This is one powerful book that ALL women should read. It addresses the problem of spousal abuse, and gives all the warning signs to look for. The most innocent of things seem so important in the end. The next time my husband so much as snaps at me I'm going to hit him over the head with this book!

If you want to laugh a little, and cry alot, this book will do it. Hindsight is truly an all American family saga. The family's antics are hilarious. But then the reader is reminded that sudden and senseless tragedy can strike the best of families. The way Natalie struggles with grief from the loss of her oldest daughter, and best friend is heartwrenching. This author has a way of expressing feelings that is so descriptive, and so real, you feel what the character is feeling. The book is just awesome! Don't pass it by.

Hindisight had me hanging on every word. I could not put it down from start to finish. This is MUST read for all women. The signs of abuse are easy to miss...this will make you look a little closer and be more aware of all the warning signs. It was a very compelling, compassionately written book. I am anxiously waiting for a new novel from this accomplished writer.

This is by far the greatest book i have ever read in my life as an overview of the modern middle east- it was truly excellent. Elizabeth Monroe captures the heart of all the people that were big, rather dirty, smelly animals and gives them a bath, metaphorically speaking. It was a true work of genius, studying idiots of the political world of the past like Mr. Sinsiuyb;iwub;ofv.

St John (Jack) Philby, father of the famous -or infamous- Kim, got to know Ibn Saud during World War I as a British civil servant based in Baghdad, working for Sir Percy Cox. From their first meeting, Philby was enormously impressed with Ibn Saud, then struggling to affirm himself as one of several princes in Central Arabia. He took an instant liking to him, and this was the beginning of a life-long association. Over the ensuing years,Philby developed the feeling that the British Government was not treating the Arabs fairly and in addition was supporting Ibn Saud's rival, Sherif Hussein of Mecca and his sons, mainly through the support that one of these derived from T. E. Lawrence, in some ways Philby's rival. This eventually led Philby to resign from the civil service and establish himself in Arabia as one of Ibn Saud's senior advisers.
The book is well researched and well written. It takes you through the birth pangs of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Irak and covers a span from World War I to the reign of Ibn Saud's successor, King Saud. It also tells in a riveting way about Philby's desert exploration ventures, most notably in South Arabia's Empty Quarter and its borders with Yemen and the British Protectorate of Aden.
The author brings to life Philby's character, his peculiar family life and, most interestingly, his conversion to Islam.
I have found this book essential for a better understanding of Arabia and of Islam.
On the negative side, the printing of this edition -in a non-English-speaking country- leaves much to be desired: there are far too many typos which take away some of the reading enjoyment. Also, the maps are succint and could have been somewhat more generous. These two factors account for my holding back the 5th star!