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.

2 comments about In Search of Genghis Khan: An Exhilarating Journey on Horseback across the Steppes of Mongolia.

1. In this book Tim Severin is not really searching for Genghis Khan himself, as the title states, but for traces of the lifestyle and traditions in the modern world that have been inspired by the great leader. Severin traveled throughout the vast and sparse nation of Mongolia, mostly by horse and in the company of herdsmen who still lived the semi-nomadic lifestyle that had endured for centuries. Severin includes fascinating descriptions of the harsh Mongolian landscapes and good character sketches of his companions. An added bonus is coverage of the semi-autonomous Kazakh people of the western part of the country, along with interesting ruminations on the death throes of Communism that were developing at the time. Interspersed with the travelogue are an engaging history of the Mongolian people and a compendium of knowledge of Genghis Khan and his conquering exploits. On the bad side, Severin is not a very strong writer (or needs a better editor), and he is often unnecessarily judgmental. This is evident in cruel conclusions about a member of the expedition named Ariunbold, a bureaucrat whose poor leadership deserved criticism, but Severin gets personal. The final chapter should probably be ignored as Severin passes judgment on the character and intelligence of the Mongolian people and the effects of their vast history, giving rather condescending pontifications of another people's culture and history. Fortunately, interesting tales of the Mongolian people and their intriguing landscape and history keep this book mostly enjoyable. [~doomsdayer520~]



2. 
   Tim Severin was invited to join a ride that would replicate the Mongol version of the Pony Express; two thirds of this book is about the ups and downs of that journey across the steppes of Mongolia. Severin talks about the recent and ancient history of the Mongols; visits a resurrected lamasery put together by monks that had been in hiding for over four decades; rides through the Hangay, the most scenic area of Mongolia; meets with Kazakh eagle hunters; visits an ancient shamaness; and goes on a shakedown horseback pilgrimage to Burkhan Khaldun, the holy mountain and birthplace of Genghis Khan.
   
   On the downside of this narrative is Tim Severin's continual frustrations with the leader of this cross-country ride that ostensibly is being done to celebrate the glory of the 800th birthday of the Great Khan. His carping about the incompetencies of this guy, as valid as they may have been, end up being a real drag on the story of the adventure. The reading starts to get wearisome at the half way point, with the particulars and extraneous frictions between the personalities feeling like the author is dumping on the wondering reader. But, stick with it - the narrative picks up the last third of the book and Severin redeems himself.
   
   Tim Severin's writing is definitely not of the caliber and gripping narration of "The Brendan Voyage" (see review). Yet, it still is a great story and presents much in the way of entertaining details. You may wish to read this book in conjunction with Jack Weatherford's book on Genghis Khan (see review).
   
   The Cloud Reckoner
   
   Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

No comments about Narrative of a Tour through Armenia, Kurdistan, Persia and Mesopotamia: With an Introduction, and Occasional Observations upon the Condition of Mohammedanism ... Christianity in those Countries. Volume 2.

1 comments about Knopf MapGuide: Beijing (Knopf Mapguides).

1. I admit this has nice sturdy fold out maps and it is small so you can put it in your pocket but then we run out of good things to say (2006 edition). The maps have things on them that aren't in the accompanying text and some things in the text don't make it to the map. This is especially annoying with restaurants, which come and go, as you'd love some idea of where they might be. Also the maps cover strange areas, with overlap so you may have to look at two different maps to find things. Half of Map E extends south of the Temple of Heaven where there really isn't much while the Xicheng/Haidan map misses the Beijing zoo unless you read the small print under the aquarium (think PANDAS if you have children). Also since the universities are in this section, the map could have gone north, instead of south, where it is empty of features. Then there are some little errors that could be deadly if you use this for navigation. The Lama temple Yonghegong is not closer to Guozijian Avenue than is the Metro stop.
   
   Presumably the 2008 edition covers the Olympic sites.
   
   I would purchase a city map from any hotel or news stand. Just check it has English. They should be about $2-3. Do not use the maps in any of the guide books. Above all get the business car of the place you are staying. If all else fails, the taxi driver can read it and take you home.

No comments about Tibet, 4th: Tread Your Own Path (Footprint Tibet Handbook).

No comments about The Silk Road Saga.

5 comments about Sky Burial: An Eyewitness Account of China's Brutal Crackdown in Tibet.

1. i recomend this book to everyone and if you are a tibetan you must read it. this is one of the best books i have read on tibet and it gives you a very vivid picture of the october 1,1987 uprising in Lahsa and the events that followed. it inspired me and it reminded me as a tibetan that there are thousands of tibetans right now as we go about our daily lives, that are imprisoned and being tortured mercilessly in a dark, damp cell in some corner of tibet. it reminded me that i have a responsibility as a tibetan towards the freedom of tibet. i constantly sobbed throughout the book as i learned more and more how the chinese relentlessy killed tibetans and tortured them with cattle prods, riffle butts, electric batons and all kinds of horrifying instruments. the book also includes numerous interviews with tibetan refugees who have escaped the tyranny of the red star. Blake Kerr later travels to Dharamsala and meets the Dalai Lama. the book is very well written and i enjoyed reading it and the scant humur used in it. go read it...



2. Add this book to Tears of Blood By Mary Craig and In Exile From the Land of Snows by John Avedon and Whispered Prayers by Steven Harrison. It is important to understand the brutal nature of China and what buying the "Made in China" label supports in both the government and those who control manufacturing and trade. Read, understand and act. This and other books will break your heart that the U.S. wants to become a business partner with the horror that is the government of China.



3. I'm from Brazil, and here we have only few notices about the situation in Tibet. It's not easy to me to read in english, but it's the only way to be aware of the terrible situation on Tibet. Sky Burial is one of these books that bring us some conscience and desire to make something to help those people and that country. Since I read this excellent book , I don't buy chinese goods anymore and I do the possible to talk about the tibetans reality with my family and my friends. We, all the people of the world must help Tibet from the chinese hands, before it's to late.



4. This book brought me to tears. As an activist for the Tibetan cause, I thought I knew how bad things were there, then I read this book. It is fantastically written and includes photographs of China's atrocities in Tibet.

   This book is the journey of a man. We watch him go from being a simple tourist and climber to being a doctor and a witness while being present at one of Tibet's largest recorded protests.

   Anyone who cares about human rights should read this book




5. I shared the same feeling when I read the bood, but when I went to Tibet by chance, I found so many lies in book. Tibet is a nice place, and most local people there regard Tibet as a China's province. Those people want Tibet's independence are just a small population, and creating all kinds of lies to get sympathies from all over the world.

1 comments about China: A Provincial Atlas.

1. I want this book. The maps are clear and beautiful, and the atlas includes information about population makeup and distribution, landforms, political divisions, a locator index for cities, et cetera. Each province or autonomous region is lovingly mapped and described fairly completely with information about geology, climate, agriculture, industry, economic development, history, et cetera.

   The book is expensive as well as being quite large and heavy, and you will probably be able to find most of this information in other sources perhaps published closer to home, for less money. The translation to English is by and large graceful and error-free. Includes information on Taiwan.

   The only thing I wanted was Chinese characters on the maps as well as the English transliteration of the place names.

No comments about Travels in China, 1966-1971.

No comments about Beijing Local Delicacies.