Audiobook Review: My Inventions by Nikola Tesla

My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla

by Nikola Tesla

Narrated by Jason McCoy

Published by BN Publishing

2 hrs 34mins Unabridged

I am a fan of Nikola Tesla, a man who was a genius by any measure. Oh, and he was what most would consider a mad scientist. He was a very eccentric fellow and it shows in his autobiography. He discusses him unusual imaginations and visions which he insists were not hallucinations. He talks of his inventions in large part (good because that is the title) and what he hopes they will lead to in the future including computers, robotics, artificial intelligence, internet, cell phones, 

even things that sound an awful lot like iPods and WiFi. 

He also has some more wild ideas like a type of aircraft with no visible moving parts. 

Whether you believe everything he says or not it makes for a GREAT read and quick too.

Mr. McCoy is a fantastic narrator for this story, it sounds like you might be listening to Tesla talk about his life- 

except for the total lack of a Serbian accent, of course!

I liked the line where Tesla mentions that his US citizenship papers were kept in his safe where as the rest of his awards and certificates and such were stored in an old trunk. 

If you are already familiar with Tesla or not at all yet. This books is a great insight into the mind of a fascinating man-

Nikola Tesla

For a more in depth biography on Tesla:

Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla: Biography of a Genius

by Marc J. Siefer

Biography of another innovator:

Steve Jobs

by Walter Isaacson

Audiobook Review: Lynch: A Gothik Western

Lynch: A Gothik Western

by Nancy A. Collins

Narrated by Lucas D. Smith

Length: 3 hrs 15 mins

Published by Nancy A. Collins

Lynch is about a man who has become an outlaw after losing his family while he served for the Confederate Army. He meets a young woman and becomes a settler in the west. This marriage is short lived when he watches his young bride trampled by cavalry with their unborn child and his house burned to the ground-

and then, himself lynched. 

he is revitalized from his "inconvenience" by a medicine man and seeks revenge on the men who "inconvenienced" him.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It is a sort of western Frankenstein story. It was not the type of story I normally enjoy but the plot was interesting, the writing was well done for the most part, a couple of times I stopped and thought, "Wait, where did that come from?" or "How did that come about? Did I miss something?" but without making it an epic 20-40 hour audiobook I thought it was great. 

Lucas Smith's voice is- 

unique

to say the least. he has a deep, rich, and somewhat grough voice that is perfect for the main character, Johnny Pearl, and the more you got to know Pearl the better the voice fit him. Smith's voice does not lend it self to other voices, however. most of the time it worked out but I had to use my own imagination when he got to the 13 year old boy and female voices...those were however very rare.

There was also a part or two that could have been more suspenseful, more dramatic, if he had chosen to read it differently. It was partly the writing in a spot or two. 

If you like zombies, Frankenstein, or westerns, you will probably like this book.

Check out

Bitter Seeds
by Ian Tregillis

Princess of Mars
By Edgar Rice Burroughs

Audiobook Review: All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

by  Erich Maria Remarque

Narrated by Frank Muller

This is a story about the horrors of war, plain and simple. It is gruesome and graphic with a purpose and a relevancy. One of the most striking things about the voice the author chose and Frank Muller performed with excellence is the detached indifference.  

At first I was disappointed by the passionless reading until I got into the story and realized that was part of the story. Paul, the main character and story-teller has been so affected by the Great War that he lies about the situation of his friends death to that friends mother and has no problem with it. At another point he reflexively stabs a man repeatedly with a small dagger and is obsessively distraught by it for hours while he sits in a bomb crater as the man dies slowly, unable to help him or end his misery.

I was not the biggest fan of the writing style (or maybe it was the translation, done by A. W. Wheen)  although it was effective being in first person journal style. To me it was a lot of pronouns and a little bit- jerky? disjointed? I'm not sure and thinking about it now it may have been intentional.

Anyway,  This book is non-the-less very well written to the effect of being thought provoking. 

And as the book was written-

so it was read.

I recommend this one for the vivid view of war it brings, to an American, from another side. 

You might also like:

 

Citizen Soldiers 

by Stephen Ambrose

The Grapes of Wrath 

by John Steinbeck  

 

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Audiobook Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan

by Scott Westerfeld

Narrated by Alan Cumming

Do you enjoy alternate history? This is a book for you. Westerfeld has woven a fascinating story featuring a fictional son of the duke and duchess of Austria  who were assassinated sparking the events that led to WWI. There is a wide variety of facts mixed with very creative fiction such as creatures bred for war to serve as airships, beasts of burden, and messengers.

I couldn't tell this was written as a young adult book other than shorter chapters and without swear words and sexual content. I appreciated that. 

This book has a love story, a war, social politics, and a fantastic narrator. Alan Cumming is a great narrator, using his acting experience to develop great character voices that will draw you into the story. 

Another great part of this book is the afterword, Scott talks about what is factual in his story and also part of why he made the changes that he did. 

One problem I have with this book is it was definitely written as a trilogy with the second two books being Behemoth  and Goliath. It does not give any conclusion at the end, you must read the next books to get any resolution...

but really that's okay because the next two are just as good.

You may want to read:

1632

by Eric Flint

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

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Audiobook Review: The Gate Thief by Orson Scott Card

The Gate Thief

by Orson Scott Card

Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki and Emily Rankin
Published by Blackstone Audio, Inc.
12 hrs Unabridged

 Okay, yeah, I pre-ordered this book last fall...and waited anxiously...

and I was NOT disappointed!

Orson has written another fantastic fantasy, a world filled with mages who were once so powerful they became the gods of mythology. But since the Gate Thief began stealing the great gates which allowed the mithermages to travel back and forth between worlds, their power has been fading. 

A new Gate Mage has been born on earth and has defeated the Gate Thief only to discover a different, more powerful threat.

This book was exciting, full of tense precipices of decisions. Orson is a master storyteller, he is amazing at developing detailed three dimensional characters, worlds and, in the mithermages world, a system of magic and mages. 

Another thing I love about Card is that he started his career as a playwright, and LOVES audiobooks. This come out in his stories. With the idea of never using unnecessary words and expecting his stories to be read aloud. 

And Stefan Rudnicki is the man to read them. every time I pick up a book narrated by Stefan I cringe for the first minute or so. His voice is...unusual at first...but I quickly get caught up in it and for the rest of the book I am completely enveloped in a well narrated book. I've never heard Emily Rankin before this one but I must say she fit this story well.

I very much enjoyed The Lost Gate and was excited for this book and probably one of my favorite things about this one...I was captivated u[p until the satisfying conclusion...

BUT I was expertly set up already longing for the next book.

In short-

Read it, you'll love it.

You will also enjoy-

Stonefather

by Orson Scott Card

 Pathfinder

by Orson Scott Card

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New Audiobook Endorsement

So I have decided to advertise for Audible on my blog because I LOVE this company.

Almost every audiobook I listen to has been purchased through Audible.com, what is great about this company is the prices on subscriptions it is a good price (especially compared to iTunes what a horribly expenxive way to buy books) plus you get at least 30% off all books,

AND they often have great specials, Random pop up book sales, $4.95 sales on books, I got a free book for Christmas and free books for Valentines day, and lots of other free books, 

buy two get a third book free, and many other promotions.

According to my Audible app (now available on iPad also) in the past year 

I have logged around 1500 hours in Audible audiobooks.

When you buy the books they are yours to keep. If you cancel your subscription you still have full access on the website and the app to the books you've downloaded.

Try Audible Now and Get A Free Audiobook Download with a 30 Day Trial. Choose from over 100,000 Titles.

Audiobook Review: Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge

Captivating

by Stasi and John Eldredge

Narrated by Stasi and John Eldredge

I figured that since I recommended  ladies should read Wild at Heart I should read its counterpart written for women. I am fairly certain that I felt about this book how women feel reading the other, it seemed to give me good and valuable insight into what the women in my life might be feeling, desiring, and needing. 

It did not, however, stir me into excitement and feel like it was the very thing that answered, well...any questions that I had. So maybe women will not get the answers they feel they might have about men's souls from Wild at Heart.

Or maybe the things I took away from Captivating ARE the things women might want their man to know. 

Things like:

All women have beauty and beauty gives peace, this is very prevalent in nature-

Beauty is peaceful.

Creation is not complete without the woman- she is the 'crown'

Women want to be PART of an adventure, not just the object of it.

This is not a "how to be a better woman" book- 

it is a "do you feel like something is broken in your life? this might be it!" book.

Which is good but just note there is not a lot of noted scriptural basis for the thoughts in this one.

It does deal a lot with the idea that we have all received some psychological wound from our parents and we need to deal with that wound. While it may or may not be true, I think the Eldredges put too strong of a focus on this one point both in this book and in Wild at Heart.

But maybe, just maybe, I will make my wife more happy and my daughter less psychologically damaged.

Books I'd relate to this one:

Wild at Heart

by John Eldredge

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

by Meg Meeker

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Audiobook Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

American Gods

by Neil Gaiman

Narrated by a Full Cast

this book was a very interesting idea of who and what gods in America are, beings that come into existence and are nourished and kept alive by people's belief in them and what happens as they are forgotten about. The main character Shadow is just out of prison when he is approached by Wednesday about a job, in which he is asked to do some strange things and finds himself in the middle of a battle between the old gods and the new ones. 

The story has a good interesting plot that is curious and unpredictable. Neil Gaiman has a unique imagination and has pushed it to create the world of these gods.

I really enjoyed the 'coming to America' stories about how the gods first show up in North America they were particularly interesting.

As you can expect with a full cast the narration was dynamic expressive and fitting to every character. I mean really what can you say when they decided to do a full cast.

there are some very graphic scenes in this book, both sexual and physical, and i would have liked to know that before going into the book myself, but they are often fairly short and I would say they at least contribute somewhat to the story. 

Recommendations if you liked this or like these:

The Space Merchants

by C.M. Kornbluth and Frederik Pohl

Magic Street

by Orson Scott Card

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Audiobook Review: Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose

Citizen Soldiers

by Stephen Ambrose

Narrated by George Wilson

This a captivating history of World War II told mostly from the stories of American GI Veterans, it has some stories from other nations but the focus of the book is American soldiers, their creativity, their ingenuity, and their struggles in Europe during the war. 

While this book is full of great tales of heroism, it also is almost terrifyingly honest, soldiers recall long nights in trenches and the horrors that brought men to tears, shaking in fear, self-inflicted wounds, and extremely courageous acts. 

This book brings the war into the imagination or the reader with a large amount of personal stories told with emotion and passion.

I think that George Wilson, although not a bad narrator, was a little inexpressive. I have listened to narrators that are far more sleep inducing.

The story is enough to keep you awake though, don't worry.

You might also enjoy:

Into the Storm

by Taylor Anderson

Code Talker

by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess

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Audiobook Review: Endurance by Alfred Lansing

Endurance

by Alfred Lansing

Narrated by Simon Prebble

FANTASTIC. I almost feel like I don't need to say anymore

This is probably the greatest nonfiction book I have even read. 

Hopefully this won't be a spoiler for you, but it would have been for me. 

I thought that the story was written in such fantastic detail that it was partially fictional. 

Packed with adventure, ingenuity, and heroism. It tells of Ernest Shackleton's voyage to attempt to be the first to cross Antarctica. His ship, the Endurance, got trapped in the treacherous ice of the Weddell Sea.
This book will inspire you to adventure, excitement, overcoming the most difficult obstacles,
and maybe even putting up with the weather in the wintertime.
If you want to sink yourself into a journey of the most epic and desperate nature
turn this audiobook on, close your eyes and
you will be stranded for
just a few hours
in the hardship and adventure of the expedition
to the Ice packs of the Weddell Sea

Simon Prebble is a perfect narrator for this story, whith a rich but ruddy voice that will put you right into the the story of the antarctic seamen.
here are a few of my favorite quotes from the story,
(because I only listen, the punctuation may be a little off from the actual book)

...when you're in a hopeless situation and there seems no way out
get down on your knees and pray for Shackelton.

...the behavior of the dogs was splendid,
they seemed to regard [the ship being crushed] as an entertainment we'd got up for their benefit.

...they looked like three toboggonist, without a toboggan.

Similar adventures:
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas
 
Code Talker
by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess

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Audiobook Review: Wild At Heart by John Eldredge

Wild At Heart

by John Eldredge

Narrated by John Eldredge

A "safari of the heart" is a quote used near the beginning of this book and I think it is a very apt description.  This book talks about how to reclaim manhood in today's culture. The author describes three areas that every man longs for deep in his heart:

Find an adventure

A battle to fight

A beauty to rescue

Wow, as a man just hearing these three topics sets something on fire in my heart. I do want an adventure, a battle and to rescue a beauty. But, possibly you are not interested in climbing a mountain, or hunting a wild boar,  or playing sports. Eldredge makes it clear in this book that there are many forms of adventure, musical composition can be an adventure for some, diving into a complex mathematical problem could be a battle! 

His point is when we don't have adventure we seek for alternatives, emotional or physical affairs, addictions, and many other problems stem from a feeling of emasculation. 

I really enjoyed the message of this book, from receiving permission to have an adventure to how to raise and teach strong men, and again he does not shallowly mean just physically strong but more than that, spiritual strength, emotional strength, social strength as well. 

Whether you are raising a son, are a man, have a brother, a husband, or know a male, you should read this book. 

Because of the topic of this book I have all kinds of recommendations, 

Comment if you would like more than the typical two.

Endurance

by Alfred Lansing

(since I have recommended this twice already I will have to review this one)

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

by Meg Meeker

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Audiobook Review: The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

The Android's Dream

by John Scalzi

Narrated by Wil Wheaton

Well, what can I say other than unique. John Scalzi has a singular and twisted sense of humor that makes this book fun and interesting.  Wil Wheaton has found a great use for his acting skills in the art of narration, bringing expression to this book few others could.

I did not find this book as funny as others have it made me smile openly from time to time but never quite laugh out loud. It is possible I wasn't in the mood for it but I did enjoy it. 

The story come complete with strange plot twists, unusual religious organizations, alien intrigue, war heroes, revenge, damsels in distress, and of course

Fart Jokes.

You simply have to listen to it to believe it.

Similar to:

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

by Douglas Adams

and

Ringworld

by Larry Niven

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Audiobook Review: The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by John Lee

To be honest this book sat in my library for a while before I got around to listening to it. The 47 hour long classic can be a little bit intimidating. But I finally picked it up and stuck to my 'once started it must be finished before moving on' rule. Let me just say-

Boy I'm glad I did!

This story is amongst some of my favorites.

The epic story of justice both for revenge and reward is captivating and moving. Mr. Dumas has done a great job with plot in this book. With seemingly random characters and surprise twists galore, what seems lengthy before reading is actually building superb suspense that you may not even know is there 

until it is relieved.

John Lee does a great job with the narration also, I took some time picking the narrator when I purchased the book and I think I did well. I especially liked his portrayal of Gaspard Caderousse, creating a aural picture well suited to the character. 

If you have started this book but put it down after the first hour or so- PICK IT UP AGAIN!. 

If you haven't started it yet, I highly recommend doing so.

It is worth finishing.

I'd recommend with this book:

Endurance

by Alfred Lansing

and

Pirate Latitudes

by Michael Crichton

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Audiobook Review: 1632 by Eric Flint

1632

By Eric Flint

Narration by George Guidall

Let me just start off by saying that George Guidall is one of my most favorite narrators. His voice is rich and clear and brings variety and singularity to the voices of the characters in the book. 

I like Mr. Flint's writing style and the idea of a group of modern day coal miners going back in time (or I guess to an alternate universe) is unique and somewhat captivating. 

I however took some issue with some of the assumptions and ideas presupposed that the reader agrees with. Such as the idea that bigotry, sexism, Christianity, wealth, and corporate status (i.e. executives) are all connected in a decidedly negative and snub nosed fashion. Whereas downtrodden, union, atheistic, feminist, and socialist are intertwined to be the best thing ever.

Don't get me wrong!

My point is that they are not all exclusively connected either way nor are they all decidedly negative or positive. Some are, bigotry and sexism are bad things.

Sorry for the soap box.

I enjoyed this book, despite that, with a fair share of battles, unlikely heroes and heroines, and romance for relationships and culture. I look forward to 1633.

If you liked this book you may like:

Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo

or

Destroyermen

by Taylor Anderson 

Audiobook Review: 48 Days to the Work You Love

48 Days to the Work You Love

By Dan Miller

Narrated by Dan Miller

I found this book to be very helpful, I tend to be at a job for about a year and then I get discouraged by something or someone. I start to look around for some other job, I mean there must be something better out there right? I find a job that promises better pay, better benefits, whatever. 

A year later, I'm out looking again.

This book asks great questions about what you like to do, and in  different ways than the typical- 

"What would you do if you didn't have to go to work?"

kind of questions. So there I was, at my workstation, trying to figure out what i wanted to do with my life. and i looked back on my little scrap of paper and realized- 

I am DOING work that I love.

Now, it might not be this job but Mr. Miller makes a great point in separating job, career, and vocation. 

He gives great information on how to decide what you enjoy doing, and then how to find a way to 

DO IT.

Whether  it is to start your own business, start several "side jobs", or how to land the job at the company that you really want to work for.

Couple this book with  

Quittter  

by Jon Acuff

or

Entreleadership

by Dave Ramsey 

Stuff and Other Stuff

Stuff, oh how easy it is to want stuff.

I have wanted stuff for oh so long it is hard to not get stuff.

but when I stop and think about it, the reason I can't get stuff-

is because I already got the stuff and now

I'm just paying the bill

It is exciting for me to look at the schedule at work and see that I am getting overtime.

and its fun for the reason I am excited to not just be the money.

I really do enjoy my work.

I get to listen to audiobooks and podcasts all day long.

I decided i would try and do some audiobook reviews on here and on my Audible account.

it forces me to think about what I am reading more critically.

Blame the Guy Who Isn't There

It is often joked at work, when something goes wrong, to blame the guy who isn't there. 

He can never defend himself, also nobody present gets blamed.

I've noticed we often do the opposite with society. 

What IS isn't good enough, what ISN'T must be better.

Well you can't say it would be worse and what we have is obviously not working. 

I disagree, Yeah its not perfect and we should strive to make improvements, but 

God is Soveriegn

He knows where we were, where we are and where we are going. He's had it all in mind and planned out perfectly. So I, though none may go with me, will seek to glorify God and labor for Him.

A little fun doodle

Lego My Debt

My family is Using Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace program to reduce debt.

On his radio show someone did their 'DEBT FREE' yell from his lobby part of their story was they built a tower of Legos with each brick representing their debt.

I loved that idea.

so i built a tower and now i am unbuilding it. With each brick representing $100 of debt, I have a ways to go. but I am glad to say when it is done, 

I WILL BE DEBT FREE!

HOUSE AND EVERYTHING!

At the end of each month I will be posting two pictures of the tower.

the previous month and the current month

Here is January

And February

\

Sunset Collection

I love getting the opportunity to take pictures of sunsets on my way home from work!

Here is a collection of a few of my favorites.

An Introduction

I'm not much of a writer but I do enjoy taking pictures and expressing thoughts, occasionally. so most of what is to follow here shall be pictures of things that caught my eye. let me know what you think of them!

Here is what I do, I am a machinist. Cutting metal, every once and a while there a chips that catch my eye. 

I've started collecting them.