hellkatjen
- 42
- reviews
- 10
- helpful votes
- 73
- ratings
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Birnam Wood
- By: Eleanor Catton
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Five years ago, Mira Bunting founded a guerrilla gardening group: Birnam Wood. An undeclared, unregulated, sometimes-criminal, sometimes-philanthropic gathering of friends, this activist collective plants crops wherever no one will notice, on the sides of roads, in forgotten parks, and neglected backyards. For years, the group has struggled to break even. Then, natural disaster creates an opportunity, a sizable farm seemingly abandoned.
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Great, then suddenly terrible
- By katie marshall on 13-04-23
- Birnam Wood
- By: Eleanor Catton
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
Great story
Reviewed: 21-03-24
This is well written, a really believable modern story of bravery and ecological activism, but also of greed and intrigue set in my beloved home country, New Zealand. It displays a deep awareness of the patriotic passions for their beautiful country and the sometimes reckless balls-out courage of New Zealanders, but also sometimes their naievity.
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Catch 22
- By: Joseph Heller
- Narrated by: Trevor White
- Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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At the heart of Joseph Heller's best-selling novel, first published in 1961, is a satirical indictment of military madness and stupidity, and the desire of the ordinary man to survive it.
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Wonderful
- By Keith on 25-05-09
- Catch 22
- By: Joseph Heller
- Narrated by: Trevor White
Highly entertaining
Reviewed: 17-03-24
The narration was very good. I've been trying to read Catch 22 for over 40 years but could never seem to get beyond three or four pages. But listening by audiobook made it connect so much more easily. In terms of the story, it was humourous and I genuinely laughed out loud in several places, but also made me gasp with the realism, horror and pathos of rawness of life and death during wartime. The characters were well-crafted and larger than life. I'm going to have to watch the movie now!
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Lucifer’s Banker Uncensored
- The Untold Story of How I Destroyed Swiss Bank Secrecy, 2nd Edition
- By: Bradley C. Birkenfeld
- Narrated by: Rick Adamson
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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As a private banker working for the largest bank in the world, UBS, Bradley Birkenfeld was an expert in Switzerland's shell-game of offshore companies and secret numbered accounts. He wined and dined ultrawealthy clients whose millions of dollars were hidden away from business partners, spouses, and tax authorities. As his client list grew, Birkenfeld lived a life of money, fast cars, and beautiful women, but when he discovered that UBS was planning to betray him, he blew the whistle to the US government.
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Stretched a chapter out into a book
- By Atwater Reeves on 05-06-24
- Lucifer’s Banker Uncensored
- The Untold Story of How I Destroyed Swiss Bank Secrecy, 2nd Edition
- By: Bradley C. Birkenfeld
- Narrated by: Rick Adamson
Fascinating
Reviewed: 20-02-24
A fascinating story - eye opening and very informative. well worth a listen to hear what really goes on behind closed bank doors!
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Brass Queen
- By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
- Narrated by: Michelle Babb
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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In a steam-powered world, Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogues. Selling firearms under her alias, the “Brass Queen,” she has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy J. F. Trusdale saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world as they know it will disappear before their eyes.
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Engaging and entertaining romp
- By hellkatjen on 19-12-23
- Brass Queen
- By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
- Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Engaging and entertaining romp
Reviewed: 19-12-23
I'm so delighted to listen to Michelle Babb. She lends this quirky tale of steampunkish derring-do an element of genteel but comedic grandeur. Her characterisations are excellent and I enjoyed the book from start to finish. Elizabeth Chatsworth has a way with words that works really well with Michelle's talent. I do hope there will be *gasp* a series. I am already inordinately fond of Mr Trusdale and that most uppity of heroines, Miss Haltwhistle. I'd like to have seen the world around them padded out a little more, but fortunately my imagination is lively enough to have coped. Perhaps a series will lend itself to this in some small but engaging way.
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When McKinsey Comes to Town
- The Hidden Influence of the World's Most Powerful Consulting Firm
- By: Walt Bogdanich, Michael Forsythe
- Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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McKinsey earns billions advising almost every major corporation as well as countless governments, including Britain's, the USA's and China's. It boasts of its ability to maximise efficiency while making the world a better place. Its millionaire partners and network of alumni go on to top jobs in the world's most powerful organisations. And yet, shielded by non-disclosure agreements, its work remains largely secret—until now. In this propulsive investigation, two prize-winning journalists reveal the reality.
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An eviseration of McKinsey
- By Bill Atkinson on 03-03-23
- When McKinsey Comes to Town
- The Hidden Influence of the World's Most Powerful Consulting Firm
- By: Walt Bogdanich, Michael Forsythe
- Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
Extremely interesting and easy to understand
Reviewed: 16-08-23
I really enjoyed this book. It covers a range of interesting topics. As a non-industry reader (i.e., I don't work in the field of "business consulting or other related professional areas), I thought some of the topics would be "above my head" but in fact it was so clearly written that I understood at least 80% of the items discussed, and learnt a great deal about some "historical current affairs" that had bypassed my attention.
I'm not particularly a conspiracy theorist and I prefer to seek truths for myself instead of being led by the nose, by my peers. This book is exactly the sort of eye-opening reading matter that I enjoy - one that leads me to think for myself and draw my own conclusions. It was excellently narrated and without too much jargon.
Highly recommended.
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Stephen Fry's Inside Your Mind
- By: Stephen Fry
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Original Recording
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Stephen Fry travels into the most remarkable place we know - our brain. The organ of knowledge and the one we know least about. Over 12 episodes Stephen explores just how much we’ve learned about this mysterious structure in recent years and tries to answer some of the most difficult questions that remain. To do this, we relay the discoveries and stories of neuroscientists, psychologists, anthropologists and even philosophers, to add illumination and perspective as we travel. Each episode will be full of brainy stories: some shocking, some thrilling, some scarcely believable.
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Ruined by intrusive music and sounds
- By Dr Stephen J. Welch on 25-01-22
- Stephen Fry's Inside Your Mind
- By: Stephen Fry
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
I didn't want it to end!
Reviewed: 25-04-23
This was a really interesting and engaging podcast. I didn't think I'd be able to concentrate on it (ADHD) But of course Stephen Fry's gentle pomposity is like an enthusiastic uncle kindly explaining something (to a slightly dense but fascinated niece).
I work for a psychiatrist with an interest in neuroscience and now I feel as though I have a better level of knowledge to invest in my work with him. I'm so glad I listened, but I truly wish there were more chapters than just twelve.
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Master Focus
- Tips, Tricks, and Habits to Build Better Concentration and Develop Your Focus
- By: Eddie Zhao
- Narrated by: Kyle Tyler McKinney
- Length: 1 hr and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Taking control of where you put your focus can dramatically increase your quality of life. In a world full of distractions, the ability to concentrate on anything you do puts you ahead of most people. Focusing your attention on whatever you're working on will save you huge amounts of time. The purpose of this audiobook is to help you create an ability to focus by developing habits, strategies, and a lifestyle to complement it.
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Really helpful
- By hellkatjen on 17-03-23
- Master Focus
- Tips, Tricks, and Habits to Build Better Concentration and Develop Your Focus
- By: Eddie Zhao
- Narrated by: Kyle Tyler McKinney
Really helpful
Reviewed: 17-03-23
This book really helped me to develop better focus. I plan to listen to it on a regular basis to remind me what I need to do!
it sets out very clear ideas for rebalancing your focus and your purpose in life and work.
Re-evaluating the requirements for a successful life takes strength of mind, and to review and develop new habit stacking really does work.
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Sleep Sound with Jamie Dornan
- By: Audible Sleep
- Narrated by: Jamie Dornan
- Original Recording
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Do you struggle to Sleep Sound? In his new sleep aid podcast, actor Jamie Dornan will transport you to relaxing locations around the world, from a Mexican beach to an Amazon rainforest or a Namibian desert. So select your favourite imaginary getaway, take a deep breath, relax, and join Audible on this escape to sleep.
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You had me at Jamie Dornan
- By Caroline Mitchell on 29-04-22
- Sleep Sound with Jamie Dornan
- By: Audible Sleep
- Narrated by: Jamie Dornan
Restful sounds, too much talking
Reviewed: 01-03-23
The whole series is very restful, and the sleep inducing sounds are very pleasant although the talking goes on a bit too long and can be distracting. However I did fall asleep to the Namibian desert one, so it obviously works quite well. The Mexican beach one is very pleasant.
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Career of Evil
- Cormoran Strike, Book 3
- By: Robert Galbraith
- Narrated by: Robert Glenister
- Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman's severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past whom he thinks could be responsible - and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.
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Another gripping story.
- By Bernadette on 22-10-15
- Career of Evil
- Cormoran Strike, Book 3
- By: Robert Galbraith
- Narrated by: Robert Glenister
Excellent
Reviewed: 27-02-23
I've enjoyed all the cormoran strike novels, they're interesting and engaging. I love the London aspects, it feels familiar. the stories are very believable and the endings also fit with the story
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A Simple Lie
- A Heart Stopping Psychological Thriller
- By: Mary Bush
- Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Forced to give up her career as a dentist, and still unemployed a year later, Valentina Knight has finally run out of options. With foreclosure looming she acts in desperation, lying to get a position as an assistant to the county medical examiner. Val's relieved. She won't be homeless. But Val didn't count on the lie trapping her in a dangerous game with a killer. Val quickly becomes involved in the case of Francine Donohue, who disappeared from her neighborhood and is discovered dead six months later. The bizarre circumstances surrounding the murder are not the first of their kind.
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Bad!!!
- By Dilly Dally on 09-07-24
- A Simple Lie
- A Heart Stopping Psychological Thriller
- By: Mary Bush
- Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo
Engaging mystery
Reviewed: 27-02-23
the narrator was very good, the story engaging and the length of the book was very satisfying.
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