2 comments about 100 Days in the Jungle.

1. I do not doubt that the individuals characterized in this book had a harrowing and dangerous experience, but the accuracy of their adventure is brought into question by the obvious inacuracies of their discription of life in Ecuador. I found their description of the airport almost laughable. Airport Security Guards beating poor destitute locals with a stick!! I have lived in Quito for the last 5 years and have traveled through the airport many many times and have NEVER seen anything like what was described. I have also worked in the area they were captured. I agree that a certain danger exists in this area and one needs to be very careful. However, I have a hard time believing everything else when I found so many obvoiusly incorrect details. I think that the naritive would have been just as good and even more interesting had there not been inserted all the incorrect details to supposedly make the story more interesting. There a enough interesting stories here in Ecuador without all the literary license.

   Reader: Please take with a grain of salt all the violence and "agressively" poor people. I sincerely hope that the rest of the books narritive of the 100 days in the jungle is much more accurate that thier description of Quito. Despite all of this I found the book interesting and recommend it.




2. The airport at Quito is not that wild...does it need some order, yes? Are people getting hit by police? NO! That is absurd.

   I find the story intriguing, but craziness like the airport story, locals not telling the police about guerrillas, and the mere fact that the spanish used in the book is atrocious. Vamos means "Let's (we) go." Not "Vamoose" like Yosimite Sam. Also, Joto is called Hoto many times...where was the editor? There are other ridiculous translations and misuse of Spanish. It did not seem to be intentional because when the oil workers used their spanish it fit the situation...the other misuses did not fit.

   If you want to read a kidnap tail...read this. If you want to read about the real Ecuador...go to another source.

No comments about Tourism, Development and Terrorism in Bali (Voices in Development Management).

No comments about Intelligence, Security and Policy Post-9/11: The UK's Response to the War on Terror.

5 comments about Rogue Threat.

1. I am an avid reader of novels written by Forsythe, Vince Flynn, Clancy and others in the business, however, I have never personally enjoyed reading ANY other similar novel as much as Rogue Threat! I am retired military and this novel was the BEST yet! The writer has my attention and I look forward to purchasing every novel he writes in the future, as a matter of fact, I am getting impatient for the sequel that I understand is on the way. You don't know what you are missing until you read this well written novel. I started reading it and did not, could not and would not for any purpose but it down until I finished reading the entire book! I do not exagerate one bit, the story is THAT GOOD!



2. Title says it all. Contemporary topic, some obviously bad guys and good guys, but some uncertain until the last chapter. Had to remember it was FICTION, but an interesting hypothesis of what happened to those missing WMDs.



3. I just finished Rogue Threat and I absolutely loved it. I have read many books, and for some reason have a hard time remembering what they were about a few weeks later. This book is the total opposite. What a page turner. I have to admit, towards the end, I started reading slower just because I didn't want it to end. It really keeps you thinking long after the last page is turned whether these things could really happen to our country and what our response would be as a country and indivdually. I have already told many people about it and will continue to do so.



4. This is a fantastic book. Fast pace and exciting to read.
   
   I have purchased several copies for my friends for Christmas.
   
   I happen to know that this book was written prior to 911 and updated
   to include the 911 attack before being released.
   
   The author's insight to the real threat to America makes this book
   more profound and a critical read.
   
   Five stars all the way!!!
   
   Tom



5. From the very page you know you are in trouble. You had only planned to read a couple of chapters and go to bed, but 1/2 way thru the first chapter you realize you are hooked and you won't get any sleep tonight.
   Rogue Threat spins a tale of terrorist acts that make 9/11 pale in comparison. He unveils the 3 part plot to take down America. The 1st part was 9/11 and now this is the 2nd and 3rd part that will do us in.
   Details and scenarios are all so possible, that you wonder if somehow, this was really a plan that our government stopped and didn't tell us how close we were to losing everything near and dear to us. It shows us how vulnerable we are and how complacent we have become.
   Move over Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Brad Metzler, Ridley Pearson,Nelson De Mille,Larry Bond, Christopher Reich, make way for the new kid on the block ...He is going to give y'all a run for your money

No comments about Genocide: Rwanda and Burundi.

5 comments about The Last Refuge: Patriotism, Politics, and the Environment in an Age of Terror.

1. In stark contrast to his earlier book, "Earth in Mind", Orr rids himself of any hesitancy to appease, and states the true state of American politics from an environmentalist perspectives. The essays are clear and lucid. It is a good book.



2. This book echoed my feelings exactly. Issues about the environment should be brought to the forefront of the national discussion...give this book to anyone influential you know and make them read it!



3. 
   The Last Refuge is indeed the best nonfiction book I've ever read, and all I read is nonfiction, and a lot of it. I am now into my second reading of this valuable book! David Orr is my favorite environmental author. Known by some as the "sane environmentalist", Orr is not one to do anything other than tell it to us straight. With a wonderful writing style, Orr writes for the laymen. Covering everthing from campaign finance change necessities to control of corporate charters to a proposed environmental amendment to the Constitution, Orr gives a forthright, authentic, and thorough overview of the "Great Work" (Citing Thomas Berry's wonderful book)and the things that must be doone in politics to achieve a world where poverty, hunger, pollution, species extinction and more are dealt with and ended. David Orr cites our need to update our Constiitution (A living document, meaning able to be changed) to allow for the reeling in of corporate mega abuse of our world so that suceeding generations can have a world that enables the pursuit of happiness. This book is full of great ideas and wisdom and again, it is written in a way that anyone can understand it. This book needs to be read by folks all over the country!!! I would give it 10 stars if I could!



4. There are really only a couple of dynamite essays in this book. The rest are, sad to say, fairly middle of the road. I had read two of Orr's other books, "Earth in Mind" and "Ecological Literacy," which were absolutely stunning. But this effort is uneven. There are certainly many practical and revolutionary suggestions for turning our earth's fate around, but most of them have been taken up with more conviction and detail by other authors. There is a nagging sense here that Orr is kind of late to the game in some of his ideas, like undermining the idea of corporate personhood, or amending the constitution to include ecological concerns for our descendents.
   
   So while I do recommend this book, especially because Orr is such a graceful writer, I would suggest supplementing it with some harder hitting recent material (maybe "Unequal Protection" by Thom Hartmann, "Beyond Civilization," by Daniel Quinn, or the collection of work done by POCLAD, "Defying Corporations, Defining Democracy," available on www.poclad.org).



5. Having read Orr's other books, I found this one to be very cynical. And whille the book is filled with prodound thoughts and suggestions, I fear that most of what he offers will, once again, be ignored. His comments on the connection between terrorism and environmental issues were enlightening.
   
   Despite my own cynicism, however, I believe the book contains a great summary of what ails our political system (i.e. lack of courage and greed), and the book should be required reading for all students of environmental studies and politics. It should be mandatory reading for our congress as well.
   
   The book is relatively short and is written in simple language, making it a very fast read.

4 comments about Kidnapped: A Diary of My 373 days in Captivity.

1. This book was very boring. I didn't even read a big part of the middle. I skipped ahead to see what happens at the end. The end was very abrubt. She told about how they were released and that was it. Nothing about what happened to them after. The only good thing about this book is that it did convey the tedious boringness of her experience in captivity. I only had to read the book, I can't imagine how mindnumbing it would be to have lived it.



2. This was a wonderful, funny, sad, tragic and inspiring book all at the same time. It was often difficult to imagine Leszli's determination as a young child as she grew up in captivity, all the while living in conditions many people cannot fathom. I read this book with a heavy heart, hoping for it all to turn out ok in the end.



3. I thought it was a very good book. I met Lezli over the summer, which is why I read the book. The reason it appears "abrupt" is because a lot of information was edited out by the publishers. I found that she demonstrated a great amount of courage and is a good example for all women. I recommend reading this book!



4. The author provides an accurate account of how one survives a long-term captivity in the hands of this particular insurgent group (ELN) in the Colombian jungles. Her internal struggle is as great of an enemy as her captors but based on having known and interviewed any number of kidnap victims, Leszli Kalli honestly and bravely relates the psychological challenge of prolonged captivity. She recognizes the strength and greatness of the moral fiber of her father who was held along with her.

No comments about The Geographical Dimensions of Terrorism.

2 comments about Secrets of 24: The Unauthorized Guide to the Political & Moral Issues Behind TV's Most Riveting Drama.

1. The surprising parallels to the De Vinchi Code. When sane people read or watch fiction for the joy of it and then act like it's effecting our culture in negative ways. Great book to read if you're hooked on "24" like I am. The later chapters are really outstanding on how torture is addressed by West Point generals and FBI consultants. After you read this book you'll appreciate the work involved in making the "24" series or any good work that comes out of Holly Wood. Nowadays it's not much.



2. Call me an addict if you like, but I've watched every season of 24 live on Fox TV as it unfolded in its real-time scenario AND I've watched them all on their subsequent DVD releases -- with the exception of Season 6, at present -- along with their special features and commentaries ... so you can only imagine the kind of outright glee I experienced when I happened across "The Secrets of 24: the Unauthorized Guide to the Political & Moral Issues Behind TV's Most Riveting Drama" on the shelves at the local bookseller, had to have it, and read it right away (a rarity for me if based solely on my ever expanding library of "things to read before I die" library). Like the show, I couldn't put the book down, so much so that it begs me to offer one surprised observation from the getgo: why are these "Secrets" unauthorized? It would appear that many of the essays contained therein either quote what show creators Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow have publicly said about the program, about its influence, about its topics, etc. Indeed, it appears clear the Cochran and Surnow even dissected some of the pieces presented here in their interviews. It's a mild curiosity more than it is a major gripe, but couldn't the mere act of making this an official sanctioned publication only helped its sales?
   
   Well, enough with the semantics ...
   
   The "Secrets of 24" is a stellar book, the perfect companion for fans of the show's idea. Rather than spend time exploring the various controversies of each series, the authors have collected interviews and essays from think tank types, almost all of exploring some facet of the ideas that fuel the show's popularity. From political differences (both liberals and conservatives love the show but for very different reasons), from academic differences (what does TV say about our society at large versus what does it say about us militarily) and even quick swatches of infotainment (brief interviews with the cast and crew about the show, its impact, and what it all means in the scope of television history) get terrific play between these covers, and there's so much to explore you'll find yourself watching the clock -- inserting your own 'plunk-plunk-plunk' like the show ticks down each approaching second -- hoping to "just read one more page" before going to bed ... until you realize it's morning, and, oh no, work is calling! If you're as jazzed about the exploits of Jack Bauer as I am, you won't be able to put this one down.
   
   I'll admit that I generally don't put a whole lot of stake into what comes out of any actor's mouth when they're sermonizing about the evils of our world, but, thankfully, "Secrets" avoids most of the pratfalls by having these contributors focus on 24 as a phenomenon, even when they don't so much see the show in that vein. From politics to people, from terrorists to Tinseltown, everyone here has something to say. There are admittedly a handful of interviews that don't so much relate to 24 as they could have, but, all in all, these "Secrets" are best shared amongst the fans of the award-winning TV series. If anything, this book will help you pass the time waiting for another day in the life of Jack Bauer ... and reliving the old ones.

3 comments about The Jewish Revolution; Jewish Statehood.

1. This book, written by one of the key heroes of the pre-state Jewish underground, should be read and re-read by all Israelis. Israel Eldad (z"l) documents for all time the way things ought to be in Israel. Since this book's publication, we've seen a steady withering of nationalist ideology in the public schools in Israel. One short generation removed, the curriculum is decidedly left wing. Governments after governments now suggest new offers to the terrorist enemy of sacred Jewish land in exchange for time--not even peace as if such a concept were possible to attain at a negotiating table. When will the Israeli people realize that once we had the answer to all of these issues with the Arab enemy. It's all here in Eldad's book.
   
   Amazingly, in the USA, more Christians will agree with Eldad than American Jews always frightened of what their "intellectual" colleagues might think. May every Jew read this book. Christians will find much of it familiar because it fulfills the very teachings of the bible.



2. This brilliant treatise on Zionism and Israel by one of the Lehi fighters offers an amazing glimpse into the past and yet, despite the fact that it was originally written 1970, it offers important lessons for today. The book begins with the fate of the Jews in Europe and why assimilation and equal rights failed to provide security for Jews. Some may disagree that "before the emancipation, before the Jews attained their civil liberties, there was no 'Jewish problem' ". However the emancipation led to the theory of racial anti-Semitism. The author points out, correctly, that the inquisition was not directed against Jews, but Jewish converts. He points out correctly that "outward signs of Jewishness [were] the first ingredients of shame and self-contempt that entered the soul of the emancipated Jews." He draws an important parallel between Karl Marx and Joseph, each desired to help the other and forgot about his own people and the result in both cases was that a "new pharaoh" came to rule over the Jews.
   
   Succeeded chapters detail the forgotten world of extreme Soviet anti-Semitism and how that anti-Semitism infected western leftists. He details his own meetings with the Mufti's brother while they were both in a British prison in Palestine. Most moving of all, Eldad speaks of Jewish military prowess "suddenly gathering all its latent military strength, stirring the embers of its ancient courage and strategic talents." He also notes the increasing attempt by the left to compare Israeli actions to hose of the Nazis; this "all to frequent analogy made by Jewish intellectuals in order to denigrate Zionism and Israel and thus give vent to their own self-hate."
   
   His discussions of the Israel-Arab conflict are less original today. Declaring that Jordan is not a state rooted in history and that there are no Palestinians is not new. Statements such as "the swastika was a direct descendant of the cross" may annoy some.
   
   Other premonitions are quite brilliant, noting that "the whites I South Africa will suddenly remember that the Jews were actively inciting the blacks against them and the blacks of South Africa will remember that the Jews are members of the white race that has been exploiting them." The statement has been born out as were the authors predictions about problems between Africa-Americans and Jews in the U.S.
   
   He sums up his brilliant work noting that "we still have created no paradise here. Sometimes it smacks somewhat of hell. But it is our hell, and our job to turn it into the paradise we want."
   
   Seth J. Frantzman



3. Anyway familiar with historical books/studies will automatically notice that this book is missing a bibliography and does not cite any sources. If you are familiar with European and Middle Eastern history, especially the role that Jews have played in both, then much of what is written here will not be a surprise for you. The context given to all of the above is, on the other hand, interesting, from time to time. It would be even more interesting if the author could cite sources!
   
   I can't say I agree for 100% with all the arguments but much here makes sense. The sad fact, in the end, is that the world cannot and will not function as this book/author would like. A lot of what is advocated comes from hindsight, but humanity does not work that way. At other times the author wishes that double standards would not exist against Israel, so do I, but that is, again, not the world we live in. In the end this book is filled with a good amount of truth and honesty as well as emotion. At the same time, there is also too much idealism and not enough realistic thinking and acceptance. If the majority of the world was familiar with its own history then many of the mistakes made today would never have occurred, but that type of idealistic dream is just that. We should not concentrated on what could have been but rather try to understand our present reality, including how and why it came about, and what we can do to change it in the future, for the better.