3 comments about Nelles Central Asia Travel Map with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan (Nelles Maps).

1. I am returning this item because:
   -Proper names are not spelled in standard English forms (the publisher of this map is in Germany)
   -It is difficult to read the map - it is a topographic map, which is unnecessary and makes it difficult to find and read the cities, notes etc. printed in red.

   Even if one is familiar with the region it is difficult to find things on this map!




2. A great overview of the region

   I like this map because the colors are subtle and the shading shows how very mountainous the region actually is. It helps to understand how the political boundaries came to exist. I also like that the parks, museums, and other things to see are marked directly on the map, so I don't have to hunt for anything in an index.




3. I used this when I took a tour along the ancient Silk Road. It showed all the spots we visited in Uzbekistan and Krybyzstan.

5 comments about Faith at War: A Journey on the Frontlines of Islam, from Baghdad to Timbuktu.

1. This is a good book filled with personal experiences of a talented journalist who has travelled extensively in the arab world. It contains haunting images of people and suffering and explores the ironies and contradictions of the Arab world. One is presented with an image of a hypocritical Saudi Arabia, which uses Islam to keep its people down, and comparisons with a more secular Mali, which has found a way to reconcile modernity and religious values.
   
   The book is unflinching in its critique of the American invasion of Iraq and the unintended consequence of the occupation. It is harrowing in its depiction of the vehemence of anti-Americanism from the wealthy suburbs of Cairo to the slums of Yemen. It create different looks at the seeming monolithic Hezbollah, unified by both public service and violent opposition to Israel.
   
   The one drawback is that the book is totally framed by the perspective of the author. To say it is an uncomprimising look at the contradictions of Modern Islam and the failure of US foreign policy is to overlook the subjectivity of the writing. Choosing to focus on mismanagement or soldiers gloating over Arab deaths, the author ignores the nobility of others who struggle to make a positive impact. Some things in the book are taken at face value, when more thorough inspection should be required. For instance, at some point the book claims American forces shot and killed an Iraqi man for discharging his gun, thinking his house was being burglarized. How did the author arrive at this conclusion ? Ask the dead man ? The conclusion to be drawn is that Trofimov took representations of others at face value, but when Trofimov experience pro-US sentiment, he assumes it to be the result of toadying rather than genuine sentiment.
   
   In the end, you have a well written book, containing fascinating yet selective experiences of the author. I recommend it as a fascinating journalistic travel journal, but like any journal one shaded by the authors subjective opinions.



2. Popular contemporary Islamic culture gets an airing in Yaroslav Trofimov's FAITH AT WAR, and the the non-islamic world is subject to a rude awakening 312 pages later. The author is very much a part of and participant in his inquiries into the attitudes that fuel resentment against the West and the US, whether in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan or Bosnia.
   
   I was astonished to learn of the paranoia and proclivity to believe the wildest conspiracy theories throughout Islamic societies. Indeed, and as a validation of Trofimov, a personal friend of mine recently visited Iran with his Iranian wife. On a mountain climb above Tehran with his Iranian-American daughters, he encountered two AK-47 wielding guardians of the Islamic revolution who were keen to ply my friend with all manner of anti-semitic conspiracy theories, including the long-discredited Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the "Israeli plot" to blow up the World Trade Center. Similar notions abound in Trofimov's accounts of his travels to "the frontlines of Islam" in the wake of the September 11 Al Qaeda attacks in the US.
   
   FAITH AT WAR is a model of engaging journalism, with its riveting insights and Trofimov's determination - even at great risk to the writer's life - to get Islamic spokesmen to speak with him, revealing their livid concerns and lurid fixations. The paperback edition comes with an updated afterword and there is a helpful glossary of terms as well. The book is a fine primer/introduction to the contradictions inherent in the contemporary global Islamic resurgence largely fueled by the fanatical, retrogressive Saudi Arabian brand of Wahabist Islam. Highly recommended.



3. I love this book so much that I already bought another to send to a friend. I will probably do it again if another friend did not buy it already on my advise. Mr. Trofinov succeed in making laugh while teaching me stuff about the world of Islam while others succeed only in making me cringe, fear, making my blood boil. The Journal is lucky to have him as a reporter.



4. This is one of my favorite books--fascinating and informative. I've sent copies to several family members.



5. I have always fantasized about being a world traveling journalist living a life of adventure and bringing my unique point of view to my readers. Alas, that is not to be. However, I certainly have a deep appreciation for up-close and personal viewpoints of world events. That's why I absolutely loved this book and devoured the entire thing in one big orgy of uninterrupted reading.
   
   Subtitled "A Journey on the Frontlines of Islam, from Bagdad to Timbuktu", Yaroslav Trofimov, an Italian citizen, is a Wall Street Journal reporter whose knowledge of languages, including Arabic, gave him access to people and places often denied to Westerners. He wrote this book between 2001 and 2005 and his writing style is simple, personal and full of facts, history and perspective. As I turned the pages, I was right there with him as he traveled around the Islamic world talking to clerics, ordinary Muslims and heads of state about their views on the current "War On Terror" that has brought attention to their perspective and, especially in the case of Iraq, has turned their lives upside down. He visited Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mali and Bosnia. That's quite a lot of places for one small book. They are all different, of course, but all share the Islamic world view, which, to my western eyes is a fresh perspective which gave me the chills as I slowly grasped the mounting significance of the present-day conflicts in all of these regions.
   
   The clashes have been going on for thousands of years, but modern technology has accelerated the process and there is a culture class on a grand scale happening all over the world. The author devotes four full chapters to Iraq, and, to his credit, acknowledges the difficult job of American and British military personnel whose presence in the region has created a whole new set of problems for the Iraqi people who once viewed them as liberators. Those days are gone forever though. I knew all this before I read the book, of course, but it's one thing to read newspaper accounts and watch a small sound byte on CNN or Fox News. It's another thing entirely to feel I was in the shoes of this reporter, eating the food, dodging the gunfire and talking to individuals. My own sensitivities have also been stirred deeply and I know I will never quite view the Muslim world the same again.
   
   The book is short, a mere 303 pages, but the author's skill managed to enlighten me about so much. Bosnia is very different from Timbuktu or Yemen, and sometimes it seemed as if these peoples have little in common. But the Islamic point of view is always there and very different from the Western world view. I applaud the author for clarifying this for me. Highly recommended.

No comments about Japan Through American Eyes: The Journal of Francis Hall, 1859-1866.

5 comments about Armenia: The Bradt Travel Guide.

1. This the first guidebook by a major publisher to this wonderful country. The book has a couple of quirks but makes up for it
   with lots of detail and a real passion for the country.
   It's a huge leap forward from the 'Georgia with Armenia' book previously published by Bradt. There are maps for each marz (province) and a smattering of city maps - Yerevan, Gyumri and Ejmiatsin. My main quibbles is that the selection of restaurants in Yerevan isn't as good as it could have been, and that the author has a clear fascination for trains which may not be shared by all readers. For example, most of the space devoted to Kapan, one of the nicer regional cities, refers to the trains and carriages stranded there. Otherwise, it's well written and obviously very thoroughly researched. The only place I can see which was missed is the Amaras monastery in Karabakh.



2. I agree with the other reviewer - it's a good effort and fairly well written. My main issues with this book are 1) that the photographs are incredibly bleak. If I had not visited Armenia last year, I definitely would not have based on the pictures. 2) The Nagorno Karabagh section was very light. It basically seemed like an after thought that was tacked on the last minute.



3. I recently moved to Armenia and purchased this book right before leaving the USA. My interest was mainly to use it to find neat places to go in the countryside, and this book definitely fills that purpose. We live in Yerevan, the capital, which is fairly well documented by the book.
   Our second weekend in the country we decided to travel up one of the nearby mountains - wife and three young children - to go sledding in April - and not speaking ANY Armenian yet. All we had to go on was the region map on page 106 and the narative description on the authors travels. We made it to our destination (and two meter deep snow) easily.
   Just this past weekend we used the book again to visit an old (1000AD) castle ruins and some monestaries hidden in the forests of the Lori region. The narative in the book was once again precise in all details - our only issue was when we encountered a newly paved road that was described as being in poor condition in the book (time has passed since the writting).
   I specially commend the book for those interested in getting out and around to the more remote areas.
   The book would be considerably better with maps of every town that the main roads turn in and color pictures mixed in with the text (right now the pictures are all at the center of the book). Yerevan itself is changing rapidly and may not be quite as described, but the countryside is almost identical to when the author visited.



4. This is a good book to have if you are visiting Armenia for the first time, so, you get a sense of what everything is and where to go. Compared to some guides about Europe, it lacks the picture/entertaining part. Usually, people see pictures, are attracted to what they see, and therefore decide to visit that particular location. However, lack of pictures only gives history and people may miss out on some great location, city, monument or achitecture because they may not feel moved by only its history. Overall a good book to have, it can be better though.



5. First of all, Nagorno Karabakh is a territory of Azerbaijan and listing it as territory of Armenia is totally inappropriate. Armenia itself as well as any country in the World never admitted that above referenced area belongs to republic of Armenia.
   What to expect from the book if its author don't even know geography and ignores all the ethical rules. This book is a total misrepresentation of facts.

No comments about Travels in Koordistan, Mesopotamia, etc: Including an Account of Parts of Those Countries hitherto Unvisited by Europeans. With Sketches of the Character ... of the Koordish and Arab Tribes. Volume 2.

5 comments about Essential Field Guides to Humanitarian and Conflict Zones: Afghanistan (Essential Field Guides to Humanitarian and Conflict Zones).

1. This book was made for the use of relief workers working in Afghanistan. Aid for Aid participated in helping provide the maps for this book .



2. CROSSLINES ESSENTIAL FIELD GUIDE TO AFGHANISTAN

   Published by CROSSLINES Global Report and Media Action International (formerly the International Centre for Humanitarian Reporting-ICHR)

   The Crosslines Essential Field Guide to AFGHANISTAN Is the only detailed guidebook dealing with the current situation of the country available in English. Although certain elements in the book have been overtaken by recent events, the field guide is still essential reading for all journalists, aid workers, diplomats and military personnel operating in the region or otherwise interested in Afghanistan. Journalists and relief workers from the BBC, TIME, UNHCR, UNICEF and other media or aid groups have already informed us that the Essential Guide to AFGHANISTAN is the best thing going for quick and informed background information.

   The book features over 500 pages of political, humanitarian and military analysis, biographies of key Taliban and opposition players, essential information briefs on agriculture, medical relief, environment, culture etc. as well as all regions of the country, street maps, advice on health and security, phrasebooks in Persian and Pashto, contact details for diplomats, aid agencies and journalists. Specially commissioned essays written leading experts analyse the country's political, military, humanitarian, and cultural situation. All country data was collated through first hand field research the editors.

   The editors are Edward Girardet (a journalist and former correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor; also author of Afghanistan - the Soviet War) and Jonathan Walter (a former officer with the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas, and editor of the World Disasters Report)




3. Crosslines Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan tells the full story about Afghanistan in a way I can't find in any other book. Whether it's politics, culture or humanitarian information you're after - it's all in there. I never realised how big those Buddhas were that the Taliban blew up until I saw a picture in this book! If you want to understand more about the country at the centre of world news, this is the book to buy!



4. This is an excellent guide to Afghanistan. Both for the expert and the newcomer. Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, I would recommend the Essential Field Guide as a must to all US and Coalition soldiers and peacekeepers. It could save their lives and US policy.

   The guide provides exactly the sort of quick understanding with excellent overviews and infobriefs on culture, economies, health, environment, ethnic groups etc. that would prove more than useful through a more thorough understanding of this country and its people. Edward Girardet, who has written for the Christian Science Monitor and National Geographic, is also one of the top experts on the country since first reporting it at the beginning of the Soviet invasion. Apart from its information, the guide is simply a joy - and incredibly interesting - to read. Anyone serious about Afghanistan - aid worker, journalist, diplomat, academic, traveller, human rights advocate...should have a copy if not in their pocket then certainly on their bookshelves. Political science and journalism students should also study this as a must. It beats most other books on Afghanistan. Girardet and Walter and the Crosslines publishers should definitely do other books on humanitarian and conflict zones elsewhere. If they can do the same for Africa or the Middle East as they have with Afghanistan, they are doing an incredible service to all concerned.




5. The new (2005)edition of this guide brings the story up to 2004 and contains ample documentation regarding the struggling new democracy of Afghanistan. The writing is rich in colorful, touching, scary, revealing details that tend to get filtered out of official and semi-official reports. I found the discussions of deforestation, landmines, and security particularly helpful. Written from a European perspective, the book provides many useful suggestions for travel in Afghanistan that usefully complement advice from American sources.

No comments about Travels in Koordistan, Mesopotamia, etc: Including an Account of Parts of Those Countries hitherto Unvisited by Europeans. With Sketches of the Character ... of the Koordish and Arab Tribes. Volume 1.

3 comments about Vietnam in the Absence of War: One Immoral War, Two Revealing Bicycle Trips.

1. Vietnam In The Absence Of War: One Immoral War, Two Revealing Bicycle Trips by Thomas G. Rampton is an informative and engaging travelogue replete with gorgeous color photography, detailed maps, and poignant personal observations of his bicycle trips through Vietnam in 1998 and 1999. Picturesque, vivid, wistful, and a recommended joy for armchair travelers, for Viet Nam bound visitors, and for anyone curious to learn about what life is really like in modern-day Vietnam.



2. I found the writing to be a bit stiff and the overall book not that engaging. Too many pithy, non-exciting anecdotes. Unless you need to read a book about this man's journey's look elsewhere



3. I really liked this short read. Like most good stories, this one is a familiar subject, told from a different view. Namely, that of a soldier who went back simply as a man, and found a warm and friendly people waiting for him. If you are uncharmed by Mr. Rampton's dry wit, which can't hide anywhere in this book, you are made of harder stuff than this reader is.

1 comments about The Beauty of Korea.

1. Suh-Jai-sik is an artist in his own right. His photography skill is simply awesome, and his homeland, Korea, is a good colorful place to use the skill.
   
   192 pages, this book gives insight into Korea and it's people who live in pride and dignity on the beautiful land.
   
   The book consists of seven chapters with outstanding photography on each page: Seoul, Kyongiju and Puyo, Buddism, Cheju Island, Tradition and Folk Customs, Nature and Life, Preparing for the 21st Century.

5 comments about Korea & Her Neighbours (Pacific Basin Books).

1. this books tells more than just facts about korea one hundred years ago. she-isabella bishop-wrote it on her experience in korea. she traveled every mountain,river and road on her foot, well, actually, somtimes in a boat and carriage. anyway, though it was very hard time then and she had not only pleasant experiences, her love to the country shines throughout the book. i think it is lucky for us korean that she wrote this book.



2. KOREA AND HER NEIGHBOURS is a book that is eerily prescient about Korea. It is also provides glimpses of Korea as it was before Japan's Occupation. It has all the confidence of its time, but has some drawbacks.

   KOREA AND HER NEIGHBOURS was written by a remarkable woman, Isabella Bird Bishop, an independent British Victorian lady who had also written books about Japan and the US. She toured Korea four times between March 1894-7, and also toured Manchuria and Korean settlements in the Russian Far East. She visited Pusan, Seoul, and Pyongyang, and also sailed the Han River on a raft and climbed the Diamond Mountains. Her accounts and opinions are unusually precise and honest, and still meaningful. Other topics of discussion include marriage customs, shamanism, political events, accounts of the Sino-Japanese War, Koreans in exile, and interviews with the Korean royal family.

   The book also includes photographs, particularly useful and informative, since the Japanese destroyed many of the royal households during the Occupation.

   Bishop had the opportunity to see parts of Korea that most foreigners have not seen since the Korean War and the division of the peninsula. Although she is very critical of the Korean government and upper classes, she develops a fondness and sympathy for the people of Korea. But, that does not impede her honesty, and she criticizes common behavior and customs readily.

   Although the book is full of information, whether it be political, historical, sociological, or naturalistic, her Victorian viewpoint is very apparent. Her faith in Japanese (and Russian) assistance to develop Korea is uncannily prescient, if only naive. Confronted with the account of the murder of Queen Min by the Japanese, she can only plead special pardon for the Japanese, whom she sees as enlightened saviors. Her belief in development is well-meant, but is too simplistic for such a backward country as Korea was. But her account of foreign efforts to reform Korea are expansive (she includes ample appendices and transcripts of government documents). She is a firm believer in a form of democratic republicanism not seen since the First World War.

   This is a treasure for students of Korea and Asia, but also for students of the late 19th Century. This very spirited, independent woman amazingly travelled alone, accompanied only by hired men, down rivers and up mountains in summer and winter, walked across battlefields, waded through slums, and interviewed kings, queens, and politicians. This is not only a triumph of scholarship, but of adventure.




3. This book presents an insightful account of Korea (in particular, Seoul) during the final years of the Lee Dynasty.
   We learn that Seoul in those days bore striking resemblance to present-day North Korea, i.e. a total hell hole. I find this fascinating because most, if not all, Koreans speak fondly of this period and lambast the Japanese for destroying their "culture".
   
   Highly recommended.



4. Isabella Bird did a wonderful job in describing her first-hand experience of Korea and its society before Japanese occupation. Her striving for accuracy and fairness is commendable and many pictures show glipmse of life in Korea in late 19th century.



5. Although this book gives an interesting snapshot of the state of Korea during the 1890's, I found the perspective to be a bit dated. Bird is a layperson describing events and accordingly provides a superficial account of Koream events. This is also a perspective of a Victorian lady with all the prejudices of that bygone era. The book is amusing from that perspective and is more like a novel; but it is hardly a scientic or sholarly study--if you are looking for a more scholarly work in your study of Korea and its history at this time you might instead look to more a recently published work and written from someone with appropriate educational background and training.
   
   Accordingly, this book should be read with a grain of salt as it is written by a layperson with all prejudices of a bygone Victorian era. It is hardly historical. It is perhaps like reading WWII American accounts of the Japanese empire and its people and taking that as the historical perspective.