Audiobook Books

This book is pretty good and won't likely dissapoint Artemis Fowl fans. It has the usual entertaining elements of the other stories in the series. But for fans of Nathanial Parker, who identified heavily with the characters in part created by his superb narrating abilities, it will be an adjustment. It's not that Enn Reitell is not a great story teller, he really did a servicable job. BUT, I never could get used to the incongruity of the new voices of Butler or Foley in particular. He did a great Mulch. So all in all, not our favorite in the series but well worth the read or listen. I hope Nathanial Parker returns for future Fowl books.

This was a very good book, but it wasn't the best in the series. I would recommend for people who like to read science fiction.

I really enjoyed the Time Paradox, it was extremely amusing, the plot was very well thought out, and I would love to read more of Eoin Colfer.
My only disappointment was the fact that the French girl, Minerva Paradizo did not return. Otherwise the book reached all my expectations and more. The Time Paradox is exceptionally well written and most entertaining.

If you have read the previous Artemis books, this one holds up perfectly. I'd recommend this series to anyone at any age, and this book doesn't disappoint.

The latest book in the Artemis Fowl series continues to shine. The latest installment does an excellent job of bringing its reader into the Artemis Fowl world while stretching our imagination with its time paradox theme.

Couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. Loved the characters, loved the building of the Cathedral and I particularly liked how Follet brought the rediscovery of ancient Greek texts such as Euclid into the story. So many things I liked about the book. Sure there was plenty of sex and violence, the story was set in the 12th century after all. Plus I assume we're all adults here so I think we should be able to deal with it. For those who don't like violence and sex in their fiction I would keep clear of this book, that will save me having to read the ridiculous negative reviews.

Some of Oprah's book club books are good and some are bad, but this was wonderful. It was really long but not once did I ever look ahead to see how many pages were left so I could go on to my next book. I am amazed that someone can write like this. There is so much detail and character development. You can picture yourself in various towns. You can see everything in your mind as it is portrayed in the book. There is a lot of despair and sorrow in this story. I would recommend it to anyone who has the patience and time to read such a long book.

Pillars is a long book but very good. Not your usual Ken Follett, had I not known better would have thought he had a ghost writer here. I love his works but this is so different. It has to be a good read to keep me going over 900 pages. I think you will like it.

I really like this book, even though I would agree it is certainly not Proust. Where the character development fails, there is a compelling storyline that kept me interested beyond the last pages.

An excellent read. I found it difficult to put down. Even through its many pages I found it impelling and not at all too long. However, because of its weight I had to prop the book on my lap on top of a pillow. I consider it a must read.

Without a doubt this is my favorite novel of the series so far. The action in this novel was intense and I finished the novel in a couple of days. JK Rowling always does a great job of mixing foreshadowing and mystery. With each novel, I have begun to realize that nothing is as it seems. I thought I finally figured out the plot, only to be completely surprised in the end.

The novel comes after the Prisoner of Azakaban, where we learned that Sirius did not murder Harry's parents, and that wormtail was the actual villain. Wormtail escaped at the end, though, with an oracle that he would nurse Voldemort back to health. That is where the forth book picks up, Voldemort and Wormtail have returned to the house of Voldemort's father to regain health. Additionally, armed with information from a ministry employee, they seek to destroy Harry Potter again.

An old tournament is reborn, and Harry is chosen to compete although it should have been impossible. He competes and his luck remains with him until the end. Questions will be answered in this novel. Will the Death Eaters rise again? Will a student die? Will Hogwarts stay open? Will the Ministry oppose Voldemort? The Goblet of Fire is a great read.

While I firmly believe that the Prisoner of Azkaban is the true beginning of the series that is now known as the Harry Potter series, this is the novel that truly cements its grandeur. All of the characters begin to grow in this novel and Rowling seems to be truly growing as writer. She seems to have a firm grip on where this novel is going to go and she also seems less intimated about bringing in the true darkness of the "bad" characters. It was not until this novel that I saw why some parents would not think that it is age appropriate. I do not agree with this opinion, however I do understand it. There are some genuinely creepy, moments in this book, but I truly appreciate because I think of how many children have grown up with these books and how Rowling allows the characters in the novel to grow with them. I believe this is one of the series' greatest strengths. The complexity of the characters grow intensely and I also think that this is the story that truly connects Harry to the other important characters in the novel: Dumbledore and Voldemort. Rowling is no longer writing archetypal characters; she embrasses the archetypes that she has created, but truly allows them to become characters outside of the stereotypes. I always felt that Dumbledore was a little to similar to Gandalf the Grey, but Dumbledore starts to transcend his stereotypes as well as others in the novel. Defintely worth a read, however I would begin at least with Prisoner of Azkaban before jumping into this novel.

This,In My Opinion Is The Best Book.It definitly Is Where It Goes Into a
darker genre of books.I Would Just About Recommend This Exciting,Page-
turner,to just about anyone!

Summary:
This is the 4th book in the Harry Potter series. It follows the same style, darkening tone, similar formulas as the prior three books -- new mode of transport / new magic device, new Dark Arts Teacher that is obviously a bad guy and nice convenient wrap-up of the various elements introduced. I would have given this 5 stars if there is not the huge plothole of why does Harry have to be the winner of the Triwizard tournament when undercover Death Eater could have just given Harry a Potkey at anyone point in the year.

Setting:
Rowling continues to develop a great fantasty milieu for YA (Young adults). The world is a great combination of mundane and magical. The World Cup of Quiddich is inspired and does a great job of showing the extent of the wizard world around the globe. The interface between Muggles and Wizards could use a bit of work as the method shown in the book is clearly problematic for keeping the wizard world secret.

Characters:
The main characters do advance a certain amount but still a bit on the thin side. The introduction of boy-girl relationships is an interesting element and needed given the age of the characters. Harry and Ron are clearly thick with regards to Hermiene. It is unfortunate but a needed part of a boy growing up. Hermiene is handled quite well and show an advanced maturity fitting her character (she even has some fun for a change).

Action:
The action is consistent in tone and description from the prior books. Harry is entered into the Tri-wizards tournament by someone else to get him lured into dangerous situations. Note: this is a lame plot device for getting him to Valdamort. The tests could have been a bit more difficult / interesting -- the dragon task description is a bit thin for my taste and the maze was clearly there just to get some Harry character development and move him to Valdamort. The confrontation in the graveyard was well done and helped save a poor plot device.

Prose:
The prose style is basically the same from prior three novels with a bit of expansion that is done nicely in the first part of the book. The World Cup of Quiddich is very well done.

Summary:
Overall: 3 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Characters: 2.5 stars
Action: 2.5 stars
Prose: 2.5 to 3 stars

I love all of the Harry Potter books and think that JK Rowling is a master storyteller, but whoever decided that Jim Dale would be a good narrator for this series was seriously mistaken. Aside from the fact that he makes almost all of the characters sound like they are from the East End of London and have a mouth full of bread (aside from Hermione and Ginny who he makes WHINE all of the time), he also mispronounces many of the words, which is quite annoying. He says "Voldermort" without pronouncing the "t", and "accio" as assio, just to name a few! I mean, did they actually have JK Rowling listen to his reading before they hired him to do the WHOLE series??? If it is at all possible, DON'T waste your money on this audio of Harry Potter, go on Amazon.co.uk and get the version read by Stephen Fry. He reads this series the way they are supposed to be read!!! Stephen Fry is FANTASTIC!

I found it boring as there is too much diagnosing the function of meditation and relating itto the individual. I expected as portrayed in the advertisement to have some actual mediatations scripts, new age music etc. it was hard to find.

I was looking forward to meditation and breathing to relax. What a disappointment as it began with medical advice for shots needed after age 60.. My stress level increased waiting for the meditation, I turned it off after 15 minutes.

I think it is an excellant CD for health purpose and living in a safe and healthy surroundings. It gives great tips on breathing, the method and the results your body receive from the process. I am enjoying the purchase of this item. Thank-You

I have COPD so breathing techniques are very important to me. This audio is at the top of my recommendations both for the well described breathing techniques AND for the guided meditations. I had to have some intensive gum surgery done and donned my iPod and listened to this meditation during the proceedure and it truly helped me relax and I have suggested it to others for use during medical/dental proceedures as well. Thanks for another GREAT book, Dr Oz..........

This was rudimentary, at best. The instruction was mostly "feel good" nonsense and way too little breathing exercises - a total waste of my money.

I purchased this book after hearing about it for years from different sources. Read it in only three sittings because it was so fascinating. I have incorporated much of the book into my daily life, especially what I eat. Study seems to be irrefutable. Health is largely a result of lifestyle, including dietary habits. I have changed mine. Only negative comment is the book is a little more academic than I would have preferred.

I have learned allot about diet and cancer and other immune diseases. I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about their heath.

The reader does not do a great job of reading this from the scientific basis - he does not seem to understand the science very much, therefore reads in an unusual manner. Still, the CD's are a nice alternative if you don't have time to read the book.

i feel like i know more than my own doctors after reading this book... scary how little people actually know (or even worse-- what they choose to know)

I wasn't sure about this book when I ordered it. I was having a hard time finding audiobooks on nutrition. So many diets and diet plans but not many on nutrition. When I first started listening to the book I didn't think it was what I was looking for then it grabbed me. Everyone in the world should read or listen to this book. It is a book that could literaly change the world into a better place. We are far to complacent to accept the world "as is". I plan to tell as many people about this book as possible and do my part to change the world one person at a time starting with me.

Excellent product..one of the standard anthologies available for studying Music History.

One caveat, if you're using Hanning's Concise Grout as a companion text, be sure to match the correct edition of the anthology + recordings to the correct edition of the text.

These CDs are great, i can appreciate them more however, through my music class.

The CDs in this set are not packaged in standard jewelboxes nor even in cheap sleeves, but are mounted directly atop a printed surface. As a result, when I purchased the set from my school bookstore, I found that several of the CDs had dried flecks of ink on the data side that made it impossible to play or rip certain tracks. Beware.

Edward de Bono's text is a must read for teachers who wish to foster independent thinking in their students and show them that seeing problems in new ways can lead to creative, worthwhile solutions.

This book is more like cognitive training manual. It explains some techniques about how to open up your thought processes to get better results. It is more like a book for school teachers rather than general reader.

In my view, this is the best of the de Bono series of more than 30 books. It is as advertised: A step-by-step introduction to the art and science of creative thinking.

It shows the reader with a staple of de Bono's -- his graphs and diagrams - how to get over the threshold from just ordinary (right brain thinking) or "linear thinking" to (left brain thinking) or "lateral thinking," that is to pure creativity; and most important, how to consistently find the "launch pad" to ones own creativity.

Critical to the organization of this book and to making his points here (the same as in his other books), is giving the reader a basic understanding of how the mind works. This provides the framework for setting up and recognizing the special situations in which ones creativity is most likely to come into play.

Like, others in the de Bono series, these techniques work so well that it is scary.

Isn't it amazing that for hundreds of years no one thought about creative thinking till de bono and lateral thinking came along.

Well, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed, but maybe that's just from erroneous expectations. I'm an artist & designer, and a graphic designer I admire had this on his list of the most important books he'd read, and that was my motivation to pick it up.

My conclusion is that this is a great book for non-'Creative' types (not to mean that they're not creative, just that they're not in a 'Creative' field such as the arts) such as scientists and engineers, who are looking to round out their thought process, or young adults in jr. high or high school who are exploring the nature of creativity.

It is intriguing to hear someone dissect the creative process in a cold, calculating, scientific sort of way, and de Bono does this job quite well without coming off as too fatuous (a common fate in that endeavor it seems).

Ultimately though, the creative thinking de Bono discusses is a very specific and fairly limited type, namely problem-solving. It's telling that almost all of the examples & figures he gives are geometric puzzle-solving. This would be a great book to read right before you take a IQ or SAT test.

Its hard to believe that this is a first novel. I have heard so many rave reviews as well as those which appear here - Its that good. If this doesn't end up on the short list for one of the book awards, I will be surprised.

I am a History nut from Massachusetts and am very familiar with the ins and outs of Salem and the witches. The time is the present, and the author is funny about the industry which has grown up around these legends. However, the main story is about women who derive a power from being with each other, both as family and as friends. This story also shows the kind of secrets which are maintained within a family. I'm sure my own large extended family has a few which are being kept.

The brand new author tells her story softly, carrying on the narrative while giving the reader snippets and hints which brings one to the end of the book partly surprised and partly knowing what is going to happen.

When I picked up this book, I had just finished grumbling about having to set aside four books in a row which were not worth my time. This one is definitely a keeper, and I would recommend it highly. Be prepared to be educated and surprised.

Salem, Massachusetts is an unusual town. And the Whitneys are the most unusual family in Salem. Their family roots in Salem go back hundreds of years. They fit right in with the eccentric witches, most of the Whitney women have the ability to sense bits of people's thoughts and see glimpses of the future when they look through a piece of lace.

Towner Whitney is in her early thirties and she has just returned to Salem from her self imposed exile in California because her beloved Great Aunt Eva has disappeared. Towner fled to the west coast fifteen years before, running from the violence and grief that was part of her life as a teenager when she lost her twin sister, Lyndley. She is a damaged soul and Salem is the last place she wants to be. Her memories of her life in Salem are sketchy and she struggles to put the pieces of her childhood together while dealing with people from the past that she is not prepared to see.

Eva was in her eighties but still swam in the ocean every day. When her body is found out in the water it's hard to believe that she drowned on her own. The police suspect her estranged son-in-law, Cal. While married to Emma, Eva's daughter, Cal beat her so badly that Emma was left blind and mentally impaired. Somehow he managed to escape any legal penalty and now he is an Evangelist with a very warped following. Towner's return and Eva's death rip open the past and send everyone concerned reeling.

This is a book about the damage that people do to each other and the incredible lengths that the human soul will go to in order to survive. At times haunting, heartbreaking, mystical and magical, it has an ending that will surprise you and show you the healing power of love.

I read this book quickly and mostly enjoyed it...but it's lightweight and won't stand much scrutiny...I enjoyed the vivid picture I got of Salem, but the characters are one-dimensional and have a National Enquirer world view...

This was like paying full price for a movie (hard cover book price) and then wishing you'd have rented it for 3 bucks.
I was swarmed with info about this book from amazon to costco and maybe it's because I had such high expectations that I was disappointed.
I got bored about 1/4 way through but kept trudging along for the "incredible mystery" to unfold. Some of the writing is quite eloquent but all in all this was a bad read, especially for full price hardcover!!

Towner Whitney comes from an eccentric family of women who are thought to be witches because of their ability to make and read lace. Just relax your mind and stare slightly off center and you can see the future. Sounds simple except for the fact she lives in Salem, Massachusetts and apparently there is still witch hunting.

Towner returns home after the drowning death of her great aunt Eva. This is a trip that Towner has been avoiding because of her traumatic upbringing that continues to envelope her whole life. Towner wonders what was the true cause of Eva's death; but since she herself is known as the town wacko with hallucinations of dogs mauling her abusive brother in law and run ins with a hellfire preacher, no one wants to help her or investigate.

Just when she is ready to return back home to her life in California the past that she had carefully created for herself comes crashing into her reality and what she had thought was "her" truth was only a thin veil that blocked out the full pain of "the" truth.

There were many times that I wanted to put this book down, the middle bogs down with such boring repetitiveness I was beginning to wonder what the author was thinking. Then the last 100 or so pages hits you with such force you can't get through the book fast enough. Great story with a stunning conclusion that has you spinning and thinking back to the clues that you missed.

These CDs are great. They help us learn the correct pronunciation of names of historic people and places. This curriculum makes history fun and interesting and memorable, especially if you use the accompanying workbooks as well. The whole family can learn world history as well as quite a bit of world geography. And the geography sticks in the brain longer than rote memorized geography because the world history stories help you connect meaning to the maps. They go along with the best World History curriculum available.

All citizens of this great country shoud read this, and be informed. Also Obama Unmasked. This is one of the most important elections in recent history. Be informed, be prepared. When you read these books, you will know who is or isn't a racist. These publications are based on factual references. See who is the real power behind Obama.

Simply put, this book provides the solid, documented research that the media has neglected in favor of the tingling in their legs. Since he is a student of Saul Alinsky (who taught deception...concealment of real purpose) and other radicals, we cannot take what Obama says at face value - his proven track record is the only thing by which we can effectively measure him. Obama is doing his best to cover his tracks, which itself speaks volumes.

Obama's intended policies, those that he's shared with us...if we can believe him...will lead to a marked lowering of our standard of living, and to a terrible loss of freedom in our society. Freedom, once given up, will be unbelievable difficult to regain.

Short answer: read this book. The news media are only showing what they want. Get the rest of the picture, and be an informed voter...not a deluded one.

the case agsinst obama.

The book allows you to look at both sides of a candidate. The media did not give you information that voters should have to make an informed decision. It was very Bias in their coverage. They held back much information about the candidate. they performed as if they were part of his campaign staff.

A must read before you vote! Obama is not fit to be President of the USA.

A real eye opener into the man who would aspire to the Oval Office. He should be returned to city politics. Well written