Editorial Review

There are two ways to look at this bestseller by Watergate scoopmeister Woodward. First, it's an original take on Clinton's sex scandal, framing it as the latest consequence of Nixon's assault on the U.S. political system. Woodward sketches each president's tussles with scandal managing after Watergate permanently turned up the press heat on the White House. Ford lies about a meeting concerning a potential deal to pardon Nixon, but remains convinced he did nothing wrong. Carter's pious advocacy of truth telling backfires when he's confronted with conundrums involving his pal Bert Lance, the fallout from CIA-provided hookers, and cash for King Hussein. Reagan's men try to make him understand the lies and shocking wrongness of the Iran-Contra debacle, but he simply, stubbornly doesn't get it. And by the time prosecutors interview Reagan in 1992, he's so ill he can't remember his own oldest friends and advisers.Read more

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (109)

Inside of the White House
Another Bob Woodward book, another masterpiece. I am getting great pleasure from his books. Detailed research, witnesses, and main character interviews are combined to revealed truth with every respect. In Shadows, he discovers the last five presidents scandals and events around them. Book starts with Ford, Nixon and Watergate, This is the most interesting chapter of the book, and it is explained with every detail. Secondly, Carter and payment made to Jordan King and Iran Hostage crisis. You can feel Carter's pain in this chapter. After that, of course Reagan andIran-Contra weapon sale and Oliver North incident. This chapter is also very interesting. The role Regan and Senior Bush is much different than public knows. Senior Bush's role is very controversial. There are always something learn from his books. When Senior Bush was at the White House, subject is the war again. First gulf war and Saddam stories given. There is also little bit information about Bush-Saudi relations in that time. Inevitable, Mr. Bandar's name is also here. Finally, Clinton era, Whitewater and Monica. This is also very big chapter. In Whitewater investigation is explained very well. Also Monica scandal is the fun part of the book. Star and Clinton have not a bad relation as we know.
The effect the Independent Counsel had on the Presidency
I think this is a pretty good book on the Presidency of the United States since Watergate.Of course, Mr. Woodward played a significant role in reporting Watergate and has written extensively about the Presidency since then. Interesting, disturbing look at the presidency
Heard the taped version of SHADOW: FIVE PRESIDENTSRead more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. American    3. Audio Adult: Other    4. Audiobooks    5. Current Affairs    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. Political    8. U.S. Government    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    10. Watergate Affair, 1972-1974    11. History / General   

Editorial Review

Menopause doesn't have to be a dreaded curse of aging during which we can look forward only to hot flashes and whacked-out hormonal mood swings. According to Christiane Northrup, M.D. (Read more

Features

• Abridged

Reviews (103)

Inspiring
I love Christiane Northrup's holistic view of our bodies, minds and spirits.As someone who has felt alone and crazy at 47, I am grateful to feel validated and reassured. Not all things in the book apply to me at this time, but were very interesting and I am glad to learn new information about what is coming. This book is great for anyone who is ready to believe in the power they have to manage thier own health.

Warning
Do not buy this book unless you have a very high tolerance for new age gibberish.There is factual information here, but it is buried in gushy self-absorption.I bought it for psychotherapy patients who are going through menopause, but I'd be embarrassed to lend it out.

Not far enough
The Wisdom of Menopause provides an accurate description of what happens to a woman's body during and after ovarian failure (menopause). This book describes in detail the negative effects of menopause (ovarian failure) while still describing it as a natural and normal process to embrace. I don't believe we should be so willing to allow our ovaries to fail, instead we should look for ways to help them work better and for longer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Exercise/Health    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health and hygiene    5. Menopause    6. Mind and body    7. Popular works    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Women    10. Women's Health - General    11. Women's Health - Menopause   

Features

• Audiobook
• Abridged

Reviews (38)

Entertainment only, no literary value
This book can be an entertaining read if you have low literary expectations. The characters are very poorly drawn-- each individual is either perfectly noble and wonderful or evil and vindictive. The plot turns are similarly too melodramatic, though the story moves fast and keeps your attention.This type of story does have value in that it helps readers understand the day-to-day intellectual struggles people endured when considering the political issues that ultimately led to the Civil War.

Real excitement and an unbearable desire to know what happens next
I was happy to discover that the first book of Jakes's Civil War trilogy, North and South, is cast very much in the same mold as The Kent Family Chronicles. The book follows the story of two friends who enter West Point in 1842. Orry Main is a tall, skinny son of a South Carolina rice planter. George Hazard is the tough, stocky scion of a Pennsylvania iron fortune. Bound together by the common trials and tribulations of cadets, they become fast friends. Little do "Stick" and "Stump" suspect that the forces that will tear apart their boyish friendship and the nation they're both sworn to serve.
An entertaining, enjoyable, epic history novel
Good historical epic novel about two families intertwined by friendship but torn in the events leading up to the Civil War. History told at its best: as a complex and fascinating story through character drama. There are so many, many characters in this story, and all are so realistically drawn. Some are pure evil, some pure good, but most are full of the contradictions and complications of the period. Most are simply good people living in a morally complicated time, utterly confused as they try to find their positions and places in it. It's particularly difficult and complex regarding their relationships. Two families (the Mains and the Hazards) are bound by the friendship between their patriarchs, but are torn apart due to their cultural differences, as being from the South and North. Essentially, the characters and families stand as allegorical for their respective worlds. At the heart of the book is an important theme, it's harder to fight with someone when you know them as brother. People might be ashamed of their way of life, but when faced with the truth from outsiders who show them their own shame, they will not change. Yet, only through personal experience with each other can anything be resolved. Grade: A- ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Fiction - General    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. General    4. Non-Classifiable   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (4)

A Different View of Enlightenment
Anyone on the path of enlightenment should add this course to their studies. It can be daunting at first to understand where Stephen is going with this technique. But as the listener continues on this tutorial, the stories he shares can be enjoyed while gathering information during his discourse for use in the normal meditation disciplines.
Not very good.
I don't know how many times I can listen to this guy ask "If you don't use your thoughts, memories, emotions, associations, or perceptions, how do you experience X". I don't know what this question is supposed to do for you or why he thinks that asking it over and over for different experiences does anything for anyone.

Excellent set of tapes to get you to awareness
I have listened to the set of tapes several times. Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: New Age    2. Awareness    3. Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Identity (Psychology)    5. Inspiration & Personal Growth    6. Personal Growth - General    7. Spiritualism - General    8. Trance    9. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Editorial Review

"What is 'effectiveness' in a family?" asks author Steven R. Covey. He promptly answers with four words: "a beautiful family culture." Building this culture is the primary theme of Covey's parenting guide, a manual based on concepts introduced in his blockbuster, Read more

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (43)

Life Changing
Some of this is just common sense. But some of this was life changing for my family.
Old concepts repackaged and regurgitated
All Covey is saying in his longwinded book, basically, is this: Listen to the people you love. Put the family first in all your decisions. Blah blah blah and something about synergy.
Well Packaged, Well Presented, Needful Message
I listened to the Audio CD version of this book.The presentation was well organized.With breaks built in for thought, action and reflection.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Careers - General    4. Communication in the family    5. Family    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family Relationships    8. Inspirational - General    9. Interpersonal Relations    10. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    11. Self-Help / General   

Features

• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: New Age    3. Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Composition & Creative Writing - General    5. Spiritualism - General    6. Writing Skills   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Non-Classifiable   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (16)

We may never know
I read this book when it first came out and concluded there was too many questionable points that are hard to explain such as the gloves, the blood and 'his Bronco' leaving the scene etc.Since I am not a forensics expert, I will not attempt to decide guilt or innocence, evidence is there to prove the case, just too many questions.I am glad I was not on the jury.

Black Racism
All that this book does is confirm what everyone, (except a large proportion of the black population) knows - that Simpson butchered two people and got away with it. Excellent
What an outrage....if this case intrigued you, then I suggest you read this book and read the "evidence dismissed".Well written, and fast paced, I couldn't put the book down.It really puts a cast of doubt on the justice system.And to know this man is still out there walking around free, while two people are not, is unbelievable.I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. California    4. Case studies    5. Evidence, Criminal    6. General    7. History    8. Homicide investigation    9. Los Angeles    10. Trials (Murder)    11. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    12. Body, Mind & Spirit / General   

Features

• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Basketball - General    4. General    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (5)

Not as good as other S&S CDs, coverage limited
Prof. Dressler is decent to listen to, but the overview given was too narrow in scope to be of much use in my Crim Law class.My professor was much more concerned with all the areas of Crim Law that are different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.These CDs just give the basics.

THE MAGIC SUPPLEMENT every 1L needs for Criminal Law
Maybe I just dont like the Lexis-Nexis style review books, but I thought Dressler's hornbook was just not readable to me..
very good review or introduction
This lecture is very helpful as an introduction to criminal law or a fast review. Dressler is very easy to follow and he is a delight to listen to. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Other    3. Criminal Law    4. Criminal Law - General    5. Economics - General    6. Law    7. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Subjects:  1. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction   

Features

• Audiobook
• Bargain Price

Reviews (2)

A Prairie Home Christmas
I originally bought this CD as a gift but was curious enough that I opened it and played it. I love it. Obviously, I'm keeping that copy and buying another! I am from the Midwest and haven't been back for Christmas in years. Garrison Keillor's wit and homespun stories, the music and the humor all make me anxious to get back there this year. A Prairie Home Christmas is just the kind of down-to-earth Christmas we all need....

A fine Christmas entertainment collection
This collection of moments from Christmastime broadcasts of "A Prarie Home Companion" is a very good one. It features excellent music, much of it by the "Hopeful Gospel Quartet". It also has wonderful skits, including Tom Keith's amazingly funny sound effects version of the twelve days of Christmas, and a re-telling of the Christmas story by Garrison and the other actors. The only complaint that I would have about this CD set is that Garrison's brilliant storytelling is not the feature of this compilation. Nevertheless, this compilation is without question worth getting for all of those who enjoy "A Prarie Home Companion". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Prairie Home Companion (Radio show)    4. Radio - General    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Fiction / General    7. Bargain   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (14)

A Great Book!
It is easy to become jaded today about what our government is doing and why, but The Commanders, is one of the most engaging looks at your government coming together.For better or for worse, it is even more engaging since so many of the "players" in this book are in the forefront of our news today.One of Woodwards' best.

Excellent!
This book starts at the beginning of the GHW Bush Administration and goes through to the very beginning of the Gulf War.
unquestionably the best
I bought this book on a Friday night and compulsively read the book until Sunday morning. The read is quick, and the parts about Panama are very fascinating. It's nice to read about something that doesn't involve the Middle East....oh wait a minute, the middle east is covered as is the military history of this period. Colin Powell is a hero and a great pragmatic man, which mkes me long for the pre-Clinton days. History would be much different if Goerge the 1st stayed in power just 4 more years. The bravery and pragmatism of the 1st Bush administration makes you wonder about this Bush administration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. General    4. Political Science / General   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (6)

I Can Speak Polish
This is the best audio language instruction I have ever used.The lessons were so clear and the review was so comprehensive, I am ready to go to the next level.I would highly recommend this instructional CD for anyone attempting to learn this somewhat difficult language.

Polish: Learn to Speak and Understand Polish with Pimsleur Language Programs
I have a few Learn to Speak Polish CDs and CDroms and this is the best yet.

Outstanding
An absolutely outstanding program for beginning Polish.Prof. Pimsleur has outdone himself.While it certainly will not make you a fluent speaker, completing the CD's before travelling to Poland allowed me to order in a restaurant, carry out transactions at my hotel, go sightseeing on my own, and interact with my business colleagues on a basic level.I already speak Spanish and Japanese and have a small understanding of Mandarin, French, and Croatian.I have discovered Polish to be the hardest language I have yet encountered.(Although similar to Croatian, Polish pronounciation is more difficult)I'm glad I started my studies with Pimsleur.Having dipped my feet into the language and having interacted with the Polish people, I've decided to continue my studies of this amazing language and culture.Thank you Pimsleur.5 stars +++++++!!!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Language    4. Polish    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Foreign Language Study / Polish   

Reviews (2)

Pasos- Muy Bueno
I found this book really useful as I used it in school.I have now bought the teachers edition to help my husband learn as we are moving to Spain in the next year.I really recommend this book.*****

Great for beginners, but the Spanish is geared for Spain
I am currently teaching from this book, and I am saddened that it is geared towards Spain. Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. General    3. Language    4. Spanish    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Foreign Language Study / Spanish   

Editorial Review

When Sue Bender proudly announced to a friend that her first book, Read more

Features

• Abridged

Reviews (16)

Abook for All Times!
After witnessing the recent horror (school massacre) inflicted upon the Amish community, "Everyday Sacred" is a timely reminder that they and the human spirit will endure.It reminds us to ask not what we lack, but to appreciate, daily, what we already have.
The Cure for the unnamed Problem
It's a great description of the Spritual Cure.... but we never analyze what was wrong in the first place... it's a type of Narcissism which in her case comes into conflict with her religious values and forced her to develop her spritual walk as a cure.
Inspirational!
This book fell into my lap at a time when I was "most ready" to hear it, so my review may be tainted.It was so inspirational to me, and I absolutely loved the analogies and word pictures that Sue Bender used.I refer to those illustrations in my mind nearly every day.I use this book as my nightstand "go to book" when I need a spiritual pick-me-up.It is beautiful, articulate, and powerful.I have sent copies to nearly everyone I know because I believe anyone and everyone, no matter what your spiritual beliefs are, can benefit from Ms Bender's eloquent writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Case studies    4. Holy, The    5. Self-actualization (Psychology)    6. Spiritual biography    7. Spirituality - Women's   

Editorial Review

The thorniest scientific problem of the eighteenth century was how to determine longitude.Many thousands of lives had been lost at sea over the centuries due to the inability to determine an east-west position. This is the engrossing story of the clockmaker, John "Longitude" Harrison, who solved the problem that Newton and Galileo had failed to conquer, yet claimed only half the promised rich reward. ... Read more

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (237)

I suggest this book to anyone interested in geography and history.
I chose this one because I thought it kind of related to me in a way, but I always thought it would be just a bunch of useless fact. As I read it, I became more and more interested in the struggle to 'find the longitude.' I suggest this book to anyone interested in geography and history. It's also an easy reader.
An epic 40 year struggle!
Dava Sobel, like Simon Winchester or Canada's Pierre Berton, has clearly mastered the art of writing history in a form that is not only informative but, perhaps more important, is also compelling and entertaining.
Ocean Navigation Before GPS

Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Clock and watch makers    6. Great Britain    7. History    8. Longitude    9. Measurement    10. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (1)

Not for beginning speakers
Be aware that this is not a tape for beginning students of English--thecover notes in somewhat small print that this is for people withintermediate English skills.I contacted the publisher, and as of now theydo not have a tape for beginning English speakers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Dictionaries - General    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    4. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (5)

Not bad, but probably best as a supplement
I guess it depends on what your goal is and whether you have studied a foreign language before.I've studied Italian, German and Greek and have managed some level of proficiency in all of them.By this time, I have come to know what I like in a language course and what is most useful.I think this particular course is probably best utilized as a supplement.I've been listening to it a few times a week for a couple of months.I'm not sure whether I've really learned anything I didn't already know.(French is similar to Italian, so I have a head start on the language.)At the beginning of a language study, I do think you should acquire an idea of how regular verbs are conjugated in the present tense and I can't say that I'm really getting that.I'd like to hear a verb phrase in all persons and numbers, like "I'm going to the store, you're going to the store, she's going to the store, we're going to the store, etc."Then I'd like a tape that would give me all the most useful phrases I'll need, like "I'd like room for two nights" or "a glass of red wine, please."I think I could get more out of a tape that simply gave the phrase in French and then repeated it in English, rather than have a whole little scenario, as this course does.However, the value of the little scenarios is that they give a good idea of what a typical conversation about a certain subject may be like.This way one can get a pretty good idea of the questions he may be asked and get some practice in recognizing them when he hears them.(I know from experience that there's nothing more embarrassing than asking a question in a foreign language and then not being able to understand the reply.)With that goal, I think this little course could be a valuable supplement, but I would not recommend it as the primary learning tool.If I had a time limit to learn French, I would have moved on to something else weeks ago.I don't think this lays down the basics quickly enough for someone who has previously studied a Romance Language.

Getting By in French
I have had many years of French in America which in no way prepared me to speak anywhwere in France...especially in out lying country regions.Formal address of each person is mandatory at all times with proper attire(coat/dress pants/tie/dress shoes for men , skirt/dress and dress shoes for women)will get you every where in France as long as you speak as fast as the tape or faster.I played the tape each day for 2 months and everyone understood me.Eight years of American French will not help without extreme speed in talking. Best intro tape ever,,,don't forget the new Euro. Viva La France and good luck , Capt, Mike

Just as advertised
French is very difficult for those who have never learned another language.I made use of this tape/book combination for about a month and was truly able to "get by".I found as many do, that just giving an effort put me in good graces with people I came in contact with. They would then most often speak in English. Give the book and tape a good effort--Lots of repetition--and you'll benefit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio - Language    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Conversation and phrase books    4. French    5. French language    6. General    7. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    8. Foreign Language Study / French   

Editorial Review

Despite the fact that our lives are powered by electricity to an astonishing degree, most of us have little or no understanding of how or why it works. Instead, we rely on a blurry notion that it flows--like water--through wires to turn on our appliances. In Read more

Reviews (23)

Ambitious Titlefor a Lightweight Book with some Interesting Facts
The reader should understand that this author picked a huge subject and out of that book he follows a few interesting sidelights. The book's contents is like a rock skimming across the surface of a lake,Where the rock hits, there is an interesting story, but do I feel like I know about the lake?This author has an interesting style,hisE=MC2 book dealt with a narrow subject (an equation). This book is a fast readwith interesting facts, but of course it can not cover the scope of the title

Will Give You a Charge
This book about electricity is the second Bodanis' book I've read on scientific subjects. I don't think it is quite as good as his previous "E=Mc2." But it is informative and interesting.
Readable account, surprising but not "shocking"
The focus on the story of electricity here is on the scientists and inventors involved in its development and how electricity has changed our lives.It begins with "Wires" (title of the first part of the book) to "Waves" (Part II) through computers and finally to "The Brain and Beyond" in Part V.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Electricity    2. History    3. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction