Government Books

I got a copy of this in a second-hand store when I was a kid and I've practically read the covers off. Absolutely magical. I have never read a better imagining of the Cinderella story.

you can not give this book enough stars. this book brings cinderella to the next level very tastefully. thank you to the author for this teenage level.

The book is very good story. The author has done a very good job of telling the story. I have readed this book since 6th grade and now I'm first year in college. I have enjoy this book every time I read it. I recommend it to every one.

I found it! Like one of the other reviewers, I read this book, and re-read it and re-read it, in Elementary school and loved it! The internet and places like Amazon.com have been a god-send for finding those treasures of childhood I thought I'd never see again. This remains to this day my very favorite version of the Cinderella story. Well worth the read no matter how old you are!

Like Robin Grunder's (New York, New York March 1999) review I just saw on this page, I had read this book (from my church library, no less!) when I was about 10-12 years old. I fell in love with it, and it left a marked impression upon me. Sort of "Cinderella at a whole 'nother level." But as a teenager I could not find the book anywhere. As a young adult, I would revert back to childhood books in times of stress (Madeleine L'Engle, Carolyne Keene) and looked for Eleanor's "Glass Slipper" many times to no avail. Then, in my late 30's, when Internet searching became all the rage, I one evening put the title in a search engine and VIOLA! There were several used (collectible) hardback copies available through Amazon.com! ... but I have my used 'library' copy and I'm ecstatic. I'll pass this on to my child's children, who will hopefully love reading as much as I do.

An excellent handbook for the endless challenges encountered in the affordable housing field. Clear,concise and easy to read.
The author has obviously handled these situations in the past and has thankfully provided a tool for housing managers everywhere to use now and for years to come. A must for any property manager's library!

Glenn French, the author demonstrates his extensive knowledge of the Property Management process.The multidiciplined functions of property management are clearly defined in a very usable and sequential manner. The content and writing tempo in each chapter are professionally written in such a manner that provides the student/beginning Property Manager with a useful learning tool. The book is also interesting reading for persons who are interested in a better understanding of Professional Property Management.

All residential managers would profit by reading this book. Mr.French obviously has extensive experience that he conveys very effectively.

This is a careful, well written text book outlining the necessary skills, tools and education needed to manage government assisted housing. There are not many books on managing subsidized housing. This one is good because it is clear that Glenn French has had a myriad of hands-on experiences in this field. Glenn French's book is very good for anyone interested in taking on the management of government assisted real estate as a career, or to expand your business opportunities.

I began my career in public housing and ran into many problems. Mr. French's book has provided me with the information I need to grow and solve the complex problems of working in Public Housing.

Although published in 2004, this book is a timely read. It makes a compelling case why the recent Supreme Court decision (in June 2008) about Guantanamo prisoner's rights is indeed in line with the United State's Constitution, why the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo has been unconstitutional, and how the denial of their human rights is another example of the Bush administration's war and constitutional crimes.

Anyone who cares about American morals, and the importance of upholding human and Constitutional rights, will appreciate this book.

With the exception of those on the payroll of the United States Government, Michael Ratner (with staff he directs at the Center for Constitutional Rights and volunteer lawyers he assembled) knows more about Guantánamo than anyone.

The book is a quick read at 93 pages of text.

For those who have grown up believing that the rule of law is central to our democracy, it is a chilling read.

Published in mid-2004 it reviews a broad array of the issues which had arisen as of that time and which continue to inform the realities on the ground at Gitmo today. It provides a careful analysis of the ways in which "rule by executive fiat" deviated from the U.S. Constitution, the entirety of the Anglo-American legal tradition, the Geneva Conventions, and international law.

He discusses how a great percentage of persons were selected to be prisoners at Guantánamo, a great many by bounty hunters capturing persons far from any battlefield, the bounties paid for by U.S. tax dollars. He discusses extraordinary rendition of prisoners rendered to countries known to torture, the "outsourcing" of torture.

He recounts the abuse and torture suffered meted out to those interrogated at Guantánamo and links the methods used there to those later made infamous by the exposé of interrogations at Abu Ghraib.

The more serious reader will appreciate the 66-pages of primary source documents collected in the appendix covering a broad range of topics from the original lease of Guantánamo from the Cuba to relevant parts of Geneva Conventions to a series of memoranda issued by various departments of the executive branch which framed some of the major issues that the detentions at Guantánamo present for our country.

For anyone concerned about the state of our democracy, this is an important book.

This book provides a really concise, clear and powerful explanation of the American interrogation camp at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. The author who represents some of the detainees and has interviewed them paints a vivid picture of their hideous treamtment. He demonstrates that the camp is not only outside the law, but a threat to the safety of us all. If you want to know why Guantanamo has become iconic in the Muslism world for everything wrong with the US, read this book.

This book consists of interviews of Michael Ratner, President of the Center for Constitutional Rights, by writer Ellen Ray, plus relevant UN and other documents. Ratner was co-counsel in Rasul v Bush, which the New York Times called "the most important civil rights case in half a century" because on 28 June 2004 the Supreme Court ruled against President Bush that the US military could not hold what it called `enemy combatants' indefinitely, without charge and without access to legal representation. The Court ruled that the prisoners had the right to challenge their detentions in civilian courts.

The Bush government then set up `combatant status review tribunals', supposedly to decide whether the detainees had been correctly designated as enemy combatants and therefore were being rightfully detained according to the laws of combat. However, the administration breached the Supreme Court's ruling that the prisoners had the right to challenge their detentions in civilian courts, since all the tribunals' members are military officers.

Guantanamo is `an interrogation camp', which is flatly illegal, under US and international law. It harks back to Stuart Britain's offshore penal colonies which were beyond the reach of law, forms of executive imprisonment which the 1679 Habeas Corpus Act made illegal. The US detention centres in Iraq, Afghanistan and Diego Garcia and on board US aircraft carriers are modern Devil's Islands.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has reported that US forces had inflicted on the 550 prisoners illegally held at Guantanamo Bay psychological and physical coercion that was `tantamount to torture'. It said, "the construction of such a system, whose stated purpose is the production of intelligence, cannot be considered other than an intentional system of cruel, unusual and degrading treatment and a form of torture." At least three children, between 11 and 13, were held at Guantanamo; some are still there today.

The British state is guilty of collaboration and connivance with these illegal US state actions. British courts, like US courts, are using as evidence statements made under duress and torture in these US-run camps, thereby condoning the use of torture.

You need to read this book. Since the suicides of last week, the US government has sealed off Gtmo from the world - no lawyers, no press. It is vitally important that we understand what is going on there and close Gtmo down. Michael Ratner and Ellen Ray have collaborated to produce a highly readable "primer" on this disgraceful period in US history. I used this book in my human rights courses.
Susan Gzesh, Director, Human Rights Program, the University of Chicago

"For anyone seriously interested in Haiti, it is an indispensable work. it belongs not only in one's school/college/university library, but in one's personal collection as well." -French Review

This book truly is the very best introduction to Haiti I can possibly think of. If you want to learn about Haiti, start here. Each entry is short, carefully chosen, and typicaly riveting. SIX STARS on this work, and my thanks to Arthur and Dash.

This book truly is the very best introduction to Haïti I can possibly think of. If you want to learn about Haïti, start here. Each entry is short, carefully chosen, and typically riveting. SIX STARS on this work, and my thanks to Arthur and Dash for putting it together.

Reviewed by Brian Concannon Jr., Bureau des Avocats Internationaux, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Libète is a wide-ranging and compelling anthology of writing on Haiti. As the title suggests, the Haitian people's struggle for freedom from oppression is the focus, but the editors manage to weave a lot more than history and politics into the work. The selections are interesting and concise, and well organized into chapters with equally concise introductions. Libète is invaluable as an introduction to Haiti, but also will fill in knowledge gaps for most Haiti veterans, and is a handy reference on the bookshelf.

The book's breadth is striking: 187 selections, mostly excerpts, are grouped into ten chapters, including history, politics, rural and urban life, refugees, culture and literature. The selections are well chosen, and represent much of the best that has been written about Haiti. Selections date from the end of the 15th century to the end of the 20th; their authors hail from Haiti, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. The selections include primary and secondary non-fiction, as well as novels, poetry and photographs. The writers were (and are) participants, chroniclers, anthropologists, scholars and artists.

Libète's brevity is equally impressive: all that is crammed into 352 pages. Each selection can be read in a few spare minutes, each chapter in an hour or two (I first read it over a month of breakfasts). The price of this breadth and brevity is depth: although the editing is skillful, no skill can distill a book adequately into a page or two, especially a great one, nor adequately treat a complex subject in two-dozen pages. In this sense, Libète is not an end in itself, but a starting point. The reader should keep this limitation in mind, and use the book as inspiration and guide to further reading.

Each chapter begins with a short introduction by the editors, which places the selections in context and fills in some of the gaps between them. Libète ends with a comprehensive index and citations for all included material. It does not, unfortunately, contain a bibliography discussing the useful material that did not make the final cut.

Although the various authors represent a diversity of perspectives, Libète is assembled consciously from an activist point of view. The principal editor is the coordinator of the London-based Haiti Support Group, and a long-time supporter of Haiti's democratic transition. The book reflects an activist's adoption of Haiti's poor majority as the starting point for analysis, as well as an emphasis on the adverse impacts of a host of "isms" - colonialism, imperialism, racism and capitalism - on Haitians' struggle for freedom, especially freedom from poverty.

About half of Libète chronicles the series of oppressions that have kept Haiti's majority vulnerable to exploitation. They include outsiders, from Columbus' explorers to the French slave-holders, the occupying U.S. Marines, and the current enforcers of neo-liberal economic policy. They also include home-grown oppression - brutal political and military potentates, and the economic elites they served. The book shows how the poor in Haiti were kept in their place with force, including slavery, war and civilian massacres, but also with law, politics, diplomacy, land tenure, social structures, the economy and the education system.

Libète does not, however, treat Haiti and Haitians as mere objects of these large forces. Its other half chronicles the courage, creativity, resourcefulness and persistence of Haitians as they wage their perpetual uphill battle for freedom. This resistance uses brute force when it has to, but also art, literature, song, politics, social organization, work and even botany where it can. Although it often seems to be losing the war, Libète points out the many areas where the struggle has carved out space for freedom to express, to create, to vote and to live. The book highlights Haitians' agency by featuring Haitian voices, in works of fiction, newspaper articles, interviews and essays, many of them for the first time in English.

Libète does not speak directly to some of the current debates raging about Haiti, but that may be one of its strengths. By focusing on the issues that are important over the long-term, it provides an example of looking past the petty internecine battles that have plagued Haitians' struggle for freedom, to the more vital long-term work to be done. The long view also extends the book's shelf life: by not depending on today's events, the selections, and the editors' analyses ensure their relevance for a long time to come (sadly, until "Libète" is achieved).

Libète is an excellent introduction to Haiti, possibly the best in English. A student, visitor or solidarity activist who had read nothing else on Haiti would have a pretty good idea of what was going on in a variety of fields. It is equally useful for veterans: it points out the gaps that we all have in our knowledge, and shows where we can go to fill these gaps. It is also a good reference for the specialist's shelf, for quick access to subjects outside one's expertise.

"Libete" is a comprehensive and concise anthology of writings on a wide spectrum of topics, including the history, religion, art, and politics of the country. It is a good introduction for those new to Haiti, and shows those wanting to deepen their understanding where to look.

I have used this resource in my ministry on a regular basis since purchasing an earlier edition in 1976. I have found it to be informative and helpful in understanding the scope of Christianity in the United States. This is a valuable resource for those wanting a beginning point for research and for reference.

I had access to older editions of this book in our public library, and finally found one in a used bookstore. I was thrilled to find out it had been updated. I was disappointed to a degree, however. The older editions had many small bodies listed in it, which are nowhere to be found in this edition. I really enjoyed reading about some of these churches (I remember one was down to a single church). On the other hand, I think it is a plus that more coverage is now being given to non-Christian groups as these have grown in recent years in this country.

I still give it five stars, I just wish they had left some of the smaller groups in the book.

Our church pulled out of the United Church of Christ in 2001, and our denomination search committee needed a resource to get more information. We were very happy to find this book. At your finger tips are brief sketches of practically every major religious group in the United States. Some of the essays are very brief in nature, while others are pages long. Still, it is an excellent starting point, and for most people who just want the basic facts, it is all the information a person could want on the religious movements in the country. And one of the other things I like about the book is that as far as it it is possible, the authors take a very objective position. No trace of bias or sectarian coloring mars the book, as far as I can tell. There is no way of discerning which denominational perspective the authors write from, and that's the way I like it.

Islam, Judaism, Gnosticism and more are included along with Christianity within the ever-expanding scope of this classic reference book. Supposedly selection is limited to those groups within the "Abrahamic-monotheistic tradition," but that's arguable, since it includes for ex: Mormonism (multiple gods throughout universe), Nation of Islam (succession of gods thru time), Unitarian-Universalism (not required to believe in any particular religious belief), and pantheistic groups. Other inclusion/exclusion oddities: Native American Church--in; Voodoo and Santeria--out. Spiritualism--in; Hinduism and Urantia--out. Unification Church--in; Taoism--out. Nation of Islam--in; Scientology--out. There are also inconsistencies regarding where within the book groups are listed: Messianic Judaism is not listed in Christianity, but in Judaism, yet Church of God and Saints of Christ ("Black Jews") are under Christianity and not Judaism. Sufism is listed under Islam, but Nation of Islam is not. Including such incompatible religions under the title of "Handbook of Denominations" implies theological (as opposed to social) toleration and some underlying fundamental agreement, which perhaps risks contributing ever so subtly to the psychological preparation for acceptance of an ecumenical religion that sacrifices biblical truth for the sake of societal unity. Fortunately, the authors say "future editions of the Handbook may require a different title" (though they do not suggest the possibility of narrowing the book's scope). Other books have used titles that more accurately convey their contents--"Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult" or "Encyclopedia of American Religions," no problem.

The Handbook's strength remains its Christianity section, which makes sense of over 100 denominations by organizing them in families (31 alone in Baptist family) and goes beyond mere statistics (self-reported, by the way) to convey interrelationships in a historical narrative style. Even so, some groups get scanty treatment, for ex, Christian Identity groups are only hinted at by including minor groups like Branch Davidians, while others, like a certain nationwide TV ministry, are not even mentioned. Given both Identity's track record as a starting point for domestic terrorism and its increasing acuumlation of followers thru TV/internet, I wish the Handbook would mention prominent ID groups and their [...] serpent seed doctrine. One modern phenomenon this 12th edition has included, though, is "Community and New Paradigm Churches," saying that these "mega-churches" are "congregations that actually function as small denominations." Overall, despite concerns, the Handbook is now more up-do-date, and I strongly recommend it, but exhort discernment, as it not only displays subjectivity in terms of inclusion and self-reporting, but also in narrative description, for ex: Islam is "subject to unfair stereotyping," and "it seeks to build a just and peaceful society based on a rational moral code."

Extremely helpful when researching various group's beliefs. Unbiased, and fair to the individual Christian denominations that number in the hundreds here in America. So many churches. So many groups you may never have heard of. For example; when a certain minister in my church gave testimony that he once served in the Church of the Living God denomination as a pastor, a group formerly unheard of to me, I used this handbook for research into that group's background. I love studying the different beliefs that are a part of this nation's freedom to practice them, according to the dictates of our hearts.

I enjoyed this book in general but I was turned off by the main character's tendency to be rude to her neighbor when she turned down the tea that was offered and when her neighbor was hesitant to join the Mormon Church. The neighbor became her best friend. But in real life I'm not so sure that would have been the case.
But the story was interesting and had fun twists and turns and the characters were well drawn and usually very likeable. So other then my pet peeve, I would recommend this book to Mormon friends.

This book was a great book and I enjoyed reading it very much. I loved the characters, they were very endearing and immeadiatly likeable. Kate and Mark were thrown together in very odd circumstances but they coped very well. The book was also not all about the mystery, and there were quite a few lighthearted moments in it. It was a good combonation of romance and suspense and a tale about small-town life. Miss Eugenia was the funniest charecter I've read about in quite a while, but I liked her a lot for all her odd quirkyness. She was so much of a mother / grandmother to Kate when she really needed someone and couldn't be in touch with her real family. And it is obviously an LDS story, but it is not overpowering in religious message and someone who was not LDS could read it without becoming really annoyed. But for me, (I am LDS), It was a nice element and made the characters more real real for me. There were serveral very suprising twists in the book that I did not see coming and I was unable to put the book down, and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend Hearts in Hiding to anyone who wants a very good, clean, exciting read.

I loved this book. The characters Kate and Mark were great. I loved reading about them and their romance. Really great book. Suspenseful too.

This was the first book of hers I read and it is the best book. Here is a breif rundown of what the book is about. Kates husband Tony is in the FBI and is killed. Her life is threatened, so the FBI gives her a new life and a new husband (Mark Iverson). She marries Mark and the both assume new identities in a new town with some FUN and intersting neighbors. They must find a way to keep eachother alive and solve a mystery. This book is so much fun and a great love story. After you read it you will want to read more of Betsys books. Definaly read this book before you read (Above Suspision). Kate & Mark Iverson along with the ladies from Haggerty are in that book too. They are also in (Until Proven Guilty), but not as much. Hope this helps.

This is a great mystery story. I had the unabridged audio tape and I found myself hating to get out of the car. It is a book that had a great story without the bad language and raw sex scenes. I wish more mystery writers would take this approach and focus on great writing that leaves you hanging on until the final chapter. It was an excellent book. I hope this writer will continue to write all these lines. She shows you can write good books without the filth thrown in. 6 stars for Ms. Green.

This book is not only exquisitely written but extremely informative as well. The utter incompetence of high-level government employees that is exposed by Cassara is enough to make your blood boil. If you thought the government was infallible, think again. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is concerned with the well-being of our country.

I'm sort of a government/spy stories buff, and I really enjoyed this book. The first half is sort of a story, almost like reading a novel, while the second half is almost instructional. The author makes a lot of good recommendations in the last chapter. This guy should go into politics!

What a great book! My husband somehow was able to get a copy of the book a few days before it came out (he lives for this type of stuff), and I picked it up the other day while he was at work. Four hours later, I was finished. I couldn't put it down. My reading usually consists of romance novels (I'm not ashamed), and to be honest, I only picked up this book out of sheer boredome. Boredom turned to fascination very quickly, and I was hooked after reading just one chapter. While there is a good deal of government jargon, the auther does a great job of explaining everything. Still, what I liked most about the book were his stories. This guy has had an amazing life! So many adventures, I'd love to meet this guy just to hear him tell some stories. Not to diminish the importance of the book, as he does say a lot of things that our government should be paying attention to, but he's a great storyteller. He definitely puts a personal touch on a sticky subject. Anyway, it's a great book, and believe me, I usually stay away from these types of books. My husband and I actually sat down and discussed the book for almost 2 hours last night...he was very impressed with my knowledge. Great book, I hope he writes another one.

The author provides an insightful and at time intense criticism of inner governmental workings. Depicting through first hand experience the bureaucratic failures that have resulted in the continued operation of many criminal and terrorist financial networks. The removal of these "financial networks" is crucial, to ensure our victory in the "War on Drugs" and "War on Terror". These failures can cost lives, as so dramatically depicted by the author. To someone who seeks to pursue a career in government service, like myself; this book is an invaluable tool. In depicting the failures of previous generations of government employees, it serves as a "wake up" call to both current and future governmental employees. This will help to prevent these errors from continuing to happen in the future. Finally, the authors' career serves as an example of excellence in government service, that the new generation of government service employees should aim for in their career.

HIDE AND SEEK: INTELLIGENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE STALLED WAR ON TERRORIST FINANCE is a 'must' for any who would understand one of the failures of the U.S. in 9/11. John Cassara is an expert in terrorist financing and money laundering and here surveys the lack of reporting requirements before 9/11, efforts since, and how the failures of law enforcement have helped foster terrorist efforts. HIDE AND SEEK could not have been written without an insider's knowledge of how foreign intelligence, domestic efforts, and international finance works: the fact that John Cassara has such knowledge lends authority and depth to a survey which encourages law to follow the unusual paths of international terrorism's money networks.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Another of a line in study of out of control power that changed the world. A study of Hitler that contributes to the greater picture of governmental agents of change.. Study with opinions.

...this book captivated my attention. Very clearly and well written, Flood takes you almost step by step from Hitler's early years as a floundering nobody to the flourishing of what became the Nazi party under his rule. Be advised that this is as far as the timeline goes. The historical context is thoroughly discussed, a necessity considering that the rise of a man such as Hitler happened as a reaction to the political and cultural and social stagnation that occured in Germany after WWI.

Here we have a terrifically lucid, readable, and even entertaining account that truly does answer the question, how such a seeming loser from nowhere could rise to become the undisputed leader of the German Nazi party. The tragic and horrible conditions in Germany between 1918-1924 are described in haunting detail, the economy a wreck with inflation reaching 1 billion% by the time of the Novemeber, 1923 Putsch. The cast of characters includes the mesmorizing speaker Hitler, plus the weird general Ludendorrf, Rohm, Hess, the Strassers, Drexler, Goring, and many others, including the WC Fields-like Putzi Hafstaengel, who kept contact with foreign journalists. And the actual events of the BeerHall Putsch have their horrid moments plus some Keystone Kops moments too! In short, about the best early Nazi history out there!

This well-researched journal of Hitler's early days will really get you thinking. You cannot understand World War 2 or the Holocaust without learning about what went on with this man before the age of 40. I recommend this to anyone and everyone who loves history or is doing a report. It is out of print so you can either get it used or get it at your local library. Whatever you do, you will enjoy this great book.

I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone interested in reading about the causes and origins of German fascism. Any book on Hitler can always veer off into the cartoonish, reinforcing the idea that the man was a monster. That approach devalues the very serious underpinnings of Hitler's ascent that Bracelen Flood describes: The Versaille Treaty and the short-sighted behavior of the victors of World War I; the intense racialism of Bavaria; the sheer incompetence of Germany's leaders; and the brilliance of Hitler's campaign to rule the country. Telling details are on every page of the book, but Bracelen Flood is very careful to qualify his observations when the evidence is conflicted. He sees the interaction between the anecdote and the big picture, using several devices to ground the reader in the reality of what happened. Best of all, Bracelen Flood's extensive research allows us to understand what people involved in the events were thinking. At several points, I was struck by how, above all else, Hitler was abetted by luck and the fact that he was consistently underestimated by people who should have known better. The end result is both a study of a pivotal portion of the last century and a valuable tool to ensuring that nothing like it ever happens again.

The War in Iraq rages on - but the rebuilding has already begun. "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is the story of one Haider Ala Hamoudi, one who has dedicated his life and well being to restoring the country he loves. He tells his story of rebuilding and how the events of these past few years have changed his life and the lives of the people around him. A different look at the Iraq conflict, "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is highly recommended to community library current events shelves.

'Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir' will remind you that Iraqis are individuals just like everyone else in this world and even though the US government and media will many times make it sound like they are lesser people because of the harsh world that they live in, this book is a stark reminder that given the right opportunities they are no different than anyone else. Read this book and learn more about Iraq and decision that were made which put the country in the state it it currently in. A thoughtful and interesting piece of work that is well worth the time.

**** RECOMMENDED

Written with disarming honesty, this memoir of an Iraqi American is a fascinating look at the Iraqi people during the American occupation. Professor Hamoudi returned to the land of his family after the invasion in 2003 with high hopes. As a bilingual lawyer from a prominent Shi'a family, he was in a good position to help with the building of the hoped for democracy. He is obviously a privileged and highly educated man, idealistic and religious but also secular. He hated Saddam Hussein and what the psychopathic dictator had done to his country. But Hamoudi is not just some ex-pat returning to his homeland in other to reap the spoils of war. Instead, as one cannot help but know from reading his engaging account, Hamoudi sincerely believed in the American effort and wanted nothing more than to be an instrumental part of bringing about a secure, happy and prosperous life for Iraqis.

In this he failed as he tells us in the final pages. He tells us why candidly. He writes: "...between air conditioning failures, power cuts, limited grocery options, appallingly slow internet connections, a near entire lack of recreation, and, of course, a constant fear of annihilation, life was becoming unbearable, my ability to write limited, and my efforts to teach Iraqi students psychologically exhausting, I felt myself wasting away." (p. 271)

Note well the practical and personal nature of his concerns. How easy it would have been--and how empty--for Professor Hamoudi to say he could not achieve success because the American occupation had been so poorly planned and executed, because the uneducated and warring Iraqi fractions were at one another's throats and were not ready for democracy. How easy it would have been to blame others, but characteristically Hamoudi blames himself and accepts personal responsibility for his "failure."

But it was not a failure because one of the things that came from his experience was this book. It is a great success itself because it shows the Iraqi people--and especially this particular Iraqi, himself--in a genuinely human way, complete with shortcomings and strengths, complete with differing ideas and beliefs, but with very much the same humanity that we all share.

Curiously enough this memoir is also a charming love story that takes the reader by surprise. Here is how Hamoudi recalls the first conversion with his future wife, Sara, whom he met while working in Kurdistan Iraq.

"'I am sorry, remind me of your name one more time?' I asked.
"She looked confused, but replied, `Sara.'
"'Sara, Professor Saman said you were interested in applying for a Fulbright, and I would like to help you. Have you completed the application?'
Sara is confused. They are conversing in Arabic, but that is not Sara's native tongue. After some further confusion, Hamoudi asks again, "'Did you not actually apply for the Fulbright? Do I have the wrong person?'
"She shook her head from side to side and stared at me, unsure of what I was saying."
At this point Hamoudi decides to go and fetch Professor Saman.
"I turned to the door. Suddenly I heard a lovely voice.
"'O thou Professor, dost thou refer to the application whose pages must be completed in full along with the most favorable recommendations sent by professors that doth hold me in the highest regard?'"
Hamoudi says, "Huh?" And then gets an inspiration: "'What dost thou say?'
"With this the most beautiful smile I had ever seen appeared on Sara's face. `I understandeth thy latest utterance thou professor of wisdom!'
"'Dost thou understand only classical Arabic?' I was feeling rather stupid speaking this way but had no alternative." (p. 200)

As they say in Hollywood: Boy meets girl, cute!

Of course love in Islamic lands is rather formal. They can hardly be together and certainly not alone. He can buy her a friendship present, maybe, but not a romantic one! And to use the word "love"--well, here is how they managed it over the telephone:
"'Haider?' she asked, as I was preparing to hang up the telephone.
"'Yes, Sara?'
"'I want to teach you a new Kurdish word before you go.'
"'Okay.'
"'In case one day you want to tell your mother, or maybe your aunt, "I love you" in Kurdish, this is how you say it--Khoshem Ewet.'
"'Got it. I am sure my Arab mother and aunt will like that.'
"'Goodbye again, then, Haider.'
"'Khoshem Ewet, Sara Khan.'
"A pause, then, in English, a language she did not know well, `I love you too.'" (p. 217)

I came away from reading this book with a new understanding and appreciation of the Iraqi people. Initially I was disposed to question Professor Hamoudi's motives, figuring that he was just another of those privileged exiled Iraqis, like Ahmad Chalabi, who promoted the invasion of Iraqi for personal gain. But Hamoudi reveals himself (as one must in telling such a long and personal story) to be sincere, hardworking, intelligent, diplomatic (very! and patient), vulnerable, more heroic than he knows, a man of the world who understands better than most of us not only what has happened and is happening in Iraq, but a man who has that understanding as both an American and an Iraqi who is an Arab Muslim. If we had more people like Professor Hamoudi in this world, the quarrels, the misunderstandings, the suspicions and hatreds that exist among people would be largely quelled and the world would be a better place.

I hope this book is widely read, as it deserves to be.

Whether you were for the initial invasion of Iraq, against the initial invasion, for a continuing large military presence in Iraq, against continuing a large military presence, for some type of military presence in Iraq, against any type of military presence, or just not sure, this book is a must read. It gives an account of what it was like, and probably still is like, to be an ordinary person living in Iraq. The author uses superb analogies of American culture to explain Iraqi culture. When reading the book, keep in mind Robert McNamara's rationale for why we lost in Vietnam, in that we did not understand the history and culture of that Southeast Asian nation. History does repeat itself, but never in the same way.
This is an intriguing book which is hard to put down.

Howling in Mesopotamia is a very good book written by an Iraqi- American who decided to revisit Iraqi during its initial post- Saddam Hussein years. Author Haider Ala Hamoudi was sent to Iraq on official university business with one main goal in mind: To educate the people of Iraq on the rule of law and help the nation transform itself to a democratic and just society. During his two years in the land of his forefathers, he does get to work with educators but he also has time to spend with his family, explore the different areas of Iraq, and witness first- hand what Iraq is like now that Saddam Hussein is gone and the nation is controlled by the American military.

Hamoudi traverses the Iraqi nation and gets to talk and interact with Iraqi natives and Americans who are there to help rebuild the nation. He listens closely to the personal stories of Iraqis and gets a perspective on how they feel about the changes that have taken place in the past few years. He takes part in different Iraqi festivals and soaks up the culture. He exchanges words with Iraqis who don't quite understand the American way of life and cannot understand why Americans speak and act the way they do. He comes away from his experience with a feeling of despair but also a glimmer of hope. Conditions are bad, and many Iraqis fear for their lives every day. But there is always that small chance that, one day, Iraqi will be able to stand on its own, defend itself, and offer a stable government for its people.

The collective mood of the Iraqi people is certainly foul, but there are a few bright spots. One is the fact that Saddam Hussein is no longer in charge of the government. The book is quick to point out the jubilation that was felt by the majority of Iraqis when Saddam Hussein was no longer a threat and the equally joyous occasion when Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed in a gunfight. Hussein's brutal regime was largely feared and despised in Iraq, and few if any tears were shed when Hussein and his boys were eliminated from the country. But does this mean that Iraq a safe place to be?- Far from it, in the eyes of the author and those living in Iraq. Even though Saddam is gone, the country is in complete disarray and frequent mention is made of the seemingly indifferent attitude of the Americans in Iraq and how they have done little to nothing to help transition the nation from dictatorship to democracy. In the minds of the Iraqi people, the American forces either do not care or do not know what to do. With people dying from gunfire on a daily basis, Iraqis don't feel much safer than they did under Saddam and they long for the day when the U.S. forces are gone and they can reclaim their land.

This book offers many personal stories about the time Hamoudi spent in Iraq and he lets his own feelings shine forth on many occasions. His whirlwind of emotions is one of the book's many strong points. He feels for his family and misses them dearly. He is saddened by the tragedy that has befallen his nation and wishes it would improve quickly. He is appalled by the sight of filth in the cities and in the countryside. But he is also very excited at the book's end when he meets the woman he will eventually marry. Still, the overall feeling is bleak. Hamoudi came to Iraq hoping to offer a helping hand in the reconstruction of his homeland but his optimism gradually diminishes with each passing day as he bears witness to the ruined nation around him- a nation no closer to political stability than it was in the days of Saddam.

Howling in Mesopotamia is a very personal and powerful book about one man's journey to his homeland and his interactions with his family and fellow countrymen. The writing in this book is impeccable, and it makes for a great companion when you're in the mood for some reading that almost seems too surreal to be true. Some parts read like a work of fiction. But make no mistake: this is a work of non- fiction through and through, even though the author probably wishes it was a fictional novel rather than the cold, hard truth.

Regime change in Iraq hasn't been easy. Saddam is gone, but chaos and disorder are still part of life in this ancient land. The poor living conditions of the people, the turmoil of the government, and the ruinous state of the economy are all realities in post- Saddam Iraq and while the situation looks gloomy, there is still an iota of hope that Iraq might be a stable country once again. Howling in Mesopotamia explains it all, from the perspective of a man who grew up in Ohio to Iraqi parents and still hopes his homeland will be safe and secure in the not- too- distant future. Hope is all that many have left, as the war continues to drag on and on with no end in sight and little or no progress toward stability. This book explains the current situation well, and it ranks as one of the best books I have read on this subject.

I am of Bulgarian descent, and even though my Grandfather (from Obretenik) died before I could know him, I have always considered myself Bulgarian.
The author's father suffered at the hands of the communists because he believed in truth, honor and freedom. The author herself was 26 when communism was overturned in 1989, and she knows that her father would have lived a much longer life had he not been interred in concentration camps several times. How much sadness communism has caused! How much wasted potential and how many resources were wasted having citizens spy on each other and mail read, phone conversations intercepted!

It is sure to change your view of communism -- and give you an added respect and love for freedom -- after you read this compelling account of a beautiful and majestic country in the iron fist of unfeeling, cold and cruel communism.

I can't imagine having lived through all of this, and Alexenia Dimitrova did an excellent job of explaining the ins and outs of the lives of those who lived through it. Until I read Alexenia's book, I never understood the enormity of what he did by leaving Bulgaria when he was only 15 in 1915. Enduring WWI and WWII while his brothers and sisters remained in Bulgaria, with Bulgaria being on the other side of both conflicts, must have been extraordinarily painful for him.

A must-read for all persons, especially of Bulgarian descent.

I purchased this book after a long search for a work about the secret nature of the Bulgarian communist government. I found it on Amazon.com by happenstance and I loved it. The details of the various secret police encounters reveal much about a secluded nation's dark past. I have lived in Bulgaria and I must say that this book reflects the feelings and fears that are still evident in Bulgaria today, especially among the older citizens. The work of Gopozha Dimitrova was exhausting in uncovering the stories and facts from the archives of the secret police and it is well worth the read for anyone interested in communism or anyone interested in stories and accounts of real people who lived in a time not too far in the past and in a place not unlike our own societies. "Iron Fist" is a great and quick read that encompasses all we thought we knew about communism and much, much more. Thanks to all the hard work of the author in making the stories contained therein a reality to those who lived through it. A+ Read!!!

Firstly, if you cannot spell, you shouldn't criticise errors in a book (quite apart from anything else, no book is typos-free and Solomon II could be a Freudian slip - have you thought of that?).
Secondly, authors are not responsible for typos - publishers and/or printers are.
Thirdly, others who, judging by their names, are better qualified than you to comment on the country, the book and its contents, have left glorious reviews.
The book has been written from the prospective of a highly regarded journalist who is justly proud of her achievements (she is the country's foremost investigative reporter) - that is why the use of the word 'I' is so frequent.
What do you expect, an academic treatise?
This is a highly readable and informative book.

A fascinating book revealing terrible but true facts about an antihuman regime that stopped the development of Eastern Europe for more than four decades. A must read for all academic readers dealing with modern Eastern European history and political science and a great reading for all other readers, interested in the communist crimes in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.
After researching thousands of pages of secret documents, prepared by the spooky Bulgarian communist secret service- DS (State Security) and FBI, Alexenia Dimitrova managed to write a powerful account about the activities of the Bulgarian secret service during the Cold War. Gruesome murders, extortions, kidnappings, imprisoning of free thinkers, targeting and profiling of Bulgarian immigrants were an integral part of the Bulgarian communist secret service schedule.
It is definitely a book, which can keep every reader's attention from cover to cover.

My grandfather came to the USA from Bulgaria, then lived in Canada until his death. As I was in the military, I was the only grandchild not to meet him when he returned to the US to visit. Alexenia Dimitrova's powerful account of Bulgaria during and after communism rule is probably the main reason he did not return to Bulgaria nor communicated with relatives there. Whether you have, or had, relatives in Bulgaria, or other Eastern communist bloc countries, this is a must read. Anyone wondering about life during the old Soviet bloc regimes will find this an amazing description of the times the people lived through.