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Audiobooks for Postal Employees!
Archives: March 2006 - September 2006 [Audiobooks
Home] |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
September 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 James Lee Burke's new mystery PEGASUS DESCENDING again features a New
Iberia, Louisiana detective named Dave Robicheaux, a former alcoholic
prone to dark, violent spells influenced by nagging memories and the
need for justice. In this latest outing, Dave is investigating the
death of a former friend whom he once witnessed being gunned down in
a robbery. The man's daughter has recently surfaced, spending marked
money, something that will lead Dave into a confrontation with the
thug who ended Dallas Klein's life twenty-five years before. Library
Journal and other reviewers mention Burke's intricate plotting, but I
say the plot here doesn't matter so much as the insight into what
lurks behind our thin veneer of society. How can we be so generous
and polite and respectable one moment, and so callous and violent and
greedy the next? Dave's inner struggles mirror our own, and bring
out much larger questions than simply who may have done what to whom,
and when. As such, this is not mere mystery, it is literature.
Indeed, the prose of Burke is arguably the most astonishingly
original in the metaphor department of anyone writing. One day, when
finally Burke gives up Robicheaux and writes a truly timeless
American classic, it will be on a par with Hemingway's best, or with
Faulkner. Until then, we have a flawed detective who, like Travis
McGee in the John D. MacDonald series, shares the burden of human
frailty along with a transcendent awareness of the beauty of nature
and the heartbreaking brevity of all life. As to the narrator of
this story, you could not ask a better performer than actor Will
Patton, whose Louisiana accents are as authentic as his gifts for
character embellishment and understated profundity. Even the pauses
and breaths Patton takes here resonate with an air of familiarity.
(Simon & Schuster Audio or Recorded Books/12 hours unabridged)
Another original, albeit strange, writer is Haruki Murakami, a
Japanese practitioner of magical realism, alternating popular fiction
with fantasy in such a way that the borderland inhabited by his
characters becomes a shadowy world at once familiar and disquieting.
In KAFKA ON THE SHORE, two parallel stories merge into one. The
first is told by a truck driver who encounters a multi-dimensional
being not averse with playing with his mind. The second story,
intertwined with the first, is that of a precocious 15 year old named
Kafka, embarked on a journey to discover home and family, yet beset
by surrealistic tests and choices. Not for the squeamish, this novel
holds rewards for those seeking something different. Murakami
himself is something of an iconoclast in his home country, and like
all great writers, feels ill at ease with the status quo. Read with
subtle evocation by Sean Barrett and Oliver Le Sueur, among others,
this genre-crossing journey into the imagination has been produced by
a publisher known for rendering classic masterworks into audio
format. (Naxos Audiobooks/19 hours unabridged)
Next, Seth Godin suggests that success in business is directly tied
to one's ability to change, and to "think small and innovative." In
his new book SMALL IS THE NEW BIG, Godin says the old days of seeking
out MBAs to fill executive offices is morphing into a search for
folks with the ability to creatively seize the moment. Truth is,
anyone can change, and these days, the consumer is definitely
"anyone." So to remain fearful of change is now more dangerous than
ever, because even giant corporations are being outperformed by
smaller companies with remarkable ideas. Bottom line? If you're
starting small, don't be afraid of the big boys. Come up with
something new and better, and you will shine. That's the lesson I
get from this collection of blog posts and business articles, read by
the author. (Highbridge Audio/7.5 hours unabridged)
If you're still a Bush fan, you're now in a minority, according to
the latest poll numbers. Was he naive, dumb, incompetent, or evil,
at the height of his popularity after a speech on 9/11? Former drama
critic for the NY Times, columnist Frank Rich, contends that the
answer is all-of-the-above in his new book THE GREATEST STORY EVER
SOLD. Subtitle here is "The Decline and Fall of the Truth," with a
second half titled "Buyer's Remorse." To his credit, Rich doesn't
descend into angry invective, and suggests that the Democrats, headed
by Gore, may have done little better in the competency department--
something we'll never know. He does call the Bush administration a
"propaganda presidency," detailing George W's narrow world view, and
all-out focus on a predetermined agenda to consolidate his own
power. Too bad that plans never seem to survive the first real
battle. Narrated by the eloquent and listenable Grover Gardner, this
fascinating look behind the curtains is nonetheless depressing, when
you consider that the ones manipulating the ropes have made knots for
us that resemble nooses. (Penguin Audio/10 hours unabridged)
Finally, as an alternative to serial killer books or endless media re- countings of Bagdad body bags, try Ernest Hemingway's ISLANDS IN THE
STREAM. It's a late story by the master novelist that has recently
been recorded on audio, and narrated by actor Bruce Greenwood. The
story follows Thomas Hudson, a painter on Bimini, who later gets
involved in antisubmarine warfare off the coast of Cuba during WW
II. A very human and familial story, it is read with grace by the
believable Greenwood. It's also one of the last stories penned by
this great and most famous of American writers. (Simon & Schuster
Audio/15 hours unabridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. Jonathan Lowe is a judge in the Audie awards, and
author of the satirical "Fame Island," narrated by Emmy winning actor Kristoffer Tabori for BlackstoneAudio.com) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
August 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 As a guest recently on XM Satellite radio, I was asked by channel
host Mark Reddig what audiobook I'd recommend to someone who had
never heard an audiobook before. My answer, quite unequivocally, was
a 1980 book recently re-released in CD format titled THE RESTAURANT
AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, by the late Douglas Adams. Why? Well,
because with the possible exception of suicidal terrorists, everyone
likes to laugh, and who is more outrageous, silly, sardonic, and mind-
numbingly original than the author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the
Galaxy"? A movie version of Adams' opus came out a couple years ago,
and one of the stars of that movie was Martin Freeman, who narrates
here with the deft exaggeration of Zaphod Beeblebrox, (if not Marvin,
the moody android.) Lively, entertaining, wry, satirical (adjectives
that fail to do him justice), Freeman freely and fully animates the
text with the same abandon as, say, a five hour extended skit by
Monty Python. And what do you do besides munch and burp at this
restaurant to end all restaurants? Well, relatively speaking, you
watch the Big Collapse, opposite of the Big Bang. Then you go home
with the firm knowledge that life, the universe, and everything will
indeed come to an abrupt halt, rendering all that went before utterly
meaningless. Kinda liberating, don't you think? (Random House Audio/
5.45 hours unabridged)
Back on Earth, of course, there are more believable suspense novels
like KILLER INSTINCT by Joseph Finder, in which a young executive
named Jason Steadman is trying to cope with his wife's urging that he
climb the corporate ladder at an electronics firm so that they can
enjoy a better life. But Jason doesn't really possess the killer
instinct that his rival, a consistent top salesman, does. A nice
guy, Jason then meets an ex Special Forces officer who was
dishonorably discharged in Iraq. Kurt Semko was once drafted by a
major baseball team, and so Jason gives him a second chance by hiring
him as a security officer--primarily because the company team needs a
pitcher. Soon, Jason is moving up the ladder quickly, thanks to some
"accidents" his rivals seem to be having. Can you see where this is
going? The suspense is narrated by Scott Brick, who slowly builds
the tension into a predicament that anyone might find themselves in
once they become friends with a sociopath. As a bonus, what follows
is an interview between author Joseph Finder and Malcolm Gladwell,
who wrote "Blink" and "The Tipping Point," on the nature of
interoffice politics. (Audio Renaissance/11.5 hours unabridged)
If westerns are your cup of hot black coffee, try FOUR BY L'AMOUR, a
full cast radio drama production of four stories by that most
prolific of western authors, Louis L'Amour. The stories here are "No
Man's Land," "Get Out of Town," "McQueen of the Tumbling K" and
"Booty for a Badman." Each runs about an hour. Evoking a simpler
time, when a man's word actually meant something, the production
benefits from non-obtrusive sound effects and the believability of
multiple cast members, who have the luxury of playing only
themselves. The only disadvantage here is that sometimes a character
might be talking from the background, so if you're listening in a
vehicle, with distracting noise around, you may find yourself
adjusting the volume to hear them properly. Otherwise, think "audio
movies." In "Get Out of Town," a young man hires an ex-con to help
herd the steers on his mother's ranch, and when some locals warn him
about the man, he nonetheless trusts his instincts, and soon
discovers a shocking truth he might otherwise never have learned.
(Random House Audio/4 hours unabridged)
Now, if you know a sports nut who hasn't read a book in eons, a good
choice for recommendation to him is DEAL BREAKER by Harlan Coben, a
mystery featuring a sports agent named Myron Bolitar, a man who is
about to sign a gifted quarterback when his believed-dead ex
girlfriend suddenly calls and distracts the star, drawing Myron into
a vortex of mystery in order to save the deal. Narrated with aplomb
by Jon Marosz, this first Bolitar novel by Coben is being re-released
on CD, since it was originally on cassette, a now practically
obsolete format. Marosz is a no frills reader with a pleasant, manly
voice and predictable inflections, yet the lilt of his speech doesn't
call attention away from the story, making his rendering believable,
appropriate, and enjoyable. The novel is quirky, and like the movie
in which "show me the money" was a memorable line, it should attract
die-hard sports fanatics away from the tube. How's that for a deal
breaker? (Random House Audio/9 hours unabridged)
Finally, I was going to review a new horror novel by Scott Smith
titled "The Ruins," since he's the author of an intriguing suspense
of the 1990s titled "A Simple Plan." But his new novel is not nearly
as scary as a look inside our foreign policy; namely, a new non-
fiction book titled THE ONE PERCENT DOCTRINE, by Pulitzer Prize
winner Ron Suskind. With Iraq and Lebanon in ruins, and the
administration's simple plan to fight terrorism showing gaps wide
enough to drive a fleet of gas-guzzling Hummers through, what is more
frightening to contemplate than sentient vines at some Mayan ruins in
Mexico is the insidious insanity of religious fanatics willing to die
in order to kill us here at home---and not just our buildings and way
of life, but also our children. Radical and perverse, these shadowy
cells are now maneuvering to acquire suitcase nukes with which to end
our abominable existence. How did it come to this? How have we
misjudged so badly the dynamics of martyrdom and revenge? And can we
ever "win" with a policy of brushing aside intelligence advice in
order to chase cockroaches with sledgehammers? Narrated by actor
Edward Herrmann, whose authoritative resonance in reading biographies
has won him industry acclaim, the book is based on Cheney's early
dictum that "threats with even a 1% likelihood must be treated as
certainties." Sounds like Douglas Adams or Monty Python speaking,
given that this translates into using bazookas to kill termites.
(Simon & Schuster Audio/6 hours abridged)
(Jonathan Lowe is a judge in the Audie awards, and author of the
reality show satire "Fame Island," narrated by Emmy winning actor Kristoffer Tabori for BlackstoneAudio.com) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
July 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 In his recent Audie award winning audiobook FINDING GOD IN UNEXPECTED
PLACES, author Philip Yancey finds hope in some pretty diverse
situations. As narrated by Mel Foster, what's inspiring about his
commentary is that he's able to look outside the box, meaning any
church walls. That's a huge leap of faith, considering how enamored
of those big, beautiful boxes many Americans are. If we believe in
God at all, we seem to imagine that God only visits us when we're
singing hymns in a million dollar sanctuary, where a collection plate
is passed, and where we can pretend to be good for an hour. The
cover of the audiobook, however, shows flowers growing in a hole in
the middle of a road. Whatever one's faith, Yancey isn't afraid to
be open minded, and unlike those who say "my way or the highway," he
shows that God is waiting on the highway, too. (Brilliance Audio/7
hours unabridged)
Willie Nelson has his own short inspirational book out titled THE TAO
OF WILLIE, subtitled "A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart." Texas
Monthly writer and friend Turk Pipkin helped him write it, and both
authors read it with the help of veteran narrator Tom Stechschulte.
Willie's 250 albums have sold 50 million copies, and this is his
third semi-biographical book, just sharing lessons learned, plus
jokes and wisdom. So if you don't know Willie's story, or need some
friendly advice on life from a man who's been around the block a few
times, this is a refreshing bit of common sense. Stuff that often
gets left behind in an age of gangster rap and insane competition.
(Penguin Audio/4 hours unabridged)
Next, Julia Glass is a National Book award winner whose new novel THE
WHOLE WORLD OVER is once again about some familiar, eccentric, or disfunctional people just trying to cope with the complexities of
family relationships. Greenie Duquette runs a bakery in New York,
has a depressed husband, and stumbles on the opportunity to become
cook for the governor of New Mexico. She decides to leave hubby
behind, and therein lies the story. Actor Denis O'Hare narrates this
richly textured novel, which, like real life, doesn't follow any
direct path, but always seems to digress into the kind of
unaccountable family dramas that are both unique and recognizable.
(Random House Audio/9 hours unabridged)
In his latest golf novel, SHANKS FOR NOTHING, author Rick Reilly
introduces us to Raymond "Stick" Hart, a man who writes greeting
cards for a living, and has a bunch of eccentric buddies who hang out
at the worst golf course in America. The owner is planning to sell
the place and move to a nudist camp in Florida, but if Stick can
qualify for the British Open he might get $250,000 from a Will, and
manage to save the course from being paving over to build a parking
lot. It's a sometimes funny tale narrated by Nick Stevens, who hosts
a weekly comedic variety show. However, Reilly, a writer for Sports
Illustrated, really only achieves par here, if compared with his
previous "Missing Links" and "Who's Your Caddy." (Random House
Audio/6 hours abridged)
Finally, in his memoir HEAT, New Yorker staff writer Bill Buford
details his experience working in the kitchen of Babbo, a famous New
York restaurant run by the infamous Mario Batali. Batali is not
quite as evil or bullying as the chef on the TV show "Hell's
Kitchen," but one wonders what he thinks of the subtitle here: "An
Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and
Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany." The memoir is
different than "Hell's Kitchen" in other ways, as well. Buford is
not without humor, is a sharp observer--not just of slicing and
dicing--plus he actually tells a story, instead of just being offered
a job as prize while we watch other fumbling wanna-be chefs get
insulted and yelled at for being amateurs. My advice? Skip the TV
show, and get this audiobook, which Buford narrates himself with an
enthusiastic mastery of timing. (Random House Audio/6 hours unabridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. Jonathan Lowe is author of "Awakening Storm,"
narrated by Barrett Whitener with full sound effects for BlackstoneAudio.com) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
June 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 If wacky characters and funny wordplay matter more to you than plot,
you will enjoy CALLAHAN'S LEGACY, read with quirky yet
straightforward gusto by its author, Spider Robinson, a man who is a
favorite at science fiction conventions, and also a possible
successor to Douglas Adams (of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
fame). Mike Callahan's Crosstime Saloon is again open for business,
and a motley crew of intergalactic guests are soon to witness several
monstrosities that pose a risk for all of humanity. Sound familiar?
Since the book abounds in puns, one might call it as much a "pun
fest" as an Adams send-up. Written in 1996, it has been recently
narrated by the Canadian Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of the
"Callahan's Place" series. Not much makes sense here, though, so
don't expect any deep truths or rational behavior while ordering or
renting. (Blackstone Audio/6.5 hours unabridged)
Next, British reader Simon Vance gives a chillingly realistic reading
of V FOR VENDETTA, a novelization of the screenplay by the Wachowski Brothers written by Steve Moore. As you may or may not know, a
totalitarian regime has taken over a Britain stripped of democracy,
(hey, it could happen), and a girl named Evey will soon be saved by a
masked revolutionary out to change the world. As novelizations go, V
is better than most, since it's not a hastily penned product in the
style of a graphic novel, but possesses lush descriptions and careful
evocations of insight into the characters. As to whether such a
regime could actually come to be? Well, if Hitler had won WWII,
absolutely. It also makes sense that the authors of the Matrix
trilogy would continue their successful theme--nefarious world
domination, with salvation supplied by an enlightened self-empowered
twist. (Blackstone Audio/9.5 hours unabridged)
Speaking of revolutions, the best thing about REVOLUTIONARY WEALTH by
Alvin and Heidi Toffler is on the last disk, where the authors of
"Future Shock" finally get down to brass tacks after rambling for
hours on economic theory and history. Not that there are no new
insights along the way, but they do have to fill a book somehow. If
you rent this audiobook, and listen to just the last disk, it's worth
the price, though, because you'll learn the basics of world economics
(which, as we all know, is what really runs things), and yes, there
are quite a few eye opening revelations about China and oil, and
about American "imperialism " as well. As read by Kevin Gray and
Laura Dean, here is one point: we may be overreaching in our global
influence, but at least we don't have as our GOAL the continued
occupation of conquered countries, which was the case with all
previous such expansions of influence--a truth the world hasn't
considered, and doesn't understand. Another point: why has Europe
lagged behind us, as they will with China, the next great
superpower? Because they cling to dead industrial age thinking,
fearing change, while information and technology is what rules today--
a truth China is quickly seizing. (Random House Audio/9.5 hours
unabridged)
Looking back in time instead of forward, Elizabeth Peters has her own
Tomb Raider-style franchise going, with a collection of historical
mysteries featuring the eccentric Emersons. In the latest, TOMB OF
THE GOLDEN BIRD, Radcliffe and Amelia are in search of a treasure in
the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, while their rivals--Lord Carnarvon and Carter--discover King Tut's tomb. But of course all such
discoveries are said to have curses, and so when an odd group of
villains begin to demand the location of a mysterious "someone" who
has been lost, Amelia must think beyond her own predicament to avoid
a regional war. Best thing about this audiobook, though, is narrator
Barbara Rosenblat, the most talented female reader in the business,
hands down. She could breathe life into a rusty nail, if she had
too. Not that there's anything too rusty here, just the usual
adventure, wit, and wisdom from an author boasting a Ph.D. in
Egyptology, and a Grand Master award from the Mystery Writers of
America. (Harper Audio/14 hours unabridged)
Speaking of historical franchises, Louis L'Amour has a lock on the
western genre, even from the grave (or tomb). In THE DAYBREAKERS,
Orrin Sackett and his brother Tyrel head west to Santa Fe, a frontier
town in need of a marshal. They both get jobs, one of them crossing
the line of the law to protect the other. Shifting loyalties and the
allure of romance tempt them both, until a climax puts things right
again. It's an often repeated theme with L'Amour, one of the most
prolific writers of all time. (That's 90 novels and 27 short story
collections, do the math!) Reader here is David Strathairn, most
recently seen in the movie "Good Night and Good Luck," and while he
is given nothing new or cliche-free, Strathairn does lend L'Amour with simple grace and dignity, as well as the ring of truth--which is
the true test for all fiction. (Random House Audio/6 Hours unabridged)
Finally, an author known for walking the hard edge of suspense is Lee
Child, whose latest, THE HARD WAY, does take a new and slightly
different tack. Here is a more laid back mystery for Child, about
Jack Reacher's witnessing of the payoff for a kidnapping, and then
being hired by those paying the ransom, only to discover that they
themselves have much to hide. For the entire middle section of the
novel we listen to the plausible explanations for the kidnapping,
along with who the kidnappers might be, until we're lead back to a
recollection of what exactly Reacher saw that first day of the
payoff. Then come the unexpected reasons to believe that what Reacher initially assumed was, indeed, totally wrong. This deepens
the plot more than Reacher previously reached. At last, at the
climax, the old Child returns, with hard action and plot twists. . .
although it's a long wait. Dick Hill is once again amazing in his
ability to evoke the loner and ex-military cop's suspicions and
cynicism (or, as he would call it, "realism.") Hill is especially
noteworthy in creating a character whose front teeth are missing.
You will believe every word, or rather whistle. (Brilliance Audio/12
hours unabridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. If you have an iPod, be sure to download Jonathan's
satirical audio adventure "Fame Island" at Audible.com.) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
May 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 Let's start off this month with "the book that ate the world," as many
call THE DA VINCI CODE. Author Dan Brown can be heard giving a rare
speech at the end of the new abridged audiobook production of this
bestselling novel of all time. As you probably know, the plot concerns
a dead curator covered in symbols, a long guarded secret linked to a
famous painting and a secret order, and a race against an unknown
entity to reveal a mystery before the truth is lost forever. If you
haven't heard an audiobook in quite a while, this is a good start. It
may not quite be a masterpiece, but it's certainly intriguing and fast
paced. Narrator Paul Michael will never have a larger audience,
either, as he nails the accents while giving each character
distinction. Why has The DaVinci Code sold so many copies worldwide,
and is now a Ron Howard movie? Probably the controversy over its
subject matter---the Catholic church. But as Dan Brown says, it's
fiction based on fact. Meaning it can be interpreted however you like.
All things to all people. Now there's one sharp marketing tool!
Balanced, dual edged, ready to hit every target it's thrown at,
including Target Stores, Wal Mart, K-Mart, you name it. (Random House
Audio/6 hours abridged)
Many writers have written non-fiction books about the DaVinci code,
while others try to mimic the story with similar suspense thrillers of
their own, either involving secret societies and/or famous paintings.
Even master storyteller Jeffrey Archer now has his own twist in the
same vein. In FALSE IMPRESSION the painting in question is Van Gogh's
famous self portrait, stolen for possessing a secret beyond its
multi-million dollar pricetag. The art world, both legitimate and
criminal, comes under scrutiny as an inside job reels those with
connections around the world, until the truth is revealed in a small
English village. Known for his plot twists, Archer layers the story
with his usual aplomb, while narrator Byron Jennings acquits his job
with dutiful skill. What you're left with is an entertaining tale
that, although not original in idea, is certainly original in content
and scene-by-scene surprises. (Audio Renaissance/12 hours unabridged)
Award winning narrator Scott Brick lends his talents to THIS BOOK WILL
SAVE YOUR LIFE, an unusual tale by A.M. Homes that I'm hard pressed to
describe, except to say that it's like a reality show about a day
trader in L.A. who is emotionally challenged when he encounters weird
happenings and strange people. Case in point, a sinkhole appears in
his yard, trapping someone's horse, and he responds by befriending a
weeping housewife from the grocery store, a donut shop owner, and a
counterculture icon. Make any sense? Probably not, but it may confirm
to you that life isn't supposed to make sense, and that may be a life
saving realization. (Penguin Audio/12.5 hours unabridged)
Next, in TO HELL WITH ALL THAT, Caitlin Flanagan describes the loving
and loathing of the inner housewife. Why do kids sometimes bond with
their nannies rather than their mothers? Are weddings as lucrative as
funerals to those who prey on emotionally vulnerable clients? Why is
marriage the ultimate testing ground for every hidden vice and
unresolved frustration known or unknown to both sides? This candid
collection of essays on family life, read by Julia Fletcher, shines a
spotlight on things that usually don't get analyzed, including any
creepy crawlers in the pantry, lint in the bedroom, ring in the
bathtub, and bats in the attic. As a woman, you must pay the ultimate
price for a chance at the ultimate reward. If you're that lucky. Good
luck. (Highbridge Audio/5.5 hours unabridged)
Finally, for an out of this world escape, you'll discover tiny Earth
has few problems in comparison with the rest of the galaxy. And ours
is only one galaxy amid billions, to boot! In XENOCIDE, science
fiction author Orson Scott Card postulates a world called Lusitania, in
which three different alien species live together in peace. Alas,
there's also a virus among them that, if released, would kill off all
humans. So the Starways Congress decides it must wipe out the planet
with a fleet of battle cruisers. Now for the twist. On the way there,
the fleet disappears, and everyone turns to a superintelligent female
mind called Glorious Bright to solve the riddle and decide the planet's
fate. Wow, there's who we need in Iraq/Iran policy! Read by Scott
Brick, Gabrielle De Cuir and a full cast, this Ender Wiggin saga
continues in the tradition of "Ender's Game." (Audio Renaissance/20
hours unabridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. Jonathan Lowe is an Audie award judge and author of the
audio novels AWAKENING STORM, FAME ISLAND, and the hardcover medical
thriller GEEZER.) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
April 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 Did the flu cause WWII? That's one intriguing question raised by a new
book about the pandemic of 1918 which postulates President Woodrow
Wilson's own illness led to harsh treatment of Germany at the Paris
peace treaty following WWI, in turn giving rise to Hitler's success
soon after. Indeed, it has since been proven that Wilson's illness was
caused by the same virus which killed more people than any disease in
history, including AIDS. So forget Stephen King, the truth is even
scarier in THE GREAT INFLUENZA by John M. Barry, a book that tracks the
path of the epidemic from an army camp in Kansas to claim the lives of
as many as 100 million worldwide, or over 5% of the human population at
the time. As narrated by the talented Scott Brick, this sobering true
story lays out the subject from many different viewpoints while closing
in on the astonishing projections for our own time should the bird flu
now spreading infect us all in a similar fashion. Because 5% today
equals 300 million dead. (Penguin Audio/19.5 hours unabridged)
I'm not sure if you can really call DARK LIGHT a suspense thriller, but
I liked Randy Wayne White's new novel all the same. It's about some
odd artifacts that are uncovered by storms off the coast of Florida,
and the efforts of a marine biologist to salvage a boat that sank in a
hurricane in 1944. The ghosts of the past haunt the present in this
tale that is more literary than thriller, but not without moments of
high drama, as Doc Ford wades through the wreckage of lives and estates
to get to the truth. Henry Strozier has the voice of a salty sea dog,
and is therefore a good choice as narrator here, reading this south
Florida regional author's work, which is almost on a par with that of
James Lee Burke. (Penguin Audio/12.5 hours unabridged)
A more traditional thriller can be heard in THE WALL by Jeff Long,
about two veteran climbers who attempt El Capitan one last time, for
old times sake. Disaster dogs them, and then stalks them when they
come upon the dead bodies of some women who fell victim to mistakes
easily made on the sheer rock wall. Hugh and Lewis once met the women
they married here, long ago, and now it seems that the spirit of
someone is luring them higher, to their possible doom. It's an
interesting and straightforward tale, told mostly chronologically until
the climax, when an eerie and unforgettable ending is elicited in the
final moments, with an element of the supernatural. The best thing
about the audiobook version is the narrator, Grover Gardner---one of
the most versatile, mellifluous and prolific readers in the business.
(Tantor Media/8.5 hours unabridged)
What would Hank Aaron say about Barry Bonds muscling in on his home run
record, thanks to the ministrations of steroid drugs? The "shocking"
story of illicit drug use among athletes (ever since a "nutritional
supplement company" was discovered to be supplying them) is chronicled
in GAME OF SHADOWS by reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
I put the word "shocking" in parenthesis since nothing is really
shocking anymore, given the endless rounds of scandals plaguing
professional sports. Read by writer/producer Arnie Mazer, the book is
abridged to six hours in tallying mainly this current scandal involving
steroids and human growth hormone---substances which allow sports gods
to run faster, hit harder, and also sign more endorsement checks and
autographs. Well written and comprehensive, the book is presumed to be
another nail hammered into the coffin of baseball. But dreams die
hard, and so, like vampires, the dark forces have already risen again
to the words "Play ball!" (Random House Audio/6 hours abridged)
Finally, a tongue-in-cheek how-to book that's different and cute. HOW
TO SURVIVE A ROBOT UPRISING was written by a doctoral candidate at the
Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University named Daniel H.
Wilson. It borrows an irrational fear of robots from such movies as
"I, Robot" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" to imagine the coming
possibilities when our culture embraces mechanical substitutions
completely. Using dry wit, Wilson has put together a survival manual
on each type of robot and device we might encounter. Naturally, for
entertainment value, there is some deviant and sinister tendency for
robots to malfunction and threaten us. Even that robot fly on your
wall could really be spying on you. How do you avoid detection by
robot radar? What will you do when a robot the size of a demolition
crane suddenly attacks you across the parking lot? You learn quite a
bit about robotics here, and the many different types of metal mimics
on the horizon, although why they may target humans is unclear until
you realize that if they didn't harbor innate hatred for us thin
skinned creators, they'd be pretty boring. Not that Stefan Rudnicki's deep yet cautious voice could ever be boring as narrator! (Blackstone
Audio/3 hours unabridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. Jonathan Lowe is award-winning author of POSTMARKED
FOR DEATH, AWAKENING STORM, FAME ISLAND, OSCAR'S HIJACK, TALL TALES FOR
THE ROAD, and the new medical thriller GEEZER.) |
BOOKS TO READ WHILE WORKING
March 2006 - Audiobooks reviewed by Jonathan Lowe |
 Believe it or not, there are other star wars than those created by
George Lucas. Although Lucas has made more money than God delivering
pulp science fiction, and his legacy continues with a series of books
based on Star Wars, (like the recent "Outbound Flight" written by
Timothy Zahn, and read by Jonathan Davis), another lesser known series
of SF adventures continues in "GALACTIC CONVOY" by Bill Baldwin, the
sequel to "The Helmsman," about starship pilots who encounter heavily
armed aliens and power-drunk warlords in their quest for glory. Forget
about why we should project our own insecurities and petty
rivalries--our greeds and lusts--onto other advanced civilizations,
imagining them to be as immature or insane as we are. What "Galactic
Convoy" has going for it are some funny names, decent writing, and high
production values. Meaning it is full cast, with a dozen actors
participating in what, over 13 hours, will keep you entertained and
away from watching "American Idol" or "Survivor," those shallow
television time wasters which don't even allow a moment's indulgence of
the imagination. Neither SF series may have you missing your clock out
time, but if you're stuck in traffic, it beats listening to frozen
oldies, political talk radio, or even beating your forehead against the
steering wheel. Although that last option is certainly more satisfying
than watching R2D2 and C3PO trade banalities...unless you're six years
old. (Timberwolf Press/13.6 hours unabridged)
It's rare that a female mystery author jumps genres to pen an
international military thriller involving pirates and mercenaries, but
Dana Stabenow has jumped genres before, with three SF novels to her
credit, besides 17 mysteries. In BLINDFOLD GAME, Stabenow sets part of
the action in her native Alaska by postulating that a pair of
terrorists can ship black market radioactive material to America via
freighter across the Bering Sea. Narrator Beth McDonald is a good
choice for narrator as she brings this potentially realistic prospect
to life within some dramatic and likeable characters, such as Hugh
Rincon. McDonald is an accomplished stage actor with an ability to
keep one listening, a most desired trait to possess if you're reading
stories. (Random House Audio/5 hours abridged)
"Cosy" is a comfortable word, and an indication of that subclass of
mystery which eschews overtly bloody violence. There may be murder
involved, but the criminals appear more civilized, and are therefore
more likely to move among us unnoticed. Martha Grimes is one
practitioner of this class of mystery, with 21 novels featuring Richard
Jury so far. In THE OLD WINE SHADES, Jury sits down in a English bar
with a fellow named Johnson to hear the tale of a dog that has returned
without its master. Johnson has some explaining to do, which he does
in interesting fashion, divulging his views on the nature of reality
itself. All this leads to Jury's investigation, and turns up a dead
body. Actor John Lee narrates, and while he's no Martin Jarvis, he's
certainly an appropriate choice, given his mild English accent, acting
skill, and pleasant voice. (Penguin Audio/11 hours unabridged)
Here's a scary thought: the people in ultimate control of our
military, our laws, and our purse strings are politicians, who in turn
are mostly lawyers. Now, to a lawyer or actor or wannabe, the truth is
a relative thing. Ambition gets in the way of reason. So in order to
sleep nights, you must demonize the opposition, and avoid mirrors at
all costs. Certainly the current administration has enough blind
stupidity to go around, but you'd be shocked to learn how its
detractors brazenly assume you're blind to their own ambitions as well.
So says Peter Schweizer in "DO AS I SAY--NOT AS I DO," an audiobook that details the hypocrisy of those who pretend moral superiority.
Would it surprise you to learn that Michael Moore owned stock in the
very companies he assused of treasonous greed? Or that he lives in an
exclusive all-white neighborhood, with only a couple token blacks on
his staff? What truths do Al Franken, Hillary Clinton, Barbara
Streisand, Edward Kennedy and Ralph Nader not want you to hear about
their own records? Narrated by the very listenable and prolific Grover
Gardner, this is one book that will have you shaking your head, mouth
agape, as the facts, mostly devoid of opinion, are uncovered. Because
you have to ask yourself: if what is here isn't true---as backed by
the world's largest publisher---why aren't these people suing? We all
know they play golf with lawyers, if they're not lawyers themselves!
(Random House Audio/6 hours unabridged)
Finally, a newcomer has arrived to the genre of medical thriller in the
form of Joshua Spanogle, a student at Harvard Medical School. How Josh
finds time to write books while studying is a mystery in itself, but
with ISOLATION WARD he has certainly jumped headlong into another
potential career. Whether it will derail his parallel career in
medicine remains to be seen. The novel, set in a large Baltimore
hospital, involves the mentally impaired victims of an odd virus, a
young CDC investigator who uncovers a scheme involving organ
transplants, and some old flames doing some very uncharacteristic
things. What I enjoyed most about this novel was the pacing, which,
despite some obvious cliches, propelled the story forward under the
capable hands of Christian Rummel, an actor new to narration who has a
gift for very realistic nuances of dialogue. Both of these newcomers
have talent, but will they be the next "Story Stars," like American
Idol? That's entirely up to you, and the advertising dollars their
publishers are willing to risk. (Random House Audio/6 hours abridged)
(These audiobooks may be rented from Audio Adventures by calling
1-800-551-6692. You can sample Jonathan's acclaimed adventure FAME
ISLAND, read by Emmy-winning actor Kristoffer Tabori, at BlackstoneAudio.com.) |
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