Darren McPherson

Outstanding- Perhaps Definitive

Revisado: 07-25-24

From a learning standpoint, this is one of the best in English history that I’ve read. Certainly the best of any of these courses I’ve listened to.

Eminently understandable and listenable, the listener is not talked down to. Strongest recommendation

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Definitive Account of Solomons Campaign

Revisado: 05-27-24

The definitive account of the Solomon campaign.

I’ve listened to all three of his books now regarding the Solomons campaign. I didn’t realize it was a trilogy until I completed the first one. They have become progressively better.

Overall, one of the best military histories I’ve ever read. It is detailed, thorough, and meticulous, but it never drags, or becomes onerous. Largely because the writer and narrator add the witty sarcasm that adds humor to a very serious subject.

By this third book in the trilogy, there are many new things which I was not familiar with as the Solomons campaign waned down to closure at New Georgia,Papua New Guinea, and the Northern Slot. I really enjoyed the authors, witty sarcasm, typically not a good trait for literature, especially history, but he pulls it off quite well. This third narrator is the best of the bunch. He is very good, one of the best I’ve heard in military history. I’m not sure if the prose is written the way he narrates it, but he certainly improves upon it if not.

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Witty and Comprehensive

Revisado: 04-19-24

I’m usually not in favor of sarcasm, but the narrator and presumably the author pull it off. He pulls no punches and calls out poor strategy and execution by both sides.

Not sure of how he is able to determine who was shooting at whom the aerial battles, but it speaks to the meticulous research. Only shortcoming might be that more could have been said about the Marine actions on Guadalcanal. Seems as if he only hit the highlights. And I’m a Navy guy saying this. Will definitely read the next book as he continues with the Campaign

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He has some good ideas, but….

Revisado: 03-13-24

I started out, wanting to dislike this book, and was reluctant to read in the first place. All of this, because of what I have heard. However, in the first 2/3 of the book, I found myself agreeing with most of what he said. The problem is, like men who think they are Centras, in reality, it’s really a sanctimonious approach that neither side is correct. The problem with his analysis is that since he wrote this book, one side of the political spectrum has run so far away from the center, it makes everyone else look extreme.

Moreover, he oddly starts making predictions late in the book. Short term (10 years) or predictions. These rarely age well and his were no different. We actually DID achieve energy independence. And the next administration grew it away until they saw gas prices surge to politically dangerous levels. Then they relaxed their prohibitions against drilling and lo and behold, gas prices go down! 

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Good but…

Revisado: 02-28-24

These books really do need an accompanying pdf. All the names and the genealogy becomes dizzying after awhile.

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Hard to follow

Revisado: 02-11-24

It’s obviously a complex topic with limited source material, but that’s part of the problem. The author didn’t introduce at all how he did his research and where the source material came from.

Also hard to follow all the names. Could use a pdf to help with maps and names

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Definitely worth the read.

Revisado: 12-10-23

Dizziness description of names and rulers as Holland outlines the lead up to conflict for both the Persians and the Greeks. His prose gets much better as does the story when he starts describing the great battles. In the end, these make it worthwhile. To be fair, he’s using source and other material that are thousands of years old and often foreign in nearly every respect. It’s worth the read.

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Good but seems to be missing something

Revisado: 11-25-23

Overall, was good not great. It missed being a five star for me due to the fact that they’re just appeared to be gaps in his narrative. It is also hard to follow with all the names and characters throughout the Tudor reign.

My big take away is Henry VIII & Elizabeth were monsters each in their own way. It still boggles my mind how the English people tolerated this insanity as long as they did. 

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Good but perhaps not great

Revisado: 09-23-23

It’s a good overview of the Anglo-Saxons. Maybe the most comprehensive as I’m not an expert.

But it was quite slow until the story got to Alfred. Maybe not fair due to the lack of source material. Even the narrator seemed to sense this as his tone and excitement changed noticeably at that point.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Another fascinating listen

Revisado: 09-16-23

I finished in less than 3 days. My only critique is there should be a pdf that accompanies his books with pictures and maps. If there is, I cannot find it

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