Robert W. Drues

Too inconsistent

Revisado: 08-11-15

What disappointed you about Chinese (Man) Phase 1, Unit 01-05?

sometimes simple words were repeated multiple times with admonitions to pronounce them correctly, while other times, complicated and difficult multi-word phrases were not broken down so that they could be repeated correctly

What was one of the most memorable moments of Chinese (Man) Phase 1, Unit 01-05?

Realizing How difficult the Mandarin language is for an English speaking person to learn.

What didn’t you like about the narrator’s performance?

The phrases were frequently said rapidly by the chinese speaker without breaking them into simpler words. It is good to hear these words as a native speaker would say them, but without the breakdown, it becomes impossible to repeat them

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

A bit of anger at the fact that each lesson also contains the copyright statement. Since each section has 5 or 30 half hour lessons, which usually must be repeated at least 2 or 3 times each, this means listening to the copyright statement perhaps 100 times or more. Is this really necessary.

Any additional comments?

These lessons seem rather high priced compared to usual Audible content. It costs a credit for 5 lessons (2 and a half hours). Compare this to a best seller book which may be 40 hours long, also costing a credit. And the book usually has a rather short time during which it is popular.
Still, using the Pimsleur system on an MP3 player is an efficient way to learn a language, and I will continue pimsleur language courses.
I think, however, that the Mandarin course, from my limited experience with it, is below the standards that I have seen in other Pimsleur courses.

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excellent peek at what really happens in al qaeda

Revisado: 05-08-15

What did you love best about Agent Storm?

This was an informative look at the workings of Al Qaeda, and of the intelligence world told simply and apparently honestly by someone who was there and lived the life. I trust these words more than those of Fox Or CNN.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I am not sure this question applies, since Mr. Storm was the only major character.

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

He did a good job of narrating the book, but since this is a real story, not a novel, I don't think that a reading of it is a performance, such as it would be if this were a fiction book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Although it was not a surprise, I found it a bit chilling that the attitude in Al Qaeda was that civilian casualties, even in their own countries were simply not a concern.

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could have been said in a much shorter book

Revisado: 05-08-15

What disappointed you about The Glass Cage?

The author seemed to go on endlessly restating the same points. This made the book rather slow and plodding for me.

If you’ve listened to books by Nicholas Carr before, how does this one compare?

have not listened to any others by Nicholas Carr

Did Jeff Cummings do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

There were no characters

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I purchased this book to better understand how computerization advances may be negatively affecting people. I did gain a better understanding of this topic as a result of listening to it.

Any additional comments?

The book had the feel more of the author's opinion rather than a balanced analysis.

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A chilling story

Revisado: 12-08-14

Would you listen to Finding Me again? Why?

Yes. This is a well told account of a true horror story that most of us will never have to face. Even though I have never encountered anything like this, through her telling of the story, I felt that I could understand a little the horror of what the author encountered.

Who was your favorite character and why?

my favorite character was the author Michelle Knight. It seemed that up until her release from the house of horrors, she had never had a break in life. But despite what happened, she emerged from the ordeal to become a successful author of the story. I wish her only good luck in the future.

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

She did a good job of reading the book with the right amount of emotion. The story seemed to flow from the mouth of Michelle Knight. I dont like it when readers over-emote, and this book probably had that potential, but Maria did not succumb to that.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, my extreme reaction was of horror at what happened, and greater sensitivity to the women who have suffered similar (though usually much less severe) abuse.

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story could have been told better

Revisado: 12-08-14

What disappointed you about The Girls of Atomic City?

This book combined two stories. The first was a rather incomplete chronology of the events leading up to the first a-bomb. The second was a rather plodding description of the lives of several ordinary women who led rather ordinary lives.
I think that documenting this story while the people are still alive is a good thing, but that it was not crafted into a very good book.

If you’ve listened to books by Denise Kiernan before, how does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other of her books

Would you be willing to try another one of Cassandra Campbell’s performances?

Probably not.

What character would you cut from The Girls of Atomic City?

I would not necessarily cut any of the characters.
I think that there was a mix of character types that is appropriate to this kind of description, but that the describing of them was not so good. For example, a lot of time was spent describing the boyfriends of each of the women, and how their relationships were conducted. This is the same as such relationships any time and anywhere. Why is it part of this book?

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Another great original fantasy by Sanderson

Revisado: 12-02-14

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it because it is not copycat fantasy, but a well written and performed original.

What other book might you compare The Rithmatist to and why?

not sure

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

As with all good readers, he gives the characters personality. He adds just the right amount of emotion when appropriate. This is critical to a good performance of the book, as some readers over-emote, and some readers under-emote.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction. It did not make me laugh or cry, but made me feel good.

Any additional comments?

This book is typical of Brandon Sanderson's books. It is not a wild ride type of fantasy, but rather a well written story based on a world that is similar to ours, but with a little extra in the form of what we usually call magic.

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many mistakes in china's success

Revisado: 12-02-14

Would you consider the audio edition of The China Price to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

That there are many human stories behind China's rise in the world. Like elsewhere, China's success was and continues to be built on the backs of the poor.

Which character – as performed by Karen White – was your favorite?

N/A

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That China faces the same problems as everywhere else in the world and that and that they face them with the same political mixture of approaches as any other country.

Any additional comments?

I think that western education has given us the impression that China is a one mind totalitarian state. The book makes clear that this is not true.

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A very entertaining series

Revisado: 03-27-14

Would you listen to Boston Jacky again? Why?

The story is fast moving and just an easy and entertaining read. Also, you cant help but feel good about Jacky who despite being persecuted by all of the bad guys, always stands up for those who need help.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Boston Jacky?

for me, the most memorable thing was just picking up a new story about our hero Jacky and being entertained for yet another 10 hours or so.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked them all.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Bad guys beware, Jacky is in town, and she gets even.

Any additional comments?

All of the books have been read by Katherine Kellgren. She is the best reader that I have ever experienced. Her spirited reading really makes the books come alive. Thank you Katherine!

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A nice compilation of reasons to dislike religion

Revisado: 03-25-13

Where does Why Are You Atheists So Angry? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Perhaps not destined to receive any literary prizes, but a fun read for atheists. Considering the number of books that I wasn't able to finish, or had to struggle to finish, I would have to rate this book in about the 80th percentile.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it listed all of the diverse reasons that religion has been a bad influence in human society as well as being unsupportable as being true.

What about Greta Christina’s performance did you like?

She managed not to make it sound like a rant. Her diction was clear and appropriately paced, with just enough emotion to emphasize her points.

If you could give Why Are You Atheists So Angry? a new subtitle, what would it be?

Finally, an objective discussion of religion!

Any additional comments?

Most of the arguments and facts that she presented were already known to me, but she put them all together into a clear and compelling book.

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not up to the level of Brandon's other works

Revisado: 01-03-13

What did you like best about Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians? What did you like least?

On the positive side, it was certainly original. On the negative side, I didn't feel that I could identify with any of the characters, therefore, I did not get "into" the story

What was most disappointing about Brandon Sanderson’s story?

I suppose that the most disappointing part was that the story was not like the outstanding other fantasy books that I have read by Brandon Sanderson. Rather than the self consistent and emotionally appealing fantasy worlds that Sanderson has created, this book was more "comic fantasy". This is fine if that is what one wants to read.

Which character – as performed by Ramon De Ocampo – was your favorite?

None of the characters was "real" enough for me to have a favorite.

Did Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians inspire you to do anything?

nope

Any additional comments?

Brandon Sanderson is truly a gifted author of some really fine fantasy. I am probably not the best person to evaluate a book of his that is not of the type that I prefer.

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