The Middle East is such a multi-faced region with such a rich historical legacy that even people who strive to be well-informed cannot help but feel bewildered at its cultural, political, and religious complexity. Given the blustering aggressiveness of the post-September 11 U.S. policy toward the region, however, Americans owe it to themselves to become far more familiar with the complexities of the Middle East than has been our wont up to now.

Popular magazine articles that attempt to "explain" Islamic rage as the result of a "fear of modernity" or "jealousy of the west's freedoms" may as well bear a stamp proclaiming their authorship by the "Ministry of Propaganda." As an alternative, I recommend Professor Cleveland's textbook, which serves as a brief but remarkably thorough introduction to the history of this volatile part of the world.

No, the book does not cover Afghanistan or Pakistan, but clearly political currents in these nations are closely linked with what has transpired in Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and the rest of the Middle East proper. At the heart of the current crisis is, of course, the Israeli-Palestinian condundrum, and here the author's explanations and analyses are clear, balanced, and incisive. His discussions of the evolution of Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the background *and consequences* of the 1991 Gulf War are also invaluable. In his recounting of the Iranian revolution, Cleveland offers a fascinating analysis of the apparent Islamicist rejection of "modernity," showing that those in the Middle East who reject the West do not crave a return to the ancient past, but instead wish to follow a modernization pathway that is guided by indigenous cultural principles, including the precepts of Islam.

Perhaps most impressive, however, is what Cleveland has to say toward the end of the book regarding the dangers of an overly intrusive and domineering presence in the Islamic Middle East by the lone remaining planetary superpower, the U.S. He does not prophesy the recent terrorism that has afflicted this country, but he does criticize the U.S. for policies that seem to rely more upon aerial bombardment than careful diplomacy. The application of Cleveland's conclusions to a reevaluation of the likely long-term consequences of "America's new war" is not a comforting process, but it's one that perhaps more Americans need to undertake.

I have lived in the Middle East for several years. This book is by far the BEST I have ever read at explaining "why" to many of the problems that we face today. It is not a cheerful book to read, in fact it almost makes one ashamed. It definitely made me ask "why is it that so very few people in the United States have NO clue as to the history in this part of the world?" This is a book that should be read by politicans and those in the news media. It is incredible that with all the news coverage since 9/11 that there has been so little attempt to learn, understand, and accept responsibility for the shameful and self-serving roles that Britian, France, and the United States have historically played and continue to play in molding this part of the world to fit the needs of the west. This book should be required reading for President Bush and his staff. At the same time I wish those at CNN, FOX, and the other news organizations would read the book as well. How can we call ourselves a "free country" when we don't take responsibility or are even taught about our role and motives in the history of this part of the world? We ARE a great country, but I am appalled that so many Americans (my friends and family included) could be in favor of a war without even the slightest understanding of OUR role in creating much of the current mess. I will "require" this book as reading for any of my friends and family who want to discuss the issues of this part of the world. It's a shame that I can't require it to those in the news media and government. The lack of historical understanding by the American population is truly frightening. If you can only read one book about the Middle East, this is the book to read. If you can read two, then read Thomas Friedman's "From Beirut to Jerusalem" as well. It is very rare to find balanced/honest accounts of Middle East history. Why?

The first thing that might come to a student's mind with a history textbook would be the words: tedious, dull and unexciting. And do not worry because Cleveland possesses none of these negative qualities. Cleveland covers every topic on the modern Middle East to Oslo agreements and Muhammad Ali in Egypt. The book explains the history of a foreign culture and region that many people do not understand and he writes it in an easy to read format. I promise that it will not be the most exciting book in the world to read, but it will offer you knowledge on the Middle East that only a few actually understand and know. I am a history major at Indiana State University and took a course on modern Middle Eastern history taught by Robert Hunter that wrote "The Palestinian Uprising: A War by Other Means."

I considered Cleveland's textbook on the Modern Middle East a great source of history. After reading this book, I guarantee that you will better understand the present-day crisis in the Middle East than over ninety-five percent of the people in the United States.

Lest We Forget was an excellent and exciting book. Mr. Meacham's discriptions of flying and combat were so vivid I could practically feel the movement of the aircraft as I sat and read. Mr. Meacham--thanks for taking me along for the ride, and returning me safely back home again at the end of the book!

The book is well written and an accurate portrayal of the helicopter war. It is a good read and should be of interest to veterans, military and history buffs, researchers as well as anyone else interested in the Vietnam War. I was a helicopter crewchief and flew with Bill Meacham in Vietnam.

I have read several books describing the heroism of the 101st lift and infantry units in I Corp and felt the contributions of these guys was beyond measure. I work with Behavior Disordered high school students and experimented with one chapter of "Wild Bill's" book in class. The impact of his message and graphic style genuinely moved these kids and led to a two day discussion on: devotion/committment, loyalty, sacrifice, trust/risk, communication, training, fear/bravery and HONOR/INTEGRITY. "My boys" think W.T., Wild Bill, Walkabout, Turk and all the others are GODS. Thank Mr. Meachum for sharing so openly and writing so damn well!

This book has the best recipes for authentic Greek foods. The baklava recipe is excellent. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn the art of Greek cooking!

I first found this cook book in a used book store: Since then I have seen it in every Greek food store I've been in. I haven't cooked everything in it, but everything I have cooked has been delicious! The Fassolada recipe alone is worth the price. Every Greek cook I know recommends it! I know of no other cook book that stands so completely alone in its field.

My mom and I have both used the recipes in this book for many years, and the dishes I have produced always garner many compliments! I made moussaka and dolmades for my Greek employers, which met with high praise. Highly recommend.

The best book I've read in many years! Stayed with me for weeks after reading it. Definitely a keeper!

i have read quite a few books in my life, and never have i come across such a wonderful funny, scary, emotional book. Morante is by far the best writer of the 20th century, expressing the anguish and the glory of the little man. as Morante sais - some people have it all, some have nothing. my conclusion from the book is that happiness is all around us, but we have to fight for it.what do we need in order to achieve it is to help others, to show a smile, to make each person count - we are all human beings, lets be kinder, more gentile, less evil.

If you really want to know what war does to ordinary people read this book. It is a superb, beautiful, deeply sad,uncompromising,uplifting masterpiece. With fascism on the move again across Europe, this work of art will convince you, if you ever needed convincing, that such evil should never be allowed to pass this way again

I was given this book when I was a kid, some 45 years ago. It took me a month to read it, at 50 pages a night - it's 1,500 pages in the original hardcover - and I became totally lost in the story. I didn't want it to end because I felt like I knew all the people. It is infinitely better than Gone With the Wind; it's real. I re-read in a few years later; I've just glanced at it once in awhile since then, but it has a place of honor on our crowded book shelves. The South's cause was one of the worst ever: to maintain a society based on slavery. (To those who say that the war wasn't over slavery, let me state the obvious fact that if the South had not had slavery, secession would never have been an issue.) Nevertheless, Ben Ames Williams depicts the best of the Old South aristocracy in extremely human terms.

AS A TEENAGER IN HIGH SCHOOL I COULDN'T READ GONE WITH THE WIND ENOUGH TIMES. WHEN I DISCOVERD HOUSE DIVIDED, I WAS LIKE THAT TEENAGER IN HIGH SCHOOL DISCOVERING THE ANTEBELLUM SOUTH AND THE CIVIL WAR. IN MY OPINION, NO FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE CIVIL WAR CAN COMPARE TO HOUSE DIVIDED. EVERY USED BOOK STORE I GO TO I LOOK FOR A COPY - SOME DAY I WILL OWN MY OWN.

House Divided by Ben Ames Williams is an excellent fictional account of the lives of ordinary people experiencing the ravages of the Civil War in America. This rivals Gone With the Wind in its scope and character development. Of special interest is references to actual locations in Richmond, Petersburg and Williamsburg, Virginia. I did not realize there had been an edition printed in the 1980's. I have read the 1930's edition twice and would love to have a copy of my own. I'd also love to see this story on the big screen!

A first rule of thumb when approaching Cabell's 18-volume opus, the Biography of Manuel; every book will be about Cabell's relationship with his wife. Cabell is obsessed with marriage, and objectifies all of his female characters to fit one of his imagined female roles; nag, whore, or unapproachable beauty. Cabell's characters always return to their nagging wives, for familiarity's sake if nothing else, with never a suggestion that it might be possible to have a long-term relationship between a man and a woman in which both are creators and in which both learn from each other.

The book Jurgen is from the same mold. Jurgen the pawnbroker moves from one of Cabell's stereotypical women to another. The book became well-known because of the godawful sex sequences, in which Cabell archly refers to Jurgen's sword, staff, or stick -- the resulting call for censorship made the book famous, but that doesn't mean it was Cabell's best. I thought The Silver Stallion and, in some respects, even The Cream of the Jest or The High Place to be better examples of Cabell's writing.

I would recommend that anyone who likes fantasy read at least one of Cabell's books, because he writes like no one else. This book had the usual Cabell wittiness and sardonic feel, so if it's the only one you can find, certainly try it.

In the 1920s, James Branch Cabell (rhymes with "rabble") was considered by many to be one of the greatest American writers, based on this novel. Tastes changed with the coming of the Great Depression; worse, Cabell never again came close to writing a book of this quality, despite his many attempts. Whether or not Cabell is a great writer (and I incline to the view that writers should be judged by their best rather than their mediocre works), Jurgen is a great book, full of insight and a joy to read. The eponymous protagonist is a middle-aged pawnbroker who is given an opportunity to relive his youth. In his travels he encounters, among others, Guenevere, the Master Philologist, the Philistines, his father's Hell, and his grandmother's Heaven. In the end he has an opportunity to question Koshchei who made all things as they are. I heartily recommend this novel. Although it is in an older fantasy tradition, it is at least as readable and enjoyable as the best contemporary fantasy, and its literary quality is far greater. I have re-read it many times.

Early in his journey, Cabell's Jurgen comes to a place known as 'The Garden Between Dawn and Sunrise.' In the garden live all the imaginary creatures that humankind has ever created: centaurs and sphinxes, fairies, valkyries, and baba-yagas. Jurgen is surprised when he sees his first-love wandering around the garden, but his guide replies "Why, all the women that man has ever loved live here...for very obvious reasons."

Moments like this, simultaneously jaded and genuine, sentimental and cynical, are the most delightful parts of 'Jurgen: A Comedy of Justice.' Nominally the story of a medieval pawnbroker's quest to find his lost wife, 'Jurgen' becomes a bildungsroman in reverse as, on the way, its hero regains his youth and visits the lands of European myth, from Camelot to Cocaigne (the land of pleasure) -- each land shows Jurgen a way of life, and he rejects each in favor of his own sardonic stoicism, for he is, after all, a "monstrously clever fellow."

That phrase describes Cabell as much as it does Jurgen: the author is remarkably erudite, and, like a doting parent hiding easter eggs, drops in-jokes through the book on subjects as far-ranging as troubadour poetry and tantric sex. Cabell corresponded with Aleister Crowley in his day, and, in ours, is an influence on Neil Gaiman ('The Sandman,' 'Neverwhere,' etc.). The book itself caused quite a splash when it became the centerpiece of one of the biggest censorship trials of the early 20th century: something to do with Jurgen's very large *ahem* sword.

Social satire and an idiosyncratic cynicism in the guise of a scholarly romance-fantasy, 'Jurgen' is what would have happened if J.R.R. Tolkien and Dorothy Parker had gotten together to write a book.

I remember reading the "Little House" books when I was a little girl. I am now 28 and looking forward to reading them with my 6 year old. We now live about 40 miles from Walnut Grove, MN and my daughter can't wait to read about that town and how life was in the pioneer days! I definitely recommend these books!

I remember devouring these books as a young girl, I'm 35 now and have begun reading the books with my 5 year old daughter. The first in the series is written so that she can read a great deal herself. Laura wrote such a wonderful recount of her life that you can really imagine, even if you are five, how much simpler life was . . . or complicated depending on how you look at it. We've had several discussions about the husstle and busstle of our life, brought on by the togetherness and importance of family that these books demonstrate.

I first read the " Little House " books when I was 10 years old. I was enthralled by them at that time, as I am now, at 36 years of age. These books take you back to a time when simple things brought great joy, and family was everything. They remember a time long gone, when integrity and honor were the norm, not the exception. I still love to read these books, and when my two year old daughter is old enough, we'll read them together, and think about the message they contain.

I believe this is one of the top 5 battletech books I've read and I've read alot. A great book with an equally amazing sequel although the name escapes me.

What can I say. This is the best battletech book I ever read. This book gives deep insight into the most honored of clan ritutals. To The biggest battle in btech universe the battle of tukkyiad. This books sets up all of the following books :)

This is the final book of the trilogy, has lots of action lots of the clans. Comstar finaly shows who the will support and romanno finaly gets whats coming,hehehe. this is an awsome book that everyone will enjoy.

When I got done reading this wonderful book, I felt as if I had been at Khrushchev's side throughout his entire life. The book goes into great detail about this man. In addition, it uncovers and debunks some of the myths of Khrushchev. For example, Taubmam debunks the myth that when the decision was made to place missiles in Cuba, it was a decision that the entire Soviet leadership embraced 100%. However, Taubman points out (and proves) that it was Khrushchev that was really the only big driving force behind the idea. I could go into a plethora of other details like that, but that would ruin the fun of the book. In my college class, we were discussing the Cuban Missile Crisis, a student asked how the Soviets were reacting behind the scenes and what lead to their decision. The Prof (a Ph.D holder of over 25 years)really wasn't sure the details of the nuclear standoff on the Soviet side. However, after finishing Taubman's book a couple of days before, I was able to explain exactly what happened. After that, the Prof asked me to stay after class and asked me to Xerox the Cuban Missile Crisis part of the book so he could know what really happened! If a person is interested in the Soviet Union, Khrushchev himself, or the "behind the scenes" of the Soviet Iron Curtain during the Cuban Missile Crisis, pick up this book. It will be a great learning experience .

It is a very rare occassion in the world of biographies that a biography comes along that can combine masterful prose with a wealth of important and interesting information. However, William Taubman's "Khrushchev" manages to accomplish both!

Told chronologically through his life and political career, Taubman lays down the major political events in Khruschnev's life and also documents how they effected those around him. By the end of the book all readers will have a better understanding not only of the man, but more importantly, the effect the man had on his people and the world.

I would highly recommend this book to any historical enthusiasts or anyone else even remotely interested in the Soviet Union.

(I would also recommend Mark Remenick's "Lenin's Tomb" as a preface to reading this book.)

Professor Taubman's study of Nikita Khrushchev exhaustively traces the life of the Soviet Premier. Indeed, the author carefully details the complex arc of Khrushchev's life. We see all the phases explored in a literate and exhaustive manner. The professor shows the reader Khrushchev as he moves through a number of distinct stages that, like some Shakespearean hero (or anti-hero), formed and destroyed him: traditional Russian peasant beginnings; immersion in the nascent Bolshevik movement; rapid rise through the local and central Party hierarchy; years as a loyal Stalinist; the grab for power; paradoxical anti-Stalinist reformer and power-hungry ruler enraged by any disagreement; the fall from power; isolation and political impotence.

Professor Taubman spares no effort to capture the intricacies or recreate the circumstances of Khrushchev's life. He conducted a multitude of interviews, including with Khruschev's son Sergei, other family members and former CPSU party officials. He even consulted the birth register from the church in the Soviet leader's hometown (Kalinovka) to determine his date of birth. In addition, the professor places Khruschev's own extensive memoirs in a full and proper context.

Ultimately, the reader sees a man at once insecure yet driven for power--the Soviet answer to "the man in the grey flannel suit", moving up the "Party" ladder, so to speak. Adherent to the romantic ideals of Bolshevism, Khrushchev nonetheless went along with Stalin's bloodlust and participated in the purges (although some evidence is presented as to his efforts to save select lives). The author evinces the complex nuances of Khrushchev, who became enraged when questioned on his role in the Stalinist inner circle and denounced his one-time "vohzd" in his famous 1956 secret speech. He also conveys Khruschev the reformer's intolerance for criticism of his policies, the same intolerance that heavily contributed to his downfall in 1964.

We also see the Khruschev contradiction in foreign policy. The man who wanted detente also tried to bully Western leaders whenever possible and caused (and lost) the Cuban missile crisis. Professor Taubman clearly documents how Khruschev alone, and against the advice of his advisors and the wishes of Fidel Castro, sent missiles to Cuba, and then had to back down in humiliation.

It is near impossible to do justice to this work and its analysis of the man who embodied Churchill's famous saying about the Russian enigma. The book is as complex as the man it describes so meticulously, and with such fairness and balance. Read it, digest it, reflect upon it and make your own decision: Was Khruschev one more violent Russian leader? Was he a survivor of a barbaric system who articulated humane and just impulses once he came to power? Was he both? Was he more? Just remember, as Professor Taubman obviously does, Russia is not the United States. A "reformer" within the context of a Tsar- and Stalin-ridden land cannot be a Jeffersonian.

I discovered "I Went Walking" when I taught first grade. It was a part of their literature series early in the year. I have no children of my own and I own both the board book and the paperback edition of this book because I love the illustrations and the rhythmical quality of the text. As someone who has professionally worked with children ages 2-12, I find that this kind of text is invaluable to early readers (ages 2-7). Children can easily pick up on the patterns in the sentences and begin developing many pre-reading skills (like being able to identify the left to right movement of written sentences). To find books that your young child will want to read over and over again is a jewel in their literacy development. To find books like this that you will want to read over and over again with your child is a treasure box of time shared!

This book is so sweet. The watercolor paintings are colorful without being brash, and the child and animals are all realistic and yet stylized at the same time. I love how the child is not defined by the story as being a boy or a girl, and that it looks ambiguous enough to be either.

The repetition of the story makes it easy to read and easy for an older child to learn, and yet isn't the kind of repetition that drives parents wild. As the child gets older, you can drop words and let them "fill in the blank" as they look at the pictures to identify both the animals and the animals' colors.

When I was a Nanny my charge and I adored this book and read it at least a hundred times. Now that I am home with my own son, I bought the book for him and he loves it too!

Our son loves this book. In his shorthand he calls it "walking" and asks for it regularly when we sit down to read. I read a review that indicated this book is too similar to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, etc." but I would disagree. Our son likes them both equally but they do not seem interchangeable to him (or to me for that matter). I would also echo the comment that the child character is appealingly ambiquous and could be either gender. The quality of the illustration and the story presented are delightful.