Asia Books

A poorly trained and ill-equipped Air Force was unable to shed its nuclear trappings or its political constraints to fight effectively during the Rolling Thunder campaign. However, by the Linebacker campaigns, an improved Air Force was ready with better training and equipment to exploit the lifting of political constraints, culminating in the most successful air effort of the Vietnam War-and setting the stage for the continual success of airpower. This is the central theme of Wayne Thompson's new book, To Hanoi and Back.

Thompson spent a number of years painstakingly preparing this book-and it shows. Using personal interviews, unit histories and numerous other primary sources-including many previously classified documents and transcripts-Thompson provides much more than a mere chronology of events in Vietnam. He tells the story of what happened, who did it, and why. The book is as much about politicians and policy-making in Washington as it is about the bomb dropping in Vietnam. Instead of approaching the civil-military relationship as a rivalry, as several authors on Vietnam have done, Thompson treats the two as parts of the same puzzle.

In the opening chapters, the author describes the Air Force that fought Rolling Thunder as hobbled by inappropriate equipment, poor training, inter- and intraservice rivalries, and a Johnson administration set on a strategy of gradualism. Thompson blames these problems on the fixation of U.S. policy on nuclear deterrence and preparing to fight the Soviets in the era before Vietnam. Because of this policy, the Air Force had essentially let its conventional capabilities whither to irrelevancy. This may explain why the Navy, who had kept its focus on conventional warfare, outperformed the Air Force in Rolling Thunder. In fact, Thompson argues the only capability setting the Air Force apart from naval aviation was the long-range, all-weather, high altitude radar bombing capability of the B-52 force.

Unfortunately, political constraints early in the war prevented the B-52s from performing strikes against vital centers in North Vietnam that the Air Force considered important. Instead, the bombing of North Vietnam was restricted to politically approved targets designed to "send signals" to the North Vietnamese. Thompson contests the wisdom of the strategy of gradualism employed by the White House during Rolling Thunder. He claims that it gave the enemy time to adapt to the pattern of bombing, to relocate vital supplies and infrastructure away from the bombing, and to build defenses. In a chapter entitled, "Gradualism on Trial," the author introduces the reader to the pressures placed upon President Johnson. Johnson believed gradualism was prudent in order to avert Chinese or Soviet intervention. Other pressures included the need to preserve the impression in the minds of Congress and the American people that the war was not escalating, but was well in hand. In the end, Thompson concludes, "American airmen paid a high price for gradualism." He may be too harsh on gradualism, given the concerns of the president. Certainly, Thomas Schelling makes an excellent case for gradualism.

The author argues that the Air Force that fought the Linebacker campaigns was very different from the one that started Rolling Thunder. By the time Linebacker came about, airmen had already implemented fixes to many of the problems that Rolling Thunder helped them identify. These changes included reinstalling guns on fighter aircraft, the introduction of laser-guided precision munitions, improved aircrew training from the Fighter Weapons Schools and Red Flag exercises, and a new president ready to authorize deep strikes with B-52s. To Hanoi and Back concludes with a brief chapter that credits the success of American airpower in Desert Storm, and later operations, to the lessons learned in Vietnam-particularly in the failures of Rolling Thunder. The air commanders in Desert Storm were Vietnam veterans, and President Bush was careful to avoid micromanaging tactical affairs. Airpower was centralized under a single commander, and precision-guided standoff weapons were fully employed. Moreover, airmen could "go downtown" on opening night. All of these elements were missing in Rolling Thunder, but were present in Linebacker-and Desert Storm. The weakest part of Thompson's book is his strong advocacy that B-52s used in an unrestricted fashion against North Vietnam at the outset of Rolling Thunder might have hastened the war's end, if not an outright victory. Such an argument is counterfactual and does not take into account airpower's inability to affect the independent insurgency fought by the Viet Cong in South Vietnam, other than interdicting supplies. Moreover, there is little historical evidence that suggests that airpower can execute a decisive decapitation strategy. Thompson's writing style is highly appealing and reminiscent of some of Tom Clancy's works. He is not only writing a history, he is also telling a story. Over the course of the book, Thompson introduces his readers to several people; politicians, generals, and airmen. He takes the time to provide short biographies of each person he introduces. This helps set the context for the events he discusses, plus adds compelling human interest stories along the way, but none more interesting than the harrowing saga of American prisoners of war. Not only is their story important in its own right, but the author provides insight into the political maneuvering that secured their release.

I strongly recommend To Hanoi and Back to anyone interested in the air war over Vietnam-or politics during this timeframe. It is a marvelous telling of a history that teaches many lessons. This book is particularly fascinating because it discusses the frustrations that airmen faced at the operational and strategic levels of warfare-averted in Desert Storm, but repeated in Allied Force. For those who are interested, also consider adding Thomas Schelling's Arms and Influence, Mark Clodfelter's The Limits of Airpower, Robert Pape's Bombing to Win, John Warden's The Air Campaign, and Ben Lambeth's The Transformation of American Airpower. These books will present arguments and counter-arguments that will help round out an understanding of the issues surrounding modern airpower.

The book, as its title suggests, is a history of the United States Air Force in Vietnam during these years, but it offers the reader much more than an operational narrative. It is written chronologically during the seven years that encompassed Operations Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I, and Linebacker II, as well as the many other minor operations during and in between the larger ones. The real value of the book though, for the airpower strategist, is the skill with which Dr. Thompson weaves the contextual elements that ultimately decided how effective airpower could be during this period. As each operation unfolds we are given not only the details of the air campaign itself, but also the personalities and relationships among the various three and four star flag officers charged with planning and implementing the strategies. The political considerations and the lenses through which the president and key cabinet members viewed the conflict are important factors that affected operations down to the tactical employment of individual units and aircraft. Dr. Thompson smoothly transitions between the macro and micro view of how these pieces are related.

Dr. Thompson amply illustrates the political, technological and geographical constraints which have an often-underestimated effect upon airpower employment. The goal of precision engagement of ground targets from aircraft has a long history. Billy Mitchell described it in his Provisional Manual of Operations of 1918. Army Air Force planners in World War II hoped to achieve unprecedented bombing accuracy with the Norden bombsight. In Vietnam, as today, the goal of accurately bombing the desired target was also highly sought after but the right technology had not yet emerged. Thompson traces the parallel development of Navy and Air Force weapons systems, from the Navy's TV guided Walleye bomb, to the use of LORAN to guide aircraft to their bomb release points, to the final employment of Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) with warheads large enough to take down the bridges that helped supply Hanoi with materials from the north. But perhaps more than any other factor, Dr. Thompson clearly shows us the enormous effect that weather had on the effectiveness of the air campaign over North Vietnam. Planners on both sides understood the affects of the large block of time lost during the monsoon season. Thompson even states that, "the most effective North Vietnamese air defense had always been weather" (pg. 244). This is an operational reality that can easily derail even the most elegant air strategy and can preclude political leaders from effectively controlling the application of force they require to achieve their stated objectives as well.

Overall To Hanoi and Back is a very well researched and documented history, composed in a very readable style. It is written with the operator in mind, giving future air strategists, planners, and users a very comprehensive view of not only the restraints under which one must operate in a war of limited objectives, but also in an environment where, although airpower's effectiveness may not be optimal, it is still the main instrument chosen to deliver the message we wish to send our adversary. The only possible improvement a reader could wish for would be more maps and charts in the text to visualize the many battlefields and data that an average operator needs to appreciate the area of operations. Even so, this is an excellent book that every professional should add to their personal library.

Having flown combat missions over North Vietnam in 1968-1969, I was especially interested in this book. One of the great strengths of the American Air Force is that it has a history office with well qualified historians who are committed to pursuing the truth even though this often means criticizing the Air Force. Hallion and Thompson have both worked in this office for many years. They are truly experts and whatever they say or write you can take to the bank. I salute them for writing a first rate book. Mandatory reading for anyone interested in the evolution of combat airpower.

This is a very comprehesive account of the air campaign during America's involvement in vietnam. VERY comprehensive- covers operational, deployment and political details for a very indepth look into this period. This is a great resource but it is not for the casual reader and even for serious research not something to read from cover to cover in one sitting. A great book to read if you are interested and you have the time to spare. Earlier reviews have already covered much of its contents very well- not much more to add there except for my own reading "experience"

I red this book for a very simple reason: the research i'm working at is just about Harbin, its uniqueness as the only russian city outside russia and the cultural atmosphere it enjoyed during the 1920's. I found Wolff's work very useful, a miracle of different sources, but i keep asking to myself: why such an amazing experiment in history as my Harbin was not studied until now? Anyway, good job..i wish i had written it myself!

I didn't really read the book, but I used to stay after school in 3rd grade and draw cartoons with Wolff. His cartoons were wonderful, so I have no doubt his insights and analyses of Harbin and the Chinese Eastern Railway are every bit as good.

I found the book very interesting .As a kharbinetz born in 1949 in Harbin I left Manchuria as an infant for Poland and don't remember myself anything of the atmosphere of that unique town.My parents (they were Russian and Polish) were born and spend their youth there.I remember their stories about that vibrant, colorful, exciting and multicultural life in that Pearl of North Manchuria.The Poles and Jews are mentioned as "minorities" in the predominantly russian town, but the significance of polish technical staff during construction and running the CER was underestimated.Russians noticed that influx of Poles in CER, so even press in S.Petersburg warned about "polish danger" on russian railways .The personalities showned as Russians were Poles : Stanislaw Kierbedz, Adam Szydlowski, Stefan von Offenberg, Seweryn Wachowski, Mikolaj Liniewicz, Aleksander Letowski,Alfred Zaremba ).The magnificent Harbin railway station was design of polish architect Ignacy Cytowicz, art nouveau in Harbin was supported by architect Konstanty Jokisz then responsible for New Town development.The landmark of the city famous railway bridge was built by polish steel construction company "Konstanty Rudzki i S-ka" from then russian Warsaw, frames were prepared in it's plant in Minsk Mazowiecki then sent by rail to Odessa and shipped through seas to Vladivostok and then on barges to the site in Harbin.All steel bridges on later Amur Railway finished in 1916 were also prepared and built by that company.It is estimated that about 35% of technical personnel of CER was up to the IWW of polish origin.Suppressed in their homeland Poland , sought career and better life in outskirts of Russian Empire, so did Jews fleeing from antisemitism and discrimination.But they were active rather in commerce, banking and industry .Far away from "problem" areas all "minorities" could live without all the limitations imposed on them in the Empire.Ironically as it is they were accepted as "Russians" by St.Petersburg bureaucracy, that was unable to furnish Manchuria with adequate number of energetic, able and educated people of pure russian origin.

This book provokes a tremendous amount of thought. A broad and powerful array of forces - political, social, cultural, and commercial - converged at the start of the century in this uncharted bit of Manchuria to make for a great laboratory experiment. The author describes brillantly the under-emphasized successes of Harbin and the Chinese Eastern Railway, which are a triumph of cooperation, tolerance, vision, and simple good sense. Much is to be learned in terms of strategy and negotiation from Russian finance minister Witte, who, with careful patience, offered mutual benefit rather than threat to potential adversaries from other nations, ethnicities, cultures, and factions of his own government. These themes are of the greatest relevance today, with diversity at the forefront and corporations increasing still further their influence away from home borders.

The author has researched his subject comprehensively, exploiting fully his outstanding combination of academic and linguistic skills.

Very nicely designed book and ideal to bring on a trip to Tokyo (I would have preferred it in soft cover though, like a lonely planet pocket).

If you love Tokyo and love toy culture this is a great resource. Old favourites like Tokyu Hands, Parco and Kiddy Land are in here, along with a whole bunch of lesser known beauties. Nice pics of shoppers and merchandise, as well as additional info explaining some of the strange mascots you encounter. Upfront basic information and clean maps means I'll definately be taking this with me next time I go exploring in Tokyo.

amazing book. as someone who lives in tokyo and guides dozens of visitors, both personally and professionally, through this city every year, i promise you that this is one of the best guides i've ever come across. for anyone interested in the design, toy and misc subcultures in and around tokyo, this is a must-have.

This is a MUST have if you are a toy nut and/or visiting Tokyo. I can not begin to relate how difficult this city is to navigate. T-Under cuts throught the language and concrete barriers. Bravo!

Ed

What a fantastic book! I had no idea dogs played a role like this in the war. Whether your interested in war, working dogs or just want to read a great story i would recommend this book. Pete describes perfectly the innocent nature of a dog even in these extreme circumstances. I can't say enough good things about Tracker's so just pick it up and enjoy.....

wonderfully written book of the australian involvement of tracker dog teams in vietnam...thousands of allied lives were saved through the relationship built by the tracker dogs and handlers, together with the scout, sentry, mine, tunnel, booby trap, and other military working dog teams...over 4,000 dogs and in excess of 10,000 handlers kept our troops safe....the lives of our allied military forces depended on the trust built between handler and dog....

I love books written by people who have been in the working dog field with dogs such as Service Dogs of the Police,Military working roles. I personally find books written on the obedience trailling and Schuzhund competitions basically repetitive and in the main, boring.

Service work and associated training to me, is the real world of dog training, I enjoy competition and encourage people to compete.But I get tired of the never ending waffle of the best way to train involving food, toys, clickers, working in drives etc.

This book is excellent taking one into the real world of extreme dangers of the Vietnam war. Well written, reviting, and refreshing after the waffle of other dog books.Well done Peter. ...

I have read numerous books about war dogs. This is by far my favorite. I was totally engrossed from beginning to end. The book will make you laugh and a few pages later make you cry. Mr. Haran's accounts of his experiences in training tracker dogs for Vietnam, and doing two tours as a dog handler in the "J" (jungle), really bring home the effectiveness of man-dog teams and illustrate the deep bonds that develop between the two forged under fire. I can't say enough good things about this book. If you are a dog lover, or if you're interested in war dogs at all, you should read this book. You won't be disappointed.

I have very much enjoyed some of the other Travelers Tales anthologies (San Francisco, Hawaii, Paris) and would not hesitate to recommend them. The Hong Kong anthology, while fine, was not quite as strong. Too many of the pieces, I thought, were about first-time visitors' initial reactions. As a first-time visitor, I was more interested in writing by people who knew Hong Kong well. Nevertheless, this is worth reading before a trip to Hong Kong.

I read this book two weeks before our first (but hopefully not last) trip to Hong Kong. Other travel books gave me information on where to stay, where to eat, where to buy. But this book told me stories that made me eager to experience the SAR.

We first arrived in Hong Kong early one morning, tired, but determined to do something on our first day. We set out for the Star Ferry, something you must take whenever you have the chance. Taking the MTR subway to Central, we came above ground to find ourselves in the midst of what initially appeared to be some sort of social unrest. There was an official ceremony going on in the park, blocked off by police. There were thousands of women massed right outside. Both sides seemed ill at ease with the other.

Jet-lagged, we were rather apprehensive as we tried to find our way out to the ferry. Until I realized that it was Sunday, and that the voices sang a different song than the Cantonese we had heard so far. We were in the midst of Fillipina housemaids who gather on their one day off to visit with their countrywomen. I explained to my wife what was happening, including a description of what life was like for these women and how they came to be there. Elaine wanted to know how I knew this.

"I read about it in the Traveler's Tales book".

This book told stories of Hong Kong that steered us to places we might not have learned from the traditional guides and gave us a flavor for places that we knew not to go to.

I've read the Japanese guide. I don't know if it will prove to be as good as the Hong Kong book in the field, but it has proven to me that this is an entertaining series to the armchair tourist as well as intrepid travelers.

I first was attracted to this book by its cover--a charming photo of the happy faces of a group of Chinese men watching an opera and, once I had read my first story, "A Perfect Pig", describing Mr. Chung Wa Pui's long search for the perfect little white jade pig, I knew this was no ordinary book. These, indeed, are "traveler's tales"--personal accounts selected from the writings of diverse individuls who have visited or lived in Hong Kong--choice selections offering a pleasing mix of fact and folklore.

Did you know, for example, that the Portuguese influence in the East was such that Portuguese foods, architectural designs, and even Portuguese words were borrowed by the Chinese and others? The Chinese word "joss", the incense burned in Buddhist temples, was adopted from the Portuguese "dios"...We discover that, just a ferry boat ride away from the teeming throngs of Hong Kong, Lantau, the largest of the 235 outlying islands--larger even than Hong Kong--provides miles of wooded areas and secluded beaches, linked by hiking trails...We learn, also, of intriguing dining opportunities in Hong Kong, like the Yat Chau Health Restaurant, serving such delicacies as Double-Boiled Wild Duck with Deer's Penis or Spring Chicken with Sea Dragon & Sea Horse, dishes guaranteed to help restore one's physiological balance...Fascinating glimpses of a captivating part of the world. Truly a remarkable book. Nadine Greenup.

It was the last minute business trip offered to me earlier this year. It would have been my first trip to Asia. I was excited, scared and anxious at the same time. A business woman all alone in Hong Kong for a month? I had to learn about the place. So I came across this book in my local library and it was a gem! Book contains first hand experience stories written by western travelers visiting Hong Kong. Some were there for the first time, some had ancestors there, some were expatriots. But each and every story had unique voice and each and every one was wonderful account of the experiences one can expect to have while visiting this place of magic. I enjoyed the book because it had really funny stories, that would make you giggle. So one had to be careful not to read them in public because the occasional laugh would cause heads turn. However, I understood the culture, customs and people so well, that I got attached to Hong Kong more than I ever thought it possible. It was hearthbreking coming home. I know I will have to go there again. Soon. Business or otherwise. And then - I will carry with me my own copy of the Travelers Tales. It is one of the kind traveler's book. One that deserves to be displayed in personal library!

This is a delightful, easy read by many authors on India and their travel experiences. I found it interesting to hear these tales and dive into their wild mix of stories. India is a multi layered, historical and moving place to travel. Most of my books on India are by Indian authors so the insight from foreign travelers was a different 'read' and of value. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in or wants to travel to India.

I read this book after reading the DK guide to India and Leila Hadley?s A Journey with Elsa Cloud (the latter is about a tour of parts of India in the 70s). This excellent collection of true stories really made all the places come alive and gave me a much richer and fuller sense of India than I could get from just Hadley?s book. The poverty, sexism, and daily encounters with excrement that are a part of life in India are compellingly conveyed at the same time as we come to feel the vast heavy weight of so many centuries of history, so much spiritual questing, so much diminished glory. Since I finished the book, I have found myself repeating stories to friends from the excerpts from Rory Nugent?s The Search for the Pink-Headed Duck and from Mark Shand?s Travels on My Elephant, which were particularly vivid and fascinating to me. There are a suprising number of tales featuring cyclists--evidently India is a popular place to tour by bike.

I'm giving this book five stars not because the individual travel stories comprising this are five star stories (though many of them are), but because the breadth of subject matter and perspectives this book offers are remarkable. From the frosty passes of the Himalayas to the bustling streets of Calcutta, from the Ganges to shores of Goa, from the rarely-visited tribal interior to the even more desolate Rann of Kutch, this book portrays a country with a topography perhaps as diverse as Europe's. From the barriers of caste to the oppression of women, this book portrays a social evolution still in progress but with roots in ancient times.

Highlights for me included Rory Nugent's eccentric search for the supposedly extinct pink-headed duck, and David Yeadon's brilliant portrayal of character interactions (including an Indian interrupting his narrative digression in real time "Sir, are you hearing me, sir?"). For every traveler that timidly scratched the surface of India without real discovery (such as a particularly uptight and sheltered Oxford Fellow's first trip) there was one so recklessly bold that you're glad you could relive the experience from the safety of your own home (including one author's visit to a tribal island where past visitors had been killed). Somewhere in the middle there's bound to be powerful inspiration for a trip of one's own.

Reading this book was not only satisfying, but served as a launching point for future reading of the complete works from which these tales were excerpted (David Yeadon's Back of the Beyond and Jonah Blank's Arrow of the Blue Skinned God seemed particularly interesting to me).

I agree with the above reviews. There is such a variety of subject matter and types of writing collected in this book and I found myself saving so many pages with great information about places in India that I had not yet heard about but wanted to make sure I visited now when I plan my own trip!

TRAVELS IN THE ASIAN WORLD,the latest in some fifteen books by Carol Miller, is particularly delightful because it reveals more about the author as a human than any previous work. Besides an astute observer of foreign cultures, we see Miller as a wife, mother and friend. She unveils her travels in China, for example, through what seems like an incomprehensible friendship with a New Yorker named Jeanne, but ends up being a long-lasting one, largely through Miller's empathy and compassion for the less privileged. With her husband and two children in tow, she travels from China through the verisimilitude of mainland Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). Like THE GUTTERED DOG, Miller achieves a splendid balance between history, politics, current affairs, travel, local color and humor. She spans centuries fluidly and soars from ancient history to modern times in a readable and lucid style. The text comprises five books and thirty-six chapters, organized geographically. Her descriptions are crisp and vivid. Anyone who has or has not seen a farmer in China can envision'...a sprinkling can, one on each shoulder, carried by lean men in blue farming clothes, their heads covered with straw hats, their rolled up pants' legs revealing mud-streaked legs.' During these times of global crisis and uncertainty in the world when one may hesitate to travel to Asia, I recommend that you go there with Carol Miller in TRAVELS IN THE ASIAN WORLD. It is a riveting read written by a perceptive and sensitive author.

TRAVELS IN THE ASIAN WORLD,the latest in some fifteen books by Carol Miller, is particularly delightful because it reveals more about the author as a human than any previous work. Besides an astute observer of foreign cultures, we see Miller as a wife, mother and friend. She unveils her travels in China, for example, through what seems like an incomprehensible friendship with a New Yorker named Jeanne, but ends up being a long-lasting one, largely through Miller's empathy and compassion for the less privileged. With her husband and two children in tow, she travels from China through the verisimilitude of mainland Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). Like THE GUTTERED DOG, Miller achieves a splendid balance between history, politics, current affairs, travel, local color and humor. She spans centuries fluidly and soars from ancient history to modern times in a readable and lucid style. The text comprises five books and thirty-six chapters, organized geographically. Her descriptions are crisp and vivid. Anyone who has or has not seen a farmer in China can envision'...a sprinkling can, one on each shoulder, carried by lean men in blue farming clothes, their heads covered with straw hats, their rolled up pants' legs revealing mud-streaked legs.' During these times of global crisis and uncertainty in the world when one may hesitate to travel to Asia, I recommend that you go there with Carol Miller in TRAVELS IN THE ASIAN WORLD. It is a riveting read written by a perceptive and sensitive author.

In this amazing book Carol Miller, an amazing writer, takes us through five key areas: China, Tibet, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Travel, keen observations of the land and its people, and personal anecdotes blend with succinct and comprehensive treatment of history and background, to give the reader depth and understanding. We see not only what these countries are but how they came to be. I will read anything Carol Miller writes but in addition, I would give anything to be able to travel with her, anywhere in the world! Assuming, of course, I could keep up with her.

This book is fun, funny, informative, exploratory and thought-provoking, like all Carol Miller's work, but this time she takes us to an uncommon part of the world, opens our eyes and hearts, and leads us through customs, tradtions and history previously unsuspected. The sounds and flavors come alive. We are just as much at home on a crowded modern street as prowling through an ancient temple. An incredible book.

India has always been on my wish list of places to go and this is the year for me! I have bought several guidebooks and THIS travel CD is definitely the way to go. Not only was it full of detailed pictures and descriptions of Agra's vast history and architecture, but it was so much more than I ever expected. The travel tips, useful words, phrases, and FAQ were an added bonus. What really brought things to life was the video. The video flowed so smoothly with the musical sound, giving it a local flair. It really made me feel like my trip is much closer to reality than I ever imagined.

I have been to India several times on company business and have had the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal, up close. So I was very skeptical about this book when I ordered it. However, I loved the video and pictures. It reminded me of the time I was there and I noticed a lot of artistic details that escaped me during my short visit. I was able to share my experience with friends and collegues to show them exactly where I went. And I did not even have to lug around a 10 lb camcorder to do it.

The developers of this CD have gone to a lot of trouble to build the platform for their presentation. Frankly, I think that the pictures, the videos and the soulful music would have been phenom by itself. Navigation is great and the historical/travel info useful. It has been a great addition to my travel books collection. I am so enticed by the video and the pictures that I am planning my next trip to see 'Taj Mahal' with another girlfriend, this October! Very exciting.

I am planning to visit India later this year and a friend of mine couldn't stop raving about these CDs and recommended that I buy them before my trip. Hats off to the developers of this product. The video, pictures and exotic Indian music in the background just enthralled my girlfriend and I. The best part is that now we know exactly which places to see and what to do during our trip. I am looking forward to the New Delhi CD to be released. Totally worth it!

This is the second CD I have purchased from this company and I am amazed with the quality products they produce. As a "self proclaimed" history buff I have learned so much about Jaipur in so little time. The CD was full of interesting facts about the history of Jaipur and its forts, palaces, and surrounded buildings. From the water palace, to the palace of winds, to the mirror palace, to the many forts, to the resevoir with buried treasure, exploring Jaipur is a history buffs dream. The CD also highlights the detailed artwork that went into building such elaborate palaces. That alone is worth seeing this video. Also of interest was the influence of astronomy and the building of huge time instruments and seeing the local craftmen at work.

I am planning to visit India later this year and a friend of mine couldn't stop raving about these CDs and recommended that I buy them before my trip. Hats off to the developers of this product. The video, pictures and exotic Indian music in the background just enthralled my girlfriend and I. The best part is that now we know exactly which places to see and what to do during our trip. I am looking forward to the New Delhi CD to be released. Totally worth it!

The cover says it all in terms of rich and bright colors. The pictures are incredible and the film-roll photo viwer is really fun to play with. Travel info on the CD will be very useful for my trip to India and I was able to print everything to take with me. Although the CD has a list of hotels, restaurants, etc. but I wish that they had a list of preferred travel service providers who I could call to book sighseeing tours with and get a good deal. Also, I have an older B&W printer, so was unable to print pictures. Interactive map is really cool too.

When I ordered this CD, I was not sure if it would add anything to the travel guide I bought earlier. I was extremely pleased that I did, because not only does it give all the travel related info on shopping, transportation, phrases etc., but also the incredible quality of video and photos actually made me realize how incredible these palaces are and I can't wait to go there. Plus viewing these places on my computer helped me decide on which points of interest to focus my time there. The alluring background music completes the illusion, and I was able to print all the info including color pictures that I will take with me on my trip and later add to my scrapbook. I would recommend this CD to anyone looking to learn more about India or visting the exotic/mystic city of Jaipur.

I found My Japanese War Bride to be very enlightening. It shows how the right combination of two people can overcome any adversity and come out stronger. It takes us through Mike and Tsuchino's struggle to go from nothing to being able to have anything they want, and I found myself rooting for them against the military and both their families. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to sit down and just be entertained by two peoples faith and hope.

I found the book to be entertaining and humerous. It brought to mind memories of post-world war II attitudes and bureaucratic obfuscation that will be familiar to anyone who served in the military or worked for the government. Both Mike and Tsuchino come across as likeable, intelligent and determined people.

I enjoyed the book. Very easy read . I learned a few things about bureaucracy in the military that were disturbing.... dare to question and you pay for it, even if you are right.
The author by his life shows how to succeed by hard work , by giving 110% and by being well prepared so when an opportunity arose he was able to jump at it. Tsuchino is his perfect mate; expecting him to so his best always and willing to back him and follow him wherever his path led. A very inspiring love story .

There is little literature available about Japanese War Brides and this book gives an excellent first-person accounting of a husband and wife's strengths and devotion. I read the book in efforts to gain information for research, but found that I could not put it down, not because of my interests, but because it is a true story of overcoming the odds and finding success/happiness in love and marriage!

Michael Forrester has a provided his life story in an easy to follow, chronological manner that gives one a sense of understanding of the time and events. It is real, interesting, humorous and most of all heartwarming! I would suggest this book to all readers.