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Michael

Classics, history, historical fiction, marketing, Napoleonic stuff and of course 'Boys own Adventure'. This is my bent. Occasional self help as well.

ratings

249

REVIEWS

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HELPFUL VOTES

Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself

UNABRIDGED
- by Rich Roll
- Narrated by Rich Roll
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 47 mins)

By Rich Roll

Narrated By Rich Roll

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(443)
Performance
(395)
Story
(390)

An incredible but true account of achieving one of the most awe-inspiring midlife physical transformations ever
In October 2006, the night before he was to turn forty, Rich experienced a chilling glimpse of his future. Nearly fifty pounds overweight and unable to climb the stairs without stopping, he saw where his sedentary lifestyle was taking him. Most of us look the other way when granted such a moment of clarity, but not Rich.
J. Camara says: "Insightful conquering life's challenges"
"Inspirational"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you serious about fitness, performance or just getting your act together, this book will help. Rich Roll is an inspirational man who with the help of his family and friends achieved what I would say is unbelievable. Great book even if you are not into ultra performance sport. As for the vegan diet, that is not me, but his case is compelling.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: 30 Minute Expert Summary

UNABRIDGED
- by 30 Minute Expert Summaries
- Narrated by Kevin Pierce
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: 30 Minute Expert Summary

UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 10 mins)

By 30 Minute Expert Summaries

Narrated By Kevin Pierce

Overall
(8)
Performance
(8)
Story
(5)

Decisions: You make hundreds every day, but do you really know how they are made? When can you trust fast, intuitive judgment, and when is it biased? How can you transform your thinking to help avoid overconfidence and become a better decision maker? Thinking, Fast and Slow...in 30 Minutes is the essential guide to quickly understanding the fundamental components of decision making outlined in Daniel Kahneman's bestselling book, Thinking, Fast and Slow. Understand the key ideas behind Thinking, Fast and Slow in a fraction of the time.
Michael says: "A Summary, not a book"
"A Summary, not a book"

Overall
Performance
Story

Good for a summary and help make up my mind to read this book fully. However, being a summary it moves quite quick through the book and you never really digest the point/s properly. Good to get an idea of where this book is going and coming from.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Mastery

UNABRIDGED
- by Robert Greene
- Narrated by Fred Sanders
Mastery

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 8 mins)

By Robert Greene

Narrated By Fred Sanders

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(228)
Performance
(189)
Story
(191)

What did Charles Darwin, middling schoolboy and underachieving second son, do to become one of the earliest and greatest naturalists the world has known? What were the similar choices made by Mozart and by Caesar Rodriguez, the U.S. Air Force's last ace fighter pilot? In Mastery, Robert Greene's fifth book, he mines the biographies of great historical figures for clues about gaining control over our own lives and destinies. Picking up where The 48 Laws of Power left off, Greene culls years of research and original interviews to blend historical anecdote and psychological insight, distilling the universal ingredients of the world's masters.
Andy says: "what it takes, beyond hard work, to really know it"
"Good advice and well presented."

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a good look at what it really takes to be a master. No quick easy silver bullet but just work, insight and sweat. I like Robert Greene's books as I find them very helpful and well written. Wish I had this knowledge when I was starting out. Of course it doesn't answer the problem when your chosen profession or skill you are pursuing disappears or becomes redundant. You're suppose to have the insight to see where the next step is. I have not found that and feel like I am looking in a dark room for a black cat that isn't really there. Never the less this book is well worth the listen to. One of the good self help books.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
All the King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo

UNABRIDGED
- by Saul David
- Narrated by Sean Barrett
All the King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 44 mins)

By Saul David

Narrated By Sean Barrett

Overall
(11)
Performance
(10)
Story
(9)

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Saul David's comprehensive history, All the King's Men: The British Soldier from the Restoration to Waterloo, read by the actor Sean Barrett. "The British soldier," wrote a Prussian officer who served with Wellington, "is vigorous, well fed, by nature highly brave and intrepid, trained to the most vigorous discipline, and admirably well-armed...
m says: "A grand epic"
"Excellent book"

Overall
Performance
Story

Well studied and covers much detail. Does focus on the leaders such as Marlborough and Wellington and ends at Waterloo which is where is said it would but would of been nice to go through the 19th Century. Perhaps SAul David could write
part-two'. Never the less you can read Richard Holmes 'Redcoat' to cover most of that - another excellent book.
What I really liked about this book was the British side of the 'War of Independence'. Most books seem to cover the US side of things but it is nice to see another perspective. I now plan to listen to Bernard Cornwalls 'The Fort' which will cover John Burgoyne's 'Saratoga campaign', actually I guessing on that one, but it sounds close. It is fictional, but I think it will give a rather accurate idea of the campaign. I think 'Jack Absolute' novel covers this campaign as well.
Anyway, a good study, well put together and nicely finished. If you are into studying military history, soldiers, 18th & 19th century especially British, then this is a must. I am so happy I listen to this book as Sean Barett has done an excellent job presenting it and Saul David in writing it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
American Psycho

UNABRIDGED
- by Bret Easton Ellis
- Narrated by Nick Landrum
American Psycho

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 4 mins)

By Bret Easton Ellis

Narrated By Nick Landrum

Overall
(11)
Performance
(10)
Story
(10)

Patrick Bateman is 26 and works on Wall Street. He is handsome, sophisticated, charming, and intelligent. He is also a psychopath. And he is taking us to a head-on collision with America's greatest dream - and its worst nightmare...
Early 30s Girl says: "Be prepared for this book"
"The worse book I have ever listen too"

Overall
Performance
Story

I gave up after listening to 75% of this book. Patrick is unlikable and is nothing more than evil. The details of his violence is horrific. The characters in the book both boring and rude. I don't care if this is some social commentary on the period, the book can not be classed as entertaining or informative. It is garbage and does not deserve its status. I will not listen to or read anything else Bret Easton Elllis has written as this book has turned me off both his style and thinking. Nick Landrum is fantastic in his narration. I wished I had read the other reviews before listening to this disgusting piece of literature. There are some things you don't need to know and wish you never experience, this book is one of them.

0 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Kite Runner

UNABRIDGED
- by Khaled Hosseini
- Narrated by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 2 mins)

By Khaled Hosseini

Narrated By Khaled Hosseini

Overall
(5655)
Performance
(1067)
Story
(1073)

Why we think it’s a great listen: Never before has an author’s narration of his fiction been so important to fully grasping the book’s impact and global implications. Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of its monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them.
Joseph says: "A storyteller's story"
"A good book that brings some understanding"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a good story. It feels real and is interesting. The book is much better than the movie. Khaled Hosseine isn't the best narrator, but possibly that is what makes the story that much more real. I enjoyed this book after my father pushed it on me. I think this book should be read by every school kid, politician, and soldier who is serving in Afghanistan. I don't think it will change your life, but give you some understanding of the trouble Afghanistan faces and the suffering of its people.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Onward Virgin Soldiers: Virgin Soldiers, Book 2

UNABRIDGED
- by Leslie Thomas
- Narrated by Peter Wickham
Onward Virgin Soldiers: Virgin Soldiers, Book 2

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 50 mins)

By Leslie Thomas

Narrated By Peter Wickham

Overall
(1)
Performance
(1)
Story
(1)

Bursting with life and bawdy humour, National Serviceman Brigg is now a Regular Army sergeant defending the Empire in the beds and bars of Hong Kong. Peace-time diversions include sensual fireworks with a pair of delicious Chinese twins and a tender, erotic affair with the lonely wife of an American serviceman.
Michael says: "Great listen to. Nice novel."
"Great listen to. Nice novel."

Overall
Performance
Story

Set 20 odd years after the original and in Hong Kong this is a good book. Nicely written, superbly performed and duck tails nicely with the first book. This book I think captures army life in the 70s well and even if you are not into military stories is a great listen to. Loved it and I think Leslie Thomas is a fantastic author of British social history in his stories.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

UNABRIDGED
- by Alfred Lansing
- Narrated by Simon Prebble
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 23 mins)

By Alfred Lansing

Narrated By Simon Prebble

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1059)
Performance
(505)
Story
(506)

In August of 1914, the British ship Endurance set sail for the South Atlantic. In October, 1915, still half a continent away from its intended base, the ship was trapped, then crushed in the ice. For five months, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men, drifting on ice packs, were castaways in one of the most savage regions of the world.
Thomas says: "The best book I've had"
"An Endurance to Listen to."

Overall
Performance
Story

No, it isn't performed badly. No, the story isn't badly put together. No, the writing isn't terrible. It is just being trapped in Antarctica eating blubber and with everything against you gets a little tedious to listen to - I can only imagine for the poor chaps on the ice had it worse. I guess the book covers that to a degree. Unfortunately I knew the ending, so it was a wait for the end. Not taking anything away from the expedition or Shackleton, it is an amazing survival story, but, it does go on and after a while you wish they would get a break; at least in the ice flow. Amazing study in leadership, endurance and survival but the story does go on. If you are studying explorers, survival, Antarctica then this is good stuff, otherwise be prepared for an endurance of listening. Well performed though.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A Game of Thrones (Part One): Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED
- by George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by Roy Dotrice
A Game of Thrones (Part One): Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 39 mins)

By George R. R. Martin

Narrated By Roy Dotrice

Overall
(356)
Performance
(303)
Story
(307)

This is Part One of Book 1 of the A Song of Ice and Fire Series. This first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is unabridged and split into two parts. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
Karenza says: "A feast of a tale faithfully narrated"
"Good book"

Overall
Performance
Story

What everybody else saids about this book and the series in one way or another true. I believe if you are into fantasy fiction then this will not disappoint.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A Clash of Kings (Part One): Book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED
- by George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by Roy Dotrice
A Clash of Kings (Part One): Book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire

UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 19 mins)

By George R. R. Martin

Narrated By Roy Dotrice

Overall
(219)
Performance
(189)
Story
(191)

This is Part One of Book 2 of the A Song of Ice and Fire Series. George R. R. Martin’s superb fantasy epic continues in consummate style as bloodshed and alchemy lay waste the Seven Kingdoms. This second volume of A Song of Ice and Fire is unabridged and split into two parts. The Iron Throne once united the Sunset Lands, but King Robert is dead, his widow is a traitor to his memory, and his surviving brothers are set on a path of war amongst themselves.
Michael says: "If you are up to this, you are hooked"
"If you are up to this, you are hooked"

Overall
Performance
Story

Carries on from 'Game of Thrones' and doesn't disappoint. Some characters have disappeared whilst others develop into excellent characters. What is so good about this story is that the characters are not two dimensional cartoon types. Their motivations, ambitions and fears project them through the story with enough twists and different outcomes you will never see coming. I hope the magic of this series doesn't end.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Unconditional Surrender

UNABRIDGED
- by Evelyn Waugh
- Narrated by Christian Rodska
Unconditional Surrender

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 16 mins)

By Evelyn Waugh

Narrated By Christian Rodska

Overall
(10)
Performance
(4)
Story
(4)

Guy Crouchback has lost his idealism. A desk job in London gives him the chance of reconciliation with his former wife.
A User says: "Wonderful narrator"
"A Counterpoint to the First Two Books"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book is aptly titled and sad. Guy tries to affect change but gradually surrenders to the machine of war and bureaucracy. The story ties up nicely and characters are finished off with little pomp or ceremony. This book isn't as much fun or as funny as the first two. I have no idea how WWII was in Britain and how it changed but I guess this series of books cover it well. The writing is excellent, Christian Rodska is perfect in his narration and the book is a pleasant listen to. If you read the first two, you have to read this one to finish the story off, but if you are not in to trilogies; then just the first "Officers & Gentlemen" is worth the listen to on its own.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful