D G Fretwell

Highly entertaining

Reviewed: 22-01-24

Brilliant script, brilliantly acted, amusing as well. A different take on a police drama involving the solving of murder.

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Real understanding

Reviewed: 17-01-24

Jeremy wrote and recorded his personal viewpoints before the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 so this book is (in my opinion) an essential read (listen) for anybody who wishes to understand the background of the current escalation of tension in the Middle East. His reporting and analysis of his interviews with leaders, NGOs and with so many ordinary folk (who are caught up in the conflict purely because it is their home) is balanced and gives real insight into why this awful situation is so difficult to resolve. But for all of us who long to see peace in that area of the world (and elsewhere) this book is a real encouragement to us to not give in to despair but to do what we can to see people of all faiths (or none) living and working alongside each other in respect, friendship and peace. All who get involved in peaceful demonstration, prayer vigils, letter writing or diplomacy, will find this book of real encouragement. Thank you, Jeremy!

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A truly important book

Reviewed: 19-12-23

I was still at school in UK when Mao came to power in China so took little interest in what was happening. History in my school days was very much based on learning about the Kings and Queens of England and the importance and achievements of the colonialists. It has taken a lifetime of my adult years to gain a wider world view and a different perspective on world history and I am still learning. In my 70s now, I find I have far more questions than answers, but perhaps that is what lifelong learning is about? This book was written in 2010 and much has changed since then, so I now intend reading (listening to?) Frank Dikotter’s later books on recent Chinese history. His grasp of China’s politics, his research and his writing is admirable. This book does not translate to an audible book very easily because of the number of “footnotes” which are less clear when read aloud than they would be in printed script. My eyesight is failing now, so I use audiobooks more than print these days and I found myself “re-winding” several sections of this book to ensure I had fully understood what I’d heard, but that did not reduce my admiration for this as an important history book. As Frank admitted, as more access to archives become possible, more understanding of the truth behind the actual cost to the Chinese people of this period will be possible. If, like me, you find a fascination in all aspects of China, then this book is well worth spending time with!

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Great listen!

Reviewed: 31-10-23

The script writing is amazing in this series. Without any lengthy verbal descriptions or overwhelming and unnecessary background sounds, we are transported into the scene of each drama immediately, purely with the brilliance of the actors voice tones. Without seeing any of them, we listeners get to know each character in our imagination very quickly. For lovers of crime drama and fans of police series this listen is one of the best! Can thoroughly recommend it. Each story’s portrayal and coverage of 21st century life (and its big issues) in UK now is second to none.

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Loved it!

Reviewed: 07-09-23

I am so glad I purchased this Audiobook! Have never been a huge fan of Agatha Christie stories, but Lucy gave me a completely fresh perspective on her life and motivation. I really appreciated Lucy’s broad based analysis of family correspondence, but also - particularly- her analysis of what the critics were saying about her work. Very interesting that it was the demands of Agatha’s reading public who kept her in print rather than the publishers and editors at the time! It’s no wonder that so many folk who love writing for its own sake are turning towards self-publication these days.
Agatha’s world was changing fast, as is ours and Lucy is a great analyst of what is happening now. Great book!

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Eye opening history of the suffragette movement

Reviewed: 17-03-23

I wish I had been taught more detail of the suffragette movement in school history instead of learning long lists and dates of the Kings and Queens of Britain! I have always been thankful for those who suffered so that I could have a vote and I still (in my seventies) tell people off if they “can’t be bothered”. Part of me wishes that voting is compulsory but with the option of spoiling my paper as a protest vote being permitted. This book was an eye opener and I was absorbed in the stories of all these individual women. I was fascinated by the differences of opinion that caused splits and splintering in the suffragette communities…knew nothing about that at all and it made me realise how difficult it is for any passionate political or belief system to remain completely united. I am a member of the Anglican Church and we are currently struggling with the differences in our membership concerning same sex marriage and I fear that we will splinter into different groups as did the suffragettes.
The story teller was great, but perhaps more than one voice would have added variety? It became a little monotonous to listen to in some sections, but that was due to the nature of the history telling and not the performer.
Thank you, Diane Abbot, for this great book! The suffering and punishments undergone by these women (and the men who supported them) who fought to give me my vote was far greater than I was taught at school and I am deeply grateful to them all, whatever way they chose to make their protest, violent or peaceful.

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1 person found this helpful

Fascinating history!

Reviewed: 15-11-22

For those of us who learnt only the Kings and Queens of England plus an unending list of dates to be learnt by heart for homework, this is a very different view of history, but very well worth learning about.
Researched brilliantly with original documents and most recent archeological evidence, I was absorbed by this book and will be listening to it again!
To hear history from the point of view of the country itself was refreshing.
As a Christian, whose knowledge of the exile of the Jews to Babylon and their return (years later) has only ever come from my Bible, I really appreciated hearing the political background to all of this period of the history recorded in the Bible.
As a woman, I also appreciated the depth of analysis in the book of the power of the women living in the Persian harems.
“It is unlike other histories of Persia” is a quote from the beginning of the book, and it is such a true statement. The balance of the “Persian version” versus the Greek version of history is done really well.
Excellent book!

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1 person found this helpful

Heartwarming story about human nature

Reviewed: 09-11-22

I have loved Nevil Shute’s writing for a long time and this story meets the standard of most of his other writing. It’s a story of somebody with a life threatening condition, which sends him of on an amazing adventure to fulfil his bucket list before it’s too late. The language does reflect how folk spoke at the time, so please don’t let the politically incorrect words put you off this story. The real impact of this story is that real crises in life can bring out the best in human nature and change well entrenched opinions for the better.
I recommend this story, it’s really good listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Fascinating book!

Reviewed: 02-11-22

I was engrossed with this book. I had heard my parents often discuss this era of British history (they lived through it) but to learn about it in depth from this book was great.
I enjoyed the fact that the author has covered the reactions of Edward’s abdication from so many different viewpoints…the other members of the Royal family; the politicians; the press; other Allied countries…but most interesting was the insight into how Hitler was using the situation for his own ends. Well done Andrew Morton and thank you for a fascinating history lesson!

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A refreshing approach to WWII history

Reviewed: 28-10-22

I bought this book out of curiosity as it indicated that I would learn about one close knit community on the border of Germany as Hitler rose to power and then how that community responded to the War years. For me (as a post war baby of an Allied country, it further opened my understanding of how the war was for ordinary folk in Germany - my previous knowledge about the War was only from the Allied point of view.
This book was a real eye opener for me and I was gripped with it. We are all human beings living on the same earth, and to hear so many individual stories of how that war impacted upon the life of this German community and their individual reactions (and care for) each other through those difficult years was quite emotional and very thought provoking. A “must read” for all of us who think that humans are either good or bad. The books shows that we are all very much the same…a complex mixture of many characteristics who very often find that the grey areas of life are difficult to face up to.
Excellently researched history of this village. I am in my seventies now, but I thoroughly recommend this book to all youngsters learning about WWII in secondary school.

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