4 comments about On The Trail Of A Lion: Ahmed Shah Massoud Oil Politics and Terror.

1. The author does an admirable job describing Afghanistan's tortured past, present and future as a pawn of cynical imperialists, most notably the USA. He correctly oppoints out how the Americans supported the Taliban when it was convenient to do so, especially if it meant fattening corporate campaign chests. He also correctly implies that this relationship may still be ongoing, despite the manipulated war on terror which is being used to mask hegemonic capitalism's grand designs for Afghanistan. But the focus of his book is Ahmed Shah Massoud, the legendary Lion of Panjshir, who desperately sought to warn the west of the Taliban's dangers. His murder two days before the diversionary "suicide" attacks on 9-11-2001 prompt speculations about the timing and the source of the hit orders.
   All in all, a delightful introduction to a leader whose death may lie squarely in America's hands. Wait until the Bush impeachment trial to find out.



2. This book was the narcisitic excercise of an American-hating hack. This book contains hardly any real information about Massoud. His name is merely used to sell conspiracy drivel and pat himself on the back. I've seen more supporting evidence in tabloid publications. It is a shame that Amazon does not have the sense of fairness to publish negative reviews of the book. This is my second attempt. Maybe if they cared more about honest opinions rather than sales, their customers would be happier with the products that they "believed" they were purchasing. I seriously doubt this review gets published, either.



3. I bought this book to read about Massoud. As hinted by the title, it seemed like a wise choice. What I found instead were the musings of Rowan, a narrow-minded Canadian-national humanitarian aid-worker, usually making outlandish, anti-American claims. It would be one thing if he was articulate in his thoughts (I contrast this work with Rory Stewart's work about his trek across Afghanistan), but examining the early chapters of this book makes it clear that we are not dealing with a thoughtful, educated individual. Being swindled by locals while exchanging currency, walking up to random people in central asia because they "look like Afghans", and getting turned away at borders gives us some insight into this feeble mind. In fact, Rowan at one point speculates that the Uzbek taxi driver practice of splitting fares with colleagues for long trips is an effort to save gas. It's this type of conjecture that rears its ugly head all too often in this narrative.
   
   Rowan's attack on the United States became obvious to me when he began painting unflattering depictions of US aid-workers, in contrast to his own Canadian colleagues. Individuals are individuals, entitled to their subjective views, but leave it to Rowan to use a chance conversation on an airplane to generalize about an entire country. What bothers me are the factual inaccuracies in the narrative--Rowan should have done his homework to understand that without assistance from America, Massoud could not have risen to the prominence that he achieved.
   
   About 70 percent of Rowan's narrative was set during the 1990s and prior to that, which begs the question why wasn't this book published earlier? Coupled with his choice of title, I have no doubt that Rowan wanted to play on Massoud's death to try and make a few bucks. Sadly, this is hardly the definitive, well-researched account of Afghanistan's national hero we are looking for. Unsourced assertions about the CIA and US leadership quickly stripped any credibility the book had at the start.
   
   In the end, Rowan should stick to the subject he knows best -- humanitarian aid work -- and leave geopolitical, military, and intelligence commentary to others. It's clearly not his lane.



4. A quick read catering to those who admire Ahmed Shah Massoud as the "Che" of the Middle East and the dire situations he has faced in his homeland. Although the quantity of the content in regards to direct relations and general philosophy of Massoud is somewhat lacking, Rowan more than makes up for it in his very concise account of the various allied and enemy factions that make up this richly historic but completely fractured country. Quite frankly, there isn't much available of note on Massoud's life in print (there is a French documentary in DVD "Massoud L'Afgan", which I have not seen)so Rowan's personal account is noteworthy. He also gives some very interesting details in regards to the U.S.'s duplicity in the whole affair. Worth reading!

No comments about LUXE European Grand Tour Box (LUXE City Guides).

4 comments about The Yogurt Man Cometh.

1. Kevin Revolinski's first day in Turkey as an English teacher is spent trying to make two Turkish yogurt salesmen understand that he doesn't really want to buy six kilos of yogurt. Intrigued? The adventures only get more interesting and personal from then on: from trying to teach Turkish children English while simultaneously learning about futbol and Turkish pop stars from them, to traveling in Syria and suffering a rather nasty bout of amoebic dysentery, Revolinski offers a no-holds-barred look at a country that doesn't get nearly enough attention in the travel writing canon. A quick, fun read, and one guaranteed to make you hungry for travel and new experiences.



2. "The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales Of An American Teacher In Turkey" is Kevin Revolinski's memoir of what he saw and did as a faculty member of a private school In Ankara, Turkey, where he taught English to classroom students from 1997 to 1998. Kevin combines and chronicles his many adventures traveling as well as his memorable teaching experiences. Writing with an impressive candor about encountering Turkish culture, having cope with a new language, explorations of seeming timeless and surreal landscapes, making lasting friendships, even his attempts at cross-cultural flirtation and acquiring a taste for 'raki', "The Yogurt Man Cometh" is an entertaining as it is informative - as well as being especially recommended reading for anyone considering embarking upon their own business or recreational trip to Turkey.



3. This has got to be one of the most informative books on the adventure of teaching in Turkey -- and the funniest, too. Hopefully the author will write more!



4. The Yogurt Man Cometh by Kevin Revolinski is a wonderful travelogue/memoir. Revolinski, an American from Wisconsin, decides to become an English teacher at a private school in Ankara. He spends a year there at Büyük Kolej in the Gaziosmanpaa section of Ankara, quite close to where I used to live. He describes school life which reminded me of my own middle school-high school days at a similar school in Ankara. The Ankara he describes is of the late 90s and while much has changed since the days I was there, many things appear to have remained the same. I enjoyed reading his descriptions of living in Ankara as well as the sightseeing trips he took to various parts of the country. He paints a vivid picture of Turkey, the people, the culture, the food, and the book is full of warmth and humor.

No comments about Vanishing Tibet.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Lebanon.

1. For thousands of years Lebanon has occupied a position in history that is entirely out of proportion to its size. Nearly every Westerner has read or heard about this tiny country, yet its past and present, its inhabitants, and the land itself hold countless secrets. Ann Jousiffe's "Lebanon" will help you explore this legendary corner of the eastern Mediterranean, discover many of its unique treasures, and savor its seemingly infinite variety. Her book provides historical, cultural, and political commentary, advice on food and accommodations, extensive background on archaeological sites, a useful language section, and a glossary. It also includes maps and color photographs.

   A perfect companion to Jousiffe's book is "Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen: A Culinary Journey through Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan," by Lebanese-born Sonia Uvezian. An astounding achievement of culinary, historical, and cultural research, this masterly volume is a godsend for anyone who plans to visit Lebanon.




2. When I decided to move to Lebanon three years ago, I bought the first edition of this book, and it was like a bible for my husband and me as we got our bearings, traveled around the country, and branched out on our own. We still use it as a reference when we go back to visit our favorite places. The information is clear and easy to follow, the historical sections, information about the culture, and practical information are all up to date and accurate. All in all, this is an excellent resource for anyone coming to Lebanon. Enjoy your stay!



3. When I decided to move to Lebanon three years ago, I bought the first edition of this book, and it was like a bible for my husband and me as we got our bearings, traveled around the country, and branched out on our own. We still use it as a reference when we go back to visit our favorite places. The information is clear and easy to follow, the historical sections, information about the culture, and practical information are all up to date and accurate. All in all, this is an excellent resource for anyone coming to Lebanon. Enjoy your stay!



4. I returned to Lebanon after many years away. This book had everything! My family (who have never left Lebanon) were also amazed by the detail and accuracy of the book (even the cost of a Taxi from Homs to Beirut to within 50 cents US). Insightful and straightforward. Arranged very well. There is very good detail, even on places that the Ministry of Tourism is scant on. Highly recommended!



5. Having travelled a lot using the LP guides with no problems I can only recommend them... but even if your not planning a trip to Lebanon- this book is amazing as a reference to the region; making order out of the chaos of Lebanon's recent history in an unbiased and moderate historiography- unswayed by religous or cultural persuasion and remaining sensitive to Lebanon's unique history of generally fruitful co-existance and co-operation between some 15 different religous/cultural groups who inhabit and interpret such a dramatic and tiny country, especially in a region characterised by the sometimes not-so-happy collision between east and west. This is an extremely valuable guide for travellers, people with an interest in the Mediteranean and the Near East, or for that matter, any one of the 13 million Lebanese descendants living outside of that tiny piece of heaven. The section on Mount Lebanon was particularly good, though the author could have covered more of the awesome hiking trails and forest overlooking Beirut to be found in the Metn valleys (midway between Jenkins & Jousiffes Mt Lebanon & Chouf)... but no body's perfect!! :) This book is excellent and very well written- the authors deserve great credit.

No comments about Lonely Planet North East Asia (Lonely Planet North-East Asia on a Shoestring).

No comments about Silk Road Countries Map.

2 comments about In the Shadow of the Himalayas: Tibet - Bhutan - Nepal - Sikkim A Photographic Record by John Claude White 1883-1908.

1. this book shows the above counties'sights by photo from 1883 to 1908.you may say this is an old records.however,especially the kingdom of sikkim,
   the records on this book are very very variable and important matwerial even if you have not any interest in this country.because many people never heard the name of "sikkim",that's the important point.we thought we know all countries around this small globe,but it's not correct.because we never know about sikkim at all,even the name of this coutry.I hope you agree with me about this point,at least.today you can touch and know every countries at book stores except sikkim.hope you may have the same feeling and thoughts about this small black hall in this world.how can i say...we have to know more about sikkim any way . thank you.



2. This extraordinary book presents 113 sepia-toned photographs, with commentary, of the people, architecture and landscape of Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim, taken by a career British officer in the late 19th and very early 20th century. Anyone with an interest in this region should be enthralled by his remarkable photographs of these remote mountain worlds. The photos represent an important historical record, and give us a fascinating view of these mysterious hidden kingdoms. The book is beautifully designed, and the authors provide important historical background on the photographer (John Claude White), his life and times, and the history of the region.

5 comments about Over the Moat: Love Among the Ruins of Imperial Vietnam.

1. This is a first person memoir. It engaged me from the start perhaps because I had a draft lottery number that was the next one to be called before the Vietnam War ended. I have always considered how lucky I was and yet still eager to find out and understand the country and the people better. The war was such a turning point in the history of America. It was equally a turning point for the Vietnamese. The narrator takes a bike ride through Vietnam, makes a fortuitous stop in Hue, an old provincial capital city and that too becomes a turning point for his life. A quiet book, well written, enchanting. Enjoy!



2. 
   James Sullivan seems to have invented a new genre: the romance-thriller. Not one in which knife wielding, masked lunatics leap out of the bushes to threaten sex-crazed teenagers, but one in which the exigencies of the love itself, the longings and hesitations and misunderstandings, and the barriers raised by external forces, keep you on the edge of your seat. I stayed up until 2 in the morning finishing this one, dragged along by the compulsion to know what would happen next, what new byzantine twist would arise to thwart the lovers and how it would be overcome.
   
   I cannot recommend this book too highly. I give it four stars instead of five only because of some awkwardness in the writing, occasional lapses of grammar, and confused narrative flow (notably at the beginning), and because of a few omissions noted below. But the subject matter, the story, is so compelling and uplifting that I urge you to simply go with the flow and if you have to paddle a bit to get into it, soon you'll be swept away by a powerful current.
   
   Very briefly, the story is that of a young man, the author, who on a lark joins a friend for a bicycle trip in Vietnam, which they will write up for a sponsoring magazine. In the old-fashioned city of Hue, they meet Thuy, a young woman with whom they are both smitten, Jim seriously so. On the return trip by train, after a brief and cryptic visit, Jim jumps ship and spends several weeks getting to know her and her family. If they are ever to have a future, she tells Jim, he must return for a year so she can "know his temper".
   
   After some time (it's not clear whether it's the promised two months or much longer) with his working class family and neighborhood near Boston, full of doubts and childhood/youth reminiscences, Jim gathers together enough money to live for a year, and returns. Over several months, their relation proceeds in the stately progression of a traditional courtship (interestingly contrasted with tales of the lurid sex trade Jim seems constantly exposed to, especially in Thailand, where he must return to renew his visa and for other business). As the relation gets serious, obstacles begin to appear, many seemingly due to one of Thuy's other suitors who works in the very department through which all paperwork relating to foreigners must come. We are also treated to a bit of travelogue, as Jim and Thuy visit a variety of sites or Jim deals with life as an outsider, and get to know Thuy's large family and their history, and the handful of foreigners living in Hue. I won't say more, so that you can discover this story for yourself.
   
   Much as I love this book, much as I urge you "go out and get it", it does have problems. Time is often maddeningly unclear. The author sometimes takes on an almost Asian allusiveness -- I'm still unclear what the exact duties of the "mah-sah" girls in his Hue hotel were, which would be fine if he didn't go on at such coy length about it. The philosophical interludes are annoyingly sophomoric, along the lines of "when I was ten years old, playing stick ball, this four year old girl whom I was destined to love was ..." or all the possibilities that he might not have met Thuy, or missed her on the return trip ... the whole unique miracleness of it all. Practical details that would enhance the reader's understanding are missing; e.g., it would have been nice to say something about how Vietnamese names are structured (why is Thuy's family "the Nguyens" yet her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bang?).
   
   There are puzzling omission -- Though Jim sometimes thinks about it to himself, could he really never have spoken with Thuy about how their life would be in the US, what would be strange and daunting, what familiar, what difficult? Did he never tell her they would not be rich? Though Jim goes on about his Irish Catholic upbringing, why was no connection with Vietnam made -- either in that the slow traditional courtship is maybe not so strange to him, or to the Catholic influence in Vietnam from French colonialism? In light of the barriers put up by the Vietnamese government to their marriage, it would have been fair to mention that many American GI's who married Vietnames women during the war were denied permission to bring them to the States by the US government (not all those Americans who were "good at leaving" intended to leave their families there permanently).
   
   Nonetheless, this is a book to treasure. Eager as I was to find out what happened, I was also reluctant for it to end. Let's hope the author has a sequel in the works!



3. Transport yourself to another time and another place through this love story, set in ancient Hue. James Sullivan did a great job explaining his thinking and feelings, and tried his best to explain how Vietnamese think. He did an excellent job giving the reader a feel for Vietnamese culture and beliefs from a very personal perspective. The story took a while to develop, and the jumping back-and-forth between various periods of time can be confusing at first. A must read for anybody who is thinking of traveling to Vietnam. Hue has changed much since this story (I visited there last year), so this book captured a Hue that's in the past.



4. This is the true story of an American who, on a bike tour through Vietnam, is suddenly smitten by a girl at a kiosk in Hue. On the way back from Hanoi to Saigon by train, he impulsively gets off and goes back to her house to ask her to be his. She says that she can't answer yet, she can't answer till she's known him for a year. Can he wait a year? Can he wait a year in Hue?
   
   It's a great setup for a book, but I was hoping to enjoy it more than I did. The problem is that the author is a bit incurious. The love story unfolds slowly, and during the time it unfolds -- a whole year -- it's not clear what he does. He writes in notebooks, but it all seems to be observations of himself. He can't get a job because of local regulations, except for some occasional work teaching English, so he isn't thrown into situations where he encounters Vietnamese other than Thuy and her family on a daily basis; and he doesn't try to integrate with other Vietnamese groups, perhaps to avoid causing trouble for them; so it means that the only Vietnamese he encounters are friendly barmen and hotelkeepers, and opponents in the police force and the immigration services. There are some nice descriptive passages and some of the turning points in the love story are genuinely tender and touching, but there are also some startlingly infelicitous sentences for a writing workshop graduate: "You couldn't forge mettle with the notes of an inspirational soundtrack running through your head" or "On day seventeen, my appetite quietly called for more than the couple of spoonfuls that had been satisfying it". The Publisher's Weekly review on this page comes closest to matching my own feelings: if the author had dug deeper and spoken more directly the book could have been much, much stronger.
   
   Pleasant, but I was hoping for more. I would recommend Andrew X. Pham's Catfish and Mandala instead as a truly insightful Vietnamese-American cultural encounter, though from a different angle. And it has bikes too!



5. This real-life story reads like a novel. Our book club had a good discussion about Over the Moat. I hope James and his family live happily ever after.

1 comments about LUXE Beijing (LUXE City Guides).

1. Well written, funny and sarcastic. This is a great guide for the non-touristy, off beat sites to see in Beijing. Tends to be higher end venues so if you are a budget traveler, look elsewhere