David
- 8
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- helpful votes
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Mao
- The Unknown Story
- By: Jung Chang, Jon Halliday
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 29 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,615
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,307
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,310
Based on a decade of research and on interviews with many of Mao's close circle in China who have never talked before, and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him, this is the most authoritative biography of Mao ever written.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Fills many gaps! Very good..but!
- By Jene on 08-07-06
- Mao
- The Unknown Story
- By: Jung Chang, Jon Halliday
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Overly Antagonistic
Reviewed: 10-17-13
Would you try another book from Jung Chang and Jon Halliday and/or Robertson Dean?
Yes, well researched and lots of information.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
A very detailed history. The most frustrating part is the author's continual minimizing of any of Mao's achievements. Mao's history is undeniably disgusting in how he treated his own people, there is no real need to put everything he does in the least flattering light, it takes away from the credibility.
Was Mao worth the listening time?
Yes, very informative.
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1 person found this helpful
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America and the World: A Diplomatic History
- By: Mark A. Stoler, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark A. Stoler
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 247
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 214
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 211
In barely more than two centuries, the United States evolved from a sparsely settled handful of colonies into the most powerful nation the world has ever known. How could such an implausible metamorphosis have occurred? These 24 insightful lectures address that penetrating question and many others. Professor Stoler offers you a fresh view of America's shift from the periphery of international politics to its very center as he explores the key components of American diplomatic history.
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5 out of 5 stars
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FSOT Prep
- By ted on 05-26-16
Great Synopsis
Reviewed: 10-17-13
What made the experience of listening to America and the World: A Diplomatic History the most enjoyable?
The under-written about history. In my US History 1776-1860 class, we did not cover much at all of the history that this book delved so deeply into. This book was thoroughly enlightening.
What did you like best about this story?
Seemed to be very balanced, not making heroes and villans.
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1 person found this helpful
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The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History
- By: J. Rufus Fears, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: J. Rufus Fears
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 902
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 809
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 804
History is made and defined by landmark events-moments that irrevocably changed the course of human civilization. They have given us: spiritual and political ideas; catastrophic battles and wars; scientific and technological advances; world leaders both influential and monstrous; and cultural works of unparalleled beauty.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Fun course but Professor Fears is not for everyone
- By Quaker on 11-04-13
Informative
Reviewed: 10-17-13
Would you consider the audio edition of The World Was Never the Same: Events That Changed History to be better than the print version?
Haven't seem the print version.
What did you like best about this story?
The speaker was very knowledgeable. Did not get stuck on any one era, except too much emphasis on modern America. Disagree with some of his choices, Michelangelo can not have the same impact on history that the invention of: railroads, steam engines, corporations, radio, television, or the internet.
What about Professor J. Rufus Fears’s performance did you like?
Very passionate.
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2 people found this helpful
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The Kill Clause
- By: Gregg Hurwitz
- Narrated by: Peter Friedman
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Abridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 860
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 754
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Story4 out of 5 stars 755
Tim Rackley, a deputy U.S. marshal, watches helplessly as his daughter's killer walks free on a legal technicality. He is suddenly forced to explore his own deadly options, a quest that leads him into the welcoming fold of "The Commission".
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3 out of 5 stars
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Did not realize it was abridged
- By David Kindell on 11-13-18
- The Kill Clause
- By: Gregg Hurwitz
- Narrated by: Peter Friedman
Super Disappointed
Reviewed: 10-17-13
Would you try another book from Gregg Hurwitz and/or Peter Friedman?
Yes, Tell No Lies was an amazing book, so I expected this would become one of my favorite authors, but after this, I am not sure I will even try him again.
What could Gregg Hurwitz have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Not made everything so cliche. Could have developed the story more, and less action. Seemed to jump from action scene to action scene without much explanation.
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4 people found this helpful
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Tell No Lies
- By: Gregg Hurwitz
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,170
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,857
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,853
The scion of an old-money San Francisco family, Daniel Brasher left his well-paying, respectable money-manager position to marry his community organizer wife and work at a job he loves, leading group counseling sessions with recently paroled violent offenders. One night he finds an envelope - one intended for someone else that was placed in his office mailbox by accident. Inside is an unsigned piece of paper, a handwritten note that says, "Admit what you've done or you will bleed for it."
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2 out of 5 stars
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The purgatory of group therapy
- By karen on 03-07-14
- Tell No Lies
- By: Gregg Hurwitz
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
Great use of characters
Reviewed: 10-17-13
Would you listen to Tell No Lies again? Why?
Awesome description of mandated court therapy. Good use of moral ambiguity that shapes people's lives.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Main character
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2 people found this helpful
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Bloodlands
- Europe between Hitler and Stalin
- By: Timothy Snyder
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
- Length: 18 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 758
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 603
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 601
Americans think of World War II as “The Good War”, a moment when the forces of good resoundingly triumphed over evil. Yet the war was not decided by D-day. It was decided in the East, by the Red Army and Joseph Stalin. While conventional wisdom locates the horrors of World War II in the six million Jews killed in German concentration camps, the reality is even grimmer. In 13 years, the Nazi and Soviet regimes killed 13 million people in the lands between Germany and Russia.
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5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best and scariest books I've ever read
- By Joe on 11-01-12
- Bloodlands
- Europe between Hitler and Stalin
- By: Timothy Snyder
- Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
Informative
Reviewed: 01-02-13
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, lots of historical information. Gives a better understanding of the suffering, and the callousness to that suffering that was going on during World War Two.
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A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition
- By: Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., Lawrence Davidson
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 495
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 360
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Story4 out of 5 stars 366
The ninth edition of this widely acclaimed text has been extensively revised to reflect the latest scholarship and the most recent events in the Middle East. As an introduction to the history of this turbulent region from the beginnings of Islam to the present day, the book is distinguished by its clear style, broad scope, and balanced treatment.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Worse than a waste of time
- By tianxiang on 09-18-10
- A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition
- By: Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., Lawrence Davidson
- Narrated by: Tom Weiner
Insightful
Reviewed: 10-14-12
Where does A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
The book gives a good historical background. While appearing to be neutral, and does mention different racial or religious atrocities performed, the overall tone of the book sweeps aside attacks on Jewish, Christian, and non-Arabic people. It does not even mention Oman, Qutar, or other Middle Eastern states until late in the book, giving them almost no time. However it does a great job of connecting the past to the present. It also glosses over the problems of women's rights in Islamic countries.
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition?
When explaining the ancient territories.
If you could give A Concise History of the Middle East, Ninth Edition a new subtitle, what would it be?
Focusing on the Colonial Era.
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A Continent for the Taking
- The Tragedy and Hope of Africa
- By: Howard W. French
- Narrated by: Mirron E. Willis
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 63
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 49
In A Continent for the Taking, Howard W. French, a veteran correspondent for The New York Times, gives a compelling firsthand account of some of Africa's most devastating recent history. While he captures the tragedies that have repeatedly befallen Africa's peoples, French also opens our eyes to the immense possibility that lies in Africa's complexity, diversity, and myriad cultural strengths.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A story to pay your attention to
- By George on 04-30-13
- A Continent for the Taking
- The Tragedy and Hope of Africa
- By: Howard W. French
- Narrated by: Mirron E. Willis
Is not a historical overview, it's a narrative
Reviewed: 10-14-12
What made the experience of listening to A Continent for the Taking the most enjoyable?
Learning about dictators, uprising, and problems in modern Africa.
What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
The use of personal stories, combining with historical events.
If you could give A Continent for the Taking a new subtitle, what would it be?
A narrative of a late 20th century journalist.
Any additional comments?
Do not get this book if you are looking for historical overview of Africa. Although the title indicates that it would focus on colonial powers taking and reshaping Africa, in fact it focuses on civil wars and dictators of the authors experience.
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