5 comments about Covenant Love & Death in Beirut.

1. When I started reading this book, I thought it was just another fairy tale written by a reporter who was seeking fame and fortune. I was wrong. the events in this book are acurate, and the story in all is very intense. I congradulate miss Neman for her honesty and courage. I would love to meet and share some stories with her one day since I grew up in the Covenant's home town... No matter what was said about Shiek Basshir, and no matter what he had done, HE WAS TRULY THE ONLY HOPE LEBANON HAD..



2. Imagine that a foreigner to Lebanon knows more about it than the Lebanese themselves. It's a great history book, and one would have to read it to really know what was happening in Lebanon.



3. A superb piece of work. Only someone with "inside" information could have written a book with so much details, showing unfortunately dirty (local, regional and international) politics. Politics that killed, probably what was known to be as one of the best places to live in. It is sad and ironic to see world powers leave such a country to disintegrate and die leaving it at the mercy of its meddling and envious neighbours.



4. A superb piece of work. Only someone with "inside" information could have written a book with so much details, showing unfortunately dirty (local, regional and international) politics. Politics that killed, probably what was known to be as one of the best places to live in. It is sad and ironic to see world powers leave such a country to disintegrate and die leaving it at the mercy of its meddling and envious neighbours.



5. This book is simply one few books that actually captures the war from the free side of Beirut. Unlike Robert Fisk's book, that is completely biased depiction of the war spinning everything on the anti-palestinian movement of the time, and to be more specific the christians of the free areas. This book shows what the Lebanese had to go through to maintain their survival in Lebanon and not leave it to be annexed by the Palestinians who somehow fought a battle in the wrong direction. Instead of fighting Israel they ended up fighting the Lebanese. Western reporters including fisk were obviously fooled by everything was going on. Fisk's book was accurate in depicting the details of the war, but was not accurate at all in depicting the political and nationalistic side of the war.
   
   Barbara Newman reveals a whole new side of the war fought by the Lebanese. How they chose to fight each other at times instead of the real enemy. How Bachir Gemayel was betrayed by his own men, his own rabid dogs to be more specific. It is a great book that gives one of the greatest political leaders Lebanon was to see , a humanist side, one of the sides that few people knew, and certainly not the evil savage picture depicted by Al-Jazeer's account of the war, by Fisk and many western reporters who barely mingled with the Free Lebanese politicians.

5 comments about Fool in Love: One Man's Search for Romance . . . or Something Like It.

1. My husband gave me this thing for my birthday and I have to say it is one of the best gifts he ever gave me. I have always been a Steve Ivory fan. I read his weekly column every week on the EUR website. However, recently, I had a bad experience with laser eye surgery and I haven't been able to see clearly let alone read for the past four months. My doctor gave me the okay to read again after my last visit and Mr. Ivory's Fool in Love was just what a girl needed to welcome sight back in her life. I love this book, it is so funny, and every story is about him, something he should write about more in his weekly column.



2. Steven Ivory took me on a journey that satisfied my hunger for intellect and served me humor for dessert! What a joy to read such an honest and poignant work on love and relationships from the male point of view. A secret window through which to gaze upon the masculine spirit, Ivory offers a rare treasure for a women everywhere; as well as a "What, you too?!" for the men. Write on my brother, write on.



3. Admittedly I'm a Steven Ivory fan. I've read his column in Electronic Urban Report from the beginning. This book exceeded even my expectations and leaves me looking forward to the next one......



4. I didn't want to put this book down! I appreciate the nostalgia found in Mr. Ivory's descriptive childhood stories. Each about his mother and friends were particularly endearing.
   I expected his adult romantic recollections to be graphic, but was pleased that he was able to convey his memories without the use of totally explicit language. At times, however, I needed to skim a paragraph to avoid feeling uncomfortable. I recommend this book for it's humor and good-natured stories, but would discourage anyone offended by occasional explicit language.



5. I love this book! If you're a fool in love and searching for Mr/Mrs Right, this book will do it for you. Read it, I'll betcha you enjoy it! It's funny, witty and romantic and it will give you some interesting ideals for your next date!

No comments about A Farewell to Heroes (Writing Baseball).

No comments about BIOGRAPHY OF RALPH McGILL.

No comments about American Journalists: Getting the Story (Oxford Profiles).

1 comments about The Life and Selected Letters of Lyle Saxon.

1. Chance Harvey has produced a real page-turner for devotees of New Orleans literature. Lyle Saxon's stature as one of the inventors of the New Orleans and Louisiana image (along with Lafcadio Hearn, Grace King and G.W. Cable) is well-known; but the man behind the mask is not. Ms. Harvey's narrative is well-balanced-she never loses perspective or sympathy for this self-tormented soul as he descends into alcoholism and depression. His relationships with Sherwood Anderson and William Faulkner are well described, as is the dawn of the Roaring 20s in New York.

   Nits I would I pick-and these are minor: There should have been a few more pages about his influence on the revival of the French Quarter in the 1920s. His influence on, and unselfish patronage of, struggling writers is alluded to but never brightly illuminated. Also, an afterwords listing the further lives and fates of his close friends would have been a nice coda.

   All in all, this is one of those essential books for those who want to 'drill down' into the image and literary richness of New Orleans and Louisiana.

No comments about Prison Diary, Argentina.

1 comments about My Mother's Daughter.

1. This book could be a memoir of the life of the author's mother, Rosemarie Agnes Cummins, who changed her name from Agnes Rosemarie Cummins when she came to America as a German war bride.
   
   This book could be about how so many people in Germany, during the end of World War II, closed that part of life off from themselves and their children, to their detriment.
   
   This book could be about why Rosemarie was so unemotional and distant toward H. J. The idea of the book is that when one is trying to survive, indulging feelings is worse than useless, downright counter-productive. But on the other hand, it could have just been Opa Otto's harshness toward Rosemarie.
   
   This book could be about "What are the lessons the people learn from difficult experiences?" "How do they share them with their children?" H. J.'s adult daughter Leah added some interesting perspective in the Epilogue.
   
   This book could have been about how mothers bond with their children, as was emphasized in the last 30 pages.
   
   While the writing is good, the multiple directions of this book reduced the satisfaction for me.

3 comments about Tundra Teacher: A Memoir.

1. As a fellow teacher, I very much enjoyed "Tundra Teacher." John Foley is a great story teller and has the courage to give voice to what every teacher eventually feels confronted by: self-doubt, frustration and heart-breaking reality. What I like about this book is Foley's ability to lace humor and insight into his difficult teaching situations. Thanks much for this book.



2. Finally! A real book by a real teacher who speaks like a real person. After reading about Foley's humorous exploits, I will never complain about my difficult classrooms again. Thanks for putting it all into perspective for me.



3. As a writer, Foley has a great voice and puts it to fine use telling tales of his twenty-something to thirtysomething years. Great fun to read for those of use who never had the nerve to actually act on the universal impulse to chuck it all and head off to the frontier.

2 comments about The Night the Wheels Fell Off: More Tales About Family, Growing Up, and Other Goofy Stuff.

1. Ok, I'm in the middle of this book and I'm averaging about 3 to 4 good laughs per page and sometimes more.. The way this guy writes makes you feel like he's sitting across the coffee table, kicked back and telling stories from his childhood, family and life.. He makes you feel like a friend.
   
   
   The stories he tells take me back to MY childhood and make me remember things I didn't know I'd forgotten.. He captures the essence of childhood, because even though the we didn't have the same experiences, there's still a common thread.. I catch myself staring off and remembering... then snap back to the book to discover the next funny event or warm memory.
   
   I think everyone will really enjoy this book. Especially if you were ever a kid. And if you weren't, then you need to read this book and see how it's done. *ha ha ha*
   
   It's just as great as his other book about childhood, life's happenings and good funnies: "Six of One, Half Dozen of Another" .. Good times folks, good times.



2. This book is a collection of anecdotes about the author, his family and friends. They are told in a thoughtful and insightful manner, with large doses of humor thrown into the works. The trials and triumphs, which exist in everyone's life, are treated with love, admiration and humor. These hilarious anecdotes will hit close to home and heart for the reader.