This is a wonderful piece of work. If you are interested in Iranian society during the Revolution and ensuing war with Iraq this is a must have. Written very well and has a sheik layout that will keep you mesmerized. Highly recommended.

The authors have created a guide that serves towards understanding the antecedents to the revolution. The photographs, content and level of clarity is remarkable. It is tour de force. If interested in Persian studies, one needs to have it.

Great book. It deals with the Soviet plans for the future of occupied eastern side of Germany (later GDR) until the rise to power of post-Stalin leadership, and the controversal relationship between the SED and the Soviet leading groups . Accurate work on documentary sources, every judgement is balanced and considered. The author goes beyond simplistic
analisys based on a "two-blocs-confrontation" criterion for the whole Cold War era.
A must read for everyone interested in understanding what was happening on the other side of the Curtain. A very good example of how to use the new archival sources from USSR and Eastern Europe.
Useful for everyone who has a basical historical knowledge.

Great book.It deals with the Soviet plans for the future of the occupied German territories (later GDR) until the rise to power of the post-Stalin leadership, and the controversial relationship between the SED leading group and the Soviet leadership. Meticulous work on documentary sources, accuracy in every judgement. The author goes beyond simplistic analisys of a "two-blocs-confrontation" as the abslute cryteria to understand the whole Cold War era. A must read for everyone interested in understanding what was happening "on the other side of the Curtain". A very good example of how to use the new archival sources from USSR and Eastern Europe.
Interesting for everyone who has a basical historical knowledge.
Read also: Reviewing the Cold War: Approaches, Interpretations, Theory. by Norway)/ Westad, Odd Arne Nobel Symposium 1998 Lysebu (Editor)

Mr Koehler get's rare interviews from the "horses mouth" & has done some tremendous work in this book. His attention to detail is fantastic with times, dates, etc. Mr. Koehler should also be applauded for bringing the truth to light about Marcus Wolf's Man without a face book where he takes almost no responsibility to the destruction of many East Germans lives & knowing about the terrorist movement in the DDR. This is an outstanding book of facts & follows closely the life of the notorious henceman Erich Meilke. It is also amazing to watch the birth of a country like East Germany after just witnessing the 3rd reich, which they became so much like. Sadly, as people we haven't learned much!

The first word that came to my mind after reading this piece of literature, that best describes my reading experience of this well researched and well told account of the Stasi is, "Chilling." This book scared me out of my wits. It amazed me to read about how the East Germans were basically kept walled up in a type of concentration camp, sort of like the Jews and how they were terrorized by the brutal, ruthless Stasi organization up until just little over a decade ago. I would have been to weak to survive the Stasi and probably would have made a haste attempt to escape the Berlin Wall, as so many others did. I can now see why so many died trying to escape past the wall, even though they knew that they stood a very poor chance of making it. Death was more comforting to them from what I gather, than being stuck for just one more day under the Stazi and its microscope. I now know why the East Germans had so much fun smashing the wall to pieces. They were being released to freedom and for many of them, freedom had become nothing more then a dream, a miracle, under the Stasi. I believe after reading about how the Stasi got things done that the Stasi was as ruthless as the Gestapo and the NKVD, expecially when reading about accounts of their interrogations. The Stasi kept total order among the East German people and it was fascinating to read and find out how the Stasi crushed any and all attempts that could challenge its authority, any attempts of political uprisings and how the Stasi simply controlled the East German people with fear and intimidation. It amazed me to read about the fellow who informed on his wife, even though they had been married for such a long time. The Stazi was very powerful, even more powerful than love. This wonderful work of literature gives some terrific information that helps to better understand the Cold War and it paints a wonderful picture of how communist nations and dictatorships work behind the scenes. The one thing that I found to be most interesting about this book was that the Stasi did not limit itself just to controlling the East German people, but rather it extended its feelers and spied on the West, sabotaged NATO, etc. The Stasi and it's international agents really got around. This book should definitely be read by any and all interested in the Cold War, espionage, secret police agencies and last but not least, Germany and its recent past. This book does not exhaust various issues related to the Stasi, as many other novels written about secret security organizations based on interviews, files, etc., do, such as the 700 page, plus Mitrokhin Archieve which is about the KGB, but simply discusses different Stasi issues in lengths appropriate to their importance, that keep the reader interested. This book gave me a message I will not soon forget and that is, "trust no one if you know what's good for your survival."

Richard H. Curtiss has presented a thoroughly documented text that attempts to present the underlying influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups on our legislature . This is a must read for American citizens interested in understanding how the interests of a foreign entity can sometimes compromise the values of the American Constitution.(p)

Curtiss understands the sensitivity of this subject matter and seeks not to blame, but only to inform common people such as myself on the extent of pro-Israel lobbying in mainstream USA. This book sheds the light on how effective grass roots lobbying and finacial contributions can motivate legislators to formulate foreign policy in a region where our nation has important commercial and diplomatic investments. The results can many times run counter to the interests of the American taxpayers.

Richard H. Curtiss has presented a thoroughly documented text that attempts to present the underlying influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups on our legislature . This is a must read for American citizens interested in understanding how the interests of a foreign entity can sometimes compromise the values of the American Constitution.

Curtiss understands the sensitivity of this subject matter and seeks not to blame, but only to inform common people such as myself on the extent of pro-Israel lobbying in mainstream USA. This book sheds the light on how effective grass roots lobbying and finacial contributions can motivate legislators to formulate foreign policy in a region where our nation has important commercial and diplomatic investments. The results can many times run counter to the interests of the American taxpayers.

This honest and shocking book recounts the true story,in their own words,of two Tibetans imprisoned by the occupying Chinese. Ama Adhe's story is perhaps the most shocking and disturbing account in this well written book. An ordinary Tibetan woman who commited the "crime" of being related to a Tibetan freedom fighter, she recounts her early years in the then free Tibet and offers a fascinating insight into a lost world. She details the brutal Chinese Gulag, and details the systematic starvation,(and the attendant cannabalism)torture, execution and rape she encountered there. Her survival was reliant on both luck and the attentions of a Chinese doctor who did not approve of what the Communist authorities were doing. A truly harrowing account from one lucky enough to survive and escape to bear witness.

Tenpa Soepa's account is hardly any less disturbing. A Tibetan government official he was intimately involved in the flight of the Dali Lama. Because of this he was selected for special treatment by the Chinese and endured several years in a prison in China along with seventy four others; twenty two and a half suvived. It is hard to understand how one reduced to cannabalism can relate his story so honestly. His story proves that the Tibetans did not meekly submit to Chinese rule as some may erroneously believe, but fought courageously against overwhelming odds in the face of almost certain death. Tenpa Soepa's survival is down to the fact that a fellow inmate and friend chose to commit suicide rather than implicate him in an escape plot. "Greater love hath no man......."

This is an important book. Witness to the destruction and genocide of a nation it is a searing testament of man's inhumanity to man and a humbling book to read. It should be required reading in the schools system, to stand as a warning of what happens when humanity is subjugated to ideology, and the consequences of the loss of humanity. "I was only following orders..." Read it and weep.

The book is well written and has good pace. The The true stories of two Tibettan lives, largely imprisoned, at the hands of the Chinese is an important historical document and a sad testament to human cruelty. I highly recommend this book as background to travelers and for those interested in the plight of Tibet.

Fiona Phillips has the knack for finding strange things...or is it the other way around?
In 'Strangling', Fi and the others visit an aunt who happens to be performing in the play 'MacBeth'. Fi and her cousins somehow manage to release a dragon that was bound to an old spell book. Can they get it back where it belongs while also trying to keep above the teasing done by Fi's brother, Jack?
Based on the Disney Channel series, I think SO WEIRD was one of the most intelligent children's shows on television. Though the series did end without explaining a lot of things. Imagination!

The band stops to visit Fi's aunt and cousins while at their theater. Fi's cousins , Miranda and Maggie, are fans of Fi's site. They take Fi on a tour of the place. While they are watching the rehearsal for the play, Fi spots a book her aunt is using as a prop on the stage. Miranda and Maggie notice her looking at it and pick it up and give it to Fi thinking she is a witch too. Fi opens the book to find an array of spells and in play to pretend to turn Jack into a frog. Just read the book to find out what will happen next...

I first read Sun,Sand and Snakes when I was ten,I'm now thirty six.It is written with charm,innocence and passion.A passion for snakes which I share with Mr Spawls.Anyone with a love of herpetology,Africa and adventure will appreciate this book.I finally got to Kenya when I was twenty two and because of this book I stayed in East Africa for three years studying snakes and now work in the U.K.for a reptile rescue charity.Now any book that can influence and direct a person that much is worth taking a look at.Kenyas warmth and its peoples characters glow from the pages I can't wait to get my hands on my own copy as the local library no longer have it in stock.

This book chronicles the early years of the author as he was growing up in Kenya. Starting out relatively ignorant of the fauna around him, not to mention somewhat scared of snakes he tells the story of himself and the people who changed the direction of his life. From amusing annecdotes such as the time he was chased by a Giraffe to recolections of the many things that bit him and the ones that got away. I still don't know how he survived, but I'm glad he did so that he could write this! A word of warning- If you have young children don't let them read this, I first read this book about 13 years ago and I don't think my parents ever forgave the author for the menagerie of scaly things they had to endure living with over the following 10 years. Fun, real, amazing and charming. Still my favourite book!

Impeccable research and solid writing from a historian who has no ax to grind, just a simple desire to explain the origins of U.S.-Israeli friendship.

This superb history of Kennedy's Mid-East policy wins the trifecta - it is rigorously substantive, beautifully written, and shockingly timely. Bass draws masterfully on documentary sources (many never before available) to bring JFK, Ben Gurion and Nasser to life. Touching on topics like nuclear inspections and American support for the conservative Saudi regime, the book has a fascinating historical perspective on some of the most vexing issues of today. It is a must-read for anyone interested in JFK, Israel, or America's relationship with the Arab world.

This was one of the best books on the subject of the Bataan death March and Philippine Invasion that I've read. Col. Alexander's personal account brings the events upfront and real to the reader. You truly feel part of the Col.'s ordeal. I reccomend it highly.

I cannot of course write a review of this book yet as I do not have a copy. I do have the original manuscript and I will give you my opinions after I read the book. I am his daughter in law and the mother of his four grandchildren.

Janet Alexander 4910 Meadowlark ln. DICKINSON tX, 77539

This is my favorite Alex Mack book! Alex plans to go on a camping trip to get away from her parents and to get closer to Scott. Unfortunately, her parents and Annie are coming along as chaperones!! This dampens her excitement a little. Now Vince and Dave are looking for the GC-161 at the same place she's at. Can Alex escape Vince's new plans?

This is one of the best Alex Mack books ever.Alex and her friends go on a trip for credit and fun with the school science club.It could be fun right?Wrong!!Alex's parents are chaporones and Vince and Dave are in the woods looking for the GC-161 kid,namely Alex.With some help Alex has fun and gets closer to her crush Scott