Maggie Magoo

Loved it when I read it years ago but not now

Revisado: 03-26-16

What would have made Tai-Pan better?

Better writing. Upon rereading discovered too many stereotypes and a predictable plot. The book hasn't changed, but I've come to expect more from the books I read.

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

I can't fault the narrator for this fiasco.

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Grim

Revisado: 11-18-15

What disappointed you about A Little Life?

After reading the glowing reviews, I was prepared for fine writing that transcended the subject matter. Some very sad stories are beautifully written they shouldn't be missed, but I didn't find it to be the case here. I gave up 1/4 through due to its unrelenting grimness, hearing about the guy cutting himself over and over and graphic descriptions of his resulting wounds.

Would you ever listen to anything by Hanya Yanagihara again?

No.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

No.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Well written, well-paced mystery

Revisado: 11-06-15

What did you love best about The Bequest?

This is the second mystery in a series that starts with "The Swap." I've listened to both. Boyarsky's writing is first-rate, and it's the quality writing I appreciate the most. Whether the setting is London (in The Swap) or L.A (in The Bequest), Boyarsky makes me feel like I'm there, and the characters are real. In addition to the twists and turns in the plot, I enjoyed the tension between tabloids and mainstream press that develops in the story and the scenes where Nicole is pursued by paparazzi. Jane Oppenheimer has done an excellent job reading both books. Her pace, inflections, and the voices used for various characters are perfect. I'll be looking for more books narrated by her.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

At last, a biography that captures Mark Twain's spirit

Revisado: 09-14-15

What did you love best about Mark Twain: Man in White?

I've read much by and about Twain, but I laughed out loud at Twain's comments more with this book than any other about him--even think it's better than Mark Twain's autobiographies. Perhaps I could have appreciated them more if I had read Michaell Sheldon's book first, since this book provides the back stories for Twain's autobiography.

What did you like best about this story?

One of the liveliest biographies I've ever read. It's as if I know what Mark Twain was really was like after reading this. Hated to finish this book because I knew his death was coming, and I'd miss him like an old friend.

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

Writing and narration were perfect. Excellent pacing throughout, especially when reading Mark Twain's quotes. Will look for more books with this reader.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Well-written mystery

Revisado: 05-29-15

What did you love best about The Swap: A Mystery?

I devoured this page turner and recommend it to mystery lovers who appreciate fine writing paired with a strong female lead character. The writer did a great job of transporting the reader to the UK, from her descriptions of a suburban London neighborhood, to the transit system and the British Museum—and later to Scotland. Jane Oppenheimer's reading is top notch. I don’t agree with the comment posted about the accents. I think she did an excellent job. She even reads the male voices in a believable way.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Written material in PDF doesn't synch with course

Revisado: 11-19-14

Any additional comments?

After writing an earlier review criticizing the course for lack of written materials, I was pleased to find the PDF that accompanies the last units of Phase 1. Unfortunately, the vocabulary in the PDF differs from the vocabulary that was presented in Pimsleur Spanish 1 downloaded from Audible. I called Pimsleur and learned the version of this course we have available from Audible is an older version of the course, and we have not been given the correct PDF. The PDF available with the last units of Phase 1 is also the PDF that's also avialable of Pimsleur's site, but they don't have previous versions of the written materials there, so we are out of luck.

Other than this major disappointment, the audio presentation was excellent. Without written materials, though, I have a hard time distinguishing Bs from Vs and other letters. I would help tremendously to have the right PDF to study.

I have reported this issue to Audible.

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esto le resultó útil a 37 personas

This course is an older version that the PDF

Revisado: 11-19-14

Any additional comments?

After writing a review at the beginning criticizing the course for lack of written materials, I was pleased to find the PDF at the end. Unfortunately, the vocabulary in it differs from the vocabulary that was presented in Pimsleur Spanish 1 downloaded from Audible. I called Pimsleur and learned the version of this course here is an older version of the course, so we have not been given access the correct PDF. The version we have here is also avialable of Pimsleur's site, but they don't have previous versions of the written materials there, so we are out of luck. I have reported the issue to Audible.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Pimsleur's supplementary material is missing

Revisado: 10-12-14

Would you consider the audio edition of Spanish Phase 1, Unit 11-15 to be better than the print version?

I'm putting my review here, for the first units for phase 1, even though I'm now on unit 23 because I wish someone had prepared me for what's to come. I sailed right through until later units when verb conjugation began. I was constantly tripped up but the verb "to be" and felt stupid. It was then I discovered through reading reviews for the later units of phase 1 that Pimsleur has created written supplements that Audible doesn't provide. You only get this material if you buy the lessons from Pimsleur's site. The PDF provided by Audible is merely an explanation of the Pimsleur learning method and is not specific to the course. Reading about the missing materials, I realized I needed to see written explanations before I could understand the finer points of verb conjugation. Luckily, this information is readily available on the internet, and I after searching out explanations there I was able to progress. Even found a site that has English/Spanish flashcards. It could be that doing web searches for targeted questions is more effective than passively printing out study guides. I agree with Pimsleur that hearing the spoken language is the best way to learn. After all, that's the way most of us learn how to speak our first language, before we know how to read. By listening and repeating what you hear, we eventually will gain an intuitive sense of what sounds right in phrasing and grammar.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Spanish phase 2 in this series.

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

Yes. Hearing the spoken language is the only way to learn to speak it properly.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

Despite the missing written materials, I recommend buying the course through Audible. It's well worth the points because if you stick with it you will truly learn to speak Spanish. You can work around not having the supplements by doing web searches for answers to your questions as you go.

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esto le resultó útil a 18 personas

Kept me engaged, but wasn't great

Revisado: 08-15-13

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The time didn't drag, but I didn't learn much new, having read many well-researched books about these eras.

Would you be willing to try another book from The Great Courses? Why or why not?

I was expecting richer content, total immersion on other cultures and times, like what's in David Hackett's Albion's Seed. This didn't come close to that.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

For a college professor, his delivery was excellent. Could tell he'd rehearsed, researched, and written about the content extensively.

Could you see The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. This is more for background use by film producers and set and clothing designers.

Any additional comments?

If I'd paid Colgate's tuition for this course, I would have been shocked. For one thing, I can't imagine how someone could come up with in-depth exam questions from content this light.

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esto le resultó útil a 12 personas

I loved everything about this book

Revisado: 04-15-09

I loved everything about The Observations: interesting plot, great characters, and the narration is top-notch. I was surprised when I realized it was read by the author. She must also be a professional actress. This is a rare pseudo-Victorian novel that actually feels like it was written in that time. It's one of my favorite audiobooks, right up there with Innocent Traitor, Closing Costs, and In the Woods.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas