 

You no longer follow Margaret

You will no longer see updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can re-follow a user if you change your mind.

OK

You now follow Margaret

You will receive updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can unfollow a user if you change your mind.

OK

Margaret

Audible addict since 2003. High School librarian who has found her bliss!

Member Since 2003

47
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 13 reviews
  • 239 ratings
  • 1254 titles in library
  • 81 purchased in 2014
FOLLOWING
2
FOLLOWERS
3

  • The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 56 mins)
    • By Richard Heinberg
    • Narrated By Paul Boehmer
    Overall
    (95)
    Performance
    (88)
    Story
    (88)

    Economists insist that recovery is at hand, yet unemployment remains high, real estate values continue to sink, and governments stagger under record deficits. The End of Growth proposes a startling diagnosis: humanity has reached a fundamental turning point in its economic history. The expansionary trajectory of industrial civilization is colliding with non-negotiable natural limits.

    James Chirnside says: "Big Questions Discussed"
    "Humanomics"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Economics for real people in our turbulent times. Scary, but rings true, the book describes how our unsustainable use of natural resources is setting us up for some very difficult times.
    Heinberg does include some interesting alternative options that are currently being tried in different parts of the world. We certainly do need to change our paradigm to one that better harnesses our human strengths and weaknesses.
    Informative and well written.

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

    • UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 55 mins)
    • By Daron Acemoglu, James Robinson
    • Narrated By Dan Woren
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (486)
    Performance
    (390)
    Story
    (390)

    Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine?

    Ryan says: "Important themes, with blind spots"
    "Cannot hold a candle to Jared Diamond's writing..."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    One good idea does not a 500 page book make. This should have been firmly edited to half its length. Poor narration didn't help.

    1 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • March

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 22 mins)
    • By Geraldine Brooks
    • Narrated By Richard Easton
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (484)
    Performance
    (216)
    Story
    (219)

    As the North reels under a series of unexpected defeats during the dark first year of the war, one man leaves behind his family to aid the Union cause. His experiences will utterly change his marriage and challenge his most ardently held beliefs. Riveting and elegant as it is meticulously researched, March is an extraordinary novel woven out of the lore of American history.

    Paula says: "Great book, greatly narrated"
    "Brilliant!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    A thoroughly researched imagining of the back story of the shadowy father in Little
    Women.

    I had a little trouble getting into the story at first, but stick with it and gradually you will find yourself being pulled back into 19th century America. An awesome accomplishment; but then I would expect nothing else from such a fine writer!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Countryfile: Adam's Farm - My Life on the Land

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 12 mins)
    • By Adam Henson
    • Narrated By Nicky Henson
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (22)
    Performance
    (19)
    Story
    (19)

    Countryfile’s Adam Henson’s life on the land - read by Nicky Henson.Adam Henson is the best-known farmer in the UK. After eight years as a roving presenter on Britain’s most watched countryside show, Countryfile, he now presents his own section of the programme from his farm every Sunday. But after the TV crews leave, Adam returns to the job he loves most - working the land and looking after his livestock. This is a searchingly honest account of the highs and lows of a year of life on the farm.

    Margaret says: "Stick with TV, or take some writing workshops Adam"
    "Stick with TV, or take some writing workshops Adam"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The author apparently has a well regarded television show in Britain. Unfortunately this book is sort of like listening to the audio of that show without any visuals. There are one or two brief moments of promise when the characters or settings actually come to life, but they are few and far between.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The Statues That Walked: Unraveling the Mystery of Easter Island

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 40 mins)
    • By Terry Hunt, Carl Lipo
    • Narrated By Joe Barrett
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (270)
    Performance
    (230)
    Story
    (232)

    The monumental statues of Easter Island, both so magisterial and so forlorn, gazing out in their imposing rows over the island’s barren landscape, have been the source of great mystery ever since the island was first discovered by Europeans on Easter Sunday 1722. How could the ancient people who inhabited this tiny speck of land, the most remote in the vast expanse of the Pacific islands, have built such monumental works?

    C. Telfair says: "Love Those Mysterious Islands!"
    "Thanks Audible!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The statues of Easter Island are an amazing mystery that have fascinated me ever since I read Thor Heyerdahl's works as a teenager. While this books does not attempt to answer the question of why they were created (the title is a bit misleading), it does present new theories of how they were created and transported. It also gives a view of the culture that is much more positive than that presented by Jared Diamond. A very good listen!

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Beth Alison Maloney
    • Narrated By Tavia Gilbert
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (128)
    Performance
    (117)
    Story
    (116)

    The summer before entering sixth grade, Sammy, a bright and charming boy who lived on the coast of Maine, suddenly began to exhibit disturbing behavior. He walked and ate with his eyes shut, refused to bathe, burst into fits of rage, slithered against walls, and used his limbs instead of his hands to touch light switches, doorknobs, and faucets.

    Paul says: "Real Life Battle and Victory over OCD and PANDAS"
    "Fascinating story, well told"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Although I cannot comment on the medical accuracy of this book, the story was gripping and very well written. My only complaint was that the reader's pace was a bit too fast for me, but when I slowed it down a tad on my player it was fine.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Hidden Gallery: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book II

    • UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 58 mins)
    • By Maryrose Wood
    • Narrated By Katherine Kellgren
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (116)
    Performance
    (102)
    Story
    (103)

    Thanks to the efforts of Miss Penelope Lumley, their plucky governess, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf pups now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees.

    Brianna says: "A guidebook for entertainment"
    "Too good for kids!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    I adore this series! Wittily written, and matched with the perfect reader. Lemony Snicket, you've been topped.

    Can't wait for the next one!

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • The Most Human Human: What Talking with Computers Teaches Us About What It Means to Be Alive

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 40 mins)
    • By Brian Christian
    • Narrated By Brian Christian
    Overall
    (323)
    Performance
    (204)
    Story
    (197)

    The Most Human Human is a provocative, exuberant, and profound exploration of the ways in which computers are reshaping our ideas of what it means to be human. Its starting point is the annual Turing Test, which pits artificial intelligence programs against people to determine if computers can "think". Named for computer pioneer Alan Turing, the Turing Test convenes a panel of judges who pose questions - ranging anywhere from celebrity gossip to moral conundrums - to hidden contestants in an attempt to discern which is human and which is a computer.

    Roy says: "A Wedding of Computer Science and Philosophy"
    "wow!"
    Overall

    I have to say that the first half had me wondering why this book was so highly rated. The author's narration, while competent, was not exceptional, and I found the story hard to follow. BUT, beginning with chapter 7 I was enthralled! The ideas and concepts sparked out every minute and I could not stop listening. It's now past midnight and I will be wiped out at work tomorrow but I had to write a review. Brian Christian please write more -- your ideas are amazing!

    8 of 8 people found this review helpful
  • Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1: The Complete and Authoritative Edition

    • UNABRIDGED (24 hrs and 50 mins)
    • By Mark Twain
    • Narrated By Grover Gardner
    Overall
    (533)
    Performance
    (236)
    Story
    (241)

    The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Twain’s death. In celebration of this important milestone, here, for the first time, is Mark Twain’s uncensored autobiography, in its entirety, exactly as he left it. This major literary event offers the first of three volumes and presents Mark Twain’s authentic and unsuppressed voice, brimming with humor, ideas, and opinions, and speaking clearly from the grave, as he intended.

    Susan Holland says: "Not what I was expecting..."
    "I felt as if I was sitting with Twain!"
    Overall

    I live in Elmira, NY (home of Livvy, and the place where Twain was buried). Even before I moved here I was fascinated by Twain's writing and my interest has only increased over the years. I vaguely knew that he had left some writings for future publication and I was thrilled when I saw that Audible had it. Have to admit that the foreword was a bit discouraging, but once past that it just got better and better, until by the end I truly felt that I was having tea with Samuel Clemens and listening to his wonderful stories. I could almost smell the cigar smoke!

    Great job -- can't wait for the next volume!

    12 of 13 people found this review helpful
  • The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 2 mins)
    • By Ken Robinson
    • Narrated By Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (689)
    Performance
    (381)
    Story
    (379)

    The Element shows the vital need to enhance creativity and innovation by thinking differently about human resources and imagination. It is an essential strategy for transforming education, business, and communities to meet the challenges of living and succeeding in the 21st century.

    MATTHEW says: "College professor lecture"
    "Stick with it, it's worth it!"
    Overall

    The early chapters, while interesting and well read, were all stuff I had heard before. But the last chapter...well, THAT's worth FIVE stars.

    I am a high school librarian and I have been struggling to find a new vision as I enter my 20th year of teaching, and worry about my grandchildren's future. Between our failing economy, potential climate change and the new "free" culture of the Internet I have been finding it difficult to see where we are heading. The last chapter of this book helped me see a potential direction. Thank you for helping me RE-find my 'element' Ken!

    8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Cancel

Thank You

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.
http://www.audible.com/listener/Margaret/A2HZDR4AQR6HY6?asin=B006P3CYUK
www.audible.com
crawl=CC-MAIN-2014-52
111662
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:LMSNGYXUADADJ6G3WKNQWP53BBENFMEU
<urn:uuid:8ce969d1-1b3f-40a7-aa6c-a2809686de15>
2014-12-22T19:59:52Z
176.32.103.106
sha1:GBD5HKUWDK3CD6I7CP3UW3Y5BSJKF6V3
<urn:uuid:5743f961-7642-4728-ae0f-219d94578185>
http://www.audible.com/listener/Margaret/A2HZDR4AQR6HY6?asin=B006P3CYUK
length
response
<urn:uuid:6b97d40f-0cc8-4cd1-b225-30a25f5f59d8>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-231-17-201.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)/CC WarcExport 1.0
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2014-52
operator: CommonCrawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web with URLs provided by Blekko for December 2014
publisher: CommonCrawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf