The running conversation between several of the siginficant personalities who shaped the history of the Pacific explains why events unfolded as they did. Although lighthearted at times, these conversations clearly set forth the policies and morals possessed by the nations who constantly struggled in this vast expanse.

Similarly, Professor McDougall's descriptions of the significant events of this era are outstanding. It often feels like you are there.

Most noteworthy, Professor McDougall cuts to the heart of the issues, shares only the essential facts, and demonstrates their significance. Thus, the reader can appreciate the complex multitiude of attitudes, personalities, and morals that caused nations to act the way they did.

Always entertaining and certainly insightful, this book is a must read for any person interested in the history of this region.

With the subtitle "A history of the North Pacific from Magellan to MacArthur" and a thickness of 2.5 inches, this Pulitzer Prize-winning author's book might seem awfully heavy reading.

It's not.

Let the Sea Make a Noise has all the elements of a world-class adventure yarn, made more exciting because the tale is actually true. McDougall begins by exploring different ways of enticing casual readers to plunge into his story. Thanks to this device and his flowing style, you're well into the book before coming up for air. By then, however, you'll be enmeshed in the ebbs and flows among Spanish California, Imperial Russia, Japan, Alaska, the kingdom of Hawaii and the United States.

Any story, no matter how gifted the writer, lives or dies by the elements of the tale. McDougall has chosen well -- during the last four centuries the Pacific has been washed by successive waves of expansion, conquering, defeat, retreat, retrenchment and return.

McDougall carefully shows how two countries' interactions have affected other countries -- sometimes in surprising and unexpected ways. He intersperses his narrative with conversations among historical figures that a reader might initially find artificial but eventually will anticipate.

McDougall correctly realizes that tales of momentous times read best when they're seen through the eyes of the people experiencing them.

After all, people make history.

c1997, Camie Foster

We arrived with a reasonable amount of knowledge about the country and its customs and were able to enjoy our holiday from day one, without worrying about upsetting the local people. They were curteous to us [especially once they found out we had bothered to learn some of the basic greetings in Arabic] and we responded as best we could. Somehow bargaining was easier from then on, and you could also get a much better deal if you had cash in dirhams! Best trip-30 mins on an abra to explore the creek. Negotiate a price.

It was a wonderful experience, but a week in May/June was long enough because of the heat, as indicated by the guide. [40 degrees and hotter till August!]

The hotels on Jumeirah Beach were all excellent from all accounts. We were at the Radisson, which was outstanding for their service and space for guests. We never felt overcrowded even on 2nd June which is a local holiday and all the "Radisson Club" members descended for the day!

Their shuttle bus to town was reliable but didn't have a later evening pickup for guests in town so unless you were prepared to pay £10 for a one way trip by taxi on top of the cost of a meal in town [minus alcohol], the hotel had a captive audience for their evening meals, which were very good we must say. House wine=£20 per bottle at the hotel.

The book shows you the contrasts of this amazing place but can't really prepare you for the culture shock of the place. It's the rich/poor, modern/traditional, high rise/low roofs, high tech/old fashioned, heat/cold [in areas with air conditioning], expensive designer gear/saris for £2, green soft grassy golf courses/arid desert areas beside each other, 4x4 vehicles/camels on the beach. It all just takes your breath away with the diversity of it all. Its like no other place we've been to.

I felt that the book allowed us to enjoy our holiday as well prepared as we could have been. 10/10 for an excellent guide. When can we go back?

P.S. There is an awful lot of building going on everywhere, but especially in the vicinity of the airport. Because of the desert/sand/lack of water, it does look like a building site generally, but there are huge projects underway all over the place. Even lake -building! In some places, "Health and Safety Issues," are, "Interesting."

P.P.S All Dubaian drivers have been to the Parisian School of Motoring - be warned!

like the hungry bird, I, too,
am searching for sustenance and
find it in a ray
of sun that fools the clouds and
for a moment I forget home...
("During the Rainy Season")

Like a Zen painting which always leaves an empty space, so her poems draw us into her world between East and West but create at the same time an opening which allows us to find something of our own in these pages.

"Looking to the East with Western Eyes" is the expression of a fine and enchanting sensibility. Beautiful work!

Christa Polkinhorn-Umiker, Poet and Translator, Santa Monica, California.

I had this book on my bedstand for months as a gift from my wife. Once I picked it up and read the first page, I couldn't put it down. Every page is loaded with "Man, If I would've only
known."

But you better hurry! These sites are rapidly falling by the wayside. As we saw in a store window in Memphis, you can contact the authors for a personalized tour. Although we haven't taken it, this would be a way-cool afternoon.

Thank you Cindy Hazen and Mike Freeman,
Dave-n-Tina Campbell
Mt. Vernon, Texas