Audiobook Books

It's clear why Tony has become so successful. His theories are sound and his methodology is extremely effective. Those who never reached their goals either failed to apply his techniques or simpy gave up.

Definitely worth your time and money!

Finding Your Costa Rica : 5 Powerful Steps to Personal, Professional and Financial Success

Anthony Robbins covers a vast amount of information regarding personal achievement and taking control of your life starting from your own attitude and habits. There are countless books on discovering individual achievement and few packs as much content as Awaken The Giant Within.

The volume of content in this book is a double edged sword; whereas Robbins in clearly in possession of considerable knowledge on the topic yet appears to have difficulty or a lack of interest articulating his points with any brevity. Robbins could have cut this book into a fifth its size and maintained its usefulness.

Robbins has the ability to motivate and this book will give certainly give you an uplifting pep talk...if you can get through it quick enough. There are, however, many books on personal achievement that are far superior (Think & grow Rich, Magic of Thinking Big) that get to the heart of the material more rapidly and articulate their intent better.

Awaken the Giant Within encourages taking control of ones life to promote positive change. Robbins has read extensively on human development and has rolled many worthwhile concepts into his book. He explores topics including belief systems, how to change, positive decision making, destroying blocks to success and more. This book gives a good overview of how to take better control of one's like.

The reading is quick, but he could have been somewhat less verbose and get the same points across. Then again, it is a relatively minor point if this is what is needed to motivate people to take control of their lives.

Although interesting, Robbin's book did not change me significantly. Almost all of his concepts can be found in other sources. However, Robbins work has helped many people a great deal...and it would be unwise to argue with this success!

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

Obviously Tony Robbins is a very committed and intense individual. That is worth 3 stars. But, a self-help book should be just that: a book that enables you to help yourself, so you don't need to use Tony or his seminars or tapes for constant reinforcement.

The book is applicable to everyday life situations, but the practicality is questionable. Everything he writes has been said before, and could be distilled down to a few lines that you could concentrate on, as has been done by other Spiritualists. Instead, you need to remember 6 NAC steps, 5 problem solving questions, 10 emotions of power, 6 steps to emotional mastery, 10 Action signals, 6 Master steps to change, and the list goes on. Whew! You need a briefcase just to carry all that around with you.

The bottom line is no one is going to remember all those steps. So what do you do then?

Awaken the Giant Within encourages taking control of ones life to promote positive change. Robbins has read extensively on human development and has rolled many worthwhile concepts into his book. He explores topics including belief systems, how to change, positive decision making, destroying blocks to success and more. This book gives a good overview of how to take better control of one's like.

The reading is quick, but he could have been somewhat less verbose and get the same points across. Then again, it is a relatively minor point if this is what is needed to motivate people to take control of their lives.

Although interesting, Robbin's book did not change me significantly. Almost all of his concepts can be found in other sources. However, Robbins work has helped many people a great deal. Thus, it would be unwise to argue with this success!

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

In a time when reality television programs are wildly popular, with their narcissistic, silly people who think fame will make them important, these stories are about life. As so many other reviewers have noted, Garrison Keillor's Lake Woebegone stories look at human nature with all of its frailties and hidden dreams and hilarity and moments of grace. He can make you laugh out loud and cry in one story. I've had this cd collection for about 13 years now, and I still don't get tired of it. All the stories are good, but Bruno the Fishing Dog remains one of my all-time favorites. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

This is a fine collection of monologues from the period during which Keillor was most popular, and it also has gorgeous guitar links provided by Chet Atkins, whose trademark arpeggios are beautifully rendered on an acoustic guitar with a rich, mellow sound. I was moved by these recordings to buy several Chet Atkins CDs. "Meeting Donny Hart at the Bus Stop," "Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando," and "Mammoth Concert Tickets" contain all of the elements that earned Keillor his loyal following -- an affection for the Minnesota region, fallible human characters, hope and compassion, all told with a twinkling sense of humor.

I have virtually all of Keillor's Lake Woebegon works, and this is his finest! "On Meeting Donny Hart" is perhaps the finest tragi-comedy of them all! You'll bust a gut listening to Mazumbo, Gospel Birds, Pastor Ingquist's Trip to Orlando, Mammoth Concert, and Babe Ruth Visits Lake Woebegon-- the whole set is superb. I can't say enough good about this excellent product.

Garrison Keillor is to the spoken story what Mark Twain was to the written - a kind and intelligent sense of humor mixed in with a wickedly insightful knowledge of human nature. His monologues, the "News from Lake Wobegon", have always been the centerpiece of PBS's wildly successful Prairie Home Companion, and I have found none of his stories to be superior to those contained within this collection.

Pastor Inqvist's Trip to Orlando is worth the price of these cassettes alone with the story of the humble Lutheron Minister and his desire to please his Church Deacons and Mrs. Inqvist at the same time. The Gospel Birds is another "church" story, but you'd be wrong if you came to a listen thinking that Mr. Keillor is simply a "holy roller" trying to pound his version of "the gospel" into anyone.

His stories are about what makes us human - our nobleness and our failings - and his storytelling is so skillful, he allows us to hear that our shortcomings are as important in who we are as our triumphs.

This is one of 2 collections of monologues (the other being "Fall") that (to me) comprise the absolute best of Garrison Keillor's recorded Lake Wobegon stories. Some of the later collections have a more uneven feel, but "Gospel Birds" and "Fall" don't have a weak moment on them. The stories range from hilarious to touching to heartbreaking, and many times are all three at once. You'll laugh at these whacko Minnesota characters, but you'll also see yourself in them, and feel along with them as well. This is time well spent.

Never expecting Dean Koontz to write a series, I was surprised, but pleased, to see Odd Thomas reappear in more books. While the book sticks to Koontz' mix of scary and bizarre, the characters are normal and enchanting. I never expected to think of a protagonist of his as sweet, but Odd is. He copes with all the strangeness in his life and whatever frightening situation he finds himself in with grace, humor (very important to me), and compassion.

Not worth the paper its printed on. Quantum claptrap already used in dozens of books.
Really thin on character development and please, can someone smack Thomas out of his whining?
I can't believe I will probably read the next one!! but nothing about dogs! enough of the golden retrievers already... about a Pitt or a Chihuaha?

I think the quirky Odd Thomas to be the most like-able character in Dean Koontz novels. He's believable & I love the tongue in cheek humor. The story, I found, really bogs down in places. I also thought the plot to be a bit over the top. If not for the humor exuded by Thomas & his Russian ally I think the book would fail. The plot just doesn't cut it. Elvis's history is out of place with Thomas being such a young character as well. Thomas just can't carry the plot in this one

Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)

I love Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz I can take or leave. In his old age, the author is crow baring his wacky right wing politics into the inner voice of a 21 year old. A 21 year old who could not possibly share his conservative views based on the characters life history (and death history). The low point (spoilers ahead) was after a harrowing encounter with an unknown creature that nearly ends in Odds demise, Koontz decides to regale us with a tale of the big bad ACLU and they're determination to undermine social works in our cities tough neighborhoods by insisting on enforcing that Pesky separation of Church and State clause. OoooKay? My favorite, however, was the moment that the "Good Guys" were preparing to battle the "Bad Guys" and it is speculated that Islamo-Facists or Athiest may be behind the plan to murder the nuns, priests and children. Wow, who knew, it was the atheists responsible for all those Holy war / crusades that ended in the deaths of millions over the millennia. Oh, wait.

Koontz is a beautiful writer, and I can forgive the occasional attemp at indoctrination now and again. But this was too much. Give me the story of Odd, leave the politics to the politicians.

I will not be reading any more Odd novels. I already miss him.

As a long time Dean Koontz fan, I can honestly say that his character of Odd Thomas is probably his best creation. I loved the original novel and the quirky sense of humor it introduced. "Brother Odd" takes up right where "Forever Odd" left off. Odd has taken up residence in a monastary to try and sort things out after the events of the last couple novels. Of course, Odd won't get the rest he needs as something is drawing the evil seeking "bodachs" to the school for the special needs kids attached to the monastary. And when the number of the pain loving bodachs increase, it's up to Odd to figure out what disaster is threatening the children, monks & nuns in this wintry and isolated setting.
Koontz introduces some fantastic characters in this novel, Brother Knuckles, a former mob heavy turned Monk is a stand-out favorite of mine. I found quite a few elements of Koontz earlier novels in "Brother Odd", and eagerly went back to re-read such novels as "The Bad Place" & "Dragon Tears" because of similar plot elements. That is not to say "Odd Thomas" is just a rehashing of those things, just that certain elements from earlier novels influenced the action in "Brother Odd".
This is a very quick read as well, perfect for the beach, or for long plane ride. The story and characters are fun, and you will find yourself unable to put the novel down at the end of a chapter. Koontz has a way of filling the novel with multiple cliff-hanger like chapter endings, and you feel compelled to continue reading just to see the outcome. I'm looking forward to the next Odd Thomas book, and hope this series continues to thrive.

Scott Fitzgerald, a monumental talent who only occasionally got things working right, made Gatsby great by the extraordinary invention of Nick Carraway. Carraway as narrator provided the exact perfect pitch: more awestruck than he would admit, more moral than it was fashionable to reveal -- always objective and distanced and subtle and charming, genuinely decent and impeccably well mannered, a little dangerously smitten himself by the lovely but corrupt Jordan Baker.

Alexander Scourby, one of the greatest reading voices of his era (overlapping Fitzgerald's enough to know and feel it all) here does Carraway in a way that cannot, therefore, again be quite equalled. Imagine having a recording of a great contemporary actor reading Ahab's speeches in Moby Dick, and one begins to appreciate the gift that we only now have in recorded sound, something we are already quite casual about. But there is much more here than historical accuracy. Scourby's voice wraps around every phrase of Fitzgeral's text with both an actor's professionalism and a good reader's care, making it not only uncannily his own monument but also a monument in audio book history. It sets the bar, and anyone interested in the recorded voice as an art form should own this for repeated learning.

I listened to this book over a few nights with my wife, after having read it first some sixteen years ago. It is a masterpiece, and known widely as such, but what surprised me on hearing it was how the book I'd remembered as terribly romantic was actually rather clear-eyed and dark. My wife, who had never read it, listened spell-bound, and at the end burst into tears at the sadness of it. A word about Scourby as reader - he is restrained but emotional, captures the personality of each character with a slightly different tone, and - most importantly for me - brings out the fact that the closing pages, which are often quoted out of context as deeply romantic, are in fact painfully cynical, a voice of disenchantment about the cost of America, not its promise. A masterpiece on the page and on tape. Can't recommend it too highly.

There is a reason why this is required reading in advanced literature classes throughout the country. This is without a doubt one of the best tales ever told. It should be used as an example to any aspiring writer of what great writing can be. The thing that makes it so great is Fitzgerald's ability to formulate characters, both large and small, and his ability to have them interact in a manner that is at once both imaginative and realistic. This makes the story, which in and of itself is not more amazing than other books, more amazing because you are compelled to believe the plausibility of a story that is incredible. Even if you are not a literature student you will find this book an enjoyable read that is intellectually stimulating, yet easy reading for those reading to relax. Many have copied this story directly and indirectly because of the lesson it teaches (that in the story about life and that about creating a story) and many will continue to do so in the future.

I am an English teacher, and I bought this to aid in my classroom discussion of the novel. After receiving this version of Gatsby, I discovered that our school library had a copy read by a different narrator. I listened to both, but Alexander Scourby's reading was much more entertaining to my 11th graders. The other version put them to sleep. I highly recommend Scourby's reading of "The Great Gatsby."

After living abroad in the Middle East for a year and traveling through more than twenty-five countries, I recently re-read The Great Gatsby, seeking the familiarity of America. The Great Gatsby captures what is different about Americans and the American experience. At its most basic, America represents endless striving for greatness. Whether in business, science, athletics or world affairs, Americans imagine and seek the best. Though we often stumble and fall short; though we often cut corners to achieve our dreams - striving for greatness is the essence of America. In Gatsby, we feel what it is like to want something so badly, to succeed in reaching it and to ultimately fail. How many of us have not shared these experiences in some way or another? American writings today, such as David Ebershoff's Pasadena (2002) and Scott Gaille's The Law Review (2002), continue to explore Gatsby's central theme of obsession with greatness. In this time of global uncertainty, we can get back in touch with what it means to be an American by reading such books.

I don't think this book is worthwhile to the public. The author borders on the edge of intelligent design and creates unbased analogies in his book about how things just work out.

I can't think of examples because I honeslty tossed this book in the trash and am just writing a review because for some reason Amazon has this book as one its recommendations for me.

Often, personal stories of discovery in books on physics/healing/cosmology, etc, tend to be tedious and self-indulgent. Not so with Bruce Lipton's work, "The Biology of Belief". Not only are his descriptions and analogies for his discoveries and insights into cell biology and consciusness clear and concise, but one finds oneself swept along through the book by Lipton's own great enthusiasm for his subject.

This is a ground-breaking book based on ground-breaking, risk-taking science. I congratulate Lipton on a wonderful work that is intellectually stimulating, enjoyable, and thought-provoking. Lipton is bringing biology into the new spiritual era of quantum theory, and placing the power for our own healing of life and body squarely onto ourselves. A must-read!

Lipton's book turns our understanding of the world inside out: it is not the DNA inside the cells that controls them, but the interaction of the outer cell membrane receptors with their environment. Starting from what is known and accepted, the author extrapolates to what transcends accepted science. Along the way he presents to the reader a thorough description of cell biology. It is all quite remarkable, but will you dare follow where he leads? How the mind affects the body's health? The effect that mother's emotions have over the development of the fetus? How some hydrocephalic children have high IQs although they lack most of their physical brain?

And then there is the matter of matter. The author points out that everything in the universe consists of atoms, and atoms are made out of [electrons and quarks] invisible energy not tangible matter. And since all energy in the universe should be describable by one mathematical expression, everything is inter-related, everything communicates with everything else. One could follow many paths from here, but Lipton concentrates on how our personal beliefs affect our physical cells: how many of these beliefs, formed from as early as our fetus days, lie hidden in our unconscious only to surface unexpectedly and affect our cells in completely mysterious ways.

The author saves most of his personal conclusions for the epilogue: a discussion of our conscious selves, our personal relationship with everything else in our environment (which he calls the Divine), and mankind's next step up the evolution ladder. He concludes that "The survival of the Most Loving is the only ethic that will ensure not only a healthy personal life but also a healthy planet." He thus joins the considerable number of scientists who have discovered that the effect of love exceeds the boundaries of religion and should be treated as a real and potent power in the universe.

(The writer is the author of The Way of the Butterfly: A Scientific Speculation on God and the Hereafterand of "Christianity Without Fairy Tales: When Science And Religion Merge.")

I have referenced this book to so many people I cannot count. When I encounter people who do not understand the actual biology and physics of the "attraction principles", I send them to Lipton who does a superb job. He is able to clearly describe what a non-scientist can understand, while using scientific backbone to support his views. I am glad this one is on my shelf.

If you really want to understand what is going on inside out of you, please read this book. Excellent reading.

My two-year-old son and I have a lot of fun listening to some of our favorite stories in the car, but the performances are a little lackluster. I think Jason Alexander puts the most into his performances, but David Hyde Pierce and Michael McKean are just okay. In fact, since they are the only three voices on the cd, I get a little tired of them. But overall, the cd is enjoyable.

My son (4 1/2 yrs) asks to listen to this every time we get in the car. The narration is wonderful, with a soothing rhythmic quality. Our favorite is the Jason Alexander's rousing version of Green Eggs & Ham, and his reading of the ABC's (there's a sneeze at the letter "K" which threw my 22 month old into hysterics. I've never seen a baby laugh so hard. To this day it makes him to laugh every time). David Hyde Pierce is great at the tongue twisters, which is why I guess most of those stories are read by him. The Michael McKeaon ones are a little weak, however we don't currently have the books that he reads, so it just may be that we're not familiar with those stories. These stories seem to make whatever ride we're going on that much shorter. There's also been many times when we've arrived at our destination & my oldest son will ask to stay in the car until the story is over.

And as for the other reviewer saying this CD is as boring as an insurance seminar.....I currently am going to school for my insurance license & I can assure you the CD is most certainly not boring. The insurance classes on the other hand......

As great as Dr. Seuss is, this package is terrible.

Most importantly, the readings/performances of these stories are BORING! These are some of the most imaginiative, fun-to-read stories on the planet and the performances have all the enthusiasm of an insurance seminar.

Anoher gripe is that it's just the two CDs -- no book or additional packaging that's fun for the kids to look at (which maybe was my fault for assuming otherwise).

Plus, there are two CDs when it seems like they could have piled it all together on a single disc. I suppose they wanted to include more stories, but it ends up being a more of a pain to make sure you have the 'right' disc for the story your kids want. If there wasn't enough room on one CD, cut one of the weaker performances -- there were plenty to choose from.

Overall, this was a big disappointment. Our family loves Dr. Seuss, but this package doesn't do him justice.

This is a terrific audio CD of our Dr. Seuss favorites. My sons love to read along in the car and at home. The celebrity readings are great to listen to. Even my husband and I listen in the car, long after the kids have dozed off. Don't miss out on this collection. Well worth it!

If you've wearied of Green Eggs and Ham and Sam-I-Am, and would rather not Hop on Pop, you'll be grateful for this CD set with lively readings of the kid-favorites by familiar voices like Jason Alexander, David Hyde Pierce, and Michael McKean. For young readers, pair them up with the books to follow along and VOILA! Instant Readers! this year is Dr. Seuss's 100th birthday!

Simple and profoundly true. I sat down to rest, to write this. Must go back to THROWING THINGS AWAY, that are neither useful or important. Excellent book.

If you feel a need to read this book, please check it out of the local library.

There's little here in the way of new ideas and the book is very repetitive. Perhaps the author had a page quota to meet.

Two questions were helpful in thinking about clutter removal: What is the purpose of the room? How do you want to feel when you are in the room?

While the premise is that things must be culled and removed from the home, there is more stress on simply tossing things in the trash than suggestions of ways to properly dispose of items or recycle, or pass along to appropriate charities or non-profits.

I'll be giving my copy of this book to a charity's upcoming book sale.

Peter Walsh, the professional organizer from TLC's reality show "Clean Sweep" holds forth on how and why we are overwhelmed with "junk" and what we can do about it. Instead of offering simple "how to clean" advice he tackles the psychology of why people have trouble letting go of things.

Basically, there are two reasons people have trouble thinning down.
1) They have an irrational sentimental attachment to an item. This explains why people keep broken, unusable goods, or family heirlooms which are more of a burden than a blessing.
2) They feel they might need the item "one day". This usually boils down to a fear of scarcity. In our decadent Western society, how likely is it that we won't be able to run to any number of big box stores down the street and pick up whatever we need, at the time that we need it? Do yourself a favor, he argues, and get rid of the stuff that's weighing you down.

I did find a few of his edicts a tad draconian. For example, no bronzed baby shoe mementos, and never ever more than 3 magazines in the home at a time? Really?
However! You must keep in mind, that this is coming from a man who has personally witnessed a lot of the worst cases in the country. I think I can speak for the majority of Americans when I say that my house certainly doesn't look as bad as some of the "before's" on his show. Unfortunately, my home doesn't look as beautiful as the "after's" either. For most of us, whose homes are somewhere in-between, this book is the perfect kick in the pants to get a bit of clearing, organizing and beautifying accomplished.

Walsh patiently, reasonably and logically lays out some of the common thoughts and fears that prevent us from getting rid the clutter and living in the best space possible. I felt inspired to clean up my act and while my home still isn't "perfect" it's now looking a darn sight better than it has in years. It's a difference that you can see! For this reason alone, I give this book 5 stars. Highly, highly, highly recommend.

I watched a few episodes of that TV show Walsh is on, and he is clearly not a professional in any sense. He gives the impression of someone who somehow fell into an opening in front of a TV studio on his way to his job installing drywall.

One of his organizational strategies is shame, one of the most damaging emotions to mental and emotional health. In one episode, he drove a Korean woman not just to tears, but to actual sobbing, over the state of her guest room. He pummeled her with questions like: "Would you want your mother to stay in this room? Is that what you think of her? Is that how much she means to you?" Given the reverence bestowed upon elders in the Asian culture, it was especially mean.

Furthermore, disorganization is major feature of several neurological disorders, particularly ADD, and many of the afflicted are undiagnosed and untreated. Given their serious, lifelong struggles to get organized, it would not be surprising if a disproportionate number showed up on these TV shows seeking help. Shame would be particularly destructive to these individuals. As a form of toxic help, shame is a major player.

Walsh just doesn't get it: organization or lack thereof is not a moral issue.

By process of self-selection, I would place myself in the better half of the population when it comes to keeping the clutter out of my life. Reading Peter Walsh's 'It's All Too Much', I was glad to find many of the suggested practices already in use, but I also found a few small gems which made me reconsider the status quo and make a change for the better. The discussion on 'cost vs value', was especially valuable: remember that the cost (what you paid), is not necessarily equivalent to value of that item in your life. It's that piece of clothing you bought and wore once, or an expensive present someone gave you and which is now occupying prime real estate in your house - it's time for it to go.

The only immediate shortcoming: the book, in all likelihood, will attract a self-selected crowd of people who are already well down this path. We all know a friend or a relative who could really use the lessons, but Peter Walsh does not provide any discussion on how to breach or introduce the subject. There, you're on your own.

Geraldine Brooks did it again! This book should capture the reader from the very first line. My book group reviewed People of the Book recently and gave it high ratings; everyone took something different away from the story. Not only will the reader discover what a book conservationist is, but the importance of maintaining & preserving books throughout history. The main character is like a detective who can take a grain of salt found in the binding of an ancient prayer book, research it, then discover the exact location where it came from. From that tiny grain of salt, she weaves a whole story that connects to the next discovered particle - until she pieces together the entire background of the prayer book. The final piece of the puzzle links together why and how the book came to be found in a Sarajevo library. The book highlights the common thread among all religions that many lose sight of in today's world.

I first heard about the book on a radio program. I found the book at the library, recognized the title and decided to give it a shot. What good fortune it was! The best book I read this summer...well written, interesting, enlighten and couldn't put it down. The fiction is believable, facts accurate and story plausible. what more can you ask for in historical fiction!

I saw this book at BN when it came out in December and would not have read it had I not read an article written by Geraldine Brooks published in "The New Yorker" on December 3, 2007, later that same week. The article tells the almost unbelievable but TRUE story of the Sarajevo Haggadah - how Dervis Efendi Korkut, a devout Muslim, saved the Haggadah from confiscation by the Nazis, how he and his wife Servet also saved Mira Papo, a Jewish girl, how he was later tried as a Nazi Sympathizer, how Mira later encountered Servet and leared of the pending trial but failed to testify on his behalf at that trial and then later redeemed herself by writing an account of his deeds that resulted in Dervis and Servet being declared Righteous Amonig Nations by the Commission for the Designation of the Righteous at Yad Vashem (yeah, this is a bad sentence). I keep a photocopy of the article with my copy of the book.

Having read the article, I bought the book. Given the known facts about the book and the amazing story about the people involved in its rescue from the Nazis, it was enjoyable to read a FICTIONAL account about how a Spanish Haggadah written in Hebrew but illuminated with Islamic ornamentation (Brooks points out that Jews, Christians and Muslims peacefully co-existed in Spain during a time known as the Convivencia) could travel from Morocco to Spain to Venice to Vienna, and ultimately resurface in the twice war-torn Sarajevo of our time. In a time where "Christians" and "Muslims" "hate" each other while equally "hating" the "Jews" it is refreshing to see just a glimmer of what we could all be and accomplish if we could see past the labels we put on each other.

If any of the negative reviews have you worried - read the article first if you can, then read the book.

This book is pure shlock. After having read and enjoyed her previous book, March, I expected much better. The "clues" provided in the manuscript lead to obvious but absurdly far-fetched conclusions by the extremely annoying and self-satisfied Aussie narrator. She manages to be both extremely sorry for herself and convinced of her own righteousness and brilliance at the same time. The other characters are stereotypical and predictable, and they all succumb to cliched but lurid Jewish fates. Don't waste your money on this potboiler.

The modern characters are weak and the story doesn't stick together very well. But the historic dramas were quite intriguing. Fells like this book was written by two different authors.