Giving Back

Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned

By: Edward A. Joseph

Narrated by: Robin McAlpine

Giving Back: Memories, Reflections, and Lessons Learned includes 50 short human-interest articles by the author. The majority of the selections were previously published in senior newspapers, national magazines, or books. Some of the stories will inspire; some inform, some bring a tear, and some a smile. It is a feel-good listen.

©2021 Edward A. Joseph (P)2022 Edward A. Joseph

Bazinga

This was a handful of enjoyable short stories. Each lasting about 5 minutes. There are plenty of useful nuggets of practical advice and places to visit. The storytelling was great and easy to follow. This is definitely a single sitting listen. The narration by Robin McAlpine was great. I'll recommend this to others. You will enjoy these stories and find some value from them.

Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to or will listen to multiple times. I'll update my review if I listen again.

I requested this book from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

A positive oasis

Author Edward A. Joseph selected 50 articles out of a collection of his columns for newspapers and edited them into a touching and insightful book. These are short, positive slice-of-life essays that will make you smile and perhaps think about your life in a new way.

The audiobook is narrated by Robin McAlpine. Although she has a lovely, warm delivery that flows well, she would not have been my choice to read essays written by a man. To hear phrases such as "the other men" come out of her mouth was distracting to me. I believe, however, I would enjoy her narration on another book where the gender difference between author and narrator doesn't matter. 

The pacing was a bit too fast for me. I normally listen at 1.2 speed without noticing a difference. For this audiobook, I had to turn it down to 1.0 in order to fully enjoy the book. These essays are meant to be savored, and I wanted more opportunity to do that. I also would have appreciated a longer break or some other distinction between essays. Even at 1.0, this was too quick and didn't give me as much time as I wanted to change gears going into the next essay.

Despite my quibbles about the narration, this audiobook is enjoyable, thought-provoking, informative, and inspiring. I especially enjoyed the essays that featured interactions between the author and his daughter or his wife. My favorite section was the travel section near the end. I am inspired to try the authors method of traveling.  I highly recommend this book.