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Elijah Mathew smith

Listener Since 2007

39
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 13 reviews
  • 30 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 1 purchased in 2013
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FOLLOWERS
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  • The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 47 mins)
    • By Timothy Egan
    • Narrated By Patrick Lawlor
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (861)
    Performance
    (345)
    Story
    (348)

    The dust storms that terrorized America's High Plains in the darkest years of the Depression were like nothing ever seen before or since, and the stories of the people that held on have never been fully told. Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist and author Timothy Egan follows a half-dozen families and their communities through the rise and fall of the region.

    Laurie says: "more than grapes of wrath"
    "A Genuine Historical Account"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Some reviewers compared this book to "The Grapes of Wrath," which although fiction, gave one family's experience of the Dust Bowl Era. If you're looking for a ficionalized book, this is not for you. But if history is your genre, this is a must read. My family were inheriters of the Great Dust Bowl, and many found there way to California and Colorado to escape the tragic living conditions, especially for poor migrant farm workers. But some in my family stayed in Oklahoma and Arkansas to weather the storm, and many still remain. I had NO idea how pervasive this cataclysmic event was to our nation. This book was told with captivating narrative, with an excellent reader, whom I will search out again. I was blown away, so to speak, by the intensity of these huge black clouds and mounds of dirt piled high like snowdrifts, and silt suffocating the lungs of man and beast. Much is even told of the effects of the climate on areas as far east as New York City. Unreal!!! This book almost rated a 5 star from me, but at times it was a little dry with it's littany of hisorical facts. But I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know the horrors of what man can do to the environment in such a short time, while devasting his own life, his communtiy and into the far realms. Makes me think more seriously about our part in global warming. Hmmm!

    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
  • Beyond Bad

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By Sandra Lee
    • Narrated By Kate Hood
    Overall
    (118)
    Performance
    (35)
    Story
    (35)

    Here is the shocking, true story of Australia's most horrific crime. Katherine Knight showed no mercy when she butchered her lover in a crime that put her behind bars in an Australian prison for a record life sentence. Knight, a 44-year-old abattoir worker, had stabbed father-of-three John Price 37 times, skinned his body, cooked his head, and served him up as a meal for his children.

    Vikki says: "Oh Boy...."
    "Sick and Enthally"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book was enthralling, while at times sickening, but even those parts were thoroughly captivating. Before reading this book, I knew nothing of Katherine Knight and her gruesome tale. I was appalled at the lack of attention to her apparent mental illness shown by a long history of angry assaults, both verbally and physically. Everyone involved in her life should have seen this coming. She exemplifies Borderline Personality Disorder to a "T". The author and the reader did a fabulous job in telling this true-crime story, that lead to a "Jeffrey Daumer-like" conclusion. I coudn't put it down.

    6 of 7 people found this review helpful
  • The Sociopath Next Door

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 26 mins)
    • By Martha Stout
    • Narrated By Shelly Frasier
    Overall
    (2151)
    Performance
    (1193)
    Story
    (1190)

    We are accustomed to think of sociopaths as violent criminals, but in The Sociopath Next Door, Harvard psychologist Martha Stout reveals that a shocking 4 percent of ordinary people, one in 25, has an often undetected mental disorder, the chief symptom of which is that that person possesses no conscience. He or she has no ability whatsoever to feel shame, guilt, or remorse. One in 25 everyday Americans, therefore, is secretly a sociopath.

    Lesley says: "Gripping! A fascinating/scary look at human nature"
    "Facinating at Times"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I found this book to be facinating at times, while clinical at others. Since I am in the mental health field I found it interesting, but a bit one-sided. I guess I have more compassion for these ill members of society, perhaps our friends and family members. I do keep my antennae up for signs to be aware of, and know how to keep my boundaries intact, maybe that is the true lesson here, but I think the author would prefer that we run for our lives. A good set of boundary keeping should suffice in these situations. I did give the book 4 stars, as I thought it to be above average and in an area of interest to me. The vignettes were good too, although sometimes incomplete. I don't necessarily agree with her that "conscience" and for her "lack of the ability to love" which she frames as one in the same, is the only factor for sociopathy, but she does argue a good point, and makes the reader well aware of characteristics that one may not generally see as part of a sociopath's personality, ie. charisma. The narrator was excellent and made some of the clinical parts more easily digestible.

    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  • The Dragon of Doom: Moongobble and Me

    • UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 4 mins)
    • By Bruce Coville
    • Narrated By Ryan Sparkes, the Full Cast Family
    Overall
    (28)
    Performance
    (5)
    Story
    (5)

    When an almost-magician named Moongobble and his talking toad, Urk, move into the abandoned cottage near Edward's home, it seems like a dream come true. After all, Edward has been longing for some excitement.

    Elijah Mathew smith says: "Enjoyable"
    "Enjoyable"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book is thoroughly enjoyable for children and adults. I purchased this book for my 11 year old great-nephew, and he said he really liked it. The nine year was captivated as well. I listened to it myself and thought it was cute, but a bit young for an 11 year old. Would probably be more appealing for the 5-8 year old set. Since the 11 year old liked it I will get the rest of the series for him, and since my niece has 5 boys under the age of 12 they can all listen. Since it is relatively short, just an hour long, it's easy for their somewhat hyperactive attention spans. The author does have a book that I will get for the 11 and 12 year old called "I Was a Sixth Grade Alien", which is about 3 hours long and will probably suit the needs of the older boys better.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 36 mins)
    • By Tyler Perry
    • Narrated By Tyler Perry
    Overall
    (299)
    Performance
    (123)
    Story
    (119)

    If you can count on one thing from "Madea" Mabel Simmons, star of Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion, it's that she's got something to say. She's the beloved, hilarious, sharp-witted, pistol-packing grandmother who's watching out and speaking her mind. Now Madea is telling her own story, dishing her memoirs and hard-won, hilarious wisdom in her own inimitable voice (with a little help from her friend Tyler Perry).

    Elijah Mathew smith says: "Absolutely Hysterical"
    "Absolutely Hysterical"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book is absolutely hyterical. Tyler Perry is a genious. I have always loved his accounts of Madea, the bigger than life, grandmotherly Black woman in charge of her life and those around her. She is often my hero (chuckle), for who hasn't thought at one time or another to be a pistol-packin' mama or to order our kids into submission! I laugh every time I think about it. What made this book exceptional and a must listen rather than reading the hard copy, is that Tyler Perry narrates the book himself with his ever-familiar voice of Madea. This book starts as a memoir of Madea's life that shocked and thrilled me for it's hillarity. My niece and I both listened at the same time, just to call each other and laugh hysterically at each and every account conveyed by Madea. The book leads to advise for the reader on such things as child-rearing, visiters, and money. Every page is a surprise. Tyler can shock even those of us with the sickest sense of humor. I even have to continually laugh at Madea's mispronunciation of words and her critiques on how people misspeak the English language. TOOOO Funnny!!!! I have read it twice already, and keep it on my MP3 player so I can get a quick laugh at any time I need it, for any place I listen in on is a gut buster. I loved this book!!!! What more can I say. I simply loved it! And I'm laughing once again at just the thought of it.

    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
  • Midnight Cab

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 56 mins)
    • By James Nichol
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    Overall
    (38)
    Performance
    (2)
    Story
    (1)

    A terrified 3-year-old boy is found clinging to a wire fence at the side of a country road. His mother had whispered to him to never let go, then she vanished. The only clue found by authorities as to the child's identity is a photograph of two summering teenage girls and a letter presumably written from one to the other.

    Mary says: "suspense, murderous insanity to the extreme"
    "Odd but Interesting"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I gave this book a four star rating because I thought it was good enough to keep my attention most of the time, and had an interesting premise, as a young man begins to find his roots. The twists and turns as the gentle main character searches for answers to his past were captivating and surprising with each turn. Sometimes I found myself not listening, as the story slowed down to a dull roar, but then it would pick back up again and grab me. The reader was pleasant and fit the tone of the mystery to be told.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview

    • NONE (53 mins)
    Overall
    (27)
    Performance
    (4)
    Story
    (4)

    This booklet on cancer discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor.

    Jeannie says: "Very informative."
    "Informative"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This excerpt was informative, but not much that I already didn't know. As a person with a recent cancer diagnosis, I thought the account was thorough, but I'm the type that does research immediately when I need to know something of importance. I will say that the short narrative would be great for someone to get an overview as they begin their road down the cancer highway.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Confederacy of Dunces

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 32 mins)
    • By John Kennedy Toole
    • Narrated By Barrett Whitener
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1444)
    Performance
    (500)
    Story
    (501)

    The hero of John Kennedy Toole's incomparable, Pulitzer Prize-winning comic classic is one Ignatius J. Reilly, "huge, obese, fractious, fastidious, a latter-day Gargantua, a Don Quixote of the French Quarter". His story bursts with wholly original characters, denizens of New Orleans' lower depths, incredibly true-to-life dialogue, and the zaniest series of high and low comic adventures.

    Jon says: "Well Done"
    "An Award Winner!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Absolutely fabulous! It is so sad to think we have lost such a great mind...that the author felt compelled to take his own life. What a great loss for the world, as he is brilliant in his writing. I was mesmorized from the first few minutes. The book easily captured me and held me hostage to the very end. The author's ability to build characters through constant dialogue as opposed to mere discriptions was pure genious. And the narrator with his stupendous ability to use different character voices lead me down the road where I believe the author wanted to take me. This book was all deserving of it's Pulitzer Prize. I just wish there was more from this author to devour. Truly a must read!!! I'm sure I will listen again and again.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • What Comes After Crazy

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 4 mins)
    • By Sandi Kahn Shelton
    • Narrated By Fran Tunno
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (59)
    Performance
    (5)
    Story
    (6)

    What Comes After Crazy is a warm, funny, poignant, and extremely real story about a woman who fights to stay true to herself, and to her two young children, after her husband has an affair and moves to the desert to "find himself".

    Cynthia says: "A great beach book!"
    "A big FAT ZERO"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    If this is romance...I don't want anything to do with it. And the insipid voice of the narrator trying to imitate male voices like a teenage boy...thinking he's "Oh...sooo kewl!" is just ridiculous. After 5 hours of listening I had to tear the headphones of my ears and scream NO MORE!!! There is one redeeming part of the book. The mother's narcisism was truly funny...and actually the sarcasm of the author could be used for better topics. This book was childish and innane. I have never given a book such a poor review. What a waste of half my day.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Born on a Blue Day: A Memoir

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 37 mins)
    • By Daniel Tammet
    • Narrated By Simon Vance
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (474)
    Performance
    (100)
    Story
    (103)

    One of the world's 50 living autistic savants is the first and only to tell his compelling and inspiring life story and explain how his incredible mind works. Worldwide, there are fewer than 50 living savants, those autistic individuals who can perform miraculous mental calculations or artistic feats. (Think Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man.) None of them has been able to discuss his or her thought processes, much less write a book. Until now.

    J. Cline says: "Ordinary Life Through Unordinary Eyes"
    "Enough Already!!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    OH my God!!! I only give this a 2 star rating just to give Daniel credit for this endeavor, but it was very dry. The only parts that were interesting were the parts about his childhood. At about the 3 hour mark I was ready to put it away, when I noticed on cable a documentary about him, and I thought, how ironic that I am listening to his book when his story came on TV. I enjoyed the television event, and that would have been enough for me. He does describe much of the events from the program in this book, but he drones on and on. I did enjoy his personality and demeanor on television and really wish he had narrated his own book. Perhaps it would have been more enjoyable. The narrator spoke with such a high British accent, that it just didn't sound like a 28 year old man. This all added to the boredom. Although I understand the attention to detail for persons with autistic disorders, there was just too much in this book. If anyone wants a great read about someone with Asperger's try reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I just listened to it yesterday, and laughed the whole way through. Maybe that was the cause of my disappointed with this book.

    11 of 18 people found this review helpful

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