Ari

More than meets the eye

Revisado: 03-03-20

The author takes us on an interesting journey about the life, speeches and opinions of a remarkable figure through the time of abolition, civil war and reconstruction. I specially enjoyed how the author highlighted how Douglas' views evolved through out those periods. The book delved into the depths of his passions to forward the abolition and black rights causes not only as an orator but as a journalist and a political operative. I also really enjoyed the human aspects to his life (how his sons struggled, his believed infidelity, and his ever changing auto-biographies). These foibles made him more of a human rather than to hold Douglas up to be some robotic god. Offered up a unique perspective on this period of American History. Go for it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Uncovering a Unique Period of WWII History

Revisado: 05-17-16

This books gives a great account of what life was like for the select pilots and bombers who were shot down and supported by locals in Yugoslavia. It reveals a perspective on the politics between England, US, Germany and Russia and how it affected the power structure on the ground during precarious time. I was shocked by the divide and the treachery between England and US on the rescue. It really helped open my eyes to even more of the nuanced complexities during the war. It is also interesting to see how even our government was affected by those hastily cast alliances with Tito even to this day. I have read a number of different perspectives on the war and this truly was a refreshing one that is worth the read/listen.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Hard Truths to Take In

Revisado: 05-17-16

This was a first person account of a brutal period of history. The small anecdotes about what life was like provided a reality that many academic historical more theoretical do not provide. If you are looking for the historical context and theories about why Pol Pot came to power this is not the book for that. What it does provide is a clear and concise honesty about what life was like on the ground. Using Wikipedia as a companion one can help piece together many answers to the many of the basic historical questions that I had. I felt that the first person perspective was very refreshing vs many of the nonfiction historical books that I read. Great performance as well.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Underbelly of American History

Revisado: 12-10-15

This book helped me understand the power of the civil rights movement in a much more intimate way then simply learning about the protest marchers being beaten and arrested. For the victim here was simply swept in events that he had no involvement in. The author did an exceptional job at creating a compelling narrative from his extensive research. You will get a ringside seat into the backrooms of power, hatred and civil corruption to witness how cruel people can become when there is no sense of accountability for their actions. This story really helped me understand how racism and entitlement were practiced in the rural south. I thought the narrator did an excellent job at capturing the nuances of the various characters as well. This is a must read!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Spy Lite - Fast Paced Fun

Revisado: 12-04-15

Any additional comments?

This was my first book by the author (it was on sale), so this review is helpful to anyone who reads the serious out of order. Given the way the book starts it’s not clear that Gentry is the hero (I thought Dead Eye was) so that made this refreshing. It would be a spoiler but if you are in the reviews you have already learned that. This is more beach reading spy stuff even a step down the intellectual spectrum then Clancy or DeMille. I would have Follett and Le Carre at the top of that food chain. So if you haven’t read those guys I would start with more of their stuff first. But still this moves quickly and as long as you don’t sweat the details too much you can enjoy it. Why is Court so famous? I had no clue. So I liked the book. It sounds like I may have liked the book less if I had read it in order. I liked the narrator, he didn't get in the way, except that he could not do convincing accents.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Insight into WWII Spy Culture - Nuetral Country?

Revisado: 12-01-15

Who was your favorite character and why?

This was a fascinating book about a period of WWII that is not frequently covered. I really was able to get a good feel for what life was like in neutral Lisbon during that treacherous time. You are taken on a journey into the lives of European refugees seeking passage wandering through the pricey hotels to the various celebrities, spies and Nazi officers that occupy the casinos and restaurants. It’s an education of how all the earliest spy characters came into being, tracking both Ian Fleming and Graham Greene who were living there. There is also an interesting look into the balancing act that the Dictator Salazar had to perform between the alliance and the axis to serve Portuguese economic and national interests. The book portrays the dictator as a very shrewd and cool customer but does not go into the abuses that he is famous for. I would have loved to have learned more about why Portugal made the decisions it did and gotten a few more anecdotes into the adventures of some of these characters on the streets of Lisbon, but that just shows how much I enjoyed the book. Another helping please….

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Interesting Read into the First Espionage

Revisado: 12-01-15

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the book and thought the author did a great job as the narrator which is not always the case. For me this was an untold sorry about historic copyright infringement, and against China, who doesn’t love that irony. This was my first introduction to Robert Fortune and I felt that the author did an admirable job at capturing his passion and ingenuity. Early on there is an anecdote about tricking pirates that I believes exemplifies Fortune’s resourcefulness. I felt that the book reads quickly and easily. If there was a point where Fortune ever felt any conscience for his acts of betrayal, they aren’t indicated in the book – with the exception of one episode with the monks. It would have been nice if the author had been clearer on his journeys as that wasn’t clear to me and would have been helpful. I also liked how the author contrasts Fortune’s professionalism and ability to work with the natives as compared to his counterparts in India. Overall I highly recommend the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fast Paced, Quirky and Fun

Revisado: 10-24-13

Any additional comments?

First I really enjoyed the writing and the narration. I felt that Ken’s antics and the background descriptions of NYC in that 70’s era were particularly interesting. The cast of characters that Ken associated with were almost larger than life types who seemed more like facades (if I was an editor I may have said these supporting characters required more subtle development and back story to be believable) as they appeared to be almost clichés rather than real life associations. As an avid reader who toggles between fiction and nonfiction, I had a hard time telling the difference between the fact and fantasy in this one. Yet the story was so entertaining and I must admit that I was fascinated by the forgery concept that I didn’t mind. If you want a good read and to learn about an area – art forgery than this is a good choice. I didn’t care to fact check and debate whether all this is true or not, I was more hear to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Plot Twists and Character Development

Revisado: 03-18-13

Any additional comments?

I think this book is one of my favorites, though all four are excellent. I did not read all four in sequence, this was the last one I read. I had to remember some of the old "Scorcher" details for they were a bit fuzzy. I like the way French uses the foreshadowing element in her mystery telling. This one had some unique plot twists that make you guessing. It’s as if your mind begins racing ahead to try and see the significance but it’s never quite what you think. The dialogue is all very dramatic and the nuances to the characters are all well thought through. This book is no exception but I think this and Into the Woods have a depth that the others don't quite have though they are all superb. Read this book you won't be disappointed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great Reacher Thriller w Solid Character Backstory

Revisado: 03-18-13

Any additional comments?

I have read several of these and enjoyed them all. I would highly recommend this book. Along with being a fast paced thriller, it was one of the only story (I have seen) to provide detail on the Army team he served with. Other books mention his training but not the team he worked with. Reading the different Reacher novels makes each one even better IMO because you are uncovering the more of Reacher's charachter in a cummulative manner as you go through them. I don't think the series really has a strong order I have skipped around and read other sequentially and haven't seen much of a difference. But this is one of the better ones to get the Army side of Reacher. Also for another good read The Hard Way. As for performance, Dick Hill is the only narrator for me. I didn't get the early versions that now aren't sold w/ Dick Hill narrating, I will now not purchase those - note to audible.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña