By: Amor TowlesNarrated by: Nicholas Guy SmithLength: 17 hrs and 52 mins When I look back at beautiful books, this will be one of them. A man: a single thread weaving in and out of moments in the tapestry time, observing the destruction of a great society. Brevity, is my tribute.
Author: Verse
The Crusades: The War of Great Societies
The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy LandBy: Thomas AsbridgeNarrated by: Derek PerkinsLength: 25 hrs and 32 mins While relying solely on one source for insight into a complex subject inevitably invites bias, Asbridge’s exploration of the world of knights and sheiks offers a multifaceted perspective. His approach is characterized by a thorough…
The Right Stuff: Good at being Lucky
By: Tom WolfeNarrated by: Dennis QuaidLength: 15 hrs and 42 mins Wolfe does an excellent job bringing a perspective to the dangerous and often foolhardy life of the flyers who pioneered the American space program. He cut through the mosque of the right stuff to find those who were good at being lucky. Those who…
Heirs of the Founders: Diatribe and Discourse
The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American GiantsBy: H. W. BrandsLength: 14 hrs and 55 minsJohn C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster: These three political strategists stood as stalwart pillars in the childhood of our American system. In the tumult of a young nation grappling…
Crash Dive: Sub Action
By: Craig DiLouieNarrated by: R.C. BrayLength: 29 hrs and 11 minsSeries: Crash Dive Series, Book 1-6Language: English This set of six books provided a compelling contrast to “Thunder Below,” which I completed a month ago. Despite the fictional nature of the main character’s submarine adventures, the author skillfully grounded the narrative in reality. With some familiarity with the…
Deep: Freediving
Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About OurselvesBy: James NestorNarrated by: James NestorLength: 7 hrs and 36 mins Free diving has long held an allure for me, a pursuit I yearn to engage in more deeply. Residing in the heart of a continent, despite being encircled by myriad lakes, presents its challenges. Nonetheless, immersing…
The Woman Who Smash Codes: Revealing the Future
By: Jason FagoneNarrated by: Cassandra CampbellLength: 13 hrs and 36 mins An endearing biography. From revealing the ciphers of prohibition rum runners to breaking the codes of the axis powers, she had to push through more because she was a woman and didn’t let that stop her.
Off to Be the Wizard: Fantasy Fusion
Off to Be the WizardMagic 2.0, Book 1By: Scott MeyerNarrated by: Luke DanielsSeries: Magic 2.0, Book 1Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins This book offered a captivating fusion of fantasy and science fiction tropes, crafting an immersive and enjoyable world. As a computer programmer, I found it effortless to immerse myself in a universe where life’s configuration files…
Lord of the World: Christopian Lit
Lord of the WorldBy: Robert Hugh BensonNarrated by: Simon VanceLength: 10 hrs and 8 mins Considering this book’s genesis in 1907, it’s truly remarkable to discern its prescient elements. While conceding that certain aspects have succumbed to the erosion of time, their insignificance pales in comparison to the brilliance of the narrative. Though the complete eradication of…
Thunder Below! : A Submariners Journey
By: Eugene B. FluckeyNarrated by: Corey SnowLength: 15 hrs and 27 mins Follow the ever-engaging and dynamic Commander “Lucky” Flucky who will take you on an adventure into Poseidon’s realm from the frozen Sea of Okhotsk to the sweltering heat of the South China Sea. It’s been a long time since I finished a book this fast….
War And Peace: A Lost World
When I decided to read this book I did have a slight idea of what I was stepping into. Little did I know I would be walking through a forgotten world that is lost to history. Having been to St. Petersburg and Moscow and read much on the life of European nobility of the 19th…
My Favorite Books of 2021
When I look back on 2021. I recognize how much busier I was and how much less time I made for books. I still enjoyed some wonderful texts, the best of which changed me and how I see the world. Here are my favorite books of 2021: And in the Light Reading category, here was…