Ken

If you like one Dick Francis mystery, you will probably like them all (if you get a good reader - which is usually the case fortunately). He wrote four mysteries featuring ex-jockey Sid Halley: Odds Against (1965); Whip Hand (1979); Come to Grief (1995); and Under Orders (2006). Even though the books span 40 years, the elapsed time within/between all the stories is about 3 or 4 years. Technology advances with the times from book to book and we aren't supposed to notice that as readers. After all, it's really the mysteries and Francis' quality writing that we're here for, isn't it?

I was disappointed by this volume of Bryson's. I'm used to having him wander far afield, here and there going off on tangents and telling enlightening tales that become the focus of the book more than the stated topic. This book pretty much stayed with the topic of cosmology (origins of the universe, elements, life, etc...) and the interesting side-stories were minimal. Cosmology's not a bad topic and he certainly has some fun with it.

...but for nearly 18 hours??? ...Really?

I got tired of listening to all the different things he had to say about the beginning of the cosmos after a few hours and clicked ahead. It was more discussions of the specifics of another aspect of universe formation. Clicked ahead again; more of the same. And again...

My concern is that like some best selling authors, they reach a point in their career where they no longer listen to their editors. This book needed to be cut down. More isn't always better. An active editor could have made this a better "Bill Bryson Book." I enjoy his insights and especially his humorous asides, but at some point you need to let a topic go and move on to the next point. He didn't need to include ALL of his research.

For me, this bordered on being tedious. I know I'm in the minority here. People seem to love this book as much as his others. I liked his approach and style in other books much more. This volume was a letdown for me.

Perhaps, I would have liked the abridged version more. (One third the length and read by Bryson himself!) Perhaps cosmology is just not a topic that grabs me. (But other authors like Neil DeGrass Tyson have held my interest.) Either way, you may not want this book to be your first Bill Bryson book. Walk in the Woods or some of the others give you a better view of his unique perspectives on the world we inhabit together.

For those who are looking for a "classic" style thriller, this is one of the best of the genre. If you haven't heard this one, or are thinking about trying something from this style of mystery thriller, this is at the top of the class. Yes, the action takes place in the 1960's, but the story, characters, procedures, and tension are timeless.

Every step in the story keeps us interested. It is actually told as two parallel stories - one from the perspective of the cat; one from that of the mouse. Every step of the way, you are kept wondering, "How will he be able to do that?" The story-telling does not disappoint or lag anywhere.

This story deserves all of the fame is has gotten. (Look it up!) And Simon Prebble's reading is perfect, as always.

I know this is a well known thriller by Follett and it is good, but I had just listened to "Day of the Jackal" read by the always great Simon Prebble. As a result, the quality of this story and the reading paled compared to the previous thriller. If you only have one credit to spend on a good classic thriller, go with "Day of the Jackal" and let this pass.

If you get both, then don't listen to them without a book or two in between.

I thought I knew a little bit about Alexandria, but this book showed me how little I actually knew!

The history of this city and the people who made it what it became is well worth your credit! I had no idea how much this city and the (famous) people who lived there shaped the western world for centuries. I was so surprised by the discoveries that we had been taught only arrived in the Enlightenment that actually were "old news" in Alexandria. You'll be surprised by the familiar names of so many inventors, philosophers, rulers, and others who are wrapped up closely in the history of this city. This is not "dry" history; the authors do a good job of keeping us interested - mostly because it really was not a boring or "dry" topic! (...and besides, Simon Vance has never disappointed me.)

Side note: This city was so far ahead of it's time - if only the discoveries of this culture had not been buried for centuries... It leaves you wondering where we might be today....

During the first hour or so, I was wondering if I had made a poor choice by getting this book, but once we got beyond the first "glass" and into the second, it got much more interesting. From that point on, the details, connections, and side notes make this a fascinating story to follow. I learned a lot of trivia about how different drinks became popular and influenced social development and history in the process.

This is not a "stretch" to force history to fit the author's title. He does not overstep the influence that each drink has or has not had. It is just another fascinating way to look at the trends of history from a new angle.

It is well told and well worth the listen!

The reader does an admirable job and held my interest. He also made very good decisions in understating accents that could have been distracting.

The book itself, however, can best be described as "uneven."

The majority of the book is very strong on telling Bonhoeffer's and Germany's history in a palatable manner and relating the details of Bonhoeffer's life and internal growth and struggles. However, the author would sometimes add an casual turn of phrase now and then that just didn't fit the rest of the tone of the book. A good editor should have caught these lapses. Was the author trying to seem "trendy" or "with it" as he threw in a contemporary idiom or expression?

Also, I found myself gritting my teeth as we worked our way through some sections. The longest was Bonhoeffer's "too good to be true" childhood. I came close to giving up on the book but stuck with it. (I think the technical term is that he was bordering on "uncritical hagiography" there.) Once we reach adulthood, it was a more "human" picture that was presented...usually.

Since I'm not strong on German history myself, I can't comment on the accuracy of the specifics that are offered as the background to Bonhoeffer's tale, but their inclusion was very helpful in putting him in the context of his times. (It also made me wonder about possible parallels in contemporary society. ...but that was me, not the book.)

I'm glad I stayed with the book to the end. It is pretty long, but it needed to be this long in order to do him full justice. I had no trouble with the theological discussions because of my background and I've read lots of Christian stuff previously. I don't know how a reader who is not familiar with these themes would handle the book.

I had never heard of this series and thought I'd take a chance on them because of the author. These are well written, thoughtful books that really deserve as much attention as her other works. Each audio reader does a good job. Each book could stand on its own, too. The stories are complex (I mean that in a good way - as in, not simplistic). It's just good literature. (...hence the Nebula award.) She respects the intelligence of the reader/listener and the maturity of her characters' thoughts and actions reflects that.

I really enjoyed Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy, so for those of you looking to compare them, this has a less dark theme and these are more about the people than about the magic - if that matters to you. As I listened to all three books, I found myself thinking, "These are really good books!" as I got into each. And they stayed good right to the ending of each. They really deserve just as much attention as other bestsellers in the field.

I had never heard of this series and thought I'd take a chance on them because of the author. These are well written, thoughtful books that really deserve as much attention as her other works. Each audio reader does a good job. Each book could stand on its own, too. The stories are complex (I mean that in a good way - as in, not simplistic). It's just good literature. (...hence the Nebula award.) She respects the intelligence of the reader/listener and the maturity of her characters' thoughts and actions reflects that.

I really enjoyed Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy, so for those of you looking to compare them, this has a less dark theme and these are more about the people than about the magic - if that matters to you. As I listened to all three books, I found myself thinking, "These are really good books!" as I got into each. And they stayed good right to the ending of each. They really deserve just as much attention as other bestsellers in the field.

I had never heard of this series and thought I'd take a chance on them because of the author. These are well written, thoughtful books that really deserve as much attention as her other works. Each audio reader does a good job. Each book could stand on its own, too. The stories are complex (I mean that in a good way - as in, not simplistic). It's just good literature. (...hence the Nebula award.) She respects the intelligence of the reader/listener and the maturity of her characters' thoughts and actions reflects that.

I really enjoyed Le Guin's Earthsea trilogy, so for those of you looking to compare them, this has a less dark theme and these are more about the people than about the magic - if that matters to you. As I listened to all three books, I found myself thinking, "These are really good books!" as I got into each. And they stayed good right to the ending of each. They really deserve just as much attention as other bestsellers in the field.