The Little Bighorn on Ten CDs

Just finished listening to an audio book,  The Last Stand, written by Nathaniel Philbric and narrated by George Guidall.
I suggest you listen to this account of a happening so important it still effects the America psyche. It is excellent among the accounts I have read of the happenings around the end of Custer. Readers of Civil War battles will probably find this account of a battle a somewhat frustrating joy.

The story of the exact end of Custer is hard to get at because ... Well, who was their left to tell that portion of the battle? Still, Phibric does get to Custer, Sitting Bull, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He does not get to the parts played by the citizens of the U.S. and their chosen leaders, nor to certain other stake holders.

You might consider these questions before you listen to the book:
~ Why has the story been told so many time with so much bias?
~ Did the battle end with a wounded knee?
~ Did this battle mark the beginning of the end of westering?
~ Did Reno stand a round as Custer bled?
~ What did Sitting Bull stand for?

These ten CDs hold a well told bit of history that is being actively played out to this day.

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

I just finished listening to another good audio novel. It is the only work by Lisa See that I am acquainted with. The 13 cds are well recorded by the reader Janet Song. The novel will improve your understanding of the PRC of the 1950s including the New Society movement. It may also help you to understand the Chinese immigrant experience. If you are a woman you are likely to cry with a joy of recognition. I shed a couple of tears myself. It is also a bit of a coming of age story for a young woman.

"Cutting for Stone"

I just finished listening to a great audio book well read by Sunil Malhotra.

The author is Abraham Verghese. Verghese tells a very good story and also helps learn interesting things about men, women, children, and the world.

This book is also a light-filled and gentle introduction to Ethiopia.

This great read of a novel is entitled Cutting for Stone.

"Silks"

I've begun listening to an unabridged audio novel. I am finding it a pleasure; a surprisingly great pleasure. It is well written by Dick Francis and Felix Francis and very nicely read by Martin Jarvis. I has been titled  Silks and might be described as a suspense, mystery, thriller.

So far, it has been a personal view of English law and a wonderful view of a kind of horse racing I wish there were more of in the United States. The story is delivered in an intelligent, flow of transparent English of good character. Feelings are strong rather than raw and clothed in decent taste rather than naked.

The facts of silks and gowns are manly.

Mason, our protagonist, is a barrister at criminal law and an amateur jockey,and,perhaps, a bit of a detective. This story, of over ten hours, looks to be a matter of life or death, related more to courtroom action than to action on the track. But it is a mystery and I expect steeplechase action.

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I'm well into the story now. It may not be quite as good as I had hoped, but I am enjoying it a lot. Its a bit of a novel of manners and attention taking mystery.

Not Metis

I listened to the tenth disc of this wonderful audio book the day before yesterday. I brought a half dozen audio books from the library and listen to a bit of each. This is the one that drew me in.


I did feel like holding my ears during on "religious" part. It was almost more creepy than I could handle.


The work is by a woman author. Are all the great new authors women? We used to say authoress. Her name, this great author's name is, Louise Erdrich. I'm so prejudiced that, at first, I thought the name was Louis.


The oral presenters do an excellently transparent job of interpreting this work, The Plague of Doves.  At one time, I'd have called the presenters, readers. But what am I? Right, a listener.


Erdrich's work here might be described as a set of stories woven together a bit like a basket. While listening I was so busy being surprised and being pleased by character and plot that I didn't notice that I was learning some interesting history.


Maybe I'll listen again. Now I'm not sure that the murder was solved.


It's not Metis and it's not New Indian. It is all America. Canadians are North Americas too aren't they?