Reviews (10)

Incredible Incompetence!
Chandrasekaran's considerable time in Baghdad allowed him to provide this detailed of incredible incompetence.Early in the book we learn that the cafeteria in the Republican Palace was always serving American fare, and the hundreds of Iraqi secretaries and translators, mostly Muslim, were offended by the presence of pork.Nothing came from Iraq - everything, including the water in which hot dogs were boiled, was shipped in from approved suppliers in other nations.No Iraqis were hired to cook, serve, or clean - they could poison the food.Whatever could be outsourced was - private guards made more than $1,000/day.Iraqis post-Saddam had less electricity, water, trash collection, sewer service, gas availability, traffic mobility, health care, and employment - despite administration claims.
Outstanding
The Iraq war was preached as the liberating creation of an exemplary Arab democracy. Did US post invasion efforts match the rhetoric? The most charitable answer, based on this work, is quite contrary.
a heartache
I have recently read the excellent book "Fiasco," about the war in Iraq.
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Subjects:  1. Government - International    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Iraq    6. Iraq War, 2003    7. Middle East - General    8. Military - Iraq War    9. Military - United States    10. Military History - 1990-    11. Military-Political Relationships    12. Political corruption    13. Postwar reconstruction    14. United States    15. Current Events / Military   

Reviews (47)

Worst writing I've read in a long time
You decide for yourself what you think about Mortenson.I think the subtitle of the book should be "How One Man Became a Dhimmi."
Put so simply...
No doubt this story seemed like an inspiring one. The question for me was, could the writer do a good job conveying it? The answer is- yes!! There are no words to describe how this story made me feel. I was moved to tears more than once. It's about time that we had something to read or listen to that speaks to the humanity of the majority of Muslims. Until now it seemed like we were given no option but to lump them all into the "fanatic" category. There was no one to speak up for the rest of the population. The story of the poor village women of Pakistan giving eggs to Greg to honor 9/11 widows was heart-wrenching. The speech by a supreme Shia ruler to a local village after 9/11 was equally gut-wrenching. Thank you to Greg Mortenson for shining a light on the region. His work building schools by working WITH tribal people of Afghanistan and Pakistan is incredibly brave. The effort taken to learn the local languages and customs is phenomenal. Thank you David Oliver Relin for bringing the story to us and for providing so much background information to help round out the story! This book helped fill so many holes in my understanding of the region. What the heck are the Taliban? Why can't Islamabad just take control of its northern region? What drives many people to choose death via "jihad" over life? I am inspired to read and understand even more about the fascinating people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Is America more secure than on 9/11?
Besides being an exciting and courageous mission story, Three Cups of Tea is an effective alternative to Bush's so-called "compassionate conservatism" and "war on terror".
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Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. Education    3. Education Of Specific Cultural Groups    4. General    5. Girls' schools    6. History - General History    7. Humanitarian assistance, American    8. Middle East - General    9. Pakistan    10. Philanthropy & Charity    11. Students & Student Life    12. U.S. - Middle East Relations    13. History / Middle East   

Subjects:  1. Crusades    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Medieval    6. Middle East - General    7. Military - General    8. History / Medieval   

Reviews (47)

a genuine journey of discovery
This is a fascinating book, a well told tale, and a genuine journey of discovery. Stewart combines a physically demanding expedition with cultural exploration and, in the process, achieves genuine insight into lives most of us will never have the faintest conception of. Some reviews of the book (e.g. Washington Post) miss the critical element of the journey that sets it apart from books that are entirely expeditionary in nature (like mountains climbed and rivers rafted) - and that is the Muslim cultural proclivity to welcome / shelter / feed travelers no matter how desperately poor they may be (and most in rural Afghanistan are very poor indeed).A critical talent that allowed Stewart to achieve this (besides his keen wit and prodigous writing skills) is his linguistic diversity, which allowed him to do what he did without getting killed or dying in the process. When the British Special Forces declare him a f'g nutter I found myself smiling along with Stewart at his formidable achievement.

A little shy of cultural insights
I would actually give this book a 3.5, but that's not an option.I think I was expecting a broader range of cultural insights from this book.The first half got a bit tedious and sometimes read more like an itinerary than an elucidating journal.The second half perked up for me; I admit this could be because the actual terrain improved and people themselves were more colorful and friendly.In the end, I did take away something from this book and do have a better idea of what Afghanistan's mountain region is about.I passed the book on to a friend this weekend as a suggested read.But the fact that I did this is a testament to my reaction to the book, for I never give away books that I love.Perhaps one day I'll come to regret it!And I can say, I don't regret having read this book.

Five-star rating for Stewart's experience; three stars for his writing of it
Try as I might, I couldn't quite enjoy "The Places In Between," Rory Stewart's travelogue from his walk across post-Taliban Afghanistan.Stewart is an amazing young man, brilliant and courageous, and his trek is an ambitious, noble effort.But his writing was so dispassionate, so resolutely matter-of-fact, that I quickly stopped caring.
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Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. Asia - Central    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. History    6. History: World    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - History - 20th Century    9. Modern - 20th Century    10. Social life and customs    11. Stewart, Rory    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (10)

JIm Sosnicky
I recently had the chance to hear one of the contributors to this anthology read his stories at an event.Jim Sosnicky was born in 1972 in Baltimore, Maryland.He grew up in Virginia, California, and Colorado.Upon graduation from West Point in 1993, Jim Served as a tank platoon leader in the 1st Infantry Division. His stories are beautiful creations of insight,warmth and brutal honesty.Pick this book up if only for his stories.

An Author's Opinion
Although a biased author, having met, worked with the editor, Andrew Carroll (who accepted no compensation for his efforts), and after having met the Director and others from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as with some of the accomplished authors who assisted in the project, and with fellow military and civilian authors, I can unequivically say this is a work of passion, not profit (all proceeds will go to programs for military families).If you are looking for a reason to buy this book, that should be enough, but the stories herein are a true taste of all aspects of war, from the beginnings, to the battles to the loneliness to the humor to the heartbreak to the comfort of coming home alive.It is a "you are there" book unequalled in it's raw courage and uncensored intimate approach to storytelling, which includes for the first time in this type of book stories from loved ones of those who fight.We don't tell our stories to just anyone.We don't share our emotional privacy freely.But here, for some reason, perhaps simply the catharsis of writing about our experiences, we have shared ourselves for public consumption.These are important stories for every American to read.It presents for the first time with an all volunteer Army in a major war, what we go through.We are you, and you are us.We fight and die freely for us all, and we want you to understand we are just like you in many ways, yet, for reasons as diverse as our personalities, we have chosen to participate directly in defending our nation.Know us; love us or hate us for our choices, but know us who would be your champions.Although I have only read a half dozen of the stories, as they are raw and perhaps too soon drag up dangerous memories, I have also attended a reading of some of the stories in Manhattan with the dramatic expertise of Stephen Lang, Joan Allen, and Matthew Modine, bringing to life the poetry, grace, humor and poigniancy between the covers of this amazing piece of literature.Don't miss it.Share it freely.Read it again and again.Ask questions.Seek true answers, and get to know your soldier/citizens.
Bringing us closer to the experience of the troops
I want to thank Amazon for the opportunity to share my thoughts after finishing this book at 4 am this morning. I have been reading 5-10 entries in this book each night for the last week. I purchased it in an effort to draw closer to and to better understand the experience of my youngest brother, SGT Jason Boesen, Army combat medic currently deployed to Iraq until July 2007, and my brother-in-law, Major Chris Hanna, recently returned from his deployment to Iraq in May 2006. During the course of reading this book, I laughed, I cried, I clenched my fingers around the pages at intervals, afraid to turn the pages for fear of what I might read next. I was enveloped in waves of pride, fear, dismay, grief, love, longing, frustration, and at times, guilt.
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Subjects:  1. Afghan War, 2001-    2. Families of military personnel    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Middle East - General    7. Military    8. Military - Iraq War    9. Military - United States    10. Military - Veterans    11. Military History - 1990-    12. Military Personal Narratives    13. Personal narratives, American    14. United States    15. History / Military / United States   

Reviews (26)

How does Handley look now?
One measure of a good book is that it assists us to understand events after it is published. By this measure, Handley looks very good now. Even the self-censoring Thai press has reported that the palace was intimately involved in the Sept 19 military coup.

Taksin Shinawatra paid the author to fabricate the story
The author who wrote "The King Never Smiles" should be discredited because it is generally believed that he was hired by Taksin to write the book to provide the international world a biased view of the Thai monarchy. It may be very difficult for foreigners to understand the Thai people's deep love, respect, and reverence for the King, but our King is a good, pious King --- the "King of Hearts," and Taksin's insults to the King is the greatest insult to all Thai people. It may also be very difficult for foreigners to understand the Thai style of democracy, which has the constitutional monarchy. Our King is not only our supreme spiritual and moral leader, but also the living symbol of our nation's peace and harmony who unites the people and helped us sail through many political turmoil and turbulences in the past thirty plus years.
If only it could be sold in Thailand . . .
I live in Thailand and when attempting to find out about this book, every website that mentioned it was censored by the Royal Thai Police as being a threat to national security. So much for 'Thailand' being translated as the 'Land of the Free.'
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Subjects:  1. 1927-    2. Bhumibol Adulyadej,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. General    8. King of Thailand,    9. Kings and rulers    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Thailand    12. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: historical   

Reviews (72)

Worth Reading, But Incomplete
This book is well written and well organized.It provides a useful big picture sense of how the war was planned, the internal friction between different governmental and military constituencies, and the failure of Franks and the NSC to provide a useful counterweight to Rumsfeld's attempt to turn the Iraq campaign into a showcase for "transformation."
Thorough but dry
This is a thorough, but distressingly dry, blow by blow account of the execution of the Iraq war. I had difficulty finishing the book. The build up to the war is better written and of more interest than the description of battles which follow, the latter a "laundry list" of exchanges between the Americans and the inevitably hapless Iraqi forces. If you see Rumsfeld as the demon in this episode in history, then this is the book for you. Of special interest, however, and to my great astonishment, is the difficulty (and often inability)of the American forces to communicate with each other in battle situations, despite all the super-advanced technology at their disposition. Unbelievable! I understand the concept of "the fog of war", but this aspect of the conflict came as an eyeopener. Surely, lives were lost as a consequence.
Excellent
This is the most definitive military study of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It vividly records the planning and execution of the war plan, acquaints the reader with the view of military commanders on the ground, and records the battles they fought.
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Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. International Relations - General    3. Iraq - History    4. Iraq War, 2003    5. Middle East - General    6. Military - Iraq War    7. Military History - 1990-    8. Modern - 21st Century    9. Political Science    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Current Events / Military   

Reviews (4)

Interesting but reflects the political ambivalence of Holland
Buruma is a good writer and paces the book very well.There are several pointsof value (exile returns to native land, cross-cultural comment etc.) but for me the most insightful were the snippets from newspaper commentaries that Buruma uses as a preface to each chapter. A mixture of shock and surprise, mixed with dollops of self-criticism.
Raises some important issues
Buruma shows how in the Netherlands, genuine concerns about the behavior of Muslim immigrants often do not get expressed due to concerns about accusations of "Islamophobia."After all, slanders against the Jews in the 1930s and 1940s proved to be extremely damaging to European society.But the author shows that in this case, a few simple truths need to be aired, even if they are unflattering to some people.As Buruma explains, Pim Fortuyn did that.He wanted all Dutch to be part of the Dutch community, not as some sort of fascist exclusivists but inclusivists who asked for loyalty towards common goals.
One of the best books I have read this year....
One of the best books you will read this year. And yes the author being of Dutch birth caught my eye, since my husbands family (DeRoos) are also of Dutch background. And the author having lived here in the states since the mid 1970's is able to give the reader a view of both sides of the issue or cultural differances.
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Assassination    3. Ethnic Politics    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. Ethnic relations    6. Europe    7. Europe - General    8. History    9. Middle East - General    10. Modern - 21st Century    11. Netherlands    12. Peace    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Social Science    15. Sociology    16. Toleration    17. Violence in Society    18. Political Science / Peace   

Reviews (150)

Insightful and timely
I've been staring at a copy of Thomas Friedman's 'From Beirut to Jerusalem' on my shelf for nearly a year now, meaning to read it but always drawn to something else.Finally, recent events demanded that I learn more and I finally pulled it down, dusted it off, and read it.I'm so glad I did, especially now.
Pertinent Then and Pertinent Now
Not in the "must read " class, but a good informative personal account of Thomas Freidman, the New York Times middle east journalist.The book contains his observances of the factional fighting that took place in Beirut and the larger Lebanon, Israel conflict in the 1980s.Thebook has interesting observances of these complicated situations.This is a good book for the 21st century where it appears Lebanon is again descending into chaos, and Israel has once again tried the tactic of invading southern Lebanon.Freidman does a good job making a chaotic situation interesting while providing new insights.

A "Must Read" for Citizens of the World at the Beginning of the 21st Century
I have not yet completed From Beirut to Jerusalem, but I have been fascinated by every word.Mr. Friedman's intellectual approach to the every-day life, religions and politics of the Middle East is written in an easily understandable, conversational manner.He asks questions, finds a range of answers from varied sources, and shares his conclusions in a non-judgmental way.Mr. Friedman's in-depth study of the interplay of religions and politics in the Middle East has clarified many questions I had and has validated some of my thoughts. I better understand what is happening in the Middle East and am rethinking my own political views on today's events. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. 1993-    3. Arab-Israeli conflict    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. International Relations - General    9. Jewish-Arab relations    10. Middle East    11. Middle East - General    12. Politics and government    13. Friedman, Thomas L    14. History / Middle East    15. Journeys   

Reviews (2)

A Brave and Nobel Attempt to Balance Histories
This is a marvellous read on an extremely complex and massively relevant topic. I.e., it got great reviews from the New York Times. I was much surprized to see the rant and attack on it here on Amazon as the only review at this moment in early October 2006...however, the book is just out. It is unfortunate that the single reviewer so far does nothing but blow their stack. Viewing the book, which is amazingly middle of the road, it is certainly somewhat critical of both sides in a conflict but highly informative. Given that the topic itself is so over heated even a book such as this by Khalidi will receive from one group or another being discussed angry rants: it would be unfortunate if any reader was stopped by that type of response. Rather it is understandable that anger arises, and arises in the context of the topic. This in itself signals the desperate need for a book such as this...a brave and noble attempt to balance and assess histories of people who for the most part are incapable of doing that themselves.
No good
Rashid Khalidi's book is supposed to be about the attempts of Arabs to achieve independence.However, I think the story is actually about the struggle of some Arabs to deny independence and human rights to nearby Jews, a minority that some people felt the Arabs had a Right and Duty to oppress.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Middle East - Israel    8. National liberation movements    9. Palestine    10. Palestinian Arabs    11. Politics and government    12. History / Israel   

Reviews (9)

Death before being dishonored.
An important and imperative work. Investigative journalisim at its best under trying circumstances. American at its core, in that it gets a tough and dirty job done. Not with the help of government, but despite it.In this Reagan era of privitizaton/trust the market place, we have a choice: trust Bush or the dollar.How could you lose?Thebook opens and closes with Col. Ted Westhusing, the definition of his alma mater, WEST POINT: DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. Third in his class, plus a doctor of philosophy, and an exemplary record of war/peace service. Yet he met his nemesis: Iraq. For in Iraq he found a war of privitization that had nothing what so ever to do with DUTY, HONOR, or COUNTRY.It was simply about the money, or at best, cronyism.Whether it was murder or suicide, his last communication was in writing and I paraphrase, " I cannot support a mission that leads to corruption, human rights abuse and liars. No more. I cannot support corrupt, money hungry contractors, nor work for commanders only intersested in themselves. I came to serve honorably and I feel dishonored.Why serve when you cannot accomplish the mission, when you no longer believe in the cause, when your every effort and breath is met with lies, lack of support and selfishness.Life needs trust". So what comes around goes around.When a government is "elected" that produces Iraqs and Katrinas then you get the government you deserve.Col. Ted Westhusing desevered better. We, the citizenry could count on him.But in the end, he could not count on us. This book needs to be read and passed on by word of mouth.I wouln't count on the privitized mainstream press.I think there are about a total of four papers left that still have a investigative journalism department.After all, it is all about the bottom line. The Money. Highly recommended!!!!!

Bush and Friends Strike Again!
A free and democratic Iraq was supposed to become an oasis.The U.S. has committed over $30 billion to rebuild Iraq - more than the $2.4 billion (inflation-adjusted) spent on Germany after WWII, and far more than the $2 billion originally planned to rebuild Iraq.In addition, over 500 contractor employees have died trying to make Iraq a better place.Goals were rarely set, and even less often met.Yet, after three years of rebuilding, Iraqis have less power in their homes than under Saddam, oil production is about 20% below pre-Saddam days, outbreaks of easily preventable diseases like hepatitis occur for lack of clean drinking water, and thousands of Iraqis have died in sectarian conflict.
Reader make up their own mind
Blood Money is a dramatic, persuasive and meticulous work. It would be better without the biased innuendos found throughout, such as VP Chaney somehow benefiting through the government contracts with his old company, Haliburton Oil. No proof of this is offered.
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Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Economic aspects    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    6. International Relations - General    7. Iraq War, 2003-    8. Military Expenditures    9. Moral and ethical aspects    10. Petroleum    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Political Science    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. United States    16. 21st century    17. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    18. Current Events / General    19. Iraq    20. USA    21. War & defence operations   

Reviews (68)

Powerful and problematic...
As a journalist, Robert Fisk has a reputation which precedes him, but one might still mistake this title for a history.It isn't.Fisk has authored an extended op-ed that is disturbing, infuriating, perplexing and, clearly, ideologically driven.That he brings to light abhorrent images of senseless death, destruction, and unending futility is, in itself, deeply influential, but this reportage is tinged by a bias that introduces fallacy, non sequitur, contradiction, willful omission, defamation, and conspiracy theory.
Excellent but Overwhelming
Mr. Fisk presents a point of view seldom seen in the US. He questions the wisdom of trying to spread Western-style democracy in countries that in some cases are not really countries at all (e.g., Iraq), an opinion that is a total anathema in the US. What, democracy is not the best form of government? Only if the country can really do democracy.
Through a lens darkly
Fisk's book is a massive conpendium of personal experiences, historical insight, and philosophic discourse from a reporter of the Middle East who has seen it all.Well written and, despite the length, the book is engrossing- filled with information not only of the mega-history of the region, but of the individuals drawn within the tempests of Islam's conflict with the West.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. 21st century    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History, Military    6. History: World    7. International Relations - General    8. Middle East    9. Middle East - General    10. Middle East - History - 20th Century    11. Military - General    12. War And Peace    13. War and society    14. Current Events / Political   

Reviews (95)

Captivating and Proficient Historical Account ...
David Fromkin's "A Peace to End All Peace" is a wondefully researched and well-written account that covers the political creation of the modern Middle East from the period starting during World War I and the years immediately subsequent to it.Although Fromkin tackles the project in a somewhat predictable, chronological manner, his book is supremely researched and engaging thanks in part to the book's prescient subject matter.
Just the facts
This book is actual history.There is little agenda or argument that does not rise directly out of the facts presented.Only the introduction and the conclusion put forth speculation as to cause and effect.Given that, this book is likely too detailed for many, but the personalities of Churchill, Lloyd George, Ener, Talaat, Kitchener, Sykes, T.E. Lawrence are drawn through their documented action, and the history really moves.It's a fascinating story and essential as the details of WWI are not as clearly understood as are those of WWII.However, this book seems to suggest the opposite of its stated case.It turns out that the Middle East lands were largely ignored prior to WWI, and without the knowledge of or appetite for oil, it is easy to understand why.
wrong-headed
This is not a book for the general reader.It'stoo long, too detailed, and it requires too much knowledge of history, geography and politics.I give it two stars because Fromkin has labored mightily to produce an argument about the most volatile,yet from the West's perspective, strategic region in the world.
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Subjects:  1. 1914-1945    2. Foreign relations    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. International Relations - General    9. Jewish - General    10. Middle East    11. Middle East - General    12. Politics and government   

Reviews (13)

Brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.
The Prince of the Marshes And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraqprovides an unusual survey of Stewart's time as an interim and deputy governor in Iraq's marsh regions. His THE PLACES IN BETWEEN became a best seller and told of his walk across Afghanistan and encounters with the region's people; here he describes nearly a year in a remote, improvised marsh region in southern Iraq negotiating hostage releases, holding elections, and developing an uncertain government leadership. Any who would understand the peoples and politics of Iraq must read The Prince of Marshes: it brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.