1990 Books

Often, reading about the situation in Iraq is a complicated chore, but Haider Ala Hamoudi makes it a page turner. His story is told through lots of anecdotes-- sad or funny or both-- which among other things reveal a number of unexpected cultural differences between Iraqis and Americans. For a quick read that gives a sense of day-to-day life in post-Saddam Iraq, I highly recommend this book.

The War in Iraq rages on - but the rebuilding has already begun. "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is the story of one Haider Ala Hamoudi, one who has dedicated his life and well being to restoring the country he loves. He tells his story of rebuilding and how the events of these past few years have changed his life and the lives of the people around him. A different look at the Iraq conflict, "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is highly recommended to community library current events shelves.

'Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir' will remind you that Iraqis are individuals just like everyone else in this world and even though the US government and media will many times make it sound like they are lesser people because of the harsh world that they live in, this book is a stark reminder that given the right opportunities they are no different than anyone else. Read this book and learn more about Iraq and decision that were made which put the country in the state it it currently in. A thoughtful and interesting piece of work that is well worth the time.

**** RECOMMENDED

Howling in Mesopotamia is a very good book written by an Iraqi- American who decided to revisit Iraqi during its initial post- Saddam Hussein years. Author Haider Ala Hamoudi was sent to Iraq on official university business with one main goal in mind: To educate the people of Iraq on the rule of law and help the nation transform itself to a democratic and just society. During his two years in the land of his forefathers, he does get to work with educators but he also has time to spend with his family, explore the different areas of Iraq, and witness first- hand what Iraq is like now that Saddam Hussein is gone and the nation is controlled by the American military.

Hamoudi traverses the Iraqi nation and gets to talk and interact with Iraqi natives and Americans who are there to help rebuild the nation. He listens closely to the personal stories of Iraqis and gets a perspective on how they feel about the changes that have taken place in the past few years. He takes part in different Iraqi festivals and soaks up the culture. He exchanges words with Iraqis who don't quite understand the American way of life and cannot understand why Americans speak and act the way they do. He comes away from his experience with a feeling of despair but also a glimmer of hope. Conditions are bad, and many Iraqis fear for their lives every day. But there is always that small chance that, one day, Iraqi will be able to stand on its own, defend itself, and offer a stable government for its people.

The collective mood of the Iraqi people is certainly foul, but there are a few bright spots. One is the fact that Saddam Hussein is no longer in charge of the government. The book is quick to point out the jubilation that was felt by the majority of Iraqis when Saddam Hussein was no longer a threat and the equally joyous occasion when Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed in a gunfight. Hussein's brutal regime was largely feared and despised in Iraq, and few if any tears were shed when Hussein and his boys were eliminated from the country. But does this mean that Iraq a safe place to be?- Far from it, in the eyes of the author and those living in Iraq. Even though Saddam is gone, the country is in complete disarray and frequent mention is made of the seemingly indifferent attitude of the Americans in Iraq and how they have done little to nothing to help transition the nation from dictatorship to democracy. In the minds of the Iraqi people, the American forces either do not care or do not know what to do. With people dying from gunfire on a daily basis, Iraqis don't feel much safer than they did under Saddam and they long for the day when the U.S. forces are gone and they can reclaim their land.

This book offers many personal stories about the time Hamoudi spent in Iraq and he lets his own feelings shine forth on many occasions. His whirlwind of emotions is one of the book's many strong points. He feels for his family and misses them dearly. He is saddened by the tragedy that has befallen his nation and wishes it would improve quickly. He is appalled by the sight of filth in the cities and in the countryside. But he is also very excited at the book's end when he meets the woman he will eventually marry. Still, the overall feeling is bleak. Hamoudi came to Iraq hoping to offer a helping hand in the reconstruction of his homeland but his optimism gradually diminishes with each passing day as he bears witness to the ruined nation around him- a nation no closer to political stability than it was in the days of Saddam.

Howling in Mesopotamia is a very personal and powerful book about one man's journey to his homeland and his interactions with his family and fellow countrymen. The writing in this book is impeccable, and it makes for a great companion when you're in the mood for some reading that almost seems too surreal to be true. Some parts read like a work of fiction. But make no mistake: this is a work of non- fiction through and through, even though the author probably wishes it was a fictional novel rather than the cold, hard truth.

Regime change in Iraq hasn't been easy. Saddam is gone, but chaos and disorder are still part of life in this ancient land. The poor living conditions of the people, the turmoil of the government, and the ruinous state of the economy are all realities in post- Saddam Iraq and while the situation looks gloomy, there is still an iota of hope that Iraq might be a stable country once again. Howling in Mesopotamia explains it all, from the perspective of a man who grew up in Ohio to Iraqi parents and still hopes his homeland will be safe and secure in the not- too- distant future. Hope is all that many have left, as the war continues to drag on and on with no end in sight and little or no progress toward stability. This book explains the current situation well, and it ranks as one of the best books I have read on this subject.

Written with disarming honesty, this memoir of an Iraqi American is a fascinating look at the Iraqi people during the American occupation. Professor Hamoudi returned to the land of his family after the invasion in 2003 with high hopes. As a bilingual lawyer from a prominent Shi'a family, he was in a good position to help with the building of the hoped for democracy. He is obviously a privileged and highly educated man, idealistic and religious but also secular. He hated Saddam Hussein and what the psychopathic dictator had done to his country. But Hamoudi is not just some ex-pat returning to his homeland in other to reap the spoils of war. Instead, as one cannot help but know from reading his engaging account, Hamoudi sincerely believed in the American effort and wanted nothing more than to be an instrumental part of bringing about a secure, happy and prosperous life for Iraqis.

In this he failed as he tells us in the final pages. He tells us why candidly. He writes: "...between air conditioning failures, power cuts, limited grocery options, appallingly slow internet connections, a near entire lack of recreation, and, of course, a constant fear of annihilation, life was becoming unbearable, my ability to write limited, and my efforts to teach Iraqi students psychologically exhausting, I felt myself wasting away." (p. 271)

Note well the practical and personal nature of his concerns. How easy it would have been--and how empty--for Professor Hamoudi to say he could not achieve success because the American occupation had been so poorly planned and executed, because the uneducated and warring Iraqi fractions were at one another's throats and were not ready for democracy. How easy it would have been to blame others, but characteristically Hamoudi blames himself and accepts personal responsibility for his "failure."

But it was not a failure because one of the things that came from his experience was this book. It is a great success itself because it shows the Iraqi people--and especially this particular Iraqi, himself--in a genuinely human way, complete with shortcomings and strengths, complete with differing ideas and beliefs, but with very much the same humanity that we all share.

Curiously enough this memoir is also a charming love story that takes the reader by surprise. Here is how Hamoudi recalls the first conversion with his future wife, Sara, whom he met while working in Kurdistan Iraq.

"'I am sorry, remind me of your name one more time?' I asked.
"She looked confused, but replied, `Sara.'
"'Sara, Professor Saman said you were interested in applying for a Fulbright, and I would like to help you. Have you completed the application?'
Sara is confused. They are conversing in Arabic, but that is not Sara's native tongue. After some further confusion, Hamoudi asks again, "'Did you not actually apply for the Fulbright? Do I have the wrong person?'
"She shook her head from side to side and stared at me, unsure of what I was saying."
At this point Hamoudi decides to go and fetch Professor Saman.
"I turned to the door. Suddenly I heard a lovely voice.
"'O thou Professor, dost thou refer to the application whose pages must be completed in full along with the most favorable recommendations sent by professors that doth hold me in the highest regard?'"
Hamoudi says, "Huh?" And then gets an inspiration: "'What dost thou say?'
"With this the most beautiful smile I had ever seen appeared on Sara's face. `I understandeth thy latest utterance thou professor of wisdom!'
"'Dost thou understand only classical Arabic?' I was feeling rather stupid speaking this way but had no alternative." (p. 200)

As they say in Hollywood: Boy meets girl, cute!

Of course love in Islamic lands is rather formal. They can hardly be together and certainly not alone. He can buy her a friendship present, maybe, but not a romantic one! And to use the word "love"--well, here is how they managed it over the telephone:
"'Haider?' she asked, as I was preparing to hang up the telephone.
"'Yes, Sara?'
"'I want to teach you a new Kurdish word before you go.'
"'Okay.'
"'In case one day you want to tell your mother, or maybe your aunt, "I love you" in Kurdish, this is how you say it--Khoshem Ewet.'
"'Got it. I am sure my Arab mother and aunt will like that.'
"'Goodbye again, then, Haider.'
"'Khoshem Ewet, Sara Khan.'
"A pause, then, in English, a language she did not know well, `I love you too.'" (p. 217)

I came away from reading this book with a new understanding and appreciation of the Iraqi people. Initially I was disposed to question Professor Hamoudi's motives, figuring that he was just another of those privileged exiled Iraqis, like Ahmad Chalabi, who promoted the invasion of Iraqi for personal gain. But Hamoudi reveals himself (as one must in telling such a long and personal story) to be sincere, hardworking, intelligent, diplomatic (very! and patient), vulnerable, more heroic than he knows, a man of the world who understands better than most of us not only what has happened and is happening in Iraq, but a man who has that understanding as both an American and an Iraqi who is an Arab Muslim. If we had more people like Professor Hamoudi in this world, the quarrels, the misunderstandings, the suspicions and hatreds that exist among people would be largely quelled and the world would be a better place.

I hope this book is widely read, as it deserves to be.

My clearest memory of the 1980 Kardiac Kids has nothing to do with any game or player. Instead it occured as a passenger in my mom's car about a week before Christmas and the song "Twelve Days of a Browns' Christmas" came on the radio. My mother, who is neither a sports nor music fan, surprisingly listened to the entire song. She then smiled, shook her head, and said: "People are nuts, aren't they?" To me, it was proof that Kardiac Kids' mania, which had swept the city, had in its own little way affected my mom too.

It's goofy stuff like the above which reminds me why the Kardiac Kids are still loved and why they are such an important part of the history of the Cleveland Browns despite the fact they never won a single playoff game. It is because they brought so much sheer joy and excitement to Cleveland at a time it didn't have anything else to be upbeat about. So much so that even non-sports fans, like my mom, got caught up in it.

The late 60's and the 70's were an awful time for Cleveland- riots, factories closing, the river on fire, the city in default, and being the punchline for every lame joke about civic despair and disarray. As the 70's ended, things looked grim in Cleveland. Nor could Clevelanders take solace in their sports teams: the Indians were in the midst of their decades long span of non-contention, the Cavaliers were being run into ground by the buffoonish Ted Stepien, and the Browns, once the "New York Yankees of pro-football," were wallowing in a sustained period of mediocrity.

Yet in 1980 that changed. Led by a glib, gambling head coach, Sam Rutigliano, and argubaly the greatest overachiever in Browns' history, QB Brian Sipe- a former 13th round draft pick who eventually went on to shatter every Browns' passing record- the Browns went to 11-5, won their division title, and captured the hearts of a city. That is the story of Jonathan Knight's "Kardiac Kids."

Knight takes the reader through the entire football season: from an ugly pre-season, to the disappointing 0-2 start, through the tough march of regular season with its bruising contests against the more highly touted Steelers and Oilers, the agony of the Vikings' game, and the clinching of the division title. Of course, Knight devotes a entire chapter to the legendary "Red Right 88" playoff game which has been seared into the memories of all Browns fans since including those who weren't even born yet.

Knight also attempts to capture how the city literally fell in love with this team. By the end of the year, thousands of fans were greeting the team at the airport upon their return from victorious road games. He recounts stories of Kardiac Kids' mania sweeping Cleveland in late 1980 in a frenzy that had not been seen before or since. He also takes occasional glimpses at the world outside Cleveland: the on-going presidential contest between Reagan and Carter and the death of John Lennon. However, these are minor asides in comparison to the very detailed depictions of each individual game.

Overall, this is very well-written book. Knight thoroughly researched his subject. In addition to watching old game films and scouring newspaper archives, he was also able to interview many prominent members of the Kardiac Kids including Coach Rutigliano, who wrote the book's forward, Doug Dieken, Thom Darden, and Mike Pruitt.

I read "Kardiac Kids" for the same reasons Jonathan Knight wrote it: being an ardent Browns' fan who is fully aware that the 1980 season was special, but wasn't old enough to truly appreciate it at the time. In his preface, Knight states that in lieu of a time machine allowing him to go back to 1980 and experience it himself, he wrote this book as being "the next best thing." I think he succeeded at this goal admirably.

I may have been born in 1979 but this book is a must-read for all Cleveland Browns fans. It is nearing the end of the 2004 season and things are not looking well but reading this book will help you get through tough times like these.

The author provides an accurate description of each and every 1980 game along with a nice prologue, epilogue and "Where are they now?" type information.

I will buy every book by Jonathan Knight!

I have to be truthful here. I really didn't like the book after reading it once. When I went back through it for a second time, I began to understand Knight's thought process when he put the book together, and even though some parts were tough to get through, I was glad I re-read it by the time I finished. If you don't know much about the famous Kardiac Kids, I'd recommend that you give it a thorough read. If you're a self-proclaimed Browns expert, check it out from a library somewhere.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD READ CONCERNING THE 1980 CLEVELAND BROWNS ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE ON THEIR WAY TO THE PLAYOFFS. THE AUTHOR DOES A GOOD JOB RECALLING ALL THE EXCITING, FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING MOMENTS OF THIS MEMORABLE SEASON FOR THE BROWNS. HE COVERS HOW THE TEAM WAS PUT TOGETHER, INTERVIEWS FROM PLAYERS AND COACHES FROM THAT TEAM, AND GAME BY GAME REVIEW. ALSO COVERS DRUG ABUSE, TEAM COVERAGE OF PREVIOUS AND NEXT SEASONS. JONATHAN KNIGHT CERTAINLY DID A LOT OF RESEARCH AND RESULTS ARE A GREAT JOB. VERY RECOMMENDED.

i am 15 years old, and a browns fanatic. i am unfortunate enough to have not experienced the 1980 season firsthand. however, this book makes me feel as if i had. i picked it up because my dad would always tell me stories of how good they were and it made me want to be a part of it. it is very well written, blending accounts of the PD (clevelanders know what that is) with insights from the players and coaches. this is the best book about the brwns i have ever read, and aside from friday night lights, this is my favorite book of all time.

There was a brief stage in my college career when I hoped to get into newspapers. Unfortunately, I'm a very slow writer. I would sweat bullets over remarkably simple stories, and my editorial prowess was equally dubious. It was at that time I discovered Carl Hiaasen and his remarkably subversive novel, TOURIST SEASON. His author's bio indicated that his newspaper setting was drawn from authentic experience -- he was a columnist for the Miami Herald.

Unfortunately, the web was just in its infancy, and access to Hiaasen's newspaper writing was apparently one of the few exclusive benefits of living in South Florida. KICK ASS turns out to be just the sort of collection that I had been craving for many years.

KICK ASS does not disappoint. It begins with a nifty introduction that provides a smattering of biographical information on Hiaasen, as well as a context for the subjects and tone of his columns. Hiaasen clearly resides in a longstanding tradition of muckraking American journalism, and I mean that in the best possible way.

This is no mere sampling of his work -- there are more than 200 columns here, organized by topic, and just about every one of them meets the mandate stated in the title of the collection. Hiaasen has a passion for the environment, consumer protection, crime control, and good government. His portrait of a Florida reeling after the flood of growth and development of the last three decades is even starker than the one in his novels. Speaking of the novels, it is also fun to see where he "lifts" some of his ideas for the things that happen in his books. The overamorous dolphin of NATIVE TONGUE appears in KICK ASS as well.

If there is anything to regret about this book, it is that the topical organization often generates confusion for the reader when certain figures re-occur. Some of them almost develop a roguish charm. After all, us non-Floridians don't have to live with the direct consequences of local corruption. A little wrap-up to let us know how some of the notorious figures and controversies ended up would have been nice. I always hated that device at the end of his novels, but it would be perfect for a collection like this.

As a lifelong resident of Florida (albeit a ninetten-year-old one), I have seen Florida at its best and worst. Hiiasen's columns represented in this book illustrate the "politics" and people of a great but confused state. If you live in Florida, have visited, or even have heard of it, this book will both amuse and depress you, as is the nature of the state. Everyone will identify with the outrage Hiiasen evokes over the disregard of the envirnment, the sham of politics, and the overall life in Miami, and indeed, all of Florida. This book will remind readers of what Marjorie Kinnan-Rawlings and Marjorie Douglass once experienced in Florida, and tells both the good and the bad of what has happened after a hundred years of exploitation If you want a non-stop laugh and a big dose of reality, read this collection - it's one of the best books in print right now.

This book is; to borrow another Hiaasen title a real Hoot. He is without a doubt not only informative,and thought provoking but he does it while leaving his readers in stiches. I think he shows a genuine affection for the idiots he writes about

I've never set foot in Florida, but I can't get enough Carl Hiaasen. I've read every single novel he's written and I have to say his columns are just as worthy a read.

From the opening column of the book (Carl Hiaasen's Florida Stress Test) to some of the more serious writings (the group of prostitutes he talks to, the crumbling county health building) Hiaasen writes it all with a razor-sharp flair and zeal that can't be matched. You know this guys just loves going to work every day.

Who else would refer to the newly elected mayor of Miami as a "pernicious little ferret"?

Keep them coming, Carl. I'm waiting on Volume 3.

Sidenote: I also wrote this review for "Paradise Screwed" b/c it's the same book, just different selected columns.

If you've ever read a Carl Hiassen book (or Tim Dorsey for that matter) and you wonder where he became so cynical, or where he gets his outrageous ideas from, read this book. Taking only the best of his newspaper columns, this book gives little glimpses into the absolute mess that was Miami/South Florida in the 80's/90's. Taking on anything from connected land developers, to cartel-backed politicians, to prostitute employing evangelists.

Each column is 1 to 1.5 pages in length making it the perfect length to read here and there, or big bites at a time. If you're a fan of Carl Hiassen, try this book not for Hiassen's opinion, but just for the shear knowledge of ludicrisiosity he imparts.

In this book any page you turn to is an amazing photo. While the book is on photo journalism, the photos are highly artistic. Probably one of the best photography books ever created. Not only are the photos wonderful but the production of the book is perfect...great size, high quality printing, sturdy binding and pages, excellent layout and light on text but the text that is there is well written. This is a must have for any photo library.

This is one of the very best book of photos that I have seen in my life. I you like photos you would love this book, even if it contains some very crude photos. I think it is a must for anyone enyoying the art of photograf.

these pictures speak a million words: about the beautiful things in life as well as the dark side of life.

One of the best books of photojournalism that I've ever seen. Highly recommended.

It took me a year to get all the way through it. Each image is independently powerful, enough so that I had to spend a great deal of time studying each diptic (a year in total). If you can judge this book by it's cover, then judge it by one word on it's cover - MAGNUM. You won't be disappointed.

Good guide for starters... Exactly what you need to make up your mind whether a 924-944-968 could be a good project for you... Would recommend it...

As a fairly new Porsche 944 owner, I have to say that this book has filled in a lot of gaps about the history of the car. The pictures are terrific, especially the opening few pages with visual comparisons from year to year from the front, side, and rear. The only thing lacking is clearer coverage of the one-offs and special editions (such as the 968 Turbo). The author does clarify this omission by saying that the book only covers models that were in general production. The 968 Turbo was built for competition only and not meant for the street.

For the Classic Front Engined Porsche car enthusiast, this is a book you need to have. All of the technical information and more that will enhance your understanding of these Porsche models of the past.For the avid collector or owner of any of these models, this book is a must.

This is an absolute must-have book for any 924/944/968 owner. The author gives great detail in options available on all of the model years. As a 944 owner, this book is an essential reference for me.

Every 924, 944 or 968 owner or enthusiast must have a copy of this excellent book by Peter Morgan. The book contains detailed information and superb photographs of all models in the series and is divided into logical chapters. The book is also an excellent reference containing details on VIN's, engine numbers and options.

I bought this after getting the Formula 1 in camera series from Haynes (50s,60s,70s,80s).

This is a stunning book. Excellent pictures and great history. Very well written and covered, as is the Porsche 956/962 book from Haynes.

This was pretty good. It covered a lot of things that Porsche did and the politics too, interesting stuff. I would have liked more on the -10 and -30 but maybe there wasn't more. None-the-less if you're a Porsche guy like me you need this one.

The was a CHristmas gift to my husband who absolutely LOVES this book. Regular delievery was quick and the book was packaged well! Thank you!

In my opinion, this is by far the best book out about the history of the Porsche 917 race car; (I have not read the newly released one by Gordon Wingrove yet; I heard that is good too because he was behind the scenes, in the pits etc working on these cars.) Mr. Morgan's book however takes you through the history of the 917, from the early beginnings of testing on up to the 917/30 version and it's banning from Can-Am racing. The photos are awesome and great source for reference for a model builder, such as myself. You will not be disappointed- trust me!! I will be ordering Gordon's book here shortly and I'll try and leave a review of that one as well!

I purchased this at the same time as Porsche Prototype Era: 1964-1973 in Photographs and this was the superior book. It was a consise, complete and fascinating look into the 917 family from it's roots through the 917k and finally the Can Am effort. There were also many personal stories and anecdotes and it wasn't a dry technical dissertation.

If you have any serious interest in this family of cars, I'd highly recommend it. Porsche Prototype Era is more dedicated to the photos with a sort of "skim" of the history but this is the book you'll remember.

More than just a casual pass through Bangladesh to investigate Grameen Bank, the micro-credit phenomenon started a quarter century ago by Muhammad Yunus, The Price of a Dream fills in gaps left by other writings. It puts a human face on the poor of this impoverished Asian country, formerly known as East Pakistan. It brings poverty-stricken Bangladeshis into your livingroom as factual, not fictional, folks.

"Aren't all Bangladeshis poor?" you ask. No. There is wealth. But there are also tens of millions of families so impoverished that one cannot begin to understand the depth and breadth of their deprivation without actually visiting this tropical nation or coming to know some of these people through a book such as this.

Bornstein writes in a painterly way. His stories, both sad and glad, weave a mesmerizing pattern of the richness of Bangladeshi life amid trying circumstances. How people cope, how they react to successes and disasters, how they work to pull themselves up economically and socially: every thread is pulled through the loom in due course to render a true and clear representation of lives on the ragged edge. Thanks to loans from Grameen, millions of families have been able to hem that edge, one stitch at a time, to finish off their piece of cloth.

For his part, Yunus, speaking as the economics professor he once was, declares, "Credit is a powerful weapon, and anyone possessing this weapon is certainly better equipped to maneuver the forces around him to his advantage." (p. 228)

Micro-credit empowers the unempowered. No one describes that process better than David Bornstein. The Price of a Dream will open your eyes to the possibility of minimizing the indignity of poverty in our lifetime, if not eliminate it altogether. Every beautiful tapestry starts with a single thread. Even if that first thread is mere hope, it's a worthy place to begin.

This is a great book & I recommend it to anyone interested in development in third world countries. Ought to find its way onto a few economics course booklists I hope. It does not offer a step by step guide on how to set up a system in your own country, just a generalised working. Not a big criticism, as that would be a subject for a less accessible, more technical book. For starters, this is it!

This is the best book Ive ever read. I'm an international banker of Banladeshi origin working for one of the worlds biggest bank. After reading this book I feel I want to quit my day job and work for Grameen and actually make a difference to the world by helping to eradicate world poverty.

David Bornstein has written the book beautifully.

Dr Yunus is a legend.... Respect to you sir

omar_rahim@hotmail.com

Intended for an audience unfamiliar with micro-finance, this book offers an easily readable history of the Grameen Bank and the potential for loaning to poor women. Even though I have some background in the field, I still found it an interesting story. However, the author relied heavily on Grameen staff and translators and I felt that the level of analysis and criticism that would have been useful was lacking. It is more a journalistic story than an academic analysis of this institution.

I've been reading a lot of books on microcredit/microfinance and this is very thorough; I would reccommend it for anyone interested in the industry and to those trying to duplicate Grameen's efforts in other areas. It gives you an indepth look at the Grameen Bank(it's successes, failures). It also gives you an opportunity to look at the bank from the perspective of the borrowers and the staff. All the stories aren't rosy and glamorous which makes this book a lot more balanced than what I've read in the past. The author gives you the room to create your own views on Grameen and microcredit(as a sustainable means to fight poverty). This was a great read!!

Excellent reading for all. This book was well put together and truly helped me understand what a nurse working on the front line during times of war is exposed to both mentally and physically. Page after page the author, Deanna, shows us what the true definition of what a nurse really is and what all nurses should strive to achieve. If you want to read a book that's impossible to put down till it's finished If your a nurse looking for inspiration. Even if you're not a nurse. Most of all, if you are looking for that, "written from the heart kinda book", this books for you.
By far the best book I've ever read. 5 stars plus more!!!
Well done Deanna, well done...

This book was so good, I could not put it down. It shows humanity in the face of war.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Germain said about this book that she hoped "to put a human face on war, showing that it affects us all, no matter what side we are on." She also helps families of returning soldiers to understand some of their loved ones' re-entry issues. The story of Germain's Abu Ghraib experience is important reading, and Lounsbury has done a masterful job of professionally writing the narrative.

Lt. Col. Germain in her memoirs spoke of great values that are easily lost in the battle field. She cared for her Iraqi patients and treated them with respect and dignity. She lived by a strict code of conduct when humiliation and torture of prisoners was taking place so close by. She made us all proud Americans by demonstrating our true values to those who disagree with us and certainly won their hearts and minds.

Great reading. You really have to admire her. News coverage what a bunch of BS.

My wife and I used numerous books for our trip to Italy and France last year. (Our first ever to Europe). We bought Let's Go, Eyewitness, and the Rick Steve's Italy and France books. They were all very helpful, but Rick's books proved to be the best for down and dirty information to make the trip easier and more memorable. Not only are his practical tips worth their salt, but if you agree with his travel philosophy you will have much more success by following his suggestions. The other books are good in certain areas: Let's Go: additional places to stay in case your first choice(s) are full, Eyewitness: Great for pictures and facts so you know where to go when you are there. Everywhere we went travelers had these with them. We were on a tighter timeline so we studied before we left and left these heavy books at home. Rick's books are full of the basic information you need to avoid delays and prepare yourself for cultural differences so you enjoy them. I could go on forever...

This book teaches American travellers how to visit Europe so that they actually experience Europe. He explains how to travel lightly, happily, and inexpensively. Worried about a language barrier? Learn how to overcome that imaginary barrier and experience Europe for real.

THIS WAS A CRITICAL BOOK FOR US, WHEN WE WERE BACKPACKING IN EUROPE IN 1993; WE ARE 50 YEARS OLD, AND STAYED AND YOUTH HOSTELS, AND TRAVELED BY EURORAIL. WITHOUT THIS BOOK WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE TRIP NEARLY AS SUCCESSFULL AS IT WAS. WE SPENT SIX MONTHS IN EUROPE AND THE BOOK WAS OUR BIBLE, AND WE TOOK AND USED IT EVERWHERE.

THERE IS NO REASON PEOPLE OUR AGE CANNOT MAKE THE TYPE OF TRIP WE DID, IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THIS BOOK, AND ALL THE OTHER ADVISE WE RECEIVED FROM RICK STEVES.

THANK YOU TERRY AND TRISH BRIMHALL

Professor Steves gives his insights on the whys, wherefors and hows of travel. This book is for everyone, promoting a perspective of travel that is light on the budget and heavy on personality and culture. A must for anyone seeking a true experience of Europe (or any othere country for that matter). After reading this book, you'll laugh at your friends who're bragging about the four-star hotels they stayed at in Paris. They had a gold-trimmed bed; so what?!? Your maid invited you to dinner at a small underground cafe with some of her friends.

Rick Steves is the best when it comes to traveling in Europe, having fun, learning lots, and "making memories..." This new edition from the "Europe Through the Back Door" series is by far, the BEST of the BEST...Better than "Let's Go," and more fit for the personal budgeted traveler. From the tiptop of Norway to the boot of the Mediterranean, Rick gives workable, practical, and useable advice on how to "do it all" without Spending it all. Take this guide with you, everytime, and then pass it on! You will be glad that you did, and so will your friends!

Raghubir Singh's River of Colour is a book that beautiful in many ways. Not only was he a very talented photographer, he also brings out a tremendous sense of patriotism with his book. His photographs capture the essence of Indian culture.

I was given this book (softcover edition) by a friend some years ago, and it has resonated with me as one of the finest compilations of documentary photography on India. Raghubir Singh's photograph captures moments in the lives of ordinary Indians, in a way that is without a doubt timeless. This book is a collection of his best works from his many years of photography in India and it's simply a marvel, especially for anyone who has a special interest in India or comes from India, who can really appreciate the imagery.

I hands down recommend this book to anyone and everyone and always show it off to friends. Try and get some of his other works as well - Bombay, The Grand Trunk Road, Kerala, Banares, Kashmir, if you can find them. You will be equally impressed.

Raghubir Singh was born in India and began his photography career in 1965 - but until this collection, very few of his works reached audiences outside the country. RIVER OF COLOUR: THE INDIA OF RAGHUBIR SINGH uses a wide-angle panoramic layout which will prove a shelving challenge to most art library collections - but a delight to any who seek fine display materials. It's the only retrospective of Singh's works and by choosing an elongated, oversized display format, the color photos of Indian topics come to life and nearly spring off the page. RIVER OF COLOUR is recommended not just for art photography libraries, but for any collection strong on India history or culture.

I first bought this book in its paperback edition... I was so taken by the photographs that on learning that Phaidon was re-releasing the book, I gave my pbk copy to an Indian friend of mine (who loves it, as it reminds him of home). Looking forward to the re-release of this book, I was eagerly looking for it to become available.

The re-release arrived just the other day. I can say that the photos are just as moving, heart-melting, and colorful as the original copy. HOWEVER, Amazon's "shrink-wraping process" ruined the cover of the book, and many of the pages of the book.

So, I paid full Amazon price for the book, but were I to try to re-sell it, it would be "damaged."

To say that I'm a little piss#d is an understatement.

It _is_ a beautiful book, with a wonderful overview of Singh's work - my favorites are the boys diving from the tops of submerged temples on a flooded Ganges, and a pic of a muscician from Tamil Nadu...

I just wish the condition of the book were better.

India is a difficult country to understand and even more difficult to explain, in words or pictures! Rughubir Singh has captured the chaos of India which take you right into the bylanes of Varanasi/Banaras. This is my favourite(infact the only picture book) gift to a lot of my western friends, most of whom have visited India before. The pictures are simply too powerful. If you have any facination for that land, you cant afford not to have a look at Mr. Singh's pictures.