Sam Green

Original, spellbinding performance

Revisado: 09-24-23

The unique performance gives this book tremendous force and beauty. The concept of a walking contest seems a terribly clever prophecy of reality television.

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Good but problematic

Revisado: 03-01-23

If you read the biography of Hall (titled Master of Mysteries) you will learn he fell short of his ideals. The book is a very poetic, and impressive, river of metaphors on what Freemsonry ought to be. The ideals are set so high they become unrealistic and very impractical. This is fine, the book is 100 years old after all, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. Big hat, little cowboy. That being said, this book offers valuable poetic insights into Freemasonry. So it is worth the time of those already in the order.

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Outstanding, in depth, original

Revisado: 04-03-21

These lectures are inspiring and well presented. I recommend them warmly to anyone even remotely interested in what being human is all about.

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A truely remarkable course

Revisado: 04-21-20

This course was extremely educatioal, funny, surprising and in its own way fun. I suggested it to a friend and will warmly suggest it to others if asked. The lecturer does a fantastic job of not just presenting the issues but thing them up. I recommend you listen to the lectures in order to fully appreciate them.

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It takes some getting used to, but it's great

Revisado: 03-14-20

At first I was a little put off by the outpouring of emotion by the author, who is also the narrator and the subject of one strand in the work as he is speaking about his personal loss and pain. However, once it dawned on me the work is composed out of TWO strands, one is the story of one family and how it had to deal with mental illness and suicide and the other about the history of crazy people, and caring for them, in England and the US - the work began to make a lot more sense.

Powers is an exceptionally good reader and I can understand why, in a work that is so personal, he takes pains for us to get a very decent idea of who his sons were before their mental illness [one had survived]. As a historian,he is skilled and well read and the information he presents the reader with can be very valuable. However, he covers so much ground and does so from a very humanistic world view which means that some of the knowledge is offset by a lack of perspective. For example, comparing pharmaceutical companies to crime lords is an apt comparison but needs a little more building for it to stick. Otherwise the book becomes not unlike a mental illness version of 'The People's History of the US' by Zinn - which might not be a bad way to describe the book.

There are points in the book I would have liked to know more, for example, why did he and his wife expect their children never drink at all, not even a drop, as opposed to a more moderate approach to drinking but in a very personal book it's not feasible to demand people reveal more of themselves than they are willing to give. We never learn why that rule was so important to him and his wife and we do get to hear a lot about how both sons were trained as musicians.

A good reason to listen to this book and not read it in print is that in this audio version one can hear the music made by his two sons, which adds depth and weight to his words.

However, this book is not for everybody and takes time to get into. So give yourself patience with this one and stick to it even you aren't exactly getting it by the end of the first 20 minutes. It is a worthy book and I would rec it to anyone with an interest in mental health.

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Reflections on a Phantom Brain Europe. Race, Art

Revisado: 02-21-20

This is a remarkable, and candid, lecture by Ishmael Reed about his own life and the part Malcolm X had in the shaping of it. Those seeking to learn about the historical Malcolm X might start here and find more information in other works, but for those seeking an insight into the unique power his positions held at one point in America and for black people this work is a must. Not only was Reed there, he is one of the best writers and poets around.

The audio book offers listeners a chance to hear him, giving the impression he is speaking to the person directly. This is a unique experience which gives the work a special sort of presence a written work would not have had.

"Do we posses a phantom brain that is shaped like the map of Europe?" he asks in one part, in another, he points out that to hold the view white people were created by a black scientist makes as much sense as claiming humans kept dinosaurs as pets. This compact work is never dull and it's a great thing audible produced it and made it available for free during black history month. Way to go!

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Outstanding, original, brilliant

Revisado: 11-11-19

This is on of the lighter courses I've taken at the Great Courses Series, but in the department of 'light' courses it is in a class of its own. Who among us isn't even a little bit curious about secret societies and 'the lords of humanity'? Well look no further, this amazing course is the real deal. Packing in almost all secret societies you might have heard of and a bunch more that were very real, and not a little scary (the Japanese Black Dragons for example).

I also enjoyed the clear delivery and personal anecdotes that the lecturer provided and only regret he didn't offer more lectures on the social context of secret orders. For example, do they respond to social tension and modern fears or try to hold to a tradition of sort? But that's really my own take. If you're in the mood for a delightful course that will keep you curious without wearing you out - this is the one.

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An honest look at immigration, emotional, funny

Revisado: 10-11-19

An honest, in depth look at immigration to the U.S. As it is today with some harsh truths thrown in for good measure. The work is well written with a compelling cast of fictional characters that are unique and flawed in very human ways. While the work is excellent it IS to some extent very liberal. I would enjoy more audible works along these lines dealing with the other side to the debate as well. Still an excellent production that will make you pause and reconsider.

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A first rate, original and poetic work

Revisado: 10-10-19

Even if you're familiar with end-of-the-world stories like 'Earth Abides' and 'The Stand' this work is like no other. It's tempting to call it Canadian as Canada and American-Canadian issues are a part of the work but that would be inexact. It's a powerful work about time, Shakespeare, music, and love. The crisp delivery of the voice actor makes this particular production a gem.

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Wise, funny, honest

Revisado: 10-05-19

In her unique way, Fisher allows us an intimate look (or at least, to believe we get that look, which is the same thing) into Holywood myth and pain. Her delivery is flawless, her language very American and lively, and you won't regret listening to it.

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