William E. Bemis

Awful, distracting narration

Reviewed: 06-03-21

Good book but incredibly annoying narration that distracted me ever second. It is a painful listen but the information is fascinating which is why it should be recorded again by another narrator.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Awful narration made this unlistenable

Reviewed: 06-01-20

I am fascinated by the subject but awful narration made this recording unlistenable. Too much upspeak causes me to miss the importance of the sentences.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I did not have any sympathy for the main character

Reviewed: 09-23-19

This book is about a complainer who is not a compelling subject for a book. The main point was made in the preface/introduction. Not worth listening further.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Terrific!!

Reviewed: 07-17-17

A fantastic book and performance. Lots of smiles, lots of sobering material, too. Current, optimistic, insightful commentary.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

How can Ancient Rome be boring?

Reviewed: 09-10-16

I listen to lots of books on history, so I was looking forward to SPQR. But it was a slog to get through this book. It is difficult to follow because the book is not linear - it jumps around through centuries of Roman history in an attempt to link events and social attitudes but this only confused things for me. There are endless statements along the lines of "we don't know" or "the evidence is inadequate." Well of course it is - the historical record is always going to be like that, even for more recent times. It is always difficult to discern people's motives, let alone the facts. And there is a relentless emphasis on speculative aspects about Roman history such as the status and fate of slaves, family structure, and childbirth and rearing. These topics could be fascinating if the author's generalIzations were not based on such flimsy evidence and so evidently biased by issues in our own time. I think I may even have heard the phrase "rape culture" in the book, though if I did not, that certainly seems to the author's position. I am ready for a feminist history of Rome, but not this one. To top it all off, I did not like the narrator's voice.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

48 people found this helpful

One of the most important books about the events leading up to WWII

Reviewed: 05-17-16

I first read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich 40 years ago. The book's importance has not diminished in the intervening decades, and this wonderful audiobook captures Shirer's account from beginning to end. Given the political extremism of the 2016 Republican Party primaries and the rise of right-wing factions in other western democracies, everyone should listen to this remarkable first hand account of Hitler's rise in 1930s Germany. Chilling but fascinating, Shirer based his account on his own experiences in 1939s Germany as well as the troves of Nazi documents captured at the end of WWII in 1945. A must listen book for anyone who does not want demagogues and tyrants ruining our world.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

My favorite Le Carré story

Reviewed: 03-30-16

What did you love best about A Perfect Spy?

This story rewards multiple listenings because it is so intricate. I really came to know each of the main characters and to understand some of their motivations at different points in their lives. The book also helped me to understand Le Carré's ambivalence about nations, political systems, spying, and human failings in general. It left me thinking about people and their motivations, and I have gone back to listen to it again and again.

What other book might you compare A Perfect Spy to and why?

This is a better story than Le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold as an exploration of what it can take to live a double life as a spy, a common theme in his books. It is still hard to beat Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy so I rate them about equally. A Perfect Spy is especially fascinating because it is informed by Le Carré's own upbringing. Overall, it explains a lot about his life, which helped me to better understand some of Le Carré's other books.

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

Michael Jayston's great voice captures these characters and keeps the story moving.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I recommend listening to it in short segments and then listening to the book at least a second time to pick up all of the nuances, many of which I missed when I read the book on paper.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book when it came out in print 30 years ago, and I listened to an earlier unabridged audio recording narrated by Frederick Davidson (also excellent). But this is a definitive reading of a book that people will be enjoying for many years to come.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

38 people found this helpful

My favorite book

Reviewed: 09-06-15

I learn more every time I listen to it - a fantastic book and a wonderful performance.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating preview for The Guns of August

Reviewed: 09-06-14

Would you listen to The Proud Tower again? Why?

This book helps listeners make and understand connections between social movements in different countries in Europe and America duirng the 25 years preceding World War I. I have listened to it twice because I am still learning from this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Proud Tower?

The history of the Dreyfus affair is fascinating, and it helped me understand some of the many social problems and insecurities in France at the turn of the 20th century. I also enjoyed learning about the history of socialist and anarchist movements in Europe. Tuchman also examines German composer Richard Strauss and rapid changes in classical music during the period before the war. There were scandalous operas and triumphant ballets - which is even more interesting because of the international importance of classical music in that period of tremendous competition between countries in so many aspects of military, economic and social life.

What about Nadia May’s performance did you like?

Nadia May has a warm and enjoyable reading style. I deliberately purchased other books narrated by her.

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

Prelude to disaster

Any additional comments?

I would very much appreciate music credits for books such as this one (and The Guns of August) that make use of a musical theme at the beginning and end of the recording. It seems unfair not to provide listeners with this information and it is certainly unfair to the musicians.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Out of date

Reviewed: 08-02-13

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone interested in a book originally written in German in the 1950's who enjoys speculation.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something by Barbara Tuchman.

What didn’t you like about Charlton Griffin’s performance?

Over the top.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Great Age of Discovery, Volume 2?

It is just hopelessly out of date.

Any additional comments?

One of the most frustrating things about Audible is that it is impossible to find out when a book was actually published - I had to scout around on line to learn why theories presented in The Great Age of Discovery, Volume 2: Captain Cook and the Scientific Explorations seem so hopelessly out of date. Had I known the book was nearly 60 years old and a translation from the original German, I might have purchased it anyway. But not to be able to quickly find this out from the Audible site seems a little like false advertising. And my criticism about lack of original book publication dates applies across the site, much as I love most of the many dozens of books I have downloaded from Audible.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful