Despite what you may have heard, don't expect "America the Beautiful" to start playing in your head when you open the box.
926917
There's not much to say.  I've no idea where all these glowing reviews are coming from.  It's a small eagle plush toy.  It seems reasonably well made and looks exactly like the picture.
2229841
Sometimes in America, we don't think about what other countries who were in the thick of the wars experienced. This story brings that home.
2506464
This just might be everyting you like in a package you passed over 22 times.  Start to finish is how NEW YORK is ment to be heard;  not as party music, or backround noise, but as an auditory hallucination of life and times and sights and colors(as drab as it may seem) of a city, a musician, or more over, someone with something to say and nobody to listen.....
932113
The last few weeks as I have been driving around America I have been listening to this album and finding it pleasantly quirky - echos of Kate Bush in places ("I can't see New York" in particular). Much more enjoyable than the samples I have listened to before, I've not been a fan. Her diction is pretty curious though and I'd not been able to dig into the words very much, and her web site had few insights. As I've explored the lyrics, I have gradually realised there's more going on than meets the eye. The reviewer at Rolling Stone doesn't get it - clearly didn't have time to dig. He's missed the spiritual unity of the album, listening only to the melodies. But one of the comments to his review has caught the drift: "This CD contains the most intelligent, complicated, subtle, and artistic post-9/11 reflection on America that I have encountered."
Returning to the lyrics with that insight, suddenly the layers underneath the widely-reviewed obvious clicked into focus and it's all there - the confused ghostly voice in 'I can't see New York', lost friends and innocence in 'gold dust', and more. An interview on VH-1 (see my weblog for links to external sources) gave more pointers - even the porn star "Amber Waves" is a metaphor for the fallen grace of the nation. If all you hear is the single ("a sorta fairytale" - which has a firefly glimmer to it) you may think it's a loved-and-lost album like the other reviewers.
As I listen I am caught up more and more in the album - an exploration of the spirit of the nation of America, of the emotions and experiences following September 11, 2001. This is the first work to come out of that event that leaves me with insight into the people and the place rather than with a sense of a person scrabbling to build a response and coming up instead with misplaced patriotism or a warmongering rage. Listen carefully to "Scarlet's Walk" and in amongst the strangeness you may hear, as I have, the outline of a soul's response to 9/11.
(I recommend the regular edition of this CD rather than this 'Limited Edition' by the way - the extras are relatively low value and the box used is flimsy)
3980018
I'm a LIFE long fan of America. I love Dan Peek's tenure in America. I bought, read and ENJOYED his book about his time in America. That said, this greatest hits collection INDEED sounds as if it was worked on, remastered or tampered with. The songs sound really different and I can only figure that the songs must have been REMIXED as they were remastered. Yes, re-mixing of vocals, guitars, drums,  is part of any REMASTERED recording. I think this recording sounds UNIQUE. I don't know if I like it or not. It's just a very DIFFERENT sound as produced on this recording. Beware. The old songs sound a lot different.
815090
This isn't a book about Donald Trump. Don't go into it thinking that because you'll be sorely disappointed if that's what you're looking for. Instead, it's a memoir. A fascinating memoir about 16-year-old teenager and his little brother who were robbed in their home at gunpoint, a young prosecutor learning about the mob from actual mob bosses, and an imperfect man who rose to the ranks of FBI Director only to see it all end through the actions of a bully. All three of these men are James Comey. If you read this book, read it as a memoir - just as you would read any other memoir written by someone with a fascinating past and a relevant present.

I like the way Comey writes; it's obvious he is including details to put the reader in a setting - to help the reader visualize. I don't get the feeling he's sanctimonious, as the talking heads on TV claim. I also think that Comey's October surprise announcement that the FBI was reopening the case into Hillary's emails was a mistake. A mistake, but not a reason to hate the man or discount his service. But, that's not really why I read the book. I too have been a public servant, as is my spouse, and I wanted some encouragement and inspiration during a time when it seems like the world is out to get anyone in government service, no matter now mundane and non-political that service truly can be. I don't think people really understand Comey - and for those who don't want to simply pass judgement without due diligence, this book is a great way to understand him.

Honestly, I wept when I read it. Many times. I thought it was beautifully, yet simply written and I thought it was honest. Sometimes you just gotta stop listening to all of the sound bites and sit down and read the damn book yourself. In this case, I'm so glad I did.

Thank you, Mr. Comey, for your service to our country and for a really, really good read.
3307885
It's clear from the reviews that this movie doesn't appeal to everyone. There were moments in the film when the surrealism seemed to be nothing more than a gimmick. There were moments when it seemed that the film was trying to imitate Amelie. Overall, though, I think that the movie benefits from the surrealism --- the story might have been less interesting without it. Certainly, it adds an element of unpredictability.
I might have given the film 4 stars, had it not been for Audrey Tautou. It is impossible for me to be objective about her. My favorite movie star.
The subtitles are terrible. They are white, and frequently displayed on a white background, Often, you are only able to see the top half of the letters. It's hard to imagine that someone in production decided to release the movie this way. The film should be presented in widescreen
format, with the subtitles below on the black.
My purchase included an extended edition of the movie. I watched it last night and began to read the book, and I appreciate the movie more, now. I'm more convinced that the movie is worthy of the five stars. I think that my mind was better prepared for the unusual presentation,
and, thus, more open to the story. Maybe love is a little surreal. I have seen a few of these actors in other movies with Audrey Tautou,
and I enjoyed their performances here. My criticism of the subtitles still stands, but I will add that the soundtrack is really nice, and adds
a lot to the movie.
3694138
Although I don't see this as a coming event of a biblical future it moves you along in a strange sort of parallel with the word provided there in.
116155
Yeah, I know. I was skeptical when I first spied the cover of this disc. Visions of Felix Unger doing the "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar" song bumrushed my consciousness.
The fact is, not only can Robert Mitchum sing  (his prior vocal effort "Thunder Road" is included here), he can  really swing out with that calypso beat. If you can listen to "Jean  and Dinah" and "Tick, Tick Tick" (my two personal favorites)  without bouncing around the room, take your pulse -- you might not be  alive!
This may look like a novelty item to the uninitiated, but there  is not a bad song on this very entertaining album.
1617232
Not exactly horror, Shirley Jackson delves into an unsettling world where nothing is quite what it seems to be.  2 of the tales "After You, My Dear Alphonse & The Flower Garden" comment on racial stereotypes in America in a very unusual way, and in my opinion, should be presented in the classroom as often as the more famous story "The Lottery."  I am not going to reveal the  plot details of any of the stories any further. Leave it to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and considered it money well spent.
4311711
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5 STARS.

When I first heard about this book, I was really excited. It promised to be a unique and fascinating read with a vibrant and distinct narrator, as well as a reflection on mental illness. When I found it at my library, I snatched it right up.

Only, I feel like this book isn't all it claims to be. Its marketed as this deep, introspective road trip novel thatll make you ask big, deep (probably going to be using that word a lot here, folks) questions about life and the way it works. But I don't think its that. I think this is a book that tries a little too hard to be introspective and deep, and, as a result, it isn't as spectacular as it could have been if it didn't try so hard.

Dont get me wrongthis is an entertaining story. Mim certainly has a unique personality, and its often entertaining to see things from her point of view. Shes hurt and confused because shes unsure of who she isbecause everyone else is unsure of who she isand, when she finds out the only person who really understands her is not well, she sets out on a journey to find that person.

I can sympathize with that; I really can. I know what its like to be judged based off of people like you, even though you're being compared to someone who ISN'T you when you're being judged. I know what its like to wonder if your thoughts are yours, or if they're your mental illnesss. Sometimes its hard to know whether its you talking, or your brain, and its scary not always being able to distinguish the line between the two. Mim wants to be loved and understood, and her father not only doesnt understand her; he fears who she might become based on who Mims aunt Isobel became. Theres a part of her that genuinely believes shes unlovable because of who she is as a person, and, regardless of whether or not thats true, its certainly relatable. For me, at least.

But, sometimes, Mims narration seemed to include a jumble of big words just for the sake of sounding cool and special. Only, it didnt; it sounded pretentious, and there were some moments I found myself sighing because it felt like Arnold wrote certain lines to sound quote-worthy rather than tell a story. And, while thats nice, it felt like he was trying too hard sometimes.

Also, Mim makes some pretty questionable decisions (besides going on a spontaneous, cross-country roadtrip by herself). She puts her trust in several people she doesnt know, and I found it hard to justify her decisions when I was wary about them in the first place. These people turned out to be trustworthy, thank God, but I didn't think it was smart of her to trust them so easily. (Also, though I like Beck, I feel like wasn't a very fleshed-out character, and I found it highly unrealistic that he would be so willing to help Mim in her quest.)

There were a few parts of the story where I was confused by what was going on, and I wasn't sure whether to attribute that to Mims mental illness (which isn't really addressedDoes she or doesnt she have mental illness? Shes certainly unique, but that doesnt necessarily mean she suffers from mental illness.) or to poor narration. At some points, it kind of feels like the story meanders aimlessly, which made it difficult for me to get through the second third of the book.

Yet the plot twist about Mims mother was clever, as was the twist about the identity of the addressee of Mims letters. I honestly didn't see either of those coming, and the latter made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. (And that last scene with Mims mom? It was so touching, I almost added another half-star.)

So, overall, I know it sounds like I didn't like this book, but I did. It just wasn't what I expected. Mosquitoland was kind of like Mim herself: a little messy, unpredictable, unsure, fascinating, and equal parts foolish- and clever-sounding. For the most part, its a hopeful, well-written book with heart and a fighting spirit, but, in trying too hard to be unique, it loses some of its novelty. Id say give it a go, but only if you can stomach John Greens and David Levithans writing styles.
107550
Interesting look into a sub culture in the U.S. that is probably unknown to many citizens outside the region in which the author was raised.  One distinct takeaway from the book was that "escape" from this sort of class cycle is possible.  America is still The Land of Opportunity.  Poverty, and it's family members, crime, drug abuse, domestic violence, illegitimacy, ignorance, are not a life sentence.
1564397
"American Beauty" is being interpreted as a film about appearances but I believe it is more than that.  Suburbia has been satirized for decades but this film has captured America's attention more  than those other films.  The people who have found it shallow have offered  shallow interpretations--"the perfect family from the outside is  dysfunctional when subjected to scrutiny."  Also, reviewers proffer  that the film is a morality lesson telling us that pursuit of material  possessions is empty and cannot provide happiness.  Yes, yes, but these are  truisms and there has to be more to "American Beauty" than  this.
I think "American Beauty" is a filmic version of U2's  album "Achtung Baby."  To me it says this:  People who are  obsessed with the way things look rather than what they are fail to  perceive truth and beauty.  The boy next door epitomizes the search for  reality, and the film is about Lester's evolution in that direction.  The  less effort he expends in creating an illusion, the more acute his  discernment of reality--and with that growing discernment comes the  revelation that reality is far more emotional than the illusions we  construct to represent reality.  Thus, the object of his desires, when  viewed through Lester's evolved eyes, ceases to be a symbol of seduction  and becomes what she is, a frightened child.
"American Beauty"  is a wonderful film.  Best of the year?  I don't know.  I preferred  "Eyes Wide Shut," which deals with the exact same themes.
4668073
The best and worst thing about an audiobook is that the narration very much affects your enjoyment of the book. And the best and worst thing about a review of an audiobook is that it very much takes the narration into account when discussing the book. Some books are only made better by great narration. Sadly, my experience has been that this is rare. Usually the best an audiobook can hope for is to not ruin the book for the listener with narration that is uneven, filled with weird accent choices, delivered too fast or too slow, read at an odd pitch, or just otherwise odd. This, in my experience, is far too common.

Take, for example, the case of Sinatra and Me: The Very Good Years, by Tony Consiglio and Franz Douskey. It's plenty interesting. It's a memoir of Sinatra's life as told by one of his oldest and closest friends, Tony Consiglio. It's also an audiobook narrated by Norman Dietz. It's the last bit that's the problem.

There's a fine line between bringing a story to life by imitating the voice and cadence of the author (or the subject), and turning your narration into a stereotyped-filled caricature. Actually it's not that fine a line. I felt like I was listening to Jackie Mason as Rabbi Krustofski from The Simpsons.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this audiobook free from Tantor Media through Edelweiss. I was asked to write an honest review, though not necessarily a favourable one. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
3797936
I know everyone won't except or believe what is in this book but if you have an open mind and heart you may find that it rings true. See for yourself!
4081206
Looking at ourselves from a different perspective is always eye-opening. Rather than  pat ourselves on the back perhaps we need to take a deep look at what it is to be an American.
113047
You aren't going to be blown away by the depth of the plot, subtlety of the characters, or complexity of the universe. But you will be entertained.