Ellen H. Anderson

Ave et Vale

Revisado: 12-11-15

I think that means 'hail and farewell.'
How wonderful that Ms Rendell was still at the height of her powers at the end of her life!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Surprisingly good and highly recommended

Revisado: 12-06-14

I have been reading John Mauldin's letters since at least 2006 and I have thought him to be a pleasant fellow offering a service to people who can't afford to pay to subscribe to expensive newsletters. He also shares information about his life with his large family and I feel that I know him a bit. Seem a very nice guy who does not come out of the academic world.

This book was a really pleasant surprise. It was really well written in very ordinary English and also very well read. I might recommend starting with the last couple of chapters.

I am familiar with the issues so perhaps others might find that the reading was a bit too fast. But John Mauldin understands thermodynamics and has read his history. This book sets out our political/economic problems in terrifying simplicity. Wow - really good!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

As Good as Daemon?

Revisado: 07-08-13

I do think that this book was almost as good as Daemon - in fact, maybe just as good. And Daemon is one of my all time favorites. The story is especially timely as we hear about all of the snooping and spying that is going on around the world.

The protagonist this time is a woman and she is portrayed as a person. There are not endless descriptions of her appearance with the man drooling over her. In fact, I think there is more discussion of the lead man's appearance than of hers.

The weaving of interesting science into the action is as well done as it was in Daemon. I am interested in insects so I found that part to be a lot of fun.

The ending was fine but leads me to believe there will be a sequel.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Even Better than The Demon Under the Microscope

Revisado: 06-10-13

This book has changed my life because it has finally made me understand the perils that lie ahead of us as we try to feed ourselves after oil gets harder to produce. Hager is just a genius.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Amazing "Must Read" Tale of (In)Justice in America

Revisado: 10-15-11

There will come a time when we look back at the sex registry as a shameful period in American history similar to the Salem Witch Trials and the Puritanism of the 'Scarlet Letter.'
I have been waiting for someone to write this book and Russell Banks has done it.

It is the story of the 21st century's Huck Finn - tortured by a system he can't understand and sentenced to a lifetime of excommunication from society. The really terrific thing about this book is that it is not didactic or preachy. It is lyrical and funny and a wonderful yarn.

Everyone who has had anything to do with someone on a sex registry will want to read this. This includes perpetrators and victims. If you haven't and you want to know what it is like, read this book. If you just want to hear a great story read this book!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

Another Disappointing Narration

Revisado: 01-24-10

Before writing this review I looked over what others have written. I concur with the numerous negative comments on Ms Kingsolver's narration of this story. The only reason I am writing this review is to point out that she has always narrated her own books. In the past her gentle, new-age voice has been appropriate. It was perfect for Prodigal Summer and was part of that book's charm for me. In this case is was just dreadful. I think that the book was good enough that someone should re-record it.
The only other negative comment I have is that it was a bit didactic. Sometimes it stopped being a story and turned into a straight-up history lecture. I happen to be very familiar with the events of this era having lived through them in a conscious state. Otherwise I might have found them as shocking as did Ms Kingsolver. The three stars I have given this book is for its content. The narration is -1.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

More than a Memoir

Revisado: 01-16-10

I bought this book, started it and then put it aside for more than a year. Why? I guess it started out to be one of those "heartwarming" coming-of-age books and I wasn't in the mood. I came back to it by accident and was drawn in by the horrors and wonders of life in New York's Lower East Side just before WWII. The dialogue is convincing, the narration is wonderful and the emergence of the character of the mother, Lil, is astonishing.
The author died at the age of 80 just after finishing the final revisions of this book - her first novel. It is a shame that there won't be a second.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Dreadful Narration, Just Dreadful

Revisado: 12-22-09

It has never occurred to me to try to get my money back but this narration is intolerable. I am going to delete the book from my library and write to audible to ask for a refund. I am going to be so careful from now on not to listen to anything read by Scott Brick. Anyone considering this book should listen to a preview. He can't do accents, he can't do women, it is impossible to keep the characters straight. It is like listening to a really bad preacher, that sort of whiny tone. .

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Disgraceful

Revisado: 11-26-09

IMHO here should be a warning alert for books that feature whining rapists and the death of dogs. I don't care how beautifully this story is written I don't want to hear it. If you don't mind, then this book is for you! I am going to explore other books by this author because it is stunningly well written. It relies for its impact upon subjects that I do not wish to consider.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

More Than Just a Great Story

Revisado: 02-13-09

Daemon is a very political tale in the tradition of 1984. All of the reviews I have read miss this point. The ending is extremely appropriate viewed in this light and the story is particularly relevant in the light of our current social/political/economic turmoil. I can see this as a Hollywood movie that would be filled with gratuitous violence and miss the true message. This is a really really good book and lots of fun as well.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 5 personas