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Doris

Member Since 2007

42
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 19 reviews
  • 130 ratings
  • 461 titles in library
  • 4 purchased in 2014
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FOLLOWERS
3

  • Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 49 mins)
    • By John Heilemann, Mark Halperin
    • Narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1791)
    Performance
    (661)
    Story
    (662)

    Based on hundreds of interviews with the people who lived the story, Game Change is a reportorial tour de force that reads like a fast-paced novel. Character driven and dialogue rich, replete with extravagantly detailed scenes, this is the occasion-ally shocking, often hilarious, ultimately definitive account of the campaign of a lifetime.

    Joe says: "Best Audiobook of 2010!"
    "Should have been longer"
    Overall

    I got the book mostly because I wanted to understand why "my man" McCain chose Sarah Palin as a running mate. But I learned so much more from the book. My only criticism is that the book could have, and maybe should have, gone behind the scenes with the other candidates. Mike Huckabee would have made a fascinating study, because he was so different from the others, for example. Romney had to deal with the perceptions of his religion - not mentioned. And a lot more could have been said to round out the picture. Nothing was mentioned about McCain's mother campaigning with him, yet not a word was said about that. Bottom line: it should have been longer.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 18 mins)
    • By Daniel Tammet
    • Narrated By Daniel Tammet
    Overall
    (20)
    Performance
    (15)
    Story
    (15)

    Thinking in Numbers is the book that Daniel Tammet, best-selling author and mathematical savant, was born to write. In Tammet's world, numbers are beautiful and mathematics illuminates our lives and minds. Using anecdotes, everyday examples, and ruminations on history, literature, and more, Tammet allows us to share his unique insights and delight in the way numbers, fractions, and equations underpin all our lives.

    Gary says: "An Ode to Imagination"
    "Disappointing"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Numbers are fascinating, and I was expecting to be fascinated by the author's intriguing revelations concerning the universe and how it unfolds mathematically. Instead, the book seems more like unconnected ramblings, a series of short stories about the author's life and some significant events in his life that are connected to his view of mathematical proportions. The author's dialect (speech impediment?) makes the book difficult to listen to. I found myself counting the number of consonants he cannot pronounce, instead of becoming fascinated with - counting. It could be that the book is much more interesting if read at one's own speed, and in one's own "head" voice, rather than listened to at the narrator's speed, and speech.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Reza Aslan
    • Narrated By Reza Aslan
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (912)
    Performance
    (819)
    Story
    (814)

    From the internationally bestselling author of No god but God comes a fascinating, provocative, and meticulously researched biography that challenges long-held assumptions about the man we know as Jesus of Nazareth. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history's most influential and enigmatic characters by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived: first-century Palestine, an age awash in apocalyptic fervor.

    Charles says: "Palastinian Politics 4 B.C.E. - 70 C.E."
    "Fascinating book; too short!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book and its author have received so much press and air time over the last month that I wanted to read it if for no other reason than to see what all the noise was about. the subject fascinated me as well, because the church in which I was raised never taught anything about the historical background of the New Testament, and I was hoping that this book would fill in the blanks.

    It did not disappoint. The story of the centuries-old conflict between the Romans and the Hebrews was new to me. Yes, I know about Egyptian slavery, but had no idea of Rome's governing principles concerning its conquered nations and how their treatment of the Jews differed. I had no idea of the religious and daily culture of the Jews and how they clashed with the Roman way of life. The background that Aslan provides helps to fill out the historical picture. I found it absolutely fascinating.

    I have two criticisms. One is that I would have liked the book to be at least twice as long. I want more details, more background, more of this riveting picture of ancient life. And the other is that the book really should have been narrated by a professional reader. Aslan isn't bad, but he succumbs to the common problem of a single rhythm and intonation that becomes distracting. It wasn't bad, though - I still found the book fascinating.

    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Woodrow Wilson: A Biography

    • UNABRIDGED (36 hrs and 2 mins)
    • By John Milton Cooper
    • Narrated By John McDonough
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (52)
    Performance
    (34)
    Story
    (33)

    John Milton Cooper, Jr., is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s preeminent Woodrow Wilson biographers. This thoroughly researched profile of America’s 28th president is universally hailed for its scholarship and insight into the life and career ofone of the nation’s most polarizing leaders.

    Scott says: "Comprehensive...but a bit dry"
    "On the outside looking in"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    As a reader of many biographies of American political figures, I found this one to be very disappointing, not so much for what it includes as for what it doesn't. The author does a good job of describing Wilson's actions, but I came away from the story with no real feel for the inner man and what motivated him. There was almost nothing included from Wilson's journals or private letters (could this scholar really have written so little?) and no interpretation on the author's part as to how various events in Wilson's life, or how his "inner man" influenced his actions. I kept recalling Jack Webb's famous line, "Just the facts, ma'am." But I look for more than that in a biography. I want the insight of McCullough, I suppose, and it was simply missing here. There is almost nothing about Wilson's childhood and virtually no details about his relationship with his parents or siblings. The death of Wilson's first wife, Ellen, was dispatched with in, if printed, must have been about two pages. The public's reaction to his second wife is still a mystery. This book needs more heft, more "personality." It was very dry.

    That said, I have to say that the narrator did a fantastic job. If I'd been reading the book instead of listening, I would probably have not finished it. But the narrator was so easy to listen to that I stuck with it.

    I'm not sorry I listened to it, because the availability of Wilson biographies through audible is pretty scarce. But I really would like more information than this book provides.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Life After Life: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 34 mins)
    • By Kate Atkinson
    • Narrated By Fenella Woolgar
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (808)
    Performance
    (726)
    Story
    (729)

    On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.

    Diane says: "Life after life after life after life after life.."
    "NOT your average chick lit!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to Life After Life again? Why?

    Probably not, only because once you know the story, the elements of suspense and surprise are missing, and they are close to the heart of the story, but I will definitely recommend this to all my friends.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of Life After Life?

    The scenes of death during an air raid in London.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    The very last one, because it was such a complete surprise to me. I expected the book to be finished after the scene before it. The fact that it wasn't takes the book's message in an entirely different direction, at the absolute last moment.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    This book doesn't make you laugh or cry. It makes you stare off into space and wonder.


    Any additional comments?

    It is dark without being tragic.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Steve Jobs

    • UNABRIDGED (25 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Walter Isaacson
    • Narrated By Dylan Baker
    Overall
    (10244)
    Performance
    (8822)
    Story
    (8790)

    Based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

    Chris says: "Good Biography, Fine narrator"
    "Intriguing story; Poor narrator"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you like best about Steve Jobs? What did you like least?

    I liked the detail - lots of information most people don't know about Steve Jobs personally.


    What did you like best about this story?

    I suspect I would have liked this a lot better, had it been read by someone else. The narrator is really bad. He sounds amateurish, has a sing-song lilt that becomes annoying quickly, and sounds like a practiced high school reader. It gave the book a feeling of being amateurishly written, and I don't think that's the case.


    Would you be willing to try another one of Dylan Baker’s performances?

    Absolutely not.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Showdown: The Inside Story of How Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 3 mins)
    • By David Corn
    • Narrated By David Corn
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28)
    Performance
    (22)
    Story
    (23)

    The veteran political journalist and New York Times best-selling author goes behind the scenes at the White House to recount the dramatic tale of a pivotal period in the Obama presidency, from the game-changing 2010 midterm elections to the beginning of the critical 2012 campaign season - a tumultuous time that tested the president as never before and set the stage for a titanic clash over the future of the nation.

    Doris says: "Good behind-the-scenes view"
    "Good behind-the-scenes view"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about Showdown?

    I was looking for insight into how the Obama administration manages its policies and how the insider politics and deal-making influences the results. the book does not disappoint and in fact presents a more objective view than I'd expected. I was anticipating a very pro-Obama, hero-worship. Instead, the book seems to be pretty straightforward about what is handled well and what is not.


    What other book might you compare Showdown to and why?

    "Obama's Wars," not for its tone but for its accurate detail of administration power plays, struggles, conflicts, and reasons behind actions.


    Would you listen to another book narrated by David Corn?

    His reading doesn't work on my nerves as much as it does other listeners, but the book would have gained by having a professional reader. Corn rushes words, mispronounces words ("stimulus" is always "stim-liss," for example), and is not as well modulated as a professional, which makes the book harder to listen to than it would be with a better reader.


    Any additional comments?

    It's a good book to read for background information before the upcoming presidential elections.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 5

    • UNABRIDGED (49 hrs)
    • By George R. R. Martin
    • Narrated By Roy Dotrice
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (9198)
    Performance
    (7896)
    Story
    (7901)

    Dubbed the American Tolkien by Time magazine, George R. R. Martin has earned international acclaim for his monumental cycle of epic fantasy. Now the number-one New York Times best-selling author delivers the fifth book in his spellbinding landmark series - as both familiar faces and surprising new forces vie for a foothold in a fragmented empire.

    James says: "Not as good as previous books"
    "Complete Waste of Two Credits"
    Overall

    The only good thing about this latest book is that Roy Dotrice is back as the narrator. The audio version is 50 hours of reading, and nothing happens. Lots of snow falls, winds howl, lords insult each other, hosts wander back and forth, but none of the cliff hangers form the previous book is resolved, and none of the main characters accomplishes anything meaningful towards his/her goals. Main characters are killed, but - they're not dead - or maybe they are -? The quest for the iron throne has deteriorated into petty personal squabbles, and the book is mostly endless gratuitous gore and sex, and gory sex. In earlier books, the sex and gore served to define various characters. Now it does nothing but, I assume, satisfy the adolescents who are reading the series. One could truly skip this entire book and miss nothing. I believe that Martin has decided he can drag this story out into book sales that will last the rest of his life, a la Robert Jordan. I'm done with the series.

    9 of 12 people found this review helpful
  • Moby Dick

    • UNABRIDGED (24 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Herman Melville
    • Narrated By Anthony Heald
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (529)
    Performance
    (171)
    Story
    (169)

    The outcast youth Ishmael, succumbing to wanderlust during a dreary New England autumn, signs up for passage aboard a whaling ship. The Pequod sails under the command of the one-legged Captain Ahab, who has set himself on a monomaniacal quest to capture the cunning white whale that robbed him of his leg: Moby-Dick. Capturing life on the sea with robust realism, Melville details the adventures of the colorful crew aboard the ship as Ahab pursues his crusade of revenge, heedless of all cost.

    Sarah says: "Gripping despite the minutiae"
    "Tried really hard...."
    Overall

    I really wanted to like this book, since it is a classic, and so widely taught, but I finally had to give up. It is an adventure story without a plot, a character study with too many digressions, and a study of the 19th Century perceptions of whale characteristics that is no longer relevant. The narrator did a superb job. My hat is off to him. But about ten hours into the book, I had to quit.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Cape Cod

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 25 mins)
    • By Henry David Thoreau
    • Narrated By Jim Killavey
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (23)
    Performance
    (4)
    Story
    (4)

    In the early 1850s, Henry David Thoreau took many meditative walks along the coast. In Cape Cod he reflects on these beach-combing trips and the powerful forces of the sea.

    Doris says: "Good; could have been better"
    "Good; could have been better"
    Overall

    Thoreau writes a very nice natural and sociological account of Cape Cod of his time, and I would have given it 4 stars were it not for the narrator. The reading seemed very close to robotic in the first third of the book. I don't know if it improved slightly as the book went on, or I just got used to it. I do appreciate that the narrator speaks in a New England accent, and for all I know (not being familiar with it), this may be a very natural example of that regional way of speaking. For me, though, it could use Garrison Keillor's more homey and natural touch in describing commonplace things. It is, though, a very good book for anyone interested in the Cape way of life during this period, and of the natural history of the area.

    1 of 5 people found this review helpful
  • Salt: A World History

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 43 mins)
    • By Mark Kurlansky
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (823)
    Performance
    (326)
    Story
    (331)

    So much of our human body is made up of salt that we'd be dead without it. The fine balance of nature, the trade of salt as a currency of many nations and empires, the theme of a popular Shakespearean play...Salt is best selling author Mark Kurlansky's story of the only rock we eat.

    Karen says: "More than SALT"
    "Well done, for the food historian"
    Overall

    I enjoyed this book, and it is very complete for those who, like me, enjoy reading about the history of how our present foods and diets came about. I don't think the book would hold the interest of someone with a more casual interest in the subject, however. The book can get a bit dry (no pun intended) and does include quite a lot of recipes that are of historical interest but not much use as modern-day recipes. Of greatest interest to me were the explanations of salt's economic importance from the Stone Age on, and also how the history of salt is so completely tied up with the history of fish in the human diet. It makes a good companion book to COD.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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