Jeanette M Weiser

Historically accurate

Reviewed: 03-05-25

This was a moving story, giving insight into an often overlooked aspect of those affected through WW2. It follows the case of a retired pediatrician with a heart for children and the needy. The ending is sad, but performed with respect. I appreciate the author's notes on the history and timeline of the story, provided at the end.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

an unexpected historical fiction gem

Reviewed: 10-26-24

I'm not sure what my expectations were going in, as the initial sample clip didn't truly reveal the upcoming tale. Set in WWI France these Smith College alumni came together as strangers and ended up as inseparable sisters. Lots of gutsy determination displayed as these young women break gender roles of the day to do the things that weren't being done in the war. Based on a very true story, as the Smith College DID send a contingent of women to France during WWI, and many of the perspectives and conflicts within the story are based on the actual correspondence of these women, with fictional liberties taken to fill in the gaps.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

historical fiction

Reviewed: 09-26-24

This was unexpected. A delightful mix of history and fiction. I enjoyed following the lives of the radar girls. I laughed. I cried. I could feel myself there at times with the vivid descriptions of the scenery

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

probably best in hard copy

Reviewed: 08-30-24

I feel the author of this work is quite knowledgeable on the topic matter, and has both researched topics, as well as, applied personally for home use. This leads to multiple anecdotes and recommendations based on trial and error experiences.

Unfortunately this did NOT lend well to an Audible format book for listening to as driving down the interstate. It reads like a cookbook in places with x ounces of this and x tablespoons of that. . . as in you probably need to be taking notes or reading along rather than listening.

I have plants in pots on my porch and was considering upgrading to a raised bed garden on my rental property. The author speaks in strategic planning methodology of what to do on year 1, 2, 3 and beyond, and personally I just ended up discouraged feeling that whatever I have done or plan to do will be inefficient and short lived. I'd love to use my tiny space to effectively grow plant based menu items, but when I'm hearing about needing 22 raised beds and 700 square feet and such I want to run the other way.

So in closing, great manual for doing things in a scientifically accurate way. Probably best in a hard copy rather than audible format. Didn't meet my personal needs for my rental property situation, but doesn't mean it isn't beneficial for the small scale future farmer.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Narration is off?

Reviewed: 01-14-24

Again, a compelling story line that kept me guessing to the end. I greatly enjoyed traveling along with Brother Michael and Doctor Bartholomew on another adventure.

I have been going through the series via Audible. I was excited to have David Thorpe back for narration, but his voicing for characters has changed from previous books. This was most notable in characters Cynric and Clippersby. I didn't appreciate the change as I had also enjoyed the thick Welsh brogue of Cynric and the playful intonation of our animal loving friend Clippersby. Both were dramatacized into deep masculine tones in this book, that frankly sounded alike. Brother Michael was also presented with a deeper voice, and just not quite the same.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Hooked on this series

Reviewed: 12-04-23

I admit it, I'm hooked. working my way through the trials and tribulations of Dr Matthew Bartholomew and Sr Proctor Michael as they sleuth through another murder mystery of ancient England.

I appreciate that the stories are based on actual historic events and characters. I also appreciate seeing some of the old familiar introduced in prior novels continuing through in the present. Still anxiously awaiting the return of Matilde, who, incidentally, doesn't make a showing in this one, but is still mentioned so we know she is still in the thoughts of our favorite physician Dr Bartholomew.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Need a hard copy

Reviewed: 11-25-23

I was first introduced to Dr Gundry through an advertisement on Facebook. I work on the road with long hours of driving, so opted for the Audible book format. The author provides narration, which is quite excellent.

Unfortunately there are multiple references to appendages, lists, and supplements, none of which are accessible while driving or in the Audible format.

Being born and raised in the Midwest, many of the foods suggested as preferred are somewhat foreign to me, or at minimum inaccessible. For example, the closest I can come to would caught salmon in my rural area is a can labeled Chicken of the Sea. The leafy greens in my supermarket include a head of iceberg lettuce, or a few options of pre packaged salad mix.

I enjoyed the science based research and rationale for topics including the physiology and pathophysiology behind topics as introduced. As one who has already tried 30+ years of so called diets in my adult lifetime, I'm always hesitant to eliminate a food group unless a very solid rationale has been provided.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Why the change in narration?

Reviewed: 09-25-23

listened via Audible. This is the 11th book in the series, but figuring that out is a challenge as it is not listed anywhere on the title cover. Also, there is a different narrator than on the prior 10 books. I don't like the change in pronunciation of characters (i.e. Ruffum now rauw-um), nor the change in voices to familiar characters such as Michael and Cendric. It was unsettling and took multiple chapters for me to embrace the concept that these weren't all new characters, but rather the same familiar folks pronounced in a different way.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

series of vignettes

Reviewed: 11-30-22

This piece, unlike others by this author, was compromised of a series of short stories surrounding the main character. Perhaps from a print book, this would have been obvious. In the audible format however, I felt a bit of proverbial whiplash converting from one topic to the next without definite transition to announce the change of trail. Took a few chapters before I could realize that chapters were not directly related, or even chronological
, and would not tie into one greater plot.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not modified for Audible well

Reviewed: 06-11-21

This one wasn't ideal in Audible book format. There were comments such as look at the figure at bottom of page, or view positions as displayed. . . .things that do not make sense in an audible format.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!