If you're interested in posters from the period of the Spanish Civil War, this collection is second to none. Two thousand high-quality reproductions of posters dealing with every aspect of the war. Predictably, most are from the republican side, but that is to be expected if you are familiar with the war.

A must-have for afficionados of the period, and worth every cent!

Very concise conversation with two authors, ending with the phrase post-independence hangover. Very quick review of history with references if you really want to know more, and interesting piece of politics and history of the 50 years of Soviet domination, but a reminder that there were really only 30 years of independence, sort of a blink of an eye within a millenium. It has a realistic view of what is and wheter it is good or bad depends on what you are comparing it to. When you read it keep your biases in perspective to what you are reading

An excellent book already in its second edition

In October of 1998 I was privileged to attend a conference at Villanova University entitled "Lebanon in the Twenty-first Century." Since I have conducted a course on American foreign policy in the public sector over the last 16 years, I welcomed this rare opportunity to focus on this troubled country.
Recently, the elements of that conference were assembled into a single volume, edited by Kail C. Ellis, who is dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University, and founder and former director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at Villanova.
This volume is comprised of articles written by several noted and dedicated authors including Ellis. One might call it a prismatic kind of study. Such an approach could lend an uneven quality to the book; however, its editor, Kail C. Ellis, has clearly brought consistency in tone and texture to the overall reach of the book.
Each section consists of an introduction as to what will be covered, an exploration of that specific material from appropriate perspectives, and conclusion/analysis. Since contributors have expertise in several different fields, the abundance of sources available in the footnotes could be targeted as the beginnings of tomorrow's research. This formula makes this volume appealing to the general public, students and teachers.
Ellis's essential mission is twofold: First, to prime the reader on the confluence of Lebanon's intricate web of history, politics and religion as it became increasingly entwined with the geopolitical reality of its sensitive location, "sandwiched," as Ellis puts it, between its powerful neighbors, Israel and Syria. One increasingly comes to understand that Lebanon is but a microcosm of the most multi-dimensional problem haunting the world currently: the Israeli-Palestinian deadlock. Lebanon's life as a nation, in the Ellis perspective, is virtually "on hold" until this nagging, seemingly insolvable problem is addressed with some degree of authority.
Secondly, in his preface, Ellis states that, "Works on contemporary Lebanon are hardly an anomaly." Understanding Lebanon's past and present is but a prelude to predicting its seemingly ominous future. Ellis wants more. It is here this book gathers its strength, its case, because its layered approach forces the reader to read, learn and analyze each sector of Lebanese society through the prism of several disciplines.
This representative litany of problems is offered with the realization that without further reading, such a list tends toward oversimplification.
One cannot even begin with the now decade-old recovery from its civil war (1975-1990). A more likely place are the problems inherent in the Palestinian refugee situation, for Lebanon is "home" to 400,000 Palestinians who began seeking refuge in Lebanon after the Israeli-Palestinian war (1948). Many still live in poverty in makeshift camps. Their presence directly affects Lebanon's unstable, tense political situation, its economy and fragile image. Here the indefinable Hizballah organization began operations.
And as if these "external" factors were not enough, there is the matter of Lebanon's aforementioned geostrategic position with its "neighbors" - Israel and Syria. Even considering that Israel has withdrawn from the southern border of Lebanon after a 22 year occupation, festering webs of distrust involving Hizballah continue to inflame the nerves of each country; Syria's 35,000 man army within Lebanese borders is another open wound.
Internally, here is a country where there are 18 different religious communities, primary among them Christian Maronites and Muslims. Despite tolerant "side-by-side" living under a traditional confessional political system which divided power among the religions, an updated version (under the Ta'if Agreement of 1989) altered this tenuous balance, becoming the catalyst for the exodus of thousands of Maronites. The Maronites' historical affinity towards Israel, furthermore, has continued to provoke any state of quiesence, given the ongoing presence of Palestinians. Overt lack of American involvement in this destructive relationship creates additional cracks in the fault line.
Factor these complexities together with the following: a $25 billion dollar debt burden; an education system struggling to recover its former status as the "cultural and educational center of the Middle East;" an environment and eco system suffering the scourges of overpopulated cities, and "a total breakdown of state authority." Beirut, once known for its superior banking and commerce, longs for a return to its former glamorous status as the "Switzerland of the Middle East."
Lacking, except for a one religious leader in particular willing to agitate for the sake of a breakthrough for his country's sake, is dynamic leadership. Lebanon's "traditional" government does not add up to stablility; rather it is laden with laws and ideas long outdistanced by time and purpose.
Why does our conscience press us to care? Asserting the need for America to exhibit some measure of their former interest, Ellis offers his prescription: "In order to fulfill the dreams of a future revival, Lebanon needs the assistance of all those who support the rule of law, human rights, and a just peace in the Middle East."
For those so inclined, even in international relations, prayer remains a wonderful natural resource.

I could not be more amazed by this CD-ROM. Great graphics, maps, highlights of the city, live video, incredible amount of pictures, plenty of text and suprisingly several recommended walks through the city with live video guide.

If you do not have the time to read books and want to see live thing before visiting then this is the right CD for you.

It was like being there, which I was several times.

I visited Londolozi in May 2001 for 4 days. Incredible experience. I saw this book there. Someone had brought it with him to Londolozi, but was unable to purchase a copy in South Africa. I want this book very much and have Amazon.com looking for one for me. It is a wonderful book. Would it benefit someone who had not been to Londolozi? Yes, very much!

Once you see the leopards of Londolozi you're life is changed forever. It's in the catagory of seeing the Northern Lights. You are never the same again.

Do purchase this book-----but only after I get a copy of my own.

what a fabulous book! well-written, accurate, and *funny*-- i can't stand how good this book is!

If you have an academic or casual interest in the Newly Independent states, this book is a gem. I purchased it for my own reading and enjoyment, and found it a pleasurable read. It covers economic and political issues with brevity and clarity, and provides an excellent quick look at these states. I recommend it to anyone, as the reading level is not as pedantic as some political science books tend to be and could as easily be enjoyed by a casual reader as a student of political science.

I began to read The Life and Times of John Huss in preparation for a research paper discussing Huss' life and teachings. In additon to the information that the book provided, it proved to be an inspiration as Gillett, the author, made the life and times of this influencial Reformer come alive. Gillett traces the early life of Huss as Huss began his schooling at the University of Prague in Bohemia during the 15th century. Gillett traces the religious and political culture of university life, and tells how Huss came to his convictions during his interactions at the university. In addition, the book provides a history of the Church and it's condition during the 15th century. The major focus and ministery of John Huss was the condition of the church, and Gillett records the severe conflicts of thought concerning the condition of the Roman Catholic Church during that time and the Reformation which resulted. In response to the reformation, Huss was brought before the church officials and faced intense pressure to submit to the church's authority, but his convictions and his faith in God gave him the ability to stand firm even when faced with martydom. The story of Huss' life is a challenge to me and to my own faith in God, and I recomend the reading of this book whether it be for pleasure or for the study of the revolutionary times and events explained in Gillett's captivating account.

Sarmiento analizes in this book the oppressive political regime that Juan Manuel de Rosas impossed over the Province of Buenos Aires during the first years of the independent-from-Spanish-rule Argentine Republic (then Confederation). He writes this book in his Chilean exile and publishes it by means of short articles in a prestigous Chilean newspaper during the 1830s and 1840s.

In this book, a classic of early Latin American History and Literature, Sarmiento *deconstructs*, to abuse of modern terminology, the life and works of Facundo Quiroga, a tyrant of the inland provinces of Argentina, so that we can better understand the true extent, the true abomination being carried out by the other despot, Rosas, in a Buenos Aires proud of its European heritage.

Sarmiento describes the way of life -highly influenced by late Spanish colonial tradition- and the almost unreal landscape of the Argentine Pampas (plains). In that landscape and traditions is born Quiroga, the wild gaucho who is to terrify its own people when he becomes an adult. Sarmiento analizes the society's pathologies that make possible for Quiroga to become the head of a tyrannical regime.

His method to approach Rosas via Quiroga is, I believe, very effective. Now it is easier to understand how Rosas regime can become a reality on New World soil just a decade after Independence. Rosas, born in a rich family of *hacendados* with strong Spanish tradition and with landholdings close to Buenos Aires of the 1820s, shares with Quiroga an explosive combination of hate for anything that reminds him of his incivility with an appeal that the isolated people of the Pampas can not resist, the appeal of a man who is the best horse-rider, the best knife-fighter and the best friend of the gaucho. Nothing reminds Rosas more of his rudeness than nearby booming Buenos Aires.

The rest of the book lists the atrocities, offensive to any civilized person, commited by Rosas once he gains by mean of terrorist practice the *sum of power* over the city; Sarmiento also discusses what freedom means for a society and for the individuals.

Summarizing, this book, which paved the way to a more democratic Argentina, is an example of the power of words to fight oppression, and a *manual* to detect before-it-is-too-late the dangers that keep assaulting democratic life in any society at any time.