Asia Reviews

The Dragon Strikes

Published in Hardcover by Presidio Press (2000-06-15)

Authors: Patrick Roe and Patrick C. Roe

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Marvellous! One of the best books ever written on the Korean War

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-12

To anyone who wonders what a new book about the Korean War has to offer, Mr Patrick Roe?s magnificent work gives a most convincing answer. The writer is a military man and he analyzes the reasons and the strategy of the Chinese intervention in Korea in a masterful way, using a wealth of Chinese, Soviet, Korean and American sources. Every bit of detail is here, to satisfy even the most demanding reader: what was the status of the PLA in the eve of the Korean War, what was the military philosophy of Mao and his entourage, how the Soviets repeatedly let down the Chinese offering help and then changing their mind, how the PLA overcame great doubts (and fear) to go for the first time outside their own borders to fight against the most well-equipped force of the era, how the Chinese regarded the nuclear threat of the USA, which forces they employed, how and why, the reasons for choosing General Peng Te Huai to command the Chinese People?s Volunteers, a blow by blow analysis of the battles between the PLA and the UN forces in Korea during the first critical months and, of course, the many mistakes of the US intelligence services who underestimated the Chinese factor for a long time. Highly recommended!

The Dragon and the Horses Mouth

Helpful Votes: 22 out of 22 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-13

Review of Roe, The Dragon Strikes This is an important book for the serious student of military and political history and for the veterans of the "Forgotten War" - and of other conflicts large and small, before and since. It is a sober, serious carefully organized and closely written work. That should not be read as dull or difficult. It is simply and elegantly composed in terms immediately accessible to any interested reader. I would suggest thatthe reader first scan the final chapter (16), "Looking Back", for a contextual summary of the author1s findings. After that, the Preface tells you who the author is and what motivates him. Itis brief, simple and overly modest. From this point on the chapters develop an account rangingfrom the historical relationships of Asians and Europeans over the last 150 years, to the political aftermath of WW2, the overheated ideological confrontations of "super powers", and the willful - if not entirely intentional, misunderstandings that led up to and resulted in the tragic mishandling of the (multiplex) strategies and tactics of the Korean War. Although it is told in simple language, this is not a simple tale. Roe does not seek or dispense blame. The book is a painstaking and rigorously objective attempt to make sense of the cascade of misconceptions, missteps and faulty decisions that were the pivotal crises of the Korean "Police Action" and the tragedy of that still unresolved war. If the reader discerns incompetence, rampant egotism, chauvinist arrogance or just plain stupidity, these are revealed by the actors themselves, in the context of their actions, and not by the conjecture or "interpretation" of the author. My personal bias should be made clear. Like Pat Roe I am a member of the Chosin Few. As he was a young 2nd Lt. in the 7th Marine Regiment, I was a young Sgt. in the 5th Marines.I came to know him personally a dozen years or so ago. I respect and admire his clear-headed intelligence, his uncompromising - if polite -honesty, his unquestionable personal integrity and his ability to look calmly and objectively at the facts and to organize and present them lucidly, without adjective or adverbial coloring. Roe is known throughout the membership of the Chosin Few for his remark at the first reunion of that fraternity in 1985. On the heels of much in the way of rhetoric and reminiscence and the emotional impact of encountering old comrades and mourning those lost, Roe summarized his viewpoint and his feelings. He wrote simply, "We did a good thing". Pat has done a good and valuable thing in this book. In the Preface he writes that the book is a product of six years of research and writing. This is his only misstatement in 450 pages. The book is the product of fifty years of attention and devotion to duty.

An excellent coverage of a difficult time

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-24

I consider this the best book I have read on the first six months of the Korean War. It accurately covers the conflict both before and after the entry of the Chinese. More importantly it gives excellent background on the Chinese, Korean, Soviet relations. It fairly identifies the deficiencies of the high command (Washington and Tokyo) and the problems faced by a badly depleted military force. It coordinates the actions of the Eighth Army and X Corps and identifies the lack there of. With only minor errors it accurately portrays the debacles of late November and early December, a feat rarely done. I know, I was at Koto-ri.

An excellent coverage of a difficult time

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-24

I consider this the best book I have read on the first six months of the Korean War. It accurately covers the conflict both before and after the entry of the Chinese. More importantly it gives excellent background on the Chinese, Korean, Soviet relations. It fairly identifies the deficiencies of the high command (Washington and Tokyo) and the problems faced by a badly depleted military force. It coordinates the actions of the Eighth Army and X Corps and identifies the lack there of. With only minor errors it accurately portrays the debacles of late November and early December, a feat rarely done. I know, I was at Koto-ri.

A Drifting Boat: Chinese Zen Poetry

Published in Paperback by White Pine Press (1995-01-01)

Author:

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TRULY SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-24

This is a great read. The spare images have such power and rightness. A kind of serenity too. Might go well with Poems of the Late T'ang (Graham)and Stranger by the River (Twitchell).

Excellent broad anthology of Chinese Chan (Zen) poetry

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 1998-09-17

Yes, I'm picky and had a quarrel with the introduction's reference to religious institutions without a recognition of the interplay between Nestorian Christianity and Chan Buddhism but such a point is of no interest to the general reader. The book is a wonderfully broad selection of poets and styles including poets with a strong Taoist bent - a happy addition illustrating the coexistence of multiple religious traditions within single individuals. There are differing styles of translation - from the more literal to the more poetic - but only two poems in the entire book that leave me wanting to read the original Chinese because the translation seems too free. The book as a whole is a marvelous example of the force of poetry that is rooted in experience rather than metaphor; as such it should be read by those without a specific interest in Buddhism.

My criticism? Too many poets are represented by only one or two poems.

Great poetry anthology !

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-24

Quite by accident I discovered the book "Mountain Home; the Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China" translated by David Hinton. That got me started on a search of nature and Zen poetry of China and Japan. So far I have read at least a few dozen books and this is my favorite! The anthology covers from 4th century to modern and has quite a few authors represented. The sensitive translations are what, I am sure, attracts me to re-read and highlight this book. This book is a keeper!

Drifting..

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-08

A Drifting Boat includes Chinese Zen poems that have been gathered over 1500 years. The book has been divided into six sections, each one covering the poets of a different dynasty.

The poems themselves are beautiful, simple yet complex, elegant. The words just seem to flow from the pages. A delightful reading experience.

"as I wonder aimlessly under a frozen moon a flute poors its beauty from a nearby tower. then morning breezes begin to rise and gust - the river already a carpet of scattered white blossoms." --Kuan Hsiu

The Easter Offensive: The Last American Advisors, Vietnam, 1972 (Blue Jacket Books)

Published in Paperback by US Naval Institute Press (1995-10)

Author: G. H. Turley

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Semper Fi!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-06

So informative and descriptive. Since I was there but much earlier, it brought back memories. The author proudly represented the Marine courage in Viet Nam. "Chesty" would have been proud. I recommend this book for anyone who served in Nam or is a history buff or a pacifist to learn what we had to go through. I have not by any stretch of the imagination read a lot of books on the war but this one is a must.

FOR ANYONE WHO WAS THERE, A MUST READ!

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 1999-06-18

I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BASES IN NORTHERN I CORPS. AS A MARINE TANK COMMANDER, I HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO BE AT MOST OF THE BASES MENTIONED IN THE BOOK, CON-THIEN, CHARLIE-2, CAM LO,THE ROCK PILE,MAI LOC,AND ALL THE AREAS IN AND AROUND LEATHERNECK SQUARE. ONCE I STARTED READING THE BOOK, I COULD'NT PUT IT DOWN. IT BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES, AND MADE ME WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE VILLAGERS IN MAI LOC THAT I KNEW PERSONALLY. THIS BOOK IS DEFINATELY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ON THE VIETNAM WAR,AND I'VE READ ABOUT EVERY ONE I COULD FIND. AGAIN, "GREAT JOB"

JAN ("TURTLE") WENDLING "A"CO.3RD TANK BN.3RD MARINE DIV.1ST PLATOON

The Real McCoy.

Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-14

On April 1, 1972 the North Vietnamese Army crosses the DMZ. It crashes into the worst soldiers in the South Vietnamese Army with total surprise. Running for their lives or surrendering in place, the South's soldiers leave the highway south wide open for the North's rapidly advancing armor. The target of the surprise blitzkrieg is the provincial capital of Quang Tri City. Both the US and South Vietnamese commands have no idea how close they are to loosing the northern most province of South Vietnam. The South's unit's and their American advisors are running out of time and for their lives. Panic and chaos rule. But some men stand and fight----Marines. This is where Colonel Turley's history begins and he's got one heck of a story to tell. Courage, sacrifice, and duty just as he saw it. It's history you won't see on the History Channel. Straight out of a time in the Vietnam war, that is still so embarrassing for the US, the courageous achievements of the South Vietnamese Marines and US Marine advisors in this story have been virtually forgotten. Don't settle for reductive, self-serving, second hand histories about the Vietnam War. Turn off your TV and read this book.

An Unknown Chapter of Heroism in America's Longest War

Helpful Votes: 17 out of 17 total.
Review Date: 1999-01-01

THE EASTER OFFENSIVE is another chapter of the Vietnam War unknown to the average Americans. It is an invaluable collection to the military buffs as well as those with a passing interest in the war. The focus of the book is on the crack South Vietnamese outfit, the Marine Division, and its American advisers bearing the brunt of resistance against the largest North Vietnamese offensive mounted in the history of the war. A preface by a highly-decorated Marine hero-turned novelist, James Webb, sets the frame for this unforgettable tale of gallantry and sacrifrice.

A group of gung-ho US Marine advisers are trapped in the North Vietnamese Division in stopping the onslaught of the heavily armed North Vietnamese mechanized columns in Quang Nam Province. The South Vietnamese Marines are to defend the province at all costs. The incompetent South Vietnamese corps commander in charge of the area has cracked under pressure. Their brethren division in defense of the province is routed with one of its regiments surrendering to the enemy. The Marine numbers are fast dwindling, and it is up to the South Vietnamese Marine commanders and their advisers to whip their bruised outfit to a fighting shape.

The South Vietnamese Marines take heavy casualties in the initial phase of the enemy offensive. The Marines try to take out the Communist tanks with 72mm anti-tank rockets, but to no avail. The Marine battalions fall back from their position, with some of its men stranded. The Marine morale is beginning to crack. However, the US Marine advisers and their South Vietnamese counterparts would slowly gain momentum through sheer courage and gung-ho initiative. No Marine battalions surrender to the enemy, despite the cowardice exhibited by its brethren division.

The book flows smoothly in a gripping narrative. While the book focuses on a South Vietnamese fighting unit, the author, then Deputy Senior Marine adiviser to the South Vietnamese Marine Corps, also tries to give a macro view of the war by describing the background to offensive, and the fighting capability of the South Vietnamese generals.

Also worth noting are the heroic exploits of the two American Marine captains, Ripley and Smith, who brought their South Vietnamese Marines to the safety while exposing themselves repeatedly to the enemy fire in rallying the Marine defense. Their tales of courage, the paragon of what an inspirational military leadership ought to be, are not easily forgotten and inspire the best of the fighting men.

The book, while filled with military lessons to be learned and fascinating exploits, does more than what is asked of it through its gripping narratives. It paints the acts of courage by America's often misunderstood ally, the South Vietnamese, with noble dignity. Through the gallant acts of its elite Marines, the book shows that they were willing to fight provided they had the spirit and proper leadership. The American Marine advisers and their own gung-ho Marine commanders provided them both during the Offensive. In the final outcome, they ran short of both in a wrong war whose cause they could neither articulate nor justify. But military men merely fight to live another day in a war started by their own politicians. This book gives the South Vietnamese Marines that very credit they deserve for doing their best despite the insurmountable odds.

Eat Smart in India: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure (Eat Smart, 7)

Published in Paperback by Ginkgo Press (2004-01-21)

Authors: Joan Peterson and Indu Menon

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A FIVE-STAR GUIDEBOOK!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-05-26

Many Americans and Britons have eaten Indian foods in the United States and Britain, where Indian restaurants are increasingly a large part of the culinary scene. Despite the popularity of Indian restaurants in the West, travelers to India often retreat to the "comfort" of their hotel restaurants rather than venturing out to eat at the small, family-run restaurants and street stalls where some of the best Indian food is to be had. Lack of knowledge about Indian foods deters many people from experiencing the remarkably interesting cuisines of this country.

Joan Peterson's "Eat Smart in India" (in her series of "Eat Smart" books) solves this problem. Her book is chock full of information about India's varied and colorful cuisines. "Eat Smart in India" provides an overview of India's history, an in-depth look at the country's regional foods, and a selection of Indian recipes from appetizers to desserts, with color photographs of many of the dishes. But "Eat Smart in India" is much more than an introduction to the culinary cultures of this fascinating country. It's also a practical guidebook that you'll want to take along on your next trip there.

One chapter gives helpful phrases (with their pronunciation) for use in restaurants and food markets. An extensive Menu Guide lists menu items alphabetically, with a description of each dish, followed by a Foods & Flavors Guide with a comprehensive list (and explanation) of Indian ingredients, spices, kitchen utensils, and cooking terminology. And the bibliography is useful to readers who want to delve even further into this subject. As the author states in the Preface, "What better way to get to know a culture than through its cuisine?"

"Eat Smart in India" is a culinary guidebook that should be packed in the luggage of every traveler to India. I've also found it to be a very useful guide to dishes offered at Indian restaurants in the United States. Highly recommended! ----- Sharon Hudgins, author of "The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East"

Eat and Drink like a Local

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-15

This latest in Joan Peterson's brainy food travel series is, like her previous guides, small enough to slip into a carry-on and dense with wisdom about how to eat and drink like a local. Peterson and her Indian-born co-author, Indu Menon, neatly handle the history and development of a very complicated cuisine, provide useful food and phrase glossaries, and walk readers through the culinary regions of India dish by dish.
--Terese Allen, The Isthmus, Madison WI

Culinary Guide for Indian Food

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-08

There is no more satisfying way to become immersed in a new culture than to mingle with the local people in the places where they enjoy good food and conversation-in their favorite neighborhood cafes, restaurants, picnic spots or outdoor markets. ~Joan Peterson

Joan Peterson has written Eat Smart guides for Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and Morocco. She loves to travel and this led her to the creation of the Eat Smart series. Co-author Indu Menon is also a world traveler and was born in India. Together, Joan and Indu delve into a rich culinary history and have created a useful guide for real-life travelers or home chefs who want to explore Indian cuisine.

This guide also includes:

Recipes for the weekend gourmet
Food and Flavors Guide - bilingual translations for virtually everything on an Indian menu
Featured dishes that are considered to be a "national favorite"

"Eat Smart" guides are unique, portable and very readable. Eat Smart in India is the seventh and newest title in the series.

The contents include:

The Cuisine of India - A historical survey of the development of India's cuisine
Regional Indian Food - A quick tour through the Indian kitchen and around the country
Tastes of India - A selection of easy-to-prepare recipes
Shopping in India's Food Markets - Discover foods in exciting outdoor food markets
Resources - A listing of stores, culinary tours and organizations
Helpful Phrases - Phrases for use in restaurants and other useful phrases
Menu Guide - Menu entries in transliterated Hindi
Food and Flavors Guide - Comprehensive glossary of ingredients, kitchen utensils and cooking methods

If you are dreaming of sumptuous boat cruises on the tranquil waterways of Kerala or are dreaming of visiting spice plantations retreats in the hills of Tamil Nadu, this book will inspire you.

I loved reading about the artful blending of spices and the intoxicating descriptions of food preparation. If you have yet to discover nigella seeds, they are delicious on naan bread. Once you read the recipe for "Kachhe Gosht ki Biryani" you might be running to the store for cilantro, saffron and cardamom pods. Basmati rice has the scent of buttered popcorn and I can't think of any rice I love more.

If you are interested in taking a culinary tour, there is information for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the culture and cuisine. The pictures of the "water apple" had me intrigued. I must warn you; this book will make you quite hungry. I might take this book with me the next time I go out to eat at a local Indian restaurant. I keep ordering Tandoori chicken and Biryani, but now I realize there are so many dishes I want to try.

Some of the recipes include: Ghee, Paneer, Masala Chai, Sheer Khurma and Murgh Tikka Buter Masala (marinated grilled chicken pieces are grilled and then cooked in a buttery tomato and cream sauce).

~The Rebecca Review

A unique series of culinary travel books from Ginkgo Press

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-05

The impressive collaboration of Joan Peterson and Indu Menon (and enhanced with b/w illustrations by Susan Chwae), Eat Smart In India: How To Decipher The Menu, Know The Market Foods & Embark On A Tasting Adventure is a very special culinary travel guide for anyone wanting to go abroad and experiencing the greatest tastes that East India cuisines and restaurants have to offer. From knowing the menu; to selecting market foods; to gathering sample recipes; to the culture behind the regional and ethnic cuisine, and so much more, Eat Smart In India is a superbly organized and presented supplementary resource for vacationers, business travelers, and dedicated gourmets seeking truly memorable dining experiences while visiting India -- and who wish to recreate ethnic and regional dishes when they are back home again! Eat Smart In India is but the latest addition to a unique series of culinary travel books from Ginkgo Press.

Entertaining Asian Style (Evergreen Series)

Published in Hardcover by Taschen GmbH (1998-12)

Authors: Lisa Kim-Tribolati and Martyne Kupciunas

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A rare glimpse into E-hill houses

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-10

The backdrop for this book is actually an area called Emerald Hill in Singapore. It is an old street of pre-war "shophouses" which are common place in Asia. Chinese merchants use to live upstairs and anve their shops downstairs.

Singapore has done a terrific job in preserving a number of these houses and Emerald Hill is one of the prime districts in central Singapore (off Orchard Road), where a stroll here has a different feel from the bustle of Orchard Road. A must see for tourists interested in this sort of architencture.

Many proud home owners have done up these homes in a variety of way, preserving the old and upgrading it to be livable today. In the old days, these buildings commonly had only one bathroom way at the end of the house. These homes are also characterised by an "airwell" where natural light and air is allowed to flow into the houses. The houses were built with a small front door (I heard that taxes used to be based off how big your front entrance is - a leagacy from the Dutch?) and stretched out long towards the back. One of the homes has a long swimming pool built in!

In Lisa's book, she has taken this unique neighbourhood and the tastes of and lifestyles of the residents on Emerald Hill, combined with her flair for entertaining "made easy", has made this a wonderful book to get ideas.

Entertaining Asian Style

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-10

This book is one of my all-time favorites; both as a source of reference and "can't go wrong" gift to friends visiting Malaysia & Singapore. What do I like about the book? Firstly, I find the bright, rich colors of the tropics very stimulating and enticing. Secondly, the book covers the multi-cultural/ethnic communities at an adequate level of detail. Thirdly, the recipes are easy to follow and I can validate that these recipes truly reflect the special qualities of each of the cultures presented.

An excellent coffee table book, great gift and a great source of inspiration for those who are curious about Southest Asia.

This gorgeous book is a must buy!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1998-11-23

This book is absolutely gorgeous -- it is already displayed on my coffee table. I can't wait to try the recipes and entertaining tips! I will buy it for everyone on my Christmas list this year!!

Delightfully creative

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 1999-10-15

The words are descriptively written to bring alive the beautiful photographs that abound within the pages of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about entertaining and creating an Asian flair to parties bringing so many great ideas into my home. All my friends have commented about all the ideas I re-created from the book. I found everything very doable and easily re-created. One of the best entertaining books I have read.

The Eternal Army: The Terracotta Army of the First Chinese Emperor (Timeless Treasures)

Published in Hardcover by White Star (2005-10-18)

Author: Roberto Ciarla

List price: $60.00

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It's a hit!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-08

I bought the book for the friend to give as a gift. I thought she had given it for Valentine's Day, but here's what she said when I asked her for a review: I didn't give it to him - I decided to wait til his b-day in Nov but yes, the book is excellent - exactly what he wants - the pictures are beyond excellent and extremely detailed - it's an excellent book!

Fabulous book!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-07

I ordered this book so I could read about the terracotta warriors prior to visiting the exhibit currently at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA. The other reviews are really what sold me on the book - especially the review by B. Evans.

I ordered the book July 31 (Sunday) and paid for shipping so I could receive it prior to my museum visit August 7. I expected it to arrive the 6th but it arrived on the 4th! I was very pleased with the fast service. I was astounded when I saw the book. It surpassed the reviews by far. It's gorgeous! There's so much background information and the writing style is excellent and the photos are superb.

If you have an opportunity to see an exhibit, please go! But first - buy this book! I'm so glad I'd read the background information (I skimmed a lot - there's a lot of information!) and looked at the very detailed photos prior to my visit. It made it so much more enjoyable (there's an audio guide and great written plaques at the museum but I liked knowing all that information beforehand). I also appreciate the photos even more now because the museum has low lighting and that makes a difference when you're over 50! Seeing the warriors in person is a great experience - but having this book is even better because the details are sharper and you get a vast amount of information. The exhibit had the 2 chariots with horses and so many of the warriors and animals that are featured in the book that you have your own museum tour right there in the book.

I almost bought a book that featured a large fold-out of the warriors lined up in the pit. I saw that book in the museum and looked at the fold-out (and another fold-out was placed on the wall). The photography was inferior to the photography in this book. I looked at all the books the museum had and was thrilled with this book. It's really the best. So thank you to the first 3 reviewers! You sold me and I'm grateful! One thing no one mentioned was the quality of the paper in this book. That struck me immediately. It has very high quality, glossy paper which makes it easy to read and makes the photographs stand out. With tax and shipping, it came to $41.79 and is worth so much more than that.

Spectacular big photos of the Emperor's Army

Helpful Votes: 20 out of 20 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-27

The striking feature of this book is its inclusion of unusually large photos of close-ups of some individual soldiers. Two individual chariots, in addition, receive in-depth illustration of various aspects. If you really want to have a taste of what it feels when seeing as different each of the soldiers' faces, you will never be disappointed with this book in hand.

Several historical incidents that happened in this period also attract elaboration from this book. How the Emperor burnt thousands of scholars and books in order to take control of people's mind, is something that is explained through a model of the scene by the authors.

At the end of the book, the authors also explain how they, with the help of the Chinese officials, took the photos, with equipment weighing over 1000 pounds.

In the middle of the book the authors also attempt to delineate the long tradition of the Chinese philosophical thought as expressed in different schools, that preceded the rule of the Emperor over the unified China, which lasted only for 15 years!
While the discussion of the philosophical thoughts might not be deep enough, I guess the readers who are interested in this book would not count this as any issue. For overall each of the faces of the soldiers that feature in the photos already tell thousands of different stories, given the reader's own imagination.

I would recommend this book as a highly collectible gem!

A "Lavish" 10-Star Treasure

Helpful Votes: 22 out of 22 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-11

I bought THE ETERNAL ARMY to learn more about its discovery, the reason for its creation, and above all, for its many incredibly stunning/revealing photographs. So closely are the soldiers shown, for example, that one can clearly see the different facial expressions of each. But I was even more amazed by how detailed and different the backs of their heads are, especially the ones with braided hair. And that each soldier's armor is made up of a myriad plates absolutely astonished me.

In addition to the famous soldiers and bronze chariots (also shown in incredible detail), the camera treats the reader to close-ups of the chariot driver, archers, functuaries and the scantily clad figures now thought to perhaps be gymnasts or wrestlers "ready to engage in an exercise of martial arts." Shown too are many artifacts, such as bronze birds, that were found along with the army. But perhaps most mind-boggling of all are the photographs of finds yet to be reassembled, for they attest to how monumental the task has been to excavate and restore but a fraction of the emperor's army.

Had the above, including the fascinating information about the army, been all that was in this book, I still would have gladly spent every dollar I did to purchase two copies. But much to my amazement, there was even more: approximately 90 pages of background about ancient China and the Qin empire--pages laced with stunning photographs of related artifacts and watercolors, pages so interesting that I learned much about a period that I'd had absolutely no interest in. And as an added bonus, the entire book is written in prose not the least bit pedantic. For these reasons, there are neither superlatives nor stars enough to convey how highly I recommend this book. --B. Evans, 12/11/07

Incidentally, photographs from this tome were used to make the four jigsaw puzzles of the terracotta army in a slim, $6.99 remainder book with the same title that currently is available at Border's.

The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito

Published in School & Library Binding by Tandem Library (1999-10)

Author: Sheila Garrigue

List price: $13.25

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Average review score:

The meaning of Japanese -Canadians during WW2

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-04

I thought that this was a great book for kids in 6th grade because we learn about Canadians and WW2. I felt sorry for Sara Warren because she is trapped inside feeling like she has to choose between Mr.Ito and her family because of the War. This is a wonderful book for our time going through the war against Iraq. The front cover is all ready a great description of the book.

Great book!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-11-18

In my state we have something called Readind Competition.It's where you have to read a book and answer qustions about it. I raed this book for it and loved it.It's sad and exiting so please buy it it's worth the money!

Stephanie's Student Review - E.W. Miles Middle School

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-28

This story "The Eternal Spring of Mr. Ito", was about the hardships a girl named Sara Warren and her friends and family faced while World War II was going on. Sara Warren lived with her parents in England, but because Germans were bombing England, her parents sent her to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to live with her relatives. She stayed with her Aunt Jean, Uncle Duncan, cousins Mary & Jamie, and their friends. Many horrible and unexpected things happened.

This was a really interesting novel. To me this novel explained life and all the horrible things that happen. Mr. Ito was a very special man to Sara.

To me this novel means a lot. It means that even when things are at their worst, there is still hope. And that little hope may be strength and courage to move on.

The significance of this novel within the theme of Heroic Adventures was expressed a couple of ways. Sara stood up for herself and the way she cared for things and helped people made her a hero. She looked beyond everyone's face and saw something different that made her want to help people. Sara displayed heroism in a way that she cared for her plant, and everyone around her. She especially cared for the Itos because of all the trouble they were going through. Sara was very strong when things were at their worst.

The genre I would include this story in is realistic fiction. Everything in the story was true. World War ll really happened, and sadly people do die. Comparing this novel to the last novel I read, I like this novel much better. Their similarities were both about heroes and a girl that tries to save the day.

I would absolutely recommend this book to others because it is very interesting. I guess I could say that I learned something from this book. That is that once you read this book, you can't put it down!

Wow what a book!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1998-02-20

This is agreat book. Anyone who is looking for a Historical Fiction book, this is great!!!

Eye Of The Fish

Published in Paperback by MUAE Publishing (2001)

Authors: Luis Francia and Luis H. Francia

List price: $15.95

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Brilliant

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-13

Perhaps the best book on the Filipino American experience I have ever read.
This is a must read book.

Perfect

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-01

I come from a similar background as the author, though a generation removed (younger). As I read it, I find that he has in fact written MY personal archipelago. This book is not contrived or pretentious. One of very few books I've found that relate the Philippines and Filipino identity issues so genuinely and honestly.

Buy This Book!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-11

The only thing better then reading this book on your own, is to experience it from Francia's own lips. Francia is an amazing storyteller, this book is a must for anyone interested in personal/cultural identity. If you ever get a chance to hear this author read, do it- he is wonderful!

Discovery of Cultural Identiy

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-11

From the first word of this book I knew that this book was for me. Luis Francia's book is a must read for any Filipino-American looking to discover their Cultural Identity.

Luis takes his reader's on poetic journeys through the Philippine Archipelago, through these adventures we discover the many cultures of the Philippines and start to understand social and political issues that Filipinos face. Through his words you feel Luis' passion for a country he loves in the same way that you feel the passion through the words of Jose Rizal, Jorge Luis Borges, or Pablo Neruda.

It is not enough to say that I enjoyed this book. Luis' book is culturally significant. It meets the needs of Filipino's in their struggle to create a new cultural identity.

Eye on Korea: An Insider Account of Korean-American Relations (Texas a & M University Military History Series)

Published in Hardcover by Texas A&M University Press (2003-07)

Authors: James V. Young and William Stueck

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an interesting read for both Koreaphiles and politicos

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-24

Though a part of Texas A&M's military history series, this book often serves as more of a study in the political conflicts between the Defense and State Departments. As a result, it details enough of the conflict between the two to intrigue both Koreaphiles and those interested in the political process and posturing.

The author was in the unique position to know fully about both positions during key moments in Korea's modern history. The result is a read that is sometimes funny, often insightful, and always interesting.

Perhaps what is best about this book is that while it helps to have a basic understanding of Korea's recent history in advance, it is by no means required. Young's straightforward style makes otherwise complicated issues seem as simple as night and day. It also provides a wealth of information in under 200 pages without overwhelming the reader.

Readable Modern History

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-07

Eye on Korea is a tremendous contribution to modern Korean history. It is a very easy and entertaining read. It will appeal to those who know nothing about Korea, and to those of us who have lived or travelled there extensively. There is little to no jargon, things that would not be familiar to the average reader are explained quickly and clearly.

I have spent the better part of my adult life in Korea or working with Koreans. I was surprised and delighted by the things I learned by Eye on Korea. It filled many gaps in my understanding of how things went down in the late 70's and 80's. It was full of names, places and events that I recognized, but had never before had a coherent picture of how they all related. Eye on Korea provides that coherence.

If I am forced to complain about anything, it would be the brevity. I would have enjoyed a couple hundred more pages. It's evident from what Col. Young tells us--and from what he doesn't tell us--that he knows enough to fill volume upon volume.

This is a MUST BUY for anyone interested in Modern Korea or Korean-US relations.

A Fresh Look at Contemporary Korean-American Relations

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-03

James Young, one of the American military's first area specialists, has written what may well be the most interesting and definitive book on recent Korean-American diplomatic and military relations in print today. Young, a former Army Colonel, spent almost 20 years in Asia, including 14 in Korea, where he was an advisor to five American ambassadors and several Secretaries of Defense. In this appealing memoir, he writes with the expertise of an old Korea hand.

After four years of training in Korean language and culture, Young was a first hand witness and participant as American diplomats convinced South Korean President Park Chung-hee not to develop his own nuclear weapons. The lessons from this experience might well be of use today in dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

From the perspective of a military attache,Young provides new insights into the intrigue and behind-the-scenes efforts to derail President Jimmy Carter's troop withdrawal policies. His on-the-scene account of the military coup of 1979, and subsequent events, is extraordinarily authoritative and comprehensive, and provides new information for historians. He provides personal observations on the imposition of martial law and the Kwangju incident that followed, when Korean military forces ran amok during protests in the city and killed and wounded hundreds of civilians. For the first time, he details how the United States was caught flat-footed, and how policy makers at the time failed to respond, thus sowing the seeds of anti-Americanism in the years to come.

Additionally, Young's insider account of dealing with the senior leadership in North Korea in both diplomatic negotiations and business settings makes a major contribution to understanding the internal dynamics within this secretive state.

"Eye on Korea" is a great mixture of contemporary military and diplomatic history. It offers stories that are entertaining, provocative, and often humorous. Those interested in the region, the issues, and modern Korea will value this book.

The Keen Eye of Experience

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-07

Colonel Jim Young has developed a keen analytical eye for things Korean developed over a multi-decade career of study, friendship and focus on this fascinating but enigmatic country. Young uses the vehicle of autobiography to detail some of the high points in the modern developmental history of South Korea and along the way opens the curtain to an insider's view of US governmental machinations. The Colonel had an uncanny way of being involved over many years with key events in US-Korean relations such as threatened troop withdrawals under President Carter, assassination of President Park, the death of dictator Kim Il-sung in North Korea, the murder of US Army officers and many, many other events. Final chapters discuss nuclear North Korea and the complexity of the tense situation there.
This book offers the reader a fresh insight to events and analysis not seen elsewhere. It is written for a non-technical audience but is valuable for the cognoscenti as well. I recommend 'Eye on Korea' most enthusiastically to every concerned person who wonders what the future holds for America in the vital but tumultuous environment of the Korean Peninsula.

Father India: Westerners Under the Spell of an Ancient Culture

Published in Paperback by Harper Perennial (1999-12-01)

Author: Jeffery Paine

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An inventive and compelling book

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-01-23

I never would have thought of the theme of this book, but once immersed in it, found it totally engrossing. India has been the great seed bed for many Western thinkers. This is an exciting way of seeing the relationship between India and the U.S...and a well-documented account of it with fascinating stories.

Amazingly insightful

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-20

Jeffrey Paine has written an amazing book, which is both sophisticated in its analysis and insightful in its perspective. Yet, the narrative is racy and easy to read - possibly because of his background in journalism.

Paine traces the careers and Indian adventure of eight well-known persons who were either Westerners or were Indians influenced by the West to begin with, but later became deeply influenced by India. Yet in the process, they also influenced India itself. The list includes Lord Curzon, Mahatma Gandhi, E. M. Forster, Shri Aurobindo, Mira Behn (Madeleine Slade), Mother (Mirra Richard), Carl Jung, V. S. Naipaul and Annie Besant, all well-known figures in India and outside.

In the process he weaves a magical yet sophisticated tapestry showing why India exercised a near-fatal charm for these people and how it changed them. He also adds a lot of tid-bits about their personal lives, and idiosyncracies, their struggles, their failures and their successes. Surprisingly, and without noticing it, by the time you finish the book, you would have developed a pretty good perspective on how India has affected and deeply influenced Western world through these people. A remarkable intellectual feat indeed.

His handling of each character in the drama is confident and skillful. He has a definite format to follow, and this adds rigour to a book, which could have become a maudling, sentimental journey otherwise. The connections he makes with other contemporary characters and happenings are simply astounding and marvellous.

However, he becomes less sure of himself as he comes closer to the present, possibly because the processes are still going on, and the advantage of hindsight is not available. As a result, his handling of the chapter on Shri Aurobindo and his spiritual companion, the Mother, is less deft. He also fumbles with the conclusion, possibly because India is an incredibly complex phenomenon and Paine is after all a mere mortal.

Notwithstanding this slight blemish, an excellent book, worth the time and money, for anyone interested in understanding India and the West.

A paperback edition is also available in Penguin India under the plain title 'Father India'.

Sobering

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-21

I admit I may have been mildly intoxicated before I read this book - intoxicated on Western Buddhism and New Age philosophies that legitimize themselves by associating themselves with Indian religions. This book sobered me up. Paine indicates that much of what many of us have mistaken for pure distilled India is really a hybrid mutation of India and its European interpreters and visitors. I honestly feel I came away with a much better understanding of characters like Madame Blavatsky, Krishnamurti, and Ghandi. There is also a great deal of material addressing individuals who adopted a homosexual lifestyle including E.M. Forster and Christopher Isherwood. I might wonder if Jeffery Paine is himself practicing homosexuality given the amount of time spent on the topic. (In fact, if he isn't, it would be a bit annoying.) The representation of this group seems a bit disproportionate but it may indeed be the case that a disproportionate amount of the Europeans experimenting with India in the early 1900s were of this group - well at least the ones that got famous. (In which case I shouldn't be so annoyed).

Certainly India has played a part in our present culture albeit in a roundabout and almost covert way. Paine's book suggests that it was more as a catalyst than a direct effect. A place to which people embarked on holy quests and often did not find what they expected. If you have read a few new age books that swear allegiance to Indian philosophy and religion and are feeling a bit tipsy, or if you have an interest in the psychological history of the waning British empire and India as the British empire waned, I highly recommend this book.

ANAND'S MUSE

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-06

The book delves into the feelings, emotions and travails as felt by some of the administrators, writers,social activists and reformers who have ';experienced ' India at close quarters.Curzon, Annie Besant,EM Forster, Chris Isherwood and finally Gandhi's experiences are chronicled in detail.The book tries to provide the reader with an understanding of India that is gleaned from the spiritual and pyschological processes of these visitors and tries to enunciate a depth of feeling. These 'outsiders'twist and turn at every corner in India and the reasons for their doing si might infuse an Indian to think more deeply , and accord the foreigner with a more intimate view of the seething cauldron that answers to the name of India.

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