Daniel

Terrible reading of tired, and worn out platitudes. Couldn't finish it. Did you know that if you want to do something you have to get started? If not maybe this book can help.

The performances were excellent. There were lots of interesting characters, good dialogue, and graphic descriptions. A bit to much of the latter. Christians against Mongols was the main theme and it was interesting but, we already know how that turned out. The other stuff, Popes and cardinals, witches and urchins, and warrior nuns, seemed pointless and unrelated. History wise, I come away wondering what to believe. That may be a good thing.

The authors nailed the last campaign and presented an interesting alternative way it could have gone. A little scary even. I enjoyed the story but it seemed like it was written in the 90's, given the technology level presented, but then dusted off and updated for the current political climate. Regardless, it worked pretty well.
Can't say enough for the narrator. There are a lot of diverse characters in this story, gender, race, class, nationalities, etc.. He manages to bring them all to life and keep the story moving.

Story may have been great but couldn't get past the narration. Popping P's, hissing S's, and muddled base made the whole thing painful. Need's a do-over.

I expected unchained liberalism and had no hope for an author reading her own work. However, she gave a very balanced and perceptive point a view to a very difficult subject. Her reading was excellent. She has a very pleasant voice didn't over dramatize her favorite parts. It was very visual and could make a great movie.

I suppose it's classified as a historical novel because the story takes place in the past. It's really an romance novel and only makes brief references to any historical events. The reader seems bored as well. He narrates in a kind of sing-song voice that rocks one to sleep.

This is a really good story with interesting characters. It gives an insight into what people must have felt when faced with the news that the Mongols were coming. I have to take two stars off for the way the story just stops in the middle. It's not really even a cliff hanger, no one climbed a cliff, they were just telling the story and stopped. I think marketing is getting in the way of art here. I'll by the second book because I have faith in the writers and like the production but it's not a strong faith. I'll let you know.

The author has done it again. Spot on science in a story that keeps on coming. This guy has a lot of knowledge and insights that scared me at first. A few books later though, I'm beginning to trust him and willing to follow him into places I've never even thought of.

There's very weird people but no foul language or perversions to warp young minds. Be warned, the quantum mechanics, relativity, etc. will boggle young and old minds. I have to take much of what's presented on faith. It's over my head and I now have a different and possibly warped world view.

I especially like the team efforts on the narration. It really helps to follow the stories rich in dialogue when the voices are actually different. It's hard to maintain belief when an nasaly old guy turns into soft and seductive.

Be prepared for 12 hours of foul language , disgusting sexual perverts, and atrocious psychos. As usual the author's science is good and has sharp insights into some of topical issues of the day. His characters are almost 3D and the story moves right along. I like the narrator. He has a lot of heavy brogues and accents that require you close attention to follow, but, he grows on you. I didn't enjoy this story as much as some of the authors others, all the crud starts to weigh on you after a while.

There was a little history, but not much that many of us don't already know. There were some illuminating history concerning slavery, the Aztecs in particular. The evolution from barter to binary bit exchange is of value to someone with no knowledge of the subject.
I anticipated that the book would be about how money has evolved into something new. And indeed the book brings you right up to the current evolutionary stage, says we're on the brink of something big, and stops. I had hoped for a little more insight into the new world order. Instead I got to read a cursory history of how we got here. Mixed in is a lot of soap boxing about how money is the driving force of civilization and all that is good.

The writer walks the line between battle between left and right. Neither seems to get the upper hand but each has it's days. One can believe this plot unfolding 50 years from now. Maybe this will be the "1984" of 2070.