Middle East Books

Iraq, well informed and eminently fair; it concludes with excellent advice, particularly regarding the need for Washington to continue supporting European integration and a collective European defense effort. What the authors make clear, without shrillness or grandstanding, is that "the European complaint that the American decision-making process and diplomacy about Iraq violated reasonable alliance norms and expectations is valid." They prove this point with careful analysis of what happened in 2002 and 2003 and with a short, sharp reminder of previous alliance crises and how they were overcome. This is not to say that the authors side with France and Germany; their criticism of those countries' diplomacy is often quite stinging. But the fact that the United States is the "indispensable power" does not mean that its allies must support it in every case. As Gordon and Shapiro write, "when taken too far, assertive leadership can quickly turn into arrogant unilateralism, to the point where resentful others become less likely to follow the lead of the United States." "Even a country as powerful as the United States," they explain, "needs a certain level of legitimacy and consent." And indeed, it is clear that U.S. rashness and roughness in its handling of Iraq has weakened its legitimacy and, as a result, badly damaged its interests.

The importance of persistent conflict in Iraq throughout the 2004 presidential campaign makes this volume an essential contribution to the on-going public debate about the Bush Administration's foreign policy, particularly its global war on terrorism. Gordon and Shapiro carefully analyze the motivations and perceptions of the political elites on each continent as well as the opinions of their publics as the Iraq crisis unfolded. The initial chapters set the historical context for an analysis of the deepening discord within the Atlantic Alliance, which came to a head after September 11. The second part analyzes the sources of disagreement regarding Iraq and the reasons for divergence among the members in the transatlantic relationship. The final chapter makes several constructive recommendations to restore the Atlantic Alliance.

These recommendations are particularly significant in light of findings reported after the book's publication. Recent confirmations question intelligence regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capability, notably the aluminum tubes cited as evidence that Saddam Hussein was rebuilding Iraq's nuclear weapons program. The fact that these aluminum tubes were likely intended for small artillery rockets, not nuclear use, necessitates a more comprehensive and critical public inquiry. There is an ethical imperative for the American public and the world to receive the information that allows citizens to question intelligently why military action was taken in Iraq. In light of the mounting casualties on all sides, this is a civic responsibility that speaks to America's founding as a republican government, not a reluctant empire. In question are the Bush Administration's doctrine of preventive war and its insistence on the need for regime change, not containment, in the Middle East. This volume underscores the Bush Administration's reliance on military action to rid the region of terrorists. The fact that this reliance occurs without a steadfast pursuit of Middle East peace through a US commitment to the Road Map defies a basic premise of The 9/11 Commission Report's findings. The Report emphasizes that a global strategy to protect the nation should be a balanced one that uses all elements of national power, including diplomacy, intelligence and education to reach out to the larger Muslim world.

Perhaps the most relevant aspect of this case study analysis is the explanation of allied differences. The American faith in precision technology and military prowess is contrasted with the European willingness to accept, contain and try to deter the threat Iraq represented under the dictatorial leadership of Saddam Hussein. More fundamentally, Europe's, and particularly Germany's, awareness of historical mistakes in the rush to militarism is opposed by an increasing American proclivity to accept military force as just another tool in its global strategy against terrorism. This difference brings to mind the influence of the Bush Administration's distinction between a September 10th and a September 12th mentality. For a government that initially shied away from nation building, the undaunted belief in the creation of democracy with bombs in the Middle East flies in the face of French and British experiences with colonialism there. Moreover, this book's analysis is helpful as we evaluate whether success in Iraq is indeed possible, and if so, whether it can decisively define a new stage for Middle East peace as an alternative to negotiations with Arafat.

More fundamentally, this volume offers readers the opportunity to assess the impact of a consistency that has emerged in America's domestic and global policies since 9/11. Cornel West terms this "escalating authoritarianism" in his recent book, Democracy Matters. On the domestic front, the democratic public discourse so vital to the nation's capacity for renewal is at risk. The nature of the US popular debate about the war in Iraq, critical or passive, is a litmus test in this regard. It demonstrates the extent to which Americans are able to display a responsible consciousness about the nation's military involvement there. This public awareness is significant because, as Allies at War convincingly explains, the Atlantic Alliance is not doomed to disintegrate. The context in which the Alliance must evolve has changed, however, given the absence of the Cold War and current threats to world peace, including "out-of-area" ethnic conflicts as well as nationalism, which, in the case of the Beslan tragedy, is not always distinguished from global terrorism. This volume's timely conclusion should not be taken for granted amidst the factual confusion, media spin and political rhetoric of the 2004 presidential campaign. Gordon and Shapiro are right to assert that the post 9/11 context requires leaders and populations in Europe and the United States to understand the challenge they face: to adapt the Atlantic Alliance as a matter of choice as well as necessity.

Third Battalion, Third Marines has recently served valiantly in Afghanistan and Iraq. As always, they served their nation with honor and valor.

3/3 was the battalion of Ollie North during Vietnam. It was also my battalion. I joined 3/3 not long after it returned from Desert Storm, and I was trained, hazed, and befriended by the men described in this book. I heard many of these stories firsthand from the grunts who lived it, and I can tell you this book is not only accurate but also well written.

While this is the story of a unit in the First Gulf War, it had direct bearing on what's going on over there now. This story follows the Third Battalion of the Third Marines (The 3/3). This is one of the famous units in the USMC having fought at Bougainville, Guam, Iwo Jima, then in Vietnam and in 1990 in the Persian Gulf.

The author has a great ability to take oral histories from a wide number of people and put them together with his own commentary to form and interesting tale that flows very well while conveying the tone and material from the oral interview.

During the war the 3/3 fought in the battle of Khafji, then were the first to penetrate the Iraqi wire and minefield to provide flank security for the beginning of the allied offensive. It is a remarkable tale of the events in the war as seen be the members of one of the fighting units.

If you want to understand American Middle East policy think corruption greed and Saudi money. Steven Emerson has done an outstanding and in depth expose of the depths to which Americans in and outside the U.S. government have sunk for a sip of black gold.

What Steve Emerson writes in The American House of Saud: The Secret Petrodollar Connection simply horrifying.

Most American's are simply immune to the dangers of radical Islam and the Saudi's who give them money..

But the Muslims are not content simply killing Israelis, they want to kill American's also. Saudi Arabia loves American dollars but hates American.

George Washington would have read this book and agreed with it.

This is the story of an American nurse who chose to serve the people of Lebanon. It is a fascinating account of a young woman finding herself in a Civil War and the impact that has on her own life and those around her. Reading it I felt as if I was having a conversation with the author, it is definitely her voice, and speaks with an astonishing mixture of courage and humility.

I received a copy of this book as a birthday gift in Aug 2005. At the time I was on vacation in San Francisco, so I didn't really start reading the book until I was on an airplane flying back to Pittsburgh (through Washington DC). What happened during my flight and layover in Dulles (6-7 hours in total) was shocking to me, as I was unable to let go of this book. I was glued to it and didn't even once yawn or take a break, simply because I couldn't. I also couldn't resist crying while reading some of the most terrible and heart-breaking stories that the author witnessed during the war in Lebanon. After reading this book, my perspective about nurses and nursing in general took a 180 degree shift, as I now appreciate and respect the vital role that nurses play in our lives.
In conclusion, I can say with confidence that so far, this is the best book that I've ever read in my 26 years of existance on this planet.

If anyone likes a "different" kind of tourism, paying a visit to Turkey with the help of this magnificent manual, will be a surprise. Any place and monument of archaeological interest, no matter of how small it is, has its short (although complete) or very detailed description. The merit of Prof. Akurgal was to write a really academic book, that works like a classical "Baedeker" guide. Each chapter leaves to the reader the desire to know even more, and the monumental bibliography gives the best help.
One year ago, I've visited the region of Caria with some friends-archeologists and this book helped me to appreciate this part of the world even more.
Another surprise is that Prof. Akurgal's book is not too huge: actually it can find place in any traveller's bag.

Is a must have. A very organized encyclopedia of almost all the ruins in Anatolia. Including isolated altars and temples, small cities and of course the big capitals of the ancient anatolia.

If you have it with you and you are driving along the Aegean cost of Turkey with and if you love ancient settlements and constructions you will have a lot to see on the way!

Gadalla, as always in all his books, provides thorough, and factual details about the "origins" of the many aspects of Egyptian peoples and their civilization. Having said that, because many have not been priviledged to have read many of his writings, I think that he should highlight in every book, as he did in "Exiled Egyptians", who the people in that early epoch of Egypt (Kmt) were.

Most people don't realize these were "Black Africans", at this time period in Egyptian history as proven by their own statements of their origins, linguistics, archaeology, paeleontology, iconography, etc. Since this is still today not being taught throughout the world in the educational systems due to ignorance and racisim, it should be constantly empasized by those who "know". This is the true meaning of "Maat", to do, say, and be, what is right and just in the world.


Rathael Fambro

In "The Ancient Egyptian Culture Revealed" Moustafa Gadalla relates many hitherto obscure aspects of a 36,000-year-old Egyptian civilization including their societal/political system as the source of Greek philosophy as exemplified by Plato's 'Ideal Republic and Laws', as well as Hellenic knowledge and practices with respect to medicine, music, science, manufacturing, industries, trade policies, and so much more that has been recognized by traditional scholarship. Additionally readers will be introduced to the simplicity, coherence and beauty of the religion of Ancient Egypt; and their ability to determine the sex of an unborn child; their population migration, settlements and influences throughout the ancient world. Highly recommended to the attention of students in Egyptology, Christianity, Metaphysics, and Archaeology.

I have read and re-read Curzon's book, and find it one of the funniest things I have ever pored over. Curzon is a deliberate wit and has that special English way of noting and describing the absurd in a dry and straightforward fashion. Yes, it is historically priceless, and his accounts are unique and invaluable --- but what I wouldn't give to have heard his "traveler's tales" straight from his own mouth by the Curzon fireside. If you are at all familiar with any of the areas Curzon visited ( I have lived in some of these places and know how little has actually changed), or have an interest in their history or share his interest in ancient writings, PLEASE read this book. In fact, you need to BUY it because you will return to it again and again.

DESCRIPTION:
"Between 1834 and 1837, Curzon visited Egypt, Syria, Albania and mount Athos, in order to examine and collect ancient manuscripts. A dozen years later, sitting among these books, he entertained his solitary evenings in an English country house by writing 'some account of the most curious of these MSS. and the places in which they were found, as well as some of the adventures which I encountered in the pursuit of my venerable game'. The result was a charming flow of reminiscence, the expression of an engaging personality. His account of Egypt under Mehemet Ali has distinct historical value; and, in chapter XVI, he describes, as an eye-witness, the shocking scene of confusion, panic and death which took place in the church of the Holy Sepulchre on the occasion when Ibrahim pasha was present at the Easter ceremony of the holy fire. In a pleasanter and lighter vein, Curzon relates with a certain quaint simplicity his odd experiences in remote monasteries." - From The Cambridge History of English and American Literature (1907-21), Vol. XIV.

CONTENTS:
Chapters I-VI Egypt in 1833
VII-VIII Natorn Lakes
IX The Convent of the Pulley
X Ruined Monastery at Thebes
XI The White Monastery
XII The Island of Piloe, &c.
XIII-XVI Jerusalem and the Monastery of St. Sabba
XVII-XXI The Monasteries of Meteora
XXII-XXVIII The Monasteries of Mount Athos

"Excellent...A synthesis of great density. On 150 pages, Klaus Schippman has assured pre-Islamic South Arabia an honorable position among the civilizations of the Near East."
--Bibliotheca Orientalis

Ancient South Arabia: From The Queen Of Sheba To The Advent Of Islam by Klaus Schippmann (University of Gottingen) is an impressive and scholarly history of the South Arabian kingdoms that draws from archaeology and primary sources to informatively depict an evolving picture of life in the crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe. Smoothly written, nicely illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and also available in a trade paperback edition, Klaus Schippmann's Ancient South Arabia is a uniquely insightful work and a very highly recommended addition to World History reference shelves.

Purchased this book for research on a novel I'm writing. The book is jam packed with great information. The illustrations are terrific and give you a real feel for what life must have been like in Roman Antioch. Follows the rise and decline of the city. Lots of info.

Kondoleon's book is wonderful collection of articles and images that serve as an excellent introduction to the archeology of Antioch. The focus is late antique. Although Antoich is most famous for its mosaics, the book covers other subjects, including sculpture, coinage and baths etc. The color images are beautiful and the reconstructed layouts of the mosaics IN SITU are superb and very helpful in the study of interior private architecture. Especially interesting were the computer reconstructions of the Antiochene bathes and a church. I think this is an excellent direction in art historical works as they really help visualize the buildings that are being reconstructed.

All in all, a very useful and informative work.

uzun zamandir bu alandaki tek eser olan Woods'un Aqquyunlu calismasi nihayet yeni bir baskisi ile karsimizda. Guncellestirilmis kaynakcasi, haritalari ve tablolari ile daha da kullanisli hale gelmis. calismanin ciddiyeti, derinligi ve genisligi hakkinda zaten birsey soylemeye gerek yok. herkese tavsiye ederim.

This is one of the best books I have ever read on Central Asia. Actually, it is THE best book I have ever read. Lucid, well-organized, it brings a difficult topic within the grasp of a student-scholar.