Conrad Wesselhoeft

As elusive and brilliant as moonlight on the sea

Reviewed: 03-27-22

One measure of a great short story is how it impacts you over time. Stories I didn't much like decades ago ("Up in Michigan," "A Clean, Well Lighted Place," "The Killers") now seem exquisite. Stories that seemed exquisite then ("Big Two-Hearted River," "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber") have lost not a scintilla of luster.

This book possesses great narration, excellent intros and keen insights into an author who's been called everything under the sun, both good and bad. Was he bully or nurturer, misogynist or feminist, warmonger or war hater?

I'm convinced that no biographer or filmmaker has gotten Hemingway exactly right, not even Ken Burns and Lynn Novick in their acclaimed 2021 documentary. Hemingway remains as elusive as moonlight on the sea, and as brilliant.

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3 people found this helpful

The boys knock it out of the park

Reviewed: 11-23-21

A highly enjoyable and entertaining read as well as sentimental journey through 1960s and 70s TV. Even more, this is a story of a tight-knit, loving family holding to its strong Midwest values amid the swirl of a Hollywood Babylon.

I'm astonished at the breadth and depth of Ron Howard's career, from fledgling kid actor to mature actor and on to directing some of the best films of the past 35 years. Younger brother Clint achieved childhood stardom, fell into an alcohol and drug-filled hole, pulled himself out and grew into a steady and prolific character actor.

The brothers' intersecting stories, and especially how they assess their parents' stabilizing and illuminating influence on their career paths, are packed with humor, affection and insight. Listen for the catch in Clint's voice as he thanks those who have helped him on his life journey.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Long, Winding and Brilliant

Reviewed: 12-30-19

TUNE IN (Volume #1 of a proposed trilogy) follows "the lads" from their scrappy upbringing in Liverpool through their intense musical apprenticeship in Hamburg to the bright floodlights of London--with the USA and a cultural revolution looming on the horizon.

This is a vast, intricate tale about a band that, in retrospect, seems foreordained to greatness and yet almost didn't happen many times. Lennon emerges as a complex, charismatic leader with a host of insecurities; McCartney as a shining talent jealously jockeying to be the one closest to Lennon; Harrison as the most firmly confident in the Beatles' destiny; and Ringo as the much-needed steadying beat.

Author Lewisohn blends a rich gift for storytelling with a serious bent for history.

Narrator Clive Mantle is a master of accents, capturing the distinctive voices of each Beatle, including early members Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, as well as the more polished accents of Brian Epstein and George Martin.

If Volumes #2 and #3 live up to the standard set by Volume #1, it would be hard to imagine a magnum opus more deserving of being called "the definitive story of the Beatles."

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A Sweeping, Fascinating Life

Reviewed: 11-30-18

Has anyone ever lived as full a life as Winston Churchill? Soldier, adventurer, statesman, historian, journalist, novelist, painter, raconteur, quipper, bricklayer, visionary, hero, pariah--all aspects and skills forged as much by failure as triumph. Michael Shelden brings the great man to life in graceful, forceful prose, with many humorous asides and quotes. He did the same with his lectures on George Orwell.

Highly recommended!

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19 people found this helpful

Avid Fan!

Reviewed: 12-22-16

What did you love best about Avid Reader?

Insights into the lives of Gottlieb's stable of authors, including Joseph Heller, Ralph Ellison, Bernard Malamud, William Shirer, Irene Selznick, Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Doris Lessing, Susan Sontag, Charles Portis, Anthony Burgess, Toni Morrison, John Le Carre, Michael Crichton, Robert Caro, and Nora Ephron. I mean--really!

What other book might you compare Avid Reader to and why?

"Maxwell Perkins, Editor of Genius," by A. Scott Berg

What does Robert Gottlieb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A warm, avuncular voice and all the cadence and inflection that only he who lived it can bring.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Don't write--type." (This is Gottlieb's advice to would-be authors.)

Any additional comments?

He was Bill Clinton's choice to edit the former president's memoirs. (Mr. Gottlieb, where was your red pencil on that one?) He seems to have retired wealthy, moderately famous, and immoderately happy. However, he never really retired. Editors never do.

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1 person found this helpful

Tour de Force King!

Reviewed: 07-25-16

What made the experience of listening to 11-22-63 the most enjoyable?

The bold plotting. Stephen King went farther and farther out on a limb with this one. Then he stood and did a backward triple gainer, hitting the pond in perfect, splashless form.

What did you like best about this story?

Narrator Jake Epping/George Amberson is a cool guy. He talks his way out of every tight corner--and sometimes fights his way. Well, almost every tight corner.

The Jake-Sophie love story.

I just had to know the answer to the big question--will he, or won't he, pull it off?

Have you listened to any of Craig Wasson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but he's great. However, in creating voices for various minor characters, I detected a few familiar Hollywood personalities, including Burt Lancaster, Jimmy Stewart, and John Houseman.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dallas through a glass darkly

Any additional comments?

Many writers burn out as they age, but Stephen King burns brighter and brighter.

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Love is the Only Rational Act

Reviewed: 05-15-15

Would you consider the audio edition of Tuesdays with Morrie to be better than the print version?

Here the spoken word transcends.

What did you like best about this story?

I cringed at the blatant sentimentality of the opening pages. But as I read along, the story began to spin its magic--or, I should say, Morrie did. His philosophy of love, compassion, and forgiveness--cliched as it may seem--bears repeating and repeating and repeating.

Which character – as performed by Mitch Albom – was your favorite?

Morrie, of course.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I wanted to stretch my vicarious friendship with Morrie for as long as possible. I listened over four or five days.

Any additional comments?

I think people hunger to hear what Morrie has to say (I sure do): "Take responsibility for each other. . . Love is the only rational act."

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Essential Harrison

Reviewed: 10-07-14

What did you love best about While My Guitar Gently Weeps?

The author rolls back the long shadows cast by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and reveals George Harrison to be an artist and composer of the first rank.

What was one of the most memorable moments of While My Guitar Gently Weeps?

When the author tips us off to some of George's lesser-known gems, including "Long, Long, Long," "The Inner Light," "Your Love is Forever," and "Deep Blue."

Have you listened to any of Simon Leng’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but he does a good job. He certainly knows his subject--and the music scene.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Few books about the Beatles accord Harrison the respect he deserves as a composer. Leng's book does so--and that makes it necessary and important.

Any additional comments?

For George Harrison fans, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is essential reading

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6 people found this helpful

One Romantic Read!

Reviewed: 02-05-13

If you could sum up The Sky is Everywhere in three words, what would they be?

Grief. Love. Hope.

What other book might you compare The Sky is Everywhere to and why?

"Adios, Nirvana." They are strikingly similar. However, "Sky" has lots more romance and is more serious in tone.

Have you listened to any of Julia Whelan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but she did a good job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No way! It's better to spread it out over time.

Any additional comments?

It's a great book with a lush, literary style--but also a street-smart contemporary voice. I especially like that Lennie did not find her mother--so there is that loose thread, thus avoiding a conventionally neat ending. It's so much better to leave a loose thread, now and then--because that's life.

Congratulations to author Jandy Nelson!

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2 people found this helpful

A Jolly Holiday with Dick Van Dyke

Reviewed: 12-12-12

What did you love best about My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business?

The man telling the story. He speaks with friendliness, humility, and grace.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business?

Anything to do with the old "Dick Van Dyke Show" and the movies "Mary Poppins" and "Lt. Robin Crusoe, USN."

What about Dick Van Dyke’s performance did you like?

The warmth in his voice--testament to a life well and fully lived.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nah, it's a fun book, but I preferred to break it up over a few days--which I did while walking my dog.

Any additional comments?

I'm a life-long Dick Van Dyke fan, dating to his old sitcom. His memoir scores on several levels--as a fascinating personal story, as an insider's view of the entertainment business across many decades, and as a blueprint for how to balance hard work, fun, and philanthropy. He cites luck and serendipity as key factors in his success--but underlying these are a strong work ethic, strong family, and a great respect for the talented people he's worked with, including Carl Reiner, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, his brother Jerry, and many more. All in all, a very good "read."

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