Asia Books

upon reviewing the several hundred books in my library on world war II, i noticed my reading was skewed heavily to the european theatre (particularly the eastern front) ... i felt this book was a good start to creating more balance in my studies.

with a firm understanding of japanese brutality during the war ("the rape of nanking" illustrates this very clearly), i felt i needed more than the bataan death march, hari kari and suicide pilots to better understand the japanese disdain for surrendering. this book proved to be a real jaw-dropper.

i had no idea as to the horrific conditions of the prison camps or the brutal treatment received by the men who were confined in them. as gratuitous as the violence and disgusting conditions were within these prison camps the book supplies more than enough examples of how utterly brilliant man can be in his will to survive. the stories that these survivors recall so vividly will keep the reader thoroughly engrossed to the very last page.

if someone desires to gain a deeper knowledge of world war II's pacific theatre, i would definately recommend this book ... it is a superb resource.

Brian MacArthur has done a tremendous service to the people who fell under the sway of the Japanese during World War II. Since that war was sixty years ago, it is easy to forget how nasty, brutish, and malevolent were the ways in which the Japanese treated their prisoners. This book performs admirably in reminding those who forgot, how bad it really was.

The book concentrates on the plight of the British and Australian POWs that were captured primarily in the fall of Singapore. While this may seem restricted, it is actually a good grouping as most of the war in the far east was fought by Americans and another recent book - Conduct Under Fire - covers that ground. It is an interesting exercise to read these books in close proximity to each other - as I did, inadvertantly!

The story is told in essentially three parts. The first part focuses on the building of the Burma-Thailand Railway and the horrors of the initial descent into the hell that was a Japanese POW camp. A film that was produced some decades ago also showed this event which was called "A Bridge on the River Kwai". The author takes umbrage at the movie and spends many pages comparing the reality to the fictionalized version and indeed, the movie was a complete whitewash and a twisting of the real events. I say it was a whitewash because after reading the accounts of the suffering workers, it is impossible to see the movie's opening sequence with the lines of actors cheerfully whistling "Colonel Bogey" as having any connection to the reality.

The reality was that the prisoners were mistreated and abused horribly, torture was practiced by the Japanese as a tool for slaking their sadistic tendencies and starvation was a tool to slowly kill off the prisoners. Clearly the goal of the Japanese was to get the most amount of work out of the prisoners as they could while spending the least amount possible to maintain them. We read over and over again about how the Japanese kept food and medicines away from the prisoners preferring to hoard the materials rather than save any lives.

The second part of the book chronicles the lives of the surviving prisoners after the railway was concluded. Many of the prisoners were transported around the theater by ship and many stories are told about these "Hellships". I thought it was instructive to note that more people died on the Hellships than did during the construction of the railway which was the object of the first part of the book! The only discordant note in this section was when the author describes one set of events and points out that throughout the war, only Americans descended into killing their own in this one event. That was an unnecessary and gratuitous slap at a group of fellow prisoners.

the final part of the book is simply a collection of disparate anecdotes. The author recounts the horrors of some of the worst-known events - for example an island where a force of 2401 prisoners were building an airfield and only 6 survived it - as well as focus on the prisoners in Japan and their efforts. The final set of chapters tell the story of the end of the war, the release of the prisoners, their journeyes home, and their unwillingness and inability to tell their story. A poignant chapter towards the end of the book tells the story of what probably turned the author on to the writing of this book - it is a newspaper article authored by Brian MacArthur of the final meeting of the association of POWs that decided to stop meeting while their few remaining members still had any dignity left.

This book was a fascinating read and served to remind me of the difference between real atrocities as committed by the Japanese and the so-called atrocities of today at Guantanamo. Reading this book places these two events in such a different light that it makes me think that mankind's future is hopeful.

Brian MacArthur has written a stirring account of the plight of the prisoners of the Japanese during WWII. The book goes far beyond David Lean's fictional "Bridge on the River Kwai," presenting details and first-person accounts that Hollywood never could. The book reveals the scope of Japanese abuses in individual camps, as well as the distribution of these camps throughout SE Asia. And while the story is heart-wrenching at face-value, there is an overriding theme that words are inadequate to express the misery that was actually endured by these tortured souls, many of whom never made it home. The mortality rate among prisoners of the Japanese was five times that of the Germans, a fact that may surprise many who get most of their history from the media. This book represents a new look at the darker side of the Pacific War, and is a glowing tribute to the perseverance of the allied prisoners of war.

I couldn't leave the book. The author's ability to describe the prisoner's horrific treatment kept me spellbound.

I read this book in a matter of days simply because it was so moving and fascinating that I could not put it down. It is an horrific account of the atrocities that occurred in the Japanese POW camps during WWII and the way the prisoners dealt with the injustices and hardships that were dealt upon them on a daily basis.
If you are interested at all in learning the truth about the shocking way our soldiers were treated this book is a must.
I highly recommend it.

I read all three of Leigh Wade's books, 'Tan Phu: Special Forces Team A-23 in Combat', 'The Protected Will Never Know', and 'Assault on Dak Pek', in order, and loved them all. Wade spent multiple tours in 'Nam, between '63 and '70. He was not only a professional soldier, but a professional Special Forces soldier, so his point of view is a lot different from Joe Smuckatelli the Average Grunt. These books are gritty and honest and I hightly recommend them all- Tan Phu being first in the series and covering the pre-buildup Vietnam of 1963. In fact, I think I'd go so far as to say that I enjoyed these as much or more than any other series-type books on Vietnam (and I've read a pile of 'em.)

I enjoy Leigh Wade's writing style and had read one of his other books. This book is his account of his first tour in Vietnam as a junior commo sergeant in a remote A-Team. Lt. Nick Rowe was on this team, and Wade's account of the operation that lead to the capture of Rowe (author of Five Years to Freedom) and Cpt. Rocky Versace (who was awarded a CMH posthumously for his actions as a POW) is a good addition to the historical record. After reading this book I re-read the beginning of Five Years to Freedom. It is very enlightening to read the two first person accounts of the battle. Both were accurate and insightful, and the differing perspectives helped illustrate some of the chaos of battle and fog of war. This book is a good personal record of the war from a junior green beret's point of view, uncensored and unapologetic.

This author kept my attention the whole time. Read this book, its great.

Tan Phu was the Special Forces camp from which three Americans were captured in South Vietnam on 29 October 1963. If you read James N. (Nick) Rowe's Five Years to Freedom, then you'll want to read Tan Phu to get the rest of the true story on what happened to the 12-man Special Forces Team A-23. As the cover says: "every night you fought just to stay alive." Well written, and a good book to whet your appetite for reading more history about Special Forces operations. After reading Tan Phu, rent The Green Berets video starring John Wayne, which did a good job overall in portraying the daily struggle of isolated Special Forces camps to stay alive surrounded by the Viet Cong

Leigh Wade proves that with American ingenuity, and old fashion guts, you can do a lot of damage while minimizing friendly casualties. He also shows the reader that regardless of your primary MOS - he was a commo man - while assigned to a Special Forces A-Team, you are going to fight and kill like a proven grunt, which he did well, and often. Reading Wade's story helps me put Vietnam in perspective. He tells it the way it happened to him, and there's plenty to get your attention. He - through his writings - makes me proud to be an American. Way to go, Leigh!

This is one of the best cookbooks I know of. And it's also one of the healthiest - there's no dairy in it. It's a shame the book's out of print because the recipes are simple and delicious. Worth tracking down a copy.

One of the most authentic thai cookbooks I've used. English and Thai names of the recipes are included as well as great pictures that inspire. Lots of tasty curries which I love (have only tried a couple so far but all have been tasy). Ingedients are all things we can find in the store or easily online for something like kaffir lime leaves. Highly recommend this one.

I wish I had found this book a long time ago. It would have saved me much $$. This book has all the classic Thai recipes you would want (and for some reason many Thai cookbooks aren't all inclusive) - Pad Thai, Pad Si Ew, Mee Krob, Laad Nah, Curry Pastes, etc., etc. And, judging from past experience and other books I've read, the recipes look genuine, practical, and delicious. I'm vegetarian; however, you could easily add meat into these dishes if you'd like. If you only looking to get one Thai cookbook this is it.

For people who long for a taste of true Thai cuisine, this cookbook offers recipes for many well- and little-known authentic Thai dishes. For example, my mother used to make the "White Radish Cake with Beansprouts" for me when I was growing up, but I've never seen it on any menu in the States. Now I can make it myself!

A few of my friends have bought this cookbook, and without exception, each one loves it. A couple of my favorites are the hot and sour vermicelli salad and chickpea curry.

These recipes are the genuine thing and even if you're not a vegetarian, you will enjoy the recipes. If you are a vegetarian, you will be delighted with the variety of tastes and textures to discover.

I tried 4 recipes from this cookbook today and there wasn't one that I didn't want to eat straight from the pan! They were flavorful and delicious. I've always enjoyed resturaunt Thai primarily because i'm nuts about basil but I wanted to expand my repitoire. As explained in the book these aren't dishes with the meat left out, these are recipes that were created from scratch without meat even being a consideration. The ingrediants are easy to find (with the exception of Bitter gourd I NEVER can find that) with enough variety that you won't become bored. I was also pleasantly suprised that the dishes I tried weren't volcanically hot. They were pleasantly spicy much on par with Indian food but won't upset your stomach. I highly recommend this book.

I do not waste my time reviewing marginal books. I thought long and hard before writing this review. It is presumptuous to comment on the life and thoughts of this man. But it is also compelling to encourage its readership by the broadest possible audience....especially our young people. It is especially relevant today, circa early 2008, as America decides on a President.

This is perhaps the most intellectually and emotionally charged book I have read. And yet Admiral Stockdale was a quiet, humble man. As previous reviewers have commented, there is a wealth of material: ethics, history, drama...but I focus on the introspection he demands of America, especially in choosing leaders that send our young men and women into harms was...and, at times, into 7 and-a-half years of constant torture.

Do not presume to think you know the substance of this book. I assure you, you will be proven wrong. The book is brutal. Yes, it does describe the torture and underground resistance - the ordeal and triumph American POWs. And that is more than useful for several generations of Americans who came to maturity when we, as a Nation, preferred to ignore a government's duplicity and, in many instances, stupidity in the conduct of war and national affairs.

The book is critical of the government. What? A Vice Admiral and holder of the Medal of Honor being critical of the government? Damn right! So pay attention. This is not a criticism based on emotion or a "why didn't you help me" cry. It's a demand...nothing less...that elected officials exhibit character. Character is unambiguous. You want an example...it is simple: It is not what you believe in. It is how you act.

On page 30, Stockdale recounts a conversation as I quote: "I think that in an important way, the television news industry is doing the whole country a continuing disservice. We constantly reinforce a bad idea that we helped invent - the idea that the key to being a good citizen, a discerning voter, is to know where all the candidates stand on all the issues. The issues are given center stage and the politician is cast as their suitor. We have made the expression `so much for philosophy, lets get down to issues' a maxim of conventional wisdom. And at news time every evening, all networks project scenes of harassed men and women being nailed down by stubborn interviewers who insist on quick answers on where their victims stand on gun control, abortion, and so on......

"...what's important is not the person's current views on transient issues, but his character."

And this, from Lester Crystal, then the President of NBC News!

Character. How does a man or woman of character act? They do not quibble. They do not lie. They do not debate "What 'is' is?"

On many levels, Stockdale defines the term.

Stockdale mixes philosophy with his hard-earned wisdom as a POW in this incredible, honest inspiring book. Better than 99% of all self-help books. Read it, live it.

I do not normally choose to read a book based on the author's resume', but Stockdale's credentials (retired thirty-three year U.S. Navy Vice Admiral (3-stars), spent over seven years as the highest ranking U.S. prisoner of war (POW) in Vietnam, Medal of Honor recipient, 1992 Reform Party vice presidential candidate, president of the Naval War College and the Citadel, holder of eleven honorary doctoral degrees, experimental test pilot, author, professor), compelled me to read his book. I am very glad I followed my gut instincts, for Stockdale wrote one of the best thought-provoking books about life, character, and leadership that I have ever read.

This book is a collection of essays, speeches, and articles by Stockdale (and one by a Stockdale friend and colleague) about his many and diverse experiences and how they have influenced his personal philosophies about life, character, and leadership. Many of his key points are repeated throughout the book, but the different purposes and audiences for the essays, speeches, and articles prevented those key points from becoming stale.

Stockdale's key points included, but were not limited to: character is demonstrated under pressure; his POW experience was the defining event in his life, a blessing (that I believe most non-POWs (like myself) will have trouble understanding or appreciating); the value of an education in philosophic classics (i.e. Stoicism, Epictetus, the Enchiridion, etc.); his first-hand accounts of the events leading up to the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which officially began our involvement in the Vietnam War (I was surprised); how the lack of character and integrity in senior U.S. leadership prolonged the Vietnam War and ultimately led to defeat and betrayal; and how Vietnam's U.S. POWs differed from our POWs in other wars.

Not one of the easiest books to read, but certainly one of my most inspiring and stimulating readings. I believe this book is one that I will use as a frequent reference, and it is already influencing my personal research and reading selections.

I was introduced to Epictetus and his follower Marcus Aurelius (yes, the Emperor from Gladiator the movie!) in the book by Tom Wolfe: "A Man In Full". Briefly , in this Dickensian style novel, one of the characters with a hard luck life and misunderstood personality comes across "meditations" by Marcus Aurelius (yes he DID exist) and this inspires him quite profoundly and empowers him, the effects of which reveberate through the rest of the novel. Intrigued I bought meditations and then the original stoic text: "Handbook" by Epictetus. The introductions of both refer to this book by Admiral Stockdale. The philosophy stunned me with its insights into OUR challenges that we face everyday in our careers, relationships and friendships. But to REALLY see how powerful this philosophy is, is to read this book. Our trials and tribulatons of urban life are nothing compared to Admiral Stockdale's experience of being a POW for several years, tortured and humiliated during the Vietnam war. The insights of how epictetus helped in his (successful) effort to survive & thrive, make this philosphy come "alive" beyond mere "deep words" and UNREALISTIC conclusions that most of us believe philosophy is. If you thought that, read this. If philosophy could make a "gungho" fighter pilot get through what he did, imagine just how REAL it must be.

I am not qualified to review Admiral Stockdale's work. He is an officer and scholar of the highest order. I am rating it as five stars, not because of my opinion of his writing, but because of my conviction that this book serves as a starting point for learning about one's self. This collection of essays and speeches is a college-level survey course in what it means to be a warrior, a leader, and a man. Additionally, the book is an excellent bibliography for anyone looking for recommended reading on moral philosophy. I recommend this to all military officers, as well as anyone who wishes to overcome a "victim" mentality.

When deadly riots broke out in Tibet, Steve Lehman captured that terror in his outstanding photographs. Lehman continues to chronicle the Tibetans' courageous struggle for human rights, and his work is a major contribution to understanding the Tibetan story. -Congressman Tom Lantos Co-Chairman, Congressional Human Rights Caucus

i just wanted to say how incredible i thought this book is. the layout and design really highlights the power of the photos. perhaps most important, the book allows the reader/viewer to gain some insight into the complexities of the tibetan situation. the author's passion for the people and culture there is profoundly moving.

sue simon

THE TIBETANS is a beautiful portrayal of a courageous, earthy, and spiritual people struggling for survival under the tremendous burden of late twentieth-century colonialism. It is a must read for those who want to understand their planet. -Robert A.F. Thurman President, Tibet House

A stirring photographic essay which gives texture and grit to the reality of life in Tibet. A timely reminder of the ongoing ecogenocide and obliteration of Tibetan culture in its painful recent history under the Chinese. -Peter Matthiessen, Author

I have just returned from seeing Steve Lehman's exhibition of photographs from Tibet at the Newseum/NY- PLEASE GO SEE THIS SHOW IF YOU CAN!!! I stood before some of the most touching and moving color, black and white photographs and collages with tears running down my face at the inhumanity and humanity of the disgusting situation in Tibet. How can the United States and other so-called free nations stand back and allow this foul occupation continue to take place? Not only is the culture, religion, architecture, forests, etc. of Tibet being decimated but MOST IMPORTANTLY her people are being mass murdered, tortured and ignored by the "powers that be." (The setting of the show was wonderful also with thankgas, prayer wheels and other Tibetan objects. It was also incredible to be surrounded by all the photographs in one fell swoop.) I was particularly struck by the personal, hand-written descriptions on the photographs which made them even more immediate. One could really feel for the peaceful protestors who were subsequently imprisoned and tortured. I searched their faces and was mesmerized and thought about what each person's life was like now. Even if you cannot stand before the pictures, be surrounded by the injustice of it all, do obtain the book and see for yourself. This is photo-journalism at its finest and most poignant.Mr. Lehman's photographs give ample illustration that more needs to be done to help the Tibetans and now!

Moving and extreme reality

This book reviews the aftermath of the Vietnam-U.S. war in a down to earth tone and it's impact on the people who's involvement in the war are explained in detail.Personally i like this book because of its content which voiced out the real opinion of the one involved in the war no matter whether they're the allies or enemies.It's a great book to those who wants to know more about the Vietnam war and its aftermath.

This book is worth reading for anyone interested in the history of the Vietnam War.
It is a collection of forty-eight short recollections from a wide variety of Americans and Vietnamese involved in the war, or the country, from the late 50's to the 80's. It also touches on Cambodia and Laos. Each recollection is from one-half to six pages long, and may cover one short event, or several years' experience in the country.
The book deceptively starts out slowly, and it is only with continued reading that one discovers that within this chosen group of recollections are many of the great truths of politics and military conflict in South Vietnam.
The essays cover the fatal flaws inherent within South Vietnam, which include the long history of being a colony of France, without France taking any steps to prepare the country for independence, such as training civil servants or encouraging the rule of law through local rulers. Once independent, South Vietnam was fragmented on religious lines. The civil leaders were corrupt, engaged in nepotism, and did not relate well to the peasants. South Vietnamese military leaders were promoted not on merit, but by family ties and the size of the bribes they paid to the government. For political reasons, the military zone around Saigon was intentionally unorganized and inefficient.
The geography of South Vietnam -- having all its territory within easy reach of Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam -- made it a very difficult land to defend from an enemy with safe sanctuary so close to crucial areas. This book does not mention the oppressive acts of the South Vietnamese government, which helped alienate its citizens. The book seems to understand, if not almost excuse, wrongful acts by US soldiers.
The US tactics also contributed to defeat: rules of engagement tied the military's hands in senseless ways (a SAM base couldn't be attacked under construction, but pilots had to wait until it was operational); rotating inexperienced officers through Vietnam to "punch their combat ticket" was more important than retaining experienced officers and advisors who often "got it" just before being rotated out; the battle for "hearts and minds" was often ignored; and years were wasted on ineffective strategy, until home protests compelled withdrawal.
And, yes, North Vietnam really was an oppressive regime which used terror and lies to achieve its goals.
Any discussion of Vietnam brings up many "what if's?" What if South Vietnam had a more appealing and legitimate government? What if US politicians hadn't used such ineffective strategy and tactics? Is there ANY scenario which would have resulted in a long-term stable and secure South Vietnam?
If you're at all interested in the field, this is a book well worth searching out.

Al Santoli's book, To Bear Any Burden, is a narrative of stories told by 47 Americans, Vietnamese (both North and South), and Cambodians regarding their experiences before the US involvement, during the US war, and the war's aftermath (after the departure of US troops). Each tale (from two to 10 pages in length) is riveting in itself. The book moves in relative chronilogical order beginning in 1954 and concludes with the present (circa 1985). Each tale is successfully interwoven with the next story such that there is a cohesiveness and a logical flow to the story telling timeline.

Some of the stories are quite stunning: from the description of US soldiers being called baby-killers and spat on after they returned to the US [difficult to comprehend in this patriotic post 9/11 world] to the horror stories of the Communist regimes in Cambodia and in North/South Vietnam after the fall of Saigon [after reading theses stories, one should question why the US would want to establish ties to Vietnam].

This "straight from the hip" narrative is recommended to anyone wishing to learn more about the scenes from a participant's point of view.

I first read To Bear Any Burden when it was originally released in 1985. This has been a 'must-read' classic of American involvement in Southeast Asia since it was published. For it, Santoli interviewed, in depth, 47 individuals representative of that involvement from 1945 into the 1980s--Americans, Viet-Namese (communists and anti-communists), Cambodians and Laotians. The book is so artfully compiled as to flow like a single narration; yet the 'cast of characters' are separate in time, space, culture and social rank--an entire spectrum from ambassadors to villagers, soldiers to politicians, in one volume. No ones education about the Viet-Nam War is complete unless they've read this book.

Sharon Collins shows a real talent in capturing these unusual images. Each image evokes interest in the subjects: what are they doing? why are they doing it? what does it mean to be Buddhist? An excellent collection.

This is an enchanting book. The pictures simultaneously sparkle with fascinating subjects and evoke trance-like timelessness. But there is something else that is special. The photos exhibit an intimacy with her many subjects that belies the patience of someone not fearing that this is her only life:) The monks and other Buddhists seem to be ignoring her entirely. The travel stories in the endnotes reinforce the character of rugged temperance that we might guess the photographer to possess. The photographer shares with these devoted people an appreciation for the sacred landscapes of South and Southeast Asia.

I loved Sharon Collins's book! Having traveled in many of the countries she photograhed, I was immediately transported back to enjoy the amazing landscapes and intimate protraits of daily life in Nepal, Tibet, Thailand, and Myanmar. Buddhism is beautifully depicted, not just as a religion, but as an integral part of everyday life. Ms. Collins has accomplished an important goal through her photography. I felt as if I were traveling again in her footsteps through Buddhist Asia.

Ms. Collins' book, with its vivid photographs and excerpts of Buddhist philosophy, will enlighten and refresh you. Are you having a particularly stressful holiday season? Are you having a hard time in your life? Sit down with "To the Light" and be transported to Buddhist Asia and a more accepting, peaceful and long-lived philosophy than we in the West are accustomed to. This is a beautiful book which you will pick up again and again -- I know I will.

The reader/viewer is gently led along a path filled with beauty humor love comfort and peace. Stylistically each photograph displays a compassionate understanding and depth of feeling for these areas of the world seemingly untouched by modernity ... simple, still and open.

Anyone moving to Tokyo will benefit from this book. In addition to great information on sight seeing, entertainment, and even outings with kids, there is also essential information on international schools, finding a doctor and other medical needs, introductions to neighborhoods where the typical expat lives, and more. I wish this book was available when I first moved to Tokyo. After more than 3 years here, I find this a great resource for making my life easier.

Anyone going to Tokyo needs to have this fact filled, interesting and fun book. A real life guide.

Tokyo Here and How is not only an easy-to-carry travel guide, it is a must have for anyone attempting to navigate the streets or subways of Tokyo. It is written without favor to the businesses and companies it highlights, so the reader is given accurate information about what is truly the best of Tokyo. This book gives the experienced Tokyolite as well as the novice travler to Tokyo, valuable information about how to navigate this city...from where to buy clothes that will fit, to how to take a bullet train out of the city, to the best places to take your kids for lunch that won't cost an arm and a leg! This book is packed with power, just like the remarkable women at the Tokyo American Club Women's Group who published it!

Moving to Japan is the first step in an incredible adventure and this book takes the questions out of visa issues, shopping, living and the best part: traveling. Filled with coupons, fun facts and more information than you could get from any seminar, relocation consultant or stack of books. This book has all the answers whether you will be in Japan for two weeks or two years. If only this had been written before I lived there!

A must have for any expat moving to or living in Tokyo! Lot's of great tips, that take a new arrival years to find. These ladies did their homework and were accurate and detailed. The coupons included with the book take you to some of the best "finds" in Tokyo!

I met Dr. Charles "Jiggs" Weldon several times many years ago. He was somehow related to my mother (I am ashamed to admit that I haven't kept up with such things, until recently). I only wish that I really knew enough about the man at that time to sit and talk with him about his experiences in Laos, I really had no idea. Jiggs Weldon has written a fantastic book about the struggle in Laos and the futile efforts to support the Laotian people in their battle against the communists. He goes into detail about his experiences taking care of the civilians and soldiers. It is basically a collection of short stories that pieced together tell the story of his time in Laos. They had to battle the communists and fight the U.S. Government for adequate funding. This is a must read for anyone having interest in the events of Southeast Asia. Ultimately when the U.S. left Viet Nam, Laos was abandoned to the communists and the Royal Laotians were butchered by the Pathet Lao and their mentors, the North Vietnamese (who were financed and equipped by China). It was clear that Dr. Weldon loved the Laotian people and was heartbroken by the outcome. I always figured that is why he never came back to the U.S. and died in Thailand in 2002.

An amazing disclosure of the real facts of the American secret war in Laos. Dr.Charles "Jiggs" Weldon died recently. He,no doubt, deserves a prayer of gratitude from all of us for the gift of his compelling memoir.

Charles Weldon (``Doc'' to most) has done us and the future a favour by writing his account of what surely was one of the most heroic, saddest wars of the 20th century. A legend in his prime during the height of the conflict in Laos, ``Doc'' Weldon paints a highly personal, sometimes emotional picture. The book is one of the few public recollections by the small group of men and women who participated in the Laos war of the 1960s and early 1970s. Tragedy in Paradise is extremely readable.

It is a series of short chapters, each detailing an event in the Weldon tour of Laos. It details how he fought for aid money from skinflint Washington, and worked to establish a health system in a country which had nothing but a desire for one. The central figure is the crusty but kindly doctor, a caregiver by choice and administrator by order of the penny-pinching bureaucrats. Most them don't really care too much about Laos or its people, so long as the regulations are followed and the career tickets are punched. A main figure is one of those Laotian legends, Edgar ``Pop'' Buell, who could have been the model for the Ugly American. Buell made a deserved reputation as a dedicated friend of Laos, its people and particularly his beloved Hmong.

In short, though, the book describes, in startling detail, how this tragic little war was lost, in the eyes of the men and women at the sharp end of the stick. It shows the duplicity of the senior Americans involved.

I laughed, I cried, and came out wiser from reading "Tragedy in Paradise". I only wish there were another Doc Weldon out there, somewhere, who would write the sequence to the plight of the Lao people in Laos, be they Lao Loum, Lao Theung, or Lao Soung.

Doc Weldon is one of the truly heroic and most-beloved figures of the war years in Laos. He once again serves all Americans well by recording the events of his time and reminding us what it means to be an American. Great things can be accomplished even in pursuit of a lost cause.

I bought this fantastic little guide in a bookstore in Kathmandu. I used it during my trek around Annapurna and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Much better than the LP guide, and small enough that it doesn't get in the way.

This is definitely the best guidebook to carry while trekking in the Annapurna region: loads of maps with most of the teahouses labeled, accurate times for both directions, interesting cultural information, small so as to make it more portable, and fairly up to date. I used it in November 2007, so there are some changes as one would expect, but still is excellent. Highly recommend!

I found the information in the book was great help. The maps together with the estimated timings were particularly helpful in deciding the route to take.

In addition to the treks Bryn Thomas also gives useful information on places to stay.

We used the book when treking from Jomsom to Pokhara and it was invaluable.

This guide is all you need for the Annapurna. Beats the pants off Lonely Planet. Great maps, highlights, places to stay, etc.; small and lightweight; good gear list for preparing, info on when to go; bits on Kathmandu and Pokhara. We hiked the entire circuit and used Bryn several times each day.

I did the Annapurna Circuit trek (Around Annapurna) last September with this book. I was my bible.
The book has very good chapters about Nepal in general, Kathmandu and Pokhara but it's strength lies in the trail maps and text.
The maps are very very detailed (you can't get lost...), they indicate where is the next steep climbing and how much time does it takes to the next village. In the text you can find recommendations for eating and lodging (that never miss...).
The book covers all the popular treks in the Annapurna region but also offer side treks for more adventrous trekkers.

The bottom line : Worth every Penny!