Middle East Books

This is worth reading if the problems in Iran, Iraq and the Middle East concern you. It is a tragic tale that shows American foreign policy as the immature outgrowth of US intervention in world affairs during the 1940's. No administration is spared. The author we involved in these events while in the US State Department.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the modern middle east, political Islam, the Iranian revolution, or the Iran hostage crisis.

After reading this book, I am amazed that James Bill is not the most sought-after Middle East commentator in America. His analysis of 20th century Iran leading up to the revolution of 1979 is a clear and concise explanation of part of the puzzle that led to the tragedies of 9/11. This is a MUST-READ for anyone who wants to become truly familiar with Iran's tumultuous history and its rocky relationship with the West. As the Bush administration continues to evolve its policy towards this area of the world, it would be wise for officials at the State Department and at the Pentagon to read and absorb the lessons contained in this crucial analysis of US-Iran relations. Again, this is a must-read.

Far and away the most balanced, well-researched, accurate and thoughtful book on US-Iran relations. Excellent psychographical backgrounds of the key players.

"The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy of American-Iran Relations", is an excellent book by James Bill, who explores the files of history in an effort to assess the series of events that culminated in the worsening and then breaking of U.S. -Iranian links. The author looks at the manner in which the American policy makers handled relations between the two countries. He highlights the uneasy diplomatic contacts between the two countries that date back to 1883 while searching for the causes of the artificiality of the "healthy" relationship between the two countries.

The main emphasis of Professor Bill is on the fact that American policy makers misunderstood those societal dimensions of Iran which play an important part in its foreign policy behavior. For example, the perceptions of the Iranians towards the Europeans or Americans; the sensitivity of the people of Iran towards their religion and culture and the respect that was given to the religious leadership. The writer emphasizes the modes adopted by the American foreign policy makers, especially in the context of delicate situations when ever they arose.

In order to reach a logical conclusion for the "mismanagement," the author is concerned with the deteriorating relations between the two countries, - and for that the book traces out the initial heavy contacts between the Iranians and the Americans.

One must give credit to the Professor for his understanding of Iranian society and his compassionate analysis. This study is a must for the students of U.S.-Iran relations. It is a welcome contribution, not only to the literature on the subject but also to the study of Iranian as well as American decision makers. This is the best book of its genre written by an American author.

Prof.Dr. S. Farooq Hasnat
Former Chairman,
Department of Political Science
Punjab University, Lahore
Pakistan

This is, in my opinion, the best single volume available on the military campaigns of the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973. If you are looking for a balanced overview of the military campaigns of the four wars, this is the book you want. This is a 600+ page book packed with details about all aspects of the fighting. The campaigns are described from both a strategic and operational level. There are also more than forty maps, three line drawings, and more than 100 photos. The skirmishes (military, political, and irregular) between the wars are also described in detail. There are two things in particular about this book that I really liked. First, this work is not a thinly veiled attempt to glorify Israeli military successes, like virtually everything else written in English on this subject is. Both sides are treated evenly and fairly. Second, Dupuy explains the political causes for each of the wars as well as the campaigns themselves. Much of what is written about the causes of each of the wars (and they were all different) is little more than self-serving propaganda (on both the Arab and Israeli side), and although the combatants similar, the political situations that led up to each war were very different. If you don't know who Trever Dupuy was, a few minutes of searching on the internet would demonstrate both his knowledge of military affairs and his fecundity as an author. This book contains a cold, balanced analysis of all four wars: what all combatants did right, what they did wrong, and why they chose to do what they did. The discussion of the '73 war is particularly enlightening. It is my belief that the great improvement in the Egyptian army between '67 and '73, their well executed strategic plan, and their initial (and largely unexpected) successes they had using Soviet equipment had a profound influence on American military thinking throughout the rest of the Cold War and beyond. In any case, this is a great book, and I would have to say that it is outrageous that it is out of print. If you feel that you want to learn more about the Arab-Israeli wars from a balanced source, this is unquestionably the place to start.

The best documentary book I have ever read on the Arab Israili war. The book covers all the wars from a totally unbiased angle, and shows each and every detail throughout the war. I read the translated version fro Al-Ahram strategies center in Arabic, and I can't wait to get my hands on the original English one. Althugh I read the book, it is a must to have on your shelf. Simply it is a great reference

I've been reading military books for 14 years and this book is very good. Highly recommended

This book is a great reference for the Arab-Israeli wars. Although it is rather old (written in 1978), it is probably one of the best books on the subject. The book is very well documented and the author gives probably the most balanced and least biased account of the wars

This book is remarkable for what it is not: it is not a diatribe, it is not political, and it is not biased. It is a steadfastly-neutral account of the Arab-Israeli wars of the past sixty years and reflects the integrity and professionalism of the author. He is absolutely dedicated to presenting the perspectives of both sides of the conflict. It is meticulously researched and contains extraordinary detail about all military aspects of the conflicts. The book does not stray far into the political or diplomatic realms, and anyone interested in the personalities of the conflicts should look elsewhere. This is a professional military history that, while intended for a professional military audience, is accessible by most any reader with at least some basic knowledge of the conflict. Finally, at the risk of being repetetive, it is fair and unbiased, which is truly extraordinary, given the nature of the conflict. If you can find a copy, get it, and if you are the publisher, re-print it. Please.

Great description of both the sights and the surroundings of all of the different areas of the Holy Land. Provides background to understand the significance, as well as other importance in other times.

A must if you plan on going to any of the historical areas of the Holy Land. Much superior to any of the "name" travel guides, incredible detail and historical perspective.

Very informative with good descriptions. The language is a little difficult to interpret at times and I wish there was a little more history with each site, but overall a great guide.

This book is filled with the knowledge of vast experience and travel. If you want a book that doesn't just give the religiously naive and superstitious what they want to hear (like so many do), then this is your book. Excellent in several ways.

Recommended to me by an archaeolgist long active in Israel, I found this book quite helpful in appreciating a number of sites (and sights) I recently visited (and saw) in the Holy Land. For folks who are looking to learn more about various ancient sites than the typical tour guide can offer, this will be well worth its price. In addition to its being informative, I found the personality of its author evident and engaging.

Jimmy Carter was arguably the worst President in American history and not only that, he was also responsible for giving Islamism a place to call home in Iran. But Carter didn't stop there, he also has supported anti-semitism and neo-nazism in many places and today allies himself with the likes of Iran's president Ahmadinjed in his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Jimmy Carter helped cause the Iranian revolution and also worked to help the Ayatollahs take power and then sacrificed American lives after the fact, for absolutely no reason. Unfortunatly this book exposes the truth about Carter and Islamism and his responsibility for 9/11.

Seth J. Frantzman

Great Read !! Was Carter a noble humanitarian? The author has presented with precision, a different perspective; In dealing with Iran, Carter's views were at best naive, or perhaps worse, a deliberate detachment for self aggrandizement. A must read for any one doubting the threat of militant Islam or Carter's ill conceived appeasement to its incubation.

Author lays out in detail the story behind the Islamic-Marxist revolution of Iran in 1979. Carter allowed that disaster to take place before his very eyes and now we're paying the costs all over the world. This book is full of details and information. I Loved it. Used it as a good source for my Diplomacy Class 2nd and 3rd major essays. This book is a must read!

I thought the book covered in excellent detail the events that led to the Islamic takeover in Iran, without making a personal attack on Carter or his administration. He lays out the historical facts and political background of the time period very well. I like a book that does not try to take you to a place, but allows you to get there by yourself.

The book lays out the dedication to a policy and theory within the Carter administration that ignored the reality of the political and theological culture in Iran. Carter, like many liberals, set a policy that made him feel good about himself and his administration. It has cost many US lives over the decades since. Pilevsky says what few others are saying, but many have thought it. This "Terrorist Thing" starts with Carter.

Simply put: the best book I've ever read! Pilevsky brings back the Carter years in full technicolor - the blinders and gloves are off. His writing is smooth, strong and punchy. If this book came out before 2002, Carter might not have won the Nobel Peace price. It's actually that powerful and relevant.

I can't wait for Philip Pilevsky's next book!!

I heard about this little book in a radio review, what a revelation. Highly recommended for it's historical irony.

This little book is both a historical curiosity and of current relevance. I really wish I had seen it -- or something like it! -- before I went over to Iraq. It is exactly what the description says it is (thus the 5 stars). It's simply a reprint of an old Army pamphlet, though, so of course you can't expect too much.

This book was meant for WWII but it could have been written for the Troops in Iraq today, and it is a must read for all those who support our Troops in Iraq right now!!!

Why didn't the very first U.S. soldier to step foot in Iraq four years ago carry one of these in his or her gear and read it? Why isn't every soldier sent to the Middle East today issued one? Imagine the possibilities.

The book really is a lesson in respecting an entirely different -- and unique -- culture. For instance: Page 18: "No Preaching" seems essential; we all need reminding that "Manners are Important"(page 15); "the "List of Most Useful Words and Phrases" on p. 35 is critical in communication, a key to diplomacy before sabre rattling. Be sure to read Lt. Col. John Nagl's "Short Guide" as well.

I'm gifting everyone in my family, no matter which side of the fence they lean, one of these little gems poste haste.

A great reminder about cultural differences in Iraq. If you're stationed in Iraq this could really help you understand local population better. Great phrase section in the back.

Judy Lash Balint leaves nothing unsaid. Her diary tells us everything Judy Lash Belint sees just by living in Jerusalem: from the daily terrorist attacks to the water being turned off when she gets back from yet another grueling day of work (in Jerusalem water is rationed and every apartment complex votes on when they will have no water but Judy Lash Balint was not there for the meeting and so did not vote and did not know...) and yet being so tired, no exhausted that never mind she can collapse and sleep without water or a bath or a drink.

And from her we hear what it is like to visit a family right after a horror attack. Vadim was murdered and a Palestinian soaked his hands in his blood and held them up for the cameras of the world to see. Irina his pregnant wife was watching television and saw it all on TV... and when Judy Lash Belint pays a condolence call and Irina says nothing because what is there to say?

And Judy Lash Belint tells us also of the Ethiopian Jews' custom of going up to the Western Wall to celebrate their gratitude for the Torah and she tells us of drinking coffee in a Starbucks and of the regular election debates.

The ordinary and the recognizable intermingle freely in these pages with the horrible and the incredible. It is a book all those who are interested in Israel should read because it tells of one woman's experiences in Israel, in Jerusalem; day by day.

Judy Lash Balint reveals an extremely moving side to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seldom seen through the cameras of CNN, Sky, the BBC or any other Western media outlet for that matter. Judy Balint reveals the side of a victim long forgotten by the media.

The author presents the oft-ignored story of the innocent Jewish/Israeli victims of the Palestinian terrorist war. The innocent victims whose lives have been shattered and whose bodies have been battered and wounded through gut-less suicide bombings and other terror attacks aimed squarely at babes, children, teenagers, fathers and brothers, sisters and mothers, nearly all of whom have just been going about their daily lives like you or I, with no evil intent or political extremism.

Whilst we have all witnessed the aforementioned media sources devoting whole reports to the plight, claims and circumstances of Palestinian terrorist organisations and even many individual Palestinian suicide attackers, rarely does the Jewish victim receive any publicity, which is why this book is so important.

Judy Balint reveals the story of an Israeli civilian population under siege of Palestinian terrorism, where just visiting a public area such as a café, restaurant, cinema, disco, shopping mall or travelling on a bus is enough to place one's life at risk due to the threat of wholesale, indiscriminate terrorist attacks.

The author's words show the underlying fear and frustration of those who must live under this deliberately imposed horror by a neighbouring population that, through it's leader Yasser Arafat, does not even recognise their very right to exist or their ancient claims to their homeland of Israel.

Reading these words, one can feel what it must be like to have to send your own children of tender years to school in armoured school-buses under escort, never knowing if they will arrive or return safely.

The author's distress is clearly evident when she describes that even after fifty years of Israeli statehood, Israel still has to justify it's existence in a land that has belonged to the Jewish people for thousands of years. A claim to the Land that precedes and predates any Palestinian and indeed any Arab/Moslem claim to the territory. A Jewish claim that extends back through history for some 4,000 years and based upon a Biblical heritage which has yet to be and indeed cannot be rescinded.

Judy Balint provides through 55 essays a fact often quoted elsewhere. That although being unsuccessful on the battlefield in destroying & terrorising the Jewish people, Palestinian/Arab & other terrorist entities can terrorise 1,000 by killing one person and by killing civilians they can terrify people and the public at large far more effectively than when engaged in a full scale war. A fact that we too have since experienced in the West since `September 11th'.

The author's frustration is clearly evident as she passes comment on the moves of various Israeli governments towards peace and the concessions which have brought only more violence. In exchange for land, Israel did not get peace, it got suicide bombers, suicide machine gunners, drive-by terrorists, snipers, mortar bombs, car bombs, fire bombs, grenades, booby traps, explosive packages, remote controlled explosives, forest fires, lynching, and kids bludgeoned to death. Israel also got a few staged arrests and revolving prison doors.

Attention is frustratingly paid here to the indisputably unbalanced coverage of this conflict provided by the BBC/CNN et al., where despite repeated factual and accurate complaints having been made against this principle, basic rules of media objectivity are still ignored. Any reference to Palestinian terrorists being downplayed to the usage of lesser terms of `militants', `extremists' or `activists'. The `T' word being purposely ignored in a conscious decision not to show Palestinian terrorist barbarity.

These views might seem extreme in themselves, but they are deeply felt in isolation by the victims whose plight and the backdrop to Israeli society is at last brought to the written page so adeptly by Judy Balint. This is an essential read for anyone who wishes to truly understand the situation in Israel at this present time.

This is an interesting personal account of what it is like to live in Jerusalem. Written by a Jewish resident. And while the meat of this book is the tale of how Jebusites are dealing with the risks and tragedies, I was most intrigued by the reactions to historical events.

We get to see, on Balint's diary entry for October 6, 2000, that a "sea change" had taken place in Israeli attitudes about the prospects of peace in less than a month. The Israeli public had known that incendiary material fed to Arab schoolchildren was bound to result in violence. But it was surprised to discover the extent to which Arab citizens of Israel supported the same annihilationist goals as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

And we get to see the lack of surprise when the Associated Press routinely reports Israeli self-defence as though it were unprovoked malice.

We also get to see her view of Sharon's defeat of Barak in the 2000 Israeli elections. Sharon won by a landslide, and Balint points out that Barak misread the willingness of the Israeli public to cede parts of Jerusalem. She doesn't even mention the problem of negotiating under fire with a party that will break any agreement anyway and then blame you for it.

Perhaps the most telling remarks the author makes are about the counterproductive manner in which European nations are interfering in the fighting. She explains that European nations fund the textbooks used in the West Bank "that promote hatred of Jews and intolerance of Israel's right to exist." And she shows how Europe donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to marginal Israeli political groups on the extreme left, in hopes of undermining Israeli democracy.

This work is a valuable document. It speaks to truths which the international media systematically ignore, the truths of the sufferings of the Jews of Israel as a result of Arab terror and violence. It in considering what has happened in Israel from the years 1998-2001 Balint shows how the Israeli public is fundamentally a decent, peace- loving one however stigmatized by the world-media. Balint also shows through her encounters with various members of foreign media in Israel how events are distorted to slander Israel and favor the Arab side. In focusing on so much of the reality of Israel which others have ignored she does a real service to the people of Israel, and the cause of fairness and justice.

The author does a phenomenal job of recording events and her feelings about these events during a seige of Palestinian terrorist attacks in Israel from Nov. 1998 - Dec. 2001. The author fills each page with details of her life and how it transpired, her assessment of the media news, Israeli government positions (some of which she often disagreed with), political changes, the world outlook and news media coverage. She provides descriptions of how the deaths of individuals affected their family, friends, and the community where they lived. Written as diaries, the reader is given a personal viewpoint and feels the helplessness and fear associated with the thought that at any time, from any direction, a bomb could unexpectedly explode forever changing one's life for the worse. At any time, one could be in the midst of a horrible scene where everyday people, carrying out their everyday lives could in a split second be forever maimed or killed because of outside forces, by people who made decisions due to their political positions. One senses and feels the terrible loss of innocent lives and their impact. This is not often well conveyed in the small information bytes of film footage and brief interviews provided on the six o'clock evening news. This book is difficult to read because it is very uncomfortable reading about death, violence and destruction. However, since Sept. 11, 2001 more Americans need to understand there are destructive forces in the world that want to change our way of life. They want to curtail our freedom and revert it into a controlled despotism. They do not care about our Judeo-Christian values and whatever good has occured in the world due to Western values. The problem with creating a separate Palestinian country is unfortunately mixed in with the global problem of Islamic terrorism ... so in that sense what happens in Israel affects us all.

The author states in the beginning of the book she is a committed Zionist and chose to live in Israel during these difficult and historic times. She feels Israel subordinated its sovereignty to the Oslo agreements and she objects to the Wye Memorandam where the exchange of "land for peace" was to be the outcome. The author does not claim to be a neutral observer. She takes a definite stand that since Israel won the war in the 1967, whatever land it obtained due to this victory now belongs to Israel. She cites areas where the PLO violated Oslo agreements and the world does not hold them accountable. She mentions that Palestinians deliberately destroyed Jewish sites such as temples and are uncooperative or make it difficult for Jews to visit tombs of importance. Whether or not one sympathizes with any aspect of the Palestinian's position or problems, there is no doubt that the global issues of terrorism can no longer be separated from their midst. It will take greater minds than mine to analyze the main issues and sort out areas of cooperation and interest on which to build a lasting peace ... However, anyone interested in knowing what it is like to live under a siege of terror will appreciate the descriptions provided by this author. Sorting through some of the Hebrew terms used in the book and reading the Hebrew names of places in Israel was difficult but the author thoughtfully provided a glossary for those unfamiliar with the language. The intent of the author to convey her experiences of living "in tense times" comes through loud and clear. Anyone wanting to understand the realities of living in modern day Israel will want to read this book. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

"Kisses From a Distance" was recommended by a friend and I'm thankful to her for that! It's a very readable memoir, touched with humor and filled with first-hand stories handed down to Raff Ellis. His narrative flows easily and the photos add much interest. I drew many connections to my own Irish great-grandparents' experience. They immigrated to NYC during the Irish Potato Famine. I just wish I had the treasure trove of letters and photos that Raff has. They are priceless. All Americans are descended from immigrants, so we can all identify with "Kisses From a Distance," no matter our ancestors' ethnicity. Kudos to Raff for this labor of love.

I so much enjoyed this book so much I found myself slowing down towards the last pages because I didn't want it to end! Someone recently said facts are numbers, dates, and events . . . the "story" is something else altogether. As a first born child of immigrant parents, it brought my own family history to life while helping me to fill in many gaps. "Kisses From a Distance" is filled with many interesting historical facts . . . but the author's true gift is his ability to bring the past to life in an objective and hearfelt way as he tells his family's "story!" Liked it so much bought several copies to give to others.

Raff Ellis's story of his family's immigration experiences can be read as if it is an engrossing novel in today's market of published written works. Combining his miraculous discovery after the death of his mother, of a cache of over 200 letters, extensive research and visits to Lebanon, the author is able to tell in narrative form the family's trials and tribulations. I found myself continually referring to the family trees to keep track of all of its members and their interactions.

The highlight of the story for me was in the fact that I discovered more about one of Raff's brothers, Al, (like how he got his name) with whom I worked for 5 years in our parish in Andover, MA. This past June I also visited him in South Africa where he is pastor of a mother parish with three "outstation" Zulu parishes. I came to realize that we all have family and personal backgrounds that make us who we are. Don't miss this fascinating tale of one family that journeyed to America, becoming a part of the whole of our nation of immigrants. You won't be able to put it down. The story will be circulating in Andover and wherever else it finds its way. Pass it on, for that is what storytelling is all about!

I teach a course, Writing Your Memoirs, in which I not only encourage and instruct students in writing their own stories, but to read the stories of others. I read a lot of published memoirs---in fact, it is one of my favorite genres---and provide my students with bibliographies of Recommended Reading.

Raff Ellis' "Kisses from a Distance," the life stories of his immigrant parents who came to America from Lebanon, is a book I'm definitely adding it to my Recommended Reading list. It's a good story, very readable. It is obviously a long labor of love, good writing, and much research.

Especially interesting is the way this author interweaves the past, the lives of his parents, and the present, his commentary on the research, talking with relatives and others in Lebanon who knew his parents. I hope he will now write of his childhood growing up Lebanese-American, and bring the story up to the present.

I highly recommend "Kisses from a Distance" to everybody who likes to read memoirs, is interested in the immigrant experience, and who appreciates history and good research.

Raff Ellis has done an incredible job of chronicling the struggles, courage and dreams of immigrants coming to America in the early 20th century.
After discovering numerous letters written to and from his mom he was able to put together this historical and fascinating sequence of events that led to his fated life as an American. His eloquent writing style makes this story interesting, enjoyable and a great lesson in American history.
This is a must read for anyone, but especially for those who've had family members migrate to America from foreign lands.

Whether you live in New York City and want to understand how to synchronize your life with the city's rhythm, or you are just a visitor eager to taste both the past and the present of one of America's most vibrant neigborhoods-the Lower East Side-this book is an excellent companion.

Joyce Mendelsohn gives an excellent walking tour of the Lower East Side pointing out landmarks with interesting facts and accurate accounts of the rich history here. Anyone who lives on the Lower East Side or whose relatives came from the Lower East Side should read this book complete with period and modern photographs. I loved it.

Even if you can't visit the bakeries and restaurants of the Lower East Side (and you should) you can enjoy the ethnic flavors by reading Joyce Mendelsohn's book. Like the best historians, she tells stories of the past from a present-day perspective. New York is a city of remakes, architectural and cultural--Mendelsohn combines both. As a former History teacher, I recommend it for a good read.

I found this book to be an incredible resource for me, in my wanderings around the City. From the history of the African burial grounds to finding the best doughnuts, this is a great book. I read most of it from my couch, but then took it with me when I went looking for Napoleon Le Brun firehouses. The details of the history are among the best I've seen published.

This is an essential book for anyone who lives in or plans to visit New York City. The first 22 pages give a succinct but by no means shallow history of immigration to New York, beginning with the earliest slaves arriving in New Amsterdam in 1626 to the latest arrivals of Hispanics and Asians in the later years of the 20th century. The remainder of the book consists of four self-guided walking tours, each approximately 2 hours long, through 4 different neighborhoods of the Lower East Side. The description of each tour begins with directions for arriving at the starting point by public transportation--a helpful bit of information. Among the various sites on the tour are the birthplace of Eddie Cantor, the first municipal-built playground in the U.S., the place where Arthur Murry took his first dance steps, the library that Leon Trostsky used when he lived in NY in 1917, and the Wah Mei Bird Garden, where caged Asian song thrushes fill the morning air with song. The book is small enough to carry around easily. The index is especially good. The photographs, new and old, give a sense of the city both today and yesterday. This is a friendly book.

In this book, the hypochondriac genius of movies, radio, television, and the concert stage delivers all the neurotic humor expected. But the author, a talented writer as well as one of the great pianists of the 20th century, also succeeds at conveying the ambience of the artistic world of the 1920s through 1950s. His insights about his contemporaries, including celebrated conductors, musicians, composers, and actors, are fascinating.

Luckily found this among my mother's books, the title caught my eye. When asked about it, my mother laughed softly. I thought, if it can make her laugh it must be funny; well it's the best humor, and I turned to a page and busted out laughing. It's more than that. I read the one I bought from time to time, and there is always a point of feeling I'm in the belly of a beast. Such integrity I'd never known, and never felt I could fit in this world 'til reading "Memoirs of an Amnesiac".

My son had to explain (to my wife) the joke behind the title. An amnesiac can't remember and a memoir is a written record of memories. Hence, a contradiction, but still a great title and an emblematic preview of what's to come when you read this book. And you do want to read this book because Oscar Levant is unique, funny, honest, interesting, and weird. He is the kind of person that you want to read about because he seemed to know everyone who was anyone in American music or in American film and of course he has the inside scoop on those people including Harpo Marx, Louis Mayer, Irving Berlin, Fanny Brice, Aaron Copland, Arnold Schoenberg, Dorothy Parker, Paul Whiteman, Judy Garland, Arturo Toscanini, and Harry Truman. Oscar Levant, as SN Behrman said, is the kind of person that if he had not existed, could not be imagined. Yes, he's that bad. Because he is brutally honest about his life, his loves, his obsessions and compulsions, his drug addictions and his music and friends, we have here a real-life true quill biography that takes no prisoners and lacks the usual apology or gloss or pastiche so common these days. Brutal honesty - that's the ticket. Oscar has to tap eight times to get water from the faucet. He has to tap eight times to shut the water off. He needs to name each street his limo passes and if he misses the name, his driver has to circle back to get the name. He will throw away a pack of cigarettes if someone talks while he is opening the pack. His wife, June, (her title should be Saint June) who picked up the pieces after each nervous breakdown, still must have a separate waste paper pail in each room so that she doesn't contaminate the waste paper in his pail. When Oscar had his heart attack, he had to go through all his night time rituals before he could get into bed for the doctor to check him. In short - a real nut case. And yet, and yet, a world-class pianist, composer, television and film personality who led a life well lived. You wouldn't want him in your home for dinner unless, of course, he kept his mouth shut and just played his marvelous interpretations of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which, incidentally, I am listening to right now. Ah, genius, - it has its problems and it has its pleasures.

This has always been one of my favorite books. I recall reading it for the first time as a pre-teen, and chuckling at his OUTRAGEOUS stories. I'm probably among the last generation that remembers this brilliant man, which is a shame. In the days of the great "talk shows", like Jack Paar, etc.., Oscar Levant was always one of the most coveted, and controversial, guests. I remember seeing him on t.v., as a kid, & being fascinated by this odd looking man who, though I quite honestly didn't get 90% of what he was saying, was obviously someone truly unique. This book has all his irreverent humor, the humor even evident in his telling of his long battle with mental illness, and his extreme, then un-named "obsessive-compulsive" disorder. His brutal honesty about his ordeal was unheard of at that time, and was long before the trend of todays celebrities, who do everything but hawk their x-rays on informercials. There's many names in this book that you will recognize, and his telling of his encounters with various celebrities is not always in their favor, and will have you rolling on the floor. He was literally thrown off the air in the 1950's, for a remark he made on a live talk show, pertaining to Marilyn Monroe and her conversion to Judaism, which is recounted in this book, but can't be repeated here. But at the time, the staid 1950's, it must have had the audience awestruck in utter shock at his outrageous (and incredibly humorous) statement. This is just a fabulous book about one of the greatest wits of this century, the man who started out as an incredibly accomplished and respected pianist, he was most known for his rendition of good friend Gershwins "Rhapsody In Blue", and became something more than just a clown. Totally touching, hysterical, and honest, this book will have you falling in love with dear, lost, brilliant Oscar. In todays, for the most part, [dissapointing] "celebrity" climate, we sure could use the likes of him again.

This book was a disappointment although it covers the scope of Oscar Levant's life from Tin Pan Alley to Carnegie Hall to Hollywood to mental hospitals.

A major problem with the writing is that it consists of endless name dropping without context. If you aren't familiar with the names (which I wasn't for the most part) then a good deal of the story is lost.

Another feature of the writing is a constant stream of one-liners from Oscar and others. These were undoubtably funny when they were first said, but in the book they seem forced. For example, "I once said cynically of a politician, "He'll double-cross that bridge when he comes to it."" If you enjoy one-liners then this book showcases them throughout.

As a fan of Oscar Levant from movies like Rhythm on the River and An American In Paris, I was pleased that he was up front about many aspects of his life. However, the famous line, "Beneath this flabby exterior is an enormous lack of character" had a lot more truth to it than I had assumed. Oscar really does exhibit rude behavior, selfishness, cheating and drug addiction. And of course neurosis. He is honest to his faults.

A better (but far briefer) description of Oscar Levant is in Harpo Marx's book "Harpo Speaks". That book also has a lot of name dropping, but the literary style is rich so that it's fascinating even if you are not familiar with the Algonquin Round Table.

With Oscar's book, I was satisfied about the scope of the writing, but disappointed in the terse style although it's an easy read.

I just finished a ride of a little over 1000 miles from my home in NJ to and through WV and VA. I used this book to guide me on some really terrific roads and through some truly beautiful areas. This was the first long, extended ride I've ever taken and it was in large measure due to the "encouragement" expressed through this well written resource. If you're thinking of traveling through the Appalachians then I would recommend that you purchase and pour through this well written book before you go.

I just got back from a near-1000 mile trip through the Appalachians. I used this book to guide me through some thoroughly fascinating and beautiful areas -- the author, Dale Coyner, has create a terrific resource! I am not exaggerating when I say that VA Route 39 has changed my view of the eastern United States (I lived in the West -- Alaska, Utah, and Arizona -- until 2000). I'm sure I won't be the first, but I've set a goal to do all 36 rides in the book.

I showed this to the clerk at the bookstore at the Peaks of Otter wayside on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She's a rider, so she took the name of the book down with considerable enthusiasm and pledged to talk to the manager about stocking the book in the store. It seems strange NOT to have your book on the shelves in such a rider's paradise!

great book detailing not just roads, but local custom and color for the mid-atlantic area from PA down to the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee.

numerouse routes from a central point in each region are detailed and the local dining, lodging, and other points of interest are detailed in an interesting style of writing.

useful for anyone who wants to tour the mid-atlantic region and take their time doing it...

I worked in the motorcycle industry for over 10 years as a service manager and still ride with all my old co-workers.

We thought we knew all the best roads in our neck of the woods but we were wrong.

We pick a route, get into the middle of nowhere and then get lost.

This book has filled in the blanks for us.

A must have if you're a real rider.

For me there are three parts to a good trip - the preparation, the adventure itself, and then the memories. This book has helped me a long way in achieving all these pleasure points. The maps and text are wonderful; the crafty photo's with tasty captions peppered appropriately throughout this guide left my partner (who does not accompany me) recommending more sights than I could handle. A keeper, if not just for that.