The Last Days of Stalin

By Joshua Rubenstein

The Last Days of Stalin by Joshua Rubenstein is an amazingly detailed and in-depth look of Stalin’s last days on earth were and the also the days after. Rubenstein just does not take the daily agenda of Stalin and add fluff. He takes you deep behind the Iron Curtain to give you an account of every individual around him and even his politics at the time.

In my honest opinion, as an individual that had American schooling, we learn a lot about World War II and a little bit about life post-WWII. We learn of the evil of Hitler and the fierceness of the Empire of Japan as well. However, we never had a chance to learn of the atrocities that were happening under Stalin’s reign of Russia. This book should be given to every individual either in middle school or high school. Especially when they are learning of how the countries of the world were supposed to heal after the war, not to continue in atrocities against the Jewish people or even those that may have an opinion on their country’s politics.

Arthur Morey is the narrator of the audiobook and he does a phenomenal job of maintaining a very strong voice that contains authority, knowledge and calmness. Very well done!

In conclusion, if you have any curiosity about Russian history in the 20^th century or are curious about Russia post WWII, get this book. My mind was blown away by the great detail that Rubenstein was able to pack in this book. I recommend also that if you’re a parent and have a teen taking world history, they need to read this book and so do you! Highly recommend!

Story: 5/5

Narration: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Pros: Very well balanced writing that has a very clear and concise road map. Extremely knowledgeable as well.

Cons: Some slow parts here and there, but are quickly erased by either the next sentence or paragraph.

Bare Bones

By Bobby Bones

 

I’m going to begin this review by saying that I don’t ever listen to the radio. Ever. I’m a firm believer that everything on the radio is the exact same song and exact same “dj” everywhere in the country. There’s nothing I enjoy more than changing the station to hear the exact same song playing almost at the same time as the last station. So when I decided to listen to Bare Bones by Bobby Bones, I was definitely not expecting what I was hit with.

Bare Bones is the autobiography of Bobby Bones, the national radio syndicate host of The Bobby Bones Show. Again, to be honest, I have no idea who he is. I figured, he’s about the same age as me and has his own radio show plus narrated his own autobiography? Now I’m curious. Well, I was pleasantly hit with an honestly funny and tender autobiography. Bones covers everything from his poor upbringing, schooling, college, his first radio host shot, and all of his interesting quirks.

For me this was probably the most hilarious autobiography I’ve ever listened to. I grew up poor, just like Bones. So I can relate to his “four major food groups” that he describes early on into the book. Let’s just say it involves Manwich and also Sunny Delight. Ironically, I did the exact same thing he did with the Sunny D as he describes in his book. When you’re poor, you do what you have to do in order to get more.

Bobby Bones narrates his own autobiography as well and does a fantastic job as well! I literally felt as if he was sitting across from me at a restaurant telling me his story!

All in all, Bare Bones is an excellent autobiography about a very interesting man. Growing up the way he did and seeing how he worked very hard to be where he is now, you have to give the man a lot of respect. Rising from poverty to where he is now and how he talks about his past with humor allows me to give him a lot of respect to see where he goes the next 10-20 years. Get this book! Preferably the audiobook version!

Story: 5/5

Narration: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Pros: Honest and hilarious at the same time!

Cons: I feel I could have used more interesting stories. Yet this “con” is not enough for me to ding the book overall.

The Loney

By Andrew Michael Hurley

 

Before I delve into this review, I want my readers to know that I am in no shape or way a fan of thrillers of mysteries at all. You have been warned.

The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley is a fresh take upon British horror/mystery/thriller genre. The Loney is an area of Lancashire coastline (near Liverpool) that is known for its dangerous tides. Hurley instantly hits the reader with the dangers of said tide and the most recent flood that has hit the area. That is when Hurly sets you up with the gut punch of something bad is going to happen or has happened.

All throughout The Loney you can instantly envision every character and location and even the mood of each scene. I could easily feel the tension as if I was actually there. Brilliant descriptions are littered throughout the entire book. In no shape or way does Hurley take two or three pages to describe a house or an individual, yet he does it in a manner of two or three sentences.

Richard Burnip is narrator for the audiobook version and does a great job of keeping the characters individuality constant and the moods heightened.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of thrillers, mysteries, or horror, definitely get this book! I would reveal more. However, seeing how this is a mystery, I do not want to spoil anything for potential readers/listeners. But if you’re looking for an early summer thrill, go and get this book. You will not be disappointed.

Story: 4/5

Narration: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Pros: Great descriptive environments and characters. Deep emotions.

Cons: Some fluff here and there that seems mysterious as to why the author put them in. Far and few in-between though.

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

By Frans de Waal

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? is an extremely fascinating book taking a look into the intelligence of animals and how their minds are more complex than what we originally thought. The question of, “How intelligent are animals really?”, has been debated for quite a while. All while experts in their respective fields have battled restlessly to prove that their hypothesizes are correct and others are not.

Waal takes an excellent and calm approach to present his theories to the reader/listener. Waal even splashes quite a bit of humor throughout the entire book to keep the reader actively engaged. Throughout Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? Waal gives incredible examples of studies that either he himself has done or solid experiments that his fellow scientists have done in order to prove his point. And boy does he drive his point home at 200 miles per hour!

This is my first time listening to the narrator, Sean Runnette and damn was I impressed. Runnette’s voice is that of your favorite teacher or professor. Very calm and yet very exciting at the same time. There was never a time during the entire book that I felt bored or falling asleep and that was in large part due to Runnette’s excellent narration.

In conclusion, if you consider yourself an “animal person” or even a fan of the animal kingdom, get this book! If you ever have seen an animal doing something amazing that you’ve never seen done before, get this book! Even if you are skeptical of the intelligence of animals, get this book! I guarantee that your opinion will change by the end of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?.

You can purchase this title from Blackstone Audio’s digital site, downpour.com and the great thing is that it is DRM free!

Story: 5/5

Narration: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Trespassing Across America

By Ken Ilgunas

 

Trespassing Across America by Ken Ilgunas takes one man’s journey of hiking along the proposed XL Pipeline from Canada to Texas and turns it into a deep philosophical journey at the same time. As crazy as Ilgunas’s journey seems, it also has the appeal of a romanticism of the solo journey. The battle of wild threats, territorial ranchers, and the weather alone is enough to read/listen to this book.

Ilgunas, while working in Alaska, gets a wild hair to trek along the proposed XL Pipeline to see what would be impacted by the environmental damage from said project. Along the way he runs into quite a few friendly individuals, hillbilly teenagers shooting their guns around his tent, preachers, and close minded police. One sheriff officer even escorts him outside of the county lines. The star of Trespassing Across America is Ken’s deep thoughts upon the damage the pipeline would cause and how the people and environment would be effected.

Andrew Eiden is the narrator for the entire hike. He does a good job keeping all the stories engaging and calm at the same time. Allowing the listener to focus on the deeper meaning behind the text.

In conclusion Trespassing Across America makes the reader/listener take a deeper look into how America’s greedy thirst for energy consumption could ultimately lead to a fallout of a future. With all the battles that Ilgunas faced during his hike, he keeps his thoughts and opinions very honest. Allowing the reader/listener to take away a different understanding of the environment and everyone’s views.

You can download the audiobook from downpour.com here. Plus the book is DRM free!

Story: 4/5

Narration: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

Pros: A brave adventure with a deep philosophical thought process makes the reader/listener think.

Cons: I wanted to hear more about the adventures and the people Ken came across.

Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey

By Homer

Produced by Blackstone Audio

 

I decided to take a look back at a few of my favorite classic tales. The Iliad and the Odyssey are definitely the great classics in literature. Hero’s that perform valiant deeds but are met with the reality of human consequences due to their human nature. Blackstone Audio did an excellent job of combining the two into one box set allowing listeners to not miss a beat between the two stories.

The Iliad takes place during the Trojan War and the ten-year siege of Troy and the battle between King Agamemnon and everyone’s favorite anti-hero, Achilles. What most people do not understand is that The Iliad takes place within the last two weeks of the Trojan war. So, if you didn’t have to read this in high school or college, you will be disappointed as this does not have Brad Pitt’s over glorified version.

The Odyssey, in a way, is the sequel to The Iliad. Your hero is Odysseus and it follows his story of his ten-year journey back to his home from the Trojan War that took place in The Iliad. During his adventures, his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus attempt constantly to side step potential suitors due to rumors that Odysseus may have died during the Trojan War. During Odysseus’ trip home, he is met with constant struggles around every single turn. He does however have Athena on his side. Unfortunately, his greatest enemy is the god of the sea, Poseidon.

Anthony Heald does a phenomenal job at narrating both books. Easily making you feel as if you are listening to Homer himself telling you the story.

All in all, if you are a fan of classic western literature, go and get this audiobook as soon as possible. It is my personal belief that all bookworms should have both books on their library shelves. Both books combined come in at just over 25 hours in length. It is a great value in audiobook format as you can listen to it at work, on a car drive or just around the house.

You can purchase this title from Blackstone Audio’s digital site, downpour.com and the great thing is that it is DRM free!

Story: 5/5

Narration: 5/5

Overall: 5/5  

Nothing but the Dead and Dying

By Ryan W. Bradley

I decided to review a title that came out towards the end of 2015 called, Nothing but the Dead and Dying by Ryan W. Bradley. Mainly due to the impressive nature from all the short stories that are packed within a short listen/read. All of the stories contained in NBTDAD take place in Alaska, which some would call the last great frontier of North America.

Bradley does not take it easy on his audience. Instead, he quickly sucker punches you with the realities of blue-collar life in the Alaskan frontier. Each short story is unique on its own with the only constant being the backdrop of Alaska. Every single story is definitely not for the faint of heart for the casual reader or for those who follow/believe in the romanticism of isolated life and harshness. Bradley keeps his stories on the knife’s edge of fiction and non-fiction. Easily having you think, “Is this a real story or just good fiction?” The frustrating blessing is that you never will know.

There are two narrators for the audiobook version, Elijah Alexander and Tamara Marston. Both do an excellent job at keeping the stories exciting and dark at the same time. Both narrators do a great job at approaching each story with its own independence and uniqueness.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a collection of short stories that break the mundane mold of typical stories that are produced now… get this book and get it now! Ryan W. Bradley, like his works before, sucker punches you, takes your dignity, and then has you thank him for doing so. Trust me, you will thank him for his stories once you are done.

Stories: 5/5

Narration: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Pros: Quick and hard hitting short stories and excellent narration.

Cons: Bradley leaves you hanging with each story making you want to know more about each character.