Download the Top 100 Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

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Title: Confessions of a Surgeon

Subtitle: The Good, the Bad, and the Complicated...Life Behind the O.R. Doors

Author: Paul A. Ruggieri MD

Narrator: Eric Martin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-25-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

As an active surgeon and former department chairman, Dr. Paul A. Ruggieri has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of his profession. In Confessions of a Surgeon, he pushes open the doors of the OR and reveals the inscrutable place where lives are improved, saved, and sometimes lost. He shares the successes, failures, remarkable advances, and camaraderie that make it exciting. He uncovers the truth about the abusive, exhaustive training and the arduous devotion of his old-school education. He explores the 24-hour challenges that come from patients and their loved ones; the ethics of saving the lives of repugnant criminals; the hot-button issues of health care, lawsuits, and reimbursements; and the true cost of running a private practice. And he explains the influence of the "white coat code of silence" and why patients may never know what really transpires during surgery. Ultimately, Dr. Ruggieri lays bare an occupation that to most is as mysterious and unfamiliar as it is misunderstood. His account is passionate, illuminating, and often shocking - an eye-opening, never-before-seen look at real life, and death, in the OR.

Critic Reviews:

"An honest and open look into the surgical profession." (

Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Enjoyed the anecdotes!

What did you love best about Confessions of a Surgeon?

I love hearing the personal stories and experiences. In health care truth is stranger than fiction and you just can't make up some of this stuff!

Which scene was your favorite?

Sadly, the stories about surgeons opening up abdomens only to find their cancers are inoperable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The guilt he felt when a patient either died or suffered..questioning whether he could have done more.

Any additional comments?

As an RN for over 30 years, I truly have a deep appreciation for MDs who have dedicated so much of their lives, often forgoing personal obligations to serve their patients. However, this older generation of surgeons I know all too well as power and control mongers. There is a severe lack of respect for anyone else around them. The rest of us subject to their moods, rules, and unconscionable bad behavior. No doubt he has misdirected his anger and frustration toward countless "underlings" and gotten away with it at a time where Human Resource departments were almost non-existent. There are a few of these gems still around, but thankfully they are fading to extinction. Dr. Ruggieri, although I've never worked with you, I KNOW you. Perhaps you might consider writing an addendum of "Confessions of a Surgeon" to "confess" your sins toward all of the people you've squashed professionally.

Excellent, Honest, Opinion Changing Account

I have way more empathy for General Surgeons than ever before! Hearing so many accounts of what one goes through, endures and sacrifices of their own quality of life on behalf of so many. This changes my previous cynicism into respect. This book makes me want to UP my commitment to my health, so I don't willfully put some over-worked, under-paid, over-regulated burned out, sleep deprived surgeon through a hell I may have been able to avoid. Very educational and informative in terms of what a General Surgeon goes through.

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Title: In Deadly Combat

Subtitle: A German Soldier's Memoir of the Eastern Front

Author: Derek S. Zumbro - translator, Gottlob Herbert Bidermann

Narrator: Paul Woodson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-18-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 105 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Wounded five times and awarded numerous decorations for valor, Gottlob Herbert Bidermann saw action in the Crimea and siege of Sebastopol, participated in the vicious battles in the forests south of Leningrad, and ended the war in the Courland Pocket.

In his memoir, he shares his impressions of countless Russian POWs seen at the outset of his service, of peasants struggling to survive the hostilities while caught between two ruthless antagonists, and of corpses littering the landscape. He recalls a Christmas gift of gingerbread from home that overcame the stench of battle, an Easter celebrated with a basket of Russian hand grenades for eggs, and his miraculous survival of machine gun fire at close range. In closing, he relives the humiliation of surrender to an enemy whom the Germans had once derided and offers a sobering glimpse into life in the Soviet gulags. Bidermann's account debunks the myth of a highly mechanized German army that rolled over weaker opponents with impunity.

Despite the vast expanses of territory captured by the Germans during the early months of Operation Barbarossa, the war with Russia remained tenuous and unforgiving. His story commits that living hell to the annals of World War II and broadens our understanding of its most deadly combat zone.

Critic Reviews:

"Stands head and shoulders above the many other books in this genre. Bidermann's style is crisp, succinct, and lucid and Zumbro has done a great job of translating." (David Glantz, coauthor of

The Battle of Kursk)

Members Reviews:

War in the east is barely covered like ut is here

Really great story of just how difficult and important the war in the east is. Great book.

don't hesitate

this book was amazing, from the beginning of the war all the way to the gulags at the end of the Germans Odyssey through World War II. this book offers you a chance to see through the eyes of a common German Soldier and not the extremist regime of Adolf Hitler as most historic references portray. this book gives you the opportunity to see Humanity as equals, controlled by extremist groups and Idol ology

Unique Unknown History

A "deep in the weeds", yet very personal and interesting story of unbelievably torturous life on the Eastern front. Much like reading about Would help to better describe the geography of the campaigns. Also, due to repeated use of different German military units and specific German military ranks, there needs to be a repeated description, or cross reference, during the story.

Hearing the WWII story from a German soldier is great

After reading many books by former German soldiers, and trying to understand how they could continue fighting a lost war still is impenetrable to me.

We should really be aware that our human mind is self destructive if brought under some conditions, and that killing other humans in high quantity seems to become accepted by us as, paradoxically a way to survive.

Not as engaging as others

While the story is fine, the author spends too much time recounting broader historical overviews of operations rather than sticking to his personal experiences. There are better options of the genre that are more engaging, such as Tigers in the mud and Fur Volk Fuhre.

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Title: The Foundling

Subtitle: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me

Author: Paul Joseph Fronczak, Alex Tresniowski

Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-04-17

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 481 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The Foundling tells the incredible and inspiring true story of Paul Fronczak, a man who recently discovered via a DNA test that he was not who he thought he was - and set out to solve two 50-year-old mysteries at once. Along the way he upturned the genealogy industry, unearthed his family's deepest secrets, and broke open the second longest cold case in US history, all in a desperate bid to find out who he really is.

In 1964 a woman pretending to be a nurse kidnapped an infant boy named Paul Fronczak from a Chicago hospital.

Two years later police found a boy abandoned outside a variety store in New Jersey. The FBI tracked down Dora Fronczak, the kidnapped infant's mother, and she identified the abandoned boy as her son. The family spent the next 50 years believing they were whole again - but Paul was always unsure about his true identity.

Then, four years ago - spurred on by the birth of his first child, Emma Faith - Paul took a DNA test. The test revealed definitively that he was not Paul Fronczak. From that moment on, Paul has been on a tireless mission to find the man whose life he's been living - and to discover who abandoned him and why.

This is the story of Paul's heart-wrenching and tortuous journey to solve both mysteries and finally learn the truth about his identity.

The Foundling is a touching and inspiring story about a child lost and faith found, about the permanence of families and the bloodlines that define you, and about the emotional toll of both losing your identity and rediscovering who you truly are.

Members Reviews:

Dragged out. Overly dramatic style.

The events in this book were fascinating and horrifying, however I felt like I could have read a 10 min article and got everything I needed about the story. Personally I didn't like the authors style and felt like he was trying to hype up every little detail, as if it was an episode of dramatic TV. Which would have been more enjoyable. If you're interested in this story I recommend you spend 15 mins googling the events and save yourself hours of listening.

Prepare yourself for a journey that will take you to shocking places!

Warning: You won't get past chapter 1 without being hooked and pulled into this man's unexpected journey. Just know ahead of time that once you start listening, the next 11 hours of your life will be spent with Kirby Heyborne in your ear (narrating this so masterfully) because you will not be able to stop listening.

If you love a good mystery, if you love journalistic writing, if you love true crime, if you love genealogy or history, if you love twists and turns and if you love saying "what the f*ck" out loud in disbelief/horror, you will love this book.

It's an unbelievable story from start to finish. Paul's continual honesty about his shortcomings and fragility and the brutally raw truth about dark questions surrounding his genetics ground this book. I have yet to rate a book on Audible and I've been an avid listener for 2 years. I have never felt *this* compelled to rate/review a book.

Giving credit where credit is due! Paul, Alex and Kirby hit this one out of the park!

Decent story, author too self-involved

My headline sums it up.

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Title: Crazy Is My Superpower

Subtitle: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules

Author: AJ Mendez

Narrator: AJ Mendez

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-04-17

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 492 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

From beloved WWE champion AJ Mendez Brooks comes a raw and inspirational memoir about how her greatest weakness became the very means for her success, in the ring and in life.

Recently retired WWE superstar AJ Brooks is a powerhouse - strong, quirky, and totally confident. But that wasn't always the case. Growing up, AJ was a quiet girl trying to act "normal" when she felt anything but. As her family struggled with drug addiction, poverty, and mental illness, she found escape through comic books and video games, inspired by the tough and unconventional female characters. It wasn't until she discovered the WWE that she learned superheroes could be real.

Determined to become the superhero she'd always needed, AJ trained and sacrificed for years to finally achieve her dream. Yet she quickly faced industry pressure to play the role of the damsel in distress and dress more provocatively to cater to male fans. But she fought back and created an ass-kicking alter ego that was a genuine representation of herself: nerdy, enthusiastic, and a little bit crazy.

With humor and tremendous heart, AJ opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and gain control over her life. What most people view as a hardship, AJ embraced as inspiration for her superhero persona.

Charting her journey from a scrappy girl in an unstable home to empowered WWE champion, Crazy Is My Superpower is an unflinchingly honest and bravely confessional story about the long road to self-acceptance.

Members Reviews:

Expected a wrestling book, got a lot more

Bought this thinking it was a wrestling book, it had maybe 4 chapters talking about her life in wrestling. Not a bad thing, this story turned out to be a success story of someone with a mental illness who overcame many obstacles in life.

not what I expected

I was expecting a book about wrestling and life on the road... I ended up getting a story of one persons life long internal struggle and how they turned their negative life into one positive after another. this book came away inspiring me.

this book is about overcoming stereotypes and being who you are... if I ever have a daughter, I would want her to listen to this book.

Excellent. So glad I listened.

Great book. Fascinating detail and brutally honest. What an amazing woman. I liked how she gave a full picture of the many obstacles in her life and an open assessment of how she tried to deal with each hurdle. She unflinchingly shows her mistakes as well as triumphs. A woman to relate to on every level.

What a story!

Amazing life story of AJ growing up until her breakthrough in the WWE. Not as much dedicated to her relationship with Mr. Brooks or the time in the WWE as I expected/wanted but, still a triumphant story of determination and will.

The best book ever!!!

This book will make you cry and laugh. I have never been happier to see my favorite superstar, idol, hero what ever you want to call her have her own book . Never know her entire life story now I do and respect the shit out of her even more !!!

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Title: The Buddha and the Borderline

Subtitle: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating

Author: Kiera Van Gelder

Narrator: Carla Mercer-Meyer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-24-17

Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Kiera Van Gelder's first suicide attempt at the age of 12 marked the onset of her struggles with drug addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and chaotic romantic relationships - all of which eventually led to doctors' belated diagnosis of borderline personality disorder 20 years later.

The Buddha and the Borderline is a window into this mysterious and debilitating condition, an unblinking portrayal of one woman's fight against the emotional devastation of borderline personality disorder. This haunting, intimate memoir chronicles both the devastating period that led to Kiera's eventual diagnosis and her inspirational recovery through therapy, Buddhist spirituality, and a few online dates gone wrong. Kiera's story sheds light on the private struggle to transform suffering into compassion for herself and others, and is essential listening for all seeking to understand what it truly means to recover and reclaim the desire to live.

Members Reviews:

Clarity for a parent

As the parent of a 14 year old with BPD. Kiera gave me a clear picture of whats going on inside my daughter and the hope DBT therapy may help! As well its opened my eyes on how to listen in a different way. Fingers crossed for my daughter and for Kiera.

Thank you Kiera my heart is with you as well.

R's Dad

useful book

So much useful information in the first three quarters of the book. The last bit goes way off track.

Informative but repetitive

Until listening to this book, I was convinced that my mother had BPD. Now I know that is not the case. Kira is a good writer, but I got tired of listening to her problems while at the same time, feeling sorry for her. I dont recommend this book to anyone except those who think they might have BPD or are involved with someone who has the disorder. Also, the book reinforced my belief that people who gravitate to Buddhism are often very screwed up. (That view is based on personal experience.)

Validating and inspiring.

Very validating to hear that somebody else has had similar experiences too me, some such minor details that ring so true. Has inspired me to visit my local Buddhist centre.

Empowering!

I loved this audible book! I was interested in DBT and came across it. The title had me curious, the sample had me hooked. It's so descriptive open and honest I could relate to the behaviours, the processes and the journey. The narration and speed of the read seemed fitting for the borderline mind. I think that therapists would find this insightful and people who have wondered and reflected about their personalities and partners too would find this enlightening. An ongoing process. Felt really positive and a great listen.

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Title: The Long Night

Subtitle: A True Story

Author: Ernst Israel Bornstein

Narrator: Ric Jerrom

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-23-17

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The Long Night is Ernst Israel Bornstein's first-hand account of what he witnessed in seven concentration camps. Written with remarkable insight and raw emotion, The Long Night paints a portrait of human psychology in the darkest of times. Bornstein tells the stories of those who did all they could do to withstand physical and psychological torture, starvation, and sickness, and openly describes those who were forced to inflict suffering on others. The narrative is simple, yet profound; unbridled, honest, and dignified. The Long Night is the extraordinary tale of Ernst Israel Bornstein's tortuous passage through a number of Nazi camps. What he endured reminds us that there were many different experiences of the camps and that there is no single Holocaust narrative. Most of the camps to which Dr Bornstein was sent remain little known today, yet they remind us of just how widespread, vast and destructive the brutal camp system was.

With introduction from former Prime Minister, David Cameron.

Critic Reviews:

"Ernst Israel Bornstein had been 18 when his world collapsed; youthful adaptability self-possession and above all, luck, combined to preserve his husk in seven work camps which might have been modeled on the sequence of Dante's circles of hell." (The Times Literary Supplement)

"Both harrowing and inspirational, The Long Night is a chilling reminder of what can happen when we fail to challenge hatred and bigotry. It should be read by anyone who believes we still have lessons to learn from the Holocaust - and anyone who doesn't." (Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP)

Members Reviews:

Captivating!

I couldn't put this one down. It's shocking the cruelty we are capable of inflicting on a fellow human being.

Incredible study of human suffering and triumph

Not only is this book a very tragic story but it also is excellent in terms of understanding the human psyche in unbearably challenging situation. One of the best.

Worse than Hackneyed

Did not like the story telling. More of a boring opinion speech mixed with accounts of experience and wasted accounts of accounts of accounts and lists of....yep just like my review. I forced myself to listen because I purchased it. Would NOT recommend!

First audio book- what an amazing story

Where does The Long Night rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

This is the first audio book I have listened to and it was really powerful to hear such an account as an audio book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure favourite is relevant for this book. Ernst as the author is direct and factual in his accounts of the horrors of the Holocaust and does not burden the listener with his feelings and emotions. This was a very refreshing approach to the subject matter.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were many times when I had to stop listening as I was overwhelmed with emotion. I cannot even begin to relate to what Ernst went through.

Any additional comments?

I found it a very pleasant listen and could really picture the events unfolding. The story is well balanced and objective in that there is some good within evil. I highly recommend this book and I learnt a lot from it

Heartwrenching. Gripping. Astonishing.

This tale is expertly narrated as it is deserved to be. An absolutely gripping account that kept me on the edge of my seat.

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Title: The Killing Zone

Subtitle: My Life in the Vietnam War

Author: Frederick Downs

Narrator: Barry Press

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-14-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 199 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Among the best books ever written about men in combat, The Killing Zone tells the story of the platoon of Delta One-six, capturing what it meant to face lethal danger, to follow orders, and to search for the conviction and then the hope that this war was worth the sacrifice. The book includes a new chapter on what happened to the platoon members when they came home.

Critic Reviews:

"The best damned book from the point of view of the infantrymen who fought there." (

Army Times)

Members Reviews:

It dont mean nuthin.

As a Marine Corps infantryman who served in Vietnam as a machine gunner, this author brings home to the uninitiated the horrors of combat. I highly recommend this book if you want a full understanding of what the Grunts endured in a war that our government had no intention of ever winning due to political unwillingness. There was no plan to win, when you fight for the same real estate time and time again, all our government did was lead patriotic young men to the slaughter and kept the fat cat businessmen wealthy. The Brave soldiers in this book are my Brothers, I know first hand what they went thru. We were mistreated by our countrymen when we returned home and blamed for this Foley and total waste of lives for nothing. Worse yet, our own government who sent us turned their backs on us , but had no problem sending us. I feel a bond with these men, I salute them and think of all the killed in action and the maimed for life and pray for them and their families. God Bless them all. Semper Fidelis.

Jack O'Brien

Charlie Company 1st bn 3rd Marines

March 1968- Feb 1969

Dai Do Survivor.

Vietnam experience

H

adn't read a Vietnam era book in ages and this one will take you for a brutal and unrelenting ride. brutality of war abounds in this book and demonstrates the bravery of the Americans who served and died in that conflict. Highly recommended

One of a kind story.

A remarkable book, and author. A true story of selflessness, realism, and bravery. No facts of the difficult lives these men faced were spared.

A great record of "Nam"

Lt Downs leads us down the jungle trail to manhood. From the wide eyed sweat soaked FNG to seemingly invulnerable platoon leader, to international emissary, he takes us along. This is a must read for warriors, past, present and future; as well as those hoping to avoid war at all costs.

Maybe good story, but horrible narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Either give the narrator some coffee, or make him listen to how professionals do this. I'm having to return this though only in Chapter 3. The bizarre enunciation of every, single, word, regardless of whether it is a firefight or filling a canteen is insane. It is so distracting that the story cannot compete.

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Title: The Education of Will

Subtitle: A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog

Author: Patricia B. McConnell

Narrator: Ellen Archer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-21-17

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 217 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In this powerful, soul-searching memoir, beautifully written in the vein of A Pack of Two and Wild, animal behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell recounts for the first time the compelling story of her dark past, memories of which are triggered by a troubled dog named Will.

World-renowned as a source of science and soul, Patricia McConnell combines brilliant insights into canine behavior - gained from her work with aggressive and fearful dogs - with heartwarming stories of her own dogs and their life on the farm. Now, she reveals that it wasn't just the dogs who had serious problems. For decades Dr. McConnell secretly grappled with her own guilt and fear, which were rooted in the harrowing traumas of her youth.

Patricia is forced to face her past by her love for a young border collie named Will, whose frequent, unpredictable outbreaks of fear and fury shake Patricia to her core. In order to save Will from this dangerous behavior, she must find her own will to heal and along the way learn that willpower by itself is not enough.

Interweaving enlightening stories of her clients' dogs with tales of her deepening bond with Will, Patricia recounts her fight to reclaim her life. Hopeful and inspiring, the redemptive message of her journey is that while trauma changes our brains and the past casts a long shadow, healing, for both people and dogs, is possible through hard work, compassion, and mutual devotion.

Members Reviews:

Fabulous book!

I have listened to many books and I must say, this one surprised me. I was expecting a sweet dog story, which would have been fine. As a dog lover, I'm fine with hearing a good dog story now and then. But this is so much more! I think I can honestly say this book is going to change my life. This book reveals the author's personal journey through some very difficult situations that, although different from my life, helped me realize that I have some things I need to address from my own past. And the information shared about her dog and the work she has done with other dogs is going to help me tremendously in working with my 2-year old rescue. I am so glad I downloaded this book! The narration is excellent, the story is compelling and the author does an excellent job sharing her life story. I highly recommend this book!

A courageous and fascinating book

I was spellbound all the way through this book. Patricia McConnell is an excellent writer - she has several other books about dogs - but this is different. This one is not only about the difficulties one of her dogs experienced, it's about her journey, and how she has overcome the effects of trauma on her psyche and life. Truly an excellent memoir. And the narrator is excellent as well.

A tale of healing and triumph over suffering.

I have read several of Patricia McConnell's dog training books, and found them to be full of practical advice, with many examples from her long career working with dogs that have behavioral issues. In this book McConnell describes her own journey with her border collie, Will, who has severe anxiety and also sustains serious physical injuries that required many months of rehabilitation and healing. In the course of her treatment plan for Will, Tricia begins to confront some dark and traumatic incidents from her past, and to heal herself in the process.

The book is written from an honest and cathartic viewpoint.

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Title: Waiter to the Rich and Shameless

Subtitle: Confessions of a Five Star Beverly Hills Server

Author: Paul Hartford

Narrator: James Patrick Cronin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 01-10-17

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1156 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A down-and-out musician chops off his hair to become a server at the top of the Hollywood food chain, discovering a cloistered world of money, fame, bad behavior, and intrigue.

Waiter to the Rich and Shameless is not just a peek into the secretive inner workings of a legendary five-star restaurant; it is not just a celebrity tell-all or a scathing corporate analysis. It is a top-tier waiter's personal coming-of-age story, an intimate look into the complicated challenges of serving in the country's most elite, Hollywood-centric dining room while fighting to maintain a sense of self and purpose.

Of the many millions of food service workers around the globe, only a tiny number ever ascend to a top-level position at a world-renowned restaurant catering to iconic celebrities, moguls, and politicians. As one of those select few, Paul ("Pauli") Hartford is the first waiter to open the door into a cloistered, coveted world of money, fame, bad behavior, and intrigue. He peels back the veneer of civility and culture at the nation's most preeminent celebrity hangout, the Cricket Room, in Beverly Hills, California. He exposes the epic human foibles of its elite clientele, the dining room's corrupt corporate culture, its clandestine culinary practices, and the heartbreaking struggles of its beleaguered waitstaff.

This keenly-observed story also traverses Pauli's 10-year evolution from a jaded, party-hungry rock musician who moonlights as a bartender, into a snobbish and pretentious waiter, and finally into a polished and sophisticated server who takes his job so seriously that it drives him to the brink of illness. Pauli finds himself at first seduced by his famous guests' glamour and self-indulgence, then accustomed to it, and finally appalled by it.

For obvious reasons, some details and specifics about the real Cricket Room have been cleverly disguised, but discerning listeners will easily connect the dots.

Members Reviews:

Not what I imagined

What disappointed you about Waiter to the Rich and Shameless?

There were so many rave reviews posted for this book that I was extremely disappointed to find that I completely disagree. Maybe I was hoping for another Kitchen Confidential, but this is a far cry from Bourdain. There's a difference between irreverence and immaturity, and for me the sense of humor just isn't there. His random literary and cultural references are ill-informed and often just off base. I found the author's voice puerile and when he stands in judgement of his clientele (when, that is, he isn't self-righteously defending them against his superiors) it's difficult to understand why he believes himself in a position to judge. The drug-fueled orgies, boob-centric sexual fantasies and hair metal waffling makes it difficult to find credibility in his blatantly subjective brand of moral judgement, not to mention that he can't resist boasting about the size of his erection. And, yes, he calls it by a proper name.

Has Waiter to the Rich and Shameless turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I'm hoping for better.

What three words best describe James Patrick Cronins performance?

The performance is fine.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

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Title: Chasing Slow

Author: Erin Loechner

Narrator: Hayley Cresswell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-10-17

Publisher: Zondervan

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 79 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In Chasing Slow, viral sensation and HGTV.com star Erin Loechner turns away from fast and fame and frenzy. Follow along as she blazes the trail toward a new-fashioned lifestyle - one that will refresh your perspective, renew your priorities, and shift your focus to the journey that matters most.

Members Reviews:

Do not buy

I'm not sure who feels whinier- the reader or the actual author. She just comes off very entitled and also annoyingly naive and spoiled. Maybe reading it on paper wouldn't come off the same way but the combo of the words and this readers voice makes the narrator unbearable for me. Couldn't make it through the second chapter.

Book is wonderful - narrator completely ruins it

Would you try another book from Erin Loechner and/or Hayley Cresswell?

This is a very important and deep book. I bought it so I could discuss it with my 28 year old daughter - her idea. I bought the Kindle version first but added the narration. I could NOT believe how awful the narrator was. Her inflections completely distort the book. She sounds like a petulant 13 year old rather than the sincere, thoughtful woman the author actually is. I am writing this to tell you to READ this and avoid this narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Chasing Slow?

The author takes common, normal moments in life and honestly acknowledges the complex feelings that arise from living them out. Many of the struggles are extremely authentic descriptions of being a woman, a wife, a mother and an individual. She doesn't offer platitudes, she goes deeper instead. Its a very spiritual book really. I admire her courage and honesty. She is NOT entitled and whiny. The narrator makes her sound that way!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

In every way possible. Whiny, stupid, clueless and not the right age.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Chasing Slow?

none

Any additional comments?

I hope I can reach people drawn to this book to warn them about the narrator. Read the book!!

I loved the book-purchased the hard copy as well

I very much enjoyed this book and disagree with the negative reviews. I found the story very real and the message refreshing. Some reviews speak about her being entitled, she admits that in the book and discusses the need to reprioritize and change her focus.

There are moments that might circle around a bit too much and I didn't love the recipes at the end of some of the chapters but those are easy to fast forward. There are several "little nuggets of wisdom" that caused me to purchase the hardback book so I could highlight them and use them as reminders for myself.

Good for analyzing your own life

Would you be willing to try another book from Erin Loechner? Why or why not?

Probably not. While I really enjoyed the messaging behind this book, the language was a bit flowery for my personal preference. I wanted her to hit the main points faster, and there was too much story to get there.