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R. Hackett

virtue

ratings
6
REVIEWS
5
FOLLOWING
0
FOLLOWERS
0
HELPFUL VOTES
7

  • The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail - but Some Don't

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 43 mins)
    • By Nate Silver
    • Narrated By Mike Chamberlain
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1010)
    Performance
    (848)
    Story
    (849)

    Nate Silver built an innovative system for predicting baseball performance, predicted the 2008 election within a hair’s breadth, and became a national sensation as a blogger - all by the time he was 30. The New York Times now publishes FiveThirtyEight.com, where Silver is one of the nation’s most influential political forecasters. Drawing on his own groundbreaking work, Silver examines the world of prediction, investigating how we can distinguish a true signal from a universe of noisy data.

    Grant says: "Hot"
    "Not really anything new."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you like best about The Signal and the Noise? What did you like least?

    It was clear and generally well presented (accessible to a wide audience). I was well aware that people generally are not good at making predictions, relying too heavily on their heuristics and biases (e.g. failure to use prior probabilities as called for by Bayesian statistics); and the importance of putting "band widths" around probability estimates. I also thought that much too much text was devoted to each of the major topics covered (e.g. weather forecasting, political forecasts, economic forecasts, picking stocks, gambling/poker strategies, etc.). These sections could have been considerably shorter.


    What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

    "Is that all there is?"


    Which character – as performed by Mike Chamberlain – was your favorite?

    N/A


    Could you see The Signal and the Noise being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

    No


    Any additional comments?

    Generally disappointing, in that it did not expand my knowledge -- though I don't fault the book, as I've read widely in this area.

    5 of 6 people found this review helpful
  • The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology

    • UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 36 mins)
    • By Robert Wright
    • Narrated By Greg Thornton
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (407)
    Performance
    (276)
    Story
    (281)

    Are men literally born to cheat? Does monogamy actually serve women's interests? These are among the questions that have made The Moral Animal one of the most provocative science books in recent years. Wright unveils the genetic strategies behind everything from our sexual preferences to our office politics - as well as their implications for our moral codes and public policies.

    Darwin8u says: "A Masterpiece of Science Writing"
    "Rather dry and academic read"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you like best about The Moral Animal? What did you like least?

    It reinforced my knowledge in this area.


    Would you be willing to try another book from Robert Wright? Why or why not?

    Not really, as I found this book rather "dry" and academic.


    What do you think the narrator could have done better?

    The narrator was fine, but I did not care much for the content of the book itself (I did not feel as though I learned anything new). I recommend reading "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion" by Jonathan Haidt. He covers much the same "territory", but in a much more engaging way, drawing on contemporary events and situations. Moreover, Haidt offers compelling support for the concept of group selection, seemingly at odds with Robert Wright.


    Do you think The Moral Animal needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

    I don't see how there is a need for any follow up to this book.


    Any additional comments?

    I thought that the way the author drew inferences from a single case (Darwin's biography) to illustrate aspects of evolutionary psychology at work lessened the fields scientific credibility. Many of the inferences he drew from Darwin's life were too much of a stretch for me.

    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

    • UNABRIDGED (25 hrs and 13 mins)
    • By Stieg Larsson
    • Narrated By Saul Reichlin
    Overall
    (1373)
    Performance
    (642)
    Story
    (642)

    Lisbeth Salander lies in Intensive Care with a bullet lodged in her head. She will face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her release. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Salander is now ready to fight back.

    Olga says: "A Fabulous Finale"
    "Engaging and multi-faceted; not at all predictable"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest again? Why?

    No, there are so many other books I would like to read.


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

    Sure; this is not a predictable story, and many things are going on simultaneously.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    The court scene toward the end of the story when all unravels


    Any additional comments?

    The narration was truly superb.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • War Horse

    • ABRIDGED (3 hrs and 1 min)
    • By Michael Morpurgo
    • Narrated By Dan Stevens
    Overall
    (52)
    Performance
    (44)
    Story
    (43)

    At the outbreak of World War I, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home.

    Georgia Burns says: "Stevens brings adult sensibility to child's tale"
    "Truly engaging, emotionally and intellectually"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to War Horse again? Why?

    No, because there are so many other books on my list to "read".


    What other book might you compare War Horse to and why?

    Charlotte's web by E.B. White, as it brings you inside the mind and soul of a non-human entity (spider versus horse), and both stir the emotion while at the same time providing much" food for thought".


    Which character – as performed by Dan Stevens – was your favorite?

    Can't say. All characters extremely well portrayed.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    Oh no, I seldom have the time to listen to an entire book in one sitting; but this is a short book and would lend itself to listening in one sitting compared to many others.


    Any additional comments?

    I quite enjoyed this book. Very engaging emotionally and intellectually.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent
    • Narrated By Dean Gallagher
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2212)
    Performance
    (1574)
    Story
    (1608)

    When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

    Jill says: "Heaven is For Real"
    "Inspirational"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Is there anything you would change about this book?

    This story was engaging and inspirational, but I could not help but wonder to what extent biases may have been weaved into the facts and interpretations of the experiences purportedly shared by the child because his father was a pastor. The story is very simply told, and perhaps this has much to do with the success of the book.


    Would you be willing to try another book from Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent ? Why or why not?

    Not likely as I think he had a particularly engaging narrative to offer with this first book. I cannot imagine what he might take up as a follow-up book


    What does Dean Gallagher bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    Not sure. He did a fine job reading the book.


    What else would you have wanted to know about Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent ’s life?

    nothing


    Any additional comments?

    I enjoyed the book. A simple and inspirational narrative. Certainly gets one thinking about the "after life".

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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