Review:This book gave me a different perspective of the Russian people, not necessarily a better one; however a different one. I found they have a fervent love for their country, a deep-seated respect for Stalin and, in my opinion, a strong respect for military action. Stalin-ism killed many of their family, friends and co-harts, imprisoned them, maimed many, destroyed their health, starved them and yet many still wish for his promises, regardless of their cost.
I enjoyed the book from cover to cov... Read more

Review:Of interest, but shame on me for not realizing what the book is when I ordered it. From listening to the first hour or so, it is an eery telling of the Dear Leader's life from a first-person/propagandist's point of view. Again, shame on me, but I bought it expecting a factual report on life in the People's "Republic" of North Korea.
Why'd I give it four starts? Because it's well done; this review is just a warning to be sure you know what you're buying. Read more

Review:A well written book with facts and opinions explained in context of situation. This book made me re-think of a lot of ideas I earlier has about Gandhi. Though, I do not agree with many of his experiments, he does make one believe that his motive after every one of them was finding the truth of things. The universality of compassion towards all beings is infectious. Read more

Review:Barbara Tuchman examines the history of Sino-American relations in the 20th Century through the life of the highly gifted soldier, Joseph Stilwell. Through his Army career, we see him intertwined with China and her struggles through the first five decades of this century. We follow Stilwell as he meets an exceptional number of Chinese leaders of all political persuasions and developes an intimate knowledge of China. Flown to China after the start of World War II, General Stilwell is face... Read more

Review:America's Test Kitchen publishes probably the best complete cookbook ever created. American's Test Kitchen thoroughly tests, retests, updates, and improves every recipe before it is published in their cookbook. As a matter of fact, every recipe I have ever tried in this cookbook over the past three years has turned out perfect. Love this book! Read more

Review:I hesitated before buying this book because, after all, how much can be written about a specific subject? I was wrong. The author set out to present the subject in a different light, much more personal than the usual spy stories. He was totally successful in my estimation. There are many interesting details about all the main characters that I had not read before. In sum, he author makes Philby even more of a villain than I thought. Read more

Review:I picked this book up with much anticipation after having seen the HBO series "The Pacific", but I really wish I had looked into this account of his life before I bothered, as it was not what I was expecting at all, and let me down from an historical standpoint.

I found it rather off-putting, and a huge breach of historical accuracy that a book could be written posthumously, in first person, by someone who had no first-hand contact with the subject. It compromises the integrity of the bo... Read more

Review:This is PFC Eugene Sledge's other book. "WITH THE OLD BREED AT PELLEAU AND OKINAWAY" was Gene Sledge's masterpiece that told the story of his combat in WWII. READ IT!! This was the story of occupation duty in North China after the end of WWII and his return to Alabama after the war. After watching THE PACIFIC miniseries on DVD, I wanted more depth of knowledge. Told from the rear ranks, this Old Marine Sergeant thoroughly enjoyed the story of the North China Marines, post WWII. Read more

Review:This is a clear, lucid explanation of the history of the Muslim world and the current cross currents that help to make that world a place of danger and conflict. These currents include doctrinal schism, ethnic and tribal rivalry, national identities (and the lack thereof), personal rivalries, the conflict between modernist and fundamental conservative outlooks, economic power and numerous other factors. The author does a wonderful job of showing how the world and its history looks quite differen... Read more

Review:Packed with interest, intrigue, sensitivity, cruel history.....goodness, I couldn't put down those 600 pages for all of a week until I reached
the very last sentence. I highly recommend this book for it brought out so many historical figures long forgotten but so much a part of our
lifetime. I loved it! Read more