Asia Books

I decided to read "Six Records of a Floating Life" after spending a summer in Suzhou, the city of Shen Fu's birth and his home for many years. When describing this work, my Chinese friends were quick to use words like "romantic" and "touching". However I was skeptical since I had also heard that this book detailed Shen Fu's relationship not only with his wife, Yun, but also concubines and courtesans - thus setting it far outside the scope of what is traditionally considered "romantic" by modern, Western standards. Yet, if one is willing to keep an open mind and look at Shen Fu's extra-marital relations (which are, in fact, treated very briefly) within the context of the time and culture during which he wrote, one can see that that author and his wife were very much in love and cared passionately for each other for more than twenty years. Fu's description of the airy joys and carefree pleasures they experienced together as husband and wife are sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who's every been in love.

Yet, with great happiness Shen Fu also experienced great pain and numerous hardships. Considered a failure in both business and scholarship, he was never wealthy and he struggled to provide even a modest living for himself and his family. Indeed, Fu drifted from place to place, job to job, often relying on friends and relatives to provide him with money and shelter. Adding to the pressures of poverty was his wife's chronic illness, which eventually took her life. Shen Fu's description of his wife's death is truely heart-breaking, as he writes:

"Her spirit vanished in the mist and she began her long journey... When it happened there was a solitary lamp burning in the room. I looked up but saw nothing, there was nothing for my two hands to hold, and my heart felt as if it would shatter" (p. 89)

Part romance, part tragedy, part travelogue and part memoir this book indeed lives up to it's reputation as a classic. Shen Fu articulates the joys and sorrows of ordinary human life with the skill of an artist, and he is always someone with whom we can identify. Like we all do, he struggled to find peace and comfort while trying to bear the weight of sadness. Whether you're interested in Chinese history and culture or not, this book deserves to be read and appreciated.

There are so many contradictions within this quirky memoir that it could only possibly be true.

This is a memoir of life right around the start of the 19th century. It recounts the adult life of Shen Fu, a man who appears to have been ordinary in the extreme. Although educated, he did not pass the literary tests of the civil service. At best, his career could have been a secretary under one of the successful examinees, but his times weren't always the best. His positions never lasted, and his business attempts failed. Often, he sold his possessions and his wife's down to the clothes on their backs (or less). He fell out with his family, in a time when filial duty was enforced by law, and became outcast in almost every sense.

But his life never wholly failed, either. Perhaps it was the glow of nostalgia, but his twenty-three years of marriage were always a joy to him, even when his wife's health failed, and even when she may have been the source of some of his problems. They had their times of poverty, but never to the point of starvation. He was honorable enough to quit a corrupt position when it offended his honor too deeply. He was devoted enough to heal the familial rifts. His joys and Yun's were simple - travel, each other, the beauty of the full moon, and maybe a little too much wine shared with happy company. Shen Fu and his devoted Yun never demanded much from their lives, and usually got enough to enjoy.

The text wanders. The first three chapters chart the ups and downs of the marriage to his beloved wife. She died early, from some frightening disease. Still, she and he accepted it stoically, or mostly did. The fourth chapter collects a few decades of moments together, the sights and sounds of travel. With his wife and after her, Shun Fu visited temples, sacred caves, and pleasure districts, reported in some drifting collage of personal history. Despite the "six" promised in the title, we have only four. It's probably better that way, according to the appendices.

I really think I would have liked Shun Fu. He was honest enough, loving enough, and devoted enough to his children. Even when his own situation deteriorated badly, he fostered his son as best he could and sheltered his daughter with people who could marry her well. He never wholly succeeded or failed, but muddled through the chances that appeared to him. He was no grand hero, nor villain, nor idle dreamer, nor driven workaholic. He was just a guy, living some guy's life pretty well. Maybe he dressed up his memories just a bit, but don't we all?

//wiredweird

"Six Records" (also known as "Six Chapters of a Floating Life"), c. 1805, is an extraordinarily frank autobiography that is totally unprecedented and unparalleled in the history of Chinese literature. It describes the life of the author Shen Fu and his beloved wife, Ch'en Yun (1763-1803), in extremely revealing detail. The intimacy and joy shared by the couple are as unusual by normal standards of Chinese married life as is the author's daringness in revealing them to others. Their close, playful relationship stands in defiant opposition to the staid decorum of married life expected by Confucian ideology.

A thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring read. Ch'en Yun is a woman ahead of her time who admirably balances her love of learning and passion for life with her duties and obligations as a traditional Chinese wife.

a very, very good book to get to know the everyday life of late imperial Chinese!

If one reads the introduction, this book is not meant to be read as a sequential narrative, instead it is a collection of memoirs and hence the word "records" in the title. Through this collection of records and memoirs, readers are welcomed to peer into segments of the author's bumpy life.

The records follow Shen Fu on his numerous failed attempts to find contentment in life: As an educated man, Shen Fu tried to gain a position through civil examinations but got nowhere, he tried his hand at being a painter but found that he had no talent, he made friends with people who eventually betrayed him, he got into debt and was disowned by his father, and the final blow came when he lost his child and beloved wife, Yun. In the end Shen Fu's decided to live a "floating Life" by giving up worldly matters to wander China.

Shen Fu is also a groundbreaking author. He is very descriptive of his environment, which is uncharacteristic of Chinese writers of his time. Through Shen Fu's accounts the reader can experience the long lost customs of ancient China, for example, lonely men with a bit of pocket money can visit brothel boats sitting "like aimless floating leaves" on the river.

Moreover, Shen Fu's accounts of his wife, Yun, were against conventions because he does not cease in describing her only as a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law according to Confucian ideology, but he portrays her as an intelligent and adventurous woman who was willing to dress up as a man to visit a temple (which forbids women) with him. To Shen Fu, Yun was his soul mate and she transcends his memoirs into a love story. She is present from his first record, "The Joys of the Wedding Chamber" where they first met as an arranged marriage to his last record, "The Delights of Roaming Afar" where Shen Fu is constantly reminded of Yun, long after her death, when he travelled to places he wished he had brought her to.

Lastly, Shen Fu's tone is full of indignant passion making him an amusing storyteller. The translators (Leonard Pratt and Chiang Su-hui) translate Shen Fu's work without losing his ease and personality, making the book a delightful read.

Keeping in mind that not many authors in feudal China reveal an honest account of their times and even less-so the intimate accounts of their domestic life, this autobiography is wonderfully rare.

I entered flight school in 68 and went on to a year and half
of rotor work in SVN and parts, in 69. A must read. Glad I found it.
This wonderful book took me everywhere..with perfect wit.

Foley is a professional writer, now, and it shows in the vivid clarity of his words and the mental images they evoke. He takes his own experiences in the Army (enlisted recruit to Lt. Col.) at a critical point in its existence and gives us the grunt's view, but with the insight of an outstanding staff officer. He points out the many failings of the staff and leadership in the 1960's Army (as only a grunt can) and how men like those he served with on the ground in the 101st, LRPs, and Green Berets made up for those failings. His stories of going from PFC into MCO school, into OCS are full of the details that add dimension to his later activities and service in the jungle. And he points out his own failings. A refrain that repeats itself goes along these lines: "I thought such-and-such, but how wrong I was."

He also gives insight into the workings of the upper echelons, and how good men and women in those ranks worked to shove the Army into the later 20th century. Unfortunately, he left the Army before the results of those efforts really paid off in the desert and the many interventions and peace-keeping efforts we send our people into. But for a solid, well written account of Viet Nam, and one guy's experiences there, "Special Men" is one of the best written, most balanced accounts I've read, and I've read a lot of them. For another view of the evolution of the Army in the crucial 20 years between Viet Nam and Desert Storm, I recommend Fred Franks' "Into The Storm."

Dennis grasps of the military and understanding of the soldiers really shows through. Foley as an enlisted men first, he knew what it was like to be a buck-private and always had respect for the men. I know I served under him in F Compnay, 51st LRP (Abn.) Infantry and what he wrote about the unit is sad considering its great past records of what we did during Tet 1968 that saved thousands of Allied lives. A claim that no other Lurp unit in Vietnam could come close too. For a better understanding of Lurping, read Don C. Hall's book I SERVED or check out the web site at i-served.com. Dennis is a fine example of what outstanding men can do to carry the unit, in spite of, the poor performance by a few. It's in his book. Check it out!

Dennis has done it again. I think that I have read all his books, and can say without fear of contridiction that his book keeps you spell bound.

He write with the auhority of one who has been there done that. Would have given 8 stars but five was the most I could givein this rating system.

Roadrunner 6 out

I wish Dennis Foley could write an updated version of the
very important lessons to be learned from his great book, SPECIAL MEN. His book should be read by anyone going into
the military, and required re-reading for those who are careerists, rather
than warriors. The lessons to be learned from this book are that vital.

I enlisted two years prior to Dennis Foley. One of my mentors , Col John Paul Vann, told me the difference between a warrior and a careerist. One of Dennis Foley's mentors, the late Col David Hackworth, was the epitome of why we need more warriors and fewer careerists in our military. LTC Foley is another great example of why, as well.

SPECIAL MEN is a great autobiography, beautifully told and written. One of its lessons is how we mismanaged to lose the war in Vietnam, by losing it in America first. Sadly, recent leaders of our country learned nothing from Vietnam and are mismanaging
us in a war today that is far more important to our nation's survival than was Vietnam.

As LTC Foley points out, we cannot afford a military run as a popularity contest. We cannot afford an undisciplined military. And, he is writing primarily about the 1960s and '70s military.
What must he think of today's PC-driven, kindler/gentler bureaucratic military?

But, I know what he thinks of the young men and women serving in our
military, because a true leader and a good officer never changes. Like his mentor, David Hackworth, whom I knew, Dennis
Foley cares about his troops...honestly, deeply and always. It
shows on every page of this book.

With more Dennis Foleys running our military we'd never lose another war. But, since he's no longer in the military, and is now writing about the military, I sure hope that more folks heed his important messages.

Personally, I have a few ROTC cadets from a nearby university working for me parttime. As each graduates, he or she gets a
copy of SPECIAL MEN from me as a graduation present. It's the best I can do for them.

As a professional photographer, I can honestly say that this is a wonderful book! It is full of fantastic photos of a culture that is struggling to survive. I highly recommend it!

This book is beautifully shot by a truly skilled photographer -- a must have for anyone with an interest in photography or of the people of Tibet.

San Francisco Sunday Examiner and ChronicleBy Linda Watanabee McFerrinFreelance photojournalist Alison Wright's vivid portrait of Tibetan life in exile will kindle the warmth in any heart. In her vibrant visual sojourn with the Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, India,she reveals lives rich in reflection and celebration, and creates a doorway into a culturethat survives in spite of travail. Nuns, monks, musicians, yak herders, children, the survivors of political prisons and His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, animate the pages. Her compositions are stunning, the color and light with which she adeptly enflames her subjects exuding both strength and intimacy. A short forward by the photographer underscores the spirit of the composition, but truly this is a book that needs few words. Wright, whose work appears frequently in the Examiner, is most articulate in her photography; and that is worth countless lines of text. "Good intent very important. Most important in all that you do. Never forget, " the Dalai Lama advises her in a garden encounter in Dharamsala. In her work, Wright makes it clear that the message is, indeed, unforgettable.

As a photographer and teacher of the photo arts it is easy to realize the quality of capturing the humanity of the people in this beautiful book. Alison Wright has done an excellent job. Place this in you home so that the tragedy that has been inflicted on the Tibetan people by the brutal and ruthless government of China is not forgotten.

Additional reads on the subject should include Tears of Blood / A Cry For Tibet by Mary Craig and for those who like their history in the style of Hollywood check out Kun Dun by Martin Scorcese, 7 years in Tibet, and Little Budda.

This book will move you to write your elected officials and ask them to support policies that will get China out of Tibet. You may also want to visit the official website for the Government of Tibet in Exile.

Ever since I read Heinrich Harrer's "Seven Years in Tibet" six years, then the later "Return to Tibet" by the same author, I was hooked to Tibet, the Tibetan people, the Tibetan land, the Tibetan mountains, the Tibetan monasteries, everything Tibetan. I have cultivated an unspeakable tie to this unique land and its people. I began screening movies such as Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet. I have imagined and pictured Tibet according to Harrer's lively and mindful description during his residence in Lhasa. "The Spirit of Tibet" graciously allows me, for the very first time, to see Tibet unveiling its mysterious yet solemn beauty. A few other readers have complimented on the artistics and aesthetics of this collection. The collection really touches me because it communicates an unfailing passion. After the Chinese invasion in 1950, it is the Tibetan spirit and passion that sustain and unite the country and its people. When you look through the pictures, try to look into the Tibetans' eyes. Behind these eyes you will free yourself from the ordinary and see their life struggles, one and one, rooted deep in their mind and soul.

Because I referred readers to this book in my 3-STAR review of the Prestons' recently published Taj Mahal: Passion and Genius..., I want to offer a more specific comparison of the two. Significantly, the amount of text each devotes to the Taj complex and those directly associated with it is the same. So, too, is most of the information. But rather than detailing differences--such as that only in this book are criticisms of the mausoleum or that only in the Prestons' are technical details about the water system as well as inconsequential elaboration on who could not have been the architect of the Taj--let it suffice to say that regardless of which book you own, the notes you'd add from the other would amount to but a few pages, unless you'd also want to copy the two pages of translated calligraphic inscriptions that appear only in Okada/Joshi/Nou's TAJ MAHAL.

What makes the two books so dramatically different is that 3/4ths of this one is devoted to showing readers the Taj Mahal complex via Nou's stunning photographs, all of which are in color. There are, for example, 56 of the interior of the mausoleum: 7 are two-page spreads; 40 fill an entire page; many are close-ups that reveal astounding detail. Also given extensive photographic coverage is the exterior of the mausoleum as well as the complex's mosque, guest house and main gate. And showing the magnificence of the entire complex from different perspectives are 4 three-page foldouts.

So many photographs are there in this book, in fact, that as revealing as they are, many begin to have a sameness about them. That the explanations of the architecture/ornamentation are not integrated with the photography may also be a negative for some as may be the absence of any photographs of the related funerary architecture that Joshi discusses. Nevertheless, if you are primarily interested in photographs of the splendors of the Taj Mahal complex as it now appears, you will find none better than Nou's. Before deciding on this book, however, I strongly recommend that you investigate one that merits 10 STARS: Ebba Koch,'s The Complete Taj Mahal, published in 2006. --B. Evans, 4/14/07

This famous monument of love has been a favorite of tourists especially romantics, for many generations now. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to its irresistible charm, beauty and grandeur.

This book, dedicated to the most famous man-made wonder, slowly reveals its glorious detail. Color close-ups of semi-precious stones inlaid in white marble, intricate carvings, decorative patterns, and calligraphy enchant the readers. These artistically taken pictures draw the reader's attention to detail that a regular tourist may have easily missed during visit to the Taj. In fact these pictures are such fine quality and detail as to distract the reader from the well-written text that accompanies them. Every time you pick up this book, you are likely to notice something new, some other fine detail that you missed the last time. We, at Recipedelights.com, think this book is a must-see-and-must-read for designers, artists, armchair tourists, tourists planning to visit Taj and even those who have already visited it.

Following my recent visit to India I purched the book Taj Mahal as a permanent reminder of this magnificent building. The photographs in the book are of a very high standard and have been taken when there is an absence of visitors - a level the average sightseer can never achieve. The special lighting and techniques used for the internal photography makes you feel as though you are actually there. Added to this there is a very informative narrative on the history of and how the Taj Mahal was built. It is certainly a wonderful memento and am sure it will whet the appetite of future visitors.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most spectacularly beautiful buildings in the world, saying it's breathtaking does not do it justice. Not only is it gorgeous but it has one of the great romantic stories tied into its creation. This book does a wonderful job of giving the reader a real feel for this singular structure. The images are vivid and stunning and the scholarly text is highly informative. The intracate detail and exquisite craftmanship in this building are unparalleled. This sublime garden tomb is truly a wonder. If you have any interst in the Taj Mahal or just apprecate beautiful books then I cannot imagine you not loving this book, oh and be forwarned that after taking in this great book you will want to hop a plane to India.

Namaste (Hindu Hi)

this is the best book I have seen on the History of Taj Mahal, if you can't go to India to see the Taj Mahal buy this book this is excellent book, it will give you a very detailed photography of Taj Mahal, the photographer has done excellent work. I give it 5 stars & highly reccomend it.

This is a well-written narrative that doesn't go far enough. In particular, there's a very untold story about Hispanics in the suburbs that one documentary (Farmingville) brought to light at its worst -- and that was only touched upon in this book...the clash of race and class is being played out in the suburbs and Jose's brief stint in Porchester felt like an aside. That said, this book is moving, well-written, and compassionate, particularly the road trip to Mexico...a terrific story in itself. CBock

Thompson writes a fact filled account of the life of his friend Enrique, a Mexican immigrant living in Brooklyn, and the people around him. The author meets Enrique as a tenant struggling with housing issues. Later in the book Thompson travels to Mexico with Enrique and members of his family. The many experiences are described with conversations and impressions but little editorializing by the author. And that is not needed because the stories speak for themselves. This book fills an incredible gap.

Thompson's book goes where few others have gone before; inside the lives of undocumented workers from New York to Mexico. It's a human story of family, survival, and love. This book should give pause to anyone who tries to argue that undocumented workers do not bring value to our country. Thompson writes clearly and allows those he meets to speak for themselves, something that is too rare in our public debate about immigration.

The truth about Mexican immigration

Gabriel Thompson hits the heart of immigration problem. People tend to oppose to migration blindly without analyzing the factors that propel all these poor people to work outside of their homeland, being humiliated, underpaid, and overworked for a few dollars. Also all these "Minuteman" and other racists would not do the work that a Mexican does; yet they want to throw out the people who give this country their work so that those racists could live in the land of plenty. People that oppose this migration are also the descendants of other immigrants that came to this country for the same reasons as these new migrants. Mexican migrants and all migrants in general are the backbone of our industry and our economy, we should be thankful that there are people like these poor Mexicans and migrants from other countries that do so much work in exchange of very little. I'm grateful that amid this sea of racism and ignorance there are a few people like Gabriel Thompson that expose the truth as it is.

The best work of non-fiction narrative I have read in years. It reminds me of Jimmy Breslin's down-to-earth journalistic style. Sorry Lou Dobbs, there is no political spin here; you can get this book for your racist uncle or for your socialist aunt because this book speaks to the heart and helps you realize that Enrique could have been either an Irish, Norwegian, or German immigrant in a different time and a different place. Still, Enrique's journey is fascinating and knowing that people of his stature still come to our shores makes me feel optimistic about the future of this country.

Usagi Yojimbo is the kind of quality work that transcends time, genres, demographics, and even age groups. It crafts a delicate and beautiful balance between honor and savagery, cute innocence and dark brutality, simple heart-warming stories and multi-part epics that shape a dense continuity. Whether or not you've ever been a fan of feudal Japanese culture, furry anthro characters, or independent, non-superhero comics, Usagi Yojimbo is a comic that can't help but impress even the harshest critic.

"The Wanderer's Road" (volume 3 of the series), is really where so much of this title's charm first begins to shine. We begin with "The Tower," a truly touching story in which Usagi risks everything to save the life of an innocent creature, gaining an unforgettable traveling companion in the process. In contrast, "A Mother's Love" was the first of many Usagi stories to paint a tragedy so rich that it brought me to tears. This is quickly surpassed by "Return of the Blind Swordspig," a story which not only brings back a fantastic character (you'll want to go back and consult volume 1 for the genesis of this conflict), but also concludes with an incredibly touching resolution. "Blade of the Gods" introduces "Jei," Usagi's greatest and most disturbing nemesis in a story that isn't easily forgotten. Finally, the Tea Cup is a fun and intriguing Usagi & Gen team-up (Gen also first appears in volume 1), and The Shogun's Gift brings back Lady Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki while also resurrecting and developing the threat of the Neko Ninja Clan.

All in all, Volume 3 brings back many early characters to help build and expand upon Usagi's world, all while painting rich, memorable stories that will pull on the heart strings as easily as they pump your adrenaline. This is the first of many times that Sakai really seems to outdo himself, taking his work to a whole new level of art and storytelling. Don't miss it!

I'll keep this one simple, folks; READ THIS BOOK! READ ALL OF THEM!
Stan Sakai is a genius, pure and simple. The art is great, the characters compelling, and the action bloody and so hard-core a certain berserker mutant would stand back in awe. This is NOT a fuzzy animal book; there just happen to be mostly non-human people in it.

Once again, Stan Sakai delivers a mix of touching and funny adventures. With Spot, Gen and others all getting to share some page time, readers won't be disappointed. In this volume, Mr. Sakai continues to flesh out the characters and establish their personalities. His art, too, improves with every stroke.

In this collection we are introduced to Spot (the pet lizard), Jei (demon samurai), and Shingen (leader of the Neko Ninjas). We are also treated to the first meeting between Leonardo (of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Miayamoto Usagi.

Chapter One:
A lizard is chased up a tower by a cruel cook. Usagi climbs the tower to save the creature. He ends up naming him Spot and adopting him as a pet.

Chapter Two:
Usagi and Spot meet an old woman on their travels. After accompanying her back to her village it is revealed that her son is an evil money lender who rules the town with an iron fist. Usagi is shocked after the old woman asks him to kill her son.

Chapter Three:
Usagi vs. Ino 2

Chapter Four:
Usagi gets stuck in a storm. He shares a hut with a samurai who wields a black blade named Jei. The two end up in a duel with a shocking ending.

Chapter Five:
Usagi meets up once again with Gen. This time the pair set out to deliver a valuable tea cup to it's rightful owner...for a price of course.

Chapter Six:
Lord Noriyuki has had a sword specially crafted for the Shogun. A ninja named Shingen steals the blade but runs into Usagi along the way. After a series of mind games Usagi returns the blade to Noriyuki.

Bonus (not affiliated with a storyline):
Leonardo (TMNT) somehow ends up in Feudal Japan. He ends up in a battle against a horde of Samurai. At the same time Miyamoto Usagi runs into a horde of Ninjas. After dispatching the hordes Usagi and Leonardo mistake each other for enemies and prepare to do battle.

Like almost every Usagi novel this one is great for the whole family. I strongly recommend this for any Miyamoto fans or to anyone looking for a fun quick read.

(Note: The photo on amazon shows the cover of "Book 2: Samurai" but don't worry...This is indeed "Book 3: Wanderer's Road.")

I know that saying a book is good for all ages is something of a cliche, but I can't think of another book for which it is more true. In my family, we all fight over who gets to read the new Usagi first, from the children who are enjoying the bunnies to the adults enjoying the culture, stories and characterizations. This is an amazing series.

WAR TORN is a brilliant and riveting collection of essays by the handful of smart and courageous women who actually went to the battlefields in Asia to report on the Vietnamese War. For everyone who served in the war or had loved ones who did, for those of us who lived through these events at home, and for younger readers who have no sense of this history, this compelling book reveals these critical years from a perspective most of us never knew existed. The stories of these nine brave women will capture your minds and break your heart a bit. A thorougly uplifting and informative book with stories you've never heard before.

A unique insight to the ravages of the wars of the mid 20th century from the viewpointss of a group of female corrrespondents who had to claw their way through the jungles
of the eastern asia and the media industry to get their views
across....highly recommended to gain an added persective of a
turbulant time in world history

I don't know much about Vietnam, but I was drawn to the book by the sad and thoughtful face on the cover. My highest praise to these women. They brought the Vietnam war alive to someone who was not even born at its conclusion. The stories are beautiful, sad, funny and touching. My thanks to the authors for putting such a wonderful piece of writing and important part of history down on paper.

The stories in War Torn are riveting and capture the will and determination of women journalists to have equal access to cover the war. But they also bring Saigon and Vietnam in the 60s and 70 alive to anyone too young to remember. I applaud these women for making the Vietnam war accessible to a generation who grew up after the war.
War Torn leave the reader happy and sad but thoroughly enchanted. For anyone who is a history buff, a traveler planning to visit Vietnam or simply a lover of great tales, I highly recommend this book.

" Having been born in the early forties, Vietnam was MY war. Unlike the women of WAR TORN, I busied myself with raising a family in the good, old, safe & sound USA. I cannot say enough about the impact this book had on me. These selfless, courageous, determined correspondents took me on a tour of a Vietnam that I never knew existed. Reading WAR TORN was truly an educational, eye-opening experience for me. They way these women express their adventures, insights, and emotions is absolutely glorious. This is a must read for people of all ages."

This is a great childrens book for reading level 4th grade and up. It has a boy as the central character and you will cry at the ending! My fourth grade class loved the characters and all of the facts they learned about Vietnam.

The author is the young child in this story. He described his relationship with two of the family buffaloes. One water buffalo name was Water Jug. The other buffalo's name was Tank. Water Jug died of old age. After Water Jug died Ngoung[the young child in the story]and his fater went looking for buffalo. The found a great young bull. Ngoung and the buffalo played alot. One day a war spread over their country. A bullet hit Tank and one hour after the war Tank died.

This is my favorite book that I've ever read because I like how the author describes his life. I read this book because it was a Bluebonnet book at my school. I never knew that I would like it this much. I just picked it out, and started to read it at the library. My favorite part was when Tank(the waterbuffalo) fights the herd's leader (Hurricane) and wins. I think you should read this book because it tells about a boy's life in Vietnam.

I borrowed this book from our local library, thinking it was just any other book. When I read the book, I enjoyed reading the adventures. Later on, I was surprised to discover that all the adventures were true. People could learn a lot from this book, not only about where the author lives but lessons in life, as well. After I returned the book, I decided to read it again, and this time, I borrowed both of the author's books. I've really enjoyed these books and think that children would benefit from reading these books, too. I hope that the author writes some more books about his memories.

As an elementary school teacher who loves children's literature, I try to read all the Bluebonnet books every year. This was one of the best. I really learned about life in a Vietnamese village from the perspective of a young boy. Even without learning this background, the book is a great story for all children and adults who love animals.

This was a great book. Author kept me interested in all the stories and the book was really heart wrenching when this disaster was seen through the survivors eyes.

This book is a must read for anyone remotely interested in the Asian people and their culture. I was truly humbled by the strength and dignity shown by the families featured in this account of the terrible tragedy. Their resolve should be used as a benchmark in our own everyday lives, it makes our own crisis', and the way we handle them, seem pretty silly and trivial by comparison.

Quite by chance, I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman that employees a Thia aupair just days after finishing this wonderful book. It went out in the mail to him a few days later. I'm sure he will gain some valuable insight upon reading it, and will have a new and better understanding of the person sharing in his own families' culture after reading this wonderful book.

I highly recommend Wave of Destruction. Ready or not, it places you in the midst of the horror.

At least twice, while reading these stories, I flipped to the front of the book looking for the word "novel," or a disclaimer stating that the characters had been compiled in order to tell the story of the many who had suffered. No such words exist. The accounts are real and each person's experiences are more than any human should have to bear. The stories of the waves themselves made me savor every breath. Many of the survivors's minds were shattered making me want to reach out and pull them to safety, something that is impossible, even today.

After the physical horror had slowed, greed and corruption allowed people with varying degrees of power to profit from (and, arguably, even enjoy) the tragedy of others. How can they look in a mirror? How can they sleep at night? In contrast, the survivors choose to exhibit a level of grace for which there are no words.

This book is a must read for all. The book not only sheds light on the worlds deadliest tsunami, but takes you through the hardships of what life was like before the wave struck--perhaps even more interesting than the tsunami itself. It is a jaw dropping tale of tragedy yet strength. I couldnt put the book down, and when I finished I was left in a shocked state of ah. The author tells the story with passion, keeping the reader locked in until the very end. This tragic true story reminds us all just how much the human spirit can endure...

There are not many books that can bring me to tears, but this one did it. The lives of the people in the book are as amazing as they are sad. It reminded me just how strong some people can be. And just how evil others can be. In the middle of the worst natural disater in history people were actually praying on those who had just lost everything. I spent some time in Thailand years ago, but I only went to the tourist places. After reading this book I know I am going back. I have a totally different outlook on the country and the people now. I think sometimes when we go to foreign countries and do the whole tourist thing we miss out on the beauty. This book has shown me what is beautiful about Thailand--it's people. I think this book will open a lot of eyes.

Phil Karber is my Dad's first cousin. Trust me, the sarcastic humor runs in the family. I have not read my cousin's book yet, but I have no doubt that it is wonderful. Phil is a great guy to be around, and he could write a dozen books about his life. I would love to read about his childhood also.

While visiting family members in Arkansas over Easter weekend, I happened to read a review for the book Yak Pizza to Go by Arkansas native Phil Karber. The excerpts from the book in the review left me craving more and as soon as it came out, I purchased a copy. I was not disappointed. As an avid traveler (I believe I may have run into Karber while visiting Sapa, Vietnam), this book is incredibly interesting and entertaining. Unlike most travel books that only tell you where to eat, sleep, and drink, Yak Pizza To Go provides the reader with this information along with a capsule summary of the history and culture of the regions that Karber has visited. From the bia hoas of Hanoi, Vietnam to meeting fellow Arkansan Hillary Clinton at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Karber's informative and at times sarcastic stories along with vivid and accurate descriptions of these places flooded me with memories of my own journeys and a longing to visit others. This book is a must read for anyone who is serious about traveling and getting the most out of their experiences to foreign lands.

i am unable to leave the usa due to physical problems. this book takes me places in my imagination that i never thought i would go. the writing is crisp with a dry humor. the author lives his life as he says in the book, a roaming vagabond, tied to the countries his wife is assigned to. with her job they spend all their time all over. i just wish i had been able to accompany him on some of these travels. i am only 2/3 through the bbook, it is very long. i just wish it had another 500 pages to anticipate when i go to bed at night which is when i do most of my reading. in short, a fascinating book from a new author. i hope he has another book in his future.

I've just finished Yak Pizza--and how much I was transported from Fort Smith, AR to places I've only dreamed or heard of. Each day I looked forward to that time after dinner when I could grab Yak Pizza, get off by myself, and take trip after trip.

Phil Karber did a remarkable job here, finding the right distance from his subject matter--at times letting places and experiences speak for themselves and at just the right times giving such keen insights from observation and analysis.

There were such poignant moments and then humor and then righteous indignation and then such a knowledge of the background history of environment, economics, political/social structure. . .and gadzooks what a vocabulary.

I wrote a haiku over my impressions the night I finished the book and had such bittersweet emotions on finishing it--here tis Brushed bamboo, twisted thickets of morass. Leeches hold time in their craw.

Warning: This travel guide is not designed for the "accidental tourist," the person who travels to foreign lands hoping only to recreate a faraway, expensive version of his homeland. This book is for anyone who wants to travel not only for pleasure, but also for knowledge. With humor and incredible insight, Phil Karber writes of his adventures in the lands he has visited, lands that most of us will only see on National Geo specials. Karber immerses himself in each culture, learning as much as he can about the history, philosophy, people, and customs of each country that he visits. After reading this book, the reader will feel as if he, too, has visited each place Karber describes. This book is a must-have for anyone who plans to travel to these exotic locales, but it is also a delightful way for those of us who lack the courage, time, or funds to travel to experience places that may no longer exist in a few year's time.