As one of the many who spent a year in Vietnam wearing olive drab in the late sixties, I've always been intrigued with the land and the people. Most of the combat yarns are not about the sense of place I remember. Ms. Visser writes a wonderful book that captures the essence of Vietnam, especially the differences between the button-downed North and free-wheeling South. She doesn't have an ax to grind about the origins and blame of the war but is nonetheless intrigued with what it all meant to the Vietnamese. Good book.

A balanced analysis of renewed Balkan conflicts that began and ended the twentieth century in war. Kosovo is a Muslim populated region in the former Yugoslav Republic that the Serbian Republic wished to dominate. To conquer the region, the Serbs initiated a genocide that they called "ethnic cleansing."

Presents the history of the war from the dissolution of the Yugoslav Republic through the rise of the Serbian state under the leadership of Milosevic. Juxtaposes accounts of NATO's efforts to bring peace to the region with press photographs of atrocites and interviews of refugees. Includes a chronology of important events, a glossary identifying people, places and political groups, index and sources for further information.

I was glad to see that Wells took the time to present a balanced perspective that took into account the political backgrounds of all parties involved in the events surrounding the Vietnam War. There are some great interviews which allow some behind-the-scene looks at what both sides were thinking and planning during the war era.

This book gives the reader an intimate glimpse of one pivotal moment during the struggle to stop the Arun III mega-damn project in Nepal. The writer, Anna Paskal, takes the reader along on her trek up the Arun Valley with a group of local and international activists, reporters and filmmakers. She makes a point to present to the reader the, at times, precariously diverging agendas of all of those on the trek. Her willingness to expose her emotional and intellectual responses to the various situations the group finds itself in gives the text a raw immediate feeling. The snippets from interviews of government officials and activists that she weaves into her tale lend this travelogue unexpected depth. For me, the only drawback of this book is that I would have liked to hear more about the time the author spent before and after the trek. Overall, this book is a quick, truly worthwhile read.

"The Water Gods", might be good for anyone interested in the politics behind World Bank sponsored aid programs, international activism or the rural people and politics of Nepal.

I first came across this book when preparing for a Veteran's Day presentation. As a Vietnam Veteran it was difficult for me to sum up my feelings about that time (my time) in history. I really struggled with what to tell Jr High kids about my experience and war in general. Bill McCloud's efforts to collect and record thoughts from some of the major and minor players of those difficult days in American history was invaluable to me. In my view the book captures the essence of the mood and thoughts regarding the "Vietnam experience."

The border regions of China, Burma, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand are hotbeds of trade, migration, and smuggling. Opium and heroin, rubies and jade, endangered species, cars and women follow ancient trails across modern borders. The recent openning of borders has increased economic opportunity, but also spread drugs and AIDS. This book confronts these issues with a sophistication rarely found in similar collections. Most of the contributers are anthropologists with long research experience on the ground -- not economists who never leave the capital. There are many valuable chapters; to cite a few: David Feingold's witty exploration of the relationship of opium production to the trafficking of hill tribe girls, Andrew Walker's discussion of trading in Laos, Jean Berle on the role of Chinese Moslem traders, a Chinese biologists analysis of 'ecology without borders' and the animal trade, and Evans' useful introduction. This book is essential for both scholars and development experts (who may need a re-think), and will be re-read for its theoretical insights long after the particularities become dated. It also places current issues in historical context. A paperback would be welcome.

This is an in-depth look at the days leading up to the evacuation of Vietnam, by my Father who was there on the USS Midway. Learn about the heroism and tragedy of this dark period of American history. My favorite story is about the Vietnamese Air Force pilot who flew his entire family out in a 2 man Piper Cub.

What makes this book fascinating is the different philosophies of the 2 authors. Toby was the son of a Navy admiral, who would serve his country for 20 years. Ed is an ex-Vietnam war protester with a doctorate in history. Toby has his doctorate in management science. What makes this book work is Ed's devotion to historical accuracy and Toby's extensive connections within the military community.

If the anti-war movement is remembered at all today, it's through the distorted image of the foul-mouthed, rock-throwing, hate-filled protestor spitting on returning soldiers, an image designed to tar the very idea of honorable protest. This book is a valuable reminder of the truth about the anti-war movement: that it was largely made up of ordinary people appalled and deeply saddened by this country's actions in Vietnam. Did you know there were organized groups such as Businessmen for Peace? Housewives for Peace? Did you know that a majority of military bases in the USA published underground anti-war newspapers? You'll learn all that and more in this thoroughly researched history of a movement too many people would like to forget. Read and learn! In a society that would rather feel good about itself than examine its national conscience, it's good to know that some refuse to settle for complacency. Needless to say, this important book is currently out of print, like many of its kind - may they be reprinted soon!

I had to have this book!!! I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures, even thought a lot of these wildflowers are actuallly considered a weed in the Houston and surrounding areas. I've lived in this area and never really knew the names of the flowers and found this book very helpful. It also will let you know which plant is poisonous and which is edible. And it is about the size of a field guide.

Collaboratively compiled, edited, and notated by Gregory A. Waselkov (Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies, University of South Alabama) and Kathryn E. Holland Brand (Associate Professor of History, Auburn University), William Bartram On The Southeastern Indians is comprised of the writings and observations first published in 1791 by William Bartram regarding flora, fauna, and the Native American Creeks, Seminoles, and Cherokee that he encountered while touring the American Southeast. This scholarly edition is enhanced for contemporary readers with illustrations, notes, a bibliography, an index, and an informative chapter devoted to the significance of William Bartram's writings in anthropological studies of 18th century southeastern Native American cultures. William Bartram On The Southeastern Indians is a core addition to personal, professional, and academic Native American Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.