Reviews by Portia

Not of the same quality as Andrew Marr's British history but an enjoyable romp through world history with a few 'well I never knew that' moments. His interest in modern politics means the book gets more involved towards the end. Thoroughly enjoyable, and the narrator does a fine job.

This is a great book. For many travel writers, observers and commentators it would be one of their best. Unfortunately Bill sets a high standard, which in this case he just misses. It's still a great book and worth adding to your Bryson collection. After all, who would want to miss Bill Bryson vs. a continent full of the worlds deadliest animals?

I read the earlier Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England in good old fashioned paperback and enjoyed it . So it was an easy choice to pick this on the track record of the earlier book. I wish I'd stuck to paperback again.TTG to Elizabethan England is not a bad book, however it doesn't work as an audiobook as well as many other books. The narration is fine and clear but the book suffers from too many facts and figures, lists and statistics. In print these work, but as the spoken word they serve to bog down the book and break up flow and imagination. A pity . Perhaps this is a (to my preference) rare example of a book that would honestly be improved for audio by being abridged.

No review of the story itself here ... either you know it already or are about to have the pleasure of discovering it! There are several versions of this three part story as audiobooks. This version is delightful - unabridged ( so pleased not to have my listening enjoyment 'pruned'), with the author as part of the cast ( great when the author is a good reader - they know their own work better than anyone) and a cast who bring the book to life. Great stuff!

Neil Gaiman, reading his own work. Wonderful. I quickly fell in love with him as the narrator, I believe he could read my shopping list and it would take on subtle new tones of mystery, menace and magic. Such a pity more of his work isnt available, read by him.
A lovely, light fairytale for grown ups and superior to the film. Thank you Mr Gaiman

Standard Cornwall fare - battles, history, blood, girls. And battles. If you like him, its another offering, Well narrated.

A book entitled 'Becoming Queen' with a portrait of Victoria lead me to believe that the book would be an insight into the personality and times surrounding her. I liked the book, fortunately, which meant I didn't mind around half of it being devoted to the life of another young woman whose early death meant Victoria became queen. In essence - a reasonable book, well narrated - but not quite what it says on the tin.

Often talks given to a particular audience at a certain time don't translate well into audiobooks. I was delighted that in this case 'Bodhisattva Mind' works very well. It's good to hear the teacher herself giving her teachings in her own words, rather than on the page. The talks are easy to hear, and to follow. I found that the audiobook complements Pema Chodron's commentary on Shantideva's Bodhicarayavatara - 'No Time to Lose'
Pema Chodron's spirited, down to earth instructions on how to live a life of kindness for ourself and others in the muddle of our busy lives. Wonderful!