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Darren Harrison

  • 6
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  • 12
  • helpful votes
  • 9
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A confirmed liar spreads more misinformation

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-16-23

There were more than 30 proven lies in the interview with Oprah Winfrey so lying seems almost pathological to he and his wife. They both need professional help.
I would like to clarify one point - the first biracial royal in the British Royal Family was Queen Charlotte in the eighteenth century, so all the resulting blood royals have mixed blood in their bloodline so charges of racism are laughable.

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40 people found this helpful

Wonderful to have Alistair MacLean available

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-21-17

If you could sum up Where Eagles Dare in three words, what would they be?

The book sticks close to the movie of the same name, which is not surprising when you realize that MacLean wrote the movies screenplay before the novel. Richard Burton's young son complained to his father that he could not see any of his dad's movies, so the actor approached MacLean to rectify this. And to my mind this is perhaps the most thrilling and exciting novel from MacLean and a very easy purchase.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, I know the plot backwards and forwards from the movie but you get so involved in the action that you forget that you already know what happens. This means (for me at least) that this title will have a high replay value

What about Jonathan Oliver’s performance did you like?

I think Oliver did an excellent job. At first I wasn't so sure about Oliver but as the book went on I got used to Oliver and consider him up there with the likes of Simon Vance (my personal favorite narrator)

Any additional comments?

It's wonderful to see unabridged MacLean narrations on audible. He is my favorite author. I snapped all eight of them at once and look forward to seeing more in the future. Please, Audible let's get the whole MacLean series available. Many thanks in advance :)

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing rendition of classic Fu Manchu adven

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-24-15

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. The plot and story are classic Sax Rohmer Fu Manchu but the effort is spoiled by the narrator who mispronounces a number of references, even including the characters name of Petrie. The audiobook is also missing chapter references, with which every other audible book I have purchased has come with (shown by clicking on the "Chapters" button in iTunes). These chapters are a useful reference when playing an audio book in iTunes. A simple operation by the narrator in a program like Chapter and Verse would have rectified this oversight.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Love the plot, but the narration spoiled enjoyment of it

How could the performance have been better?

Yes, pronouncing the words properly would have significantly improved enjoyment.

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1 person found this helpful

Moonraker Audiobook By Ian Fleming cover art

My #1 Fleming novel brilliantly brought to life

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-12-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I have read the novel "Moonraker" many times over the last four decades, but Vance's performance really breathed life into the characters and situations, and, even though I knew what was coming I enjoyed revisiting the novel.

What did you like best about this story?

My favorite scene is the scene at Blades, in which Bond determines the manner in which Drax is cheating at cards. The novel has an illustration of the cards in each players hand to aid the reader in following along, and even though this obviously couldn't be in the audiobook I didn't miss it.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

I've always been partial to the character of Gala Brand though I do wish female parts were narrated by a female voice when the character is speaking. Still, Vance did a commendable job.

Any additional comments?

In all, listening to this audio book with which I was already very familiar with, was like a visit from an old friend. I have to hesitation in recommending it.

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Recommend without reservation

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-27-15

Any additional comments?

Bravo to Brilliance Audio and Audible for bringing a set of the John Gardner 007 series to audiobook. I greatly enjoyed revisiting “Icebreaker” and Simon Vance’s narration was (as always) first-rate. The plot that sees James Bond tackle a former SS officer neo-Nazi with dreams of a new Reich takes 007 to Finland and includes a thrilling encounter with a snowplow (villains are always searching for a new and inventive way to dispatch our hero) and a particularly brutal ice torture. “Icebreaker” also includes one of my favorite of the literary heroines in Paula Vacker, and a complete set of rounded secondary characters.
As regards the series, many of these have already appeared in audiobook form such as “Nobody Lives Forever,” “Scorpius”, “Never Send Flowers”, “Death is Forever”, “SeaFire” and “Cold” (most in an abridged form, though “Cold” has appeared in both abridged and unabridged) but to my knowledge this is the first time that “Icebreaker” has appeared in the format. Of course Gardner’s first two “Licence Renewed” and “For Special Services” were handled capably by Jeremy Northam a few years back (both excellent I might add if you see them for sale I would recommend them), and the two novelizations (“Licence to Kill” and “Goldeneye” both received capable releases previously), but the realization that I had an opportunity to own the complete set led me to quickly add all of them to my cart or wish list.

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5 people found this helpful

A missed opportunity with many details missing

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-22-15

If anyone wants to read of some of the most fascinating deceptions in WWII, such as moving an entire city and making the Suez Canal invisible, they should read the "War Magician" which details the efforts of a professional conjurer who was a member of A Force. I was surprised that he was never mentioned in this book which I feel is a serious deficiency. The narration was capable but in concentrating on the head of A Force , the book seems lacking and selective,

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