Editorial Review

Explaining what William McNeill called Read more

Reviews (917)

too long
This book REALLY needs an editor. It is just too long. Mr. Diamond goes over the same points over and over in excruciating detail. My solution was just to skip paragraphs detailing exactly how to carbon-date pinecones for the 20th time.
questionable from the beginning
I haven't yet finished the book, but have found reason to doubt the Mr. Diamond in the preface and prologue alone.In the preface, Diamond states that the readers are not about to read a "racist treatise" and that the book doesn't "involve human racial differences at all."Skip a few pages to the prologue and Diamond postulates "Why did New Guineans wind up technologically primitive, despite what I believe to be their superior intelligence?"Is New Guinean a race?Maybe, maybe not... but reverse the statement and then see how the critics chime in.
Not as compelling as "Collapse" but a good read nontheless.
Diamond presents a look at the evolution of various Cultures throughout the World and how geography has played an important part in their developement.The reason that Eurasia and North Africa evolved more highly developed (technologically anyway) cultures was that there was a wider variety of wild plant and animal species that could be tamed by the humans living in those areas following the Ice Age than there was available to humans in other parts of the world.This enabled people in these areas to develope farming societies (which required more specializations than hunter gatherer societies) more quickly than in other parts of the globe.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Civilization    4. Ethnology    5. History    6. Human Geography    7. Life Sciences - Evolution    8. Social Science    9. Social evolution    10. Sociology    11. Evolution    12. Sociology, Social Studies    13. World history    14. Reading Group Guide   

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   

Editorial Review

In 1988, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin undertook amission to heal "Jewish ignorance," an affliction whose symptoms include the ability to name the three components of the Trinity, coupled with an inability to explain Read more

Reviews (62)

converting to judaism
Having purchased this remarkable book and thinking that I knew quite alot about Judaism was quite an eye-opener for me. I was astonished at the wealth of information this work has to offer anyone who is interested in learning the basics of the jewish faith. The articles which are divided between the Bible, the holidays, the history of the jewish people, the holocaust and other subjects provide the reader with an excellent source of material and a basic knowledge of all things jewish. I recommend it highly.

No Jewish home library is complete without it.
I find myself returning to this book again and again to answer questions that come to mind and many discussions I have been part of have been started by a single sentence in this book, as Telushkin is wonderful at examining various perspectives on any given subject. And, Telushkin also has a knack for reporting a lot of information in a very concise, clear manner-- no long, drawn out rambles at all.

5* Brilliant Read - All Jewish households should own a copy
I bought a copy today, and although I have not (quite) finished reading it, it is already clear to me that R' Telushkin has written an excellent book, ranging from history to topical issues and much more. The quality of this book is very high, and although it does occasionally not go into quite enough detail, at least this means that, unlike other similar books I have seen, it flows very well, and is well suited to its target audience.
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Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. History    3. Jews    4. Judaism    5. Judaism - General    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Reference    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Jewish studies    11. Religion / General    12. Yiddish   

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 (76)

A Few More Thoughts (more myth debunking)
Ok, As many have pointed out the book doesn't address the problem of towers falling at near-terminal velocity all the way into their own footprint.
Open your eyes people!!!
People....Please..Do you honestly think Popular Mechanics can set straight all that is wrong in the world?Who owns Popular Mechanics?Hearst Publications!Who is Hearst Publications?Do they have any connection to our government or any aspects of the government?Can they be COMPLETELY trusted to give factual, unbiased opinion?There are hundreds of unanswered questions regarding the events that took place on Sept. 11th. yet they think they can dispell them in one book?Let's look at just 2 issues shall we.First of all, World Trade 7.Sorry folks, buildings made of steel and reinforced concrete don't just fall down because a building nearby fell down.Fires or no fires this building absolutely just fell like the footings were just removed instantaneoulsy..Buildings that have been subjected to earthquakes and hurricanes see more violent shaking and yet at least some of the building remains intact if not compltetly intact.This building was demolished by explosive charges placed well in advance of Sept. 11th.Why?We may never know but it obviously was to hide something or to use the event to sway public opinion towards war.Secondly, crashed airplanes leave debris.LOTS OF DEBRIS!!!The crash at the pentagon left no signs of a crashed BOEING 757!First of all, have any of you ever seen a Boeing 757 besides in photos???They are a huge, heavy, loaded with flammable jet-fuel, aircraft.You don't crash a jet of that size anywhere without leaving debris.The hole in the side of the pentagon is NOT big enough to be caused by a Boeing 757 and that is the simple truth!A person could drive themselves crazy with all the information out there but the simple fact remains..NO WRECKAGE..NO PLANE and buildings don't just fall by themselves..I am a republican and I voted for BUSH but this whole situation stinks of a government cover up!Does Bush know anything?Doubtful.I've come to realize the man is a complete idiot.Probably why he was elected in the first place.The people in high places needed a patsy and they found him.You gotta love it!!!

Careful, Logical Look at 9/11 Attacks & Surrounding Hysteria
Debunking 9/11 Myths provides a straightforward, lucid response to many of the far-fetched claims that the hijacked-airliner attacks on September 11, 2001 were somehow perpetrated by elements within the U.S. government.
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Subjects:  1. Conspiracies    2. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    3. History    4. History: World    5. Miscellanea    6. Modern - 21st Century    7. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    8. Politics / Current Events    9. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    10. United States - 21st Century    11. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    12. Current Events / General    13. LITERATURE - ESSAYS TRD PB    14. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    15. USA    16. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

Perhaps the greatest book by one of our greatest historians, Read more

Reviews (68)

One of the most important and fascinating books i have ever read & read again
I first read this book many years ago and have re-read it more than once since then. This book is one of the most engaging I ever read and is also a volume that includes a wealth and variety of knowledge that makes me want to read it again now. Few books have left me feeling such conflict at finishing it. Part of me is exultant at the pure pleasure of the learning experience, part sad because the glorious experience is ended. No person who considers themselves educated - truly educated - can fail to read this powerful volume.

Informative Read
The Discoverers by Daniel Boorstin gave a great background to the technological and geographical improvements over the past 4000 years.
Discover the Discoverers
Discoverers is a stand-out for both its scope and detail (more on detail in a moment), but what makes it truly remarkable is its subject matter, its illumination of ideas and bits of knowledge so basic to our everyday thinking that we scarcely, if ever, pause to think about them: our concepts of time, location (geography), physiology, culture, among others.The book is eye-opening, as it shows through historical exploration that for most of human existence most people have lived without using our concept of a year, our idea of a week, and much less our calibrations of twenty-four hours to a day, 60 minutes to the hour and 60 seconds to the minute.Similarly, the notions people have had about where they were on the planet, what the planet was, where it was in the universe, etcetera, were all equally vague (although everyone, everywhere, seems to have been fairly comfortable in the "knowledge" that their particular city was the center of the world and the world the center of the universe).Once Boorstin has laid bare the arduous path the human mind has had to trail-blaze to arrive at our modern ideas of time and space, he turns to the human body, showing that our modern knowledge of its constitution and function, too, is the result of hard-won, centuries-long, intellectual battles.
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Discoveries (in geography)    3. Discoveries in geography    4. Discovery And Exploration (General)    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History Of Science    8. History: American    9. Science    10. World - General    11. History / General    12. World history   

Reviews (3)

Lives up to the Pirate Soul Museum!
Croce's Pirate Soul book is an amazing achievement in that it captures a large part of the history, interactive entertainment and pirate lore residing within Croce's one of a kind Pirate museum in Key West, FL. This is no small feat given the quality and scope (over 500 authentic artifacts) of the museum and is a testament to Pat's emerging presence as the foremost pirate expert. Whether you wish to relive your Pirate Soul museum experience or get a taste of the world's largest collection of pirate artifacts, this book is a must read!

the perfect pirate book!!
this book is a major WOW!everything you'd ever want to know about the golden age of piracy while making the trip so fun and hands on.i just keep going back through it and finding more and more "stuff"!i love just leaving it out on my coffee table -- no one is shy about playing with it and talking about it. a great gift this holiday season for all pirate lovers.

Brilliant interactive adventure and wonderful learning experience
Croce has introduced a whole new way of learning about Pirates that children and adults can enjoy.This book makes the experience of reading to your child truly enjoyable.The numerous 3-D representation of Pirate artifacts is a great way to tell the story.The playing cards, fold-out map and the Henry Every's "Wanted" poster are brilliant additions to this book.My children (all ages 6 and below) were fascinated by the history and Pirate culture.There are many imitations, but this book is the real deal!!!!!Buy it for you, your child (as a treasure/keepsake) and for a relative!!!!Worth every bit of the price!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Maritime History    6. Navigation    7. Reference    8. Travel writing    9. World history: c 1500 to c 1750   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (22)

Ludicrous cartoon fallacies
To best judge the 911 commission it is logical to look at the commissioners themselves. As chief executive Philip Zelikow was the chief architect of the report. Zelikow is a personal friend of Condoleeza Rice one of the chief witnesses called to testify. He is also a rabid neo con who worked under Bush at the National Security council.
Comic Book Read Is No Joke...
This review refers to "The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation" by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon...
Fast and Accurate
I wish more reports were put in graphic novel format, I think they would be huge sellers.The drawings make the characters come alive.It's almost like reading a movie. This is a fast read, enjoyable, entertaining, and it seems to be accurate.It puts everything in perspective and doesn't lay blame on one person but on all govt. agencies and politicians. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Fine Arts    4. General    5. Graphic Novels    6. Humor    7. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    8. Political Terrorism    9. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    10. United States - 21st Century    11. War on Terrorism, 2001-    12. Comics & Graphic Novels / General   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Dictionaries    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Intellectual life    6. Philosophy    7. Reference    8. World - General    9. History of ideas, intellectual history   

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 (3)

Now this is a real Revelation
I have read some of Revelations. I could never bring myself to finish it. Unlike the Old Testament with its wonderfull stories of human trials and tribulations Revelations is page after page of hate and revenge. It never fit in with the rest of the Bible and it doesn't. This courages work brings to light the reasons why.
AN ENGROSSING, CONTROVERSIAL LOOK INTO THE ORIGINS OF ESCHATOLOGY!
Three and a Half Engrossing Stars!!
Cuts Through Evangelical Fundamentalist Garbage..
I happened to come across this tasty volume by accident and found myself up half the night sucked into its pages.The author covers all aspects of Revelations and does an exhaustive, yet entertaining critique of the stories aka metaphors contained therein.For End of the World Enthusiasts and Conspiracy Buffs, some of your paranoia will dissipate. For die hards, forget it.They'll believe what they want to believe.For Evangelicals and Fundamentalist Yahoos, you might just lose some steam.This book has something for everyone. It's an intelligent cultural study of a book in the Bible that's been bandied about for centuries.There will be no absolutes when you get to the end.But you will have learned what all the fuss is about.Sure to tick off more than a few know it all holier than thou folks for its bold candor.Maybe that's why I like it so much. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Christianity - Theology - Eschatology    5. End of the world    6. Eschatology    7. General    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History of doctrines    11. New Testament Commentary    12. Religion    13. Religious aspects    14. World - General    15. History / General   

Subjects:  1. Jainism    2. Jewish - General    3. Judaism - History    4. Reference    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Jewish studies    8. Judaism    9. Reference works   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (148)

Falling angels and rising tides
Author John Berendt doesn't tell a story, so much as paint a portrait in The City of Falling Angels-appropriate, perhaps, since the American view of Venice is so colored by art and architecture. The reader gets a protrait of a Venice that is simultaneously cosmopolitan-the playground of nobility, titled and untitled-and provincial-Berendt's Venetians are often distrustful of outsiders, and frequently resentful of the millions of tourists who throng the city, bringing traffic, environmental decay-and money. Though it was once the seat of an empire, Venice today is as much a tourist town as Las Vegas or Orlando.
Another City - no angels
It just didn't do it for me.Like so many other people, I loved Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.It was such a rich, unexpected book and came alive in the reading.But, I fear John Berendt had only one in him - one great story.He found a crime and a city and another series of characters, but he just didn't find the magic.