Catherine D. Schafer

Jared Diamond is amazing. He takes highly complex issues and describes them with prose that imply simplicity and dignity. He makes complex and difficult social issues understandable to people like me.

I purchased this audio book based on an Audible recommendation. I subsequently purchased all other works he has authored on Amazon.

The narration is neutral. That is how it should be.

NAT GEO already did. The tag line from that should be: READ THE BOOK!

He simplifies complex scientific thinking without diluting the important facts.

It is an entertaining story but it feels contrived. Maybe the significance of the actions are what belittles the story telling. I found the authors disingenuous. That is not to say I didn't believe he may well have done the things he said he did. I just felt that his telling of the story was a version of actual events. It did not feel like the actual truth.

I would welcome a more honest book by the authors.

Was not memorable. That is to say I felt the performance was enhanced by the neutrality of the narration.

It needs a follow up book by another member of the dev-gru team. Not by these authors. I might listen to another tale from the authors however I fear another book would probably only make it to my wish list.

I was jaded by Bravo 2 Zero by Andy McNab and the controversy that it sparked. I am drawn to listen to the elite world of specialized soldiers, I just wish the amazing skills they have could translate into great story telling skills. I forgive them that it rarely does. I appreciate all they do for the free world.