SionnachOghma

"Didn't like the ending"

Revisado: 08-23-22

For most of its runtime, It was well on its way to being an all-time favourite of mine. But the bizarre finale, with the turtle and the inexplicable child orgy kind of put a dampener on that. Still, it was for the most part excellent; frightening and disturbing, well-performed and with a core cast of characters I was rooting for throughout.

I've heard that all the weird cosmology, the turtle etc, are part of a shared universe among King titles, and I guess I understand him wanting to include some of that connective tissue, but it didn't really add anything here, and the scene with Bev and all the boys in during their attempt to escape the tunnels is just wrong. Both detracted in a big way from what otherwise was an amazing story.

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Concerning flights of fancy

Revisado: 02-26-22

Wonderfully written and beautifully read, Isaacson and Molina delve into every discernible aspect of a life so rich and varied that it might seem like they're describing ten men of incredible intellect and imagination. Where previous biographers and other academics are dismissive and scornful of the frequent detours taken by Leonardo's mind, Isaacson sees the value in all of it, even when no practical value ever materialised.

To box Leonardo in and describe him as either a painter, an architect, or an engineer dismisses a lifetime characterised by an insatiable desire to know EVERYTHING, and Isaacson steadfastly refused to do so, poring over the varied career, the meandering notebooks, and the mountains of unfinished yet still brilliant treatises, paintings, sculptures and more, with a relish and curiousity I imagine Leonardo himself would have appreciated, describing a musician and a poet, an experimental scientist, a mathematician who refused to be hobbled by his difficulty with numbers, and above all a fanciful dreamer. Leonardo was all of these things and many more, and Isaacson encourages us that we should all strive to be as curious and 'distracted' as Leonardo da Vinci.

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Titanic Throwdown Threatening

Revisado: 07-15-20

I enjoyed the latest Dresden Files so much I couldn't even be angry about the cliffhanger ending - though I'd probably feel different if the next entry was more than a few months away.

An attempt to forge peace between the ascendant Fomor and other signatories of the Unseelie Accords was never going to be a simple thing, but thanks to blackmail, dirty dealing and the ceaseless idiocy of the White Council, even Harry soon finds himself surprised by how dire the situation becomes. Add to that the return of a power-hungry, bloodthirsty major player that nobody was expecting, and the board is being set for not only a battle, but a war like the supernatural world has never seen, against more than one foe they never thought to face.

A lot of questions are asked and left unanswered for the time being, but the arrival of the latest Big Bad hints at answers to questions readers have been asking for some time. Are we finally starting to see the power behind the Black Council? What exactly does being "starborn" mean for Harry in the coming conflict? Is Karrin Murphy finally starting to grow on me?

The Dresden Files has been my favourite series for a long time, and James Marsters' reading is among my favourites, right up there with Stephen Fry. I can't wait so see what happens next. Thankfully I won't have to wait too long.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Excellent content, narration could be better.

Revisado: 10-08-15

As a primer for science, Science Matters is excellent; very little jargon, and concise explanations every subject discussed. You can take it as a whole, or as separate essays on the fundamental topics of science.

The narration was by no means awful, but having experienced one of the authors (Robert M. Hazen) give some very lively performances on his Great Courses lectures, 'The Joy of Science' and 'The Origin and Evolution of Earth', I would have preferred to have him do the reading here. Fred Sanders was a little on the dry side, and his pronunciations were sometimes very strange.

Despite the not-quite-invigorating narration, I'd definitely recommend Science Matters, and I'll add that the actual book is well worth having on your shelf.

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Pretty Great Bulls***

Revisado: 09-03-15

Where does God, No! rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favourites.

What did you like best about this story?

Rather than attempt a treatise on atheism versus theism, Penn treats listeners to a hilarious and moving collection of personal anecdotal stories from one atheists perspective. He's never condescending, and always easy to relate to, no matter how insane the stories themselves are.

What about Penn Jillette’s performance did you like?

Penn's reading is every bit as outrageous as his stories, and suck you right in. It's like a 'Bullshit!' marathon. He doesn't just get a little sharp when he's angry, he comes close to hulking out. When he's sad or overjoyed, so are you. It's a rare reader than can convey even his own work with such consistent power.

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Does Exactly What it Says on the Tin

Revisado: 07-08-15

If you could sum up Why There Is No God in three words, what would they be?

Clear, concise, thorough

What was one of the most memorable moments of Why There Is No God?

Armin's story; a frightening cautionary tale of how religion can poison a young mind, and a powerful reminder of why subjecting children to such doctrines is nothing less than child abuse.

Which scene was your favorite?

Teapots, dragons and unicorns.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The narrator seemed to be in a bit of a rush. It's a short enough book on it's own, no need to power through it.

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