so far, but the narrator change has been very painful. I dislike his use of accents and poor pronunciation of compy names. That said, I'm still glad I have more of the series to look forward to. Apparently Kevin J. Anderson explains the change of narrator somewhere, and maybe if I can find that it will make it easier to listen to the rest of the books.
"Information you NEED!!"
Interesting and informative - tho' depressing! I knew a lot of the generalities, but the specifics of what the food industry does - well, it's pretty disgusting. Sometimes I'm surprised that stuff like this ever surprises me ... but it still does. You KNOW soda, processed foods, etc. aren't healthy - here's HOW unhealthy they are and why ... and some of the industries disgusting little tricks to make us think they're selling us something healthy when they definitely aren't. Sigh ...
"Meh ..."
There was too much in the book that just made me think, "really, this seems real under the circumstance how? this is excellent suspense how? Are you kidding me?" ... It was okay, but if it had been my first Jack Reacher novel, I wouldn't have bought another. I'm going to wait awhile to listen to the last Reacher book I've purchased and not listened to just so I don't project my feelings toward this book onto that one. Really bummed ...
"Interesting information"
What I liked was just getting more behind the scenes information about the whole scenario. Right or wrong, I still don't support the bailouts, but this book gave me a broader perspective about a lot of the participants - some of which were well in the public eye and I had definite opinions about (which have at least been broadened, and generally softened), and a lot that I wasn't familiar with. I have supported regulation all along, and for me, this just emphasizes the need for it. When people in the business don't even understand all the "exotics" they created, well, something's wrong! I probably would have appreciated it more if I had listened sooner, but I still found it informative and interesting ... and not nearly as dry as I rather thought it would be!
"Most of it was great ... the ending? Meh"
First, it would be good to remember when this was written - this may help you avoid being offended by some of the attitudes. I really enjoyed most of the book and didn't want to put it down ... until the last few hours. I don't know what happened, but it was like the author just ran out of anything interesting or suspenseful to say to bring the book to its ending. I swear, the last few hours were just painful, but I couldn't stop at that point because I had so much time invested in it. The narrator was great. I'm not likely to buy any more in the series just because I was so disappointed by the last few hours. This isn't one I'm interested in listening to again either.
"Emotionally gripping!"
This was one of those books I had a very hard time pausing - even for things like going to work or to bed! Honestly, I'm not even sure what held me so strongly. This morning I was literally in tears while I was trying to get ready for work while listening, and that's just not typical. Actually, I normally reserve my "getting ready for work" time for something inspirational
I'm familiar with a lot of the places in the story from my mom's life and even some from my own, although they're certainly very different now. I don't know what else to say except that I really loved it and I hope that you do too!!
"A bitter pill"
This was an informative read about how we've ended up where we are right now politically, socially, economically, et al. It put facts to things I've felt over the last several years and filled out information that I was aware of, but not at this depth. It's not a warm fuzzy book, I don't agree with everything (tho' most) that he says, but if it helps wake up a few more people, I think it will have served its purpose. I wonder what Mr. Hedges' thoughts are on the Occupy Wall Street movement. I am more hopeful than he is, but damn! Makes me wonder if our grandkids will be spitting on our graves! Yup, highly recommended - just don't expect "light" listening here.