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Title: Faith of My Fathers

Subtitle: A Family Memoir

Author: John McCain, Mark Salter

Narrator: John McCain

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-26-08

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 74 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

John McCain's father fallowed a similar path, one equally distinguished by heroic service, in the Navy as a submarine commander during World War II. McCain Jr. was a slightly built man, but, like his father, he earned the respect and affection of his men. He, too, rose to the rank of four-star admiral, making the McCains the first family in American history to achieve that distinction. McCain Jr.'s final assignment was as commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War.

It was in the Vietnam War that John McCain III faced the most difficult challenge of his life. A Naval officer, he was shot down over Hanoi in 1967 and seriously injured. When Vietnamese millitary officers realized he was the son of the top commander, they offered McCain early release in an effort to embarrass the United States. Acting from a sense of honor taught to him by his father and the U.S. Naval Academy, McCain refused the offer. He was tortured, held in solitary confinement, and imprisoned for over five years.

This memoir is the story of what McCain learned from his grandfather and father, and how their example enabled him to endure those hard years. It is a story of three imperfect men who faced adversity and emerged with their honor intact. Ultimately, Faith of My Fathers is a story of fathers and sons, what they give each other and what endures.

Critic Reviews:

"McCain's memoir is too good to be dismissed as simply another campaign book. It is a serious, utterly engrossing account of faith, fathers and military tradition." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

The Meaning of Character

Well written. Even better since read by the author. Expresses the the meaning of true character, devotion, humility, and love for America. A great book about a great leader. Perhaps the most important book you should read this year!

VERY MOVING

A story of a great courageous man who's story is unforgettable. Exceptionally read from a true hero.

Insight...

Politics not withstanding, I now understand John McCain. His history and background come alive. I am a fan of Author read works, and this one is no exception. If you want to understand the man, then give this book a listen. I have listened to it four times myself. You will enjoy it.

Wow

Really enjoyed this. Explained some things about John McCain's life view.

A story of a true American hero

Stories both Touchin Inspiron strong and patriotic.his story makes me want to be more of a patriot.

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Title: High Crimes

Subtitle: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed

Author: Michael Kodas

Narrator: Holter Graham

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-05-08

Publisher: Hyperion AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 85 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In the years following the publication of Into Thin Air, much has changed on Mount Everest. Among all the books documenting the glorious adventures on mountains around the world, and the unique perils and challenges of Mount Everest, none details how the recent infusion of wealth into the mountains is reacting with the age-old lust for glory to draw crime to the highest places on the planet - how a mountain's ability to reduce climbers to their essential selves is revealing villains as well as heroes, greed as well as selflessness.

This audiobook will take listeners on a harrowing tour of the criminal underworld on the slopes and peaks of the world's most majestic mountain.

Some of the stories included here are the tragic story of Nils Antezana, a climber who died on Everest after he was abandoned by his guide. Also included is the author's own summit story, as he participated in the Connecticut Everest Expedition, which would never have followed George Dijjmarescu and Lhakpa Sherap to the Himalya had news of the couple's climb with the Romanian team the previous year made it to the United States. But as they neared the frigid peril of Everest, the charming couple turned increasingly hostile. Women on the team held little power and were instead threatened, stalked, and harassed before a final assault. Those that tried to stand against the violence, theft, and intimidation found the worst of the peril they encountered on Everest had followed them home to Connecticut.

Beatings, thefts, drugs, prostitution, coercion, threats, and abandonment on the highest slopes of Everest and other mountains have become the rule rather than the exception. Kodas describes many of these experiences and explores the larger issues these stories raise with thriller-like intensity.

Members Reviews:

Interesting

First, if you have not read "Into Thin Air", you will be baffled by alot of what is in this book. That being said, I found this story very interesting. It is hard to say how much the abridgement cut into explanations of the mountain and climbing in general. If you found "Into Thin Air" interesting, then you will be fascinated by these stories of climbers struggling to climb Everest and failing, often fatally. The part of the book dealing with the problems in Connecticut after the climb is only small part of the book - the majority of the book is about climbing and Everest itself so don't let the "book jacket" explanation keep you away from this book.

Unprocessed Pique

I've rated this book 3 stars because I just find the story of Everest absolutely fascinating and 'High Crimes' adds to this narrative in a way that, while sad, is important and convincing. What detracts from the account is the author's use of himself and his fellows as the unsullied center of this less than noble universe. I dislike it when participants in an event hold themselves aloof from judgement.

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Title: Fair Game

Subtitle: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House

Author: Valerie Plame Wilson

Narrator: Valerie Plame Wilson

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-22-07

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 163 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A tone has been included in this recording to indicate the censored material included in this book.

Members Reviews:

Interesting but for the bleeps

There are many parts of this book that have been censored by the government. To emphasize this, the book was not re-edited and the censored portions have been audibly "bleeped." The bleeps occur in the middle of almost every paragraph, length varying based on the amount of censorship I suppose. While in print this would probably be ok, I found it annoying to the point that I could not finish the book.

What a shame because otherwise Ms. Plame's story is so intriguing.

Ruined by redactions

Seems like a fascinating story. The frequent, annoying redaction tones ruin it. I made it to chapter 4, when I finally had enough.

I hate to say it, cause I agree with Ms. Plame on the politics here, but this book is not listenable at all. 1 star.

why bother

So much of the text is blanked out that any quality of her story goes right out the window. It's just too annoying listening to all of the beeping.

Couldn't Finish

I understand what the publisher was attempting to do with the "tones" to prove the point of all the CIA eliminated from the book. However, although this might work in the printed form, it was a poor, poor, poor choice in the audio version. Despite several attempts to "get past it," I had to stop (about 30 minutes in) as it interfered with the story. PLEASE don't waste your money on this audio version...buy the printed form!!!

insightful

In "Fair Game" Valerie Plame provides an insightful view on how CIA agents were used politically and pressured to sell the Iraqi war. From her life story she seems like an American dedicated to public service and defense of our nation. Its unfortunate how she was treated by that same government. The redaction of many sections in the book by the CIA is a good example.

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Title: Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends

Author: William 'Wild Bill' Guarnere, Edward 'Babe' Heffron, Robyn Post

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-20-07

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 515 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron were among the first paratroopers of the U.S. Army - members of an elite unit of the 101st Airborne Division called Easy Company. Arguably the bravest, most efficient, physically fit, and tight-knit group of soldiers the Army has ever produced, the unit was called upon for every high-risk operation of the war, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden.

Both fought side-by-side until Guarnere lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge and was sent home. Heffron went on to liberate concentration camps and rake Hitler's Eagle's Nest hideout. United by their experience, the two reconnected at the war's end and have been the best of friends ever since. Their story is a tribute to the lasting bond forged between comrades in arms - and to all those who fought for freedom.

Members Reviews:

An instant favorite

I have seen the HBO mini series and listened to the Band of Brothers and Beyond Band of Brothers audio books so I had to give this one a try. I loved it cover to cover. Rarely does a book evoke smiles, laughs and tears like this one did. Even if they dont think so, these men are heroes along with all the others who served and especially the ones who never returned.

The Band of Brothers up close

Takes you inside the Band of Brother's easy company. The book tells many back stories of events in the well known HBO mini-series. Told through the eyes of two of the series real life characters, it gives the enlisted man's viewpoint.

While it does get preachy and politically simplistic in parts, it is undoubtably the view of these men and I respect them.

The narration is okay but does get a bit difficult to follow as it switches from one character to the other.

It also tells what happened in later life to many of the lesser characters we met in the mini-series.

so well done

buy this book. i have listened to it many times. even while in normandy for the 65th dday aniv. its is one i will listen to over and over.

One of the best listens ever!

If you saw the HBO series, you will want to see it again after listening to this book. Best narration of a any book I have listened to so far. Thanks Babe and Bill for your service, and Dick Hill for bringing their story to life.

A great listen!

A very interesting and well written oral history of these two men and of their experiences. The narration was dynamic and very well done. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.

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Title: 3000 Degrees

Subtitle: The True Story of a Deadly Fire and the Men Who Fought It

Author: Sean Flynn

Narrator: Christopher Walker

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-30-07

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Firefighters love the excitement of a "triple". But this was a different beast. Rollovers, flash-overs, back drafts - this one had it all. Once inside, they found themselves trapped in a snarling furnace of blazing orange heat as hot as a crematorium, with smoke so black and predatory they had to feel for their partners next to them. Swallowed deep in the building, with no way out, they struggled to survive an ill-fated ordeal that would push them to the very limits of loyalty and courage.

What happened next, and how their lives and community were changed forever, offers an unprecedented look at these heroic men whose job it is to rush into burning buildings when everyone else just wants out.

Critic Reviews:

"[Among] books appearing this year about fires and firefighting...the best of the lot is Sean Flynn's 3000 Degrees." (Newsweek) "Gripping prose...With confident, deft description, Flynn brings to life this 3000-degree catastrophe with a crackling intensity." (Publishers Weekly) "Christopher Walker captures that tragic day with a dramatic ending that focuses on the emotions of the people involved - the firefighters and their families waiting for word at home. He gives human perspective to this multifaceted view of one of the worst tragedies in firefighting history." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Interesting

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It is, not, about the fire. It is, at best, a documentary about how the death of six firefighters affected their relatives. I would be more interested if they spent less time on 'character development' more about the fire. Either way, I don't see any potential for this book to became a "4 or 5-star listening experience' for me. Since it was a documentary, more of a description of the building before the fire would have been nice. Instead we get 'rooms.' The "documentary" is incomplete because the book failed to say what the outcome was for the arsonists.

Would you ever listen to anything by Sean Flynn again?

The narration was fine.

Any additional comments?

I get this book expecting it to be about firefighting and experiences. Not about the survivors. Not that the survivors don't have a story, they do, but that's not what this book was described as being about. I was particularly interested in this fire.

The writing was sloppy. It's probably not accurate to say that everyone who made calls to the survivor's families said, "There's a really big fire." Poor research or lack of knowledge: crampons are on your feet, you don't hang from them. There is no relation between firefighting and rock climbing. It isn't even analogous.

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Title: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Author: Benjamin Franklin

Narrator: Michael Edwards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-06-07

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Among other things, Franklin was a printer, philosopher, inventor, statesman, and not least, a writer. Franklin's autobiography captures the essence of his spirit. In it, we can see him as a product of the 18th century enlightenment, a type of Yankee statesman who could use the language of Addison, Steele, Swift, and Defoe. In his autobiography, Franklin asks himself, "Who am I, how did I come to be, and why am I a human being as I am?" And he answers with the honesty, wit, and charm that have made this possibly the most famous of all autobiographies.

Big Ben: explore our extensive list of titles about

.

(P)1989 Classics on Tape

Members Reviews:

The lessons of a well intentioned genius

The old english takes some getting used to but I was fascinated to hear how people thought and behaved in that era and how Franklin behaved among all of them. "At lenght" the main lesson i take away is the value of working on one-self while looking for the better interest of the community

Fascinating

Interesting to hear about Franklin's early adulthood from his perspective. It also gave a good insight to what life was like then and how his character was developed.

An excellent book.

If you could sum up The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin in three words, what would they be?

Adventure, education and wisdom. Absolutely phenomenal personality. Never give up for good and improvement.

What did you like best about this story?

His persistence.

What about Michael Edwardss performance did you like?

Yes, I did.

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

All book.

Any additional comments?

A stunning book.

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Title: Goodbye to a River

Author: John Graves

Narrator: Henry Strozier

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-23-07

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 76 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In this classic from the Lone Star State, John Graves learns that the river he knew and loved as a youth, the Brazos in north-central Texas, is slated to be dammed at multiple points - and he understands that things will never be the same.

Goodbye to a River is a poignant narrative of one man's journey by canoe down the river of his memories. Along the way, he describes the colorful Texas landscape and recounts its rich history.

©1960 Mary Monroe (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic Reviews:

"Graves' originality and flair turn this local scene and regional lore into an honest and powerfully evocative picture of frontier life anywhere." (The Chicago Sunday Tribune)

Members Reviews:

Perfect narration

I'll admit I did tune out at times when the author went on for a while about minor historical points along the course of the river. However, the narrator does an outstanding job, personalizing the story so vividly that I still can't believe Graves didn't read it himself.

I really fell for the antics of his traveling companion ("The Passenger").

Undoubtedly a great piece of American literature

I have read this book. I have listened to the audio book 4 or 5 times. This travel narrative of a canoe trip down the Brazos River in the 1950's is so many things it is difficult to describe. It is an entertaining story of a man and a dash hound puppy on a canoe trip. It is a story of the history of the last century in this part of Texas with all of the bad and some of the good included. It is the story of a man struggling to cope with the fast coming changes of modern life. However, what it really is, is a complex work that evokes so many thoughts and emotions that it takes me longer to get through it with each listen, and makes me sad it is over every time I finish it.

A wonderful journey through a world long gone

Loved this audio book. The reader was fantastic, and the story even better. As books go this one is a winner, a tine travel machine to a time that was, but can never be again.

6 Stars. No, 7. Aw, heck, make it 10.

This was my absolute favorite read, until I purchased the audio. Now it's off the charts.

The story of old Mr. Graves floating down the river, reminiscing about his youth, area history with all its peculiar characters, interacting with representatives of modern "reality", and reflecting on how they all ebb and flow together. He approaches all the stories with a frank and unflappable insight for both the noble and ridiculous, and how they ebb and flow together as well. Nothing idealized, nothing belittled. It just is. or was.

weather. dog. hillbillies. city slickers. The People. neighbors. wildlife. drunks. instant friends.

The Brazos River tied Texas together geographically. It still ties its past to its present. That past is part of us today, and the river and its not so serene beauty serve as Icon for that connection.

The narrator is PERFECT for the story. I feel like I sat and listened to the author tell the story himself. what a treat!

If you love Texas, love the outdoors, love people, or love history, you'll love this book.

10 out of 5.

The book is a treasure; the narration, perfection

Imagine that your most erudite AND most grounded friend has been driven by a profound need to make a special journey. On his return he explains the need which drove him and relates how the journey unfolded.

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Title: Me

Subtitle: Moir

Author: Vic Reeves

Narrator: Vic Reeves

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-21-06

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Peopled with a wonderful collection of warm, wicked, and weird characters, Vic Reeves' memoir is an enchanting, surreal, and utterly hilarious comic gem.

©2006 Jim Moir; (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers, London, UK.

Members Reviews:

A joy from start to finish....

I decided to downloaded this book with no more information on it's content other than I am big fan of Vic Reeves' television work. I couldn't have been happier with this decision.

This abridged autobiography is a fascinating and hilarious account of the early life of Vic Reeves (or Jim Moir), from birth to 6th form. It's not the most accurate of accounts as Vic likes to make up more elaborate and imaginative versions of events, but this just makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to. He is an extremely engrossing and naturally funny narrator, and is clearly enjoying re-living the memories through audio book. I found myself chuckling out loud wherever I was listening to it, which can obviously be a tad embarrassing.

The only negative comment I could make is that it ends too soon! I would love there to be an unabridged version of this also read by the man himself, and for there to be more beyond his life at school.

But I can still not fault the content as it is, and can only urge anyone that is either a fan of his, or even those who are just fans of comedic autobiographies, to grab this immediately as it will not disappoint.

Not bad

Slightly disappointed, it is funny but at times is very wooden. I prefer vic when he's being silly and slapstick but generally a great insight to his life. There are funny parts but hey it is an autobiography it's not a stand up comedy show.

He wouldn't let it lie

Marvellous ramblings, my only gripe - why abridged, why not the whole? Even so, I enjoyed this very much indeed.

Me:Moir

Read well by Vic, but concerns only the early parts of his life - The nexty one should be the interesting one.

Total disappointment, should not have been published!

The whole way through this book I kept thinking it's got to get funny, or at least interesting soon and then it abruptly ended.

Having been subjected to a boring account of his school days, followed by a unremarkable and unfunny depiction of his adolescence, the book ends with him coming to London aged about 20 years old. That's it!

Don't know what this book is about, there was no real story to speak of..

This book should not have got though a publisher, a complete rip off!

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Title: The Story of My Life

Author: Helen Keller

Narrator: Mary Woods

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A serious illness destroyed Helen Keller's sight and hearing before she reached the age of two. At seven, she was introduced to Ann Sullivan, the beloved teacher and friend who helped Helen to make contact with her world. Through sheer determination and resolve, Helen learned to speak, read, and write, and prepared herself for entry into prep school by the age of 16. She later enrolled at Radcliffe and graduated with honors. Her motto: "There are no handicaps, only challenges."

(P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic Reviews:

"The greatest woman of our age.' (Winston Churchill)

"Helen Keller is fellow to Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Homer, Shakespeare, and the rest of the immortals....She will be as famous a thousand years from now as she is today." (Mark Twain)

Members Reviews:

Loved it

This is an incredibly story of a southern girl, born before disability was widely understood and worked with. Helen Keller was an incredibly person and this book is the story of how she was enabled to engage with this world and then able to become a fully functioning person within society, more than most, and her spirit and love comes across so clearly. A little dated because, well because it is but a refreshing happy read!

Brilliant

Loved this book. A wonderful listen that will do your heart good! Such an interesting life.

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Title: Flying Through Midnight

Author: John T. Halliday

Narrator: William Dufris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-26-06

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 115 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The year is 1970, and John T. Halliday has just landed in the middle of the Vietnam War, primed to begin his assignment with the 606 Special Operations Squadron. But there's a catch: He's stationed in a kind of no-man's-land. No one on his base flies with ID, patches, or rank. Even as Richard Nixon firmly denies reporters' charges that the U.S. has forces in Laos, Halliday realizes that from his base in Thailand, he will be flying top-secret black ops night missions over the Laotian Ho Chi Minh Trail.

A naive yet thoughtful 24-year-old, Halliday is utterly unprepared for the horrors of war. On his first mission, Halliday's aircraft dodges more than a thousand anti-aircraft shells. Nothing is as he expected, not the operations, not the way his shell-shocked fellow pilots look and act, and certainly not the squadron's daredevil, seat-of-one's-pants approach to piloting. But before long, Halliday has become one of those seasoned and shell-shocked pilots and finds himself in a desperate search for a way to elude certain death.

A powerhouse fusion of pathos and humor, brutal realism and intimate reflection, Flying Through Midnight is a landmark contribution to Vietnam War literature, revealing previously top-secret intelligence on the 606's night missions. Fast-paced, thrilling, and bitingly intelligent, Halliday's writing illuminates it all: the heart-pounding air battles, the close friendships, the crippling fear, and the astonishing final escape that made the telling of it possible.

Critic Reviews:

"With snappy prose, machine-gun-fast dialogue, and techno-pilot speak, he recreates his forays with immediacy." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Flying Through Midnight

I served in the same unit as the author at about the same time. The exploit that is described in the last third of the book is indeed heroic. However, the rest of the descriptions of the mission and dangers of the squadron are vastly over stated. The writing is simplistic. Worst of all is the reader, who makes the story sound like a farce. I had hoped this book would explain to my wife my life in the war. She and I were so embarrassed by this audio book, I had to turn it off.

Couldn't Stand the Whiny Tone!

As previous reviewers have noted, the author of this book often came off as being whiny and somewhat spineless. Being a former military helicopter pilot, I found the author's story very interesting and familiar... it's a great story overall. But the lavish, lengthy descriptions of the author's internal feelings, fears, and emotions were just way over done and almost nauseating to listen to. It's like he felt the need to stretch the book out by embellishing on his fears and doubts. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with a person being sensitive and in touch with their emotions, but way to much text and time was spent in this book on them almost making it unbearable to listen to. Yes tell us you were afraid, but like any well trained military pilot, just move on and tell us how you did your job. Sheez!

Really Annoying...Really

I am inclined to believe the reviewers who criticize the accuracy/honesty of these stories. The reason I don't recommend this audiobook is that the author sounds like a total weasel. Damn, this guy whines like a looser. Look...