Reviews (69)

Saudi fields are maturing
This book is very repetitive and too long, but it does contains a lot of useful information about oil fields and the complex business of getting the oil out. From the facts laid out in this book there is little doubt that Saudi oil fields are maturing with years of dependence on massive water injection and in recent years horizontal drilling to maintain high production rates.The production curves included in the book for eight large fields oil fields outside Saudi Arabia, including Prudhoe Bay Alaska, are sobering.Clearly there is some risk that in the not too distant future Saudi oil production will begin to decline.
Good Book, Needs Editing and Polishing
The message in this book is right on--Saudi Arabia is probably not as flush with oil as the world thinks it is.Simmons' thesis is a sound one and he defends it well.
Saudi Oil
A great deal of technical information that was a little overpowering at times. Never the less it makes it's case compellingly and logically. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economic History    5. Forecasting    6. General    7. Industries - Energy Industries    8. Petroleum industry and trade    9. Petroleum reserves    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Business & Economics / General    12. International economics    13. Management of land & natural resources    14. Petroleum & oil industries   

Reviews (4)

The ONLY "Before and After" Book on the Iraq Mis-Adventure
James Fallows is unique for giving us the only "before and after" book on Iraq.This book, while it consists of a collection of articles published in the run-up to the war on Iraq, is exemplary for showing what was known before the war, and how a combination of ideological bias, bureaucratic timidity, confusion, and general incompetence actually allowed this Nation to be led to an elective war of devastating consequence and cost.
Fallows Was First
Only one thing puzzles me about James Fallows: why is he not considered among our most important American journalists?
This Book Works Better than It Should
This book has an unpromising premise: Publish a book based largely on essays that have already been published as articles in the Atlantic Monthly from 2002 through 2005.Despite that, this book ends up working far better than one might expect.
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Subjects:  1. Diplomatic history    2. History - Military / War    3. International Relations - General    4. Iraq - History    5. Iraq War, 2003    6. Iraq War, 2003-    7. Middle East - General    8. Military - Iraq War    9. Military - Strategy    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Political Science    12. Politics/International Relations    13. U.S. Foreign Relations    14. Political Science / International Relations   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Middle East - General    4. Middle East - History - 20th Century    5. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    6. Current Events / General    7. Palestine    8. c 1945 to c 1960   

Editorial Review

This is the exciting and highly literate story of the real Lawrence of Arabia, as written by Lawrence himself, who helped unify Arab factions against the occupying Turkish army, circa World War I. Lawrence has a novelist's eye for detail, a poet's command of the language, an adventurer's heart, a soldier's great story, and his memory and intellect are at least as good as all those. Lawrence describes the famous guerrilla raids, and train bombings you know from the movie, but also tells of the Arab people and politics with great penetration. Moreover, he is witty, always aware of the ethical tightrope that the English walked in the Middle East and always willing to include himself in his own withering insight. ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Deserves the highest acclaim it gets
I read this book after visiting Turkey and Jordan some years ago andwas bedazzled by it in every respect.A remarkable military campaign, the extremely complex Lawrence and the account of WWI with the historicalfigures Ataturk, Feisal, Allenby etc.The victory of the Arabs and the British, with all the military daring and intrigue is one of the most amazing stories of the war.That Lawrence just happened to be a literary giant as well and could write as intensely well as perhaps any other 20th C English writer (that I know) is one of those strange coincidences that defies probability.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Lawrence of Arabia. we have all heard the name and or seen the movie. But who is this guy who was able to unite semitic tribes and help force the turks and germans out of the desert and back into the mountains of Turkey. This is a well written book that is 80 years old. It is a look at a time before oil dominated the economy of this very harsh land. Lawrence autobiographically explains his part in the Arab uprising and how he won confidence and trust from a people who avoided all outside contact. Lawrence's style of writing was difficult at first but by the third chapter the reader will adapt and then it gets fun. This is a must read for anyone doing business or war in the mideast. If only our present leaders would have read this book first. They might have avoided a few of their missteps.

One of the best books ever written!
I first read this book in the early 1960s and because of it T. E. Lawrence became my favorite author. And after all of these years he still is. It's not a frivolous book; the writing does demand your attention and effort. The book is full of adventure, humor, history, analysis, and biographical insight of Lawrence and the Arabs and their life. And as other reviewers have noted, much of this book helps people understand the Arabic situation today.
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Subjects:  1. (Thomas Edward),    2. 1888-1935    3. 20th century    4. Arabian Peninsula    5. Arabs    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Campaigns    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. Lawrence, T. E    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    13. Military History - Modern    14. Personal narratives, British    15. Saudi Arabia - History    16. World War, 1914-1918    17. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (29)

An Excellent Primer on the Hermit Kingdom

Great Leader/Dear Leader's Paradise
This book reminds me of the 1990's book "The Private Life of Chairman Mao" by Mao's personal doctor that told the truth about the appalling conditions in the PRC under the Great Helmsman and his dissolute life.If possible things are worse under the Dear Leader.You rarely get such a good picture of day to day life in such a closed society.Remember anyone who goes abroad for the DPRK is in the top 1% of the population and vetted for political reliablity to an extreme.So the diplomats and "businessmen" we see abroad are no more representative of North Korea than Paris Hilton is an average twenty-something here.One point that really stuck with me is the random violence among the children of the middle elite.By that I mean the offspring of families with special priviledges but not at the very top.They seem to vent with almost comic book, mindless violence.Much like China's Red Guards, who would engage in orgies of destruction over invisible differences with rival gangs, the Korean golden children seem to revel in the same disfuctional release.We should take no comfort from the view of many in the north that things can't get any worse so why not try to take the south.Negotiating with these people as if they are normal human beings is a delusion shared by the last two US administrations. It's a fools game.

Best book, I have come across about North Korea
An incredibly detailed study of North Korea today as told by a reporter who obviously has studied the subject in detail.
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Subjects:  1. 1912-    2. 1942-    3. Asia - General    4. Asia - Korea    5. Biography    6. Government - International    7. Heads of state    8. History    9. History: World    10. Kim, Chæong-il,    11. Kim, Il-sæong,    12. Korea (North)    13. Political History    14. Politics / Current Events    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    16. History / Asia    17. North Korea    18. Political leaders & leadership    19. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000   

Editorial Review

Paul Johnson says that writing Read more

Reviews (62)

The best book on the subject, with no religiuos bias
It is one of the best books I read in my life. The book is full of intriguing thoughts and explanations. It does not have the sadness, which comes with the subject. The cross-cultural analysis has been very revealing. I found fascinating the accuracy of details presented on topics, which I lived through. Somehow it adds credibility to many other thoughts in the book. Thank you very much, Mr. Johnson

Should be required reading for sunday schools
This is a wonderful book that is extremely readable.I learned more from 10 days of reading this book than I did from 10 years of attending Sunday School.

Another Great Johnson Historical Review
Johnson is my favorite historian. I have read several of his other works over the years, History of Christianity, Birth of the Modern, Modern Times, and now, A History of the Jews.
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Israel    6. Jewish - General    7. Jews    8. History / General    9. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    10. Jewish studies   

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. 1993-    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Foreign Relations 1990-    5. International Relations - General    6. Middle East - General    7. Palestine - History    8. Palestinian Arabs    9. Peace    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Reference    15. Political Science / International Relations   

Subjects:  1. Causes    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: World    5. Influence    6. International Relations - General    7. Intervention (International law)    8. Iraq - History    9. Iraq War, 2003-    10. Middle East - General    11. Military - Iraq War    12. Modern - 21st Century    13. Modern World History (Circa 1450 To Present)    14. Persian Gulf War, 1991    15. United States - General    16. History / General   

Subjects:  1. Jews    2. Judaism - History    3. Judaism - Theology    4. Religion    5. Religion - Judaism    6. Restoration    7. Resurrection (Jewish theology)    8. Judaism    9. Religion / Judaism / History    10. Sacred texts   

Reviews (42)

The secret is out
very interesting look at the mystery that is delta force. this book is written by the founder and first commanding officer of the force and represents an intriguing look at what was formerly kept secret. look into the world of some of our country's most daring and important servicemembers. this blow-by-blow account reads like a novel, and sometimes you wish that is all it was.

Page turner. Essential for Spec-ops library.
I first thought that this book would probably be a bit dull, since it didn't have a lot of combat experiences in it, but is mostly about the formation of Delta. But it's now one of my favorite reads. A real page-turner, it only took me a couple weeks to get through it. I admit that it's enjoyment is probably limited to those with a serious interest in special ops. It has an honest and candid tone that lacks the the egoism of Marzcinko's book about SEAL Six. If your interested in learning more about Delta, I also reccomend reading Eric Haney's book, and Blackhawk Down. All three are very interesting and informative books, that take you inside, are hard to put down, and inspire profound respect for those who serve their country in this capacity.

How to sell the Army a new idea
"Delta Force" should be required reading for every ambitious careerist working for a large organization. Wearingcamo fatigues or gray-flannel suit, this fine treatise tells the ambitious what it takes to get things done in a large organization--in this case, the largest organization-the U.S. Army. And what it takes is a very smart, relentlessly driven maverick, just what these organizations abhor. Maverick General Billy Mitchell was court-marshaled for proving to the Navy that one aircraft could take out the fleet's largest ship.
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Subjects:  1. Army    2. Army.    3. Beckwith, Charlie A    4. Delta Force    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    9. Military Science    10. Modern - 20th Century/Nuclear Age    11. Operation Eagle Claw, Iran, 1980    12. Personal narratives    13. Political Terrorism    14. Special Forces    15. Technology    16. United States    17. United States.    18. War & Military    19. History / Military / General    20. Special & elite forces    21. USA   

Reviews (122)

I want more!
I loved this book! The art is simple, yet powerful. The story, informative, heartwarming and compassionate. And all done by one person, which is not all that common. I actually FELT for the characters, I felt like I knew them. That's a sign of great storytelling.
Touching, Humorous and Entertaining All at the Same Time
This is a really good story of a young girl that would be inspiring to anyone of any age and is told in a particularly interesting way. It's definitely one of my favorite graphic novels, especially since it's such a different sort of topic than most. I liked the black and white images...it was the perfect way to present them.

Unique eye-opener.
This was my summer reading assignment before my freshmen year of college, so I naturally assumed it would be a long, boring novel. I was pleasantly surprised by the comic book format, and even more pleased to actually be reading a story. This is a humorous, interesting, eye-opener. I found some chapters to be confusing and a little boring, but overall, I enjoyed the read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Comic books, strips, etc    8. Ethnic Cultures - General    9. Fine Arts    10. Literary    11. Middle East - General    12. Satrapi, Marjane,    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Reviews (2)

An interesting guide through extreme Islam
Abdel Atwan's history of Al Qaeda and extreme Islamic movements is very illuminating. As opposed to many western writers on the subject, Mr. Atwan has a cultural relationship with many of the subjects he writes about. All Americans should read this book to understand the amorphous face of terrorism.
A Valuable Contribution to Understanding Al Qaeda
Abdel Bari Atwan, who is the editor-in-chief of the London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi, is uniquely qualified to write THE SECRET HISTORY OF al QAEDA, as he is the only Western-based journalist to have spent time with Osama Bin Laden. The extended interview took place in Tora Bora, Afghanistan in 1996, and his personal insights into Bin Laden, those around him, and the living conditions at Tora Bora make for fascinating reading. Furthermore, as a result of this meeting, Atwan and his newspaper have been privy to numerous al Qaeda communiques and insider information over the years - including the famous tidbit from Bin Laden associates that Bin Laden was alive and recovering from injuries caused by U.S. bombing near Tora Bora in late 2001. His discussion of how Al Qaeda, as an organization and it's military and economic strategy/ tactics has evolved since 9/11 makes for some eye-opening and chilling reading. Long before the controversial National Intelligence Estimate, Atwan tells us that Iraq has become a breeding ground for the most ruthless and militant Al Qaeda fighters to date. This book is AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ, and should be REQUIRED READING for all US Government and military leaders. It ranks right up there with Peter Bergen's THE OSAMA BIN LADEN I KNOW and HOLY WAR, INC. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Bin Laden, Osama,    3. History    4. History: World    5. Islam    6. Islamic Studies    7. Middle East - General    8. Modern - General    9. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Qaida (Organization)    12. Religious aspects    13. Terrorism    14. History / General   

Reviews (3)

Understanding America's Conflict with Iran Made Easy
I have read Shuster's Book "The Strangling of Persia"; Kermit Roosevelt's book "Countercoup, Struggle for Control of Iran" and Ambassador Sullivan's book "My Mission to Iran".. if I had waited for this book, I would have saved a lot of time.. Dr. Ansari captures the entire period in a lucid, easy-read and objective manner.A must read for anyone interested in the Middle East and the turmoil created by the recent administrations.

Excellent Assesment of US-Iran Relations
This is a fast reading, informative, and mind opening book on the history of US - Iran relations as well as an analysis of the relationship and its consequenses for today. It is unbiased and gives a great apeal to policy makers on both sides of the equation to reconcile their differences, move away from domestic rhetoric, and reestablish the best possible peaceful equilibrium with each other.

We've Made Some Serious Errors!
Iran possesses the second-largest reserves of oil in the world, as well as the second largest natural gas reserves.Thus, their importance is hard to overestimate.
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Asia - General    3. Foreign relations    4. History - General History    5. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    6. International Relations - Arms Control    7. International Relations - General    8. Iran    9. Middle East - Iran    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. United States    14. United States - General    15. International relations   

Reviews (95)

Pick Fick
I'm not a Marine, but I feel like one.Fick's account is a compelling look into the training and deployment of the Corps.Extremely well written to the point where the book is a real world page-turner.
A Leader and A Writer
This is a very good read - a good story by a good writer(a Marine officer with a B.A. in classics). Based on his story and writing I'd follow this man, this officer into battle. This book should be considered a companion read of GENERATION KILL by Evan Wright. Mr. Wright was an embedded reporter with Captain Fick's Marines. Read both books, not just one or the other. BOTH.

A story every American man and woman should read.
Nathanial Fick's "One Bullet Away" is a book that everyone should read.I was very intrigued by the book and found myself feeling like I was right there with the platoon and Lt. Fick in Iraq.The book really helped me to understand the emotional conflicts that these warriors face when they are in battle and how difficult and terrifying their decisions can be....these Marines are so human!!Nathanial Fick does a phenomenal job of describing his experiences and really touches the reader by expressing the Marine Corps. values with his close platoon mates; honor, courage, and committment. The strength and beauty of their brotherhood and the loyalty in the platoon spoke loudly and was so impressionable. As I neard the end of the book, I did not want it to end because I felt like I had become a part of the platoon.I felt as if I was sharing all of these emotions with these men I have never even met.
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Subjects:  1. Afghan War, 2001-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Marine Corps    7. Military    8. Military - General    9. Military - Persian Gulf War    10. Military - United States    11. Military - Veterans    12. Military History (General)    13. Military Training    14. Officers    15. Personal Memoirs    16. Personal narratives, American    17. Training of    18. United States.    19. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (4)

Used it for history
I had to buy this book as the textbook for my History of the Ancient Near East class, and it ended up being fairly good.Textbook reading is never the most exciting, but it was decently well-written and easy to understand.The timelines at the beginning of each chapter definitely helped.It's not exactly and exciting topic, but for what it is I think that this was a helpful book.

Detailed and straightforward
The author here manages to write a chronological account from the dawn of civilization in Mesopotamia to the coming of Alexander the Great without getting boring.While it is pretty detailed, it could use a bit more fleshing out in my opinion.In terms of history and political developments, the author obviously knows what he's talking about, although I do think his statement about the spread of Indo-European languages from the Eurasian steppes being an "outdated nineteenth century concept" is a bit ignorant as to the state of that field.Other than that, the book is well-written and makes ample use of primary sources.

Practical and well-written
This is a very good introduction to mesopotamian studies. I was impressed by the very good quality of the information given and the effectiveness of short and well-articulated chapters. The book does not assume that the reader is familiar with ancient history and explains step by step the history as well as the culture and social development of the ancient near east. I did not give five stars to this very good book because I thought it did not dwell enough on the linguistic aspects of the matter. Otherwise all is very well explained, without needless lengthy digressions. Pictures are kind of limited, but still enough to follow the descriptions. The inserts are particularly interesting featuring mainly translations of ancient text, as for example passages taken from the Amarna letters. The list of kings at the end of the book is particularly interesting. I recommend this book to all who are interested in having a basic knowledge of ancient near east history and even to those who are already introduced to the subject, because this can be considered a good quick-reference book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Civilization    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East    7. Middle East - General    8. To 622    9. ASIA    10. Ancient World    11. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    12. History / Middle East    13. MIDDLE EAST_HISTORY_TO 622   

Reviews (60)

Solid, important and highly informative book.
A very solid, important and highly informative book. Norman Finkelstein provides extensive details and analysis, with considerable historical depth and expert research, of a very wide range of issues concerning Israel, the Palestinians, and the U.S.
A Follow-Up of Sorts to the Holocaust Industry
In this book, Finkelstein extends his seminal work on the Holocaust Industry to encompass (what he considers to be) the uncritical support for Israel regardless of (what he contends to be) her repeated criminal acts against the Palestinians. For example, he discusses the decades-old massacre of Arab civilians by Israelis at Deir Yassin as well as larger, lesser-known Israeli massacres of Arab civilians in the early days of the State of Israel (Lydda, 250 victims; Ad Dawayima, "hundreds"; p. 263). Unlike most other reviews, however, this one focuses on Finkelstein's latest views on the Holocaust Industry.
Beyond Chutzpah: As powerful and well-documented as they come!
This book is a must read for every person interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It breaks through the artificial complexity and explains the core problems (occupation, expansion and human rights abuses) in a simple and direct manner. The book is a powerful blow to the "pro-Israel" forces that approve of Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories. It demonstrates pretty well the consensus among human rights organizations about Israel's widespread abuse, torture and war crimes. It also exposes the fabricated smoke screen stirred in the US to divert attention away from Israel's atrocities.
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Subjects:  1. Arab-Israeli conflict    2. Case for Israel    3. Crimes against    4. Dershowitz, Alan M    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Judaism - General    10. Middle East - General    11. Middle East - Israel    12. Palestinian Arabs    13. Zionism    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. History / General    16. Israel    17. Jewish studies    18. Palestine   

Reviews (5)

Sentimental plus
OKI admit I read it in one sitting.But during that whole time, kept thinking the same embarrassing thought "This book is as sentimental and idealistically patriotic as a Leni Riefenstahl film (but, unfortunately, not quite as artistically fascinating.)
I would give this book five stars simply on the basis of its main idea
Alan Dershowitz gathers the evidence of eighty distinguished witnesses who tell what Israel means to them. These are all basically pro- Israel voices though there are some sharp critics of Israeli policies among them. Among those whose testimony is included are: William Bennett,Hillary Clinton, Barbra Streisand, Al Gore, Henry Kissinger, Elie Wiesel, Saul Bellow, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Jerry Seinfeld, Sir Martin Gilbert, Harvey Weinstein, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ron Silver, Barney Frank, Larry King, Natalie Portman.
Wonderful tour of Israel from so many different perspectives.
What's wonderful about this book is that it isn't just one person's take or one person's dogma.Some of the writers are passionate defenders, some are critics, some are sentimental, and some are intellectual.All viewpoints (except anyone who would not like Israel to exist at all) are represented, articulately and readably.Quite a few of the essays were surprsingly moving.I'd especially recommend this book for someone about to take a first trip to Israel. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attitudes    2. Celebrities    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Israel    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Israel    9. History / Middle East    10. Jewish studies