David S Clayton
- 4
- reviews
- 9
- helpful votes
- 9
- ratings
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Empire of Imagination
- Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons
- By: Michael Witwer
- Narrated by: Sam Witwer
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 31
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 29
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 29
The life story of Gary Gygax, godfather of all fantasy adventure games, has been told only in bits and pieces. Michael Witwer has crafted a dynamic, dramatized biography of Gygax from his childhood in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to his untimely death in 2008. Gygax’s magnum opus, Dungeons & Dragons, would explode in popularity throughout the 1970s and ’80s and irreversibly alter the world of gaming. Gygax’s involvement in the industry lasted long after his dramatic and involuntary departure, and his footprint can be seen in the role-playing genre he is largely responsible for creating.
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5 out of 5 stars
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King of the Nerds
- By Chris Puckett on 12-08-23
- Empire of Imagination
- Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons
- By: Michael Witwer
- Narrated by: Sam Witwer
A well read biography trying to be a heroic tale
Reviewed: 04-22-24
Just finished listening to this and overall, it was pretty good. The narration was solid. The facts were mostly spot on based on other books I’ve read that overlap. I learned a few new things and it was nice to listen to some of this as I drove along in my car. Having said all of that, I felt like some of the writing was just a bit clunky and jarring, like the chapter transitions that played out like a D&D campaign and the horrible death bed grim reaper scene. Some of the writing seemed like he was whitewashing Gary’s life in places. There are mentions of affairs and poor choices with money and words, but when the consequences of these actions come back to him it’s framed as if he’s a hero struggling against unfair circumstances. There’s also a slow and steady erasure of Dave Arneson’s contributions as the book goes on so that by the end Gary is the sole inventor of D&D. Lastly the grandiose claims about the impacts of D&D, and by association Gary Gygax as its creator, get a little absurd. Come on my dude, you’re going to claim Lord of the Rings and Star Wars owe their popularity to him? I get that it’s Gary’s biography, but it felt dishonest and a bit sensational in places. Otherwise, a solid listen.
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Judas Unchained
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 40 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 7,641
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6,086
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6,103
Robust, peaceful, and confident, the Commonwealth dispatched a ship to investigate the mystery of a disappearing star, only to inadvertently unleash a predatory alien species that turned on its liberators, striking hard, fast, and utterly without mercy.The Prime are the Commonwealth's worst nightmare. Coexistence is impossible with the technologically advanced aliens, who are genetically hardwired to exterminate all other forms of life.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Exceptionally great book
- By Susan on 02-09-09
- Judas Unchained
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
Great story and narration but the volume varied
Reviewed: 08-06-18
I'm a big fan of Peter F. Hamilton and enjoyed this giant space opera. He went out of his way to tie up all of the loose ends at the end and I like that. evil aliens: check, valiant last stands: check, heroic sacrifice: check, punishments dealt out: check, redemption offered: check. And everybody is sexy and fabulous while doing it. The only fly in the ointment is the sound volume would dip occasionally. This led to quite a few rewinds. I don't believe this was down to John Lee's narration so much as a production issue. Still well worth the credit!
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The Member of the Wedding
- By: Carson McCullers
- Narrated by: Susan Sarandon
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,006
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 907
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Story3.5 out of 5 stars 905
The best way to experience this classic of the American South is by joining five-time Academy Award nominee and Best Actress winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking, Thelma & Louise) as she guides the listener on a journey through the anguish of adolescence and isolation.
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5 out of 5 stars
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It's a Classic People
- By FanB14 on 05-14-12
- The Member of the Wedding
- By: Carson McCullers
- Narrated by: Susan Sarandon
I couldn't finish it
Reviewed: 05-02-18
I purchased this title because I like the sound of Susan Sarandon's voice. That was not enough. Even her lovely tones could not render this rambling nothing of a story appealing to me.
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Secrets of Sleep Science: From Dreams to Disorders
- By: Craig H. Heller, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Craig H. Heller
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 937
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 826
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 816
Sleep is the subject of intense scientific debate among biologists and neuroscientists. Why must we spend about one-third of our lives asleep? What exactly is sleep? Why does a lack of sleep impair our cognitive abilities and leave us vulnerable to a host of medical issues ranging from obesity to reduced resistance to infectious disease?
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5 out of 5 stars
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This is what to listen to BEFORE you see a doctor!
- By DaemonZeiro on 06-03-15
Solid science from an expert
Reviewed: 01-22-18
I've listened to a great many great courses and I think this is the most technical to date. You'll want to put your big science pants on for this, unless you speak fluent biochemistry and neuroscience. Having said that, Professor Heller is clearly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his topic. He is also very precise about definitions. I felt this was a credit well spent.
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