Stan

Some of the stories had a good plotline, and worked well inside the Honorverse.

There were lots of Treecats. Fortunately, I like treecats.

good to horrible

Treecats Assemble!

Any person auditioning for a part in reading any of the future Honor stories must be able to say "bleek" (which is the treecat equivalent to "smurf") without sounding like you're trying to strangle said treecat to death with a herring. Some of the narration made me cringe every time they tried to speak treecat.

Bias note: I a huge fan of The Deed of Paksenarrion, so I'm pre-disposed to love this series, which I do. Her writing and attention to detail, thinking through the various issues as world events collide around her characters is simply so well done. This is a solid production, and I'll certainly get the next books in the series.

There is a subtle story going on in this book, underneath all the action-adventure bits (and there's plenty of that.) If you're cyber savvy, you'll enjoy his technical descriptions of hacking networks and such (and you'll get a laugh at the FBI guys). If you enjoy gaming, you'll recognize his attention to detail in the video game sections. I really enjoyed the overall concept, and his execution of several "what would happen if?" ideas. Two complaints: 1.) the ending, which left me wondering if he's heading into a trilogy and 2.) What I felt was the really interesting story, the subtle one underneath it all, is treated *so* subtlety that it's never really developed. Blink and you'll miss it. I'd love to see another book in this series, just find out how things turn out.

I listened to this book while working out, and would occasionally bust out laughing at some of the better jokes in there, causing people to glace sideways at me, but I didn't care. This is a geeky story written by a geek, for geeks, and it's very well done. Wheaton does passable narration, and the story itself has not only some excellent ideas in it, but it even critiques itself in the appendix. There were some rough spots.. the writing is short and clipped sometimes, and the repetitive "he said, he said, she said" cadence comes across distractingly often. But if you have ever pondered the misery of being a Red Shirt, this is the book for you.

The story is excellent, many unique elements that keep driving little mysteries throughout the story. Interesting characters, no all of whom are human. The narration takes some getting used to, her voice is slow and occasionally ponderous, This is the first book that I listened to at 1.5 speed, and I found it didn't lose any comprehension at the faster speed. I'm looking forward to the next two in the series.

Authentic, Historic, Personalities

Mrs. Roebling comes across as perhaps the most able person in the story.

It was very fitting to the book style.

I am amazed by some of the things they decided to try, working with the limited knowledge of the time. The discussion of men working under pressurized air in truly terrible conditions was quite moving.

I like the way McCullough weaves in not just the story of the building of the bridge, but also a great deal of historical context and other events happening at the same time.

I find Rachel Maddow makes several very valid political points based on a historical review of the use of American Military Power. She has a definite perspective, and her analysis is backed up with trenchant examples. I also happen to enjoy her sense of humor. I think this book will appeal to people who care about the appropriate use of the Military in today's world.

Her discussion of the "calling up of the reserve forces" hit very close to home for me.