Europe Books

Don't even think about going to Pamplona without reading this first!

Ray Mouton's Pamplona: Running the bulls bars and barrios of Sanfermin is the ultimate and undisputable guide to enjoying the best party on the planet.
From where to eat, what to drink and how to run, this amazing read, details everything a novice and a veteran Sanferminner should and must know!

Mouton explains the deep traditions and reasons for the Encierro, or, running of the bulls. Why it exists, and why people by the millions continue to flock to the most amazing experience in the world.

The book recounts several experiences and stories surrounding this wondrous event, and covers in detail absolutely everything including the running, the Corridas (bull fights), the parades, the ceremonies and all the festivities that make up Sanfermin.

At the core of the book is Mouton's passion for the event.
Readers will be mesmerized by the description of beauty and sometimes horror that fills every page and will feel as though they are in the heart of the festival itself, even though they remain in the comfort of their reading chair.

Anyone even entertaining the slightest thought as too participating in this life-changing experience must read this book.

I read it twice before participating in my first Sanfermin, and I can honestly say that it made my trip not only perfect, but incredible and amazing!
I ran with the bulls several times, I ate the most amazing meals, drank the most delicious drinks and met the most interesting and fabulous people all thanks to Mouton's book.
His advice and stories made my experience far more incredible because I arrived in Pamplona knowing exactly what to expect and knew what I needed to do to make the experience perfect!

So sit back and let the amazing descriptions of Mouton wash over you like a warm comforting bath.
I defy you not to go to Pamplona after reading this book!

This book is an excellent account of what exactly happens during the Festival of San Fermin at Pamplona. It is a first hand guide of the day by day events of the festival including the historical figures of bullfighting. A must read for those planning to go to Pamplona someday or those with the curiosity of the event.

I truely enjoyed this book. Someday I will get there and also live the legend of this city that Ernest made popular- though it was doing just fine without him.

Good writing takes you to a place you have not been before and Ray Mouton does it with this book.

The best book ever written about Sanfermines, the festival of San Fermin known to many as the running of the bulls. This truly is a guide to Fiesta. No other work published will better educate and prepare you for this event. A well written must for all who plan on attending and immersing themselves in the spirit of Fiesta.

Held each year in Pamplona, Spain in July, Sanfermines is much more than the daily spectacle of the encierros or "the running of the bulls" early each morning and much more than the corrida de toros in the Plaza de Toros late each afternoon. The fiesta is a celebration of family and life in Navarra.

Fiesta belongs to the Navarrans, and has for centuries; however the gracious citizens of Iruña (Basque for Pamplona) have opened their arms to the people of the world, inviting all to participate in what has often been described as one of the most exhilarating experiences on planet earth.

Of course you should read Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises", however if you buy only one book before heading to Sanfermines, it should be Ray Mouton's "Pamplona: Running the Bulls, Bars and Barrios in Fiesta de San Fermin."

Whilst unavoidably orientated to North American aficionados this is a brilliant book which goes behind the scenes to tell the story of why thousands are drawn back to Pamplona from all corners of the world for 9 days in July. Beautifully presented and written Ray Mouton has done the Festival proud. This publication renders Michener's section in "Iberia" obsolete and brings Pamplona to the contemporary world giving those of Generation Y who are the future long term serious runners a narrative that lives and breathes the Fiesta.

I agree with the critics who claim this book . . . "a delightful, rollicking history, a fun read and well supported by research". Greenfield's account is entertaining as well as informative, not a book to put you to sleep as some histories are. I read it as a library book and decided it is a 'must have' in my library. Although her style is professional, the read is easy - no big words to look up in order to understand the full meaning. Her account of world events is so insightful and complete, you come away with more than an appreciation of how color has changed the world An understanding of world history in general is gained, both political and economical. I especially loved the personal stories that added so much interest for me.

I live in Oaxaca, Mexico and even many people here are not aware of the impact of cochineal on the Spanish Empire and Europe. This book is fascinating! And well written.

This was one of two books a friend traveled across the country to share with me. I am so glad she did. I would never have picked up this book on my own. I have a terrible time finding non-fiction works that are interesting - unless they are recommended. I look at the table of books and decide something looks good. Then when I get it home, I have a hard time getting to my 100 page allowed stopping point.

Greenfield does a wonderful job of describing the importance of the color red throughout history and the different compounds used to create it. With a focus on the cochineal originating in Mexico, this book covers the fortunes of Spain and the industry itself. Weaving the domestication of cochineal with the efforts of other countries to destroy Spain's monopoly, the book moves quickly. there were very few sections of the book where I was willing to put it down. Yes, I could stop at the chapters, but I only once put it down while in the middle of a chapter.

I highly recommend this book - and if I didn't have to send it back to its owner, I would keep it in the library. I will be recommending it to my mother for her book club. With their focus on women authors and a mix of fiction and non-fiction, this book will give them much to discuss.

Some of the best stories are the histories of everyday objects that few ever consider. This book is an example of such a story. It traces the history of the color red; specifically, it examines the sources of red dye sought by humans over the past 700 years. Something as simple as a color can actually be quite difficult to obtain without the marvels of modern technology. This book starts of at the Venetian textile guilds of the late Middle Ages and shows the reader the state of the world's textile industry. Of all the colors, bright red is hardest to produce on clothing, and individuals and governments devote a lot of time and effort to procure new sources. Many are found, but the best one is carminic acid found in the insect cochineal, native to the Americas, and cultivated in Mexico specifically to obtain the color red. Starting with the Spanish conquest, red dye from Mexico is exported to the rest of the world, and four centuries of trade wars and political intrigue follow. The book lays all this out in chronological order, citing places, people, governments and institutions. But eventually, man's technology caught up with nature's bounty, and by 1900, synthetic red dyes destroy the cochineal cultivation industry. All the ensuing technical advances, scientific discoveries, and commercial contests are detailed clearly by the author. The book ends with a survey of the dye industry at the end of the 20th century, and a review of how red dye has influenced, and been influenced by fashion tastes throughout the centuries. This book touches many countries, and ties in history, economics, fashion, politics and science into a wonderful tale of man's obsession for a specific color.

This book is one of the very best I have seen in a long time. The author has taken great care to present historically correct and detailed information about the long history of cochineal farming, and sale of this commodity (dried beetles that can be processed to create a brilliant hue of red).
She reveals all of the intrigue of Spain's royalty, as they sought to keep this much prized product of New Spain exclusively for the Spanish empire. Even Perkin's discovery of the color "mauve" is discussed. This book will find broad interest among scholars and the general public. It is certainly a book worth owning, if you love the history of textiles.

Patricia Cummings

On the eve of the decisive showdown with Napoleonic France, Admiral Horatio Nelson was offered the opportunity to select any officer from the Navy List to serve in his fleet. Nelson's confident, if not arrogant response was "Choose yourself, the same spirit actuates the whole profession." The end result was Trafalgar, one of the most decisive and strategically important naval victories in the history of warfare. A century later things were much different in the Royal Navy. The "long calm lee of Trafalgar" had taken its toll on the war fighting spirit and abilities of the British naval officer corps. When the navy failed to achieve another Trafalgar-like victory at Jutland in 1916 against the Germans former First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill commented "We had more captains of ships than captains of war."

In this substantively and physically weighty tome, Andrew Gordon sets out to discover how and why the mighty British navy could have fallen so far from the heights of Trafalgar to the relative depths of Jutland.

"The Rules of the Game" is actually two full-length, distinct books in one. The first is a highly detailed account of the Battle of Jutland. I have read several accounts of the battle before, but nothing compares to the clarity, analysis, and authority that Gordon delivers here. The sequence of the battle is told almost exclusively from the British perspective and includes an almost minute-by-minute account of both phases of the engagement - the so-called battle cruiser duel and the engagement between the main battles fleets.

Gordon pays particularly close attention to the issuing, receipt and interpretation of signals between British ships during the battle. Even after nearly a century the fog of war has not dissipated from the battle of Jutland. There is a general lack of reliable primary sources; many of the critical details are therefore subject to conflicting personal testimony, which were given in the years after the battle when an acrimonious debate among the surviving officers poisoned relationships and skewed perspectives. Gordon aims simply for truth and seeks neither indictment nor exoneration of the major players. In his words, "Jutland is not a 'zero-sum game' of credit and blame between Jellicoe-ites on the one hand and the Beatty-ites on the other." Nevertheless, Gordon's central conclusion is that the swashbuckling David Beatty was culpable of many tactical sins and failure of judgment throughout the battle. Most notably, he positioned the 5th Battle Squadron (consisting of the four new, world-class Queen Elizabeth class battle cruisers under Hugh Evan-Thomas) too far to the rear in the original cruising formation, thus ensuring that those critical ships could not be fully brought to bear if the Germans were encountered. And he failed in one of his core missions: providing accurate and timely information to John Jellicoe and the British Grand Fleet on the speed and bearing of the German High Seas Fleet once it had been engaged to ensure that the German "risk fleet" could be led into a trap and destroyed.

The other book - and the more important one - is a thoughtful and probing analysis on the effects of a long peace on military institutions and their associated doctrines. Gordon's basic thesis is that peacetime militaries tend to attract and promote "authoritarian" personalities, as defined by Professor Norman Dixon in his 1976 book "On the Psychology of Military Incompetence." In layman's terms, authoritarians are spit-and-polish, by-the-book types who thrive in the highly structured and hierarchical nature of peacetime armed forces. This natural tendency was reinforced and exacerbated by the advent of steam tactics and complex signaling that "had the effect of ritualizing the Navy's concept of battle in a way that ballroom dances were to ritualize courtship." The officers most associated with this school were the commanding officers of the British Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow under John Jellicoe and the officers of the 5th Battle Squadron under Evan-Thomas. Gordon notes that such authoritarian officers exemplified the Victorian and Edwardian concepts of chivalry. They tended to have close connections to the British royal family (e.g. Evan-Thomas was a life-long friend of King Edward), were often affiliated with the Royal Geographic Society and/or participated in dangerous polar exploration expeditions, and were often Craft Freemasons. Their concept of battle was one of highly orchestrated maneuvers depending on detailed signals emanating from the fleet commander.

On the other end of the spectrum were the "autocrats" (again, the term comes from Dixon). The archetype autocrat is the jaunty David Beatty. These are the men who scorned convention and, as a result, suffered from slower promotions in the peacetime navy. Beatty had the rare fortune to experience real combat as a naval officer while on a gunboat supporting the British at Omdurman in 1898 where he also had a chance encounter with a young Winston Churchill - two events that paid handsome dividends in his naval career. The autocrats embraced the Nelsonic concept of initiative and daring in combat. As Gordon notes and the autocrats stressed, "It was forgotten that at Trafalgar no tactical signal emanated from the flagship after the fighting started."

Gordon maintains that the decisive event that led to the failures of Jutland actually occurred a generation before the battle, off the coast of Lebanon in 1893. It was there and then that two British battleships (the Mediterranean flagship Victoria and the Camperdown) collided in broad daylight when an erroneous signal from the flagship was executed even though the obvious outcome was the sinking of the Victoria and claiming the life of the Mediterranean commander-in-chief, Admiral George Tryon. Tryon had been a passionate critic of the signaling culture then taking deep root in the navy and fought hard to inculcate instead a set of action principles that would guide individual behavior in combat much as Nelson was able to rely on at Trafalgar. Tryon had promoted a "TA system" that consisted of just a few signals to be used in battle when smoke, fire and fear would likely make the smooth transmission of signals difficult, if not impossible. The tragedy came to be associated with the dangers of maneuvering under the very loose "TA system" even though it was not in effect the collision occurred. The subsequent court martial forced the navy to consider the issue of blind obedience to orders, even when those orders will clearly end in disaster.

This is one of the best books I have read over the past few years. It has substance, style, and piercing insights into the nature of military organizations in times of extended peace. For anyone interested in military culture and military doctrine this is a "must read."

This is indeed terrific book. It does not only focus on
the battle of Jutland itself, but on the whys and wherefores of how things came to be. By looking back in time to the societal and cultural institutions of Victorian Society, how it influenced thought and conduct within the Royal Navy, we come to
understand how the British failed to destroy the German High Seas Fleet. The author skewers the officers for their blind obedience to the "Signals Book" and the lack
of originality in thought and deeds. There is nothing more insidious to military efficacy than a lengthy peace to promote
complacency and martial decay. Without a challenge to its command of the seas for nearly a century, the peacetime Royal Navy lost its Nelsonian touch and became a Corps of bureaucrats and spit and polish types, forever shuffling papers and scrubbing the decks. It became an absolute fetish and was the main criteria for advancement for career minded officers
to the detriment of actual war fighting capabilities. This and many other details are brought to light in this book. There is so much more to say, but best to grab a copy yourself and READ IT!!!

This was a great book to read. It flowed well and was exciting throughout. I found the relevance in this work not only in how it explains what happens when peacetime complacence takes over the military, but also how it can be applied when examining leadership in business, especially big business. Those management styles that describe Britain's naval commanders from Nelson to Tryon to Culme-Seymour to Jellicoe and Beatty can easily be applied to the management styles of many of America's big corporations. I've always believed that the study of military history is critical in being successful as management within a big corporation. This is a must read for anyone wanting to understand management and command style.

I was glad that this work was not completely one-sided. Andrew Gordon stated how commanders like Sir John Jellicoe and Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas were in many aspects not up to leading a wartime battle command because of their reliance on central control and inflexibility to the fluidity of battle. It also showed how much of Lord Nelson's command style appeared in Sir David Beatty, but he does not hide the fact that Beatty made many big mistakes that led to the loss of two capital ships a few thousand sailors. Beatty at times is shown as reckless (the Battlecruiser Force lacked the targting accuracy when needed most and two battlecruisers were lost) and not a good communicator (he did meet with Evan-Thomas to explain what he expected of them and caused the 5th Battle Force to take much unnecessary damage). But, he was a courageous commander and did his part by leading (as ordered) the German High Seas Fleet to Jellicoe's Grand Fleet of over 35 capital ships. It also shows that despite his shortcomings, Evan-Thomas was a brave man and did his part during the fight with the Germans.

After getting into this book, I was hoping to read more on the German aspect of the battle, especially since Admiral Scheer almost led his High Seas Fleet to annihilation by the Grand Fleet not once, but several times during the battle. But, the fact that Andrew Gordon was a former British Naval officer and that his work concentrated on his organization, I can understand why he explained the British aspect of the battle. Plus, his main focus was not the battle, but how command style wholly influenced the outcome of this engagement.

I have read many books of military history covering a variety of campaigns, but never have I read one with such breadth and insight as this. The enormity of the drama embodied in the moment the fleets met at Jutland is for the first time matched by an author's ability to depict a context rich enough to help us understand the influences which fed this cataclysmic misfire of naval strength.

Gordon focuses on the tension between doctrine's role as a useful tool for helping a widely flung set of commanders act in concert when distance, smoke, and angst prevent their communication and how a careless search for practical doctrine might invite a stifling dogma in its stead. As Gordon so fluidly writes of the malaise gripping the "fleet that had dozed unchallenged in the long calm lee of Trafalgar", the trust Nelson placed in subordinates had not long survived his death in that battle and its heir was an officious busyness centered on sparkle and conformity.

Particularly delightful in this work and an aspect not to be missed is the benefit to be realized by using two bookmarks when reading it, with the second preserving your spot in the end notes. Its 100+ pages of notes manifest a stringent and complete attribution of his borrowings, but a great many of the notes are not simply citations of others work but illuminating tidbits well worth savoring as you plow along the main text.

A new reader will also find that color has not been sacrificed in the rush to meet the obligations of covering so large a battle. My favorite anecdote was one of an untroubled officer on HMS Lion who, unaware that the Germans had truly been sighted, calmly finished preparing his sandwich as action stations were rung. The mental picture formed of his arriving on the bridge with mouth full and hoagie in hand is not unlike someone doing "the wave" in the audience at Ford's Theatre as Lincoln takes his seat.

I mean the 5 stars. I have given 5 copies of this book to people I know, simply to ensure that they might understand the mania for naval history it has fanned in my heart. If there is any justice in this world, this book will enjoy a massive new print run.

Tarkovsky's 'Sculpting in Time' offers a fascinating glimpse into this master's theoretical and poetic approach to his craft. Reading it alongside with 'Time Within Time', his diaries collected, the text casts a new light upon the work and mind of this artist of truth and sacrifice - A true must for art lovers worldwide.

If you want to find out how to make a movie, this is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you're one of those who believe in the transcendental power of movies to reflect on humankind, to change it, this might be the single most powerful book on aesthetics ever written by a filmmaker you'll ever find. I say "aesthetics" because he's talking about art, in general, and not only about films. It's sad, but Tarkovsky might have been expecting a longer life, maybe another couple movies when he put this book together, but he died just afterwards.

I was introduced to Tarkovsky's work about 20 years ago during my time in film school, and The Sacrifice was the movie that turned me on to his outstanding cinematic legacy. The more I saw, the more I wanted to learn about the artist. Then I came upon Sculpting In Time; a cinematic memoir which has forever changed my life, and my artistic visions.

This book is nothing short of inspirational. I highly recommend it even if you are not familiar with Tarkovsky's work. Each chapter is loving written, eloquently detailed and profoundly insightful on topics such as the importance of sound, story and visual aesthetics in filmmaking. Tarkovsky's ability to, quite literally, sculpt cinematic moments in time in each of his films is nothing short of genius.

Thames & Hudson have triumphed with what collectors might regard as a limited edition, artist's book.This isn't the place to start chipping into Tarkovsky. It is more the devotee's piece - a touchstone which alludes to the magnificent ediface of his films: all which return the viewer to their world with a deeper, more spacious vision, an expanded present moment. In 'Rubelov','Solaris', 'Stalker', and,'Sacrifice', to name my favourites, he re-invented the epic with sustained inquiries into our transience without heady verbalism or vanity. To grapple with his own thinking about his achievements and how he positioned himself as an artist, one should seek out,'Sculpting In Time,'penned towards the end of his relatively short life. Recently, French documentary-maker, Chris Marker('Sunless') compiled a stunning homage to this Russian cinematic master. Bits of Tarkovsky's aforementioned book, and excerpts from his diaries appear with the reproduced polaroid snaps(the present book's theme)which fall into two geographic zones, Italy & Russia and are bookended with short tributes by two Italian friends. Every effort has been made in layout to convey the darkened atmosphere in which the illuminated materiality of these world's float to the viewer's eye. And in images barely larger than matchboxes this scale has some of the hallucinatory power of his movies. The layout & medium insist on episodic, fragmentary framing. Tarkovsky's films privilege the same exquisite framing with a sensual appetite for textures above narratives that makes us feel newly arrived at a primary experiencing of the world. These polaroids could have served as his flexing towards film projects: even their outtakes.

"Sculpting in Time" is truly an amazing work of art in its own right. Certainly filmmakers have written books about their artistic styles in the past. Philosophers have written elaborately on the subject of aesthetics as a whole in the past as well. And yet "Sculpting in Time" offers those with aesthetic interests something truly unique.

It should be forewarned that Tarkovsky, like Ingmar Bergman, was heavily interested in aesthetic philosophy. In fact Tarkovsky's ideas regarding art borderline the metaphysical (as this book is often used in higher level philosophy classes), and yet - through the tone in which the book is written - "Sculpting in Time" manages to appeal to the average Tarkovsky or cinema studies fan in such a way that no other aesthetics book has managed.

Tarkovsky's self-written "Sculpting in Time" is an amazing supplement which describes the brilliant filmmaker's use of filmic techniques but also goes a step further by explaining (at great length), why the filmmaker believes those techniques are significant. The value of his tried efforts to create a meaningful work of art directly relate to Tarkovsky's view of art as a whole.

Tarkovsky's views of art are complex and yet are reiterated for the reader so simply they stand out in "Sculpting in Time" like a gem. For instance the underlying theme in Tarkovsky's writing is the idea of an "absolute truth" of art which can be derived a given piece of art. Without giving too much away, Tarkovsky's beliefs, as expressed in his chapter "Imprinted in Time" mostly, is simply that art done for the right reasons - containing some form of objective truth within it - serves to link us (subjective beings), with an "absolute." From that blooms Tarkovsky's entire creative aspect fans of his films know and love him for.

I have to recommend this book to anyone interested in aesthetics, cinema studies, or Tarkovsky. I think this is a nice supplement to have when watching Tarkovsky films as well, so it might just serve to spark the interest in a philosophy buff to check out a few Tarkovsky films! Enjoy!

The Spy Wore Red is one of three books written by Aline Griffith Romanos who worked as an undercover spy during WW II. I discovered this book in a used book store in 25 years ago, read it several times, bought her other two books, The Spy Wore Silk and The Spy Went Dancing, gave them to my family to read; then went out and purchased them in again! I have read them more times than I can count over the years, and they are definitely in my top ten list of favorite books. This is not a book that will take you days to read, and, one you will recommend to your friends!

I don't buy any of it, not for a minute. But, this is a much more enjoyable read than several of the so-called "thrillers" I've read recently. Just suspend your disbelief, dive right in, and be swept away!

Aline, Countess of Romanos has written a spectacular book. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading an autobiography and not a work of fiction. Aline is an agent for the OSS during World War II. She blends into Spanish high society and manages to complete her mission and introduce the reader to the thrills and chills of being an undercover agent. She also gives us a glimpse of Spanish Aristocracy, bull fighting and the inner workings of a nineteen year olds dilemma of befriending people who may be targets of her investigation. I have read all of her books but like this one the best. It is full of action, drama, and even a touch of romance. I have recommended it to all of my friends.

I have purchased 4 books by Aline Romanos. I absolutely love them. The fact that there is truth behind the story and that she really was an upper-class lady as well as a spy excites me. I find myself wishing I lived an adventurous life. She has a talent when it comes to recreating her life and exploits. I could not put it down!

The most respected historian in the field of espionage, Nigel West, studied all of Aline's spy books marketed as nonfiction and concluded "...all four of Aline's books should be regarded as fiction, and nothing more..." Read "Counterfeit Spies, Chapter 3, by Nigel West, 1998.

For those of us who are avid world news junkies, a look at the planned route on pages X and XI of Brandon Wilson's book "Along the Templar Trail" reveals that Brandon's journey was a discovery of the complex realities of our present time, as much as it was a replication of journeys that occured centuries ago. Starting in France, the journey would proceed into historic Austria, then through former Soviet satellite nations and the former Yugoslavia, followed by Islamic Turkey and Syria, then Jordan, and finally Israel. If a common ground could be found among all these peoples, wouldn't our world immediately breathe a sigh of relief?

"Along the Templar Trail" describes the effort of two men to begin the finding of this common ground, through walking "seven million steps for peace." I wish I could have been there. But, at least I have the book to tell me what happened. Brandon tells us what happened at many different levels. He describes "a gentle unravelling of life" as the layers of the limitations of our own personal insecurities, our "walls," are stripped away as we confront the unpredictable succession of present moments that the journey brings.

For example, in Bulgaria, Brandon and his co-walker Emile (in his sixties!), came upon "two pitiful, brown eyes staring back at us." A newborn bull calf was stuck around a group of saplings, slowly strangling itself as it struggled to pull away from danger when really it needed to go in the opposite direction to unwind its chain. I like the symbolism of this scene. It seems to me that unwinding the struggles and pain, the losses, both past and present, that are encompassed in this seven million step France-to-Jerusalem slice of our world, is a fundamental reason why Brandon and Emile took this journey.

Brandon poured water from his canteen onto the young bull's head, while Emile sought its owner. A woman came running in tears. The young bull was freed from its choking snare, but it laid down motionless. The woman ran back to her farm and returned, dousing the bull with a full bucket of crisp, cold water, and the youngster sprang to life!

It's the kind of scene I've become accustomed to reading in Brandon Wilson's books. Full of life, adventure, and meaning. "Along the Templar Trail" is a great read for those of us who wish we could be world travellers -- not of the casual sightseer sort, but travellers who want to rediscover history and obtain a vision of how that history resonates with today.

Peace activism assumes many forms and Brandon Wilson's new book "Along the Templar Trail" reveals the immense power of the simple pilgrimage. Wilson shows us that walking for this gentle purpose can evolve into a peace fellowship, one person at a time, inspiring a movement that transcends culture and has the potential to grow exponentially.The stunning backdrop of his path from Dijon France to Jerusalem with his French travel partner traversing ancient crusader roads, sharply contrasts cultures yet discovers the commonalities we all share, bringing a tangible reality to peace.Wilson's intentional footsteps of a true peacewager along with his vividly detailed pilgrimage for peace will touch the common place in the hearts of his readers with the quiet assurance that peace really is possible."Along the Templar Trail" is a must read for peace activists and travelers alike.

Brandon Wilson's journey "along the Templar Trail" from Dijon, France to Jerusalem is, in many ways, something we can all identify with. I would even go as far as to say that his experiences can actually resonate with us deeply, although initially we might not realize it. That in part, is the nature of this fascinating book, and this unique travel adventure.

Brandon's journey was a pilgrimage for peace on a trail that historians generally recognize was not about peace, but was in fact about power and religious and cultural hegemony. However Brandon's pilgrimage was intended to right those wrongs.

A pilgrimage is a long, often difficult, and even perilous journey. Pilgrimages usually suggest a journey to a sacred place. They are also symbolic acts and gestures that confirm a particular belief or belief system. In a very deep sense, a pilgrimage is also a quest -- for a greater truth -- or to pay homage to that truth.

But for Brandon, it was also a very long and very real journey on foot across Europe to the Middle East.

After reading Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace, I came to a greater understanding of the quest that Brandon pursued, and then I had the opportunity to find out more about the man and the impact that quest had on his life.

To hear an audio interview with Brandon, visit Travelosophy ([...]) and click on Travelosophy Talks.

Imagine taking a journey of 7 million steps, across 11 countries and 2 continents, racking up over 4,200 kilometers on your sneakers. Award-winning adventure travel writer and explorer Brandon Wilson invites his readers along on this amazing walking trek from France to Jerusalem, and while we may wince at the eloquently described struggles and challenges he and his companion face, we are spared the exhaustion, sweat and blisters. Instead, we can enjoy the magic and adventure of this amazing odyssey that unfolds along the ancient roads of the Knights Templar and be inspired and uplifted with these brave visionaries' endeavors in spreading messages of peace and hope where there has so often been strife.

Wilson's detailed and often tongue-in-cheek chronicles of the 5 month trek read almost like a diary and draw the reader into each scene and episode, from charming descriptions of bucolic landscapes and unforgettable characters, to tales of comical escapades and even frightening accounts of dangers lurking along the way. We are swept up as the travelers dodge murderous traffic and hostile encounters, adapt to hosts of local customs and struggle with language barriers, and we are truly uplifted by the countless poignant miracles of the "angels" the pilgrims meet all along the way,

Along the Templar Trail is written from the soul and in thoughtful, clever, and humorous style. In Wilson's own words, this is about a "...fellowship shared between pilgrims--those who travel with their feet--and those who join us with their hearts." This is the heartwarming story of an incredible pilgrimage, and it is impossible not to be touched by the vision of peace and humanitarianism at the heart of this journey.

by Zsuzsana Summer
www.arcanamatrix.com
authour of The Now Age: Demystifying Spirituality, The New Age And The Metaphysical

and Angels Abound: 111 True Stories of Angel And Spirit Encounters

In Along The Templar trail, Brandon Wilson takes us on an odyssey across 14 countries, and you feel you're walking along with him and his pilgrim companion, Emile, on each of his 7 million steps. He not only beautifully teaches us what it takes to be a modern pilgrim, but he paves the way for those inspired by his effort, to follow in his footsteps. With so much valuable and practical information of where to stay, where to eat, what roads to take, safety, what to pack, and descriptions of the different cultures he passed through, you feel you've got a wonderful travel guide as well!! In fact, this book has it all: drama, suspense,danger, moments that make you cry, and others that make you laugh. This is not a book you want to speed read through....you'd want to take your time, savor every step like you would if you traveled through exotic places and you didn't want to walk too fast and miss something important.

If you think backpacking through 2 continents on foot through foreign countries with dangers of war, fatality, and the daily challenge of finding water, food and shelter is fascinating...imagine transforming an ancient path of war, into a path of peace!!

Au Contraire is more than a book on France, the French language, or a trifle on French "something." This book touches the essence of what it means to be French. The behind-the-scene look at the history, symbols, language, and customs is truly intriguing. The analyzation of such things as interpersonal relations, socialism, education, and other elements of French life is a treasure for the person who desires to live in France, if for only a short time. One of the most remarkable things about the book is the emphasis showing the inseperability between the language and the land: Being French is speaking the langauge, and don't forget it! It's a must for expats of any sort. I read the hefty book in a matter of days. It's just that good.

This book was insightful, rich, honest, and interesting. I could not put it down! This book is definetly worth buying, even if you are not interested in the french particularly. As someone with a french background, and french grandparents, this book makes me appreciate my heritage just a little more.

Although this book was written before the current political crisis that strained relations between France and the United States, it provides excellent general advice for everyone traveling between the two countries. It gives a fair assessment of both cultures and urges the visiter to adopt an open mind and leave cultural baggage and prejudice at home. I spent almost two years planning our recent 3 week trip throughout France and studying the language (which as the authors say is a must). It is arrogant to expect that people in any other country will automatically speak your language. Why should they? Everywhere we went people were reserved, as we expected, but courteous and helpful and sometimes quite friendly. I agree with the authors that the key to good relations and living, working or vacationing in another country, France in this case, is to learn "their" history, culture and language and embrace the differences. I recommend this book highly.

This book was used in my french business class as a cultural aspect. Its easy to follow and tries to help us American's step out of our own ideas of culture. I would recommend this book if you want to read for fun but like to learn something new as well

Anyone who visits France will enjoy this well written book. It explains much of the french culture, and relates it to the history of France. For someone who has a business, and sells products or services, this book is a textbook. Thank you for your clear, concise book. It will help you enjoy and understand your French friends and associates.

A young boy wanders from one vivid experience to another to another, just like kids do. His childhood had unique exposures to Nazi terror and horror, to be sure. But throughout those grim days, there remained that irrepressible insouciance of youth. There was even hero worship when he became involved with the French underground. He brings us right along with him as he becomes a man.

This author described what was, more than anything else, a normal, adventuresome boyhood. Although I was expecting something more like "The Diary of Anne Frank", this book was more reminiscent of "Huckleberry Finn".

Seeped into the depths of war and dispair of mankind, Dr. Burnell takes us on a journey through Nazi-occupied France during WWII. As opposed to the atrocities of holocaust victims in that same era, we are instead introduced into the lives of the common citizenry as they struggle through each day not knowing who is friend or foe. Dr. Burnell's family must decide when to run and when to stay; while knowing their decisions set them at risk to lose everything, including their lives. Balanced with historical facts, Dr. Burnell tells a tale that has us turning the pages, immersing us into the joys and sorrows of a family that in the end prevails despite their losses and succeeds in spite of the tragedy brought by war.

Dr. Burnell tells a story of fear, brutality, resourcefulness, courage, and sensitivity. These emotions are the backdrop to his autobiographical tale of growing from just-past-childhood to near-adulthood in Nazi-occupied France during WW 2. Burnell describes how he and his mother survived the relentless threat of the Nazis as they fled from city to city in France just barely ahead of the Nazi persecution. From Strasbourg in the eastern part of the country to Paris to Bordeaux and finally to Lyon in the south. Along the way his stepfather was consumed by the Holocaust and by the end Burnell was fighting back by working for the French Resistance. The writing is clear, personal, and carries the read along swiftly. I could barely put it down- thus I read it in just a few nights.

This is a well written, interesting memoir of a Holocaust survivor in France. The sections on political events are well placed and provide appropriate historic background to contents of the book.
Myself a Holocaust survivor, I learned from it a lot about life in France during those years and enjoyed reading it.

"Beating the Odds" by George Burnell is the exciting autobiography of a youngster growing up in Nazi-occupied France during WWII. In 369 action packed pages, the author traces his journey from Strasbourg, France in 1939 until the end of WWII in May, 1945. "Beating the Odds" is a real page turner that reads like a novel full of twists and turns. As an adolescent French Jew, George with his family lived in constant fear of discovery by the Nazis and moved frequently to ellude them. Despite these risks, he manages to join his Uncle David, a Dentist, and others in the French Resistance and narrowly escapes with his life. This fascinating memoir gives the reader an interesting and unique perspective on WWII in France and I highly recommend it to you.

As time approached for my wife and I to take our first "river cruise" through Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, I began searching the web for reviews on recommended field guides for birding that part of the globe. Most strongly suggested the Princeton field guide, Birds of Europe, as their first pick. Following suit, I ordered my copy from Amazon and was not in the least bit disappointed. I used the guide daily and the combined field notes, images and species distribution maps allowed me to identify each species with ease and with confidence. This is an excellent field guide which I strongly recommend to folks heading "across the pond" for some serious birding or simply incidental birding as they enjoy their European vacation.

Very good guide, good pictures, good texts and very logical distribution of info. Lids are something ligth.
If a friend asks me advice, I have no doubt: Mullarney-Svensson guide.

The shipment was packed correctly and within the expected delivery time.

This is just simply a wonderful field guide, and definitely the best bird book for European species. I also own the RSPB guide to British birds which I picked up on the fly in the UK; however, I chose to leave that behind in favor of Mullarney et al. when I relocated to Germany. The descriptions, field marks, and pictures are wonderful. It also has pictures and descriptions of both males, females and juveniles, which my other book didn't have for all species, much to my dismay (at least 1 instance for a sexually dimorphic species). It's also relatively compact making it easier to carry in the field. The ordering of the songbirds is a little different from Sibley, but this is easy to adjust to. This certainly is a must have for all birders that might be traveling to Europe.

It's a wonderful guide, with simple explanations and beautiful images.
For amateurs and ornitologists.

I was going to Europe on a trip where I would be doing some birdwatching, and bought this book based on reviews on Amazon. The book turned out to be great! Each bird has a comprehensive description with details on identification and distinguishing it from other birds with a similar appearance or bird call. Each also has an illustration with the birds in multiple poses, M/F, adult/young, and other features such as common surroundings which was very helpful. There's no quick-key by color - birds are arranged by groups rather than color - but I found this to be a minor inconvenience weighed against the wealth of info in this book.

This book is about a girl who finds out who she truly is through many painful experiences. Cecile, who's humble father never accepts anything from anybody, is very surprised when her father helps a woman who is of French royalty and when she asks for anything to give to Cecile's father, he asks if she might be a servant to the french royalty. Cecile gets whisked away to the palaces of Versaille, which is what "gates of gold" means. She learns proper ediquette, getting a job to tending the woman's 12 dogs. She learns a side of herself that she never thought she had through tending and walking the dogs, also meeting a soon to be "his royal highness" Bretagne, who was about 5-7 years old. Through the dogs, Cecile and Bretagne create a heartwarming relationship, which is tested over the months that Cecile lives at the palace. This book is based on actual history, although the author does a very good job adding her own twist of fiction into the story. This book ends suddenly and heart-breakingly, which I'll warn the emotional readers about. You will love this book.

Cecile is a heartwarming, cheerful and peaceful young girl. Serving at court was one of her most important dreams. However, when she finally got the chance to work there, it was nothing like she had expected. The worst part about working there was being apart from her father. Cecile felt that she had to be there with her father and tend to his growing cold. While at court, she becomes friends with the royal family. This book has many joyful and unfortunalty, some hard times. I would recomend this book to any young girl around the age of 12. This is a very touching book and teaches all a very improtant lesson. Dream big becuase what you dream may come true and change your life forever.

The year is 1711, and 12-year-old Cecile Revel, is a peasant girl living in the French countryside with her Doctor Father. Cecile is stricken by poverty, and her daily life consists of going hungry and facing various hardships. Her one dream is to serve at the court of King Louis the XIV's court, where she will have the opportunity to wear gorgeous gowns, attend balls, and eat her fill of marvelous foods. However, when her dream comes true due to a fluke, Cecile realizes that serving at the court is unlike anything she's ever imagined. Instead of playing, and racing through the lovely gardens, Cecile is forced to spend many long, agonizing hours learning proper etiquette. Then Cecile learns some strange information about her Father, and the short time that he spent at the court, and realizes that maybe court-life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I have been a fan of the AMERICAN GIRL series for years, and was ecstatic to see the new series PLEASANT COMPANY was publishing for older readers. I received every book in the GIRLS OF MANY LANDS series for Christmas, and while I have only read two, I already know that CECILE: GATES OF GOLD is sure to stay one of my absolute favorites. Cecile is a marvelous character, whose kind nature, and friendly outlook on life are two traits that will have readers wanting to know what will happen to Cecile next. Mary Casanova has done a fabulous job with writing this novel, and her historical information couldn't be better. A must-read!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Young 12-year-old Cecile Revel helps save Madame -sister in law to the king- and as a reward, Madame takes Cecile from her poor town of Rileaux to Versailles to work for her Madame's dogs. Cecile is not used to etiquette, and breaks many rules at first. Then she gets into the swing of things and is a great worker. But then an outbreak of measles effect her friends, the king's great grandsons. If you want to know what else happens, you should read the book. I didn't like the ending chapter, so be warned. I would recogmend this book for children 10-15, this being about a French girl with historical hapennings through the book. This was a great book!!

Cecile is a young girl living in 16th Century France. She and her father have little money to support themselves, and are barely getting by. But when she discovers a woman in the middle of the woods, crying for help, her life changes drastically.
The woman turns out to be the queen. Cecile comes to her rescue, and in turn, the queen hires her as a servant. Cecile knows the money will benefit her family, so she gows to work in the palace.
Very well done.