John Micheal O'Neal

The Most Timely Book of Our Time!!!

Revisado: 02-24-25

Brilliantly written, incredibly well narrated, and a story that brings not only Smedley Butler’s own personal development and journey alive, but that made by the Writer himself in the process of developing and writing this impressive accomplishment. This book should be required reading for every single American!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Self-indulgent projection

Revisado: 05-22-24

Mandy Matney’s personal story is important, especially as it relates to describing the kind of Patriarchal, corrupt, and entitlement happy environment that the Murdaugh family used to keep their villainous reign alive and well for as long as they did. However, it comes off as a form of “me, me style” journalism, which eventually gets in the way of the telling of the story itself. It is Gonzo Journalism without the entertaining level of wit and insight needed to keep it interesting. That’s sad, because this could have been a powerful piece of work. Instead, the writer’s own personal feelings of victimization and neuroticism get in the way of the important telling of a bizarre story that is really relevant, but likely better told by a more experienced writer that sticks to the facts and avoids going off on self-indulgent tangents that ruin the narrative. I wanted to like this book, but was, ultimately, disappointed to the point that I didn’t like the writer anymore than I liked the Murdaugh family themselves.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Brilliant

Revisado: 03-22-24

Peter's insight is second to none. Avoid reading this book at your own risk. After all, the future is already upon us, and there is absolutely no excuse for feigning ignorance.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A nonsensical New Age cocktail.

Revisado: 01-20-23

Take a blender, add in occult theory, mythology, Depth Psychology, numerology, the horoscope, linguistics, and a touch of conspiracy theory, and you have this stream of consciousness madness. I was hoping for Robert Anton Wilson; instead I found myself dancing with a young writer attempting to be wise beyond his years. Some fun individual gems here and there, but nothing that comes together as a whole.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Should be required listening for all.

Revisado: 01-08-23

Disturbing, informative, well researched, and well written, and I was simply unable to put it down.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fun metaphor/Analogy,

Revisado: 12-29-22

Zen Buddhism heavy with entertaining wisdom. Love the image of having no head as a metaphor or analogy for discovering one's true self and the Universe; however, it doesn't maintain one's interest for the length of the book. Solid narration helps, but there is only so much the narrator could do with this particular material.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Nice tidbits here and there...

Revisado: 12-28-22

Nice tidbits here and there, but never really comes together as a strong piece of work that maintains one's attention. The strong narration helps, but even that is hampered by the inconsistency of the text.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Okay. Agreed.

Revisado: 12-19-22

It should be noted that Psychology is generally something that is used when someone is medically cleared and falls outside of the 67.5 percent of normality. There is no X-ray for Depression or blood test for Anxiety. Therapy (in all of its various and endless forms) is a ritual based reframe at heart that depends on a combination of problem solving, placebo effect, and the finding of hope that helps someone improve their condition or perceptions of said condition. In other words, the power of the mind sometimes helps get a person to a better place or feeling that they are in a better place (Denial is not just a River in Egypt after all); of course, there is also the health and quality of the therapeutic relationship to consider as well. In terms of it being a solution for social ills, it is not.

Therefore, the findings found in this book state the obvious to me, thus leaving this project to appear to be a Post-Modern Deconstruction of the ineffectiveness of any sort of mental health led solution -- at least one that is not Psychiatric or medically based -- to a far bigger social problem that would likely be simply improved by having more financial equality that allowed people to attain affordable housing; food; health care; and education without having to kill themselves and others to get there. Listening to this audible book was like witnessing someone metaphorically shooting fish in a barrel. A lot of good information is provided along with sound points, but it comes off as dry and repetitive as though one was as attending and listening to an update regarding a systemic audit related to the success or lack of success of a recently put into place mental health policy.

The Author's own narration -- as though, simply reading the text (which he likely was) -- does little to put the proverbial pedal to the metal. So to speak. If listening to others reading government based audits or policy suggestions is your kind of thing, you will love this book. If not, prepare to fight boredom and fatigue.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Interesting insight.

Revisado: 12-17-22

Interesting insight into the early history of the NFL, but surprisingly repetitive after awhile. The old radio style narration grows old. Still, there are moments and facts that make the project okay, though not as many as one would have thought.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing, Thrilling, Important.

Revisado: 12-15-22

Best book of the year, which I couldn't put down, This is courageous reporting on the horrors at sea, but not without beauty, redemption, inspiration, and hope.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña