sparhawk6

For the writing, I give this book a 4. I really enjoy Morris' style. This wasn't as utterly captivating as "Rise of TR", but perhaps that is because the subject matter (dull legislative and domestic policy) isn't that entertaining.

For the narration, this book gets a 2. I did not enjoy the narrator's style. I agree with other reviews - the long pauses were odd, and Marosz makes no effort to distinguish narration and dialog. I enjoyed Deakins much more, and I'm looking forward to the final book in the series in which Deakins returns to narrate.

Furthermore, there are glitches in the recording, manifested in random sentences being being repeated once. This happened probably about 50 times. It was slightly annoying.

An entertaining action read. The author is a little preachy and self-righteous, but maybe he's allowed to be like that, considering his day job. I figure that you have to have an enormous amount of confidence and a certain cockiness and swagger to do this kind of work every day. It comes with the territory.

I do appreciate his sacrifice and the training he and his colleagues go through to prepare themselves for missions like these.

I appreciated that he discussed his reaction to the country's view of the events. I was very curious.

The narrator was fantastic! I felt he really captured the voice and dialogue of Navy Seals -- at least the image of Navy Seals I have in my head.

Fun, creative, and fairly entertaining. I agree that this is in the vein of "Lost". I'd also add that it is similar to the Twilight Zone franchise. I'm debating between 3 and 4 stars, sticking with three for now. It was fun while I read it, but like a fun summer action film, I don't know that it will be that memorable. Maybe I'll revise my review in a few weeks. I wasn't terribly drawn to the characters. It's odd to say this, but I don't feel like I really know Nate. He seems like an ordinary, average joe in his late 20s / early 30s. And he'd really like to be doing something he's passionate about. That's all you ever learn about him.

Ray Porter does a great read.

I have to say that since reading "14" I have been noticing odd panels around my house. I don't know what any of them are for...

Great, quick read. The passages on Guiteau were fitting and I thought they demonstrated his marked insanity. However, I did not feel much closure nor do I fully understand the conclusions reached with Guiteau's life and experience. What was the legacy he left behind? I feel I could answer this question with respect to Bell, Dr. Bliss, Garfield, Lucretia, and Lister. But what was the point in delving into the minute details of Guiteau's life?

Millard has a gift for telling the historical thriller. The ignorance demonstrated by Garfield's doctors, principally Bliss, is astonishing. I wonder if his decision to allow Bell to test the induction balance on Garfield was an attempt to overcome his ignorance of which he had become aware as Garfield's health began to rapidly deteriorate. The apologia Bliss wrote after Garfield died fully demonstrates the pride that destroyed his career.

One point I felt that could have been more fully developed is what would have happened if Bell had been able to accurately locate the bullet with the induction balance. What would the doctors have done in response? I missed that point; that might be own failure.

Michael does a great narration.

Just before I started this book, I finished reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People", the extrovert's credo. I liked the juxtaposition. Cain even talks at length about Dale Carnegie and the book.

The anecdotes were my favorite part. I felt that there was a lot of annoying "back patting" going on, especially since Cain admits she is a classic introvert. Was this book written to make herself feel better about her personality? That would reflect a classic trait of introverts - self-consciousness and paranoia. I also could have done without the last few sections of the book; the book turned into a self-help parenting book. I was more looking for an examination of introverts in an extrovert world, which is what I got at the beginning.

Solid advice, but I was a bit bored. I guess self-help books are not for me (this was my first). In sum, if you are nice to people and show a genuine interest, Carnegie believes they will be your friend and you will have power over them.

The orchestral interludes were a bit cheesy.

Very fun book to read, especially because I understood most of the references. At times I felt the writing was a little juvenile, like when the characters explained situations that should have been obvious to the reader, and thus no explanation was necessary. At times I couldn't decide if this was "young adult" fiction or not, a la Hunger Games. But that didn't take too much away from my enjoyment of the book. As the characters came to the end of the game, I couldn't put it down.

It seems to be made for a movie adaptation.

Wil Wheaton's reading was very good, but his pronunciation sometimes was annoying (e.g. his pronunciation of "th").

A fascinating book. Mann splays out his curiosity and inquisitiveness over 500 years of world history. I felt at times that he rambled and got a bit lost on tangents, but I understood and recongized his general thesis. I also thought he was fair in characterizing the consequences of the "homogenocene" and globalization. It has destroyed some environments and ways of living, but it has brought with it many benefits, and it has generally raised the standard of living for millions of humans. And whether we like it or not, it is inevitable.

Robertson Dean is a fine narrator. He has a pleasing voice.

Great biography. I appreciated the personal anecdotes that uncovered Washington's true personality, e.g., his "relationships" with Sally Fairfax and Elizabeth Powell. I really got a sense of his personal growth, from the young surveyor to the general in the continental army to his second term in office.

It is a pity that Martha burned all their personal correspondence. Chernow explains that was common in the period. Too bad.

Scott Brick as the narrator was excellent. He had a perfect cadence. I've found myself looking for other books that he has narrated.

Fascinating look into one of the darkest corners of the world. "Truth is stranger than fiction" - truer more so here than any where else. Demick is a good writer. I would have appreciated a more dramatic conclusion - something more poignant that would stick with the reader. But the harrowing story in its entirety is enough to leave a significant impression. I felt hungry while reading about the famine.

The book grew on me. The character development was like a slow-roasted meat - it took time, but the end result was pretty darn good. I was sad when the book was finished. There is a lot going on with all the characters, and it is a good examination of the human condition. Recommended.