Great book, poor quality recording

I needed an audio copy of this book so I could read it for class during a long drive. I was psyched to find it on Audible unabridged. Unfortunately, the recording sounded like it was a hissing copy of an old cassette tape. And the reader was slow and had no dynamism in his voice. A must read for history majors, but a better copy should be found.

9 people found this helpful

Great book spoiled by reader

For nearly a century this book has been a "must read" for anyone interested in naval history. Unfortunately the narrator's technique of ending almost every sentence on a rising note, as if a question was being asked made listening impossible. It broke my heart but I had to put the tape away after an hour of teeth-gritting struggle.

8 people found this helpful

good book, terrible narrator

While a great book, I could not stand the narrator. His sing-songy approach to the reading was very very distracting, so regrettably, I had to stop listening. Hope I?ll find the same title sans this narrator!

11 people found this helpful

Poor Quality Audio

Such an important book deserves a better recording. The background hiss in the recording dominates the speaker. I was hoping to listen while driving, but the poor audio quality made this impossible

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Influence of Seapower Upon History to be better than the print version?

The audio edition is easier to start with. The original book is good if you like to study the details on seabattles in the 1700's.

Any additional comments?

This book covers most of the reasons why the worldmap looks like it does today. This book is essential reading for presidents and prime ministers.

1 person found this helpful

Turgid prose

And editorial cloaked as history and written in a painful manner. Only covers history until the end of the American Revolution

1 person found this helpful

Quaint historical interest

This book is good. The narration is quality, though there is some background noise throughout the recording. The general text of the book is mostly of quaint historical interest; at the time of writing, the major policy debate was how primarily coal-driven ironclads will influence naval combat in the future. It is kind of disconcerting that this is marketed under "Audible Kids" - to find a child's voice introducing one to a long, professional exposition of the war of Spanish succession is odd.

1 person found this helpful