Middle East Books

Wounded: Vietnam to Iraq author Ronald J. Glasser, M.D., served as an Army hospital physician during the Vietnam War and offers alarming insights and comparisons in military medical experience between the Vietnam War and the current Iraq war. At once both fascinating in its studious examination in how the changing nature of modern battlefields has transformed the job of the medic, from simply keeping a wounded patient alive until a chopper could quickly evacuate to having to prolong life for up to 72 hours, since air superiority has all but vanished in the modern era of urban warfare and readily available technology to shoot down choppers. "The training period for the Combat Medical Specialty was increased from ten to sixteen weeks... The additional weeks of training were devoted to developing the new core skills necessary to keep the severely wounded alive where they were hit, with little chance for immediate evacuation. No more 'patch 'em up and send them off.' This was to be big-time medicine, the city trauma center brought to the battlefield." A sober, well-reasoned, "must-read" about the evolving state of combat medicine and the long-term repercussions of war wounds.

After rereading the book 365 Days by Dr. Ronald Glasser, one that this vietnam combat vet found to be both stirring and haunting, I had to get his most recent book.
And I was not disappointed.
If you want to have a feel for those who serve and become casualties for our flag and country, these books are vital additions to your library.

If you've ever wondered about what America's young men, and women, serving in the war on terror in Iraq face everyday, this book is for you. Ron Glasser has done an excellent job describing in facts and figures what this war is costing now and what will be paid in the future. Not only in monetary terms, but in the permanent disfigurement and disability of the wounded.

He explains, in sometimes terribly graphic detail, the horrors of being injured in Iraq, and how those injuries compare and contrast to injuries suffered in the Vietnam conflict. It's a different war, in a different time, but people are being injured and killed, just the same.

Everyone has questions about the war in Iraq. This book answers some, but leaves the reader with more.

I have long looked for the true figures about the nature of death in Iraq.
Fortunately the Australian media is slightly better than the pap served up by the media in the country that is causing the sickening mayhem in Iraq and we know only a little of the true monstrousness of this war to bring democracy to the unwashed masses of Iraq. Glasser lays it on the line and spells out, particularly in the chapter Final Diagnosis, the enormity of the American soldier's burden in this conflict. On page 73 he writes that there were 600 ammunition dumps scattered around Iraq when the Shock and Awe invasion ended. There's nothing unexpected in this but the problem happened when none of the Shock and Awe victors policed these dumps and they were cleaned out by the "defeated" Iraqi army. What this means in the reality of ground combat is that there is a virtually unlimited supply of hugely powerful explosives available to mine roads and anywhere else American soldiers find themselves in the horror of Iraq. Glasser goes into medical detail about what happens to middle aged reservists who are caught in these explosions. He talks as the expert he is about the wounds suffered by soldiers caught in an explosion of this huge power. He talks about what 155mm shells hooked to butane gas tanks does to a person's head when it explodes. Because of quick evacuation and superb treatment these poor wounded live but the impact on, particularly the head, causes horrific , lifelasting injuries.

I do not think, because of the media, America and the world in general knows what is happening to American soldiers in Iraq; I believe that the low death rates for US soldiers has led America to tolerate this war more than its true horror would indicate. Glasser's wonderful, readable and understandable book lifts the veil on the terrible price being paid for what has become a cesspool for American youth.

This book is clearly well written and well researched. A unique perspective on the soldier's story. We owe it to them to understand what they are going through.

_The Zionist Connection_ is written from the perspective of an antiZionist Jew. The author takes a look at the situation in the Middle East, the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israeli Jews, and places the blame on the state of Israel. The book basically tries to show that support for Israel is contrary to America's best interest (as they were defined in 1978 when the book was written) and is also morally suspect. The author contends that a single special interest group, the Zionists, have wrapped America and its leaders in a stranglehold in their attempt to maintain an "Israel First" foreign policy. The author distinguishes Zionism from Judaism, and he views Zionism as an idolatrous usurper. By appealing to emotion and memories of the Holocaust and cries of "antiSemitism" this single group of Jews has basically forced the United States into this position. The author contends that much of the press is Zionist controlled and that it is by appealing to "Christian guilt" that these Jews have gained their position of prominence. The book concludes with a section on the wars between Israel and the Arabs, as well as a discussion of such events as the U.S.S. Liberty attack.

... The gory details of the brutal killing of a Palestinian child are spelled out in the chapter "Terror: The Double Standard", but the details of Palestinian terrorism are totally suppressed by the author. Nevertheless, the book is highly interesting and worth reading for the author's perspective on the Middle East, even if it is far too idealistic.

This book is of immense importance. Only a Jewish critic of Zionism could tell the terrible truth about America's blind support for Israel. It is astonishing, especially in the wake of the atrocity of September 11th, to find this book so hard to get hold of. The University of Oxford, with its great libraries, does not have a copy, so I was grateful to Amazon for enabling me to buy one for myself. A look at the copyright page suggests the explanation. Four editions were published by a small U.S. publisher, which went under in 1989. To produce an international paperback edition, Lilienthal had to go to publishers and printers based in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Even that failed to achieve a wide readership and, given the Zionists' capacity for suppressing the truth, as revealed by Lilienthal, I suspect that many copies were bought by them to be destroyed.
The fear of being labelled 'anti-Semite' is the main weapon used by Zionists to silence their critics, and many of the non-Jewish supporters of Israel are racists who want 'to send the Jews back where they belong'. I should therefore make it plain that, although not Jewish, I consider Judaism in many respects superior to Christianity. The greatest danger to the future of this venerable religion comes from Zionism, whose aim is the purely secular one of 'ingathering' a supposed 'homeless nation' on land seized from a defenceless people, who had always lived at peace with their Jewish neighbours. Everyone should learn to distinguish, with Lilienthal, between practising Jews, people with some Jewish ancestry (which probably includes most Palestinians), Israeli citizens (three million of whom are Arabic-speaking, and one million of them Muslims and Christians), Israeli governments and Zionists.

Alfred Lilienthal, a prominent Jewish critic of Zionism, has remarkably presented a candid picture of the dangers of equating Judaism, the world's oldest monotheistic faith, with Zionism, an essentially political movement emanating from largely socialist, secular European Jews in the nineteenth century. This work is well researched and documented to prevent any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of his thesis that the obstacles to a just solution to the Middle East conflict between Israelis and Palestinians arise from what he feels are the "racist" origins of Zionism and a consistent misuse of the word "anti'-Semitism " to stifle legitimate criticism of Israeli miltary actions against Palestinian civilians.

The text is not inflammatory or denunciatory towards any ethnic community, contrary to what the title may imply. Lilienthal reiterates throughout the text that his sole purpose is to make an attempt for Westerners to understand, so that current and future generations may contribute positively towards a just settlement of the Middle East conflict, a conflict that has shed the blood of thousands of Israeli and Palestinian lives over the past fifty years. I highly recommend this scholarly work to anyone interested in understanding the nature of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict and the obstacles that are preventing a peaceful settlement.

This book, out of all books on the Middle-East conflict goes beyond the Orient and examines the Zionist Web that has Entangled the American beauracracy, Media, etc.. Lilienthal proves a very significant fact, and that is the Holocaust is being exploited for political purposes, being used as a justification for the existence of Israel. when its clear, as he points out, that Zionists did nothing to help their fellow Jews in the genocide. This and other significant issues are discussed in detail in this most comprehensive book. It is strongly recommended for evereyone with a keen interest in the Mid-East conflict and even in U.S. politics and the Israeli lobby group. I'am grateful for Mr Alfred Lilienthal, that as a Jew, he had the courage to expose the reality that has been hidden to Westerners away from them. Blinded by the Holocaust from seeing that a traditionaly persecuted people (ie the Jews) are capable of becoming the chief persecutors...

One of the prize possessions of this reviewer is an autographaed copy of Alfred M. Lilienthal's THE ZIONIST CONNECTION. Alfred M. Lilienthal has shown courage and toughness in refuting myths regarding the creation of the State of Israel and status of U.S.-Israeli relations beginning in 1948.

THE ZIONIST CONNECTION can be considered the final book of a trilogy that Lilienthal wrote. The other two books are titled THERE GOES THE MIDDLE EAST and ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN which are also instructive of events in Israel and Palestine.

Lilienthal begins THE ZIONIST CONNECTION by reciting some forgotten problems and history of zionism. He details the planned atrocities of some of the zionist units especially those of the Irgun and the Stern Gang. For example, Lilienthal cites the Deir Yessin Massacre in April in which old men, women, and children were massacred by Begin's "soliders" who wiped out the inhabitents. Lilienthal cites sources that the people of this village had just repulsed a Palestinian attempt to enlist their support against the zionist forces, and these people just wanted to be left alone in the midst of the war taking place. Readers may be surprised at other zionist outrages which occured.

Lilienthal also makes some procative remarks that some of the zionist leaders collaberated with some of the German authorities during World War. Lilienthal details the Kastner Affair whereby Kastner made deals with Adolf Eichmann in 1944 to leave poor Hungarian Jews their fate when they only had to walk three miles from Hungary to Soviet occupied Romania to avoid concentration camps. Kaster refused to alert these poor souls and left them to their fate by prior arrangement with Eichmann. When Kastner tried to file criminal charges against an Israeli journalist for making these allegations against Kastner, an Israeli exonerated the journalist, and Kastner was assassinate because of the political embarrassment this could cause. As an aside, Hannah Arendt has a good section of this event in her book titled EICHMANN IN JERUSALEM.

Lilienthal also refutes the nonsense that the "wicked Arabs" started the Six Day War in 1967. Lilienthal cites public sources such as journals and newpaper articles whereby Israeli generals and military advisors bluntly admitted that the Israelis started the Six Day and provoked the hostilities. There is nothing arcane in Lilienthal's report of this war.

Lilienthal indicates why many Americans are kept ignorant of events in the Middle East. Lilienthal cites the cowardly media types who are too timid or two biased to give an accurate assessement of events in Israel and Palestine. Yet, what disturbs these media cowards is the fact that some folks are not easily impressed with lying media accounts and have made significant contributions which have been embarrassing to political "experts" and media gurus who are easily refuted by honest research and writing.

Lilienthal does not have any political partisan ax to grind. He faults both Democrats and Republicans for their bad policies and timid responses to events involving Israel and Palestine. Lilienthal also offers scathing denounciations of the entertainment business for thier false protrayal of these tragic events.

Lilienthal's book may appear dated, but the book is still important. Lilienthal's THE ZIONIST CONNECTION lets the readers know how severely flawed American foreign policy has added to exponentially to the tragedies in the Middle East. Lilienthal writes well, and his research is solid. Readers should read THE ZIONIST CONNECTION and add Rabbi Elmer Berger's MEMOIRS OF AN ANTI-ZIONIST JEW to have a comprehensive view of events in the Middle East.

The author was an intelligence officer of the US National Guard and served as a liaison to the French 6th Light Armored Division in the Gulf War. His writing style is excellent and so is his ability to watch the small things and the myriads of details around him, giving an impressive account of how the things were done at the extreme left flank of the great allied sweeping maneuver. The author had a good knowledge of the French language and also was a professor of history, having though a very good background to comprehend the general situation in the Persian Gulf. I especially enjoyed his description of the French MREs and the terrific elan of the troops employed by the French, such as the regiments of the Foreign Legion. The book contains some black and white photographs of rather bad quality and a few maps which give a decent picture of the campaign, althoygh they are simple computer sketches.

The important contribution of the Franch Army in the Gulf War has been largely overlooked in the English-speaking countries. Their "left hook" around Saddam's forces was a crucial element in the strategy of his defeat. Perhaps more important for the future, for the first time since World War Two, French and American troops stood side by side against a common enemy, rediscovering their common bonds and heritage in the process. Colonel Cooke, a French-fluent military intelligence and armor officer who teaches Middle Eastern history in civilian life, was uniquely qualified for liason with the "Division Daguet" (French 6th Light Armored Division), bringing to the task not only military expertise but a sensitive and informed understanding of these highly capable but prickly warriors. His book is an admirably clear and complete record of the Daguet operations, and has enough context to serve as a good one-volume history of the overall land conflict as well. Highly recommended.

I had the pleasure of being one of Dr. Cooke's students as an undergrad, which was my initial reason for picking up this book. For those who are expecting dry scholarship on a discrete subject, you would be wrong. Dr Cooke accomplishes in this book a feat he matches and builds upon in his other books- strong narrative--almost chatty-- combined with solid scholarship and research, making for a flawless, streamlined, easy read. This book read like a novel for me. I have heard that people prefer his WWI books but this one is my favorite of the bunch. A page-turner. Keep writing, General!

This reviewer deplores the mandatory requirement for rating "stars".

The important contribution of the Franch Army in the Gulf War has been largely overlooked in the English-speaking countries. Their "left hook" around Saddam's forces was a crucial element in the strategy of his defeat. Perhaps more important for the future, for the first time since World War Two, French and American troops stood side by side against a common enemy, rediscovering their common bonds and heritage in the process. Colonel Cooke, a French-fluent military intelligence and armor officer who teaches Middle Eastern history in civilian life, was uniquely qualified for liason with the "Division Daguet" (French 6th Light Armored Division), bringing to the task not only military expertise but a sensitive and informed understanding of these highly capable but prickly warriors. His book is an admirably clear and complete record of the Daguet operations, and has enough context to serve as a good one-volume history of the overall land conflict as well. Highly recommended.

Cramming in the full history of the rise and the fall of the Islamic Empire in one book is not an easy task. Peterson's nicely readable explanation includes even more: he starts with ancient Israel and their subjection to the Greek Seleucids and the Romans before Islam was established through Mohammed the prophet. Much of the history is uneventful for the non-scholarly read, so Peterson focuses on the events that have formed modern Islam and modern Judaism, even talking about the recent Near East developments. His whole point is that you need to understand where Muslims came from to understand their current strife and complicated (seemingly irrational) behavior. Islam is not a pagan religion, but a sister to Judaism and a cousin to Christianity. The very word Allah, translates to "one true God" in English. He explains the virtue of Mohammed and the wonder of the Empire he created. For centuries, Arabic was the intellectual language of the world, in which all science, philosophy and literature was conducted.

I chose to read this book because I heard Peterson give a lecture on Mohammed and Islam at BYU in early 2004. He was an articulate orator, and I was engaged within minutes. "If he is a good speaker, then he must be a good writer," I thought, and I purchased his book that week. Indeed, I remember certain phrases from his lecture that were nearly identical to his chapter on Mohammed.

Abraham Divided attempts to help westerners, particularly LDS ones, see Islam in a different light-appreciating and recognizing Muslims for the great contributions they made to western history. Peterson proves that the West is intellectually and technologically indebted to the Near East under Islamic rule. If LDS Westerners tried to understand Muslims without stereotyping, then they might try to understand us (and wouldn't the world be a happy place!). Actually, Peterson wisely declines to offer a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine, only recognizing that it is a very difficult and complicated situation.

The only thing that would make this book better would be an updated version. So much has happened since he wrote it that I would love to hear Prof. Peterson's interpretations.
It is an excellent resource and I refer to it often.

Islam, the faith of millions, is easily misunderstood in the west. We, for example, often see terrorists justifying their brutality in the name of Islam. This book, written by an LDS scholar on the Middle East, paints a very sympathetic but even-handed picture of this important faith. I learned a lot that I now value knowing. It is a good read too.

The author writes very well, and has a lot to say -- with humor and a light touch. I've had a few Muslim friends read the book, and they have all, thus far, come away from it impressed by the author's fairness and by how much he knew and understood about their faith.

As a former student of Political Science and a strict follower of the events of Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion and most recently, the post-9/11 era, I have tried to read the works written about my country and the agony of its people. I believe no nation in the course of history shed its blood so generously in defense of her identity, liberty, and faith. The book researched and written by Dr. Misdaq throws light on many unseen, dark corners of Afghanistan such as unmasking many of its false war heroes. It is well-written, well-researched, and I would like to add, thoroughly well done. For those scholars who want to know more and find unbiased facts about Afghanistan, I strongly recommend "Political Fraility and Foreign Interference." I wish Dr. Misdaq much success in this endeavor.

-Hafiz Karzai
An Afghan

Dr. Misdaq presents a finely written discourse on a breadth of Afghan history and its current state. A compelling backdrop is set in an effort to describe the formation and continuous reformation of an Afghan identity with each foreign interference and civil uprising. He speaks from a sociological and anthropological perspective, one which allows the reader to understand concepts and traditions, such as the tribal codes and the Pasthunwali code of honor, which are so integral to understanding Afghan people, life, and culture.

There is a thorough narrative of the political history and characters involved, of course, but I feel the most interesting parts of the book are the Appendices which explore particular ideas or events in more depth. From topics such as comparing tribal traditions to Islamic traditions, resisting modernization from the West, to the impetus behind the Durand Agreement and the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dr. Misdaq gently allows the reader to see just how resilient Afghans have truly been in the past two and a half centuries - almost as if they've had the ability to change without changing.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know Afghanistan in depth, or wants to understand key events and issues in Afghan culture and history, past and present.

Every so often a book comes along that makes a significant contribution to the corpus of available Afghanistan literature. This is such a book.

Crafted with the skilled eye of a BBC foreign affairs journalist for more than a decade, and with training as an anthropologist and historian, Dr Nabi Misdaq guides and challenges readers through the tumult and mosaic that is Afghanistan. Beginning with a multitude of dynastic invaders, our narrative curiousity is nourished with an encyclopedic treatise on the rich history, culture, tradition and political landscape of Afghanistan.

Our journey culminates with an objective appraisal of the devastating effect that the "war on terror" has had on the people of Afghanistan while dispelling many of the myths that persist.

In this book, the reader will find none of the "file-copy" so prevalent in the media and among many books on Afghanistan. Our eminently qualified author and narrator challenges many of the sterotypical images crafted by those with superficial knowledge and or a political orientation who are often posed as media experts.

With courage and candor, Dr. Misdaq reveals the many untruths surrounding certain Afghan personalities masquerading as patriots, but in truth, were and in some cases are, collaborators. Exhaustively researched with copius end-notes, Dr. Misdaq's book will educate, enlighten and enthrall the reader, be they student, historian or policy maker yet who also harbor a desire to understand the complexity and mosaic of a nation poised at the gates of the fiercely competitive, energy-rich Central Asian and Caspian deposits. Currently the focus of Russia, Iran, China and the United States who seek an alternative to the dwindling, traditional Middle East energy sources. It can be argued therefore that Afghanistan is a victim of its geography as the contentious Trans-Afghan-Pipeline negotiations between The U.S. and Taliban through the Summer of 2001 will attest.

This and much, much more can be found in this remarkable and compelling historical work by Dr. Misdaq. I can therefore recommend without reservation "Afghanistan, Political Fraility and External Interference."

Bruce G. Richardson
Author: "Afghanistan, Ending the Reign of Soviet Terror."

The following academic reviews are offered on the inside cover of the book and should be of interest:

"Nabi Misdaq has a rare blend of skills. As an anthropologist he studied contemporary Afghan society and then worked for many years as a journalist with the BBC's Overseas Service in which capacity he met and interviewed most of Afghanistan's leading politicians. Combining these skills with a profound knowledge of Afghan history, he has produced an enthralling study which reveals the fundamental problems encountered by generations of Afghan rulers in attempting to create a legitimate, centralised Afghan state, problems which, as Misdaq also shows, still confront Afghanistan's present-day leadership."
- Ralph Grillo, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology,
University of Sussex

"'Afghanistan: Political Frailty and External Interference' is a timely book. At a time when the focus of the world is on the region, it is one of the few anthropological commentaries by a well-known native. Nabi Misdaq's book is detailed and insightful. He has established himself as an authority on Afghanistan. I strongly recommend the book."
- Dr Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies,
American University, Washington DC

"Dr Nabi Misdaq has described in this book how the Afghans defended their identity and country, Afghanistan, in odd conditions throughout history, with a special focus on the last 300 years. The publication of this book, considering the current conditions in Afghanistan, is by itself an example of such defense. This is a thoroughly researched and compassionately argued work. I will recommend this book as a must for all those who have an interest in the geo-politics of Afghanistan."
- Dr Farouq Azam, former Afghan Minister of Education

This book is topical and beautfully illustrated. It is an excellent book to introduce children to the war in Iraq in a nonpolitical way and to break some stereotypes: I appreciated the strong but caring Muslim woman and the men who helped her. Adults will enjoy reading this book with their children, too, because of the good story and the wonderful drawings. (I am a child psychology professor).

This is a true story about saving books. It takes place in Basra, Iraq, in 2003. Yes, that Basra. It's in the news all the time. At the beginning of the book, "Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq," there is no war in Basra. But Alia Muhammad Baker, chief librarian of Basra Central Library, knows it is only a matter of time.

As a girl, Alia had read about the Mongol invasion of Iraq and the burning of the Baghdad Library. She equates the burning of a library and its books with the destruction of the culture of her country. Burn a library and you burn a collective recorded memory. Alia singlehandedly assumes the responsibility for saving the 40,000 volumes in her library. How? She stuffs her purse and loads her arms under her shawl and walks out, loads her car, returns for another load. City and military officials who now occupy the library, daring the enemy to bomb their library, pay her no heed. She fills her car.

Night after night she comes home with a car full of books. Her husband, bless him, unloads them into a closet, then guest room, then into other rooms. (I'm a librarian and understand her distress and need to save the books!). Then neighbors and friends, and those who hear about the effort, and then many other people help rescue the books. The only books intentionally ignored are those about Saddam Hussein.

After England invades, a fire finally destroys the library and 10,000 volumes. Currently, plans are underway to rebuild as soon as the war is over.

"Alia's Mission" is told in graphic panel form and will appeal to all ages. It is a great teaching tool for parents and teachers to explain the Iraqi Conflict, Saddam Hussein, libraries and why it is important to preserve them and their books, and most definitely the fact that one person can make a difference performing a simple heroic act and becoming the impetus to drive others. What a magnificent lesson from an Iraqi librarian wearing the Islamic head covering. Certainly, the love of books is a universal language that crosses all barriers and opens doors to future reconciliations.

When the war is over, let us find a way to help Alia Muhammad Baker to rebuild the Basra Central Library.

I've struggled for a while with how to introduce my 7-year-old to the reality of war, and this book provided the opening I was looking for. The focus is on the non-political actions of a strong, intelligent, middle-aged Muslim woman (headscarf and all) whose commitment to knowledge and history causes three-quarters of the books in the Basra library to be saved from destruction. Yet the unavoidable backdrop is the current war. The book does a good job of not explicitly naming names/ countries -- the only political figure specifically named is Saddam, who is described as a highly unpopular tyrant. But it led my child to ask questions -- why is the war happening? who started it? why do people loot? who dropped the bombs? etc. -- that led to difficult answers. But I was glad to have an opportunity to open this discussion with her at her pace, and to give her a positive figure/ action to focus on at the same time as she considers the tragedies of war.

If you are teaching about the war in Iraq at any grade level this is a book you must have. Written in comic book format it is edgy enough to engage high school students and simple enough for upper elementary students to understand. It raises very fundamental questions about what we value and offers rich potential for classroom discussion. It has been reprinted in Arabic. Does Amazon have access to the Arabic version?

Always Faithful: A Memoir Of The Gulf War is the profound and moving testimony of John Hartnett, a U.S. Marine who survived the ground assault during the 1991 Gulf War. A very illuminating, vividly written account, Always Faithful tells of a deadly test of skill and courage where survival is the ultimate success. Always Faithful is very strongly recommended for Military History collections in general, and Gulf War Studies in particular.

The author presents a touching account of his own story. Overall, it is neither a swashbuckling story of fighting nor is it a detailed account of war operations, even though both adventure and some military detail are included. Rather, the author presents himself, an intelligent, philosophical American who struggles with the everyday issues of life. Some parts could have used more detail, but it's brevity does not detract from the overall impact of the book. One gains understanding of military reserve officers who out of their loyalty, sacrifice their lives but out of their humanity, struggle with moral issues of war. The book is a very human story that includes humor, sadness, fear, and wonder.

This is a wonderful story of real conflict that one marine faced in the First Gulf War. The reader is struck at once by the realization that soldiers are found and mobilized at a precise moment in their private lives and delivered to the battlefield with all that they have gained, lost, or struggled for at home. In "Always Faithful" the stark landscape of the desert and the critical job at hand compels the author to contemplate conflicting commitments he has made to his family, his men, and his country.

"Always Faithful" is a timely book that helped me understand what every soldier must indeed face in times of war.

The author takes us through his personal inner struggle versus professional duty. He pulls no punches in facing his human-ness, sins, fears, and conquests of each. This highly readable memoir is written with honesty, humor, bitterness, and forgiveness. It represents Mr. Average Joe in his daily struggles. John Hartnett's daughter is one lucky girl to have a father who is not afraid to share his feelings.

One of the best studies I have ever read on the nature of power and domination. Wedeen asks the simple question of how Asad is able to keep power in Syria when all of the people know that all of the state propaganda is false. Her elegant answer gets right to the heart of what makes a ruler powerful. Asad rules not through totalitarianism, but through authoritarianism. What's the difference? A ruler who controls everything that the people think (like in North Korea) is not really dominating them, they just don't know any better. But a ruler like Asad rules because the people fear him and become unable to dissent as a result of Foucault-ian discursive practices.

This book will facinate anyone interested in the modern Middle East or the nature of power.

When I first traveled to Syria in the late 90's, I found the eerie, creepy phenomenon of what Wedeen terms Syria's state cult to be the most inscrutable, absurd and mind-boggling feature of the entire land-scape. After Asad's death, the succession of his son, Bashar, saw the ubiquity of his father's visage decline noticeably but still it did by no means disappear.

Wedeen's work does forcefully and with keen insight what I once thought was impossible. Though known to be patently absurd by all Syrians, inside and outside the elite, Wedeen argues cogently that this cult in its own way reinforces power for the state by demarcating the boundaries of political practice 'as if'...i.e., politics in Syria are to be practiced AS IF the cult expresses reality. Her analysis also broadens to include investigations of the vast amount of state resources squandered on the cult and the circumscribed efforts to resist and protest the gov't. Highly recommended reading for anyone studying the modern Middle East.

This engaging and often witty work asks the basic question, "how do rituals and symbols that are widely understood to be false or absurd help to support a regime?" Her answers help to complicate our understanding of the relationship between state symbolism and legitimacy in authoritarian states.

Happily, the value of this work is not limited to political theory. Indeed, for most readers, these theoretical issues will be secondary to the insights and observations Wedeen offers regarding the workings of the brutal and repressive Syrian regime. Her authorial tone is wry and, despite its theoretical sophistication, this is an easy work to read. In particular, her reliance on everyday communications and popular media and the breadth of examples she provides bring Syrian society to life in a way that few academic works have.

A ground-breaking exploration of the subtle ways power operates to structure everyday life. Rich in ethnographic detail and eloquently written. Definitely worth _much_ more than $17. A worthy read, not just for people interested in contemporary Middle Eastern politics, but for those interested in issues of power, discipline and resistance. Ms. Wedeen is a rising star in the field of Political Science. Bravo!!

Even though written in '99, this is great background analysis for the lay person on Islam versus "The West" even today. Especially enlightening on the constant efforts of Turks to keep Turkey the only secular Muslim state. Also, the potential powder kegs of Egypt and Saudi Arabia unless their dictatorial governments allow some participation by Islamic Moderate Activists. The author is much more optimistic than I am about the possibility of a MIDDLE EASTERN version of democracy rather than the version being forced upon the area by ALL the American administrations with naive missionary zeal! The obsession with petrodollar politics is endangering the lives of many more thousands of people.

Overall Reaction:
Simply put, this is the most lucid work on the political Middle East and "the way it is, how it got there, and what to do about it" that I have seen. I understood everything Mr. Gerges had to say and could not help but be persuaded by his understated style and crystalline presentation. Written with respect for his reader (he never speaks patronizingly) he so clearly elucidates his points with well presented examples that the book becomes not only a compelling written account of his thought, but an excellent reference work. One does not need to absorb the whole book in order to arrive at valuable insight, although a thorough reading is recommended. In addition to the many keen observations he makes, he gives suggestions, clear, concrete suggestions, as to what to do with the problems outlined. I find this refreshing. Many books I have read recently project a good deal of frustration (although probably deserved) while others focus on what has gone wrong or been done wrong. Mr. Gerges collects his points of reference, tells us their histories and creates a map as to where things can be taken and put into order. Mr. Gerges presents his compelling reasoning along with a great deal of information (both in the text and in his extensive footnoting) all captured in a clear, calm approach.

How I will use this book in my further studies:
It is useful as a reference book as specific issues can easily be extracted for argument. I intend on both referring to this work in my writing with politicians and to keep up on Mr. Gerges's work to see what new insights he provides.

The book's main points:
We (the polled majority of the US at least since the Iranian Revolution in 1981) still hold the Arab Muslim in a negative stereotype as violent and Islam as a "hostile culture". He demonstrates that the US has never had a consistent policy, show of policy, thought process or self-knowledge of the Middle East. The west keeps reacting as if it were dealing with a (possibly) trained lion, in awe of its beauty, happy it has not jumped on us yet, and holding a gun at the ready in case it does. The west has never welcomed the Mid-East as a full member of modern society, it seems. As to our prejudices, he rightly points out the undeserved knee jerk reaction after the Oklahoma City bombing where numerous attacks on "Mid Easterners" were reported immediately after that bombing.
US Officials deny there is tie between media presentation, news and US Policy. I think there is ample evidence available that pretty well challenges that assumption especially when you look at the cumulative effect of media-news as well as media-entertainment on popular assumptions. Gary Sick's given quote: "We are all prisoners of our own cultural assumptions " is particularly to the point here, but it begs the question, "If we are prisoners, who is holding the key that will free us from mis-information?"
The book was written before the current situations, but his assessment of how we formerly backed the leaders we are now bombing when they were fighting the Soviet Union, and many other such observations, is still enlightening and relevant.
The Middle East, oddly, seems to be the Swamp of Politics. Wherever we step, there are bogs and tangled roots and mire and muck. If so, it is a swamp we have helped create. We have seemingly never dealt honestly with the Mid East and so we keep finding ourselves caught up in a matted tangle of former policies and legacies. We have been ambiguous at best and harmful (kindly put) to the development of good ongoing relations between the west and Middle East. It is as if we do not expect them to notice that we do not like or trust them very much, except for their oil. One of our ambassadors even said, "Islam is a conquering religion threatening the American way of life " although that Ambassador did stress that most US policy makers did not share his view.
The west views the Middle East as backward. The west cannot seem to get its head around the reality of a clerically dominated regime. We do handle the idea of the Pope, though. Maybe this is because the army of His Eminence is small.
Mr. Gerges points out the continual duplicity of governments: What they create, what they portray and what they are willing to do to keep the truth of one from another is the unfortunate, resource-consuming, status quo. It seems that one of the most pervasive issues the western world must learn to deal with is its confusion over how a people can live with a different cultural base of reference then the western model.

His brilliant step-by-step analysis of the unique histories of many of the Middle Eastern nations and their potentials (for benefice and for ill) is particularly well laid out. The Middle East is a region, but also a collection of countries. He gives us good access points into the machinery of the way things are so we can at least have the option and chance to do what we can for the best interest of all involved.

It is my conclusion that the oft-used political phrase of "clash of cultures" is not accurate. However, because of this book, I see it as much more of a clash of wills and belief in the right of one way to exist over, as opposed to along side of, others. Differing cultures can co-exist, but the will to be dominant, to have one's "ways" proved correct is what cannot be sustained. This book by Fawaz A. Gerges is at least an offered tool to help correct and improve the situation.

GregRobin Smith
RedHorse & Ridire Reviews
robin@knightstour.org
Please write me if you wish the whole review (including page # references)

Absolutely objective. Wonderfully insightful. Footmarked to the hilt.

This is the most useful, objective, engaging source I've found on the topic.

Although published in 1999 toward the end of the Clinton presidency, America and Political Islam sheds a lot of light on the attack on the twin towers in 2001. Focussing on U.S. foreign policy toward various aspects of the Islamic resurgence and how it has changed both through time and in different places puts recent events into a broader context that is sorely missing from many analyses. The book's investigation begins with the Iranian Revolution and covers four presidencies: Carter, Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton.

It tackles head on the climate after the end of the Cold War, noting that an over-easy replacement of the "red menace" of Communism with the "green menace" of Islam explains surprisingly much. It also tackles the tendency to conflate the "Iran problem" with the "Islam problem" which has often led to inappropriate responses to current situations.

The largest contribution the book makes is in sketching out how much U.S. foreign policy is constrained by Congress and public opinion. Our presidential administrations would probably have made much more nuanced, relevant, and accomodationist responses to various situations related to Islam if they had not been cornered by powerful congressmen with simplistic black and white views of the world. A secondary contribution is pointing out the very many places where the U.S. in dealing with Islam says one thing but does something different.

Anahita is a change maker in a time in old Iran (Persia) where change is slowing coming. There is talk about opening schools for women and the nomadic tribes are being forced to settle. Anahita's tribe, which is known for its finely woven carpets, is one of the tribes feeling the pinch.

Anahita refuses to marry the khan (tribe's leader), instead wishing to change tradition by choosing her own husband - the one that can guess the riddle in her wedding carpet. Many step forward to guess, including the khan but only one will truly know her heart.

A very touching story about a way of life few of us in the west know about. The nomadic tribes of the Middle East have hardly had their say in to our consciousness. The history and the culture were nicely woven into the story of a very strong young woman who wants to be master of her fate.

I'm so very glad to have stumbled onto this book - I hope more will discover its treasures!

Picked this book up in the library and enjoyed the story enough to want to own the hardcover for my collection. A nice, clear, well told story.
Highly recommend it!

An intriguing, romantic story about a young Persian woman's attempt to choose the man she will marry. Sounds like a reasonable goal, right? Not if the man who plans to marry you is the powerful khan. Not if the khan can shut off the town's water with a single command, or revoke the nomadic tribe's age-old right to traverse certain lands, or have your father arrested.

Ms. Nuttal has found a rich and wonderful character in Anahita, and the story of how Anahita decides her own fate by weaving a riddle into her wedding carpet is as moving as it is illuminating. A terrific read for most YA girls--and maybe a few boys, too!

I had the privilege of living in Iran for five years in the 1970's and I fell in love with the people and the culture. This book was researched for 10 years before it was written and the details are highly accurate but it is much more than that. It is a beautiful loving story which could have only have been written by someone who knows and loves Iran. For this reason the author was invited to present her book at the First International Children's Book Festival in Kerman.

Her work speaks to the qualities we identify as goodness that transcend all cultures and boundaries; it describes what we recognize as the qualities of compassion that we humans share, as well as the generosity, good naturedness and kindness that so predominate the common culture of the Iranian people at a time that a propoganda war has been mounted against Iran in a run up to another possible war.

A book that puts Iranians in such a positive light and speaks of their past struggle for a constitutional monarchy in 1906 to curb the excessive power of tyranical monarchs and empower the elected parliament, their struggle against Tzarist Russian expansionism, their struggle between traditional ways and modern change, between nomadic life style versus settled, their struggle between material and spiritual values, all helps those ignorant of Iran to better understand the Iranian experience and to put a human face on Iran.

Most of all this book makes the characters very believable...the struggles of a young girl against the social pressure to be married off in an arranged political union to someone she cannot love, which would benefit everyone in her tribe except her own chance at happiness, her struggles with the inevitable transition from childhood to adulthood, her first encounters with legitimate feelings of romantic love, her rivalry with her girl cousin, the humorous aspects of human existence, the admirable leadership qualities of her father, his fairness and courage to stand up against corruption, the self sacrificing loyalty of her childhood friend Daryioush, the noble qualities of the prince and the mystery of love at first sight which will always remain a mystery...

In the end this book leaves you with a heart warming glow and it becomes a friend you want to spend time with and not put down until it is read. It is not a Polly Anna fairy tale but rather quite realistic and yet the good guys win and the bad guys are brought to justice in a comic rather than cruel way...and the theme of weaving the carpet from sheep to work of art runs through the whole story, dying it, tying it together and leaving no loose ends until they tie the knot...and by the way, it is a suspenseful tale and full of surprises which will keep you riveted to it until the very end...

I highly recommend this book for the young and the young of heart,

Brian H. Appleton