Mark Holtz

More relevant when it was first published in 1969

Reviewed: 09-20-20

Although the release date of August 9th, 2014 makes it appear that it's a recent book, it's not. It's actually a republish date for a book that was originally released by Littlehampton Book Services Ltd on August 14th, 1969. As such, you have to put yourself in the early 1970s frame of mind to best enjoy this book (e.g. there was only three network channels, no such things as "video recorders", it was horribly expensive to make a phone call, and "personal computers" did not exist, and man has just landed on the moon). I have not heard about the stock market crash on 1962 or the British currency crisis of the 1960s, and to be quite honest, I got this book because I was curious about the failure of the Edsel automobile. The book is only "famous" now because it was mentioned that it was the "Best Business Book" by both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, and Bill got his copy in 1991. Time, however, has relegated this book as a "interesting historical document".

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Not as good as the English version.

Reviewed: 08-06-18

I picked this up as a slight "joke" for my good friend and co-worker who is of Spanish origin and who is also a parent. While the humor is still there, George Lopez just lacks the edge in his Spanish narration that exists in the Samuel L. Jackson version.

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Ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances

Reviewed: 08-06-18

In case you haven't noticed, "Six Days of the Condor" is the 1974 book on which the 1975 film "Three Days of the Condor" is based. After an good introduction and backstory by the book's author James Grady, the story asks the what-ifs questions of "What if a townhouse with a phony sounding plaque was actually a CIA front?" followed by the question "What if I returned from lunch and everyone was dead?" The protagonist, Ronald Malcolm (code-named "Condor") is employed by the CIA in the very ordinary position of reading and analyzing plots of mystery and spy novels and reporting back to his bosses, but got caught in extra-ordinary circumstances when everyone in his office is killed to cover up for a CIA agent gone rogue. It should be noted that there are significant differences (including changing the setting from Washington DC to New York City) between the book and the movie, including tightening up elements which worked in the book, but would not work in a action movie.

Did I enjoy the plot? Yes. The narration was very good and took me into the book. The problems I have with the story is that it is a product of it's time (mid-1970s), so there are some anachronisms between that time and the late 2010s.

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Blue Collar, No Nonsense, New Yorker Astronaut

Reviewed: 07-30-17

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

It's always a bonus when the audiobook is narrated by the author, and the narration is excellent. Mike Massimino come across with that blue collar, no non-sense attitude with the don't give up New Yorker attitude. His imperfections and how he worked around his failures is what makes this book great, and makes his story inspirational.

Unless you are a New York Yankees fan. In which case, skip it. Mike's a die-hard life-long Mets fan.

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A lengthy book about logistics

Reviewed: 02-22-16

What did you like best about A Call to Arms? What did you like least?

This book covers the other side of World War II: being able to supply the materials to prepare for and participate in that war. The US was ill-prepared for that war, and had to mobilize quickly and with little time to spare. The problem I have with the book is that it is extremely detailed about those war efforts, and sometimes gets bogged down in those details. As a tech person, I enjoyed those details, but others may get bored.

Could you see A Call to Arms being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I can possibly see this as a documentary series, but I don't think it will ever be done.

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Good Time Travel Story

Reviewed: 03-09-14

Would you listen to The Time Traveler's Wife again? Why?

Good presentation. I'm glad they elected to use two different narrators for the two protagonists in the story. Bonus points for avoiding most of the "brush with history" cliche plus the author actually laid down the rules and followed them for the time traveler.

Any additional comments?

First audible book I listened to.

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Let the good storytelling continue

Reviewed: 03-09-14

Would you consider the audio edition of A Storm of Swords to be better than the print version?

Did not read print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have three favorite characters: Jon Snow, Arya Stark, and Tyrion. To say more would be spoiling things.

What does Roy Dotrice bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A unique voice for many of the characters.

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

At almost 48 hours, you can't listen to it in one sitting. It took over a month of commuting to listen to this book.

Any additional comments?

Due to apparent Audible technical limitations, each chapter is approximately 45 minutes long, and does not match up to each character point-of-view. This makes it hard if you want to listen to a character point of view all over again.

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Let the good storytelling continue

Reviewed: 03-09-14

What did you like best about this story?

Oh, what a twisted yet intricate tale George R. R. Martin weaves. You must listen to book one first, otherwise it won't make sense.

Which character – as performed by Roy Dotrice – was your favorite?

All of them.

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

It is too long to listen to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Due to apparent Audible technical limitations, each chapter is approximately 45 minutes long, and does not match up to each character point-of-view. This makes it hard if you want to listen to a character point of view all over again.

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Once you begin the game, you cannot stop

Reviewed: 03-09-14

What made the experience of listening to A Game of Thrones the most enjoyable?

George R. R. Martin has crafted an intricate and engaging tale. Once you begin listening, you will want to continue listening. No wonder it became a hit HBO series.

What does Roy Dotrice bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Roy is very engaging as a narriator and developed a series of voices for each of the characters.

Any additional comments?

This Audible book contains proper chapter stops for each point-of-view character.

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No new insights for already known issues.

Reviewed: 03-09-14

What was most disappointing about Daniel Kline and Jason Tomaszewski ’s story?

The impression I had received from this book was that the authors decided to scour the internet for product failure stories, but did not add any additional insight. After an hour, I was completely bored.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

How fast can the author talk and still be understandable?

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was bored. I read all of this before.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad I had purchased this as a Audible Deal Of The Day.

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