W.

Barbra story

Reviewed: 03-28-24

For years, I’ve thought Barbra is a very talented singer, and a talented actress. That’s where it ended for me. I didn’t have any real attachment to any of it until I read this book. Barbra’s story is every woman’s story with one major, exception, her talent.
I’ve mentioned the book to a couple of women who responded with - I’m not a fan of hers. When I inquire why I hear the same kind of third and fourth hand information that Barbra addresses in the preface of the book. She talks about a Doctor who said to her cinematographer that he hears that Barbra is a bitch to work with. I represented one of the Cinematographers that worked with her, Laslo, Kovac. His comments about her were similar to the cinematographer she mentions in that preface. She was a dream to work with. I believe that was true, for any confident cinematographer.
This book should be considered an anthem for women with ambition. I’ve gone from being someone who knew about her to being someone who would protect her story with everything I have.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

From skeptic to defender

Reviewed: 01-23-23

Having being the target of false accusations I was curious about Prince Harry’s situation. I decided the best way to understand it was to hear his story. I grew up on a farm in the middle of the middle of nowhere. I can’t relate to any of his childhood experiences with bodyguards and nannies, but I did read the first section of his book with curiosity, and found his telling of the story endearing. Even his questioning of what royalty means to an individual growing up in that reality. Of course, as a child, he didn’t know any different but as a young man, his questions were insightful. His training and time in the Armed Forces gave the best insight into who he is and how he operates. The fact that the press reported that he brags about killing in Afghanistan is appalling. He talks about it with pain, bravery, and a resignation of what war is about.

Anyone buying this book to try and get the dirt on the British royal family will likely be disappointed. He does discuss the issues that have come up between he and his brother and his father but he does it in an understated and non-judge mental way. Families are complicated. How much more so must royal families be complicated. Two boys who lost such a vibrant and popular mother would indeed be wounded. By the end of the second section, I had pretty much turned from skeptic to understanding.

When Prince Harry began to talk about meeting his now wife, I was moved from understanding to defender. Harry fell so head over heels in love with Megan. I can’t imagine any woman reading his description of that time and not wishing she had or hoping she will have someone in her life who feels that way about her. The fact that Harry reads the book himself makes this even more impactful. Through most of the first two sections I felt that I was sitting at a campfire hearing a young man’s life story told by the young man. In this section, I almost feel like I’m reading his diary, and hearing his most intimate thoughts about the woman he loves.

Most of my friends and contemporaries, have a jaded perspective of Harry and Meg. I now refuse to talk to any of them about their opinions of this couple until they read the book.

The press isn’t just menacing it’s dangerous. I for one believe they are responsible for Diana’s death. The press in America brought us a president who has been destructive, behaved in a questionable manner often, and in my opinion, has crossed the line on legal matters. And the head of one of the major networks famously said that he might be bad for the country but he’s great for ratings. The press has given us an opinion of a young prince and the woman he loves that I believe, is distorted, filled with lies to build subscriptions and sell papers without regard to the impact it has on the individuals, the culture, and our future as well as the Royals future.

In closing, I would like to say that I think it is criminal that the royal family and the British government are not protecting this young family. Prince Harry didn’t ask to be born a Royal, he was born a Royal. And I’m sure Megan was prepared for paparazzi. As an actress, she’s had some experience with that. Nothing could prepare one for the treatment she received by the British press. I don’t begrudge them a penny of whatever they are able to raise based on their history and their names. They have two young children, and themselves to protect at great financial cost for the rest of their lives. I am a Canadian living in California. It gave me pride to read that they were mostly left alone when they were in British Columbia. People would see them nod to them, smile, but leave them with their privacy. They enjoyed that privacy until the press arrived. I hope for their sake and their children that they have been able to surround themselves with staff and nannies and friends, who protect them and celebrate them. I for one I’m happy to have them living in California.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Personal and poignant

Reviewed: 01-13-23

Kind hearted and honest also go with my feedback. A First Lady who brought understanding and compassion to her role. The encouragement to go high inspires forgiveness. Understanding that often what we see as malice or deliberate unkindness is simply getting in the way of someone’s very bad day. I have been moved to tears of joy and sadness by this book and often by the same phrase. Thank you Mrs. Obama for all you have been for the soul of our nation and each of us. Politics aside, the character and example you and your family displayed in office and out gives us an example of people striving to do the right thing in all endeavors.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Exciting and satisfying.

Reviewed: 10-16-21

There was not a disappointing moment in this book for me. The readers were spectacular. The characters were well developed and tugged at my heart strings when they were right and when they were wrong. This is one of my favorite books of the last decade.

Please keep writing Amor Towles.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Reads like a novel

Reviewed: 06-17-21

A well written description from an insider about what led to where we are now. A divided country with citizen storming the capital. Reality TV star recently occupying the Oval Office. His leadership leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead in the wake of his incompetence. Hope that the new administration will help us heal. And the reality of how many people still believe the election was stolen without the benefit of facts or evidence. Ben Rhodes takes us inside the experience of the eight years led by a man of character.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not what I was expecting

Reviewed: 02-21-20

I thought I was going to hear a comedian do a standup routine in a book long format. Instead what I heard was an insightful young man telling the story of his childhood in a matter of fact way that left me anxious to get back every time I had to put the book down. And I never really did put the book down since I was listening to it.Hearing the story in his own words and his own voice made such a difference. I was reluctant to watch the show when John Stewart left because I had been a fan of his for so long and remain so. Trevor Noah had one meal over before I listen to the book and now, well, he holds a place in my heart in the same way that John Steward has for so many years.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Thank you

Reviewed: 09-16-17

For the honest and vulnerable male voice. For your authenticity and kindness.
I have enjoyed the story and the way you choose to share yourself with us, your readers from all cultures and invisible bias. Thank you for all this.
Dr. Leah Hanes

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Best book of the year, a story we all need to know

Reviewed: 07-15-15

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

I would highly recommend this book on audio. Adam Grupper is great. He doesn't get in the way of the story. He propels it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Red Notice?

The story tells us something about what is broken in the Russian system and what is broken in our own system. Our process did triumph in the end but that process needs examination.

What about Adam Grupper’s performance did you like?

The reading is not overdone. He is engaging and lets the story carry the listener rather than the performance. Having said that, the performance is stellar.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A moral issue that should bend the law.

Reviewed: 04-29-10

If there are companies out there that have made money with the Henrietta Lacks' cells, and they don't react to this book by setting up scholarships for this family, those companies should be shut down. They are morally bankrupt.
Well written, provocative and inspirational.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful