"Yawn!"
If you really, really, really care about this kind of stuff, you might try to get through it. The narration is perfect--it's read with the same kind of sneering superiority one would expect from Ayn herself.
"Wonderful. Very insightful, and very well read."
I have listened to this book four times, and will undoubtedly re-visit it again. A truly valuable and wonderful guide.
"The narration is just too demeaning to bear."
I don't understand why "Path to Tranquility" has to be read in a tone fit to put a two-year-old to sleep. The reading is ridiculously syrupy, actually demeaning. Try instead "Stages of Meditation," read by Ken McLeod.
"Brilliant--nearly flawless"
Nicely read, well thought out. Connects the dots on many points in history. An important series of lectures.
"Well-crafted language, and great narration, but..."
Wonderful narration, and the writing is good, but the story is really confusing. I didn't even bother to finish. It got off to such a promising start, but quickly became obscure. The characterizations are weak. There are a fair number of protagonists, but who, exactly, are they? If I have to wait until the end to find out, that's too long for me.
"Bill Bryson delivers"
A very good listen. Wonderful historical and personal insights, and Bill Bryson tells the story wonderfully. Perhaps not quite as inspired as "A Short History of Nearly Everything," but very worthwhile.
"Grover Gardner turns a dry book into a good listen"
A fascinating look at human behavior and the intervention strategies we use to try to modify it. Grover Gardner's narration is, as always, top-notch and thoroughly professional. This book is a must read for sincere parents of children of any age.
"A great listen for fans of science"
Well read and written. If you're a science buff, it will likely put some missing pieces into place. If you're a science novice, it's a great place to start. In either case, very entertaining and well read.
"Should be on every high school reading list."
Pretty basic stuff if you are a science buff. However, pass this one along to one of those adults who really didn't pay attention in school, or to an adolescent that you care about. A great superstition-buster.
"No one narrates better than Simon Vance"
Dan Simmons' writing is masterful--a modern Dickens. Simon Vance is, as always, flawless. A dynamite combination. Very enjoyable.