Brig Berthold
I only allowed myself to reduce my rating from 5 to 4 stars on the principle that a 5-star rating ought to obtain its status with little if any, reservation. Something has me wondering if this memoir is a direct, strategic move put in action by a highly motivated counterintelligence team buried deep inside Pyongyang. While I am an ardent supporter of those who flee from the DPRK and an involved student of the difficulties as they progress on the peninsula, with this account being the first of its kind I feel a modicum of hesitation toward unrestricted confidence.
I must add my thoughts that the information provided in this account is fascinating. If nothing else, the mere possibility of what has been reported as truth, kept me on the edge of my seat as I considered it's implications for US foreign policy, international criminality, and relief aid for those still ruled by the Kim dynasty.
This is a very interesting lifestyle choice. The author gives ample justification for beginning a meditation practice followed quickly with simple explanations and practical advice. Nothing is overly pushy, the steps to success are moderate and not overwhelming, and the language isn't hokie.
If you think meditation might be for you, this is a great place to begin. The audio disc doesn't hurt either.
Edith Wharton lead me on, then pulled my ending away from me. Then, when I thought all was lost, she lead me down the hopeful path again. Again, in vain. Only later do I discover that, what I esteemed to be the perfect ending, might have been made all-the-more fabulous.
Brilliantly Written. Very Easy. DO NOT SKIP THE INTRODUCTION! Which was incredibly difficult to get through, so buck up.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the synopsis of this book. Then Dan introduces himself and paints a clear picture of what I can expect. He illustrates that the original title was ‘The voice in my head is an asshole.' Immediately I knew I was in capable hands.
I won't ruin the book for you. I will, however, offer two pieces of advice for those of us in high stakes professions looking for “something.”
1- Read the book. More specifically, read it with an open mind. The biographical nature is necessary, and, I found, quite helpful.
2- If you respond to this message as I did, keep your newly inspired energy at bay. Dan provides excellent practical advice throughout, but the final chapter & epilogue will set you up for success. Before you lurch into the unknown, let him provide some insight. It will save you time.
This book was almost good. I wanted to like it, I started it with pleasure and I was let down with each new chapter. Please do not peddle a book about a fantastic ball player, market it almost entirely on his religion, hop from one random topic to the next and all the while write your autobiography at the same time. This made me very angry and I'm sorry I wasted so much of my time waiting for this to get better.
This book was on the shelf for approx. $1.00 new. I now know why.
Pacing was very challenging.
Characters were flimsy.
World-building fell short.
Plot devices were over used and largely one-dimensional.
I don't see the hype. Some points in the plot were great and then immediately forsaken, others were funny, but mostly it was dull. Another reviewer called it “too slow and too fast” and that's spot on. And that's too bad because I'm always rooting for strong female leads.
This was absolutely fantastic. I finished and could legitimately have started reading from the beginning.
Chewy Spy story... blah
Espionage tales shouldn't be the soft, slightly under-baked cookie of the genre fiction world. This is the so-so B film you watch when you're sick and want nothing more than to survive until your next nap arrives.
I held out how until the end but was ultimately disappointed. At one point, I conjured up a few angles that would have satisfied me but none of them happened.
Nope. I really tried but could no longer continue. You can't lean on a one-time witnesses who remembers a random train passenger from years earlier simply because it's an easy plot catalyst to make it easier for your heroine.
