Dear Mike:
I've been trying to get in touch with you. If you are able to contact me please do, okay?

I've wanted to go mountain biking in the Upper Peninsula for a long time, but didn't know where to go until Mike McLelland's book came along.

With his book I was able to plan a seven-day vacation this summer (1998) and tour the U.P. with a couple of buddies. We went up to the Marquette/Munising area and spent a few days on Bruno's Run, McKeever Hills and Grand Island. Awesome trails!!!!

Then we headed west and went on the Ge-che trail and got into some hardcore downhill action at the Copper peak bike park. The chairlifts make short work of some otherwise gnarly uphills. Then your on the top and fly, baby, fly!!!!!

We had a great trip on some of the best trails this mitten state has to offer. I'm planning to bring my girlfriend up there this fall or next year. She's not as hardcore as I am, but Mike's book has trails for everyone's level. I'm planning a different trip for me and her.

Another good thing about the book was the maps and descriptions. I could rule out the trails that didn't sound good to me, and knew what to expect once out on the trail like rocks, water, hills, etc. Another good thing was its size. I put mine in my backpack to use as a reference on the trail.

I always knew the U.P. had some awesome riding, and I'm glad someone took the time to do the research and put all those trails into one book.

This is an incredible book. Yoram Binur provides an entirely new perspective to an old issue. The depth of maltreatment of Arab Palestinians in Israel has not been put into such a consise, unobstructed manner in the history of literature. Anyone who is interested in educating themselves about the Civil and Moral Rights violations which are taking place in Israel should definately read this book. Any advocate of justice, any person concerned with the fact that there are people being horribly mistreated anywhere in the world, and anyone looking for a cause to support or solidarity to offer those who are oppressed should start with this book.

Yoram Binur, an Israeli journalist fluent in Arabic from covering stories in the Arab areas of his country, decided to take on a fake identity as an Arab to get first-hand experience of the treatment Arabs receive from the Israeli police and society. He was convincing enough to be singled out for harassment and violence from the police, and he experienced subtle discrimination from everyday Israelis. He learned to really feel the terror Arabs in Israel feel every time an army vehicle approaches them, or even passes by their house at night, knowing they could legally be brutalized at any time for no reason. It was an eye-opening account from inside one of the most complex political situations on earth, and Binur always kept it personal and involving.

This book is a gift to read - which may be why I keep ordering additional copies to give as gifts to my friends. The photographs, taken over a twenty-five year journey into the Aranbian desert are combined with exquisite poetry selections that beautifully articulate the visual images. Through the book I've journeyed to a part of the world I'd never seen. Included are pictures of Bedouin men and women, camels, and the most sensuous desert imaginable. A rare book that's a real tour de force.

I stumbled upon this book and could not believe how timely it is. Not only does this lovely photographic book feature beautiful images of sand dunes and people in far away places, accompanied by imaginative poetry, but it shows the side of Arabia that President George Bush and New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, among others, are asking us to remember in light of the difficult times.

We are lucky to have at our fingertips, in a moment of need, an artistic expression of this part of the world to remind us of beauty and not fear.

I intend to share this book with as many people as I can, not only because of the stunning photography and magical poetry, but because I have found solace in its pages.

I proudly display it in my library.

A truly gifted writer...I read passages over and over because the language was so well-crafted and beautiful. This is a wonderful memoir painted with impressionist strokes of a pen. One of the best travel books I've read in years.

I really enjoyed this book for it's interesting stories about one woman's life as she travels and studies through Egypt. She weaves word etymologies through the book, twining them with the things she sees in the landscape and people. Though there are some pretty depressing moments, her tone is always light and I found it to be a very quick read. The focus of the book is Susan and her life and how she came to study in Egypt. I would have liked more about language, because that is the what the title says it's about, but her travels are so interesting and the people she meets are described so well that the book is consistently enjoyable. I sincerely hope she writes another book, maybe about another place, since she alludes to other travels in her life.

As a new resident to the area, I found this book to be very helpful, as well as fun to read.

The author's writing is smooth and fun to read. As far as I know there is no other guide book like this around. I live in Chicago, but read A Native's Guide to Chicago's Northern Suburbs to learn about new recreation and entertainment outside of the city. Who knew they had a "leaning tower" in Niles!

Finding it ironic that Westerners are most familiar with the veiled, hidden Muslim woman, Haeri, (Iranian-born director of the Women's Studies Program at BU) introduces six unveiled, professional Pakistani women who talk about their families, childhood, marriages, struggles, politics, religion and work. These in-depth interviews reveal cross-cultural commonalities among women in family and work relationships as well as deep divides between Western and Pakistani attitudes toward women. Several make a distinction between Islam and tradition, saying men interpret religion to reinforce patriarchal culture, a point which is best articulated by Sufi feminist, Nilofar Ahmed. She explains that a lot of accepted knowledge is a matter of interpretation, "and we did not find any female scholars in this line. ...Even the most sincere male scholar with the best of intentions could not look at the law from a woman's point of view."

They are all university-educated English speakers and several have done advanced studies abroad. Each describes herself as "different" from other women, by which she means determined, rebellious and independent and, usually, as a child, interested in "boy" activities. Most were encouraged in their education, at least until they got married. Divorce or separation and child custody are discussed at length as well as difficulties (and advantages) of extended family living. Though women worldwide still marry to escape the parental yoke, Western women get to make their own mistakes. These Pakistani women made arranged marriages and three were unhappy. Another, a widow, describes her husband in the same breath and repeatedly as "wonderful" and "difficult," "special" and "bad-tempered." Several found it easier to work and continue education with the support gained from an extended family, several found the demands of in-laws suffocating and demoralizing. Marital separation, leaving aside financial considerations, is difficult for a woman who loses her children (considered to belong to the father), is condemned by family and society, and, if she tries to pursue any kind of independent life, is assumed to be of loose morals.

One intriguing woman lives two lives - a government official in Lahore, and a feudal lord in her rural village. In Lahore some men refuse to work for her because of her sex, but in the village feudal position trumps gender. Men and women rely on her for advice, financial aid, arbitration, even spiritual counseling and healing. Born to a second marriage, Ayesha was treated like a boy by a man with no sons. Though proud of this and of her ability to "act like a man," several years after her interview with Haeri, after studying (War Studies) abroad and marrying, she writes Haeri that this posture destroyed "my sensuality, my appreciation of the other sex." Ayesha also has complex dealings with family - legal wrangling over property coupled with a desire for closeness; severe parental restrictions coupled with demanding expectations.

Parental restrictions are a common complaint, followed in due course by marital restrictions - brought about by precepts of "izzat" or honor. Woman must be pure and her behavior reflects on her family or husband. "Hence, the threat of women's mobility and autonomy," Haeri explains in her succinct, illuminating introduction. All of these women are politically active (one builds sanitary facilities for the poor, several are involved in education and human rights) and one, Rahila Tiwana, suffered torture in police custody, though she denies reports of sexual assault, saying her family was too well-respected. Rape, Haeri explains, is used to dishonor men, by besmirching the purity of their women.

Haeri lets each woman speak in her own voice and speak they do. The interviews come alive with passion, intimacy and intellectual power. Independence comes at the price of loneliness and conflict, even separation from children and family. The author follows each interview with her own comments and conclusions and while her structure is academic, her prose is clear and her opinions insightful. This is a text designed for college use, with copious footnotes, bibliography and index, but it's also a fascinating view into Pakistani culture, history and religious thought for the general reader.

Shahla Haeri's No Shame For The Sun: Lives Of Professional Pakistani Women is recommended for college-level collections specializing in both women's studies and Middle East history. This surveys the lives of professional Pakistani women in chapters which document both political and social thought in Pakistani society.

Beautifully written and illustrated, this is an outstanding book for uses in the upper-elementary grades to accompany a lesson on properties of whole numbers (the multiplicative identity, in particular), place value, and problem solving, in general. I used it with my course for prospective elementary teachers and they loved it. I know that children will love it as well. It also supports gender equity in mathematical ability.

Young Aziza, the sultan's daughter, has been educated in all things, but her favorite subject is numbers. When the time comes to marry, how to choose her husband? A riddle, of course. A riddle with only one answer. She travels throughout the country searching for a man who can answer her riddle. An astronomer, a soldier, and a merchant all try, but fail. Just as Aziza is about to give up a farmer comes to the caravan to try to answer the riddle. This humble man knows the answer and becomes her groom. A detailed explanation of the riddle follows the story. The illustrations are beautiful. A great story, gorgeous pictures, math - what more could you want!

We were being assigned to the Philippines and I browsed through all the travel books available on the country. I chose this (the first edition) because i liked the way it was written and that the writers live in the Philippines. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed! In fact i found both the information provided and the personalized descriptions of places to stay and eat very helpful. When the second edition came out i bought it and passed on my old copy to a friend. The 2nd edition has new information (unlike others that i have found are almost completely re-writes of past editions) and continues to be a more personal travel guide. I will be sorry to leave the country and this book has helped my family enjoy our travels.

I am a traveller from Madrid and was given this book as a gift by a friend from Manila. It was full of everything a traveller who is unfamiliar with an exotic country like the Philippines. When I went there with several friends last year we found the book to be extremely helpful and so accurate in detail that we had an easy time moving around, finding hotels and site-seeing areas. To the authors: thank you for a very relaxing trip to the Philippines!

Yes, the Second Edition of my Thailand Guide was published July 2000. I added about 50 new pages, updating material including detailed diagrams of Old Sukhothai (as I recall, you suggested this one), Wat Po, Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace, the National Museum, a map and suggested tour of the Canals of Thonburi, a map of the Skytrain, improved the index, etc. Very little new on the Myanmar section. I spent equivalent time of 64 8-hour days for the update. Now you know.

The most currently popular travel books for Thailand are written with backpackers in mind, those who are trying to stretch the baht until it groans. Lou Bechtel's Guide is more for the typical vacationer with a moderate budget, especially for those who are taking their families with them.

The first thing you notice about this book is the extensive contact information for every single hotel and restaurant listed, and there are lots of them in every location reported. All guidebooks on Thailand cover Bangkok according to the sections of the city. This book adds a section that other books do not have:"Near the Airport," for those jaundiced travelers who wish to "skip Bangkok" other than using the airport.

Lou is frequently engaged to review hotels and cover trade fairs in Asia, so he knows what he is looking for and expecting, both in service and cost. As a travel journalist, he often gets the VIP treatment, but he thinks you should not pay more than necessary to have a good time. Often he just tells the reader, "This is what you should do."

You can read other books on Thailand with all the glossy pictures, to decide where you want to go. Once you have an idea what you would like to do and where you would like to go, this is the book to plan your itinerary.

A wonderful book, but without an extensive backround in the subject it is difficult to judge its accuracy. Good to have at hand when listening to the latest dispatches from the Middle East. Guaranteed to earn you concerned glances from your friends when they spot it on your bookshelf!

The late Jewish author, Israel Shahak, explains in great detail the interconnections between U.S. and Israeli policies in both the middle east and Latin America and how these policies affect both countries and the world.

Consider the current situation with North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan... this book is prophetic. This book details why China and North Korea will talk to Israel when negotiating indirectly witht he United States. If ever there was a time to understand the web of communications between countries such as North Korea, Syria, China, Israel, Columbia and others, now is it. I read this book over a year ago, and now come back to write a review because of its renewed importance in light of recent developments (2003).

Read about Saddam Hussein's failed attempt to make peace with Israel, and more! Long before 9-11, this book WARNS its readers of the serious terrorist threat that would come out of Afghanistan! Prophetic. A book that details information with such accuracy, makes predictions that come to realization, is certainly a book worthy of information-hungry men and women the world over.

Going back and re-reading this book is like a visit with Nostradamus. I HIGHLY recommend this book as it will provide you with a strong understanding of what's behind U.S. moves on Iraq, relative silence towards North Korea and more.