The Knowledge of Good & Evil

By: Glenn Kleier

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Ian Baringer may have stumbled upon the greatest discovery of all time. Or possibly, the greatest curse...

As a child, Ian lost his parents in a horrific accident, seeing them give their lives to save his. He never fully recovered, burying pangs of guilt, clinging to religion's promise that someday he'd see his parents again.

But now his demons have resurfaced. Despite the help of Angela Weber, the brilliant psychologist who loves him, he's in the grip of an obsession. He no longer trusts in an afterlife, he must know for certain if the soul survives death.

And incredibly, he may have found a way. A risky bid to cross death's door and return with Knowledge of the Great Beyond. Knowledge that can be verified by anyone who follows his path. The implications are staggering. Proof of a hereafter! Perhaps of God, Himself! Knowledge to halt wars, to end at last the ancient animosities between faiths! Or perhaps a Knowledge to doom us all....

Some believe death's secrets are forbidden to the living, cursed with grave consequences for Humanity. One shadowy sect is sworn to destroy all trespassers, and Ian and Angela have but one hope to survive. They must defy the gates of heaven and hell to steal a Knowledge hidden from the world since the dawn of creation: the knowledge of good and evil.

©2012 Glen Kleier (P)2012 Glenn Kleier

A Fun Journey with a Gifted Narrator

Find the full review at my blog, The Guilded Earlobe:

It’s no secret that I am a fan of MacLeod Andrew’s work as a narrator. One thing I love about his work is his voice isn’t the typical narrator voice. It’s not a deep, booming testosterone rich bass voice, nor is it a silky smooth tenor. Andrew’s voice is full of gravel and grit, and he manages to take his voice and make it suit the text he is reading just right. Here, Andrews brings the story alive, able to take on a cast full of international accents as well and otherworldly beings. Andrews manages to bring a true authenticity to his characters whether they are a Slavic priest, or a denizen of the deepest pits of hell. Andrews moves the plot along well with his crisp pacing that smoothed out any of the roughness of the story. His pacing is fast enough to create tension, while not so fast that it muddles the action. The true highlight for me was Andrews handling of heaven and hell, managing to make Angels sound Angelic while making the demons totally creepy. Really, it was a lot of fun taking a journey like this with a talented narrator.

A Dance with the Devil

Ian is a complicated guy: He is in love with the extraordinarily beautiful and smart Angela, is studying Near Death Experiences and trying to rescue his beloved parents from Hell after they saved his life when they were in a car accident together. Author Glenn Kleier has given people who enjoy tense thrillers a reason to celebrate... The Knowledge of Good And Evil is imaginative, taught, tense and enough narrow escapes to keep the reader going.

Angela is the type of heroine we all love: she is bright, smart, listens to her own, interior panic button and saves Ian more than once from heading into straight folly. I'm not sure a book exactly like this has ever been attempted before. For one thing, the reader gets about 30 prompts to a web page to show the readers a particular painting or a scientist in the world of certain esoteric sciences. The reader doesn't have to wonder why a special church in Europe is so distinct.... instead of wasting 2 pages on trying to describe it, Kleier just takes the reader to a special website that has all the photographs on it. This gave the book extraordinary depth.

Even though I tend to gravitate to literary novels and have recently been on a tear reading very old novels, The Knowledge of Good And Evil was a fun break from the more formal books and go on an old-fashioned (dangerous) treasure hunt that takes us all over this world and into others.

The book is expertly read by the talented Macleod Andrews and all the voices are distinct and well-read. I really enjoyed this book.

not bad if you fast forward through some parts.

What did you like best about The Knowledge of Good & Evil? What did you like least?

I loved the action and insights into history and beliefs that I hadn't known.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I felt a little soiled by the end of the book and listened to a nice Ted Dekker serial killer novel to relax. He is truly a fine writer and he knows his Bible when he uses it. Always an edge of your seat thriller.

Any additional comments?

I'm have a degree in Bible so I was probably more bothered by the many inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the Bible than others. The levels of hell and purgatory were a little hard to take and they were so long that I tried to fast forward about half way through. I was also bothered by the portrayal of God as petty and moody, giving up on mankind. The dwellers in heaven acted more mature than God. I had really enjoyed the book until the last trips through heaven and hell. And, please, why would you put Malcolm X in the level of heaven for peace? He and Gandhi would not have agreed that his methods made him a peace loving man. I did laugh at Stephen Hawkins on the scholar level, calling first dibs on an Archimedes scroll. I just hope that unenlightened readers will take this book for what it is, a work of fiction. I would hate for anyone to think that it is a true picture of heaven and hell.

I enjoyed it

Where does The Knowledge of Good & Evil rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10 percent

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. It kept moving forward and didn't stagnate. Quite a few unexpected twists as well.

Have you listened to any of Macleod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time listening to Macleod. Excellent performance. Really brought Glenn's characters to life.

He makes you think

What did you love best about The Knowledge of Good & Evil?

Confession: I'm a fan of Glenn Kleier so it's no surprise I enjoyed this book. The story centers around the near death experience. Is it real or all in the mind? In true Kleier form by the end, well, it leaves you to decide. Audible doesn't have 'The Last Day' also by the same author but it's one of my favorite books. If you enjoy this one check out his other book, it's better than this one. No, I don't know Kleier, I didn't get the book free, I just enjoy his style of questioning and paradox.

Intriguing and Speculative

Fascinating concept interwoven into a psycho-spiritual presentation. The story awakens belief in one’s own questions of the afterlife. Is god who we believe him to be or whom we’ve been told he is? Does our own journey through life reflect the the image we believe it to be? This tale offers many layers to be interpreted in its own unique way be the reader.

Absolutely the Best!!!!!!!!!!

Would you listen to The Knowledge of Good & Evil again? Why?

Yes, I have done so~~~~ Glenn Kleier has put into words many of my own beliefs~

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, I had to listen to the book without stopping it at any point!~

Which character – as performed by Macleod Andrews – was your favorite?

I did not have one favorite, all were wonderful!!!!!!!

If you could rename The Knowledge of Good & Evil, what would you call it?

It is the perfect title for this book, I would not change it!

Any additional comments?

I was totally captivated by this book, I loved it and would like to hear more books by Glenn Kleier!

interesting blend of science & spirituality

scenes from hell, literally, were too detailed, reminded me of Le Miserables sewers obsession

Terrible book, but masterful narration

What disappointed you about The Knowledge of Good & Evil?

The book is absolute garbage it is idiotic, and just ridiculous. It is outrageous yet boring. Andrews is Masterful the author is dreadful.

Has The Knowledge of Good & Evil turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not at all!

Have you listened to any of Macleod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This book is worth the credit just to hear what a masterful job Macleod Andrews does. He is by far the best narrator I have heard.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Knowledge of Good & Evil?

The scenes where he goes through heaven and hell are absolutely ludicrous.

Odd

I ve read other books by this author but thus one was just to odd for me.