J. Wood

Wow!

Reviewed: 04-02-22

I didn't expect this story to take the twists and turns it did, so it was a constant source of amusement as it progressed. Action packed, snarky humorous and thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Jeremy Robinson/R.C. Bray Fan. Performance is spot on and the reason I love when R.C. Bray does a narration.

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An absolute pleasure!!

Reviewed: 02-03-18

As an audiobook addict A Gift of Time has moved to the very top of my favorite list. I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend giving it a listen. It will not disappoint.

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1 person found this helpful

Repeats itself over and over and over....

Reviewed: 10-22-15

Would you try another book from Marie Kondo and/or Emily Woo Zeller?

no

Has The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

I gave up listening halfway through. It has some good advice, but the repetition is so pervasive there was time I thought I was replaying a chapter.

Save your credit. This one is not worth it.

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Moved up on the Bucket list

Reviewed: 06-14-14

Would you consider the audio edition of In a Sunburned Country to be better than the print version?

I love Bryson's writing style, a milder "gonzo" style of travel writer with Englishman's humor. I missed an opportunity to travel to Australia in my early 20's to work as a tourist guide in the bush when I was a very active outdoorsman, backpacker and survival instructor. Now I sorely regret not taking the plunge. Listening to Bryson describe the history and quirkiness of the country was a delight. Now I must see this country before I die.

I highly recommend the book, just wished it was twice as long.

What about Bill Bryson’s performance did you like?

Englishman's humor wrapped in gonzo style

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

yes

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This book actually changed my life view

Reviewed: 10-15-12

After studying Buddhism on and off for 6 years I have to say this book has drawn me closer to the teachings. It's a wonderful story of how we are woven into each other's lives and how one person can affect the lives of many. The Buddhist teaching that "one candle can light thousands of other candles and not have it's life shortened." really applies to this story.

This quote from Daisaku Ikeda used in the book pretty much sums it up....

" I feel most deeply I have done something creative when I've thrown myself wholeheartedly into a task and thought it through instinctively to it's conclusion, and thusly I've won a struggle to enlarge myself. It is a matter of sweat and tears.

The creative life demands constant effort to improve one's thoughts and actions. Perhaps the dynamism involved in the efforts is the most important thing. You will pass through storms and you may suffer defeat. The essence of the creative life however, is to persevere in the face of defeat and to follow the rainbow within your heart.

Indulgence and indolence are not creative. Complaints and evasions are cowardly, and corrupt life's natural tendency at creation. The person who gives up the fight for creativeness is headed, ultimately, to the hell that destroys all life.

You must never slacken in the efforts to build new lives for yourselves.

Creativeness means pushing open the heavy door to life. This is not an easy struggle. Indeed, it may be the hardest task in the world. For opening the door to your own life is more difficult than opening the doors to the mysteries of the universe but, the act of opening your door vindicates your existence as a human being and makes life worth living. No one is lonelier or unhappier than the person that does no know the pure joy of creating a life for himself.

To be human is not merely to stand erect and manifest reason and intellect.

To be human in the full sense of the word is to lead a creative life."

I'm on my second listen and enjoying just as much this time around, if not more.

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3 people found this helpful

Great Listen.

Reviewed: 10-15-12

Wonderful story that I wished had been a bit longer. Actually laughed out loud a few times. The teachings are worked in the story in a non-obtuse way making it quite listenable to those not interested in Buddhism.

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This is a great listen!

Reviewed: 01-18-12

After owning a couple of Joel's other books, I was very happy to see him finally offering a reading of his new work. You can hear the passion in his voice and feel the deep belief in the messages he is relaying about our food, government and state of family life in America. He is an excellent speaker and his narration is superb.

I found the book's message very moving and at the end when Joel's voice was actually breaking with emotion talking about his farm and family, I also had tears in my eyes. As one who feels the same love for his farm and lifestyle it really struck a chord. The message is powerful and the logic is as sane as it gets.

I highly recommend this book. In fact, I can't recommend it enough. Download it and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. It might just change your perspective on life. It reaffirmed mine.

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Waaaaaay to much detailing....

Reviewed: 09-13-11

I found the person/voice reading book exceeding annoying. Explaining every detail of the equipment got old really quick. Also the referencing of God, Fox news and very conservative world views wore me a bit thin. A great reference piece for learning what you will need in a survival situation, but a horrible novel....

Wishing I had let this one pass and saved my credits. Try "Earth Abides". It's one my favorite books dealing with a societal collapse plot line.

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1 person found this helpful

The Long Emergency is much better.

Reviewed: 08-02-11

I love Kunstlers other book "The Long Emergency", his blog and interviews but was a bit disappointed by this novel. The story is a bit flat and predictable. The descriptions of the post collapse society was interesting, but left me wanting more detail on the characters. A very one dimensional story.

It's an OK listen one time through, but doubt I'll listen to it again.

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3 people found this helpful

Remedy for Artist Block

Reviewed: 02-11-08

Although skeptical at first, I gave the program a try. By the end of the first week I was seeing progress. As I worked my way through the audio program I decided to also get the physical book as a point of reference.

I highly recommend this book to clear the cobwebs and focus your creative energies.

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21 people found this helpful