Editorial Review

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Reviews (56)

Not political, just good
I'm a college student who just finished reading the top 10 books of all time according to modern librarians. Upon finishing the list I decided to pick up this book... this book is better then anything on the top 10 list. Will future generations view the books as so? I strongly doubt it, but for those of us living today this book is defiantly more relevant and possible more important then say "The Grapes of Wrath". This is the "Catch-22" of the Iraq War written by an actual soldier. If your worried about it being a political book, so was I first, but I found myself offended on both sides of the political spectrum when it came to this book, which leads me to believe that it's not too one-sided at all.

Could Not Put It Down!
Read right through without sleep and never bored.Felt as though I was physically there within every chapter and could not WAIT to get to the next chapter.
Buzzell is a Natural Narrator
Buzzell's book, My War: Killing Time in Iraq, is significant, not only because of his outstanding story of becoming a soldier and spending a year in Iraq in a combat zone, but more importantly this book is a first look into a natural story teller. Buzzell could write about his observations from a trip to Walmart and I'll buy it! He has a knack for making the most mundane event interesting. He does this with his vivid account of his observations, his witty humor, and his use of the English language, which is like no other writer and makes his writing exciting and easy to read. Watch out for Colby Buzzell's future projects! Colby, don't let us down, imbed yourself in any situation and write about it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Iraq War    6. Military - United States    7. History / Military / General   

Reviews (17)

A Rather Unsatisfactory Bio of Bin Laden
Peter Bergen is a journalist well known for his knowledge of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.Here he presents an "oral" history by piecing together documents and interviews into what he considers a narrative whole.For the most part there is nothing new here that hasn't already been out in the public domain.And there is very little analysis.It is basically a group of documents strung together with commentary from Bergen.
Superb Context Shows How Clinton & Neo-Cons BOTH Fueled Islamic Violence
This is quite a superb composition of the statements of others about Bin Laden, interspersed with very credible observations and conclusion by Peter Bergen.
Superior work of journalism.
One hesitates to give five stars to anything, because no book is perfect (4 and a half stars?).Nonetheless, Bergen's book is a convincing and well-documented account of Osama bin Laden, his youth, his developing radical outlook, set within the context of his family, and his major infuences - such as Abdullah Azzam and Ayman al Zawahiri.Anyone seeking to comprehend bin Laden should be pleased with this work.Bergen portrays bin Laden without glamorizing or demonizing, but showing bin Laden for what he is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. General    7. Islam    8. Islamic Government    9. Islamic Studies    10. Islamic countries    11. Islamic fundamentalism    12. Political    13. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    14. Political Terrorism    15. Religious aspects    16. Saudi Arabia    17. Terrorism    18. Terrorists    19. 21st century    20. Afghanistan    21. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    22. Biography: historical    23. Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy    24. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (17)

Balanced presentation of the issues
This was a very interesting book describing a very tumultous time in Israel's history.I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to understand more about "Munich" and the history of Palestinian and/or Islamic terrorism
A more scholarly study than Vengeance
This is the second book I bought for my son, and one for myself because my son said that MUNICH was 90% fiction.
Excellent
I purchased and read this book after having seen Steven Spielberg's movie "Munich" and I am glad I did it in that order.While reading the book I could picture many of the scenes from the movie which helped keep all the names and characters straight.A sad, enthralling story - I could not put it down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletes    2. Europe - General    3. Germany    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Israelis    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Munich    10. Olympic Games    11. Olympics    12. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    13. Political Terrorism    14. Terrorism    15. Violence against    16. History / Europe / General   

Reviews (27)

Warrior: Ariel Sharon's autobiography
A very good book.It goes into a bit more depth with strategy and such than I could really grasp in a few spots, but on the whole I found it very interesting.Good descriptions of and insight into politics, history, and his accomplishments and ideas.I hadn't known how much he had done outside of the military before reading this book: founding Likud, advancing agriculture in Israel and in Africa, and forging relationships throughout the world for a fledgling Israel.A good book from a most impressive man.

Leader in Battle, Narrator of History
The short, turbulent history of modern Israel has called for extraordinary leadership.Ariel Sharon is clearly one of the most important of the leaders who have shaped the history of this vulnerable young country.
A Great Description of His Life and What He Really Thinks
I read this book when it first came out three or four years ago.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cabinet officers    6. General    7. Generals    8. Israel    9. Israel - History    10. Military    11. Military History (General)    12. Sharon, Ariel   

Reviews (23)

David Brog really gets it.
This enlightening bookis a revelation intothe history of the Christian church that most christians don't understand. The author,who is Jewish, has done his homework and has a clear and accurate understandingof the relationship between Jews and Christiansand their role inhonoring Israel. It ishistorically based, easy to read and I couldn't put itdown. It should berequired reading in our schools.

Standing with Israel.. by David Brog
Excellent book that gives a good insight of why I and many Christians support Israel and it's author is Jewish.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
There may be other books where a Jewish author has rightfully and cogently given credit to dispensational Christian Zionists for their unequivocal support of the nation of Israel but I'm sure none have expressed it more incisively and appreciatively than David Brog. He traces the history of Zionism from its inception in the fertile mind of Theodor Herzl in 1896 to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.Along the way, however, he cites the dedication and support of noted Christian statesmen such as Arthur Balfour, David Lloyd George,Woodrow Wilson,and Harry Truman without whom the Jewish homeland would never have been realized.
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Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Christian Zionism    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    6. Christianity - General    7. Ethics    8. Jews    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Religion    11. Religion - Socialissues    12. Religious aspects    13. Restoration   

Reviews (8)

Brilliantwork; fair & interesting; although the title is wrong.
This has to be the best 'mormon' book that I've read in years. It was fascinating to see the normal, everyday, working life of many of the church's big names, McKay plus others like Benson, Lee, J F Smith, Moyle and many others. The authors do a good job in showing the integrity of church leaders as well as their normal human frailties, like McKay's Scottish stubbornness or Benson's practically fanatical opposition to communism; as well as the every-day worldly problems like the building committee nearly bankrupting the church and its subsequent rescue by professionals from the building industry.
Fascinating, compelling history dealing drawing on novel sources and illuminating essential episodes in LDS history
This volume ranks among the most insightful works on the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I have encountered. Prince and Wright, the authors, are both active members of the LDS Church, but they subscribe to B. H. Roberts' belief that "the only way [to be historically exact and not to destroy faith] is to frankly state events as they occurred...being confident that in the sum of things justice will follow truth." They draw on thousands of pages of novel material: David O. McKay's diaries, extensive scrapbooks kept by his secretary, and hundreds of interviews. (I was surprised to encounter an extensive quote from my own grandfather, who worked with David O. McKay concerning LDS financial issues.)
Excellent LDS history
Prince and Wright have done a masterful job of writing a topical history of the presidency of David O. McKay. While there may be little interest in this book by those who do not study the workings and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for those of us who do, it is a totally fascinating book.
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Subjects:  1. 1873-1970    2. 20th century    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Christianity - Christian Life - General    5. Christianity - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Da    6. Church of Jesus Christ of Latt    7. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints    8. Devotional    9. General    10. History    11. McKay, David Oman,    12. Religion    13. Religion - World Religions    14. Religion / Mormonism   

Reviews (4)

Anyone interested in modern China should own this book

A History of Mao Zedong Thought - but where are the Chinese?
I bought this book largely on the recommendations of previous readers and because I was looking for an intelligent, thought-provoking history of Modern China. On the whole, the book is all these things, but it left meunsatisfied. It's a particular kind of historical review which in the finalanalysis I found wanting because it delivers very broad-stroke judgementsbased on evidence gleaned from a very small grouping of sources. Mr.Meisner analyses modern Chinese history largely through the readings andactions of one man: Mao Zedong. Fair enough, given the title of the book.But it's almost as if no one else matters or had any impact whatsoever onwhat happened. The Chinese people are completely absent from this history,which is largely a history of Mao's shifting theoretical viewpoints. It maybe true that the history of modern China is the history of one man'sthought, but it wasn't until I got to the section dealing with DengXiaoping that I began to feel that I was reading a history of a people witha multitude of viewpoints and opinions. It may be an impossibility to knowwhat actually went on in China from 1946 up to 1976 and that therefore allwe have is Mao Zedong Thought, which may only be another way of saying thata history of Modern China has yet to be written.

A great general overview
I am very glad I read this book (which Howard Zinn recommended to me).I feel I have a firm grasp of the basics of 20th Century Chinese history now.Meisner really takes an independent line: he doesn't just parrot Chineseor US propaganda. I feel he makes reasonable surmises about motivations andactions which are still unclear, given the secretive nature of the Chinesegovernment. In all, one of the best history books I have ever read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1949-    2. Asia - China    3. China    4. China - History - 20th Century    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Political History    9. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    11. History / China   

Reviews (2)

The Afghanistan Wars
This is an excellent review of the many wars suffered by Afghanistan and the reasons these wars occurred.An excellent review for someone spending time in Afghanistan or sudying the country or region.

Outstanding
This is a tour de force; a comprehensive, lucid, and insightful account that makes a tangle of events over 20 years almost understandable. Scrupulously documented, full of sage judgments, cogently written, and eminently well organized, it is one of the best books on contemporary history I have read. Highly recommended along with Fundamentalism Reborn, an exceptional compilation of articles about Taliban Afghanistan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1989-2001    2. 20th century    3. Afghanistan    4. Asia - General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History, Military    8. History: World    9. Middle East - General    10. Military - World War II    11. Soviet occupation, 1979-1989   

Reviews (10)

Historically Unreliable
Davidson's book may appear to be a useful guide to those unacquainted with the region. But, for those who are from the Gulf and know enough to question his information and assertions we find names that are mispelled or confused with others, we find events relating to the succession of rulers made up, quotes misinterpreted, vagueness in describing time periods and the text riddled with gossip. This is not unique to his book, as similar errors can be found in his article on the politics of succession that was published in the Middle East Policy Council Journal. Two examples readily available from his article that was published this summer (2006) are 1) his description of Sheikh Abdullah as the Minister of Information & Culture, when as of January 2006 he has been Minister of Foreign Affairs. 2) Where he explains that the `best informed locals and veteran expatriates' predicted a succession that bypassed the two eldest sons of Sheikh Zayed.
The UAE
This is easy to follow and has some very good diagrams.It shows that independent research can be done in countries like the UAE which most people seem to assume are still far too sensitive.There is a huge list of sources including interviews and government documents, and at the end is probably the most extensive bibliography (in English and Arabic) on this part of the world.Saudi Arabia could use a similar book.

Why no democracy?
This is a very well put together book, and after reading it all the way through I realised it's the first time I have been able to fully understand why democracy has not taken root and, in the western sense at least, is unlikely to take root in the near future.The book is also very useful for showing how the rulers have desperately tried to diversify their economic base, and although most of the statistics only go up to 2004, this is easily the best book I have seen of the development of a Gulf state. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Civil society    3. Globalization    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: American    7. Middle East - General    8. Political History    9. Politics and government    10. United Arab Emirates    11. United States - General    12. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (62)

If you want to understand it all you MUST read this one
If you seek to understand the Middle East, this is one you MUST read. That's all I have to say. To say more would be superfluous. You really want to understand it all, you MUST read it. There, I"ve said it twice. NOw go read it. If you want to understand.....

A lot of cliches, one lie and bias
It is not suprising that the conflict in the middle east lends itself to distortion and hyperbole, after all not everyone can visit the region and few understand the size of things being fought over.If the region was as proportional to the world as presented in the media it would be the size of Asia rather than .001% of it.
This book changed my view towards the palestinian case
Away from Sacco's great illustration and story telling and the great humour of incidents. How he captured the case of the palestinian ppl and how he mingled with them and the type of people he interviewed is just amazing. You can tell that Sacco is neutral he didn't go to defend a certain side, he just went to see what is really happening on the holy land. This book is a must to all people who sympathize with the Israeli Government, and see Palestinians as terrorists, who have no right to the land. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Ethnic Studies - General    3. Fine Arts    4. General    5. History - General History    6. International Relations - General    7. Israel    8. Middle East - History - 20th Century    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Palestinian Arabs    11. Political Science    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Comic book & cartoon art    16. Graphic novels    17. Palestine    18. Current Events    19. Journalism    20. Graphic Novel   

Subjects:  1. Attitudes    2. Communication    3. History - General History    4. Intifada, 1987-    5. Israel    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Palestinian Arabs    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Public opinion    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    14. Media studies    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (20)

Interesting overview of a misunderstood sect of Islam
The Assassins are part of the legend of the Crusades. The legend of their intoxicants, and the pleasures that initiates were allowed to sample before being sent on missions, are almost part of our historical lore, and of course the sect has lent its name to a word in the English language. This scholarly account by historian Bernard Lewis is detailed, and relentless at least in terms of sentimentality, brushing away legends and folklore and sticking to what's known of this splinter group of Islam and their culture, activities, motives, and fate.
Lewis is a racist
I am an Ismailli and totally offended by Lewis's book.He is no doubt a total anti-Muslim racist.For greater information on the Nizari ismaillis read Farhad Daftary

Too factual, not enough philosophy
This book about the Ismailis and the Assassins could have been fascinating but it is only a compilation of facts and details about individuals and their actions. We never get into the deeper layers of their ideology, theology and religious beliefs and practices. They are connected to the Shi'ites agains the Sunni'ites but it is not clearly shown and explained what's the difference between the two sides and what's more how the Ismailis get into this picture. Altogether the vision of Islam given by this book is that of a world rent by factions, ambitions, personal power, military achievements, and the basic and irrepressible desire and need to be cruel and shed a lot of blood through torturing and making people suffer. This is a caricature. Never the filiation between the other semitic religions that judaism, christianism and the zealot branch of both in the first century before Christ and the first century after Christ were, is shown, stated or explained and explored. Islam is one descendent of the Bible, Old and New Testament. What's more this vast expanse of territory from the Mediterranean sea to India was one of the most brilliant melting pots of science, culture and philosophy, the Ismailis among them just as much as the Sh'ites or the Sunni'ites. This is not explored, nor explained. Hence this book accumulates factual details and data but never reaches any level of explanation, understanding and the desire to go and discover that enormously progressive and powerful culture and science. At the time of the Crusades, the west was definitely, at all levels, a lot less advanced than the Middle East and Islamic countries. It is these Crusades that started the movement thet will eventually lead to the freezing of these societies in some kind of ossified ancient state out of which it has become extremely difficult to move, and such a move has to be endogenous, to come from inside.
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Subjects:  1. Assassins (Ismailites)    2. History    3. History: World    4. Islam - Shi'ism    5. Islamic Government    6. Middle East - General    7. Political    8. Political Process - Leadership    9. Radicalism    10. Religion - World Religions   

Reviews (27)

Blood Brothers:Recommended to anyone
Loved it!I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't heard a Christian Palestinian perspective on this issue.This book is one of the best on this topic that I have read.

A Case Study in Hope
It seems that much has been written about the Middle East in terms of religion, culture, history, economics, geopolitical significance, etc.But it seems very little has been written about the region in terms of brotherhood.The notion almost rankles upon first utterance, yet Elias Chacour, a Christian Palestinian approaches the topic from this rather unique perspective.Having experienced the destruction of his home village of Biram by Israeli soldiers in 1951, one would expect him to have something to say.While portraying injustices honestly, he refuses to draw harsh generalizations.As Israeli soldiers or Zionist groups such as the Irgun destroy local villages, Chacour notes the sentiment of the native Jewish people in the area who were "shocked and disgusted" and who protested such activities via their religious leaders.Although the book is not enthralling in terms of literary quality, it is compelling in terms of ideas. A personal interaction with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict
I would recommend this book to everybody. It gives us a fair, and much needed, insight into the Palestinian Christian perspective within the greater framework of the Middle East conflict. The personal testimony and example that Elias Chacour gives us is compelling and convicting. What if we all started to act with the faith, love and renconcilation Elias promotes in this inspiring account of his life. Read more

Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Biography    3. Galilee    4. General    5. History - General History    6. Israel    7. Jewish - General    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Palestinian Arabs    10. Religion    11. Modern fiction   

Reviews (32)

Must-Read
Chock-full of information and rare insights that is rarely seen.I must say he is quite exhaustive in his dealings of each side of the various conflicts he discusses and lays everything out on the table so that you see the best and worst of all worlds. I am ordering his new book as we speak.

Days in life of a journalist in Lebanon
This book an account of the author's experience as a reporter in Lebanon during the Civil War. It is essentially journalism, in the sense that it covers the day to day experience of the author. As the author says in the beginning, it is not a history (even though you can follow historical events pretty closely through Fisk's eyes), it is more an account of the daily life of ordinary citizens. For example, there are no statistics, not much on politics and no economic consideration. I personally suspect that studying the economics could help understand the conflict. The good thing is that Fisk has been to a lot of places. He keeps running around the Muslim parts of Lebanon and speaking with everyone: Israelis, Syrians, Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, Druzes, Americans, French, Italians.... He always seems to be near to where the bombs fall, which makes it possible for the reader to learn about the many different ways of being discombobulated or burnt alive (phosphorus or normal burns ?). That can be a little depressing. There are some very interesting comments on the role of journalism and the importance of words, in particular the issue of whether to call someone a terrorist or a freedom fighter, as there is no official definition of terrorism. I also liked the almost poetic way of describing how all foreign armies lose their way in the mystery that is Lebanon.
A personal account, not a history

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Subjects:  1. Civil War, 1975-1990    2. General    3. History    4. History: World    5. Lebanon    6. Middle East - General    7. Politics / Current Events   

Reviews (1)

Public Myths, Private Realities
I have met Prince Bandar bin Sultan a number of times in the United States in my capacity as a money manager for extremely wealthy international families, and as a financial advisor to governments. I also lean towards political conservatism, although I am deeply disappointed at the extent to which corruption has become common in our government in the last decade or so. It use to under the table, now it's in our face.
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Subjects:  1. Ambassadors    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Foreign relations    7. Monarchy And Aristocracy    8. Political    9. Princes    10. Royalty    11. Saudi Arabia    12. Saudi Arabia - History    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Political    15. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

Benjamin Netanyahu's primer on pro-Israel politics is an updated version of an earlier book,