There is little here that is new, but a couple of metaphors; however, the compilation is quite original. Of the two metaphors, the snake and double helix, after finding them on almost every page and certainly in every chapter, I found the continuous references at first a slight novelty, than overdone and irritating. I also the found the book inundated with make-believe examples, and "statistics" on the phenomenal growth of the Tiger economies -- a nostalgic hearkening back to the good old days of "Asian values" touted by Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew. Do not avoid this book -- but do read it with another that marries the concept of East Asian values to real-life managerial strategies such as Haley's "New Asian Emperors: the Overseas Chinese, their Strategies and Competitive Advanatges."

I found Mastering the Infinite Game to be a very helpful resource while writing an organizational behavior research paper about Asian cultures. The studies and research included in the book are both useful and insightful to gaining an understanding how Asian cultural values pertain to the field of business manangement.

A must-read for those interested in doing business with Asian firms!

An incredible story about German resistence to British invasion in East Africa during the 1st world war. What started as a beach landing calculated to force the German to surrender overnight, ended four years later with an undefeated German army surrendering to a British army that had not defeated them! This book is full of hard-to-believe stories. Once you start reading you will not put it down.

An enlightening report of a present-day journey following Christ's footsteps as told by a reporter from the Boston Globe. A hike transformed into an informative recount of life of local Christians in Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon and how these dwindling centuries-old communities are enmeshed with the lives, struggles and tragedies of those of the other two large faiths of the region. Well detailed and balanced from the eyes of a veteran reporter. Most surprisingly, especially given the current events, it got little attention after its release. Many copies can be found in mint condition cheaply. The author can be heard on an archived interview on NPR. It's a must read for those interested in the current Christian life in the region and perhaps more importantly for those who never even mentally conceive of the remaining ancient Christian Arab communities in the Holy Land.

expecially for anyone in the East Tennessee area about the history of the area.

This is an old-fashioned set of ghost stories written by a host of authors, the most famous ones being Henry James & O. Henry. They are pretty standard fictional fare, well written, and full of mystery. Though the language and often old-fashioned writing can be a bit of a stumbling block, this set of ghost stories was fun to read none-the-less. Many had subtle clues and held their secrets to the very end. If you like mystery stories and ghost stories, then this book is for you. I would have given it 5 stars, but gave it 4 stars due to the old-fashioned writing, which at times was a little hard to follow. Take a copy out of your library, you'll enjoy it.

Few subjects are more intrinsically interesting, in my opinion, than the relationship between European and Chinese thought. The arrival in China of the Jesuits reads, to me, a little like the old commercial for the candy bar, when the boy munching on the chocolate collides in the hall-way collides with the girl chewing the peanut butter. "Hey, you got peanut butter on my chocolate." In my opinion, and in the opinion of many modern Chinese, Christianity and Chinese tradition really are two great tastes (kept apart for thousands of years) that taste great together. (I've even written a book, True Son of Heaven: How Jesus Fulfills the Chinese Culture, to prove that point.)

This book is a scholarly look at the history of this earliest connection between some very thoughtful Catholic missionaries and the Chinese intelligensia. It gives the story of Ricci, Alleni, and also the story of three prominent converts to Christianity, among other things. A good deal of the book is about Matteo Rici, who comes across as a truly remarkable individual, both intellectually and as a human being. Historians, including those here, tend to admire him for adapting Christianity to Chinese culture, at the expense of some arrogant and ignorant missionaries who came later. In my opinion, it was the later missionaries who were off base, in terms of Christian tradition, rather than the Jesuits, in that, in the blindness of European power, they failed to utilize principles of cultural adaptation that had been laid out by central Christian thinkers like Paul, John, Justin, Clement, and Augustine.

As these essays show, the Jesuits held to a policy of "rejecting Buddhism and accomodating with Confucianism." They also tended to exagerate the moral character of Western society. In my opinion, Augustine showed that it is possible to relate Christianity in a more holistic manner to all segments of society, and to be quite frank and honest, in creating an orthodox Christian apologetic that meets the needs of a civilization. Many modern Christian Chinese agree with the Chinese scholar Ye Xianggao in interpretting Christianity not as a rejection of Chinese culture, but rather as its fulfillment. "Ordinary Confucianists do indeed talk frequently of Heaven, but they behave as if Heaven is far away. (The Jesuits), on the other hand, speak of Heaven as connected intimately with us . . . This is most appropriate for awakening the world."

My main criticism is that the scholars involved seem too focused on these particular cases, and contrasting them only to later bad examples, that they fail to relate the story to the larger context of Christian fulfillment theology, of more recent works that expand upon Ricci's excellent example, and, frankly, what God might be up to. But I found several essays worth reading.

author, Jesus and the Religions of Man

This book is quite expensive and was, in fact my first on line purchase. Having been to the country, for a day, I wanted to know more - much more. This book filled the bill for that. It is full of valuable history. I now understand why the country is what it is. It is a country to visit during the morning and get out of - it is culture SHOCK! - but I understand it much better now. A travelogue it is not, but if you're going there, it will give you an understanding of it's strategic importance, and why the French Foregin Legion is still there, to this day.

I liked the book and would buy it again, If I knew all it contained. It contains a lot of history, from the military point of view.

Similar in layout to the other New Holland guides. Thereby making it obvious that it is not intended for the scientist. Small and handy, perfect for a pocket. However, do not think it only covers a small number of the best known mammals. Several newly discovered mammals are included (e.g. a strange ungulate called the Saola, and a beautifully striped rabbit only discovered in the late 1990's). Most of these are interesting but would never be encountered by the "normal backpacker". Several rarities are also included for example the Lesser One-horned Rhino, of which it is believed that only approx. 60 individuals survives. Almost all of the larger mammals known to occur in this region are described individually with at least one (usually very good) colour photo. The small number of large species not described are almost always mentioned in the description of a relative. The smaller mammals (bats, insectivores etc.) are described in groups (also with at least one photo) usually comprising a genus. The text is strait forward and easy to read for everybody with average English skills. However do not forget your glasses, the text is very small! The text itself is good and actually quite long with the books size in mind. It usually comprises of id, range (no maps!), behaviour, habitat etc. Each species description (incl. photo) comprises 2-1/2 page. A great thing for the novice is the use of easily recognisable thumbnails (an example being deer). Thereby it shouldn't be a problem finding the species your looking for. In the intro of the book a chapter speaks about finding and observing mammals, and 31 national parks or reserves are also mentioned briefly. The thing I find most annoying is the very small number of dark or unclear photos. Another thing to remember is that the book doesn't included whales or dolphins other than the one species which regularly enters fresh water. With the prise and size in mind everybody travelling to this area should bring a copy.

This book is very helpful for ecologist, forest managers, and policy makers with little knowledge of riparian systems. Riparian experts would not find this book helpful. The book reviews riparian ecology and effects of forest management on riparian systems through a series of chapters on water quality, riparian habitat, and different species groups. Each chapter ends with a bulleted summary including management suggestions which makes the text an value primer. This also makes it possible for a practioneer to identify the ecological values of concern and develop ones own apporach to maintaining any subset of ecological values. The organization makes it easy to locate relevant information. Summary chapters synthesize the results into suggestiond for BMPs to maintain water quality, riparian habitat, and riparian species. The organization makes it fairly easy to work backwards from these suggestions and evaluate the reasoning of each BMP. The completeness of the literature review was above average. As a research ecologist, I only wished that the reviews were more complete though many relevant studies are cited.

Wonderful look at an area which is often overlooked for it's beauty and rich culture because of all the constant turmoil of the region. Glass grew up with some of the language and culture. This is obvious as he explores in-depth the areas he travels to and attempts to reproduce the travels of those before him. I thought the book was a good mix of history and culture intertwined into his daily travel and musings. The book is somewhat of a cathartic reminiscence as he relates his humbling time of kidnapping. But as such the recounting helps to bring stark reality back to the nature of that region and force us to consider the reasons 'why' pain and suffering are necessary in such a mythical and adventurous place. I've recommended this book to two friends who are news correspondents and love to travel. Thumbs up!