It is not often that one reads a book that changes one's outlook drastically. This is one such book. I am really impressed. Sooner or later, the ideas propounded in this book will prove to be a major challenge to many disciplines like anthropology, religious studies, and such like.

Although the theory on religion that is submitted in this book is generally found to be highly controversial, Balagangadhara's arguments are so strong that one cannot simply dismiss this theory as intellectual 'spielerei'. His account identifies crucial constraints on Western thinking about other cultures and the social world in general, and convincingly explains why even 'giants and geniusses' have not been able to surmount these constraints. I heartily recommend this fantastic book. In the legendary words of one reader: "it might even change your world view."

"Hideyoshi" is an incredible biography of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who more than anyone else is responsible for transforming Japan from a crazy-quilt of fiefs and feudal lords engaged in civil war to a centralized state at peace. It is one of history's ironies that a child born to a subsistence farmer could end his life as the most powerful man in the country. If you share my admiration of Japan and fascination with its history, don't pass this book up!

This book provides an excellent portrait of arguably the most important single individual in Japanese history. Berry's scholarship is abundantly informative without being heavy-handed. This account of Hideyoshi's life reads like a narrative and is rich with references from diverse resources. More important than that, however, is the respect Berry shows for the subject matter. She really captures the grand sweep of Hideyoshi's life, which was inseparable from the fate of Japan at the time. This is a must read for anyone interested in Japanese history or anyone wishing to deepen their appreciation of Japanese samurai movies that depict this period of time (the late 1500s).

Laquer's History of Zionism is an indispensable work about the origins of the Jewish state. Wherever you stand on Israel, here is a thought provoking and well-researched text that is definitive on the subject. If you are someone who dislikes Israel, you should at least read it to understand how Israel developed and learn about Zionist self-perception.

As one of the century's great historians, how fortunate we are that the German-born Laqueur spent his formative scholarly years in Eretz Israel as a journalist and researcher. This landmark work is very sympathetic to religious Orthodoxy and its significant relationship in the evolution of modern political Zionism. Its strength is in the study of religious and political Zionism within the European milieu.

Mystical...Magical...Mesmerizing

Holy Grail, Holy Grail: Quest East, Quest West is a powerful novel with all the characteristics of a cult classic. Like Merlin "amongst his bubbling chemicals, his homunculi and astronomical charts," author Gary Corseri forges a literary alchemy to describe the timeless terror and grace of the human condition, our bungled and brilliant search for the ever-elusive truth. Corseri tells an archetypal story of the hero in battle with what we know must be the impossible conundrum. It's the story of our familiar hero, Sir Lancelot, in unfamiliar terrain. Set in Arthurian Britain, several fascinating periods of Japan, and modern Atlanta, Holy Grail, Holy Grail: Quest East, Quest West traces Lancelot's journey through time and culture as he faces uncompromising challenges, not the least of which are the awesome powers of his nemesis in extremis, the Blue Man.

Merlin and Lancelot have grown since we last saw them. They have a new complexity that expands their awe and understanding of the mysteries beyond our senses, yet they remain vulnerable to folly. When West meets East, old assumptions wither on the shore as our heroes bathe in the confluence of culture and history. Corseri does an outstanding job of writing a modern epic that is, on the surface, accessible and fun, while being deeply provocative and intellectually jolting. His characters feel real and essential and his attention to historical accuracy, particularly in his passages on Japan, is reverent and poetic. As you read, you see this book in full color.

Unique guide for archaeology minded traveler

The little known Oxford Archaeological Guides series provides information that you cannot find elsewhere This guide was written by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor in 1980 and was revised for the new Oxford Archaeological guides series in 1997 as the initial offering of the series. O'Connor provides a wealth of information here that you wont find in regular guidebooks. The topic of biblical archaeology is too large to be addressed by any one book. The author squeezes all he can into less than 500 pages. The section dealing with Jerusalem is most detailed. Outlying sites receive less attention. There is useful information about hours of operation and practical matters such as directions to remote sites. In addition to describing the various areas of interest, there are sections giving the history of the different peoples of the holy land, both historical and present day including sections on the Druze, the Philistines, the Samaritans, the Essenes and the Nabateans. There is a good attention here to changes over time with an emphasis on how the appearance of each site evolved over the years. Interesting comparisons are made with the condition of sites in the present day and their description in ancient texts including Josephus' "The Jewish War" and the Bible itself. This book would be inadequate as the only guidebook for a visit to Israel. I would recommend the Knopf Guide to the Holy Land and Baedeker Israel for routine tourist information. Some minor drawbacks: the drawings and maps are not as detailed as they could be and the few photographs that are provided are black and white and of poor quality. These complaints are not critical flaws; the book would still be invaluable even if it didn't contain a single illustration.

We recently returned from two weeks in Israel where we traveled around on our own with this book and the Lonely Planet Guide. Our trip would have been much poorer without The Holy Land. The strength of the book is its description of almost every ancient site of interest in Israel with line maps of the present structures and historical descriptions of the sites. The author includes quotes from ancient historians and medieval pilgrims as well as citations to the Bible. He approaches all the sites with respect but does not hesitate to call the authenticity of some sites into question when the historical or archaeological evidence does not support it. He points out that greater faith can be placed in the Christian sites where there was evidence of pre-Constantinian veneration, before the questions of pilgrims "excited the imaginations of local guides." For me this makes the more credible sites such as the Holy Sepulchre and the house of Peter even more moving.

For practical information on hotels, buses, etc. you should pick up the Lonely Planet Guide, but for infomation on the historical and religious sites this is the best book I have seen.

I put the cd into my computer and was just amazed at what I saw. The pictures and videos of Israel were beautiful the music was inspiring and it was very educational. Pastors, teachers, and everyone who have an interest in Israel would benifit from this Holy Land Experience!

I have never in my life seen such an empressive depiction of the Holy Land! Everything about the program is excellently done. It's easy to use, the music is inspiring, the videos, pictures, and descriptions give you a real sense of Israel and its significance to Christians. I would encourage anyone interested in Israel to buy this product.

The author has done a brilliant job of researching and presenting to the lay public the history and archeology of the Temple Mount. This book is a definite must read for those interested in the subject. -Prof. Albert Bressnan, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

A fantastic synthesis of archaelogical finds and ancient rabbinic literature.

'Who'd want to read about us buying a place in France' asked George East, when his wife suggested keeping a diary of their doings to while away the time on the numerous necessary ferry crossings. 'It's not as if anything particularly interesting has happened!'

But, write it, he did, and the result is 'Home & Dry in France', sub-titled 'A Year in Purgatory'. Getting it published, though, was another story, too long to tell here!

At the outset, George tells us his book is not to be regarded as a primer for those wishing to buy property in France ... and, in fact, claims at one point it's a work of fiction ('This is a true story ... only the facts have been changed (1970s 'Dragnet' spoof))

With a wicked and wry humour, George leads us through the minefield of acquiring not one but two properties, introducing us to various engaging characters met along the way. It's an odd paradox, but the Normandy bocage, where the story is set, is less than an hour's drive from the busy ferry port of Cherbourg ... but, to most British, it's undiscovered country, in many places, even a step back in time.

Throughout, the stories are peppered liberally with advice for the would-be buyer, as well as 'cautionary tales' which I read with a certain amount of schadenfreude and more than a few chuckles.

The 'Year in Purgatory' ends with Monsieur and Madame East installed in a ruined watermill Moulin de la Puce (Mill of the Flea) which became their home for many years. But, they aren't 'Home and Dry' yet. There's a lot of work to do, more places to visit and more characters to meet. Read this and enjoy ... and rejoice that there's more to come.

This is a witty tale of the difficulties encountered when buying a home in a foreign country. The characters are full of life and somewhat quirky. The story is poignantly funny. A 'must read' for anyone contemplating a house in France, or someone who just has an interest in France and the French.
An excellent book.

facts cannot be doubted, this is a real good read, gives a great overview on the whole problem of the MiddleEast.
go on, have a look!

This book is very well organized and edited, and it includes a helpful index. It contains the stories of Palestinians from all walks of life. Some of them are tragic, others disturbing, and still others heartwarming. The translations are very good. It also steers clear of all the usual clichés about Israelis and Palestinians.
If you've ever wondered how Israeli policies over the last 50 years have opressed Palestinians and helped to create both their rage and despair, I recommend that you read this book.

Hunyadi: The Legend and Reality is a fantastic publication for anyone who wants to know about the life and times a truly astounding hero. Held takes you by the hand and leads into 15th century europe's economic, religeous and political system. You really get a well rounded perspective of what it was like to live in that day. Janos Hunyadi was so prominent a figure of that time that you simply cannot learn about this period without learning about the man himself. The book, while chalk-full of historical fact, is very exciting and entertaining. The story of Janos Hunyadi is an epoch tale that Hollywood has somehow missed. Get this book and read it.

I found this book while doing research for a historical novel on 15th C Eastern Europe. It is clear that the author carefully researched the subject of Janos Hunyadi. He provides numerous references to document his work, so much so that it is difficult not to accept his interpretation of events when they conflict with other historical sources. He is very clear in laying out the complicated history of the region, particularly Hungary in its wars against the Osmanli Turks. He demonstrates very clearly why Janos Hunyadi was known as the "White Knight" to Roman Catholicism. He gives the biography perspective by explaining life at the various levels of society and providing vital statistics like mortality rates. More, he gives feeling to the pictures he paints, e.g., in describing the life of the average peasant or the siege of Belgrade. He uses quotes from contemporary sources to strongly support his own conclusions. I enjoyed this probably more for entertainment than for the richness historical facts; there is certainly nothing lacking in either in this work by Prof. Held. I thank him for introducing me to Hunyadi, the Turkish sultans, King Matthias, and the other key figures of the time and place. I also thank him for making me wonder if I could have survived an average life in those times, let alone face the challenges and threats faced by Janos Hunyadi.