Middle East Books

Unfortunately their is so much revisionist junk history about the atomic bomb and the cold war. Nuclear diplomacy, racism and other unfounded theories about the bomb have found their way into textbooks and classrooms. Anyone who does not think Truman used the bomb to end WWII quickly and with less lives lost is simply ignoring the obvious and the evidence. This book helps set the record straight. The decision to use the bomb was simple: to get Japan to stop fighting. Truman wanted to save lives and end the war: end of arguement. This book helps set the record straight.

Mr. Maddox has done a great service in analyzing the decision to use the atomic bomb on Japan. He systematically demolishes the arguements used by those who (for whatever reason) think that the bombing was unjustified. He shows through intercepted transmissions how the Japanese were ready to commit themselves to a bloodbath to fight off an invasion and how the Japanese military still wanted to fight even after Hiroshima was destroyed. Overall, the book is great work and should be required reading in schools and the Smithsonian Museum.

Some of the most popular books on the atomic bombing of Japan are filled to a depressing extent with distortions and incaccuracies. These books argue that there was no military necessity to use the bomb. Various nonsensical theories are offered to explain its use e.g.: The bomb was deployed to provide diplomatic leverage against the Soviets or as a result of American racism. These authors routinely take many indisputable facts and ignore or twist them beyond recognition in order to justify their arguments.

Robert James Maddox does a great public service by exposing these abuses of truth in Weapons for Victory. Point by point the tendentious butchering of historical source materials is exposed until there is little doubt that the methods used by these writers are the historian's equivalent of junk science. Various quotes, documents and other pieces of information are often used selectively and taken out of context. This process drastically alters the real meaning of these sources as facts are chopped up and forced to conform to predetermined conclusions. Maddox reproduces many of these misused sources in their full context and thereby shows their true meaning to be something quite different than what these authors claim. In addition, many basic facts that contradict the revisionists' claims (and that are usually ignored by them) are recited. For example, it's often said that the Japanese would have surrendered by mid-1945 if they had only been assured that their emperor could remain in place. Drawing on U.S. intercepts of Japanese diplomatic communication, Maddox shows that the Japanese wanted the emperor to remain the actual ruler of Japan, not the figurehead that he became after the surrender. Many other revisionist arguments become farcical after Maddox compares them to the documentary evidence.

This book is an indispensable antidote to such widely known and wrongly respected travesties as The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb by Gar Alperovitz and Hiroshima by Ronald Takaki. Weapons for Victory clearly exposes the malpractice of the historian's profession contained in these books. A similar work of equally high quality is Truman and the Hiroshima Cult by Robert P. Newman.

The issue here is not about varying interpretations fo history, which are completely legitimate. It is about the proper and responsible use of source materials by certain authors who hold themselves out to the public as careful historians. We should all hope that despite the popular appeal of conspiracy theories and gratuitous America bashing that has propelled many revisionists to fame, good scholarship like Maddox's will still prevail.

Doctor Russell is without equal ..Unmatched ...in his Brilliant Book ...he answers so many questions that I had been pondering for years ,especially the Saudi \China Ballistic missile connection ...anyone looking to make a career in the Goverment or Criminal Justice \Homeland security has to read this ..I could not put it down ...

This book probably will be as readable as his Kennan book. Russell writes clearly and edits relentlessly.

It is only when the books begin to come out that we really understand what was happening in the world. This book is on weapons of mass destruction (WMD's) in the Middle East and in selected parts of the far east.

Perhaps the most intriguing part is the discussion of Iraq and Saddam Hussein and the part that WMDs played in the decision by President Bush to go to war. While his reporting isn't likely to change the opionions of the Democrats who are convinved that Bush lied, he reports on the discussions between Saddam and representatives from Russia and France and the belief of intelligence agencies that were happening at the time.

Other parts of the book cover the plans and activities of countries like Saudi Arabia (who has lots of money) and Pakistan (who has nuclear technology), Iran and of course North Korea.

With the current state of the world and the changes from a bi-polar world where the U.S. and the Soviet Union held things in a kind of stasis, we now live in a multi polar world complete with terrorists organizations that seek WMDs. This well written, exhaustively researched book clearly reflects a lot of thinking and analysis that provides a welcome bit of understanding in a confusing area of current internaional relations.

In this unique volume, the author - who leads annual tours of the Holy Land - uses geography to provide important insights for understanding the meaning of Scripture, particularly the messages of Christ.

Complete with outstanding photography, Where Jesus Walked is an ideal devotional guide for travelers and non-travelers. It is also a valuable tool for use in group study or as a reference source for teachers.

- Baptists Today, September 2001

Wonderful companion to an actual visit to the Holy Land. Good format which starts with the historical and geographical information, followed by the appropriate scripture passage telling the biblical significance, and followed by a short story type meditation. I used this book throughout my visit to the sites named in the book.

its those kinds of books when you read them, you just cant get enough of it.
it's written so well with such an intense emotional wisdom into it.
every one who's slighetly interested in christianity or in religion as a broad subject should own a copy. at least one, if not more...

great great book. enjoyed every second of reading it.
lihi.

Although a children book; parents, teachers and adults will be captivated by this book. The customs of the Arabian Gulf region during the fasting month of ramadan is beautifully narrated and illustrated. Cultures across the globe will connect to the story telling. So timely and essential.

Though not a Moslem, I think it is important that we understand other cultures. I especially liked the illustrations for this book-in my opinion (biased as it may be), they "made" the book. I appreciated the colors and lighting effects, as well as the images themselves. I hope this artist does more books in the future!

This unique book is a must have for all families of Muslim faith and is an excellent and positive insight into Muslim culture for all children.

This is a quality piece of work, as are all products by National Geographic. Great articles and fantastic photography.

Powerful photographs that are the trademark of National Geographic in collection of timeless articles over past 90 years in National Geographic Magazine fully shedding important light on this highly relevant subject

Excellent series of articles which clearly highlights the changing bias against Islam and muslims by the West, in the 20th century.
Articles written in in the early 1900s show the insulting attitude of Western writers against Muslims. This attitude changes to mutual respect and understanding in post 1980 articles.
These articles show the progress we have made as a nation against racism and discrimination.

Excellent edition of the Anabasis.I recommend it to anyone interested in Greek history and literature.The commentaries are informative and really add to the experience.

This is an excellent edition for those who are studying Greek on their own. The Anabasis is a fine second year book because its Greek is easier than the "Apology of Socrates" by Plato. This edition also has grammatical notes and a Greek-English dictionary of all the words you will need for translation. You do not have to spend hours looking them up in the Liddell-Scott lexicon. Also, it lists interesting cognates and borrowings for most words. I strongly recommend this edition for those working on Greek as a hobby or outside of an academic environment.

Mather and Hewitt's edition of the Anabasis is self-contained in a way that very few Greek texts currently in print are: not only does it have a very detailed line-by-line commentary, map and complete vocabulary, it also has a fulsome introduction to Xenophon and the Anabasis, including what the ancients thought of Xenophon, Xenophon's personality and subsequent literary career, and the organization and equipment of the Persian and Greek armies. The introduction and commentary are both pre-multiculturalist and therefore unabashedly discuss such things as the moral lessons to be drawn from the Anabasis, and the Anabasis as a model of democracy. Throughout, the text is furthermore illustrated with delightful little reproductions of Greek and Persian art, technology, monuments, coins, weapons, etc.

And of course, if you're looking to brush up on your Greek without the aid of a classroom and instructor, this edition is a great choice. Not only does it have the advantages enumerated above, but the Anabasis itself is relatively easy and clear Greek with a historical rather than philosophical vocabulary.

First written in 1985 and republished in 1994, this book describes in genuine historical terms the history of Israel, well enough so that youngsters can grasp it, and better (as others have noted) than many history books for grown-ups.

Twenty chapters and 172 pages include not only the pre-Israel history of the land, but even its prehistoric formation in geological time. There is the obligatory explanation (brief) of biblical history as well as that of all subsequent conquests, including the 7th century Muslim conquest of the land.

As the book explains, lands can die, and under its successive conquerors, Israel died: the plants and animals perished, and the land became a barren one, of desert and swamp. The Jewish people, however, rebuilt and reseeded the land, and made it bloom.

Despite all that, the Jewish people face an unrelenting propaganda war, which this book helps to counter.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

This little book for young people provides a much better history of Israel than quite a few misleading books for adults.

Although it is a short book, it has room for some excellent pictures and maps. After a brief history of ancient Israel, it pinpoints the start of modern Zionism with the assassination of the Russian Czar Alexander II in 1881. The bulk of the book traces the history of Zionism from then until the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 and its victory in its War of Independence. The book concludes with a short description of Modern Israel and its more recent history.

To the book's credit, it explains that Israel now faces a propaganda war from the Arabs, including oft-repeated Big Lies to the effect that Zionism is a form of racism and that Israel has deprived Arabs of their rights. Future authors of histories of Israel ought to read this book and try to at least do as well!

Now in an fully updated and expanded second edition, A Young Person's History Of Israel by David Bamberger is an ideal introduction for young readers as to why the state of Israel came about as well as why it, among all other nations, is so very special. This superbly written and organized history begins with describing the land the people of the old Palestine that existed for hundreds of years under Muslim rule. The next section is devoted to describing the origins of early Zionism that were to lay the groundwork for the return of the Jews to the land of Israel. The third section recounts the turbulent creation of an independent state of Israel. Section four is dedicated to the fight to build a viable state amidst hostile nations. The fifth and final section is devoted to describing the democratic state of Israel as it exists today. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white historical photos throughout, A Young Person's History Of Israel is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any personal, family, school, or community library collection.

Mr. Wagner has a wonderful ministry and a wonderful way with words. He's an excellent teacher, and it shows in this easy-reading book about the Holy Land. It's broken down in such a way that you can read a fact a day or a chapter a day and enjoy it either way. He gives an excellent exposition of God's promises concerning the Land, and interesting facts about the uniqueness of Israel.

Even after traveling to the Holy Land late last year, reading through this book was very helpful and insighful in providing interesting facts about the wonderful land of the Bible. It covers information on a broad range of topics, both current and historical. I would consider this book to be an excellent starting point or refresher course for anyone who cares about the land that our Creator God Himself deeded to Abraham and his descendents. Enjoy!

I have been grieved as many Americans by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. I have never understood before why the people are fighting and just who the players really were. While I may not be sure that I agree with all the conclusions, I have never been given such a clear picture of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. I also never really understoon the concept of Paradise and how it related to Christianity until now. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a textbook complete understanding of our problems in the Middle East.

Johannes Miller
St Louis, Missouri

I have always wondered just what Islamic people believed. This book has the history of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael from the Bible and also the Koran. These brothers were having problems over 3000 years ago and it is no wonder there are still problems between the Islamic people and Jewish people today. Very easy to read, I loved the larger print with extra spaces and I would recommend this book to everyone.

Excellent book. Gives a good overview Sijistani's neo-platonic contstruct and his rational approach to solving the paradox of tawhid.

Al Sijistani was a leading visionary during the Ismaili Fatimid period. This period was marked by a strong scientific spirit, a rational approach to the universe and a markedly humanistic view of mankind's key place in it. Al Sijistani was among the group of thinkers who coopted both rationalism and the philosophical sciences and answered that religious revelation reflected not merely a separate realm, but the whole of knowledge. Hence reason or the intellect was accepted as a valid source of Islamic understanding. Al Sijistani in fact argues that intellect can never be overconsumed, but thrives on being spent. Learning in a variety of ways improves the soul, giving it strength by adding to its share of intellect.
In reviewing this book,clearly the most interesting aspect of al Sijistani's thought is his combination of Neoplatonic ideas and Ismaili doctrine. This book is in contrast with others on the Ismaili movement that tend to focus on the mystical (batin) aspects of the faith. I have read this book several times and really enjoyed reading it because of its rational approach to the Ismaili faith. I was quite surprised by the sound,readily defensible, theoretical foundation that he was able to build for central and critical issues of Ismaili doctrine.