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Gillian

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Aha! Gore and Humor delight yet again!

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

Reviewed: 11-22-22

It always pains me beyond belief when I check out reviews before writing m’ own: I HAVE to see if they spark any memories that should be addressed and all that. Plus, sometimes the Nays just crack me up. Anyhoo—when I see the honest reviews for free copies… for outSTANding audiobooks? Dude! where’s the Justice? Certain authors, certain narrators, certain audiobooks should have wider audiences. I shake my fist at Zeus, desperately hoping not to entice a thunderbolt.

And so it is with author Jeff Chapman, whom I listened to this week because I saw this new-to-me audiobook, I bought, I devoured. Cuz, you see, Chapman writes terrifically well, has grueling tension in his plots, and he delivers the mayhem and gory low-blows like no other. All whilst being hiLARious (Think: Our hero, in a massive danger finds the tip of his finger—yeh, it’d been hacked off—just kiiiiinda soooorta slipping down his boot and is now as niggling-ish as a pebble in his shoe. DANGER!!! -and- Dang It All, all in the same sentence).

Life for young Ethan is nothing but hard labor in the fields and the occasional ha’penny game with joshing and jeering friend, Chuck. The lightest points of his days are when he sees the wealthy and fabulously arrogant Arabella in town. He can’t help it; even tho’ Chuck jeeringly advises him that he’d do better to go for a poxy girl, more in his league, Ethan is well and truly smitten.

On the way home from a ha’penny game, after yet another glance of disdain from Arabella, Ethan rises to his little brother’s bait as they walk past The Barrow—Nobody crosses into it and comes out alive. Ethan dashes in…. and barely comes out alive… ankle slashed and bleeding after an attack… and oh yeah, with a silver gorget in his hand.

He tells no one of the gorget but sees it is magical in moonlight, and thoughts of Arabella beaming in delight at such a gift sets him out to gift it to her.

Uhm, problem. Just one itsy bitsy problem. The protector of The Barrow is the Sniggard, a supernatural kinda sorta monster-ish entity who’s been charged with overseeing the treasure of The Barrow. Magic leads him to the gorget, and gory mayhem ensues, complete with ax-wielding and split skulls (See? Chapman goes there!), and Arabella is taken prisoner to The Barrow.

Ethan gets into sooo many scrapes, there are jaunts in to Faerie, there’s magic, mysticism, one Dunno-If-She-Can-Be-Trusted mute witchy woman who speaks through her cat. And then there’s the Sniggard, doomed to guard The Barrow for eternity, all lonesome, all blood lust-y.

Narrator James Young is absolutely new to me but I’m ALWAYS up for a story performed by a Brit (Gives it a sorta gravitas, ya know?). He managed EVERYthing here from hard cider-fueled mobs, to a Squire who’s keen to mete out the direst and most gruesome of punishment for slights and perceived slights, from Arabella who’s innocent and untried until she’s thinking on her feet, to the denizens of Faerie. And of course, Young does a perfect Ethan who struggles with right and wrong, good intentions juggled with ignoble purposes, all whilst getting finger digits lopped off and whacking the Undead with his magic-strengthened walking stick. Bravo, sir.

Once again, the story ends in a MOST open-ended manner, suggesting sequels. And we all know I do love a good series as it stimulates m’ Flunked The Marshmallow Test sensibilities.

No, twasn’t a Merliss Tale, but dude! there was still a cat in it… and BLOOD! And an Undead governess who trots around with a headscarf to keep both halves of her cleaved head together.

What’s not to love, I ask you?

This review was featured at Audiobook Accomplice

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A MUST for Veterans; A MUST for us

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

Reviewed: 05-10-22

How to say it?

You will NOT be able to listen to Vietnam—Soldier Stories and Songs at one go, in one day, probably even in one week. Me? It’s what I do, Listen. And what stories Jim “Doc” Purtell has to share.

Sometimes a person’s life goes down a rabbit hole, one that p’raps that person signed up for (In Purtell’s case, but certainly not for everyone), but more often, the person is simply swept up in a horrific tide that takes all the good in an entire generation, changes the very DNA and marks them clearly.

One such person is Jim Purtell. Tho’ you can Listen to the whys and wherefores of his early life in Vietnam: There & Back, let me just say that he did not know what he was getting into when he joined the military and was sent to Vietnam just shy of his 19th birthday. He became “Doc” the medic, treating other young men who were just boys, really.

This rather made him the guy all the others told their troubles to: Kids breaking down and sharing with other, really, just kids. But “Doc” was the guy who carried it all, the heartbreak, the fears, and he became the collector of stories. And over time, healing through music, those stories became songs that truly told of the Experience of War(s), whether it was simply of being That Guy, the loner who didn’t fit in before Vietnam, then somehow just disappeared, never to come home (“Eternity”) FROM Vietnam, or it was the part of, oh yes, an entire generation who came back to no fanfare (Many songs), where “Thank You For Your Service” has come about, oh yes, 50-years too late.

One of the most prolific veteran songwriters, Purtell’s Vietnam—Soldiers Stories and Songs is a Must Listen for the country, especially as we transition from years-long wars and perhaps ask more from our warriors as time goes on. While it’s very good for the country as a whole to immerse themselves in the experience of loss and grief and isolation and PTSD and even what it means to be a wife of a serviceman (“She Married the War”), I think it would be of immense, no: Possibly THE Best, help to veterans. Purtell’s songs, the music of talented musicians coming together, the stories, the lyrics, the sometimes sound effects, without a doubt touch the soul.

My favorite is “Honor Guard” which reminded me of a documentary I saw of a man who served at Arlington National Cemetery; of his pride and passion, of ironing his uniform exactly. I was very happy to listen to it, and I felt even more when I saw Purtell’s video that has a snippet of the precision, the dignity, the reverence (Complete with veterans in the background, watching, feeling honored) of the Changing of the Guard.

And I was somewhat taken aback by the jaunty music of “Night Patrol” juxtaposed with the lyrics that tell us that as much as Vietnam was NOT where the young men wanted to be? Well, there were even greater Hells, and one of those was the Night Patrol, where you just didn’t know if you’d be coming back, or if you’d just be gone. This is made even more poignant by the video that shows jeez, just how young they were, gathering ammo, testing the sharpness of their knives, ready to kill, desperately hoping not to be killed themselves.

The stories of the songs are equally as compelling, showing us just how much music can do to give voice to that which was hidden, remained unspoken for so long. Purtell’s friendship with Al Torsiello reaches a milestone when they realize, and speak openly about, the torments of the mind, the dreams, the sudden terrors, the difficulties in Coming Back Home and not fitting in seamlessly as they’d so longed to do when in Vietnam. And I’m so very happy to hear that Purtell has been active in sharing his music, making it available for use in productions, and short films; he’s an advocate, a true healer and friend to his buddies from their war, to veterans of all wars.

Andrew Baldwin has quite a bit of potential as a narrator; I did appreciate that he threw himself into the performance, adding such enthusiasm and drama. I would caution him, however, to truly read the text and give each statement proper moderation. The phrase, “All the joy,” deserves the enthusiasm; the phrase, “All the fear,” deserves somberness. There is great sadness, great pain, great dignity to be found here—it merits careful consideration.

Expect some fine musical performances and some emotionally evocative lyrics that’ll have you sitting back caught in reveries, some hellish, some enraging, some exceedingly sad. This wasn’t even 5-hours, but it took me the full week to sincerely contemplate each song. I was only two-going-on-three when Purtell served in Vietnam, but when I was (A trifle) older, I would look upon soldiers with awe and respect.

Oh how differently it all now rolls through my head. They, all veterans, any war, still have my awe, have my respect. But now, I hope that Purtell’s offerings can give them what I cannot give them: Healing, songs from one of Their Own…

This review was proudly featured at Audiobook Accomplice

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The Korean War Finally Gets A Bit More Air Time

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

Reviewed: 07-04-19

This is a scholarly work that somehow manages to capture the humanity of men at war. Kenneth E. Hamburger obviously did a tremendous amount of research, gathered information and anecdotes from veterans, stayed away from interjecting opinions even when certain engagements were controversial. I appreciated the balanced view.
I've come to be quite fond of Nevitt as a narrator. He seems to have a very good voice for the more scholarly works of military history, one of my favorite subjects. I must admit, however, that I don't know that much about the Korean War (It's a tragedy, but they didn't even touch upon it in high school!), so I don't know whether the pronunciations of battles and words for Korean geography are correct. Nevitt blows right through them with nary a stumble.
I'm very glad to have listened to this, and it's rather made me want to listen to the more comprehensive works of the Korean War as a whole.
I was given this audiobook free at my request for a fair and honest review.

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Well, It Wasn't the Narrator's Fault...

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

Reviewed: 06-01-19

If you've read the Publisher's Summary, you've pretty much read mooooore than what's in the book. That thing about the big mystery of What Happened to the Bodies? Never really looked into. Could it have been a miffed tenant? Dismissed in a sentence. The hubbub of the city in an uproar? Mmmmm, kinda sorta, just an itty bitty bit.
I had to keep reminding myself that Belgium Building is a novella, so things are SUPPOSED to come and go without much being delved into. So lightning fast character and relationship development is SUPPOSED to happen. I tried getting over it, really I did. But when you add to the flimsy story some pretty weak writing (EVERYtime a murder happens, there are "pools of blood" this, "pools of blood" that, "pools of blood" "pools of blood" "pools of blood"), you've got 3 1/2 hours of I-Want-That-Time-Back.
Andy Packard, tho' he has a really smooth voice for a gritty story, at least gets excited as the story clips along. Plus, he does a great job at pretty fearlessly giving a huge cast characters each their distinct voices. So he did what he could.
I know this is an unpopular review, that everybody else loved it, so perhaps I just went in with far too great expectations? I dunno. I'm just glad I didn't use one of my Credits for it...
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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If You Want To Make A Difference...!

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

Reviewed: 04-28-19

I wasn't sure I was going to like Live Ablaze at first. I mean, it starts off a tad disjointed and wanders. Davison-Tracy starts with mostly purely personal topics/subjects such as her eating disorder. It's a study in shame and regret and, at first, I thought I was listening to a work by Brene Brown (whom she quotes). I thought I might as well go for Brown instead as the woman also brings in-depth research, goofball Texas storytelling, major insight into the studies of shame and vulnerability.
But then Live Ablaze got going with how we can find our place in the world. And I mean: The WORLD, not just your neighborhood area.
Davison-Tracy has walked the talk. As a teenager, she jumped at the chance to live in India and had some hard lessons about suffering, poverty, the plight of little beggar children that left her weeping. But it left her determined also, and she and her family continue to travel the world, doing good works.
If you've ever wondered how you can make a difference, give Live Ablaze a listen. It is packed with chances to find points of peace, chances to dig deeper into your thoughts and dreams. It also gives examples of how people have turned their talents into good works (Okay, so there is an example of working in your own corner of your hometown: A hairdresser who took his scissors to the street to provide free grooming to the homeless). One woman even turned her love of fashion into a chance to educate others on fair trade and the plight of workhouses.
I'm not ready to go that big in my own life just yet, but I appreciated the opportunity to be inspired and to really think about the world around me!
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Sweet Story Of Friends Saving Friends

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

Reviewed: 12-15-18

One Frosty Christmas was just what I was looking for so close to the holidays. Hannah is a brave young girl, and I liked how she was in no way thwarted by the fact that she's an amputee, and even if other kids call her "Pegleg", she never comes across as one to feel sorry for herself. She is quite capable.
Through her concern and later care for the unhappy horse, Frostbite, she finds that she's no longer alone, no longer an outcast but has comrades who will help her save him.
There is quite a bit of action at the end, and several sweet and empowering scenes throughout, and there's even some Native wisdom that comes from Hannah's friend Joe, who speaks to and seeks help from The Grandfathers.
Leslie Howard does a capable job with the narration, carrying many and varied characters, carrying action, carrying joy, and even absolute distress with aplomb. She sounds like a young girl but never turns One Frosty Christmas into a little kid's book. It definitely is for a younger audience, but as an adult, you won't be bored at all if you listen to it when your children do.
And nothing brings people together like doing the right and courageous thing. It's a really, really happy ending!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

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5 people found this helpful

Action Punctuated By The Dry, The Drudge

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

Reviewed: 11-25-18

I suppose I expected more in the way of humanity and the experiences of the men who lived the combat of this, the first several weeks of Guadalcanal, seeing as the Publisher's Summary cites so many resources, especially diaries and memoirs. And while it does have the memories of many men, Victory Fever on Guadalcanal doesn't have many of them.
For instance, a line will tell us about gnats swarming into eyes, suggesting hell to walk through, but we don't get anything about what the men actually experienced, how it felt to be walking through that.
And there are many men. Many, many men. So many that I found it somewhat confusing at times. And there's planning for battles and engagements. Much, much planning. So much that I'd get somewhat bored at times (especially since hey! when has something ever gone according to plan?).
Still, when the listener gets to the actual engagements, there's plenty of action to carry you through and Victory Fever on Guadalcanal delivers. It's really good there.
Bill Nevitt does an admirable job, especially gamely running through the many Japanese names (tho' I'm no expert on Japanese, so I can't 100 per cent guarantee that it's all correct). And he does well in griping when someone gripes, elevating his voice when someone else shouts. I can't tell you how key this is if you're keeping a listener hooked in a book that could be considered dry at points.
A good listen, enough to make me wonder about seeking out Guadalcanal Diary to find out the rest of the history.

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

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3 people found this helpful

Human Dignity--Left or Right Wing Issue?!?

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

Reviewed: 11-25-18

I walked into Immigration and the American Backlash thinking I'd be hit with a barrage of left-wing arguments, something that I, as a slightly left-of-center person might find to be a slight affront (and perhaps I should say here that I swing more to the right the older I get). And it certainly does make some arguments that someone who thinks from the right might find infuriating, but overall one finds that the book is mostly about humans making their way.
Make no mistake: The Left gets some heavy-duty whonking on the head, as the problem comes across as starting off from neo-Liberal policies of the 90s (think NAFTA and super cheap labor depressing a living wage), and it goes on to slight it as being a lot of hand-wringing now.
Still, I can see where the people on the Right would dislike the book: It's heavy on immigrants keeping some of their culture alive and well even as they live in this country. It suggests that Mexican-American studies aren't all that bad (and what other way to introduce the culture to citizen students to immigrants so that they aren't perpetually viewed as The Other?). It asks that we look at how our own policies, economic, social, political, have undermined the fabric of society in the countries that are seeing the most emigration. This is never fun stuff to listen to, I assure you.
But the book really highlights the immigrants as human beings. It over and over shows people working truly wretched jobs for truly wretched wages.
Jim Sartor does a capable job narrating the book, and while I sometimes found his narration to be over-enthusiastic, it never got in the way of the whole shebang.
Mostly the book just reminds us of one salient fact: We're talking about people here, and since when have human dignity, human rights been an awful thing? (okay! okay! since forever--still--worthy of a listen!)

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

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6 people found this helpful

Uplifting, But European Narrator, Please!

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

Reviewed: 11-02-18

Ann Richardson does a fine job with the narration, turning in a warm and heartfelt performance, but it was mighty, mighty, MIGHTY strange hearing an eyewitness account of the Holocaust in the voice of a young American girl. While it is a strong story, it could have been stronger with a different narrator. But that is the only problem I have with the narration. So sue me; it kept jumping out at me as she, Eva, recounts her time in her hometown then Amsterdam, then Birkenau, then traveling after the liberation of the camps by the Russians.

This is one of those survivor accounts where the victim has no hatred or malice for the victimizers. Throughout, there is faith, friendship, the love of family, hope for the future, even a sort of peace made with what is happening to her at the time. Even though there is always, always such fear. Eva suffers typhus and frostbite, but she will not seek medical help because that could get her sent straight to the showers. (By the way, there is one horrible scene where a large group of them are sent to the showers and nobody knows, will it be water? or will it be gas?)

Eva is the stepsister of Anne Frank only by the remarriage of her mother much later on to Otto Frank. But they were sort of playmates at a time, though Eva feels Anne was far more mature than she at the time. Just do not go into the audiobook thinking there will be lots of peripheral/lateral stuff about Anne Frank.

Still and all, on its own, it is a good story, a hopeful one. Even though there is plenty of fear and tragedy thrown in

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Mostly As A Companion to The War Outside My Window

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

Reviewed: 11-02-18

‘Cause if you haven’t read that, you might be dead in the water with I Am Perhaps Dying. This book by Dr. Rasbach chronicles LeRoy’s many illnesses, primarily his tuberculosis (at least that’s his diagnosis based on the “cures” LeRoy was undergoing, and his journal entries of symptoms). It can get pretty technical, not exactly for the layman, but if you already know LeRoy Wiley Gresham from his diaries, it’ll be of interest to you. The poor kid went through a lot in his desperate and short life. If you haven’t heard of him, you might think he’s a total whiner as the only parts of his diary that are narrated here are of his ailments, not his take on history and the ongoing Civil War.

It can get pretty repetitive too. Alum water as a cure is mentioned in the first part, then in the second section, then it’s explained again. Same goes with alcohol and with opium and with many other medicines used. Then there are diary entries read in part as they relate to what Rasbach is discussing which go on to be read in full for the last two hours of the book where every single day has been mined to find LeRoy’s complaints for that day.

I guess I should say: that gets to be pretty sad, and one wonders what living with so debilitated an individual did to his parents who had to stand by and watch. Plus, they never told LeRoy about his diagnosis (for, though there was no understanding of TB, there certainly was the understanding of the death sentence consumption doled out), so he was unaware of his fate. There are many, many entries where he speaks: I hope this soon goes away; I wonder when I’ll be better, etc. etc. It’s not until eight days before his death that he comes to realize what the title of this audiobook states.

Ben Collins does a good job with the narration. The litany of complaints could come off as whiny, but instead, we feel LeRoy as a confused boy/young man, one who is very tired of being exhausted and of living in pain. Plus, there is a rather amusing section where the text from advertisements for the “cures” of the day are read, and you kinda get that snake-oil salesman feel from his tones.

As a companion to LeRoy’s diaries, I Am Perhaps Dying is fairly interesting. But you HAVE to read that first or justice will not be done to LeRoy’s work and memory.

I received a free book in exchange for this honest and unbiased review

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