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buffaloboy

Computer Consultant

Buffalo, NY | Member Since 2003

42
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 10 reviews
  • 119 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 14 purchased in 2013
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FOLLOWERS
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  • The Tyranny of Clichés: How Liberals Cheat in the War of Ideas

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 10 mins)
    • By Jonah Goldberg
    • Narrated By Jonah Goldberg
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (193)
    Performance
    (170)
    Story
    (168)

    According to Goldberg, if the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist, the greatest trick liberals ever pulled was convincing themselves they’re not ideological. Today “objective” journalists and academics and “moderate” politicians peddle some of the most radical arguments by hiding them in homespun aphorisms.

    Christopher says: "Thought provoking and funny"
    "Worthwhile for both liberals and conservatives"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    If you are a regular reader of Jonah Goldberg's work for National Review (as I am), there isn't a lot in here that you've never heard before. But it is all collected in one place and nicely bound up with a bow.

    I wouldn't call it an anti-liberal screed, which some books by conservative authors have an unfortunate tendency to become, so I feel comfortable recommending it to non-conservatives as well as true believers. If you're a liberal and take this author's comments to heart, even if they don't convert you to The Right Side of History (TM) you'll at least be able to give a better argument than just spouting a cliche and thinking you've won the College Bowl of argumentation.

    As a narrator, Jonah did a good job, with only one problem - when he's giving an aside, he drops his voice to a nearly inaudible murmur - so when driving, those parts get lost. Fix that and I'd give him 5 stars for narration.

    7 of 8 people found this review helpful
  • The Complete Stories of Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1

    • UNABRIDGED (20 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
    • Narrated By Charlton Griffin
    Overall
    (2031)
    Performance
    (1227)
    Story
    (1231)

    First appearing in print in 1890, the character of Sherlock Holmes has now become synonymous worldwide with the concept of a super sleuth. His creator, Conan Doyle, imbued his detective hero with intellectual power, acute observational abilities, a penchant for deductive reasoning and a highly educated use of forensic skills. Indeed, Doyle created the first fictional private detective who used what we now recognize as modern scientific investigative techniques.

    David says: "mouth watering"
    "Even my wife and kids liked it"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    listened to this on the way back from Disney - usually my wife and kids aren't into audio books - but this one captured their interest. I've never read Sherlock Holmes so this was a treat for me. On to volume 2!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Washington's Crossing

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 13 mins)
    • By David Hackett Fischer
    • Narrated By Nelson Runger
    Overall
    (517)
    Performance
    (158)
    Story
    (154)

    This New York Times best seller is a thrilling account of one of the most pivotal moments in United States history. Six months after the Declaration of Independence, America was nearly defeated. Then on Christmas night, George Washington led his men across the Delaware River to destroy the Hessians at Trenton. A week later Americans held off a counterattack, and in a brilliant tactical move, Washington crept behind the British army to win another victory. The momentum had reversed.

    William says: "Particularly Good Military History"
    "A riveting historic tale"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    One of my very favorite audio books (and I've listened to over 200), this is an amazingly vivid portrayal of a very critical time in our nation's history. The hardships endured by those early soldiers were truly extraordinary. It was very hard to ever turn off the car on this one. I could easily listen to it in one sitting. You simply must listen to this one if you have any interest at all in the Revolutionary War.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • John Quincy Adams

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Robert V. Remini
    • Narrated By Ira Claffey
    Overall
    (28)
    Performance
    (6)
    Story
    (6)

    While John Quincy Adams' natural tendencies were toward a contemplative life filled with art and literature, his path was predestined - the law and then public service. It is no wonder that later, as a grown man, accomplished and admired, he was spoken of as cold and austere, even misanthropic.

    buffaloboy says: "Average President, but extraordinary man"
    "Average President, but extraordinary man"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    John Quincy Adams did not have one of the great Presidencies, eventually giving way to Andrew Jackson. But he lived an extraordinary life, from witnessing the Battle of Bunker Hill as a child, to serving as ambassador to Russia, to time as Secretary of State and later President, then back to the US House of Representatives (one of very few Presidents to ever return to Congress after leaving the White House), to his famous representation of the slaves who revolted on the Amistad. This is a medium length introduction to this former President and does a good job of covering all the bases.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 22 mins)
    • By Joseph J. Ellis
    • Narrated By Nelson Runger
    Overall
    (567)
    Performance
    (130)
    Story
    (123)

    A New York Times best seller, Founding Brothers is an engrossing work of nonfiction from National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph J. Ellis. It is a book that uncovers the substance behind many of our most cherished historical tales. Here are six fascinating, well-researched chapters involving such icons as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

    Vernon says: "Remarkably moving book"
    "At times riveting, but always interesting"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I found the first vignette, regarding the duel between Hamilton and Burr, to be absolutely riveting. Likewise the last vignette, on the friendship that Adams and Jefferson eventually developed once they got over despising each other over the election of 1800, was very moving. The other four stories are also interesting in their own right, but didn???t hold the same intensity for me. But the whole thing is well written and well narrated. You won???t regret listening to this one.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Catching Fire: Hunger Games, Book 2

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (22385)
    Performance
    (16193)
    Story
    (16263)

    Katniss Everdeen continues to struggle to protect herself and her family from the Capitol in this second novel from the best-selling Hunger Games trilogy.

    Brandy Chaney says: "Even better the second time..."
    "The best book of the three"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    For me, the thing that made the first book so tough to take was the seeming passivity of the oppressed districts in accepting their totally unacceptable situation. By showing that there was at least the flickering of rebellion, this book at least gave some hope for a better future, even if there would be an obvious and devastating cost to be paid before reaching that better future.

    Just like the first book, this one is fast paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. It continues to offer many challenging themes and do so in a way that tries to be moral, which I greatly appreciate. There were plenty of times it was hard to turn off the car. Very well done.

    3 of 4 people found this review helpful
  • The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28087)
    Performance
    (19750)
    Story
    (20044)

    Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

    Teddy says: "The Book Deserves The Hype"
    "A worthy start to the trilogy"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I had to either read or listen to this in preparation for taking my kids to the midnight premier (the first midnight premier I or either of them ever attended). They were beside themselves with anticipation heading into the opening of the movie.

    As a parent, the premise of the story is pretty hard to get past ??? the idea of children being pointlessly sacrificed is really hard to take. I kept wanting to scream at the people ???Why don???t you rebel! We are Americans! We would never acquiesce to this!??? But it was one thing for us to revolt against Jolly King George, and quite another to throw off a modern totalitarian state ??? think of being a rebel in North Korea, where any protest not only puts you in the gulag, but your entire family, and you can better understand how a people might find a way to endure this difficult life as the least bad choice available to them.

    One of the most interesting aspects of the trilogy is that it is in many ways apolitical ??? you can find themes that will both please and trouble both liberals and conservatives. And doing that in a book that holds the attention of teenagers is uncommon indeed.

    I found the narrator to be quite effective. My one daughter, who only listened to snippets with me in the car, did not like her at all though. So your mileage may vary there. Of course, since I had never read the book and she had, I had not developed any pre-conceived idea of how the narrator "should" sound.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Atlas Shrugged

    • ABRIDGED (11 hrs and 33 mins)
    • By Ayn Rand
    • Narrated By Edward Herrmann
    Overall
    (667)
    Performance
    (243)
    Story
    (235)

    As passionate as it is profound, Atlas Shrugged is one of the most influential novels of our time. In it, Rand dramatizes the main tenets of Objectivism, her philosophy of rational selfishness. She explores the ramifications of her radical thinking in a world that penalizes human intelligence and integrity.

    Shawn says: "Edward Hermann's masterful performance."
    "A very good listen, although hardly life-changing"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you consider the audio edition of Atlas Shrugged to be better than the print version?

    This abridgement is a very good listen, and holds your interest throughout. I have not read or listened to the full version ??? 55+ hours is more than I can usually devote to one book. Ayn Rand makes many valid points, but unfortunately has a love for the straw man and painting people with extreme caricature who do not live up to her ideal. While I heartily recommend this to anyone, if for no other reason than to gain familiarity with what is a very popular book, I would certainly not call it life-changing, nor would I ever want to see a society built exclusively on Randian principles.


    What did you like best about this story?

    There are many times when it was hard to turn off the car and leave the book for a while


    Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    yes - he was just as excellent reading John Adams as he was here


    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Going Rogue: An American Life

    • ABRIDGED (7 hrs and 17 mins)
    • By Sarah Palin
    • Narrated By Sarah Palin
    Overall
    (716)
    Performance
    (113)
    Story
    (116)

    In this eagerly anticipated memoir, Palin paints an intimate portrait of growing up in the wilds of Alaska; meeting her lifelong love; her decision to enter politics; the importance of faith and family; and the unique joys and trials of life as a high-profile working mother. She also opens up for the first time about the 2008 presidential race, providing a rare, mom's-eye view of high-stakes national politics - from patriots dedicated to "Country First" to slick politicos bent on winning at any cost.

    Mike & Jan Geihsler says: "Needed unabridged"
    "Very much worth a listen"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm a moderate Republican (one of the last five in America), and I've been very impressed with Sarah Palin ever since her nomination as VP (well, except for the Katie Couric interview, which she herself admits went poorly). If you listen to this book with an open mind, I don't see how you can help liking her personally. Maybe it won't convince you to vote for her, but it should put to rest the more silly accusations leveled against her. Highlights of the book include her touching story of Trig's birth, and background info on the campaign (and I find her account of the campaign far more credible than those of her accusers, if for no other reason than she goes on the record, while the accusers all hide behind anonymity).

    9 of 20 people found this review helpful
  • An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America

    • ABRIDGED (7 hrs and 20 mins)
    • By Henry Wiencek
    • Narrated By Rick Adamson
    Overall
    (27)
    Performance
    (4)
    Story
    (4)

    Washington was born and raised among blacks and mixed-race people; he and his wife had blood ties to the slave community. Yet as a young man he bought and sold slaves without scruple, even raffled off children to collect debts (an incident ignored by earlier biographers). Then, on the Revolutionary battlefields where he commanded both black and white troops, Washington's attitudes began to change.

    buffaloboy says: "Excellent handling of one part of Wahington's life"
    "Excellent handling of one part of Wahington's life"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Focuses heavily on Washington and slavery, and to a much less extent on other aspects of his life. If this is your first biography of Washington, you would probably also benefit from a more conventional bio of him. But if you have already read other biographies of Washington, you still need to read this book for a fascinating and balanced look at the complexities of slavery, blacks serving (with distinction) in the Continental Army, and the idealism (or lack thereof) of many of our founding fathers.

    18 of 18 people found this review helpful

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