kathleen
- 12
- reviews
- 3
- helpful votes
- 12
- ratings

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Pakeha Maori
- The Extraordinary Story of the Europeans Who Lived as Maori in Early New Zealand
- By: Trevor Bentley
- Narrated by: Rosemary Ronald
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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This audiobook describes one of the most extraordinary and fascinating stories in NZ history. In the early part of the last century several thousand runaway seamen and escaped convicts settled in Maori communities. Jacky Mamon, John Rutherford, Charlotte Badger, and many others - this is their largely untold story.
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Fascinating - Lord of the Flies down under
- By kathleen on 28-04-2018
- Pakeha Maori
- The Extraordinary Story of the Europeans Who Lived as Maori in Early New Zealand
- By: Trevor Bentley
- Narrated by: Rosemary Ronald
Fascinating - Lord of the Flies down under
Reviewed: 28-04-2018
What did you like most about Pakeha Maori?
I'd heard the term, and seen Pakeha Maori in films, e.g. The Piano, but this book has research, chronology and insights that are totally facinating.
What other book might you compare Pakeha Maori to, and why?
Lord of the Flies, but no, this book is at a new level for me.
What does Rosemary Ronald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Rosemary read tirelessly. Threre were occasional distractions through pronunciation of Maori kupu, but her confidence with the material - ka pai.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The Pakeha Maori who did not make the grade - lacked mana - were kept for winter eating.
Any additional comments?
This is a great book, it adds a valuable counter perspective to decolonisation rhetoric.
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Elon Musk
- By: Ashlee Vance
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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South African-born Elon Musk is the renowned entrepreneur and innovator behind PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity. Musk wants to save our planet; he wants to send citizens into space, to form a colony on Mars; he wants to make money while doing these things; and he wants us all to know about it. He is the real-life inspiration for the Iron Man series of films starring Robert Downey, Jr. The personal tale of Musk's life comes with all the trappings one associates with a great, drama-filled story.
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An underwhelming narrative of a really cool guy
- By Michael on 17-06-2016
- Elon Musk
- By: Ashlee Vance
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
Awesome, powerful backstory
Reviewed: 28-04-2018
Would you listen to Elon Musk again? Why?
I'd listen to this again, in fact I have. Why - because I'd deliberately fall asleep listening to it, but then wanted to go back and fill in the gaps.
What other book might you compare Elon Musk to, and why?
Richard Feynman autobiography - the audacity and drive of the men.
What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?
The reading was interesting, cognisant of the story and without unnecessary drama - it seemed to be in synch with Elon Muck himself.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It drew me in, facinating.
Any additional comments?
This books helps make sense of news reports about Elon, his business and his family.
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised)
- By: Robert M. Pirsig
- Narrated by: James Purefoy
- Length: 1 hr and 40 mins
- Original Recording
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James Purefoy stars in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Robert M. Pirsig's multi-million best-selling philosophical novel. One of the most important and influential books of the past half-century, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the iconic story of a father and son's motorcycle trip across America in the 1960s. Yet it also describes a personal and philosophical journey. Now dramatised for the first time by Peter Flannery and starring James Purefoy, this full-cast drama adds a new and original dimension to a true modern classic.
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This is immersive.
- By Alice on 11-09-2015
Narration added so much to my understanding
Reviewed: 28-04-2018
If you could sum up Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised) in three words, what would they be?
Complex, colourful, real
Who was your favorite character and why?
The son of the narrator. He is much like my son. Interesting to hear the thoughts of people around him, and then his own feelings. Life is not what it seems.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Deciding whether to stay up the mountain in a storm - dilemmas.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No, but that is nornal for me.
Any additional comments?
I had read parts of this book as a student, so was looking forward to the narration; wow, I got so much more out of the narration/dramatisation that I did when I first read the book.
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Mastering Your Mean Girl
- The No-BS Guide to Silencing Your Inner Critic and Becoming Wildly Wealthy, Fabulously Healthy, and Bursting with Love
- By: Melissa Ambrosini
- Narrated by: Melissa Ambrosini
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Ready to live your dream life? You know that sneaky voice inside your head telling you that you're not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, whatever enough? That's your Mean Girl. And she's doing her best to keep you stuck in Fear Town, too scared to go after the life you always imagined. But enough's enough! Melissa Ambrosini has made a life beyond her wildest dreams, all by mastering her Mean Girl, busting through limiting beliefs and karate-chopping through the fears that held her hostage for years.
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Lacks substance
- By Anonymous User on 14-12-2017
- Mastering Your Mean Girl
- The No-BS Guide to Silencing Your Inner Critic and Becoming Wildly Wealthy, Fabulously Healthy, and Bursting with Love
- By: Melissa Ambrosini
- Narrated by: Melissa Ambrosini
It's about choosing love over fear
Reviewed: 10-10-2016
...but I was wanting to listen to choosing action and power over fear. Also,since when was fear enunciated as two syllables? Will be just the ticket for other peeps.
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ENTJ: Understanding & Relating with the Leader
- MBTI Personality Types
- By: Clayton Geoffreys
- Narrated by: Violet Meadow
- Length: 1 hr and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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In ENTJ: Understanding & Relating with the Leader, you'll learn about the ENTJ Myers-Briggs Personality Type. This audiobook covers a variety of topics regarding ENTJs (Extroverted Intuitive Thinking Judging) and why they make such impactful leaders. ENTJs are a rare personality type and are often highly sought after for leadership roles due to their versatile strengths. If you are an ENTJ, listen to this book to begin your quest in learning why you act the way you do and how you can come to appreciate who you are as an individual.
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Good short read
- By kathleen on 10-10-2016
- ENTJ: Understanding & Relating with the Leader
- MBTI Personality Types
- By: Clayton Geoffreys
- Narrated by: Violet Meadow
Good short read
Reviewed: 10-10-2016
Good read, but somehow I felt scolded on all the weaknesses and areas for improvement.
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Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up Summary
- By: Ant Hive Media
- Narrated by: Adrienne Ellis
- Length: 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Made for those who find themselves drowning in clutter, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is a must-listen. What makes this book special is that it delivers a whole new approach called the KonMari method when decluttering, arranging, and storing items at home. Author Marie Kondo is a Japanese cleaning expert who takes organizing and tidying seriously.
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Isn't the real book
- By J D Walker on 14-09-2016
Good audio summary
Reviewed: 06-08-2016
Best also check out the YouTube videos. I liked the narators careful but definite prosody.
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Summary: Tom Rath's StrengthsFinder 2.0
- By: Ant Hive Media
- Narrated by: Brian Ackley
- Length: 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day? Chances are, you don't. All too often, our natural talents go untapped. From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths. To help people uncover their talents, Gallup introduced the first version of its online assessment, StrengthsFinder, in 2001, which ignited a global conversation and helped millions to discover their top five talents.
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Okay but lacking passion
- By kathleen on 06-08-2016
- Summary: Tom Rath's StrengthsFinder 2.0
- By: Ant Hive Media
- Narrated by: Brian Ackley
Okay but lacking passion
Reviewed: 06-08-2016
As stated in disclaimer this is a non official summary and I found it rather dry and less memorable as a result.
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Gut
- By: Giulia Enders
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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The key to living a happier, healthier life is inside us. Our gut is almost as important to us as our brain or our heart, yet we know very little about how it works. In Gut, Giulia Enders shows that rather than the utilitarian and - let's be honest - somewhat embarrassing body part we imagine it to be, it is one of the most complex, important, and even miraculous parts of our anatomy.
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Great book, interesting read
- By Alison Cane on 12-05-2016
- Gut
- By: Giulia Enders
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
On point
Reviewed: 07-04-2016
Loved the information and the narration; definitely worth reading; I suggest listening to this while walking.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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Lockie Leonard
- Legend
- By: Tim Winton
- Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
- Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Lockie Leonard's survived the worst year on record. His first year of high school, settling into a new town, his mad love affair - it's all behind him. He's about to turn 14 and things are looking up. But the world of weirdness hasn't finished yet. His little brother's hormones have kicked in and that's not a pretty sight. His lino-munching baby sister refuses to walk or talk. His dad starts arresting farm animals for a hobby and his poor mum suddenly won't stop crying. Then an old flame comes scorching back into his life. Ouch!
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Family challenges exposed
- By kathleen on 07-04-2016
- Lockie Leonard
- Legend
- By: Tim Winton
- Narrated by: Stig Wemyss
Family challenges exposed
Reviewed: 07-04-2016
This audio book worked a treat in allowing a non reader to complete the class novel. Even though son resisted an aussie accent, and the unrealistic opening, he was drawn in to the story and enjoyed it to the end.
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The Idiot Brain
- A Neuroscientist Explains What Your Head Is Really up To
- By: Dean Burnett
- Narrated by: Matt Addis
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Why do you lose arguments with people who know MUCH LESS than you? Why can you recognise that woman, from that thing...but can't remember her name? And why, after your last break-up, did you find yourself in the foetal position on the sofa for days, moving only to wipe the snot and tears haphazardly from your face? Here's why: the idiot brain. For something supposedly so brilliant and evolutionarily advanced, the human brain is pretty messy, fallible and disorganised.
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Information and humor
- By John Robinson on 03-01-2017
- The Idiot Brain
- A Neuroscientist Explains What Your Head Is Really up To
- By: Dean Burnett
- Narrated by: Matt Addis
Sandman
Reviewed: 07-04-2016
The story and naration had a magical quality for helping me sleep in a time of stress. The text was not taxing and loosely held my attention whilst the narration was even and unobtrusive. Thanks.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful