Exports Books

Great, great follow-up to The Kite Runner. I would say that A Thousand Splendid Suns surpasses author Khaled Hosseini's first novel but that might tend to diminish The Kite Runner. Both are extraordinary works that provide intimate insight into generations of Afghani culture.

Mariam and Laila are two women from different generations who are forced into marriage with a much older and abusive Rasheed. Both women are trapped in a male-dominated society through a very tumultuous and violent period in Afghanistan. For them, the price of survival is enormous self-sacrifice, humiliation, constant beatings and, ultimately, reliance on each other.

Like The Kite Runner, Hosseini tells this story against the rich and violent backdrop of Afghani history - an insight very few westerners see and understand. Another true epic tale that hits the heart and leaves an everlasting impression. A novel not to be missed.

After reading The Kite Runner and being amazed I had to read Khaled Hosseini's second novel. This was even better! I found it to be a very easy read, easy to follow through the stories of each character. I am truly emotional during each chapter of this book. I could not put it down. I am so grateful that the author has shared his experiences with the reader. This is a great book for all high school age people for educational and informational purposes. A MUST READ
Andrea

this was so well written. i was so amazed @ the things that happened in my lifetime.

Hosseini's second book is as good as his first. In this book he takes us along to witness the hard realities of life in Afghanistan through the eyes of two women trying to lead normal lives. Something as simple as loving and being loved back is not so easy in certain societies and certain times. The novel starts prior to the USSR's invasion of Afghanistan and ends in a post 9/11 world. The story is sad, but it is so well written that you'll have a hard time putting the book down. There are many themes in the book, but two strong ones are hope and perseverance.

I don't even know where to begin...this book truly changed my life. What these two women - Marium and Leila - go through is astonishing and heart-wrenching. You really root for them from the get-go and feel their pain as they experience heartache after heartache and disappointment after disappointment. They both experience so many awful things in their lives, separately at first, then together, that you begin to wonder if it will ever get better.
I loved this book, I'd recommend it to anybody and everybody. It'll move your very soul.

Full of cliches. Every stereotypical teenage issue is included. You never even find out the shooter's thoughts or why he performed the act- he never really explains anything. We see everyone's point of view but his.

I've been reading Jodi Picoult's books since the early days, and have been wondering lately if she's just running out of time and material. I picture this woman running for a life on a treadmill, racing to crank out one or two books a year. While I understand that writing is a business for many people, I have respect for people like Wally Lamb who wait ten years for a good story to come along (and offer to give back the advace money when one doesn't).

OK, so now that I'm not expecting great literature from Picoult, I have to admit to enjoying this story, if not immensely. It's readable enough and considering the subject matter, not terribly intellectually or emotionally demanding. If that's what you want from a school shooting story, dig in!

I had frankly hoped for more, and I couldn't help but feel that Picoult has become a victim of her own popularity. The plots and characters seemed pulled from her earlier works. I think she tried for complexity by making the characters more morally ambiguous. IMHO, it backfires -- Josie comes out looking like a brat, Alex a flake and Peter like a cookie cutter villain assembled from internet sites on school-shooters. By the middle of the book, I thought that maybe I had figured out the trademark Picoult surprise twist. I hoped for the next two hundred pages I was wrong. I was right.

This book suffered from other annoyances that have cropped up in Picoult's recent works, a superfluous love story (my only beef with the otherwise superb My Sister's Keeper is repeated here, even more pointlessly). There is also a ramping up of the saccharine parent-child love prose that was acceptable in MSK, getting annoying in The Tenth Circle, and here finally begins to assault my gag-reflex here. Yes. Parents love kids. But there are only so many paragraphs that can (or should) be devote to describing little Peter's kisses, or his chubby baby feet, or the handful of crushed flowers he gave mom as a toddler (not Picoult's exact images, but along those lines). This goes on for paragraphs and paragraphs, particularly in the last section. For crying out loud, Baby Boy has already grown up and gone on a killing spree! Give mom a more complex or ambiguous thought to grapple with.

If you're going to the beach and just want a light, fluffy read, this is the school shooting book for you. If you expect something dark, edgy, insightful, or provocative, it's going to look like pink cotton-candy.

I love this book, it is so very interesting that it is hard to put down!

This book is just too depressing. I liked Plain Truth but this one didn't have anything happy in it.

I found this book intensely, compulsively readable, couldn't put it down, then found myself feeling cheated once we got to the end and the Picoult twist was revealed. (*SPOILERS*) I have to say, by the end of the novel, I could not stand the character of Josie, and the fact that she for some inexplicable reason shot her boyfriend makes her completely despicable. I'm starting to wonder if Piccoult has a problem with teenage girls-I do note that her interviews state she is the mother of SONS-because she tends to paint all her adolescent female characters as completely unstable, irrational, and manipulative. I've read many of her novels and see this as a trend with her-from THE TENTH CIRCLE to SALEM FALLS to PLAIN TRUTH to THE PACT. Her female characters are so interchangeable they could all be the same person, too, in every book. What is with her demonization of girls? Did some evil girl accuse one of her sons of rape or something? You have to wonder, and I find it interesting that she's categorized as chick lit, her writing is the antithesis of feminist.

Great read! The characters are a bit impausible, but it all makes for a non stop action thriller

In more ways than one Larkin Conner Barkley lived life in the fast lane and that nearly proved to be her undoing. A car accident sent her into hiding with ex-cop Joe Pike as her protector.

Why would a non-fatal accident force her wealthy father, in conjunction with the FBI, to send her on the run? Why was the FBI involved?

Joe Pike owed a favor and taking on the task of protecting Larkin was his form of repayment. It was not a job he enjoyed and his only concern was keeping her alive until such time as she could safely return home.

False trails and lies will keep Joe on the run and the reader will travel righ along with him and Larkin in this multi-layered take of suspense. You will wonder who they can trust? Who is after them?

Talented author Robert Crais keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, turning pages to see what happens next with an easy reading story. A well-told tale with complex characters, each with their own motive and secrets that emerge slowly as the story unwinds. A story that will have you looking for other books by this very imaginative author. Enjoy.

This is a great book! Totally entertaining.

I picked it up yesterday afternoon and finished it several hours later. Great diversion.

Story has a fast moving plotline with lots of twists and turns. But it works. And feels 'real' - meaning it doesn't rely on completely outlandish, unbelievable events to keep the pace up (um, well, maybe there are a few that stretch credulity, but all in all, plausible).

And the characters are vividly cast and interesting. They really come to life. Pike is a real man's man - yet has a sensitive side to him that helps round out the appeal. Even the Paris Hilton-lookalike is likeable as she turns out to have some substance as the story progresses.

As a fan of Crais, I've always wanted to read more about Cole's buddy, tough guy Joe Pike. In The Watchman, we get to find more about this almost otherworldly character. And it makes for a very strong book and entertaining read. The spoiled socialite Pike is hired to protect is well drawn and believable, especially in this era of tabloids. If only Lee Childs, James Lee Burke and Crais could bring their heroes together, I'd not bet on who was left standing. Pike would certainly stand a chance.
Ron Lealos author of Don't Mean Nuthin'

A thriller from start to finish for sure. Joe Pike, the nearly silent partner to chatty P. I. Elvis Cole finds himself bodyguarding an immature heiress and witness to the presence of a highly wanted man in the United States.

As good as the story is, and it is good, it is the character of Joe Pike taking center stage that stands out and will be remembered. He's a man's man and his actions and abilities while formidable are not those of a superhero but rather a elite warrior. There's enough here too to keep female suspense readers enthralled. While some reviewers would have preferred Pike never show care for anyone or anything, I thought Crais was masterful in hinting at Pike's human core. Highly recommended.

Amazon readers rate Burke very highly. In all honesty, I don't know why. What do they see of interest in New Orleans, anyway?

Tin Roof was my only experience with Burke's books - and it will be my last.

Between the dark subject matter and the crude narrative, I won't waste my money or my time!

Great story line and characters - James Lee Burke just gets better and better. His research is excellent and I should know as I live in SW LA.

No one, no one has bothered to capture the catastrophe of Katrina in a fictional setting like Burke. His prose, as always, is beyond and above the mystery genre'. He constantly makes me stop and smile at his descriptions of both place and people. If only I could. There should be no cheap thrills in reading about the hurricane that nearly destroyed this great city, but Burke nearly pulls it off.
Ron Lealos of Don't Mean Nuthin'

Set in and around New Orleans during and following destructive hurricane Katrina, the Tin Roof Blowdown is a complex piece of crime fiction. Graphic descriptions of the terror and destruction wrought by Katrina, and frequent reminders of the ineptitude of the authorities in handling the tragedy, form the backdrop as the drama unfolds. Drama involving the disappearance of a young priest, the murder of a young black rapist and an innocent black teenager with the father of the rapist's victim being accused, and somehow the involvement of organised crime.

With the NOPD overwhelmed, Detective Dave Robicheaux is called in to investigate. As he works in the company of his old friend and ex-cop Clete Purcel, Robicheaux finds his own family comes under attack form a deranged .

Soaked in atmosphere and full of detailed description, and not fearing to make political comment, this is a thoroughly involving story. Part narrated by Robicheaux, and part related in the third person, a devise which while providing the full picture of events also provides a personal view on matters, we get a clear picture of the intricacies of the plot; and such is the skill of the writer that we not only see inside Robicheaux's mind, but we can actually hear his voice when he speaks.

(4.5 stars) James Lee Burke, whose Dave Robicheaux series epitomizes some of the cultural characteristics of New Orleans and its outlying parishes, reaches his peak in this novel set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Robicheaux is a detective with the New Iberia Parish, outside of New Orleans, and he and his acquaintances, many of them well known to fans of Burke's novels, have been dramatically impacted by Katrina--those that are still alive, that is.

Artfully combining real stories and details of the Hurricane Katrina disaster with fictional, but seemingly accurate, details of several plot lines evolving from the anarchy of Katrina's wake, Burke creates a chilling and compelling novel which crosses boundaries and throws together people from all levels of New Orleans society--well-to-do suburbanites whose wealth may not all be from legitimate sources, hardworking people who have secrets, "rednecks" who feel entitled to their sometimes ill-gotten gains, and those who live on the fringes of society and feel lucky to be able to know where their next meal is coming from.

In this novel, several predators steal a small boat from a parish priest trying to hack through the roof of a church to save his parishioners, who are in the attic trying to escape the rising floodwaters. The priest, suffering from cancer and addicted to pain-killing drugs, is a long-time friend of Robicheaux and his alcoholic friend Clete Purcell, but the priest has vanished after his boat has been stolen. The boat, however, has been used later in a home invasion and robbery which has resulted in the shooting deaths of two of the perpetrators. The house, which belonged to a member of organized crime, was robbed of a stash of "blood diamonds," some cocaine, and a large amount of counterfeit money. Several neighbors, who may have witnessed the shootings, have seen "nothing." One of them is the father of a girl who was raped earlier by some of the perpetrators. Eventually, the criminals threaten Alafair, Robicheaux's adopted daughter, and Molly, Robicheaux's wife.

As the mystery and the relationships among the various characters become more complex, the violence and the body count increase. Some of the characters, including one of the "perps," elicit significant sympathy, even as justice--and payback--play out satisfactorily. Burke, as always, creates vibrant, carefully rendered descriptions, often devastatingly bleak, of the environment in which his characters must operate. In the process, he makes the personal aspects of Katrina's aftermath come alive. Well organized and well integrated with the real Katrina disaster, this novel may be Burke's most memorable creation. n Mary Whipple

Swan Peak: A Dave Robicheaux Novel
In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead
A Morning for Flamingos
Heaven's Prisoners
Crusader's Cross: A Dave Robicheaux Novel (Dave Robicheaux Mysteries)

My daughter loved it!!!! It was a required reading for school (senior, high school) and she made a 93 on the test!!!!

This was my first Mary Higgins Clark book. I got this with 4 others stories by Clark and this was my least favorite of the four. I listen to them on CD while I walk.

What I didn't like about this story is that the characters weren't developed enough for me. I frankly didn't care too much. The first murder was of Darcy's character and I really didn't feel anything other than curious about how Erin would catch him. When Erin's character was in trouble my only emotion was that the outcome I predicted happened and I was a disappointed.

This book did hold my attention but it was predictable and the characters were not developed. I almost wasn't going to read the other books I got by Mary Higgins Clark based on Loves Music, Loves to Dance.

I really enjoy Mary Higgins Clark, and finally got around to reading this one.

Darcy Scott and Erin Kelley were always the best of friends. They each had a great career. Darcy was a decorator and Erin a wonderful jewelry designer. As part of a project, they were helping their friend Nona research the kinds of people who place personal ads in magazines trying to find their lucky match. Erin answered an ad, "Loves Music,Loves to Dance." That was the worst fate of all. When Darcy was going to meet Erin up for dinner one evening, she never showed up. This was totally unlike Erin, and Darcy knew something was wrong. Later when her body turns up, Darcy is horror-struck. After this happens, Darcy is determined to find out just what happened to Erin. So she manages to retrieve the ads her friend answered, and arranges to meet each of these guys in a safe place.

Darcy better watch out though. One of those ads was the killer's, and Darcy may end up dead. But the gentlemen who seem the most likely suspects are not the one. And the person Darcy believes she is the safest with, may be the biggest killer of all. And the whole time, he has been watching Darcy, and has BIG plans especially for her.

very good novel, not my fav one but it was very good, it was kinda boring in the middle but the end of course as USUAL it was the best!!!!

Darcy and Erin are doing research on the kind of people who place personal ads by answering some personals and going out on dates. Erin chooses one where the man signs himself, "Loves music, loves to dance" and he does - but he's also a serial killer.

This book follows the same old formula that all of Mary Higgins Clarke's books do: A beautiful heroine is stalked by a perverted psycho. She meets a lot of red herrings who could all be the baddie and we won't know the villain's true identity until the minute when our damsel is rescued by Prince Charming. There's no suspense or excitement.

Clark's books are quick reads, good for the beach or a plane trip, but too predictable and poorly written for me to read anymore of them. There are too many characters to keep track of, we're given way too much useless information about them, the dialog is full of grandiose words and phrases that aren't realistic, and we know the heroine will solve the mystery in the end. I like this book's title and the idea of a killer finding his victims through personals, but it didn't hold my interest.

Ever feel as though you are be watched? Ever wonder if someone was collecting personal information about you? In Jeffery Deaver novel The Broken Window, we are shown the underground world of identity theft. Jeff Deav explains in pain-staking detail what these creeps look for, how they access your info, the amount of time required to do such acts, and more. The story revolves around forensic science and tracing computers to solve the case and track down the bad guy...who has ties to Rhyme's past. Once again Linc is forced into the savior role and Amelia once again finds herself in trouble. The writing is top-notch. The characters are well-developed and believable and the story flows as smooth as a high-speed Internet connection. I would also highly recommend reading "Sirens" by Tin Geo: Sirens: A Novel it came paired with "The Broken Window" and I absolutely devoured it.

The Broken Window is one of Deaver's best thrillers to date. Very engrossing and hard to put down. Makes you think about who is watching you and monitoring your every move, purchase or conversation. Not only a page turner but thought provoking.

Lincoln Rhyme is back, currently working a case in London with Inspector Longhurst of the Metropolitan Police. The Reverend Samuel G. Goodlight, a protestant minister from Africa, is an informant in a drugs-for-arms scheme. A man named Richard Logan is hiding in London, and a snitch, Danny Kruger, who gave up selling arms to work with the police, is trying to track Logan.

In the middle of his case, Rhyme gets news that his cousin Arthur Rhyme has been arrested for the murder of a woman and the theft of her high-priced painting. Lincoln hasn't spoken to Arthur in years, and only a phone call from Arthur's desperate wife Judy causes him to grudgingly "look into it". Working the case with them is powerful NYPD Captain Joe Malloy, and young Officer Ron Pulaski returns to assist.

The evidence against Arthur is concrete, but Arthur insists it was planted to convict him. Working with the evidence, Rhyme needs to find out how the perp (who he nicknames "522"), could have gotten so much information on Arthur to plant such incriminating evidence. He turns to SSD (Strategic Systems Datacorp), a data mining corporation. CEO Andrew Sterling seems cooperative, opening up to Officer Pulaski the world of information - information you didn't know they were gathering about you. Once thing is for certain, "522", a serial rapist and killer, seems to have connection somehow with SSD, and its up to Lincoln to find out who he is, how he gets his information, and when he will strike next - before he strikes too close to home.

"522" is one of Deaver's most criminal villains to date. He's a shadow in the network, the man who calls the human race "sixteens" (you'll find out why). He's as sick and twisted - and intelligent - of a criminal you could ask for in a mystery/thriller. Deaver engages the reader with chapters told in first person by "522", giving us a glimpse into the twisted mind of a psycho. Lincoln and Sachs are in top form in their pursuits, and just when you think 522 is "made", he slips away once again. There's a surprise at the ending too, regarding Lincoln's London case. This is one of the better 'Lincoln Rhyme' books Deaver has written. The angle of Data Mining is very interesting, and Deaver provides some websites in the Afterward for those curious minds who wish to pursue more information on the subject. 'The Broken Window' kept me up late into the night, reading to find out what happens next. Highly recommended. Enjoy!

I'm made myself a promise that each holiday, I'll try to take some time off from working and I'll treat myself by reading a book just for fun. The vast majority of the books I read are for clients and although I thoroughly enjoy those books - its fun to read a book just for fun. So, you will probably notice that on many holiday weekends, I've posted reviews for Jeffrey Deaver books :)

The Broken Window is a high tech story about identity theft taken to extremes. Picture this, you are at your home having dinner or watching TV and the police knock on your door. They ask where you have been that evening and even though you know that you haven't done anything wrong, the police find evidence that ties you to a crime - murder. How can that be? They have a shoe print that matches your shoe, the condom at a rape scene matches the condoms you bought a couple of days ago, the potato chip crumbs at the scene match a bag in your garage and the worst news is that the victim's blood was found in your car.

This master criminal thinks that he has all the necessary information to pull off repeated "perfect crimes" and he did for years. Then he makes a "fatal" mistake - he frames Lincoln Rhymes cousin. That brings the renowned forensic specialist to the case and that means the criminals days are numbered (he would appreciate the pun :).

As the criminalist and his crew work on the crime, they find their way to a business that collects every bit of available information about every man, woman and child in the US. The business gives credence to the concerns about 'big brother watching you'. They know where you were, what you did, what you bought and much much more. The idea that a company could have all this information is creepy enough - but then imagine that a criminal mastermind has access to that information.

We see bits and pieces of the criminal and he lashes out at Rhyme, Amelia, and the other people who work with Rhyme. Literally, no one is safe from him and while Rhyme is very good - he has limited access to the information he needs. As always there are plenty of people who appear to be guilty while the reader is given tidbits to help us figure out who the mystery man is.

For anyone who likes a detailed and well researched thriller, I highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of Jeffrey Deaver - this book does not disappoint.

I read through a number of other reviews before I posted this and I enjoy the immense detail that Deaver brings to his book and as an author I know the amount of pain staking work that is involved in being authentic and bringing this realism to a story. There was a lot of detail in this book and his usual multiple sub plots, but those are all things that make a Deaver book so great. Its not short or full of fluff and it is very possible to get lost in the story. I didn't think this book had as many whiplash twists to it, but with the detail that was included, I'm not sure that would've worked as well in this novel.

I always feel like someone is watching me...can I get some privacy? Kidding aside...The Broken Window is about a very serious issue....Identity thefy. It is almost a how to book on the subject as Jeffery Deaver paints this underground realm in such vivid details that you are hooked from page one...a great addition to any suspense fan's library. I would also recommend reading: The Empty Chair by JD.

This book was a terrible drag to me. Not only is the plot very slow, but it's also unbalanced in a sense that AMC procrastinates pages after pages on irrelevant points and quickly bundles up essential matters in a few sentences. For example, results of essential conversations are reported in three sentences instead of providing the conversation itself. The same occurs with the experiences with Dragons, or with the death of some characters.

Then it makes the book complicated to read because you can't predict what you can safely skip... After a while, you get frustrated and end up skipping paragraphs because you just don't care about anyone any more. Never mind who is who and who does what.

Eventually, less than 10 pages out of 420 remain in my mind. A pretty bad score, indeed.

The villains are overstated and the other characters are bland. The opening is without interest and slow. The best scene is the discovery of fire lizards and even that is repeating an event from a previous book.

To be fair, the author has a difficult task in front of her. Her previous books, set in a later era of Pern, contain many references to the the founding of Pern. Now, writing the "first" book, she is left with the task of connecting her dots and making a story out of them. This isn't her best work, but she manages a credible story that may be more enjoyable to those who have not read so much of the Pern series as I have.

WOW! Anne McCaffrey is an amazing author, and she doesn't disappoint in her start to the Pern Series. What a great book! Interesting characters, and you really felt the hardships of the colonists when the thread started to fall. Two thumbs way up!

My first audio book. came fast and in good shape. Anne McCaffery is as usuall up to her very best. The story is fun and interesting.

The story of the development of a young Harper and her fire lizards is very good.

Great little mystery with all the intrigue we have come to expect from Ms. Clark. She brings some fun little science bits that worked perfectly into the suspense with plenty of interesting relationships.

Mary Higgins Clark is one of those contemporary writers who can deliver a great story without graphic sexuality, violence or language. This particular book is one of my favorite Mary Higgins Clark books as it deals with the business of reproductive technologies. Over the last 10 years, I have read it over and over again.

A typical (and dependable) offering from MHC. Although her books are formulaic (beautiful woman in danger has to use her brains and a little outside help to figure out how to save herself and close friends or family members), they are still enjoyable. Although there is the added challenge of figuring out if I've read this particular book before or if it's just because it's all so familiar because of MHC's [tried and true] formula. But then, that's part of the reason that I enjoy her books . . . they ARE dependable. I have almost always enjoyed her books. When I am traveling and need something to fall asleep to in the evenings, I can count on MHC to deliver --- and I can recommend her books to friends and not be concerned about which one they pick up or that they have to be read in order.

An awesome mystery/suspense novel from Mary Higgins Clark. The best part about this book is it never gets stagnet. There are constantly new revelations, new suspisions, and I loved it!!

This is a fun read. The main mystery is about Meghan's father. Mehgan tries to unravel whether her dad is dead or alive, if he had a double life, and if he murdered a unqualified fertility doctor after his disappearance. I really liked how all of these story lines flowed together and how they added to the mystery and suspense. I really didn't feel this story line was as predictable as other reviewers felt it was. I went back and forth between suspecting who the real murderer was and the ending surprised me.

I also like how Higgins-Clark developed the characters. That said, Bernie really didn't add anything to this book. I am not sure what Clark needed him for other than to add a disturbed character.

All in all this book did not disappoint.

The book is very good in its sincere attempt to delivery the story on how Singapore was built. Perhaps with an intention, on the side, to 1) lay down guidelines that other asian countries could follow, and 2) further promote Singapore to foreign investors. His emphasis on discipline and strict public policies--that may be deemed oppressive in other countries--to jumpstart progress could be well-intentioned points as well. The reader cannot miss the pride on every passage that highlights the successes of Singapore as a small state-country.

But not everyone can agree with Lee Kwan Yew's setting-aside, for example, of a free press. Freedom of expression is a right; the fruits of progress is not complete without it.

An authoritarian government cannot hide, as well, the hypocrisy that is probably vital to compromise certain liberties, in exchange for a 'highway' towards progress. Sometimes one can also see how money is used in Singapore to discipline, and as a only parameter in decision. One case in point: a young professional Singaporean shared a story that Lee Kwan Yew once pompously said that as long as he is alive, there will be no casino in Singapore. Well, yes, he is still right, there are two casinoes now being built simultaneously in the Marina area! And what with the Geylang red-light district that the government has to acknowledge quasi-legally? Is the rationale for both of these is that they are still business ventures that Singapore will still profit from in the end?

Lee's omission of his own compromises/hypocrisy in fact weakens the book's commentary and criticism of other countries' priorities. (He has tons of advise and lay downs on neigbors in southeast asia--taiwan, philippines, malaysia). Singapore is known as a good place to work at, but not to live in.

The book is very thick. Ive concentrated most of the history on early Singapore (good read!) and some opinions on the state of asian countries today. There are some repetitions and convolutions as well. I think this book could have used a good editor before publishing.

Still a good buy, but 3 stars only for not being as in-your face that I would have personally wanted. Hypocrisies that he should still acknowledge (and explain).

This book is a detailed account of Singapore's history beginning from its independence and its development to a first world country under Lee Kuan Yew's leadership, and the second part is Lee's diplomatic relationships with different nations and his dealings and views on their leaders.

It is a very entertaining and insightful read, Lee goes deep into details in problems looming over Singapore in its infancy and in developing the nation to feed its population. How he tried to persuade the British to maintain its military base there to protect Singapore from its two dangerous neighbours and communism from China and in within, and when failed how he placed utmost importance in building a working army to defend itself.

Lee realizes the importance of a clean and competent government, whereby he believes a good paycheck would help curb corruption and an anti-corruption agency with a high degree of power was formed to further prevent it. He was able to gather a group of honest and able people to form an efficient government, which was vital in building any nation.

He created a safe and secure environment through the rule of law and honest public administration to attract foreign direct investment to build up factories in Singapore, this was essentially the main driver behind Singapore's phenomenal growth. Through this he created thousands of jobs and gave the Singaporeans adequate livings.

He knows the importance of human resources given that's the only resource Singapore has, he stresses on education and the English language to effectively connect Singapore to the world. He had to close down the Chinese-speaking Nanyang University because most graduates had a hard time finding job.

He also gave explanations on some of his rather controversial actions in suing newspapers and political opponents, which seem reasonable.

Overall, he has done a remarkable job in creating an honest and efficient government, a sound legal system with the rule of law, excellent infrastructure and he was able to provide jobs and a good living to his people. All these are the factors to Singapore's miraculous transformation. And on top of that, he retired from his prime ministerial post and passed on the baton, albeit still holding a senior minister post.

All in all, Lee has done a spectacular job in transforming Singapore to the only other first world country in Asia aside from Japan, heads off to him.

great book. lee is the most impressive character i've ever read in history book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Lee Kuan Yew. Besides being a genious at governing the man is a gifted writer. The book is full of information for those, like me, that were curious about how this gentleman, along with his associates, pulled out the feat of transforming an underdeveloped society into a model society. He, almost singlehandedly, achieved what other countries and societies with far more resources only dream of. Pick this book if you wish to learn and, at the same time, be entertained.

I loved this book. Lee is insightful and a great writer.

His chapter on Taiwan, however, was mad hypocrisy. He critices Taiwan for "pulling away" by teaching in schools primarily the history/geography of the island instead of China, as before. Funny this is coming from a guy known for getting rid of all Chinese-language universities in Singapore. He spoke about ensuring he brought Malays along in his trip to China, and conducting meetings in English, to ensure China recognizes Singapore's unique identity.

Also funny was Lee KY's attributing Lee Teng-hui's provocative behavior to Lee TH's Japanophilia and being "powered" by the spirit of the Bushido warrior." Yet throughout the book Lee KY talks about how British he is, e.g., his habit of drinking tea in the morning! Furthermore, he spoke of the great sentiments associated with attaining British knighthood, which according to him, was the greatest honor he had ever received. I couldn't help laugh when reading the British knight accuse the Bushido warrior of Japanophilia, when he himself is brimming with Anglophilia.

This is a very practical and easy-to-read book on how to do business successfully with the Overseas Chinese that dominate the economies of Southeast Asia and China. The authors draw on their personal experiences with Asian executives as well as on extensive research. Despite their academic backgrounds, the authors display real hands-on knowledge of Asian business conditions. And despite being very solidly grounded in theory, the authors are never "stuffy" or talk down to you. They do an impressive job of applying theories spanning economics, strategic management and classical Chinese philosophy to understanding present-day business environments. Novices and old hands will find this an invaluable reference. I have re-read this little gem several times, and find some new insights every time. A must read!

I notice that this book has generated a lot of talk and I would like to add my two cents. I am currently based in Hong Kong and travel and do business through South East Asia. I picked up this book on the airport as I deal regularly with the Overseas Chinese. I had planned to read it and discard it -- I have re-read it several times; my original, thumbed copy was "borrowed" and never returned. I have since bought another copy which I do not display in my office.

New Asian Emperors covers some very profound aspects of doing business with the Overseas Chinese and East Asians generally. However, it does so in a non-intimidating and straight-forward fashion.

This is a beautifully written and polished book. Actually, I never did locate the sentence on "Taosim" to which one of the reviewers below referred. I was particularly impressed by the chapter on Confucianism: I received a degree in East Asian philosophy and wish some of my text books had communicated the concepts so simply. East Asian philosphies and ethics emphasize duality and ambiguity. The economist who wrote the review seems unable to comprehend that this is the terrain with which the authors had to deal.

Many of the concepts first introduced in New Asian Emperors have been covered since in the popular press and "borrowed" by other authors with little or no credit given (see Frank-Jurgen Richter and Ming Jer-Chen). It's a credit to this book, its ideas and their exposition, that it still remains the leader in explaining how to do business with the Overseas Chinese, that continue to dominate the important markets of South East Asia. It's also the book most found on the book shelves of executives that are dealing with East Asian operations -- when it not borrowed ;-). I have been informed by clients and employees that they read it at university in Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA and China. This book has value.

This is a good, but not a great book on the so-called Overseas Chinese, focusing on their business culture and strategy. Co-written by three professors, the work has an academic feel to it, but can also serve as a primer for businessmen wanting to learn about their SE Asian Overseas Chinese counterparts.

This book does not deserve a five-star rating. It is simplistic, and likely to be of value only to the person who has no experience or knowledge of Asia and the Overseas Chinese. Some of the text is unnecessary. Why did the authors put in a rough history of early Chinese philosophy? It's too simple to be valuable and yet takes up too much room in an already short work.

The book does have some good points. I enjoyed the sketches of certain Overseas Chinese business leaders, some of whom I knew nothing about. There is also some original research here on the business environment in SE Asia, specifically on the lack of information that helps the Overseas Chinese maintain an edge against outside competitors in their home markets.

I really learned a lot from this book -- more about the culture and business environment of Asia than I thought I would from this slim book. I work as manager for Asian operations.

I give this book 5 stars! I do agree with the "Economist"'s review that this is an important book. I will go so far as to say that this is an essential book for understanding how the Overseas Chinese companies operate. They are family companies --but a lot more and that's the ground this book covers.

I disagree with Boris B's review below. I certainly did not read the book he did! Other than the opening quotes for each chapter, I very much doubt he read the book! I found this book extremely clear and straightforward. I also thought all theories were presented as simply as possible (sometimes the concepts are complex) and well-backed up with examples from the authors' extensive business practice and research.