Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood (Bone Black)

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bell hooks, who teaches English at New York's City College, is well-known as an abrasive, take-no-prisoners feminist cultural critic. In this moving memoir of her childhood she explains the roots of her forceful and rigorous attitude to life and literature. She grew up in a poor Southern black family, an heir to poverty and racism, surrounded by people too wrapped up in their own struggles to offer much help to her. She writes here of her mother's suffering in an abusive marriage, of her siblings' rejection of her for being "different," of her own painful discovery of sexuality, and of how she found escape through books.

Book Description

Stitching together girlhood memories with the finest threads of innocence, feminist intellectual bell hooks presents a powerfully intimate account of growing up in the South. A memoir of ideas and perceptions, Bone Black shows the unfolding of female creativity and one strong-spirited child's journey toward becoming a writer. She learns early on the roles women and men play in society, as well as the emotional vulnerability of children. She sheds new light on a society that beholds the joys of marriage for men and condemns anything more than silence for women. In this world, too, black is a woman's color-worn when earned-daughters and daddies are strangers under the same roof, and crying children are often given something to cry about. hooks finds good company in solitude, good company in books. She also discovers, in the motionless body of misunderstanding, that writing is her most vital breath.

Customer Reviews:

Memories with imagination and maturity.......2007-05-23

bell hooks is known for her many books on the politics of art and culture. This addition is more about the processing of becoming a mature thoughtful writer. Her road was a painful one but all that she experienced fortified her work process and personality. There is some beautiful visual writing and depth in bell hooks' bone black.

GREAT BOOK, GREAT AUTHOR.......2002-10-24

This book is especially for intelligent black females, but is for all who want to understand the pains of growing up being a poor black female.

you know her work, now get to know the author.......2001-01-28

I couldn't stop turning the pages of this brutally honest tale of a black, southern, woman who grows up knowing that she is diffrent. And therefore, her life will be diffrent.

This little book gives an intimate look, at the writer some say is the most prolific writer on race, gender and class. hooks, uses words extremely cautiously whick makes this piece on you simply can't put down.

Eat this book!

you know her work, now get to know the author.......2001-01-28

I couldn't stop turning the pages of this brutally honest tale of a black, southern, woman who grows up knowing that she is different. And therefore, her life will be different.

...

A prose experiment that suceeds in providing insight.......2000-08-03

At first, I found the uniformly sized (3-page) chunks of invoking with stripped-down sentences in bell hook's Bone Black: Memories of Girlhood somewhat affectless and very structurally arbitrary. Hemingway sprang to mind, but then I thought of Stein's syntax (and the role she claimed in forming Hemingway's style). Hooks's repetitions are more subtle, and perhaps her prose is, too, because eventually I found it compelling. The pain of being different while young and vulnerable came through the chilly prose.

What she describes of female complicity in male privilege is particularly frightening and compelling. She experienced little female solidarity, being rejected by her five sisters and never able to please her mother (who agreed with her father that her spirit needed to be broken).

Book Description

This book examines the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan, and analyzes its connections to Pakistan Army's policies and the fluctuating U.S.-Pakistan relations. It includes profiles of leading Pakistani Jihadi groups with details of their origins, development, and capabilities based on interviews with Pakistani intelligence officials, and operators of the militant groups. The book contains new historical materials on Operation Gibraltar (1965 War with India), conspiracy behind General Zia-ul-Haq's plane crash in 1988, a botched military coup by fundamentalists in army in 1993-4 and lastly about how General Musharraf handled the volatile situation after the 9/11 attacks. Besides General Musharraf's detailed profile, the book evaluates the India-Pakistan relations vis-à-vis the Kashmir conflict, and Dr. A Q Khan's nuclear proliferation crisis. The book offers predictions for Pakistan's domestic and regional prospects.

Customer Reviews:

Very good book.......2006-03-04

Hassan Abbas has written this book in a interesting way such that it is fun to read. However, the intended audience of this book is mostly the American scholars/students as they will find this book somewhat along the lines of what they hear on TV but not too radical, however there are other realities which are not mentioned in this book which are extremely important. It does provide a good picture of politics in Pakistan but not the complete picture.

The book describes very clearly the threats, killings, rapes, abductions and lawless politicians but one finds no mention of the police. Army is shown as the interferer in every aspect of government. The real question is where is the law enforcement agency known as Police.
Hassan Abbas should write his next book on this subject and reader will realize what lead Pakistan to this point. As a Pakistani I can tell you that Pakistani police is one of the most corrupt and dangerous dept in the world. Simply put, if you need to have someone murdered, you contact the police and they'll do it for you, of course for a price. The Pakistani police is not only involved in corruption, but also other crimes such as smuggling of arms and ammunitions, narcotics, torture & rape cells, cover ups, kidnapping , you name the crime and Pakistani police is the leader in it. And most important of all the crimes against women are so common because the criminal can easily pay the police and get away.

I'd love to blame the army but its not army's job to enforce local law and order. Although a lot of blame goes to the army and the mullahs but the Pakistani police had an equal if not bigger hand in the plunder of the country and were the biggest protectors and collaborators of the local mullah's.

I would highly recommend this book.

Very relevant to what's happening today in South Asia/Pakistan.......2006-02-18

Very intriguing and bold work - exposes how religious bigots and fundamentalists have entrenched themselves in Pakistan. It doesn't spare anyone - Pakistan army and its intelligence, American foreign policy blunders, Indian intransigence and failure of Pakistan's political elite - a very balanced treatment. I read the book as a required text for a course on South Asia and conflict resolution and its best part is that its written in a story like fashion, so its actually fun to read the book.

Informative but slightly tilted.......2006-02-05

This novel is basically written as two different nonfictional thrillers in one. The first is the historical upbringing of a young nation and the events that led to the aggressions between Pakistan and India. In my opinion this part of the book is nicely written and is more of a historical outline rather than an opinionated article, even though the authors do put some witty comments explaining these past events. The second part of the novel is a little more opinionated, explaining the current drift of Pakistan with religious factors involved. This part of the book seems a bit one sided and doesn't put all the perspectives on the table. I have lived in Pakistan and the religious extremism is defiantly does not represent the majority of the country. This is a good reference book to read in order to understand the current situation with Pakistan and the American so called War on Terrorism but is defiantly not the only source on should use to understand such a deep topic.

Analyze Yourself.......2005-09-11

Surprise, Surprise: " Lal Krishna Advani, apologises for the destruction of the Babri mosque during a visit to Pakistan; Gohar Ayub Khan, son of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, pinches some of the headlines with the titillating claim that an Indian brigadier sold India's 1965 war plans.Who is this top spy? Mr Khan refuses to reveal the identity but strews the path with teasing hints. The spy is still alive." says MJ AKBAR, Editor, The Asian Age.

If you've found Mj's Byline (Surprise,Surprise)Interesting read on the facts of three surprises in the war of 1965, here is a book on Kashmir by MJ Akbar that you will find an interesting read on Kashmir History.

But, 'Here is an engaging book on terrorism's largest growing market:Pakistan'This books comes from Hassan Abbas, a Harvard fellow and former officer in President Pervez Musharraf's anti-corruption police force. He is also a PhD. candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. The book is rated at Amazon and stand Top 100 at Barnes and Nobles. Abbas examines the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan and analyzes its connections to Pakistan Army's policies and the fluctuating US-Pakistan relations. It includes profiles of leading Pakistani Jihadi groups and gives details of the conspiracy behind General Zia-ul-Haq's plane crash in 1988, a botched military coup by fundamentalists in army in 1993-94 and lastly about how General Musharraf handled the volatile situation after the 9/11 attacks.

Hassan Abbas exposes failure of 'Operation Gibraltor' and is a pure historical narrative about India and Pakistan. He has analyzed crisis in terms of capabilities of terrorist groups, impact of Musharraf's bold decisions to reform and policy prescriptions about how a constructive change is possible.
For those interested in India-Pak issue and Muslim states and society, the book is an additional read to MJ Akbar's books and bylines and derive to the factual understanding and knowing the History - the crosscurrents of history sweeping through the larger stage!

Intriguing and courageous.......2005-07-06

If you have to read just one book on Pakistan, this is it. Extremely well written and powerful - I have been teaching South Asian history for a decade but haven't come across a book on the country that is so clear in its perspective, so bold and most importantly written by someone who is not only a scholar but one who witnessed the scene firsthand. Its certainly a important contribution to the field.
I have just one suggestion and one criticism for the writer - he could have given more detailed profiles of the Islamic parties that Pakistan inherited in 1947. Secondly, the book requires a chronology of important political events of Pakistan for the Western readers. But despite these limitations, the book is head and shoulders above other contemporary works on the subject.

Afghan Wars: And the North-West Frontier 1839-1947

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Afghan Wars: And the North-West Frontier 1839-1947
Michael Barthorp
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Afghanistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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General | World | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0304362948

Book Description

It was the most fought after frontier ever, immortalized in poetry by Kipling: from the 1830s to Indian independence in 1947, British forces engaged in almost-constant battle with the most implacable guerrillas in history. The Afghan mountain tribes were fiercely independent, and for years plundered the north Indian plain...until the English arrived. Then, in a strange war, the British alternated between paying the Afghans subsidies to quell their raiding and launching punitive military expeditions. Nonetheless, a grudging respect for the enemy and a concern to stick by unwritten codes of conduct governed this hundred-years war. From The Lives of a Bengal Lancer to Carry On Up the Khyber, these confrontations have been a rich source of inspiration for novelists and filmmakers-and here the true story is told in a unique and vivid style.

A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections

Average customer rating:

Propoganda
Enjoyable read
other's reviews
Stupid topic stupid book
Poorly done work

A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections
Brian Cloughley
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0195473345

Book Description

This is an in-depth study of the Pakistan Army. The author describes Pakistan's violent internal politics and erratic international relations in the context of military involvement, with the deep knowledge gained through long association with the country and its armed forces. The most important aspect of this new edition is the chapter which covers the army coup of 1999. There is analysis of the political aspects of the post-coup years, and examination of the army's budget, procurement, capabilities and deployment in support of the US "War on Terror", notably its campaign in Waziristan in 2004-2005.

Customer Reviews:

Propoganda.......2007-06-28

Brian Cloughley falls into that category of "experts" who happily serve as mouthpieces for the Pakistan Army. He is neither an expert on South Asia, nor a scholar, and his book is not an objective attempt to examine the Pakistan Army.

Given his own history, and the volume of his editorials in Pakistani newspapers, where he has ever shown himself ready to defend Pakistan and its Army against any and all criticism, as well as promote the Army's opinion that its control of Pakistan is superior to any rule by politicians or mere "civilians", the contents of his books should be examined from the perspective that this is how the Pakistan Army views itself and would like others to see it.

For a much better, but still sympathetic treatment, of the Pakistan Army look to Pakistan Army.

Enjoyable read.......2004-04-18

Nice. Very nice. Its fun to read a book that describes at close quarters one of the finest armies of the world. It sounds a bit condescending towards the polticians, but anyways, that's not its main focus. It does justice to its subject and is very accurate, less some minor fallacies....

other's reviews.......2003-02-14

The 2 reviews with a severely critical but uninformed view of this book are blatantly obvious in their indian propagandist approach. The persons who have written them have not even read the said book.

Stupid topic stupid book.......2002-08-05

I don't understand why anyone would want to write a book on a rogue army that has always suffered defeat,humiliation and abused human rights.The pakistan army murdered 3 million innocent bangladeshis in 1971 in the worst genocide of the 21st century.The pakistan army is one of the most poorly trained and undisciplined armies in the world.Rapes and murders are a plenty.

The army brings shame to pakistan.

Poorly done work.......2001-05-13

A very boring and irritating analysis of one of the world's most poorly trained and un-professional armies.Up there in the list of armies who can get the job done are the United states,UK,India etc Unfortunately the Pakistan army needed to do a genocide against the poor Bangaldeshis(3 million is not something to be ignored) to get some attention but that only resulted in their doom at the hands of the Indian army.The positive proof that the pakistan army is one of the world's worst is their employment of Mujahideen who are in fact,better trained and motivated.This book can mislead people as well as force the average pakistani to turn his view towards the military instead of concentrating on food,education,employment etc.It's about time the pakistanis forget about their failed military and take up other duties for their own welfare.

An Army, Its Role and Rule: A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil, 1947-1999

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Highly Recommended

An Army, Its Role and Rule: A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil, 1947-1999
Muhammad Ayub
Manufacturer: RoseDog Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0805995943

Book Description

A native of Gujranwala, Pakistan, Muhammad Ayub studied in Islamia college and Government college in his native city. As a student, he was appointed as Battalion Commander, National Cadet Corps and was awarded the Best NCC Award in 1977. In 1980, he joined the University of the Punjab, Lahore, earning his master's degree in 1984. That same year he joined the Civil Service and worked for the department of education, but he resigned after serving only five months. The last duty he performed as a government official was to serve as presiding officer during the general elections of 1985. An Army, Its Role and Rule is Muhammad Ayub's third book. The other two were published in Pakistan in 1985 and 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Highly Recommended .......2007-01-21

This is a wonderful and informative book on the history of the Pakistan Army. It offers full details of the indo-pakistan conflict and war over kashmir, the creation of bangladesh,the afghan jihad, the british american and russian roles, and tells it in such detail never written or told before.

The Army in India and the Development of Frontier Warfare, 1849-1947 (Studies in Military & Strategic History)

Average customer rating:

Lessons for the war in Afghanistan
Solid
New Study of the Indian Army

The Army in India and the Development of Frontier Warfare, 1849-1947 (Studies in Military & Strategic History)
Timothy Robert Moreman
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 031221703X

Book Description

For generations of British and Indian Officers and men, the North-West Frontier was the scene of repeated skirmishes and major campaigns against the trans-border Pathan tribes who inhabited the mountainous no-man's land between India and Afghanistan. This scholarly study explains how units of the Army in India adapted to particular requirements of this distinctive form of colonial warfare which represented an enduring military problem for these guardians of the Raj. Frontier fighting during the nineteenth century prompted the development of a unique doctrine for operations in mountainous terrain against an irregular tribal opponent. This book traces how these specialized principles and minor tactics were refined and passed on to later generations of soldiers between 1849 and 1947 as a written doctrine and system of training.

Customer Reviews:

Lessons for the war in Afghanistan.......2001-10-14

This is a must-read book for US servicemen given the coming conflict in Afghanistan that provides important information about our likely Afghan opponents and the lessons learnt over the decades by the Brits. The lessons learnt then have relevance still today and the book should appear on officer and NCO required reading lists.

Solid.......2001-07-12

This book has provided me with a good solid overview and a list of further resource material.

New Study of the Indian Army.......2000-05-17

This is an informative, well-written and impressively researched account of how British and Indian units fought on the North-West Frontier of India for nearly a 100 years. Fighting against the Pathan tribes became almost a way of life for imperial troops during repeated skirmishes and major campaigns in the period covered by the book. It effectively combines detailed and lively accounts of important battles with analysis of how the military prepared itself for this very specialised form of unconventional warfare.

Customer Reviews:

North-West Frontier well explained........2004-03-08

Michael Barthorp's book on one of the most turbulent areas of the British Empire has been reissued in a very welcome and well produced volume.

There is ample detail on the Pathans, or Pushtuns as they are more normally now called, the actual inhabitants of this rugged area. The main tribal groupings and their principal tendencies are neatly summarised together with a clear mapping of the area. Illustrations, all contemporary, indicate the look of the areas in which actions were fought: by no means were all arid scrub! The political dimensions of the struggles book are deftly assessed with each of the major wars receiving a clear narrative account. It would have been appreciated for there to have been maps of individual actions, though the list of engagements suggests the inhibiting cost of such a provision.

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive study of one of the Third World's most important armies. Professor Stephen P. Cohen has updated this well-known work for the fiftieth anniversary of independence.

Customer Reviews:

An informative chronicle of the psyche of Pakistan Army.......1999-10-12

The author has really exhibited a knack of thoroughly analysing the psyche of a third world,s most important Armies, which is truly concerned not only with the external security of the country but is also vigilant of the internal foes, threatening not only the solidarity of the country but also posing a menace to it's (Army's) own position in the country.Author has shown a remarkable insight in to the subconcious thought process of the Army ,it's transformation brought about by the subsequent wars of 47,65 and finally the debacle of 71. The propensity of the national political leaders for leaning on this institution once in the quagmire of trouble, and the physical and mental approach of the Army towards the political and stratigical challenges posed by the external and enternal foes alike.

North-West Frontier 1837-1947 (Men at Arms Series, 72)

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North-West Frontier 1837-1947 (Men at Arms Series, 72)
Robert Wilkinson-Latham
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

South Asia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0850452759
Release Date: 1977-12-25

Book Description

For over a hundred years British and Indian troops were engaged on the North-West Frontier of India policing the tribes, mounting expeditions, and guarding against the ever-present threat from Russia. Populated mainly by Pathans, one of the fiercest warrior races on earth, the Frontier came to be known as 'The Grim' by generations of British soldiers. This book details not only the three Afghan wars but also the issues surrounding Chitral, Malakand and Tirah. Colour illustrations and photographs offer a rare glimpse into life on the Frontier, illuminating Lord Curzon's remark, 'No man who has read a page of Indian history will ever prophesy about the frontier'.

21st Century Complete Collection of Library of Congress Country Studies - Army Sponsored Analysis and Description of 101 Countries including Afghanistan, ... North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia

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21st Century Complete Collection of Library of Congress Country Studies - Army Sponsored Analysis and Description of 101 Countries including Afghanistan, ... North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia
U.S. Government
Manufacturer: Progressive Management
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 193182875X

Book Description

This outstanding set of comprehensive reports about 101 important countries by the Library of Congress covers subjects such as country, geography, society, economy, transportation and communications, government and politics, and national security. The impressive Country Profiles are accompanied by extensive Glossary and Bibliography features. Supplemental material accompanying the Country Profiles includes photographs, tables, charts, graphs, and maps.

In its description of these reports, the Library of Congress states: "[These reports were] previously published in hard copy by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Army... the original intent of the Series' sponsor was to focus primarily on lesser known areas of the world or regions in which U.S. forces might be deployed. Notable omissions include Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and other Western nations, as well as a number of African nations. The Country Studies Series presents a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world and examines the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity. Information contained in the Country Studies On-Line is not copyrighted and thus is available for free and unrestricted use by researchers."

Representative subheadings for Geography include Physical Environment, Topography, Climate, and Environmental Issues; subheadings for Society sections include Historical Setting, specific Historical periods, Society and its Environment, Geography, Population, Language, Structure of Society, Ethnic Groups, Religion and Culture, Rural Life, Migration, Urban Life, Architecture, The Arts, Education, and Social Dynamics; and subheadings for Economy sections include Growth and Structure, Role of Government, Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure, and Foreign Economic Relations. Representative subheadings for Government and Politics sections include Constitutional Background, Government Institutions, Political Dynamics, Interest Groups, Parties, Mass Communications, Human Rights, and Foreign Relations. Subheadings for National Security include Military Role in Society, Armed Forces, Military Education, Training, and Rules of Conduct, Security Forces, Foreign Military Influence and Assistance, Threats to Internal Security, and Crime and Punishment.

Please see the Table of Contents tab for a full list of the countries included in these studies.

Book Description

An autobiography of a Lieutenant General of the Pakistan Army whose military career began before the partition of the subcontinent. M. Attiqur Rehman was also Governor of Punjab, Martial Law Administrator and Chairman, Public Services Commission.

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