S. Fry

Like his other book, Newjack, Conover bravely puts himself into an interesting and potentially dangerous situation. But having read both books, I've arrived at the conclusion that Conover just isn't a very interesting guy.

Where a guy like Bill Bryson can make even a walk in the woods seem enthralling, Conover fails to make even the most intriguing adventures seem exciting, or in some cases, even interesting. Hate to say it, but he just strikes me as a fairly boring guy with mundane insight. While I give him much credit for having the courage to place himself in extraordinary situations, he somehow fails to do very much with them. Even his writing skills are rather bland and unremarkable.

I don't regret having read his books, per se, I just can't help but feel underwhelmed and a bit disappointed that he didn't do more with his opportunities.

The Lion's Game puts DeMille in the ranks of Clancy, Crichton, and Forsythe, and I don't say that lightly. It is DeMille's magnum opus.

Here, he has taken an intriguing plot that grabs your attention from the start and holds it tightly through more than 24 hours of stellar narration by Scott Brick.

I've read countless thrillers, and this is one of my absolute favorites.

This remains my single favorite audiobook of all time. I have probably listened to it at least three or four times now. Give that praise for this book is nearly universal, and I doubt that anyone will need to read too many reviews to be persuaded to buy it, I'll keep this review brief.

I am stunned that a single person wrote this book. I think Bill Bryson should be hailed as a literary genius, not only for producing one of the most accessible and interesting science books ever made, but for successfully tackling a truly immense subject with erudition, style and wit.

The man deserves a Pulitzer.

Jeff Ashton does a very good job here, not only in producing a very cogent review and analysis of the events, but also as a (presumably) amateur narrator. Unless you had quit your job to follow the Anthony case 24/7, there's quite a lot of new information here, and the likelihood that you will come away with a renewed sense that Casey Anthony is a murderer is overwhelming.

Given the totality of evidence, both scientific and circumstantial, it is nothing short of stunning that a jury let this truly despicable human being walk free. After listening to this audiobook, I would sooner agree that O.J. is innocent than believe the absurd excuses put forth by Casey and Jose Baez.

I can only hope that copies of this book were sent to the jury members. As for Casey, my anger is tempered somewhat by the revelation that, as a human being, she is an utter train wreck, and the chances of her steering clear of the judicial system for any meaningful length of time are virtually nil. She has the grown-up proclivities of a full-blown sociopath, coupled with the undisciplined mind of a spoiled, petulant child. And, like O.J., she will mostly likely wind up behind bars again, an eventuality which I await with thinly-veiled enthusiasm.

Frustrations at the verdict aside, this was a credit very well spent, and I thoroughly recommend it.