Mike

Well-researched and engaging

Revisado: 04-27-25

I remember reading this book in high school and being amazed with the way the author worked to weave real historical events and characters through it; the paperback version was full of pictures, illustrations, and footnotes that lent themselves to the story and left you wondering if the author really had been provided with a stack of precious historical documents by the elusive and mysterious Henry. While the audio version lacks the illustrations, not much is lost there and you still end up feeling like you're listening to a well-researched biography, which is partially true. The expertly crafted story makes it very easy to suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride, and holds your attention without getting too dry or boring, wrapping up each scene just before it overstays it's welcome. Masterfully written, and a refreshing change of pace from the typical vampire story so common these days.

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Strong Start that Fizzles out by the third book

Revisado: 09-26-24

First off, this book is amazing. Great start with tons of potential and an engaging story that leaves you on the edge of your seat and wondering what will happen next. Unfortunately the later installments do very little or nothing to advance the story, almost as if the author had some kind agreement with the publisher to write a certain number of books for the series, but didn't have enough story to make them interesting. The author ends up falling into a repetitive formula: crew runs into seemingly unsolvable problem that threatens their lives or the lives of everyone on earth but does nothing to advance the story or answer previously asked questions; Joe Bishop comes up with crazy solution; Skippy insults him and says it will never work; Joes solution ends up working. Repeat until the end of the book which ends on a cliffhanger. I ended up giving up on the series less than halfway through because I honestly felt a little disrespected by the apparent lack of story and effort. If you start this series, prepare for lots of side quests and some of the books to be completely pointless filler which do nothing for the main story.

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Denuclearization Is The Only Option

Revisado: 05-08-24

This book should be required reading in schools. Though the story and scenario outlined in the book are fictitious and told from a "worst case" perspective, this book also contains details on policies and military doctrines currently held by the US and other world governments which paint a very bleak picture for the world should a nuclear event occur. It is not an exaggeration to state that the use of even a single nuclear weapon by any nation is likely to cascade into global warfare and worldwide nuclear Armageddon due to policies such as "launch on warning" and "use it or lose it." I never considered the importance of these factors before, but I now see the world through new eyes and will be making many decisions based on how they move the US and the world towards denuclearization. The survival of the Earth and the Human race quite literally depends on it.

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Audio Files Taken from Videos in Free App

Revisado: 03-29-24

You get what you're promised, a no nonsense, to the point study guide with all the right answers to the questions you'll be asked in the technician exam. However if you download the free Ham Radio Prep app, you get the exact same thing, plus videos and practice tests. Though the quantity is good, I kind of feel like I wasted a point...

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

How is Pimsleur not more well-known?

Revisado: 09-26-23

Great course, used by the American military and other organizations to help their people quickly learn a language. If you have wanted to learn a language but feel like you don't have the time for any of the apps or courses which require your full attention, or make you interact with them in order to make progress, this is the language course for you. Lessons can be done any time you have a moment to yourself; when you're driving to work, doing the laundry, at the gym, or in the shower.

Lessons are broken down into easy, 30 minute sections that actually make you feel like you're being challenged and making progress learning to speak and understand the language, without being overwhelmed. I've started listening to these while I exercise to make the best possible use of my time, and I find myself mumbling words and phrases I was practicing throughout the rest of the day. I've come to look forward to and enjoy each new lesson because I can see the progress I am making.

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Leaves everything on Cliffhangers

Revisado: 08-12-23

I could tell about halfway through the book that a lot wasn't going to be resolved based on the pacing that the author was using; almost as if he couldn't figure out how to make the story progress but didn't want to quit writing so he kept going off on side tangents on characters we don't really care about. However even those largely irrelevant side characters don't get real resolutions to their arcs. Many former main characters are simply not mentioned and you're left wondering what happened to them, and even the characters who's stories are told end on cliffhangers. Very unsatisfying and overall confusing ending for over 200 hours of listening.

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Great for Beginner Investors and Ex-Pats

Revisado: 07-25-23

Lots of good information for anyone who is feeling disenfranchised by their country, especially Americans. I decided to get this after subscribing to the author's YouTube channel and wanting more detailed info on the lifestyle he endorses, and I wasn't disappointed.

While this is mainly written for wealthy individuals and people making well over 6 figures a year, it still has valuable info and perspectives that even us lowly poor folks making less than 100k can benefit from.

The narration and audio editing leaves a lot to be desired with many mispronunciations, awkward cadences, and even unedited mistakes or repetitions that were just left in the final recording. Despite this, the quality of the content can't be denied. I just wish that Andrew had narrated it himself (the description states that he did, however he only did the introduction, which is noticeably better); It would have made for a smoother and more enjoyable listening experience.

If you have any sort of interest in learning about personal finance, economics, budgeting, and/or politics, this book would make a great addition to your library.

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Was outdated the day it was published

Revisado: 04-05-23

To start, this book is what it says it is: Cryptocurrency mining for dummies. It makes a respectable attempt at breaking down the core concepts of crypto and mining with enough detail that a total beginner could come away with enough knowledge to know what else they need to research and learn to actually get into mining.

While this book does have good general information, most people will quickly realize that it is easier and more cost effective to simply invest in crypto using an exchange as opposed to building a mining rig. Small-time miners will end up spending more on electricity to power their rig than they'll ever get back, as large corporation and miner farms have really cornered the market.

lastly, I would strongly suggest that someone who is determined to have this book get the physical version. Hearing the narrator rattle off random 50 character alphanumeric strings every time there is an example of a crypto wallet address is mind numbing and more distracting than informative.

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Seems like a Bunch of Fetch-Quests

Revisado: 03-18-23

While this still continues and has all the core elements of the beloved saga of Joe Bishop, Skippy, and the Merry Band of Pirates, the pacing seems to drag along at this point. It's like the part of a video game where you have to complete a bunch of trivial, annoyingly tedious fetch quests just to collect the parts you need to build a key to unlock a door that's standing between you and the person who has a clue that takes you to the next major plot point. You're committed to seeing where things go next, but really just wish that tiny little things would stop getting in the way.

A recurring theme that gets reused way too much is the now well known:
-The Pirates encounter a seemingly show-stopping problem or obstacle.
-Joe thinks up a crazy solution to the problem (which way too frequently involves micro worm holes)
-Skippy disparages Joe for being a stupid monkey and says his idea will never work
-Joe's idea works
-an Easter egg about the Elders is inserted to keep things interesting and create future plot points
-rinse and repeat

Don't get me wrong, I plan to finish the series and am enjoying it, but the recycling of common themes made this book largely feel like it was filler. I'm hoping things get more engaging as the series progresses.

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just keeps getting better

Revisado: 01-30-23

Great story and character development, with tons of potential for future stories. definitely leaves you wanting more, and R.C. Bray does an excellent job of conveying the personality of the characters.

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