Desperate Times

By: Nicholas Antinozzi

Narrated by: Joe Cirillo

Despite all the warning bells, Black Friday arrives as a devastating tidal wave that completely destroys our fragile economy in a single day. There is panic in the streets as banks close their doors, seemingly forever, at noon. Store shelves are swept bare and the gas pumps soon run dry. Jimmy Logan watches in disbelief as his world crumbles before his eyes. Luckily, he has friends who have planned ahead for this nightmarish scenario and he joins up with a group who plan to ride the storm out in northern Minnesota. Some of their group will be dead before the sun sets.

Jimmy soon finds himself in the battle of his life. The world changes in a single day and there seems to be no going back. People want what they have and they are willing to do anything, even kill, to get it. The government responds to the crisis by using the National Guard to round up the population and to secure them in relocation camps. Those who resist are shot.

This is Jimmy's story, but the premise might have been torn from today's headlines. The diverse group of people in this story could be your neighbors; your relatives, and this is a very realistic look at what the future might hold for all of us. What would you do to feed your family if you suddenly found that your life savings was as worthless as yesterday's newspaper? How far would you go to protect what you had, in case it was all that stood between you and starvation? Desperate Times explores these questions from Jimmy's point of view, the result is a thought-provoking story that may change the way you look at the world.

©2010 Nicholas Antinozzi (P)2012 Nicholas Antinozzi

Relevant and Riveting

What did you like best about this story?

This book is fast-paced and full of action.

What about Joe Cirillo’s performance did you like?

Joe has a great voice. I'm looking forward to hearing him again.

The narration is so bad it's funny.

The storyline is really over the top. I realize that it's fiction but a story has to be a bit more believable

The narrator when he does female voices sounds like a ten your old having a tantrum. If there was a better narrator I may have listened to book 2.

Horrible Narrator

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He over does it when he's narrating characters other than the main one. He reads the book in a childish way and adds inflection in the wrong way. It adds excitement or apprehension to the character when there shouldn't be. It's not fluid. Very hard to listen...feel like I listening to a Japanese cartoon.

Great Book now we need the sequel on audio

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

He does a pretty good job with the story, he is great with male voices, but his female voices suck

Any additional comments?

Great story, kept me listening and I found it hard to stop

Ok, Not Too Shabby

Would you try another book from Nicholas Antinozzi and/or Joe Cirillo?

Yes, that's why I gave an overall rating of 4, because I am willing to listen to another one of his books to see if his writing style got better like it did towards the end of this book.

What other book might you compare Desperate Times to and why?

If I compared this book to an outstanding book like "One Second After" it would not stand a chance, but I would put it in the same category as "American Apocalypse" in the style and with the narration. That book grew on me kind of like this one did.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Joe Cirillo?

Mr. Cirillo seemed to do a bit better as he "got into" the story. He still needs to find his style when it comes to doing female characters besides trying to raise his voice and attempt at sounding feminine. Many of the good narrators seem to do a softer version of themselves and that seems to work fine.

Did Desperate Times inspire you to do anything?

No, cause I'm already awake, but hopefully it will inspire others to wake up, even a little bit.

Any additional comments?

I just hope the next book is better and Mr. Cirillo has found his style.

Interesting story can't wait for the follow up[s]!

This is the first time I've listened to this author and found I liked the story and the characters, most where very much real life in my experience. The narrator was so so however, he makes for a bad women otherwise still very easy to listen to and get into it.
I'm looking forward to the next 2 in the series, hopefully soon.

Captivating story, intense.

Would you consider the audio edition of Desperate Times to be better than the print version?

No

What did you like best about this story?

Well-written, and suspenseful. We liked it so much, we purchased his other book Stealing Second: The Amendments.

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

no

Dont have Joe Cirillo emulate a woman

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

LOL..NOT for the narration and ONLY if you are into yet another " end of times/apocalyptic" series. Waay over the top for me, but some might enjoy the concepts.

Some really confusing aspects to this book. The references that begin each chapter are disjointed, and seem to be trying to make a point, without really making one.

The first half of the book is dedicated to preparation and rationale, which actually works reasonably well. The second half , not so much. The resolution...lol.

Would you be willing to try another book from Nicholas Antinozzi? Why or why not?

Perhaps, but not anytime soon.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes. Gawdawful narration. Over the top, and the females are terrible. Run far away from this narrator.

Was Desperate Times worth the listening time?

On balance, not really.

Any additional comments?

I think I am at the end times of my "end of times as we know them" period. We survived the Rapture and 12-21-12, so let's all move on.

Fabulous and exhilerating!

Would you listen to Desperate Times again? Why?

I purchased the 3 books from Amazon, read them and was truly fascinated and engrossed in the story of all 3 books.

What other book might you compare Desperate Times to and why?

I can't make a comparison to any other books/audible. When reading, one becomes engrossed in the characters. When listening, with voice changes, the story is so incredible that I wish this was a movie. Audible reader is fantastic and knows the characters. Coupled with the story, I will re-read and re-listen as much as possible. The combination is great with edge of the seat excitement, education, thought provoking and fairly true to human nature and what one could expect in the event of a catastrophe based on eletro-magnetic-pulse, grid shut-down, food shortages, disappearing and self-serving government as well as ways in which to survive and deal with the unexpected, which is included in the book and the masterful way it is read by Mr. Cirillo!!

What about Joe Cirillo’s performance did you like?

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire story, but having read the story, the manner in which Mr. Cirillo is able to bring the characters to life! I just can't understand why this book isn't a movie!!!!

Any additional comments?

Anyone passing up reading this book, or more importantly, missing the audible story has truly missed out on life. I KNOW that any reader of the books will "chomp at the bit" to get the fantastic audible version!!

Absolutely Amazing! Love this Book and Narrator

What did you love best about Desperate Times?

This is a must have...I got so engrossed in this book I could not stop listing. Loved the way the writer made the character's so real. I felt like I knew them. The story is so true to what would really happen if the economy tanked, and the dollar worthless.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is a real eyeopener; it really makes you think about what might happen if our elected officials don't become better stewarts of our economy. This book should be made into a movie and shown to everyone in public office.

What about Joe Cirillo’s performance did you like?

Where has Joe Cirillo been hiding! I will be looking for everything he does from now on...
I can't believe how he goes from character to character, and back to narrator so effertlessly.
He puts so much life into each character that you feel like you are in the story with them, Expierancing what they are all going through. Well done Joe!

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

YES! If I could have, I would have. I was late for work 2 times, because Joe had me so into what was going to happen next. Lots of twist and turns, and just when you think you know what is coming next, Supprise!

Any additional comments?

This is not you typical straight audio book read, oh no! This is more like an audio version of a play that you experience.