Reviews (12)

A glimpse into two horrific lives
I read a negative review on here, that I was unhappy to see. This book focuses on "Salima" and "Hala" two Afghani sisters, both opressed by different wars and regimes at different times in Afghanistan. They are 16 years apart. Reading that Salima had a "pampered life" in one of the reviews was quite disturbing to me. Considering that she fought for women's rights underground in a country that supressed them, that she was house bound and beat by an abusive father, Locked into her room and then threatened with guns by her brother, I would hardly call this a "pampered life". She continued to risk for the women she served. Later the book focuses on her horribly physical abusive relationship with her husband. This is also part of the culture, where it is considered "okay" to beat a woman. Her heroism and story was amazing.
psychologically astute and culturally enlightening
I disagree with the last reviewer. I feel that when I read BEHIND THE BURQA, I got an amazing glimpse into Afghan culture. The story went well beyond the individual circumstances of the two sisters but encompassed an entire timeline of Afghan history since the 1950s and also a great deal about Afghan society, practices, customs and beliefs. Hala's story was even more shocking because she was oppressed in our own country! I am sad that the last reviewer didn't understand the true meaning of the book, and its real message. I highly recommend this book as both a great read (lots of others have said this and I totally agree) and as an important educational experience.

I can't understand how this book got such excellent ratings
I can't understand how this book got such excellent ratings as presented under the guise of Taliban oppression. The older sister, Sulima, was extremely pampered and spoiled by her bizarre father. She seems to have lacked for anything she wanted. Her story is really one about becoming an abused wife. Her unhappy story doesn't relate to her culture as much as her particular circumstances. Abuse of this sort is present within every culture. It is a story about misery, just as all abuse stories are. Her sister, Hala, younger by 20 years has relayed a bit more interesting story, but it takes up less than one third of the book. She touches on the upheavals that led to the ultimate Taliban rule as seen from her exceedingly narrow point of view. Neither of the sisters seems very politically astute. Apparently they lack the erudition to give them a real worldview. Needless to say I was disappointed since I was looking for a book on Afghani culture from a more objective viewpoint. The only thing I gave it stars for is Hala's story of her experiences in detention centers after coming into the US under asylum. After 9/11 we need to be careful about who we let into our country, but I was surprised that detainees were treated like prisoners. After reading "Mayada, Daughter of Iraq", I am sorry to say that Hala's experiences as a prisoner in the US are almost laughable ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Afghanistan    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Hala    7. Historical - General    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Social conditions    10. Social life and customs    11. Sulima    12. Travelers    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    15. Biography: general    16. True stories of endurance & survival    17. USA   

Reviews (6)

somewhat engaging but flawed
Unfortunately, I do not quite share the enthusiasm expressed by the other reviewers. Although Duff is an excellent descriptive writer, the numerous descriptions and philosophical musings in this book tend to go on and on needlessly; I do not need to read three pages about what it was like to find two apples in the ocean and eat them, or read description after description of the joys and epiphanies one experiences while paddling in a remote area. A little of that goes a long way.
Absolutely fantastic.
A couple of years ago I saw Chris Duff speak at Canoecopia - a worldwide paddling expo held in Madison WI. One of his talks was about his solo circumnavigation of New Zealand's south island - the same topic as this book.
Wow, Voyager!
By Bill Marsano. Chris Duff's photos, which are bundled together and whacked a little perfunctorily into the middle of this book, limp under the heading of 'snaps.' Duff belongs to the old school of kayakin' shutterbugs: compose any old how, so long as the bow of the boat is in the frame; shoot in any old light; and shoot, sometimes, any old subject. There's a darn nice snap of a Hooker seal here but what I really wanted was more pix of the damage (and later repairs) to his boat from the surf landing that nearly killed him. I'm just saying. (And the maps are even worse--clear, but seldom helpful.)
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Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Duff, Chris    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Kayaking    6. New Zealand    7. Sea kayaking    8. Sports    9. Travel    10. Travelers    11. Canoeing & kayaking    12. Journeys    13. Sports & Recreation / Kayaking    14. Travel writing   

Reviews (3)

A Unique Account of an Escape To The GDR
Between the end of World War II and the erection of the Berlin Wall, millions of eastern Germans escaped to what was, or would become, West Germany.There was a lot less traffic in the other direction.This is the story of one man who fled the West and wound up "behind the Iron Curtain" in East Germany.American-born Victor Grossman (n� Stephen Wechsler) was literally a card-carrying Communist until he was drafted into the US Army -- a fact he did not disclose on a form asking whether he had ever belonged to any subversive organizations.In 1952, as an American soldier stationed in West Germany, Grossman received a letter requiring him to answer charges that he had lied under oath.Instead, Grossman went to then-occupied Austria and swam across the Danube into the Soviet zone. After being detained by Soviet intelligence, Grossman was given a new life and identity in the "German Democratic Republic."
An excellent and objective read
This is an excellent and unique work. It will not bore you in the least bit. Grossman presents a very human and objective picture of life in the first German socialist state. This is a very informative and interesting account and should be read not only by those interested in the GDR, but also by those interested in history in general, and those who enjoy a fascinating story. This work paints a very different picture of the GDR than the usual Western "totalitarian nightmare" type books. Highly reccomended.

Fills a historical void
This engrossing autobiography relates, first hand, whathappened post WWII with the diehard leftists in the eastern blocs when their dreamsof socialism came crushing down around them .Read more

Subjects:  1. 1928-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Cold War    5. Defectors    6. Germany (East)    7. Grossman, Victor,    8. History    9. Modern - 20th Century    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Political    12. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    13. Politics/International Relations    14. Travelers    15. United States    16. American studies    17. Biography: historical    18. East Germany, DDR    19. European history: postwar, from c 1945 -    20. Marxism & Communism   

Reviews (2)

Enjoying the daily life of Martin and Robin
I am enjoying the events as they build in what sounds like a very beautiful place. I will be visiting Costa Rica soon, and am reading as much as I can about CR before I go. When I am there, I will decide if I could adapt to life there on a full time basis. I find myself thinking that living in a less populated area, as the Rice's do, would appeal to me much more than the city life. The book is very discriptive, and I can see the picture he is painting in words. I was only disappointed about one thing... The website listed in the book does not exist. I was looking forward to seeing the pictures he speaks of in the book.

Must read for anyone planning to live in Costa Rica
Real world experiences of the many daily activities you can anticipate when a Gringo moves to God's country!
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Central America    6. Costa Rica    7. Description and travel    8. General    9. Homes and haunts    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Rice, Martin P    12. Rice, Martin P.    13. Social life and customs    14. Travelers    15. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Travelers   

Reviews (44)

Not always so accurate
I've lived in Japan for 4 years now and sprained my knee in the dojo Robert writes about...if that's some badge of expertise. He gets a lot right in this book ... and maybe that's the problem. Just like the movie "Lost in Translation", he shares his unique views of a complicated nation. At one point, he even seems to admit the difficulty outsiders have when looking at Japan. Yet, that didn't seem to slow up his stereotyping.
A matter of betrayal
Mr Twigger writes an entertaining book BUT ... after reading the book, I would think twice about letting my kids train in a Japanese martial art if I am a parent.I may not have hooked up with Yoshinkan aikido had I read the book first.
An Aikido Odessey!
Robert Twigger's book, Angry white pajamas, takes a close look at his time in Japan attending the intense one year Aikido course given by the IYAF (International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation). Even though the course is supposed to be for the benefit of the Tokyo Riot Police, they usually accept a few foreigners every year to take part and spread the art.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. General    5. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports - General    8. Travelers    9. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (13)

Wild rollercoaster ride!
From the minute I opened it, this book took me on a wild ride. What a great storyteller!!!
Good read!
Good read.I read on my flight to Alaska.Has a few discrepancies between this book and his brothers book but I would guess that can be due to being a long time ago and they weren't very old at the time.Would recommend it to anyone.

my grandfather
this book was very well detailed to the life of my grandfather . the storys that my dad told me about him and reading this book were very helpful into learning about the life of jimmy huntington,and what life was like on the yukon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1915 or 16-1987    2. Alaska    3. Athapascan Indians    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Huntington, James,    9. Indians of North America    10. Mixed descent    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Pioneers    13. Reference    14. Travelers   

Reviews (1)

Easily one of the best nonfiction books i've ever read!
This should almost be required reading in colleges, especially with the current geopolitical situation. It isn't just a translation of Ibn Battuta's book, it's at least 50% background material on the places he visited & the people he met with considerable historical info from before, during, and after Ibn's travels. The writing is excellent and easy to get through. It easily ranks next to Plutarch (in a good translation) and Gibbon for it's grand overview of a largely unknown area of history & the world (at least in the West).
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Subjects:  1. 1304-1377    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Ibn Batuta,    8. Islamic Empire    9. Medieval    10. Middle East - Egypt    11. Travel, Medieval    12. Travelers    13. Egypt    14. History / General    15. History of specific subjects    16. Islam    17. Places & peoples: general interest    18. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Editorial Review

Thomas Wolfe's trusted axiom about not being able to go home again gets a compelling spin through the African veldt in Alexandra Fuller's Read more

Reviews (25)

Brilliant, who cares if the details are not 100% accurate
The way Alexandra Fuller describes the people, the attitudes and the land is brilliant. Anyone really involved in the South African conflicts would recognise parts of themselves, or their friends in the different characters that are described in the book. This book is an accurate description of Southern Africa and its people who have been affected by 40 years of tribal conflict and faithfully portrays the complicated relationship between black and white.

Disappointing
This was definitely a let-down after "Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight", which I thoroughly enjoyed. I found "Scribbling" to be rambling and without purpose at times. It seems unfinished and incomplete.

Dishonest Account of Africa
The author should have stated that this book was fictitious rather than stringing the reader along.The first few chapters are engaging, but it is unrealistic that she would leave her family and, on a whim, travel with "K" to his old Rhodesian War haunts.It was also a fallacy to suggest that she was so naive as to not pick up on his attraction for her.I was truly dissapointed by the self-promoting arrogance of this author and the trivialized generalizations that were haphazardly made about Africa.A true waste of time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - History    3. Africa - South - General    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Description And Travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. General    10. History - General History    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Travelers    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Subjects:  1. 1897-1937    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Earhart, Amelia,    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Transatlantic flights    9. Travelers    10. United States    11. Women    12. Women air pilots    13. Aircraft: general interest    14. Aviation skills / piloting    15. Biography & Autobiography / Women    16. Biography: general   

Reviews (1)

Stuart McCoy
This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size.His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1796-1864    2. Artists    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Egypt    9. Historical - British    10. Middle East - General    11. Palestine    12. Roberts, David,    13. Scotland    14. Travel    15. Travelers    16. Africa    17. Israel    18. Journeys    19. Roberts, David    20. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Europe - Western    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travelers    5. Biography & Autobiography-Travelers    6. Europe    7. France    8. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    9. Travel    10. Travel / Europe / Western    11. Travel-Europe - France   

Reviews (6)

Sensitive stories skillfully told
I'd been waiting for what seemed like too long for a third book of stories from Thomas Lynch, but wondered if his Irish-based tales could possibility be as compelling as his earlier works, which were stories about life based on his career in dealing with the dead (in addition to being a writer, Lynch is an undertaker). But again, just as he used the funeral home as a backdrop for stories not about death but about life, Lynch uses Ireland, land of his ancestory and his frequent visits, as the canvas for telling poignant stories about life. Now I'll give friends copies of "Booking Passage" while i wait for a fourth book from Thomas Lynch.

Booking Boredom
Hilarious in parts, I found his diatribe on 9/11, the airport wait between flights, his "rise" to stardom etc. to be egotistical and boring.If he had stuck to Ireland, relatives there, the cottage there, his life in the States and the back and forth between the two, it would have made a better book. I loved it for the brogue and dialogue therein; reminded me of my father who spoke with a brogue imitating my grandparents from Roscommon but it does wander and that's a shame because he seems to have a niche with his close tie to Ireland that could be used again and again in more books perhaps.

Scattered musings, best read in parts
When three of the sections have these headings: Bits & Pieces, Odds & Ends, Fits & Starts, you get the idea: lots of thoughts mainly about but not always about Irish in America and in the US. Lynch writes well, perhaps too self-consciously (but you could say the same about Beckett, Joyce, McGahern, or Banville) about his place within the past & present Irish identity increasingly available to trans-Atlantic "passengers" reversing the emigration of their ancestors. The strength of this book comes from Lynch's determination to act out a point attributed to one of Brian O Nolan's many literary guises: to be Irish you need not have been born there, merely to claim allegiance.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Literary    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Travelers    8. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    9. Literature: Texts    10. Miscellaneous Items   

Reviews (37)

Bittersweet memories
This book brought a torrent of bittersweet memories. Like Lynette I'm of Chinese descent, but born in Cuba. It's very rarely that one bumps into a very original travel account like hers. Least of all, not that many have had the opportunity to see the side of Cuba never shown to ordinary tourists. What I really appreciate is her non-biased approach as she shows the daily hardships ordinary people encounter to survive, without rambling on what's already known about living conditions there under Castro. She brings to life the resilience of the people there rather candidly. This is important - the character of the people, not the ugly politics. Lynette, when is your next bike trip back to Cuba? Please let me know I have several suggestions.

Don't Miss This Insightful Down-To-Earth Look At the Real Cuba!
The Handsomest Man In Cuba by Linette Chiang is a wonderful book not to be missed, whether you are a hard core bicyclist, casual traveler, or just interested in the world around you.
The Other Perspective of Cuba
There is nothing like learning about a country than cycling through its cities, villages and hamlets and living and eating with the locals.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography / Women    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies    5. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    6. Travelers    7. Bicycle touring    8. Biography & Autobiography    9. Caribbean & West Indies    10. Cuba    11. Cycling    12. Essays & Travelogues    13. Social life and customs    14. Travel    15. Women    16. Women travelers   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    5. Travelers   

Reviews (12)

Read this book!
This is a great book. I couldnt put it down! - riotously funny in places but very poignant in others. Dont let the title put you off - this is a very memorable book and you will be glad you took the time to read it!

Absolutely wonderful
Bill Watkins' second book is at least as good as the first('A Celtic Childhood'), and continues the 'History of Bill' through his young adulthood with great adventure in Scotland('Course, he has to get there first).I rated this book five out of fibe stars only because that is the limit.It's easily a 10!

Greetings- to you & yours: Marie McCarthy Lmk/thecape
Bill,Read more

Subjects:  1. 1950-    2. 20th century    3. Adventurers & Explorers    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Description and travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. General    10. Scotland    11. Social life and customs    12. Travel    13. Travelers    14. Watkins, Bill,    15. Journeys    16. Watkins, Bill   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Personal Memoirs    3. Travelers   

Reviews (11)

Keep your expectations modest, and you'll enjoy this book.
That attitude is also, by the way, a healthy one to take to Ireland. While there, I was simultaneously reading Nuala O'Faolain's "Are You Somebody? -The Accidental Autobiography of a Dublin Woman", which may have been unfair to Gannon's book, since O'Faolain is a fantastic artist with the English language (as spoken by the silver-tongued Irish.) Gannon is nowhere near the writer that O'Faolain is, but his account is still touching in its simplicity and lack of pretension. Gannon is who he is, his parents were who they were, and his book is what it is. Accept that, and you'll have an enjoyable reading experience.

So inaccurate it's not worth your time
On page 71 the author says that Irish is a Germanic language like English. It is NOT! It is a Celtic language very distant from Germanic languages like English. The author goes on to say, "The English language is very ancient in Ireland. Despite what people say, English as a language is not something that was `imposed' on the people by outsiders." That is the most blatantly false statement on the Irish language I have ever read. Anyone who knows anything about the Irish language knows what the author said above is absolutely wrong and damaging to the Irish language. These statements alone should tell you NOT to buy this book or even check it out from a library. After reading that I put the book away. Don't even bother with it.

In 1990,there were 70 million Irish living outside Ireland.

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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Family    6. Gannon, Frank    7. General    8. Ireland    9. Irish Americans    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Travel    12. Travelers    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Journeys   

Reviews (17)

Real African adventure
Most of this book is about true encounters with amazing animals in East Africa. The stories took me back to my own safari experiences in another part of Africa. If you've never been on safari and are thinking about going, this book will give you a good idea of what to expect. As implied in the title, beauty is also sometimes dangerous. The last part of the book is about an awful incident in which he and two of his clients were taken hostage by rebels who crossed the border from a nearby country. The area they were in should have been safe. Mark did all he could to take care of his clients, but in such a chaotic situation, no one can control what happens. Sadly, the couple who had been on safari with him several times was killed. It may have only been chance that he survived himself. I admire how he has honestly shared his feelings of loss and helplessness and also how he is trying to reconcile his love of Africa with what happened. Reading this book scared me but it also made me want to return to Africa to see more of this amazing continent.

Warning:This Book Will Whet Your Appetite for Safari!
I picked up Dangerous Beauty as an antidote to my post-safari blues upon returning home from my first trip to East Africa.By chapter one, I was so impressed by Mr. Ross' approach to safari and his passion for wildlife, especially the predators, that I just knew I had to weasel my way onto one of his future safaris, which I was lucky enough to do in the Summer of 2004.
Great stories from Africa
Dangerous Beauty is a great storybook. Mark C. Ross shares his incredible life stories in this book, and their fascinating. The way he encounters the same animals again and again and creates special bonds with them, even babysitting their children, to me is amazing. The book is impossible to put down because there is a new story with every five pages or so. The book leaves you breathless, wanting more. It's an awesome book, read it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, Eastern    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park    6. Crimes against    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Literary    9. Safaris    10. Tourists    11. Travel - General    12. Travelers    13. Uganda    14. Wildlife watching    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (41)

Sixpence House
Paul and his wife and young son decide to leave their San Francisco home and move to a small town in the countryside of Wales called Hay. This town specializes in selling books- mostly really, really old books. The books are sold if they are valuable- if not, they are gradually priced lower and lower, given away free with the purchase of any other book, or finally burned in huge bonfires that rain bits of other peoples' thoughts on the town's inhabitants. This book is not just about the town, it is also about the humor of the family's adjustment to life in Britain, the hopes of a new writer, and the struggles of a young couple to buy their own home.
A Year in Hay on Wye
As opposed to A Year in Provence (to which it is sometimes compared), this book doesn't inspire you to pull up stakes and transfer to the South of France or anywhere else, except maybe to the nearest musty, possibly treasure-laden bookstore, and deepen your appreciation of books.A visit to the California Antiquarian Book Fair a few years back taught me that there are basically two kinds of people -- those who love books for what they are and those that love books for what they do.Collins seems to be that rare bird -- a dweller in both camps.Every booklover knows the joy in finding something they didn't know they'd wanted in the first place.But he includes historical bits, usually hilarious, he's gleaned from his lifelong pursuit of the obscure and quirky.His sidetrips are also wonderfully funny and informative.For instance, while giving an account of what it's like to be in the publishing his own first effort, he segues into a description of, say, dust covers, giving a brief history of their development and what they may tell a prospective buyer, proving you CAN judge a book by its cover.The avid reader will recognize, also, Collins' predilection for making a beeline for bookcases when visiting someone's home.This practice is a shortcut to getting to know a person.Along the same lines, I try to see books on shelves behind people who are being interviewed on camera.
Quirky but pleasant
Paul Collins, in addition to being an engaging writer with an eye for the slightly bizarre, is a fountain of minutae that is an essential ingredient in what makes this little book so entertaining.He really needs to be rewarded by the B&Bs in Hay-on-Wye for single-handedly increasing the occupancy rate.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Book collecting    4. Book collectors    5. Books    6. Booksellers and bookselling    7. Europe - Great Britain - General    8. Hay    9. Hay (Wales)    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Travelers    13. Wales    14. Modern fiction