Rebel Books

First and foremost, I agree wholeheartedly with Van Court's assessment that explanations of the significance of the symbolism employed by these organizations as well as translations of the text used would be infinitely helpful. And, while I also agree that this guide is most useful as a visual reference, I feel that it could also benefit greatly from better formatting (i.e. as opposed to the alphabetical format used, perhaps an index by region or by types of organizations would enhance its applicability as an analytical aide).

However, my biggest disappointment (and the reason I gave a three-star rating) is the fact that this list is not all-inclusive. I realize that such a publication would probably comprise a multi-volume set, but I would think that certain organizations not listed surely should have made the cut. For example, one of the largest insurgent organizations operating within Iraq is Muqtada al-Sadr's Jaysh al-Mahdi aka Mahdi Army aka Mahdi Militia (listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahdi_Army); it is not listed in this book. I realize that there may not be an identifiable logo utilized by the Jaysh al-Mahdi (and it should be pointed out that there is not one on the Wikipedia page I listed) but, in my opinion, that would be just as significant a piece of information. Thus, I feel that the listing of such organizations with perhaps a statement that says "no known logo" would by most helpful.

Despite these shortcomings, I do believe this publication to be useful. Perhaps a bit basic for those well-versed with the overarching terrorist threat but still helpful for that which it presents. Thus, while not a good "single-source" reference, it would serve its purpose well as one of many tools within a more complete reference arsenal.

The "IntelCenter Terrorist & Rebel Logo Identification Guide" is a visual reference and guide to the graphics used by violent political movements all over the world. From Sendero Luminoso to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic, Communist, Basque, Zionist, and others are represented here. The book is organized like a bird-watchers' guide, with the name of the species of violent movement and illustrations of the main and variant symbols used by the organization. Together with dates of use and some notes on the groups, this provides an excellent reference for anyone involved with scholarly or professional research on these groups, their symbols, and their media releases.

One improvement I'd suggest would be an explaination of the symbols in the graphics. Anyone who has been studying Palestinian organizations will instantly understand the significance of the building with the gold dome in many Palestinian logos, but a student or researcher just beginning their studies could benefit from even the briefest identification of the al Aqsa mosque. In this line of thought, an identification of the geographical regions shown in the logos would also be useful to a researcher new to the field.

The other improvement would be translations of the text in the graphics. The Arab text in these logos is often very beautiful, but is abstract art from where I sit. The content may be of value or offensive, but I don't know, and an explaination would be really valuable.

Despite these shortcomings, this is a great reference work and would be a valuable asset for anyone studying violent extremists.

(From a reviewers' copy provided by IntelCenter.)

E.M. Van Court

I found Rebel Gun to be too wordy and the subject matter to be too simplistic. Each of Brandt's books, when compared to his first one, have been less and less interesting. This latest one is almost boring and very predictable.

Though this is the first book of THE GUN series, our hero, Matt Price, is tired and weary, on the move too much and seeing too many gunfights. But he just doesn't seem to warrant any rest, some new upcoming gunny always wants to take him on.

I have all the books in this series and enjoy all of them. With a veteran writer such as Lyle Brandt (Michael Newton) the interesting story just flows along. I found this series so good that I am now reading Mr. Brandt's newest series, LAWMAN, with the second of that series out at year's end.

As it says on the cover, "the gun, it's not just a weapon ... it's a way of life" and each of the five books that make up this series proves that a true statement.

If you enjoy a good western, especially ones of a short series, you just might want try this past series from the mind and pen of Lyle Brandt. I'll be surprised if you don't like them.

Semper Fi.

This was long book that never developed. The plot was good, but never went anywhere. The protagonists circled around each other the whole time, both in their relationship and their goals, which ironically were the same. I struggled through to the end, for which I will go two stars.

Rebel Heart

Delighted! I have fallen in love with Christine Young's Historical Romances and I am delighted that she has broken the mold and combined Romance with Science Fiction. Christine's readers may not know that she has a Degree in Scientific Illustration from Oregon State University involving many hours in the science field.I so hope that she will write many more combining these two exciting and refreshing ideas.
After all, decades ago, Buck Rodgers had his Wilma. Certainly science fiction and romance.

A Scottish Lass

Boyer's fine essay combines with a great batch of photos to bring back an often unappreciated time in American style and fashion. Yes, it's short--Assouline needs to think bigger!--but it's a lovely trip back in time for anyone with a sartorial bent.

Too short and full of images I could find on Google Search.

Nice quality book, however.

Most readers of "The Rebel Who Lost His Cause" will probably conclude that John Beckett led a fascinating life during extraordinary times. Nevertheless, the author lets the story drag throughout much of the work, making a 215-page book feel much longer. The author depends too heavily on Beckett's own writings. Given that the author is the son of the book's subject, I would have liked to see a greater number of sources and more perspectives in this work. An author would have to TRY to make Beckett's life seem dull, but somehow, the author succeeded at doing just that.

The Rebel Who Lost His Cause: The Tragedy of John Beckett, MP is a detailed and honest biography of the British Left Wing Labour MP who became the third ranking Fascist in Britain at the time of World War II. His career was one that was constantly accompanied by controversy and drama. His natural intelligence and wit, allied to his strong stands on contentious issues, marked Beckett for checkered Parliamentary life, but it was his association with Oswald Mosley that set many of his friends against him and brought an unsatisfactory end to a dramatic and traumatic public life. Biographer Francis Beckett provides an accurate, insightful, memorable, highly recommended account of a gifted, controversial man in a time marked by the drama of warring political philosophies, armies, and personalities.

This book continues the storyline started with the Rissa trilogy ("Young Rissa," "Rissa and Tregare," and "The Long View"). After "The Long View" comes "The Alien Debt" and then "Rebel's Seed." This story is of Lisele, daughter of Rissa Kerguelen and Bran Tregare. In many ways Lisele is similar to her parents in personality ... yet without their early harsh years of development. Too, this is the story of Arlen Limmer, son of Derek Limmer and Felcie Parager who were main characters in the earlier books as well. Arlen is even more sheltered than Lisele and this plays out in their interraction and developing relationship. It was good to see a continuation in this series, though we lose contact with many of the earlier main characters in this book.

Rebel's Seed is the continuing story of Rissa and Tregare. These two together have overthrown the evil United Energy and Transport conglomerate that had held Earth in a stranglehold by creating a Total Welfare State. This is the story of Lisele, their daughter. She survives a shipwreck on a sparsely populated planet and with great ingenuity helps her shipmates defeat the UET outpost that nearly captures them. This is an old story, but one I have read again, and again. I guess I like it so much because the welfare state could really happen. The story can also be found in a book called the "Rebel Dynasty" which also includes the "Alien Debt".

This book and it's predecessor "The Princes of Ireland" are fiction, but the history lesson is there just the same. Rutherford has a very fine literary style that he builds around generations of specific families. We see history unfold through the eyes of these characters, and it is a powerful way to make a lasting impression on the reader. Therefore, these books, as his other ones, are not light reading. They are considerable works, and the book is heavy. (Just ask me after a week of hauling it around the house) But I enjoyed the story, and I loved the characters. I felt like I was there to see and be a part of Ireland's magnificent history. This particular book covers the time between 1597 and 1922. It is richly detailed and the descriptions of this beautiful island actually make it come alive. We see the endless struggle through the centuries of the Catholics and the Protestants, and we also see how no one is a real winner when this type of split occurs in a country. We also see the changing historical landscape through the descendents of the eight or so families that Rutherford highlights. There are common links here too all through. For example, the remarkable green eyes of the O'Byrne family and its descendents. These don't show up with every generation, but they do keep reoccurring. We also see the tragedy of the great famine and the effect it had on the poor people of this country. This is a stunning saga, and I am glad that I finished both books.

I always like Mr. Rutherfurd's books, however I did not find this one as compelling as some of his others. In this book we cover various families in and around Dublin from the late 1500s into the early 20th century. The major theme of this book is quite clearly the fight by many of the Irish people for both religious and political freedom from England.

Although not as entertaining as his other books, it is quite insightful, giving looks into the history and causes of Ireland's struggle with England. It's also quite educational and a real lesson in history repeating itself. An example of this is the chapter on the potato famine. For those of us who in modern day are quite skeptical of "free trade" as practiced by the US, some of the reasons given for the potato famine being worse than they might have been are shockingly similar to our current free trade philosophies. The British government was not willing to step in and subsidize or control the price of grain, saying that the market would take its natural course. The results were that when that same government needed to buy grain to try and feed the hungry, the price of grain had skyrocketed because of the free market and the grain growers knowing that they could charge pretty much whatever they wanted.

This is not a light read. It's full of history, concepts and opinions. So don't take it on unless you're looking for an education.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book

Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author

Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.

Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.

Five stars - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

I just finished this short book. It contains a few black and white pictures that were and are available in many places. The stories are broken up throughout the book. The writing is such that there is little drama. It is very factual and narrates only facts in a very detached manner. Luckily it is very short and I didn't waste much time on it.

You could probably fill a library with the amount of books written about the events of September 11, 2001. For his own part, author Wilborn Hampton decided to write about that day in way that speaks to younger readers. Setting the age group ready for this book at about middle school onwards, Hampton tells a variety of different but true stories that took place on that day. In this book, the narrative is split between eight different groups of people. As the day progresses, some of the people presented are left in limbo, others escape their fate unscathed, and at least one person dies. When you write a book about this subject you're almost guaranteed that your tale will not be boring. The real question is, how well do you tell the events of that day with the respect they deserve? Hampton gives his story just the right amount of gravitas without plunging the narratives into hopeless despair. It's a delicate balancing act that he gets juuuust right.

The book is split into five sections. There is the Introduction, then chapters entitled, "The Attack", "Flight", "The Aftermath", and "Epilogue". We meet Jim Kenworthy and his wife Ginger Ormiston who both worked in the towers. We hear the story of Omar Rivera, a blind man that was in the 71st floor of the North Tower. We follow a squad of firefighters from Ladder Company 6, Rudy Giuliani, and even the author himself. Each story lends another glimpse into what was going on that day. With this method of storytelling, Hampton can gives us the point of view of people inside the towers when the planes hit, outside on the streets below, and at home watching television (as most of us were that day). He doesn't sacrifice narrative tension in the course of telling his story, and I appreciated that. The one part of the book I might have asked to have removed might be the section that follows hijacker Mohamed Atta that day. Though it's a good idea to show someone who instigated the day's horror (and Hampton fortunately doesn't enter into the mind of Atta at any point) he's the only Muslim in this book we ever see. In fact, of all the narratives in this tale, there is only one other person of color mentioned (and she appears as one of seven characters in her tale). A little more diversity would have been nice, especially since people from so many different races and creeds died that day.

In a way, I also wish that Wilborn Hampton's dedication to his child on the publication page was blown up and given more attention in the text. In this dedication Hampton says, "We did not pay enough heed to a divide that opened between the needy and the complacent; we did not listen with enough attention to the cries of frustration and despair from the other side. That divide opened into a chasm of enmity that led to the terrible events that occurred on September 11. It will be the task of your generation to begin building a bridge across this gulf of hatred. Hatred is born of fear. Do not be afraid". You could read this entire book and miss that tiny eloquent and ultimately true passage in its front. At least it's there if you know where to look.

The book contains a map of lower Manhattan, numerous black and white photographs, a Bibliography, a Filmography, and a good Index. Hampton has taken care to back up his sources and include many first hand accounts. The result is a multi-layered non-fiction text that any teen living in America today should read. After all, it outlines a day that has since affected American living in general and America's faith in its own security in particular. To understand what's going to happen, you need a book that explains what already has. This, for the young, is that book.

Let us begin straight to the point. You do not want to read this book. Trust me. It is totally uninventive, poorly written, characters look like they just got out from a movie of a 'F' production, story is dull, and it doesn't keep the reader attracted to the book. I do not know for the other Gifford books, but this one definitely shouldn't be called a book, and especially shouldn't be sold to anyone. Only reason this book got two stars is a hint of an atmosfere that you could sniff somehow but it constantly keeps losing itself. If you still want to buy this book, than the main story is: Ava Varazo is a member of a Mexican revolution and in an attempt to find the money (steal it) from a American bordel owner, she meets Mudo DelRay, after she cheats him and locks him in the trunk she returns into her village La Villania where she continues to struggle against goverment. There are few more characters in the book, and all of them somehow crosses paths with Ava (some on a broader scale).
And the final warning, to not buy this book, read it if you must, but do it in the library (you'll need just few hours).

Whoa! There's a lot going on here in paucas palabras. We're in one of those border nightmares where Texas, Arizona, and Mexico all ooze together into some kind of sharp southwestern guisado with enough lard and chiles to singe your lips and leave a brownish cloud around your cabeza. Add jeans that are too tight, old cars, bad norteno music, and chicas that are muy guapa and hot to trot -- and you get Barry Gifford, the Sage of Big Tuna, at his very best.

I've seen David Lynch's WILD AT HEART and LOST HIGHWAYS, both based on Gifford books, but straight Gifford hits you right upside the gut with a haymaker.

The hot relationship between DelRay Mudo and Ava Varazo is interrupted when the latter blows away her pimp, Indio Desacato, and runs off to La Villania (Nasty), Mexico, to take up with an obscure political cause. Everything goes to hell when Cobra Box, her associate, goes to Bad Leopard, Idaho, to buy guns. Nobody ultimately gets together with anybody: just overheated bodies caroming around in a ranchero beat with the occasional gratuitous sex or violence. As Cairo Fly put it in his diary that closes the book, "Is it possible for a person's soul to stray away or be stolen and without it the person has no peace in their heart? I feel I am one of those now."

There is something mesmerizing about Gifford's staccato chapters. Try too hard to follow the story, and you wind up like Thankful Priest with a bullet in your head in some godforsaken south of the border hellhole. No, man, just keep going to the beat. Sometimes, you fall off the edge of the world; sometimes you get good Tequila with your chilaquiles.

I've got to get me some more of those Gifford books -- if this one's any indicator.

This is the second book I've read now regarding the politics surrounding the Bush Whitehouse. The first was Daydream Believers which offered a more critical assessment of Bush's policies. Rebel in Chief is a glowing and sometimes sycophantic laud of Bush. Instead of focusing on those surrounding the president, Rebel in Chief is much narrower in scope. And hence this may be why Bush comes off like such a maverick and hero.

Subjectivity aside, Barnes paints a picture of the president that I have seen elsewhere: a highly principled, idealistic leader of men who is not afraid of public opinion and sincerely wants to spread democracy. Bush believes that democracy is natural to mankind and can therefore be grown abroad. What I do not see in Bush, is an adherence to the Constitution and the ideals of the founding fathers. Bush may have democratic ideals but they're not necessarily American ones. This subtle shift is exemplified in the new conservatism that Bush is a poster boy for according to Barnes; it's a big government conservatism. An oxymoron for sure, but one that Barnes thinks most Americans are willing to warmly embrace. I find this brand of conservatism distressing for the fact that it continues the trend of giving power to the federal government and forever lessening the independence of the states. Bush's big government conservatism is a short step away from liberalism.

Barnes believes that Bush has been a huge success in `Republican ascendancy'. He says that red states have grown redder and blues states have shown signs of reddening. But I fear that the more correct analogy is that what we call `red' has been `bluified'.

Barnes does at times acknowledge the shortcomings of Bush but they are not dwelt on in any detail whatsoever. He does note that WMDs were not found in Iraq but leaves it at that.

Should this be the defining book on Bush? I would hope not. While an interesting read, a more critical account should also be looking into if you are planning on picking this book up.

For those that don't know much about history, here is a condensed version.

Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer
and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter. The two most important events in all of history were:

1. The invention of beer, and

2. The invention of the wheel.

The wheel was invented to get man to the beer.

These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups:

1. Liberals.

2. Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement. Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement.

Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girlie-men. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided.

Over the years Conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass.

Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines, and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history...

It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respond to the above.

A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to piss them off.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"The dignity of man is not shattered in a single blow, but slowly softened, bent, and eventually neutered. Men are seldom forced to act, but are constantly restrained from acting. Such power does not destroy outright, but prevents genuine existence. It does not tyrannize immediately, but it dampens, weakens, and ultimately suffocates, until the entire population is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid, uninspired animals, of which the government is shepherd."

Alexis de Tocqueville

Somehow, I suffered through this book. Yes, there were some interesting points. But I no longer remember them, as they were far outweighed by stupidity. This one is headed for paper recycling.

Overall, I agree with the wise reviewer who called his book "nothing more than romantic idealization."

For those who cheered the war on terror, please note, Bush effectively abandoned that long ago. His piece de resistance, as it were, accompanied 2008 plans to establish diplomatic relations with Iran---while Tehran plans to manufacture nuclear weapons. And what of Bush's legendary do-nothing stance towards North Korea? The world must have blinked when Bush waved his magic wand and made the axis of evil go "pouf."

From our current vantage point, Barnes' simplistic glorification of Bush looks like village idiocy. Where ever does he see courage in this man, I wonder?

Liberal thinking seems lately to have sidestepped basic ideals like life and liberty. But liberals are hardly the monsters Barnes makes them out.

Conservative Republicans, meanwhile, can't possibly be as stupid as Barnes' world analysis might lead one to believe.

I doubt history will judge George W. Bush the worst president in U.S. history. Chronologically, that remains a toss-up between Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter.

But for sure, history won't judge George W. Bush the best U.S. president ever. Dream away Fred.

That halo is still best reserved for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.

No one else has to date held a candle to either of them. Nor (contrary to popular opinion) does anyone on the horizon come close.

Fred Barnes is a Fox television news analyst. He interviewed President George W. Bush and his top officials to report on the ways the Bush administration is using what he calls radical conservatism to effect change in the United States. This book is well written and covers foreign policy and faith-based initiatives. I will let you make up your own mind, but I will say that this book is an interesting read.

I could tell from watching Carmella Soprano reading this in one of the last episodes of the show that it'd be a propaganda piece.

Interesting how the show's writers only ever let the Soprano children question Bush & American Foreign Policy so not surprising that this book is a hagiography...