Comments on: The Seventh Mountain http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/ News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:32:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Hannelore http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-182475 Hannelore Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:53:07 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-182475 I wouldn't recommend this book for children without parental guidance. Or, to put it a bit less courteous: this is fundamentalist Christian propaganda riding on the Harry Potter horse with a sprinkling of US-American self-aggrandisement. If any book ever described the differences between the ideal of Hegelian synthesis of different opinions to the greater good of all (Europe) and the my-way-or-the-highway-attitude of the USA, this is it. As such, it was educational and should be used in history classes. It would fit well as an example when working on Hannah Arendt. I wouldn’t recommend this book for children without parental guidance. Or, to put it a bit less courteous: this is fundamentalist Christian propaganda riding on the Harry Potter horse with a sprinkling of US-American self-aggrandisement.

If any book ever described the differences between the ideal of Hegelian synthesis of different opinions to the greater good of all (Europe) and the my-way-or-the-highway-attitude of the USA, this is it.

As such, it was educational and should be used in history classes. It would fit well as an example when working on Hannah Arendt.

]]> By: PuddyRat http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-161657 PuddyRat Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:13:52 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-161657 I mean no disrespect to either the author or the narrator (his wife), but I had a really, really hard time getting through this. I finished only because I don't like to quit in the middle of something. Aside from this being an "Americanized" version of the Harry Potter stories (it is an obvious copycat), I like to listen to stories where I'm not wincing either from bad writing, bad language (which doesn't exist in this story), or bad narration. I highly recommend that the author get someone else to narrate his books. I physically cringed every time I heard the word "idear." I realize this, as well as some others, are idioms of the south, but when was the last time you heard a newscaster pronounce the word "idea" with an "R?" Or, for that matter, the word "wash" (hint: it isn't warsh)? Also, the word strewn rhymes with prune not throne. Not only that, but birTHday came out birFday. Aargh! As for the story, as stated, it is a Harry Potter copy-cat. In my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences. (Mark=Harry, Chenoa (sp?)=Hermoine, James=Dudley (with a nicer twist), 7th Mountain=Hogwarts, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum). I also have a few other nits about the story. First, Shirley (mom) is 29, yes? She's been married for almost 13 years (as stated in the first chapter). Mark is 12. Do the math. Do you REALLY want to advocate teenage marriage and pregnancy? Get real. In addition, Steve (the father) is initially said to have spent his formative years in Scotland, leaving one with the impression that daddy is a Scottish. How is it then, that great-great-great-great granddaddy was from Germany? Puh-lease! The leap was made without explanation. Lastly, is the nit with the four greats. Exactly why was it necessary for the legacy to be four greats deep? Could not the story have been accomplished with just a couple of greats? Okay, I'm sorry to trash the book, but this is the forum for opinions and that is all this is. The story is great for younger children that won't be able to tell, or care, about the discrepancies. Bottom line, the story and narration (IMNSHO) need serious improvement. Unless I can be assured that some changes have been made, I probably won't listen to any sequels. I mean no disrespect to either the author or the narrator (his wife), but I had a really, really hard time getting through this. I finished only because I don’t like to quit in the middle of something.

Aside from this being an “Americanized” version of the Harry Potter stories (it is an obvious copycat), I like to listen to stories where I’m not wincing either from bad writing, bad language (which doesn’t exist in this story), or bad narration. I highly recommend that the author get someone else to narrate his books. I physically cringed every time I heard the word “idear.” I realize this, as well as some others, are idioms of the south, but when was the last time you heard a newscaster pronounce the word “idea” with an “R?” Or, for that matter, the word “wash” (hint: it isn’t warsh)? Also, the word strewn rhymes with prune not throne. Not only that, but birTHday came out birFday. Aargh!

As for the story, as stated, it is a Harry Potter copy-cat. In my opinion, there are more similarities than there are differences. (Mark=Harry, Chenoa (sp?)=Hermoine, James=Dudley (with a nicer twist), 7th Mountain=Hogwarts, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum). I also have a few other nits about the story. First, Shirley (mom) is 29, yes? She’s been married for almost 13 years (as stated in the first chapter). Mark is 12. Do the math. Do you REALLY want to advocate teenage marriage and pregnancy? Get real. In addition, Steve (the father) is initially said to have spent his formative years in Scotland, leaving one with the impression that daddy is a Scottish. How is it then, that great-great-great-great granddaddy was from Germany? Puh-lease! The leap was made without explanation. Lastly, is the nit with the four greats. Exactly why was it necessary for the legacy to be four greats deep? Could not the story have been accomplished with just a couple of greats?

Okay, I’m sorry to trash the book, but this is the forum for opinions and that is all this is. The story is great for younger children that won’t be able to tell, or care, about the discrepancies. Bottom line, the story and narration (IMNSHO) need serious improvement. Unless I can be assured that some changes have been made, I probably won’t listen to any sequels.

]]> By: Audri http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-145930 Audri Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:20:49 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-145930 I liked the book, and sure hey, maybe there are Harry Potter similarities, but at the same time the differences from Harry Potter outnumber the similarities. I enjoyed it, though it was a little bit hard to focus on in parts, it was still a fun little adventure to go on ;) Plus, I liked the fact that each chapter was fairly long, so I could get a great deal more listening pleasure out of it, rather than a lot of the other authors who end up splitting their books into 10-15 minute chapters in which 5 minutes of it is theme music and chatting. I especially don't like that for the amount of work it takes just to download and listen to the darn thing, and I don't like that you end up with anywhere between 40 to 50 chapters!! In this regard, Seventh Mountain completely wins in my opinion :) I do have just one real complaint... the music! For some reason I found the theme music pretty terrible. I really hope we can get some non-midi theme music on the next one :) By the way, i'm looking forward to the next one!!! I liked the book, and sure hey, maybe there are Harry Potter similarities, but at the same time the differences from Harry Potter outnumber the similarities. I enjoyed it, though it was a little bit hard to focus on in parts, it was still a fun little adventure to go on ;) Plus, I liked the fact that each chapter was fairly long, so I could get a great deal more listening pleasure out of it, rather than a lot of the other authors who end up splitting their books into 10-15 minute chapters in which 5 minutes of it is theme music and chatting. I especially don’t like that for the amount of work it takes just to download and listen to the darn thing, and I don’t like that you end up with anywhere between 40 to 50 chapters!! In this regard, Seventh Mountain completely wins in my opinion :)

I do have just one real complaint… the music! For some reason I found the theme music pretty terrible. I really hope we can get some non-midi theme music on the next one :) By the way, i’m looking forward to the next one!!!

]]> By: harry http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-106938 harry Wed, 05 Dec 2007 20:14:43 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-106938 where's book 2? where’s book 2?

]]> By: Chris http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-82911 Chris Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:20:54 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-82911 Loved the book. I hope there will be a sequel. Thanks a lot! Loved the book. I hope there will be a sequel. Thanks a lot!

]]> By: harry http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-71225 harry Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:26:00 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-71225 i hope there will be a sequel. been waiting for the sequel for months now, and as time goes on, hope fades away. what's going on, gene? i hope there will be a sequel. been waiting for the sequel for months now, and as time goes on, hope fades away. what’s going on, gene?

]]> By: Tara Rayne http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-71019 Tara Rayne Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:53:56 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-71019 Aside from the Harry Potter similarities I found this book to be quite interesting. I am looking forward to the sequel. Aside from the Harry Potter similarities I found this book to be quite interesting. I am looking forward to the sequel.

]]> By: cirsith http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-62051 cirsith Fri, 07 Sep 2007 23:31:11 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-62051 this book and its one true god thing was offensive at best..... this book and its one true god thing was offensive at best…..

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-47436 Jennifer Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:44:01 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-47436 This story is a nice one to listen to with my children. They are enjoying it very much. One big complaint I have is the way Mr. Defindefor's voice is read. The pauses are very annoying and tedious to listen to, even my 10 year old commented on how hard it is to listen to at any length. Also the soft whispery voice of Mrs. Van Mein is hard to hear in comparison to the other voices. Those two things are my main problems with the story so far. This story is a nice one to listen to with my children. They are enjoying it very much. One big complaint I have is the way Mr. Defindefor’s voice is read. The pauses are very annoying and tedious to listen to, even my 10 year old commented on how hard it is to listen to at any length. Also the soft whispery voice of Mrs. Van Mein is hard to hear in comparison to the other voices. Those two things are my main problems with the story so far.

]]> By: Dwayne http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-46159 Dwayne Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:59:04 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-46159 As other have pointed out I feel the author has borrowed from the Harry Potter books but I dont feel thats a bad thing. All authors must be influenced by book they have read and as long as its doesnt become a blatant rip off thats fine. I found the bits with the headmaster speaking (I forget his name now) a little tedious. I listened to this book while at work today and have to say I enjoyed it. It certainly made my day seem to go a little quicker. I would grade it about 7/10 As other have pointed out I feel the author has borrowed from the Harry Potter books but I dont feel thats a bad thing. All authors must be influenced by book they have read and as long as its doesnt become a blatant rip off thats fine. I found the bits with the headmaster speaking (I forget his name now) a little tedious. I listened to this book while at work today and have to say I enjoyed it. It certainly made my day seem to go a little quicker.
I would grade it about 7/10

]]> By: Ronnie http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-29122 Ronnie Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:34:18 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-29122 I am easily entertained. I listened to as much as I could, but it came across to me as a rather preachy version of H.Potter. It was the repetition of the same phrases over and over that got me. It was hard to tell characters apart by their personality. I really tried to enjoy this book but found I could put it down too easily. Good luck on the next one. I am easily entertained. I listened to as much as I could, but it came across to me as a rather preachy version of H.Potter. It was the repetition of the same phrases over and over that got me. It was hard to tell characters apart by their personality. I really tried to enjoy this book but found I could put it down too easily. Good luck on the next one.

]]> By: Chad http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-28049 Chad Thu, 24 May 2007 21:58:33 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-28049 The story has been a little confusing in parts and disjointed when it comes to Harry, I mean the main character. I'm a couple of chapters into the story and Hogwarts, oops, the Mountain is a little interesting. I'm not sure if it's something with Podiobooks or the authors, but the last two books I've listened to were of terrible audio quality. This one is about the same. Volume levels go up and down and I often need to turn up the volume on my player the whole way to listen. She also does not change her voice much when reading the different characters. I have had a hard time following conversations between Ron and Harry a few times.... sorry I guess I did it again. Her take on the Harry Potter books has been a little interesting so far. I've been tempted to stop listening because I figure I already know how it will end because I've read the Harry Potter series. But, once I start a book I don't like to stop it. I'll give it a little more time, and then see. The story has been a little confusing in parts and disjointed when it comes to Harry, I mean the main character. I’m a couple of chapters into the story and Hogwarts, oops, the Mountain is a little interesting. I’m not sure if it’s something with Podiobooks or the authors, but the last two books I’ve listened to were of terrible audio quality. This one is about the same. Volume levels go up and down and I often need to turn up the volume on my player the whole way to listen. She also does not change her voice much when reading the different characters. I have had a hard time following conversations between Ron and Harry a few times…. sorry I guess I did it again. Her take on the Harry Potter books has been a little interesting so far. I’ve been tempted to stop listening because I figure I already know how it will end because I’ve read the Harry Potter series. But, once I start a book I don’t like to stop it. I’ll give it a little more time, and then see.

]]> By: EH? http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-23600 EH? Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:50:22 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-23600 Ya know this kinda sounds like Harry Potter, i hope, matter a fact it sounds a LOT like harry potter, i couldnt finish it... Ya know this kinda sounds like Harry Potter, i hope, matter a fact it sounds a LOT like harry potter, i couldnt finish it…

]]> By: Gene Curtis http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-17699 Gene Curtis Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:59:10 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-17699 I had my wife read the story and since we're both Southern-US, the accent shows no matter how hard we try. Her accent is much less than mine. I'm glad you like the story, Dana. I had my wife read the story and since we’re both Southern-US, the accent shows no matter how hard we try. Her accent is much less than mine.

I’m glad you like the story, Dana.

]]> By: Dana http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-17649 Dana Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:39:36 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-17649 I'm enjoying the book so far. Almost done! The only thing that is discouraging is the narrator. Especially when she says, "Idear" instead of "idea." That word is used pretty often, so I cringe pretty often, and even sometimes want to turn it off. ;) She says "idear" no matter which character is speaking and seems to be reading word for word as if it is a difficulty. Sorry! I’m enjoying the book so far. Almost done!

The only thing that is discouraging is the narrator. Especially when she says, “Idear” instead of “idea.” That word is used pretty often, so I cringe pretty often, and even sometimes want to turn it off. ;) She says “idear” no matter which character is speaking and seems to be reading word for word as if it is a difficulty. Sorry!

]]> By: Gene Curtis http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12643 Gene Curtis Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:49:03 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12643 Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!

]]> By: Gene Curtis http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12607 Gene Curtis Sun, 24 Dec 2006 03:01:32 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12607 Thank you Angel for your kind comments. Book 2 is well underway and should be available in the not too distant future. If you like you can email me at GeneCurtis@gcronline.com and I'll add you to the notification list. Thank you Angel for your kind comments. Book 2 is well underway and should be available in the not too distant future. If you like you can email me at GeneCurtis@gcronline.com and I’ll add you to the notification list.

]]> By: Angel Farrington http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12606 Angel Farrington Sun, 24 Dec 2006 02:18:38 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12606 I loved this book. I enjoyed it very much. I would love to know where I can get the second installment of this book? Is it on shelves now or will it be available soon? Angel I loved this book. I enjoyed it very much. I would love to know where I can get the second installment of this book? Is it on shelves now or will it be available soon? Angel

]]> By: Gene Cutis http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12505 Gene Cutis Fri, 22 Dec 2006 20:10:21 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12505 Thanks Seswu for an honest opinion. I also have books and themes I'm not particularly fond of reading. Seswu is an unusual name; do you mind me asking where (what country) you're from? Thanks Seswu for an honest opinion. I also have books and themes I’m not particularly fond of reading. Seswu is an unusual name; do you mind me asking where (what country) you’re from?

]]> By: Seswu http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12501 Seswu Fri, 22 Dec 2006 19:12:37 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2006/03/04/the-seventh-mountain/#comment-12501 Aiee. I stumbled onto this book (and podiobooks) mostly by happenstance, and took a listen. I agree with a previous commenter, Carter. The reading is terrible. Not because of the accent. But she's making such a painful effort to speak clearly that it's taking away my ability to focus on the story. Which is bad. I'll remember the title if I stumble over it in bookform (which, in Europe, is not that likely), but I'm likely going to avoid it. Personal preference against christian themes and books 'safe for children'. Aiee.
I stumbled onto this book (and podiobooks) mostly by happenstance, and took a listen.
I agree with a previous commenter, Carter. The reading is terrible.
Not because of the accent. But she’s making such a painful effort to speak clearly that it’s taking away my ability to focus on the story. Which is bad.
I’ll remember the title if I stumble over it in bookform (which, in Europe, is not that likely), but I’m likely going to avoid it. Personal preference against christian themes and books ’safe for children’.

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