Book Description
To live in a pristine land . . . roam the wilderness . . . build a home. . . . Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. Here is a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.
Customer Reviews:
True to the man.......2007-09-29
Ten years ago I spent a summer volunteering for the National Park Service at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, in Alaska. My remote rangers cabin was located at Twin Lakes. Being on the lower lake, I was about 9 miles from my nearest neighbor- Dick. We spoke daily on our walkie-talkies, checking in about the weather, any visitors, or interesting wildlife viewings. I trekked up his way several times over the summer, and enjoyed a few meals with him. I can't remember if it's in his book, but his favorite sandwich was the "Twin Lakes Special": sourdough flapjaks, raw onion, and honey; don't knock it 'til ya try it! Just like his book, he was a gracious, thoughtful man, a true naturalist. Also the most spry 82-year-old I think I'd ever seen! I was saddened to hear of his death several years ago, and was grateful the NPS kept his cabin as a historical site; it is a cozy place, dark inside, smelling faintly of woodsmoke and 1948 sourdough starter, with wonderful decorative touches throughout. Dick was truly a special person, and this book captures his voice, his no-nonsense manner of talking, as well as his appreciation of the beauty of the natural world, perfectly.
A modern day "Thoreau".......2007-09-16
You cannot visit Alaska without reading this book FIRST! Just the photography alone will make you want to go. I dentify in many ways with Dick as I lived in a cabin in the White Mountains of NH for many years. He didn't intrude on nature...he simply lived in harmony with it. He appeals to all of your senses in his simple but beautifully written words, never mind the pictures. He is definitely portrayed as a "loner" but that is a good thing..for a loner has much higher self esteem and sense of character than those who can't survive in the world without people around them all the time. Dick is a true steward of the land because of his deep, abiding love and connection for this piece of God's Creation. His beautifully chronicled life in Alaska will remind you of Robert Frost's words.."We love the things we love for what they are." Enjoy!
Just as Good the Second Time.......2007-09-12
I was telling my husband about this book as I started reading it. He said, "Don't you remember, we read that many years ago when Alaska Magazine published it"? I knew that Babe, the pilot, seemed familiar. It didn't matter. I was happy to read it a second time which is unusual for me. Oh, how I would have loved to have been able to do what Mr. Proenneke did and to live where he lived. There is nothing dull about this book and I suspect the people who find it dull haven't any interest in living in the wilderness without Blackberries, i-pods, automobiles and restaurants.
Even though most of us who enjoyed the book probably don't begin to have the skills that Richard Proenneke had which made what he did possible (and a pilot friend who delivered for free) I think we all wish we could do what he did. I know I do. I didn't realize that a sequel exists. It costs big bucks, but if it's anything close to as interesting as this book, it's worth it. Maybe I'll find out if the Mission Girls ever showed-up.
Homesteading in Alaska.......2007-08-16
The year was 1968. The setting, the Alaskan bush. The mission, to live simply, deliberately, and self-sufficiently off the land, free of the trappings of contemporary society. The protagonist, clearly not what you might expect given the era. He was not some young, free spirited hippie, luddite, or draft dodger. Rather, he was a skilled hard working machinist/woodsman, who at age 51 decided to permanently leave the rat race behind.
Why this man, Dick Prenacke, suddenly left behind his conventional existence to live in a remote and unforgiving section of Alaska is never fully explored in the book. While snippets do reveal his distain for modernity, it never fully embellishes on what ultimately drove the author to do what few would ever conceive of doing. Perhaps Dick realized that at 51, the physical and physiological fortitude required to make such a transition would soon be out of his reach. More likely however, he foresaw the end of an era. No more than a few years after his departure into the wild, Alaska would enact laws prohibiting trappers and homesteaders from freely trudging off into the woods to live the quintessential "Alaskan experience." Soon Alaska would become like the rest of the lower 48, where people like Dick would be considered trespassers and evicted from any land that they did not rightfully own. Fortunately for the author, the laws were grand fathered in.
While the book is essentially a personal account of Alaskan homesteading, the author episodically weaves social commentary into his writings. He laments a society that is wasteful and superficial. The hunters that come into his Alaska, products of such a society, leave garbage and animal meat behind, unaware that the author cleans up after as well as makes use of their squander.
The author also reveals his anxiety for a society that is increasingly consumed by materialism. He feels that man is entrapped by things that he doesn't need and he seeks to avoid the superfluous at all costs. To the outsider, surviving in the wilds of Alaska would seem to require an extravagant amount of equipment and gear. One can only imagine the bill the average suburbanite would amass at the local REI in preparation for such an endeavor. Yet the author demonstrates just how little is required to not only to survive but also to prosper in such an inhospitable region.
The book closes with some thoughts on technology, and the rapidity of change that comes with it. The author's words are both haunting and prescient as he elaborates on his first year in Alaska and how his experience conflicts greatly with society at large.
inspiring.......2007-07-14
Inspiring book. Diarist was over 50 when he began this journey. Helps me look to the future for myself.
Amazon.com
This is the exciting and highly literate story of the real Lawrence of Arabia, as written by Lawrence himself, who helped unify Arab factions against the occupying Turkish army, circa World War I. Lawrence has a novelist's eye for detail, a poet's command of the language, an adventurer's heart, a soldier's great story, and his memory and intellect are at least as good as all those. Lawrence describes the famous guerrilla raids, and train bombings you know from the movie, but also tells of the Arab people and politics with great penetration. Moreover, he is witty, always aware of the ethical tightrope that the English walked in the Middle East and always willing to include himself in his own withering insight.
Book Description
The monumental work that assured T.E. Lawrence's place in history as "Lawrence of Arabia." Not only a consummate military history, but also a colorful epic and a lyrical exploration of the mind of a great man who helped shape the Middle East as it exists today.
Customer Reviews:
A Unique Masterpiece.......2007-09-25
This is one of the great books of the 20th century. That it could be written at all is almost a miracle in itself. Take a brilliant Oxford student trained in the old classical tradition, place him in the Arabian desert as advisor to the wild Bedouin tribesmen during their revolt against the Turks and have him write with an acute sensitivity and unparalleld insight into what was transpiring before him and you may have some notion of what the book is like.
It's a long book. You will learn a great deal about blowing up a railroad bridge in the desert, about camel rides, thirst, and hunger and the heroism and brutality of war. The portraits of Sheik Auda, Sherrif Ali and Prince Faisal of the two Arab boys who Lawrence takes under his wing are masterpieces in and of themselves. The nobility and savagery of the desert tribesmen contrasted with the cold stoicism of the British and the inculcated cruelty of the Turks are just some of themes addressed during the course of the work. There are brilliant passing insights as to the Semitic inspiration for all the revealed religions and their relation to the desert beautiful descripitions of the terrain the weather and the obstacles encountered. When Lawrence says that from the beginning he believed the Arab revolt would succeed because it grew out of a sympathetic population was opposed by a modern army that could not garrison the territory occupied one wishes that President Bush had read it instead of just seeing the movie. Read it yourself.
The Hejaz War.......2007-06-10
The Hejaz War of 1917 was written by Colonel T.E. Lawrence at the Paris peace talks in 1920 -21. Lawrence understood the Arabs thay did not conquer territory but they brought the Arab tribes together to conquer the Ottoman Turkish Army whom they considered poor soldiers. The Hejaz is the Red Sea coast parallel to the extinct lava fields of the 3,000m high Hejaz mountains. The Hejaz railway, linking Damascus with Medina, was attacked by Lawrence's Hejaz army until the Turks could no longer repair it. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the bible of Guerilla Warfare and should be read by General Petraeus US Armed Forces Commander, Iraq.
The taking of Damascus intact in 1918 by the arab army before General Allenby's allied army at least ensured Sheikh Feisal became King of Iraq. The Sykes -Picot treaty of 1916 ensured the Middle East was divided up by Britain and France directly leading to the present Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Stylistic autobiography with insight.......2007-01-09
Mr. TE Lawrence was not only a gifted tactician/strategist but also a scholar of the highest order. His writing style is rich and descriptive avoiding the dry pitfalls sometimes associated with autobiographies. The story of the Arab revolt from the man who helped shape and guide it is an invaluable resource to have. TE Lawrence's thoughts on irregular/unconventional warfare are insightful and still lessons to be rememembered today. An enjoyable and insightful read- perfect for any military history collection.
Learning the Arab way.......2007-01-05
For me, the complexity of the Middle East seemed unfathomable. By reading this book, carefully, delving into the author's text, I have a better understanding of the people of the Middle East and their many tribes and cultural ways. I also can begin to understand their rivalries and methods of dealing with each other. It is a very complex society that will take the USA years to understand and deal with.
Extraordinary - History and the Man.......2006-11-10
At a critical time, the right man steeped forward (if somewhat indirectly) to encourage an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. This classic war novel is more than the usual, as it reveals a character tortured with self analysis.
Highly recommended.
Book Description
Hank Thompson is living off the map in Mexico with a bagful of cash that the Russian mafia wants back and many, many secrets. So when a Russian backpacker shows up in town asking questions, Hank tries to play it cool. But he knows the jig is up when the backpacker mentions the money . . . and the family Hank left behind. Suddenly Hank’s in a desperate race to get to his parents in California before anyone can harm them. Along the way he’ll face Federales and Border Patrol, mafiosi and vigilantes, extortionists and drug dealers, and a couple of psychotic surf bums with an ax to grind. From the golden beaches of the Yucatán to the seedy strip clubs of Vegas, Charlie Huston opens a door to the squalid underworld of crime and corruption–and invites the reader to live it in the extreme.
Download Description
Part one
December 4–11, 2003
Four Regular Season Games Remaining
I’m sitting on the porch of a bungalow on the Yucatán Peninsula with lit cigarettes sticking out of both my ears.
I like to go swimming in the mornings. When I first came to Mexico I liked to go drinking in the mornings, but after I got over that I took up swimming and I discovered something. I have unusually narrow ear canals. Go figure. I discovered this while I was trying to sober up, paddling around in the lukewarm morning waters, and found that my ears were clogged. I tilted my head from side to side and banged on my skull, trying to dislodge the water, but no luck. I plugged my nose, clamped my mouth shut, and blew until it felt like my brain might pop out of my ass. No good. I crammed Q-tips up my ears, prodding at the blockage. That’s when things got really bad. For a few days I walked around half-deaf, feeling like my entire head was packed with waterlogged cotton. Then I went to a doctor. I have a habit of saving doctors for a last resort.
Dr. Sanchez looked in my ears and informed me of the tragic news: unusually narrow ear canals. The water was trapped deep inside and my irresponsible Q-tip use had sealed it in with earwax. He loaded a syringe the size of a beer can with warm mineral water and injected it into my ears until the pressure dislodged the massive clogs of wax and washed them into the small plastic basins I held just below my ears. He gave me drops. He told me never to stick anything in my ear other than my elbow, and laughed at his own joke. He nodded sagely and told me the solution to my problem was quite simple: When my ears became clogged, I must stick a cigarette into each one and light them. The cigarettes, that is. Then he handed me a pack of Benson & Hedges, told me they were his preferred brand for the task, and charged me a thousand pesos.
So. I am sitting on the porch of a bungalow on the Yucatán Peninsula with lit cigarettes sticking out of both my ears. The cigarettes burn and create a vacuum in my ears, sucking the moisture into the filters. I have a towel draped over each shoulder to catch the hot ash as it falls. I’ve been doing this a couple days a week for years and it always works. Of course, I do now smoke two packs of Benson & Hedges a day, but there’s a downside to everything in life.
The sun has dipped far in the sky behind my back and the reds of the sunset are reflected in the perfect blue sea before me. A soft breeze is caressing my skin and I adjust my sarong so that it can waft higher on my legs. The heat of the cigarettes has become intense. I reach up and pinch them out of my ears, careful not to squeeze so hard that the waxy fluid trapped in the filters leaks out. I dump them into an ashtray near my feet, slip the towels off my shoulders, stand up, and start walking toward the water. The beach is pretty much abandoned. A ways off to my right I can see a small group of local boys covered head to toe in sand, kicking a soccer ball around on their homemade field. In the opposite direction, the silhouette of a pair of lovers kissing. When my feet hit the wet strip of sand near the water’s edge I give my sarong a tug. It falls to the ground, leaving me naked, and I walk down into the gently lapping waves. The beach slopes away so shallowly that I can walk upright in the water for almost fifty yards before it will cover my head. I walk in the water with the sun sinking behind me, hearing the soft slap of the tiny waves quite clearly in my unclogged ears. I’ll probably have to do it all over again when I get out, twisting the cigarettes into my ears, lighting them, and waiting patiently while they burn down, but it will be worth it. I want to take one last swim today. I’m going home tomorrow and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come back here.
Machine guns wake me up in the morning,
Customer Reviews:
Superb continuation of the Hank Thompson series.......2007-09-27
When last we saw Hank In Caught Stealing: A Novel, he was on the run from the Russian gangsters chasing him in a desperate search for $4+ million. Hank ends up in Mexico, and that's where we start this book.
One thing I can definitely say about the entire Hank Thompson trilogy(which ends with A Dangerous Man: A Novel) is that is incredibly violent at the same time that it is humorous. The action here is much as it is in the first book. Hank began the trilogy as a guy who pretty much had a crappy life but who hadn't really actively set out to cause damage to anyone else (although he was involved in an accident where his best friend was killed pretty horrifically); he became a killer extraordinaire. Of course, he became that kind of man because of the loss of people he loved in the course of the first novel, but regardless--he's a killer.
In this novel, the killing continues. Boy, does it continue. Hank's whole life is defined by violence. Violence he does to others. Violence done to him. No one escapes unscathed. It's a miracle that Hank's still standing at the end of this one; by rights, he should be long dead. He's got enough people hunting him down to be on VERY borrowed time.
Strengths of this installment in the trilogy:
1) Hank himself. He's deluded, removed, always one step away from exploding in a frenzy of violence and grief. He loves people (his mom and dad, his partner in a Mexican enterprise) and his cat; he trusts few people and when he feels he's been betrayed, he does explode in lethal ways. It's amazing to me that I can actually like him at the same time that he disgusts me with his violence, with his approach to things.
2) Other characters are equally strong (his friends, his pursuers).
3) The dialogue is witty and very real. Huston has a way of meting out the words that his characters use. Some of those characters speak in fragments, clearly showing the reader the level of frustration/confusion/doubt the character is experiencing. Huston just has a gift for this. Once I got used to the way he crafted his dialogues, I really enjoyed it. It's not for everyone though; I imagine some readers will struggle the first time they get to a dialogue separated only with dashes and not with any immediately-clear indication of who's speaking.
4) The incredibly quick and almost startling action and violence.
For me, there aren't any real weaknesses that don't have to do with the protagonist himself. Hank is flawed, a bit nuts, homicidal (what made him this way isn't much of an excuse, in the end), funny, exasperating, and clearly in need of a few decades worth of therapy.
Read this series; I think you'll really enjoy it.
Hard Core Noir.......2007-09-05
The quotes splashed all over the outside of this novel were dead on. What was missing was any mention of it being the second in a series, so be warned and read "Caught Stealing" first. I wish I had.
Hank Thompson has the worst luck ever. His involvement in a bloodbath in New York has him hiding out in the Yucatan with the $4 ½ million he stole from the Russian mob. Life is good, except for the nightmares and the fact that the Miami Dolphins suck. He spends his days chatting with his new partner Pedro at their bar on the beach, otherwise whiling away the time in his bungalow, smoking cigarettes, and swimming in the Caribbean Sea at night. Then one day, a backpacker with a Russian accent shows up and hangs around, eventually mentioning the stolen millions and threatening Hank's parents. Hank's idyll on the beach is over, and it's time to go back to the States and save his parents, who have already been through enough because of him.
Of course, absolutely nothing goes right and a few new enemies come popping out of the woodwork. Not only is Hank famous with a cult following, everyone who recognizes him wants a chunk of the money. Hank is hanging around some very bad people, and he himself is no choirboy, not afraid to kill the people who get in his way, though it's not always so easily done. Readers who dislike violence should stay away, as the last portion of the book gets pretty bloody. There isn't a lot of joy to be found between its pages, either, but nobody reads noir for the happy endings.
Despite the things he's done, Hank is a likeable guy who tries to protect the innocent. It just so happens his associates, friend and foe, are a volatile lot so anyone who gets too close to Hank gets pulled right into the fray. There is some subtle humor woven in among the violence. Hank's football rants are hilarious, and I don't even like football. The story that unfolds twists and turns, and kept me gripped in its bloody fist. I had to read this powerful book slowly so as not to let it devour me in its blackness. For some real gritty, dark noir, Charlie Huston is a sure bet.
Excellent Read!.......2007-06-29
Picks up where "Caught Stealing" left off. Charlie is still trying to get out of the trouble caused by the load of cash he "happened in to." I could definitely see this made into a movie...it's that captivating. The story never leaves you bored, disinterested, or hurrying up to finish. I savored the book, beginning to end. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because of the way it ends. The ending left me with a feeling of dread and hoping I'm wrong about the third and last installment about Charlie's life.
The Game Continues.......2007-05-24
This second novel in the saga of Hank Thompson is the best of the three. Of course, the entire book is about how some bad guys relentlessly pursue Thompson for his accidentally gotten millions, when all he wants to do is protect his parents. The author is incredibly adept at springing surprise after surprise and at developing his characters -- and what characters they are! Huston is one of the most clever and appealing popular authors out there today. Looking forward to his future books with great anticipation.
A good follow-up to Caught Stealing.......2007-04-11
A few weeks ago I read Charlie Huston's book Caught Stealing. It's a Hitchcockian romp through New York City, a cheerful little tale with a jumbo body count and loads of gory details, right down to a guy who tortures a house cat. At the end of that novel (plot spoiler ahead) the main character narrator, Hank Thompson, flees to Mexico with $4.5 million of the Russian mob's money. In Six Bad Things, Hank's living on a beach in Mexico, silent partner in a bar, whiling away the days swimming in the ocean, getting tattoos, and trying to forget everyone he killed in New York City. When a Russian tourist shows up, Hank finds out you can't run or hide forever, and the fun begins.
This is one of those roller-coaster novels that starts and never really stops. Dead people, shoot-outs, fights, killer dogs, drugged-out hookers, and locales from Mexico to upstate California to Las Vegas, all figure in the story line. If there's a flaw, it's that it's the second book in what apparently is a trilogy. You really should read Caught Stealing before you read this one. I would be in favor of them re-releasing this series in a single volume. The author's style, pacing, and narrative would probably work well in this format.
All of that being said, if you've read Caught Stealing, you want this book too. If you haven't read Caught Stealing yet, go and get it, and then afterwards read this. It's definitely worth it.
Book Description
Armed with their courage, their determination, their wits and a Bible, Robert Cornuke and Larry Williams embarked on a journey to confirm the Bible as historically accurate. In the process they discovered not only their goal but a faith strengthened by the evidence. "When I stood on those scorched rocks, my life was changed at that moment," Cornuke would later recall. Sneaking across borders, crawling into forbidden military installations, and using night vision goggles to avoid being detected, these men pursued their mission. In Search of the Mountain of God tells the amazing story of the discovery of what they and others are convinced is the authentic location of the biblical Mt. Sinai. Their evidence and passion will make a believer out of you.
Customer Reviews:
This book is completely horrible........2007-01-16
The fact that Cornuke lacks the letters PhD from his last name ought to tell you from the beginning that this book is not a credible source of Biblical archaeology. Cornuke can write a great adventure story, but this book screams more fiction than fact and reaks of irresponsibility. Biblical Archaeology is not done by taking a verse of scripture, then finding a landscape to match it. Cornuke's technique is as follows, "Oh look! A rock that is split! That must be where Moses struck the rock and water came out." The equivalent would be you walking out your front door and saying, "Look! A hill! That must be Gologtha!" This book is horrifically inaccurate and sensational, and barely believable. If Cornuke was credible his recommendation on the jacket wouldn't come from Nat'l Geographic Television. It would come from reputable archaeologists and scholars who would back his claim. Sadly this book is not credible, the reader gets duped, and he pockets your money. Look elsewhere for solid Biblical scholarship. But if you're in the mood for exciting fiction this is a good option.
Mount Sinai has been hidden for Centuries--This Book Reveals It.......2006-08-06
Ever yearn for some armchair adventure? Bob Cornuke is a former SWAT investigator and now turned explorer and adventurer. In this highly readable book, IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD (Broadman & Holman Publishers) you can go along with Bob and Larry Williams as they search for the real location of Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
For centuries, many have believed Mt. Sinai was in Egypt and in fact a Monastery is built on this site. Yet the archeology and some other characteristics didn't fall into place. Bob Cornuke used the pages of his Bible as the guide to find the real Mt. Sinai, the altar where the Israelites offered the Golden Calf and the twelve springs of Elim.
The pages of Scripture spring to life as the reader catches the growing excitement and inspiration from every discovery. Also the reader will experience when Bob confronts a Holy God and the fact that he is standing on His mountain. "I recalled the stern admonition: 'Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.' (Exodus 19:12). The night before I had glibly dismissed the text--but now my heart was pounding. I felt sick. I believed at any moment a bolt from heaven would strike me down. Without thinking, I turned to Larry and barked an order, "Let's go--NOW! We have to get off this mountain."
Readers will love the armchair look at Biblical archeology from this storytelling adventurer. The photos and the information will capture your imagination and set you thinking for hours on end about the truth behind the pages of the Bible.
REVIEWING SOME REVIEWERS.......2005-09-26
[Originally posted on 2004, May 6.]
I do quite a bit of reading with fairly critical eyes, and yet I don't hesitate to give IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD five stars. It is an exciting adventure story about a very significant subject. The evidence that Mr. Cornuke provides in support of his belief that Jabal al Lawz in Saudi Arabia is the REAL Mount Sinai is absolutely overwhelming. It is an excellent book that may very well challenge some of your previously held beliefs while it authenticates the historicity of the Bible's Old Testament.
What I primarily wish to do here is to correct some remarks in three of the other online reviews which I suspect might confuse others:
A READER FROM USA states that Jabal al Lawz cannot be the real Mount Sinai because Colin Humphreys evidently claims in his book, 'The Miracles Of Exodus', that Mount Sinai had to have been a volcano (due to its burning, smoking peak, and its trembling.) Yes, that would be true, but only if one feels compelled to attribute natural phenomena to all of the miracles described in The Bible. If a person accepts that God is quite capable of transcending His own creation, then finding a "rational" explanation for every miracle is not necessary, and probably fruitless. Because the circumstances on Mount Sinai when Moses met there with God describes what we commonly associate with volcanic activity, it does not at all follow that Mount Sinai MUST have been a volcano. God may heal a person of cancer, but that DOES NOT mean that God MUST be a surgeon.
WILLIAM E. THOMPSON seems to be reviewing two of Cornuke's books simultaneously and that is bound to cause confusion for those unfamiliar with the other book. The statement that the explorers should have (admittedly) returned to the site for further investigation is in regards to Cornuke's, 'In Search Of The Lost Mountains Of Noah', in which he relates his failure to locate Noah's Ark. Although Chapter Twenty-Six ('The Blood Of The Lamb') of that book is quite moving - in which the sacrifice of a lamb is compared with the sacrificial act of Jesus - I agree that the book ultimately should have been shelved until the author had legitimate evidence to offer. But that is no reason to avoid this superior book on the discovery of Mount Sinai.
In his review, ABUJIFAN far too easily dismisses the many indicators that point to Jabal al Lawz as the REAL Mount Sinai. He fails to address many of the historic landmarks that (coincidentally?!) happen to be in the same general location as the burnt Mountain, and also the coral reef that (conveniently) connects the lower tip of the Sinai Peninsula (across The Red Sea) with Saudi Arabia and the immediate area where all of these landmarks are found! He didn't mention the existence of the water-worn Split Rock (referenced in Exodus 17:5-6 and Isaiah 48:21 of The Bible) - an astonishing find! And he dismisses the photograph of the (presumed) Golden Calf Altar as a pile of rocks that "look like many naturally-occurring formations all over Western Arabia." Well, I've lived in the Southwestern U.S. all of my life, and unless rocks form quite differently in Arabia than they do here, that formation is hardly naturally-occurring, and I find it incredible that a person with a degree in archaeology would make such a claim. And therein, I suspect, is the rub. Is this a case of "professional jealousy"? Would it bother a pedigreed archaeologist if a testosterone-laden explorer armed with just his wits and his Bible made one of the greatest discoveries in the archaeologist's own backyard? Well, I don't know the answer to that, but I DO KNOW that 'IN SEARCH OF THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD: THE DISCOVERY OF THE REAL MOUNT SINAI' is a real page-turner and a Five Star book, doggone it! That's all I have to say; I'm gonna go climb back under my rock now and wait to see who finds me first, an archaeologist or an adventurer.
disappointed a bit but also intrigued..........2005-06-08
I read the Search for the Missing Gold or whatever first and was VERY disappointed to see that this was basically the same story. Why couldn't they have presented the information in an orderly, systematic manner and not like a soap opera.
The good thing is that this should bring a lot of focus on the government of Saudi Arabia and why they don't cooperate with world-wide archaeology and quit acting like a medieval fiefdom.
Exciting read, low scholarship, high on Bible integrity.......2005-01-02
This is an exciting tale told from the perspective of "hands on" explorers who read the Bible as accurate in matters of history. Written as an easy read, the book is very interesting but weak from a scholarship perspective. Still, the excitement captured by the authors makes this a good book to read, particularly if you are interested in lands of the Bible.
Mr. Cornuke is a dedicated Christian believer, as evidenced from his writings and the way he uses Scripture to guide his searches. He has a background in forensics, which makes for an interesting view from which to handle archaeological evidence. His conclusions are in disagreement with the traditional route of the Exodus, which places the Israelites wandering around in the Sinai Peninsula. The problem with the traditional assertion is the lack of evidence and common sense. I give Mr. Cornuke a lot of credit for breaking with the tradition, especially since the tradition is not based upon Biblical information.
Mr. Cornuke places the crossing of the Red Sea on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula (straits of Tiran), offering as evidence Bible verses and an underwater land bridge. He attempts to excavate drowned chariots, but claimed that water was too deep. As for Mt. Sinai, Mr. Cornuke places it in Saudi Arabia. He offers some photographic evidence, for example, pictures of an altar with c calf inscribed on it. Of course such evidence by itself is not conclusive. But his assertions fit the known geography of the land a lot better than the Sinai Peninsula. I'm convinced that Mt. Sinai is not in the Sinai Peninsula, and is located likely in Saudi Arabia, although I disagree with the mountain Mr. Cornuke chose.
The book is written from the perspective of an explorer and is a fast, exciting read. Although the level of scholarship in this book is a little weak, the book makes up for this somewhat because of the "take you there with me" mentality of the authors. You really feel as if you are along with them, making the discoveries as you go through the ancient lands. If you would like a more detailed work that comes to similar conclusions (ie Sinai is located in Arabia), I would recommend the book "The Miracles of Exodus" by Colin Humphreys. This book offers a lot more scholarship, and retains the "take you there with me" mentality.
Book Description
Keeping technical terminology to a minimum, this comprehensive handbook provides a detailed yet accessible overview of Arabic wherein its phonology, morphology and syntax can be readily accessed. Accompanied by extensive examples, it will prove an invaluable practical guide for supporting students' textbooks, classroom work or self-study, and a useful resource for scholars and professionals.
Download Description
A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic is a comprehensive handbook on the structure of Arabic. Keeping technical terminology to a minimum, it provides a detailed yet accessible overview of Modern Standard Arabic in which the essential aspects of its phonology, morphology and syntax can be readily looked up and understood. Accompanied by extensive carefully-chosen examples, it will prove invaluable as a practical guide for supporting students' textbooks, classroom work or self-study, and will also be a useful resource for scholars and professionals wishing to develop an understanding of the key features of the language. Grammar notes are numbered for ease of reference, and a section is included on how to use an Arabic dictionary, as well as helpful glossaries of Arabic and English linguistic terms and a useful bibliography. Clearly structured and systematically organised, this book is set to become the standard guide to the grammar of contemporary Arabic.
Customer Reviews:
Solid Reference Grammar: it's what it says it is.......2007-10-07
This is an excellent reference manual for MSA Arabic. I found it a useful reference for somebody who already has a firm grasp of Arabic and would like to gain a deeper understanding of the language. If you are a beginner, or even intermediate student, this really isn't the right text for you. It is simply too difficult to make sense of without adequate background. I majored in Middle East Studies/Arabic and also lived in the Mid East for a while--and found it just right for me. I selected this book a while after graduating to solidify and deepen my understanding of the extreme complexities of the language. I was not the top student in written Arabic (nor was I the bottom student), so perhaps a more exceptional student academically could make use of it with less experience. Personally, I did much better in spoken Arabic, but less so in written Arabic--so I needed (need) a book like this.
The book does build from chapter to chapter, so skipping right to chapter 11, for instance, may be difficult for the average person. If you skip chapters, it assumes that you understand the previous chapters. The amount of material covered in this book is both its strength and it's weakness: if you are ready for over 700 pgs of complicated Arabic grammar (not a page is wasted), go for it. Again, I don't recommend this for any but the VERY serious intermediate student (any student of Arabic has to be serious--I mean serious even for an Arabic student), or advanced skilled Arabic user.
I think it is best to look elsewhere if you are having trouble with a particular concept. If you understand the concept at some level, and want to deepen your understanding, this book may be right for you. For example, verbs. If you in general know how to work an Arabic verb but want to know just how hollow verbs or assimilated verbs (/etc.) works beyond a basic recognition/survival ability, than this is a good choice. If you stumble with simple verbs then this is less useful--it will only confuse you with the level of detail.
However, everybody is different--I tend to be much less grammar oriented, and much more "speak to me and I'll speak back--if you look blank I'll try again" type of guy, not the academic guy. I got this book to balance that, and got more than my money's worth. This book is exactly what it says it is, and if that's what you want, get it.
Good, concise Arabic grammar guide.......2007-03-08
I have been studying Arabic for two years and this book is MUCH better at explaining Arabic grammar than the Ahlan wa Sahlan series by Mahdi Alosh. Though it is really dry (after all it is a reference guide), Ryding is much more concise and consistent than Alosh. She also presents the material in a sequential order that is more conducive to learning complex Arabic structure. I find this to be the most frustrating aspect of the Ahlan wa Sahlan series. Ryding also provides an excellent guide for Arabic verb structure which is the foundation of the language. Alosh only hits on it occassionally and well after a student of Arabic should be exposed to it.
The reason I am giving it 4 stars, instead of 5 is because she does get a little too technical with the usage of English grammar concepts. However, she does provide a good explanation for why she does this and it does help provide a better understanding of how Arabic relates.
I hightly recommend this guide as a companion to any university Arabic program. Wish I had discovered it two years ago!!
A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic.......2007-02-22
Found the book in good condition and on time
Best current reference on Arabic.......2006-09-10
In 39 crisp chapters covering more than 700 pages Ryding organizes both the grand lines and essential details of Arabic language structure and grammar. This is a highly readable, easily searched linguistic reference. The index really does the job and her list of references alone is a significant academic contribution. Finally, this gem will make life easier for both students of Arabic and researchers. All my thumbs are up for this once in a lifetime linguistic treasure.
breath-taking.......2006-08-26
after experimenting with a lot of arabic grammar books I have finally met the most engaging one.I can not imagine the right words to give sufficient definition of the capabilities of this breath-taking book.every sentence is supplied with full transliteration.extensive,exhausive but not exhaushing.it is a must to buy book.
Amazon.com
From the assassination that triggered World War I to the ethnic warfare now sweeping Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, the Balkans have been the crucible of the twentieth century, the place where terrorism and genocide first became tools of policy.
This enthralling and often chilling political travelogue fully deciphers the Balkans' ancient passions and intractable hatreds for outsiders. For as Kaplan travels among the vibrantly-adorned churches and soul-destroying slums of the former Yugoslavia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, he allows us to see the region's history as a time warp in which Slobodan Milosevic becomes the reincarnation of a fourteenth-century Serbian martyr; Nicolae Ceaucescu is called "Drac," or "the Devil"; and the one-time Soviet Union turns out to be a continuation of the Ottoman Empire.
Book Description
This new edition includes six opinion pieces written by Robert Kaplan about the Balkans between l996 and 2000 beginning just after the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords and ending after the conclusion of the Kosovo war, with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power
Customer Reviews:
"Ghosts" Flawed but Interesting at Times.......2007-09-18
I found Balkan Ghosts mildly enjoyable, and it accurately describes many of the fomenting trends that exploded in the 1990s in the region.
Stylistically, there are reasons for pause. It is somewhat schizophrenic, darting between history and travelogue. Others may be more fond of this hybrid history / travel genre, but I found it somewhat forced.
I also found the book overly fanciful and stereotypical at times. Kaplan finds much of what he sees alien, but to the extent that this is a travel book, Kaplan is entitled (and expected) to convey his Western sensibilities to his Western audience. Overall, I suspect there are better choices for many readers.
Interesting and entertaining introduction.......2007-01-12
Though slightly dated now, this work is an interesting and entertaining introduction to the complex political movements in the Balkans. This is not in depth on any one of the myriad of questions needing answers in the Balkans but is simply a quick overview in the form of a travelogue that gives you a feel for travelling through this fascinating part of the world where Ottoman and European cultures met and mingled.
Well Written but shallow.......2007-01-12
The quality of his writing style aside, the book promotes the dangerously deceptive notion that the war in the former Yugoslavia was a distinctly "Balkan" phenomenon. Its romantic and sexy theory of a bloody history that returns to wreck havoc on the region paints people from the Balkans as two dimensional characters who are naturally given to violence. Anyone who has visited the region knows this is not the case. The fact is that what happened in the Balkans can happen anywhere under the right (or wrong) circumstances, and indeed has happened across the world many times before and since. If you buy the book, enjoy the writing, but remain skeptical of his theories and read other words on the subject like Balkan Babel or Love thy Neighbor for a more complete view.
About Robert D. Kaplan.......2007-01-11
I have previously heard about Robert D. Kaplan from my guests. That's right I am running a small hostel in Suceava Romania and I have seen Balkan Ghosts and talked about it with my guests. I actually wanted to read it for a long long time but it wasn't really possible as AMAZON was not distributing to Romania until very very recently.
I have managed to read only the chapter about Romania in the 90's and I was simply amazed with the genius with which Kaplan combines opinions of people he met at that time and his knowledge on history of this part of the world. I will definitely read it all and I can't wait to get more of this combination.
So That's the Balkans???.......2007-01-04
This is a very well written book about the region known as the Balkans. Some call it a travel book; some a history book; some a current affairs book. I say yes to them all and add that it is also a book of cultural anthropology.
It all sounds like heady stuff about a very complicated region but Mr. Kaplan makes it all very readable and understandable with his personal anecdotes. You can almost smell the dank smoke filled room that he exchanges drinks and stories in but stories that helped me understand the pyche of the people in the region.
Quite honestly if he did not write in this style it would have been difficult to follow all the history, anger and angst of the area. 2 years ago I travelled to Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia and read portions of this book to try and understand where I was heading to. After I returned from the trip I read the entire book and I feel that the combination has been great. There is no way I could have appreciated and understood the people without reading this book.
It also doesn't hurt when Porter Goss the former CIA director endorses the book as one not only of great understanding but great foresight into the future's chaos in the region.
Want to learn about a region and people you do not know? This is a great book to start with.
Book Description
Frommer's. The best trips start here.
Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.
- With insider tips on the best package deals and beach resorts, plus a comprehensive look at the Yucatan's Maya ruins.
- Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
- Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
- Listen to a free companion podcast about Cancun and the Yucatan at Frommers.com
Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com
Customer Reviews:
boring.......2007-10-03
I've traveled to about 8 different foreign countries, and always used Lonely Planet. I thought I'd give this a try. It was dull and boring. I'm sticking with Lonely Planet.
Guide book is very useful.......2007-08-04
I have used Frommer's guides in the past and found them reliable. I knew nothing about what to expect in Cancun. The guide had useful general advice about travel in Mexico and currency issues, and it was very informative about cultural attractions. It was a bit light on the coverage of hotels.
Good Information.......2007-06-12
This guide was pretty good. I got it for the Cozumel information. Over half of the guide was for other areas of the Yukatan. The title clearly indicates that, but it would have been nice to see a Cozumel specific guide from Frommers that includes more of the resort/hotels in cozumel.
Another great Travel Book.......2007-05-11
If you know any of Frommer's work, you know what to expect from this book as well. These travel guides are always thorough and as up-to-date as possible with a published book. Don't hesitate to pick this one if you are planning to travel to these areas of Mexico.
Too Old.......2007-04-18
If you are looking for info on hotels and restaraunts - keep looking. This was the least useful of the three books I bought. It is way too out of date. It is useful for things that dont change like day trips and general travel info, but much of that was too generic.
Customer Reviews:
A great bio of one of the last great queens.......2006-06-23
I recently re-read Hannah Pakula's spectacular bio of the British princess Marie who became the iconic queen of Roumania and I enjoyed it even more than I did twenty years ago when I first read it. Queen Marie exemplified what was best about royalty, a woman who through her training at the hands of her mother (who was daughter of the Tsar) learned to put the needs of her people before her own happiness. Marie overcame the sorrows of a difficult marriage, the scandals of her own indiscretions, and the loneliness of being a foreign princess in an exotic land, to be the inspiration and advocate the Roumanian people needed in the dark days of WWI and its aftermath. One is thrilled to become acquainted with a woman who was intelligent, cultured, sophisticated, an international beauty, a writer, full of passion and integrity. I highly recommend this book as one that is worth having in any private collection of royal biographies.
Customer Reviews:
great timing.......2007-07-07
I received this item very fast, faster than i expected with the packaging in excellent condition.
An interesting book. A start maybe, but not a conclusion.......2007-07-05
The book makes an interesting read, Van Sertima has challenged for years the concept put forward by some that Africans (or more specifically Black Africans) have contributed little to world civilization. In this book he presents the case of the Moors and their influence on Europe.
While some parts are interesting and in some cases can be quite an eye opener they should by no means be seen as a be all and end all to African studies. One major problem I feel with the book is that while Van Sertima is trying to present Africas contibution to the world he is seeing it through an entirely Western perspective.
First of all, the Moors (i.e. the people of North West Africa) though some are of dark complexion and some black most of them are not. Unlike for example colonial American history the eithical outlook of the people did not revolve around race but rather faith or tribe. Often historians project modern concepts of race and society on hisorical people who simply had no concept of it.
Van Sertima is not unique in this nor are western historians take Nassar for example in Egypt who placed on his flag the embem of Salahuddin calling him a 'great Arab leader' (even though he was a Kurd who lead an army that almost certainly consisted of mostly Turks, secondly Kurds and then Arabs)
Another issue with the book is it is based upon almost entirely Euopean sources. True, many of them are translated Arabic books but that can hardly substitute from the original. There are some that would see this as a minor or even unimportant issue (many of the most Islamaphobic books printed today are by 'experts' who dont speak a word of Arabic) but imagine someone writing a book on say French history or the history of the Russian church but could speak not a word of French or Russian!
As a result, Van Sertima is left with a book that often contradicts itself and often has errors resulting from miss-translations or transliterations.
The book is an iteresting read but Andalusia for example, was hardly a Black African colony. It was a land that included native Spaniards, Arabs, Jews, Slavs (in fairly large numbers) Persians, Black Africans etc. People that Europeans may have refered to as 'Moors' does not mean that they were Black as the term refered to North Africans in general.
The book includes an exellent biblography for further reading though almost all, books by western authors.
Golden Pages of the Moor.......2006-08-11
Golden Age of the Moor is destined to become a classic if it isn't already that. If I could give it ten stars, I'd give it twenty. Teeming with boldly told truths and irrefutable facts about what was perhaps the most pivotal time period in the history of African and Western cultures, focusing on one of the greatest empires ever, this book is not merely a great read; it is full scale reeducation. Zooming in on the Moorish occupation of Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries, this book offers readers an inspiring revisitation of that period. Here is an awesome compilation of well presented scholarly essays representing an all-star ensemble of front line scholars and progressive thinkers, complied and edited by the J. A. Rogers of this generation, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima. And speaking of Rogers, Golden Age of the Moor mirrors Rogers, as it too, displays many rare illustrations and photographs depicting historical Moors as the highly civilized and enlightened people they were. And this book boldly identifies Moors as an African phenotype.
It's really exciting to vicariously participate in the collaborative work of these great minds as they converge scholarship on this one important subject; the Moors. One can only imagine the force of energy and unity involved to make this timely project the outstanding resource success it is. It's shameful that so Many people are dumbfounded about this history, thus, I feel awkward saying, this is one of the best books on the subject.
I've read some harsh criticisms about this work and it is nothing but sour grapes. When truth, especially that which has been hidden for a very long time, boldly emerges; some people who have profited by its absence, either emotionally, spiritually, economically or whatever, are certain to anger, and through that anger; they will call the truth teller a liar. Such is the case with the emergence of this book. Moorish history has for too long been pushed out of the big picture and it deserves its proper place on the historical canvas. We applaud those who dare to interpret and report history with integrity to let the chips fall where they may. On that note, I recommend the Euvolution Of Sacred Muur Science By Noble Timothy El as a complementary resource to this book.
My only criticism (and perhaps it's not really that) is that, as some of the contributors here present the research supporting Moorish identity, they seem to almost defend their positions in doing so. While I do understand the reason for this, I insist that truth needs no explanation or defense. Everybody who knows, knows the Moors were Africans. You need not engage, dignify or invite polemics on that topic. History speaks louder than words. Cased closed!
Mr. Van Sertima! Thank you, Sir.
Moor Maur Moore Muur and More Knowledge.......2006-02-05
Superior book that's all I can say, nothing but the facts any detractors are just hating. Like Malcolm said "History is a just reward for all research" and thats what Ivan Van Sertima presents in one of his best works on Moor culture. I would recommend this book along with "The Huevolution of Sacred Muur Science Past and Present" by Noble Timothy Myers-EL (2005)
Historically incorrect revisionism.......2006-02-02
Since when does one have to be historically incorrect in order to be politically correct? I bought this book in order to get some good history on the Maghrib area, the Imazighren peoples generally do not have much written history except that which is in Arabic (Ibn Battuta, Ibn Khaldun, etc) or by the French colonizers. I have travelled throughout Morroco and am very much interested in the Sahrawi cause.
Ivan Sertima is no help in sorting out that history because his knowledge of the area seems like it came from armchair readings. The Introduction sets out on the first page to explain an African dynasty in Spain. But Van Sertima doesn't have any name other than which the Romans gave him "Batrikus". Now these are the same Romans who had no knowledge of the trans-Atlantic world, no Arabic science, and no way of knowing what the hell they were talking about! So much for the alleged facts of Batrikus and his Spanish dynasty.
But that is not all. Van Sertima is not clear about what name to give these Batrikus people...so we can just call them "Van Sertima batrikanii" or whatever. In the next paragraph Van Sertima tells us that "They settled in that part of the country between their place of the landing in the west, and the country of the Franks in the east." But there were no Franks in Spain!!! The Franks were in Gaul. The Visigiths were in Spain, but they didn't get there until later. They did not convert to Christianity until King Recared in 589 CE. In Gaul, the Frankish King Clovis had already converted in 486 CE. But Van Sertima says that the Romans arrived 157 years later. Later? Later than what year? Van Sertima does not answer this because you can't put exact dates on mythological characters, right?
Then Van Sertima fabricates a story about a certain Taharka from Ethiopia and/or Egypt and calls the Roman city Tarraco (in Spain) his geographical namesake. Again, there is no proof so he calls on a XVIth century Christian imperialist pseudo-historian Florian de Ocampo to justify this legend! Imagine that! It's like calling on Hitler to give accurate information about Jewish history. Talk about "asenine ignorance" (Van Sertima, 9) In the next paragraph, Van Sertima is sure that Napoleon "L'Afrique commence aux Pyrenees," but agin the origin of this saying is still in dispute. You can be sure it was not a racist comment though, it was entirely imperialist. Next: the origin of the word 'maures' is still in dispute, but Sertima thinks it has too do with skin color since that is all he seems to be able to see. In fact the Sahrawis are, and have always been, mixed with a full range of beautiful skin shades from dark to very light. Color only matters if you care...good history really matters to a good historian. I am astonished that Van Sertima uses the term "berber" since it is so imperialist. The real name of these peoples is Imazighren, pl. for Amazigh ("Free men"). But this is coming from a man who believes that Fez and Marrakesh are port cities (4), but they are land-locked!!! Unless Van Sertima knows about a port in the middle of the desert.
My charges are not against the idea of raising consciousness about African contributions to civilization, that record stands for itself. What I am against is the bungling of dates, geography, and the poor reasoning skills Van Sertima displays. Yet I do think the work on the whole is valuable if it helps raise consciousness. The essays by Carew, Reynolds, and especially Chinyelu are really great, but Pimienta-Bey is a little extreme. Don't take Van Sertima's word for it, study widely in the field and cultivate open-mindedness and diversity not propaganda. After all, Van Sertima doesn't even think Diop is always correct.
Book Description
"I think it is the most eloquent of female dances, with its haunting lyricism, its fire, its endlessly shifting kaleidoscope of sensual movement."
With these words, Wendy Buonaventura explains her own fascination with Arabic dance. Her book is a unique celebration of the female dancers of the Arab world, and their impact on the West. She explains the origins of this ancient art, which has survived in the face of commercialism, religious disapproval and changing times.
Focusing on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, she shows how Arabic dance came to be influenced by Western ideas about art and entertainment. But the influence was two-way. In the heyday of "Orientalism," Arabic dance exerted a powerful influence on the Western imagination-on such writers as Flaubert, such artists as David Roberts and Jean-Leon Gerome, and such imitators as Colette and Mata Hari. Their fascination was often based on common fantasies about the women of the Middle East. Yet, as the book's sumptuous illustrations show, this obsession also produced wonderfully evocative images. At the turn of the century, the genre also had an impact on fashion, theater and popular entertainment.
Customer Reviews:
For the Bellydance Afficionado.......2002-11-17
Lots of colour pictures ... past & present ...including old paintings, quotes & accounts of the people who actually watched belly dancing...& then tried to describe it!
For those just starting out to find out about Bellydancing & such enthusiasts,there are some pictures of famous older dancers, past & present .. Samya Gamal, Fifi Abdou & Sohair Zaki.
More like a collection of cameos than a real in-depth exploration of the Art Form, or Elucidation of the styles & Expression... but it IS a good coffee-table book & nice, informative read .
FOr the Pictures, if Nothing Else.......2002-07-04
I can't speak to the accuracy of Wendy Buonaventura's history of belly dancing, though I found no evidence of the most controversial complaint, that she fails to note the role of European Orientalists in fabricating our notions of Middle-Eastern dance. In fact, she discusses this very thing at length.
The treasure in the book is the collection of paintings. Where else can you see Dinet's gorgeous watercolors? I had never even heard of him. Are the pictures accurate? I suspect they are. Are they representative? Of course not. Like Gauguin in Tahiti, the Orientalists saw what they wanted to see.
Inspirational, but Flawed.......2001-07-26
Wendy Buonaventura obviously loves raks baladi ("country" or folkloric belly dance) with a passion. As sometimes happens with authors passionate about a subject, she unfortunately treats her opinions as facts upon occasion. As a dancer, I love the glorious Orientalist pictures, early 20th-century photos and fascinatingly slanted accounts from Western travellers, and I love her feelings for the dance. It's a beautiful book to peruse, and you can get some marvelous ideas for theatrical costuming from it. But like the Orientalists she reviews, Buonaventura presents an exotic and monolithic Middle East, where Egypt represents this entire diverse region and where nothing changes over time. She also perpetuates the popular myth that this is a *women's* dance, whereas in truth both sexes dance at private functions, and in both Egypt and Turkey, men historically performed as well. (Western tourists just weren't interested!) Read this for its lovely artwork and, if you're a dancer, for a feel-good spiritual connection with earlier dancers--but if you're interested in the subject of dance history, do some further research. And if you are involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism, PLEASE don't use this book for costume documentation. Egyptian clothing pre-1600 was very, very different.
great pictures but..........2000-08-29
The quality and quantity of pictures in this book is wonderful and there is also some good information but unfortunately all the information is not very accurate and there are even many things that are not true. As a book this is nice to watch but as this book has become "a bible of belly dance" when other more accurate documents have been hard to find I can't rate this higher because readers tend to believe everything that is written here.
Or, Belly Dancing for Dummies! A Good Resource and Accessory.......2000-07-26
"Serpent of the Nile" is a wonderful book for anyone with an interest in Middle Eastern Dance, which is currently gaining tremendous popularity in the West. The author traces the art of 'Beladi,' what we now refer to as 'belly-dancing' from its origin to how it has changed over time. There is a lot of very interesting information in here, written concisely and accessibly, even for those of us who are not overly concerned with history; such as the need for male dancers to entertain the public when women were forbidden to do so, how the patriarchal nature of Arabic society affected Beladi, and how the Westerners exoticised and perhaps even corrupted the original form of dance. But the beauty of this book lies in its stunning pictures, a treat for the eyes! Photographs of sculptures, paintings and engravings of dancers and musicians fill the pages and make it an ideal coffee table book. A wonderful resource.
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