5 comments about A Fighter Pilot in Buchenwald: The Joe Moser Story.

1. This is a story of a humble man whose values and strengths pulled him through unimaginable events in WWII. Joe tells his story in a conversational but compelling way and makes you feel as if you are there, feeling with him, all that he must endure.
   
   The fact that it has taken this long for him to sit down and write his story shows that, in Joe's mind, he was just doing his duty and did not need attention or recognition once he returned to his family and friends.
   
   Amazing events and chance meetings during the years after the war, quieted his nightmares and brought him to a place where he could tell his story.
   
   Joe is a national treasure, just like all those with whom he served.



2. Great transaction, this item showed up very quickly. Most online merchants take several weeks for items to arrive since I live in Hawaii but this came within a few days. Much appreciated.



3. This is a superbly researched and written book full of extraordinary insights into the horrors of WWII. Due to passing through a Paris prison on his way to Buchenwald, there is a remarkable overlap with the events contained in another fantastic book about WWII, "Is Paris Burning?". Read both books, you won't be disappointed.



4. Reading this book will capture your attention and you will have a tough time putting it down! Joe is another one of the Greatest Generation who has finally told his harrowing story of horror and survival that resulted from some of the darkest treatment man can bestow upon another human being. Thanks for your duty and honor Joe!!



5. This book is so beautifully and effectively written, enabling the reader to return to the time in which so many people suffered. It is an honour to be able to read Joe's story of courage and strength. It should be a reminder to everyone to prevent such tragic and painful events ever taking place again.

5 comments about Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (Dark Horse Collection.).

1. I really liked reading this book because it was one of the best star wars books I ever read. I liked how Luke Skywalker went back to the Dagobah System. I also liked the new villians Thrawn,Talon Karrde, and C'baoth. It was great when they went to Chewbacca's home planet Kashyyyk. The battle at the end was a good way to end the book.



2. People who haven't read the books might get confused with the story line in the comic novels, but it's nice to see the artwork of all the characters introduced 5 years after the Star Wars Trilogy. This comic, in particular, does a great job of drawing the Noghri & Mara Jade. Now if only Lucas will put it on film.



3. This review is for the graphic novel adaptation:

   Nice story, if you love Star Wars but you're not familiarized with the expanded universe and you'd like to meet the new characters this is the best story to start with: critical characters are introduced: Mara Jade, Gillad Pelleaon, Talon Karrde, Councilor Fel'ya, Grand Almiral Thrawn, Jacen and Jaina Solo, Jorus C'Baoth, the Noghri ...etc. It was pretty cool to find Thrawn on this story, since i first met him in the TIE fighter videogame!

   However i think i missed a lot of things by reading the graphic novel rather than the novel, I think i'll be reading the novel later. I liked the way the story manages its storylines, I wonder if some of those stories are going to be referenced on the new Star Wars films?




4. Other than the GL done SW movies, this is the most important series of books in the Galaxy Far Far Away. If i were starting out as a reader of the Expanded Star Wars universe I would not start with Zahn first. I would start with the Han Solo trilogy first.

   Darkhorse has made some SW books in comics. They gereally do a good job, but not always. They often suffer from poor editing decision. This one is no exception. It is to bad that you can't put the audio (book on tape) casette or CD and play it along with the comic, but you can't. The comic takes to many deletions to fit their page limitations. Still I have to give this 5 stars to reward Darkhorse for the attempt. Wishing DH would do other SW novels... thank you for this one.




5. Although there are a few very trivial flaws in "Heir to the Empire" they are easily overlooked and do not take away from any of the enjoyment contained within. I can say with all honesty and not a little relief that Timothy Zahn did a far better job than any of the low-brow attempts at a worthwhile novel about our beloved Star Wars heroes than such amateurs such as Kevin J. Anderson and Steve Perry. Basically, it takes place five years after "Return of the Jedi" and Luke is just starting to feel comfortable in his role as the galaxy's only known Jedi. Han and Leia are married and expecting twins while struggling to build a new Republic in their home in the Imperial Palace on Coruscant. The Empire is considerably weakened and withering away, but it still holds some surprises for our blossoming New Republic. Strutting upon the stage is a new antagonist almost worthy of being Darth Vader's equal. A blue skinned red eyed member of the Chiss species named Grand Admiral Thrawn, the last of the Empire's Grand Admirals, has taken the Empire into his own hands in an attempt to revive the Empire and bring it back into its former power. He is a brilliant military strategist and super-genius, able to glean merely from a culture's art its military strategies and psychological traits. Although, Zahn never bothers to explain exactly how he does this, I feel that this would certainly qualify one to be an extraordinary genius among geniuses. Okay, Thrawn is quite honestly a much better "bad guy" than the ludicrously ridiculous Hutt (a Hutt that would fit much better in an episode of Looney Tunes) that Kevin J. Anderson dreamed up in "Dark Saber" however, Zahn doesn't quite make him as fascinating as Darth Vader, but after Vader anyone would seem fairly anticlimatic. And an insane dark Jedi by the name of C'baoth is bent on capturing Luke and Leia (with her unborn twins) for his own corrupt reasons. A great plot with all our favorite characters, as well as an interesting trip to Kashyyyk with Chewbacca, even though his child and wife is disappointingly never mentioned, all combine to make a great read replete with space fights, political intrigue, and new characters.

3 comments about The Art of War by Baron De Jomini - Special Edition.

1. 
   Contained in the pages of this book are the most authoritative descriptions of Napoleon's battles ever put on paper. De Jomini was an eyewitness to most of Napoleon's important battles, and privy to the machinations of the Great Man himself. As a member of Napoleon's staff and a keen observer, de Jomini's descriptions of the battles are widely recognized by military experts to be both accurate and insightful.
   
   For an in-depth examination of the tactics and strategy of one of the greatest generals of all time, de Jomini's "Art of War" is unsurpassed. It demonstrates the state of the military art that preceded the American Civil War. Doubtless, the Civil War generals on both sides of the conflict were familiar with this book.
   
   As one of the landmark volumes of military science, this book is still essential to every student of tactics and strategy. The lessons it presents, in its descriptions of Napoleon's battles, are as timeless as the reputation of the genius who crafted them.



2. Jomini's "The Art of War" is a great contrast to Clauswitz's "On War." Clauswitz rambles on and on to get to a philosophical point of various military topics. Now this is important of course, and Clauswitz is good for military thinkers. But I like Jomini because he writes for military "doers." This book is a great instruction manuel for operational commanders, as an instruction manuel is to a model kit builder.
   
   "The Art of War" covers and defines in Chapter 1 the different types of wars: offensive, defensive, etc. In Chapter 2 Jomini discusses Military Policy, Chapter 3 is on Strategy and Tactics, Chapter 4 Grand Tactics and Battles, Chapters 5 and 6 Geographic and Logistical challenges, and Chapter 7 Troop Battle Dispositions.
   
   Unlike other prominent books on war (by Clauswitz and Sun Tzu) the best part of Jomini's "The Art of War" is that it includes sketches of different orders of battle (Chapter 4). For the brand-new reader of military science this is INVALUABLE because it shows what a flank attack is, an oblique order, a concave order a.k.a double envelopement, and echelon order, to name just a few. Why are these important? Because every Great Captain--Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Caesar, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon--have used at least one of these "universal" strategies to beat a larger enemy. I say "universal" because no matter what time period war is fought, from ancient times to the Persian Gulf War, these strategies can be used over and over again. Technology and tactics are always changing; strategies are the constant. Jomini brilliantly found these universal battle strategies, and wrote them for us! Although he focuses mostly on Frederick's and Napoleon's wars (Jomini fought with Napoleon, the big--er...little man himself!)the author's strategies that he laid out were also used by Alexander the Great (the Greek conqueror used the echelon order to defeat the Persians at Issus) and Hannibal of Carthage (the Romans were annihilated at Cannae by Hannibal's double envelopement).
   
   For me this book is the best scrutiny of operational strategy and military doctrine. It gets to the point. Much of it is written for the 19th century reader but the strategies and principles are very important today. American soldiers sweeped away Saddam's army in 2003 by using enveloping maneuvers and fantastic logistical organization (see Chapter 4 and 6 for info on these topics!). Jomini's book is as pertinent today as it was back during the American Civil War.



3. This is the third in the Special Edition series on "The Art of War" that I have read, and it was certainly the most graphic so far. Sun Tzu's The Art of War describes generalizations which can be applied to strategy, to battle, or virtually any life situation involving conflict. Not so with Machiavelli or Baron de Jomini. Their versions of The Art of War draw upon the teachings of Sun Tzu with respect to strategy, but the similarities would seem to end there. de Jomini was a brilliant strategist, and a ruthless general. If you enjoy this book, you should go on to read "The Art of War" by Machiavelli, if not the full series. It seems that every age produces a "larger than life" general who intuitively grasps the intricacies of war, and I doubt many people will dispute that de Jomini surpassed even Napoleon's thirst for conquest.

3 comments about Baron Von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual: A Facsimile Reprint of the 1794 Edition (Dover Books on Americana).

1. This copy is a must have reference for any Revolutionary War reenactor or Eighteenth Century history enthusiast. It is an actual copy of the original printing. von Steuben is often called the Father of the modern Army, due to his contributions to our training readiness at Valley Forge encampment 1777-1778.(http://www.nps.gov/vafo/) Required reading for new recruits in the Continental Army of his excellency General George Washington!



2. I bought this book for the sole purpose of reviewing discipline in military organizations. Being an AF First Sergeant, it re-focused and validated many of the methods still used today. An excellent way to see how history can be a valuable tool in teaching and leading.
   The only down side is the dry reading. The english language has progressed leaps and bounds since the Revolutionary War.



3. Von Steuben's drill manual is of extrordinary importance for several reasons.
   
   At the shallowest level, it is a primary source for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 reenactors. For 34 years, (1778-1812) this was THE book for the U.S. Army, so any reenactor interested in this period should start here.
   
   Pertaining to the history of the U.S. Army, this was the first manual, the first set of standards in place in the army. The first of anything sets the tone for later developments, and any serious research about the U.S. Army or Army doctrine should start here.
   
   As an enduring framework, the "Instructions" section is still echoed in U.S. Army leadership doctrine. The roles, responsibilities, and relationships of officers and non-commissioned officers haven't changed that much, especially when compared to the changes in tactics and technology in the intervening centuries. A regimental commander's "first and greatest care" should be "the preservation of the soldiers health", "A captain cannot be too careful of the company the state has committed to his charge", "the discipline and order of a company" depend upon the non-commissioned officers. All these ideas ring true whether the army was outfited with flintlocks or thermal-sighted gas-operated selective fire rifles. This continuity is of tremendous value to the spirit of a successful army.
   
   This manual was also the instrument of a military transformation for the U.S. Army. Von Steuben arrived at the Continental Army's encampment, and popular legend in the U.S. Army is that he was so shocked by the lack of discipline and disorder that he sat down and wrote the first copy of this manual that very night. This is not true, as mentioned in the publisher's note, but by bringing military discipline to the Continental Army, a bunch of farmers and store clerks were able to turn the tides and defeat the premier ground forces of the era. Again, a significant event in the history of military science as well as American history.
   
   As a fencer, I was a little disappointed. Although in the first chapter it mentions that officers and NCOs are to be armed with swords, there is no further mention of the use of swords. Other than this one shortcoming, this was a very enlightening book about the period, and is an influential manual with continuing significance to military science and U.S. Army history.

3 comments about The Red Fighter Pilot: The Autobiography of the Red Baron.

1. Of course everyone has heard of the myths about the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, but this book tells the real story, in his own words. Richthofen tells us about his early life, how he joined the army as a cavalry officer before going to flight school, and his experiences as the top-scoring fighter ace in World War One.
   
   This version of Richthofen's autobiography also has a number of interesting photos which illustrate the world in which the Red Baron flew, fought, and died.
   
   It also includes a very nice introduction which gives a short historical background of the First World War and the development of the airplane as a military weapon. Richthofen's accomplishments are placed in the context of earlier air aces like Roland Garros, Max Immelman, and Oswald von Boelcke, the German ace who took the young Manfred von Richthofen under his wing and taught him the rules of air combat.
   
   Although there are several different printed versions of Richthofen's autobiography available, the very informative introduction and the accompanying photos make this version the best I have seen.



2. Very insightful book and well written. You get a pretty clear picture of Manfred Von Richthofen's short life, how he saw the war and his place in it. He had quite a sense of humor also. Kind of sad though when you realize he was bred for war. Interesting that his fighting tactics he learned from Boelcke are still used by fighter pilots today. Good introduction that gives alot of historical information on the war and the aces. I didn't know alot about WW1 when I got this book but I've certainly become interested enough to read alot more about it.



3. This book is great, it was written by Manfred Von Richthofen himself. The book shows all the struggles and excitement of aerial warfare in its infancy, during the first world war. The book also gives us the story before Richthofen climbed in the cockpit, back when he was in the cavalry.

4 comments about Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Vol. 1 (v. 1).

1. ...from The Truce at Bakura (the fairly tame EU novel by Kathy Tyers) to the X-wing novels (written by Michael Stackpole and Aaron Allston).
   
   In it, we can see the formation of the the infamous Rogues as a mix of both Classic Trilogy, Novel, and Comic characters all with their various back-stories (some of which are thin, some quite fleshed out and continuous) and the like.
   
   While the adventures are formulaic and a tad predictable (as are MOST space operas), they're still fun and in keeping with the pace and flow you could find in movies.
   
   Look for tie-ins to the novels and both the Classic Trilogy and the Prequels, but basically just sit back and enjoy tame, but comfortable series of storytelling.



2. I'm a big fan of the Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron books and I was expecting the same level of quality in the comics. Frankly, I was disappointed. The stories don't have anywhere near the character interest as the books, and the art really doesn't add a lot. All that said, they aren't bad on their own, just nothing really special. I might buy volume II to see if it gets better.



3. product as described, arrived earlier than the estimated arrival date said, very good, would order again



4. I found the book to be enjoyable. I have enjoyed the X-wing novels and found these plots to be similar. I am more of text reader than graphic reader. Overall, it was an enjoyable book. The "comic book" aspect is distracting for me; I prefer words. If you enjoyed the other novels, I recommend this book, but remember that is a graphic rather than text novel.

5 comments about The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia.

1. I first encountered this book in the British edition, and its good to see that it can reach an American audience now. I've been fascinated by this period of Mongolian history ever since I found a musty old copy of Ossendowski's Beasts, Men and Gods in a used bookstore years ago, so I was very happy to find a new look at those times in this book. Finding sources or historical writing on this period is difficult, at least here in the US, since Outer Mongolia almost seems to be a fictitious country in itself. Fortunately, James Palmer has travelled the East and waded through the various scraps and pieces of its history and pulled together a picture of a fascinating, if horrendous, figure who stamped his mark upon the era. Ossendowski's book, while purportedly true, reads like a pulp adventure novel, and his account of Baron Ungern certainly makes a modern reader believe that he must have been made up. Not so, of course, even though the picture that Palmer is able to put together of the man in some ways seems even more extreme. The Baron, or Bloody Baron, or Bloody Mad Baron, as he has variously been called, was all too real a person, and his insane, murderous actions were all too common during this period.
   
   There is a perception in the modern West that Buddhism is perhaps unique amongst the world's major faiths in not lending itself to the kinds of wars and conflicts that, for example, Christianity and Islam have been such prominent players in. And while its certainly true that Buddhism has been a relatively peaceful religion, history, and certainly this history, shows how even the dharma can be turned towards violence, and how ethnic divisions, superstitions and unjust conditions can be exploited by cunning leaders to turn even the most peaceful doctrine into a permission for bloody conflict. Ungern was a curious mix of Christian, occultist and mystical Buddhist wannabe, driven by a belief in prophecy and armoring himself with magical charms (who can say they didn't work? He certainly never took a bullet on the battlefield with those charms hanging from his neck). In some ways the template for the kind of Aristocratic European Occultist that would later become such a stock character by way of the Nazis, his life and exploits make for fascinating reading, even if only as a cautionary tale about the kind of beast that wars and prejudice can create out of man.
   
   My only complaint about this book is the lack of photographs. The author describes a number of photos of the Baron at various points in his story, but none of them are included outside of the dust jacket. I hope the publisher can add these in future editions.



2. I guess that's what I ended up thinking at the end of this book, as well. I feel like the book did a better job of telling the story of the early days of the Soviet Empire than telling the story of Baron Ungern. There would be a little on Ungern's life, followed by long passages on what the area was experiencing, then a little bit of information on Ungern, etc. By the end, I had a solid grasp on what the area was experiencing, but Ungern remained somewhat mysterious. Perhaps this was intentional because of his mystique, but probably not.
   
   With that said, it was still an interesting read. I found the flow to be a little uneven and unfocused at parts, but Mr. Palmer did a pretty good job at being comprehensive. I look forward to his next work.
   
   Beautiful hardcover jacket, by the way.



3. This is a fascinating book about a character I had never heard of. The story itself is so odd the while reading this book I felt like I was actually reading some strange fantasy novel instead of history. What made me realize that it was history was the fact that there were only villans in this story, there are no heroes here.
   
   Baron Ungern was a Russian officer in the last days of the Tsarist empire. He was a interested mystical philosophies. After the fall of the Tsar and the Red coup he joined the forces fighting the communist forces in Russia. As the communist forces began to succeed he left Russia and went to Mongolia. There he threw out the Chinese occupiers. He then tried to lay the groundwork for a renewed Mongolian empire. His plans were eventually thwarted and he was captured and executed by the communist forces.
   
   While the previous paragraph gives a brief outline it does little to convey the strange and fascinating story that unfolds in the pages of the book. For those of us in the west who are taught nothing about this part of the world and little at all about this period of history it is truly eye opening. Palmer lays out a great deal of information to bring the background of this story to life. His own knowledge of the area helps to illuminate many parts of the book. His wit is the typically dry British style. He paints a vivid picture of Tibetan/Mongolian buddhism. His portrait is honest, painfully so with those of us only familiar with the Hollywood version.
   
   The stories of brutality by all sides in this story is enough to make one's hair stand on end. With the fall and the discrediting of communism it is now possible to air the truth about what happened in much of the world that suffered under its tyranny. The epilogue of the book, which covers the period of Mongolia after the communist takeover, shows the extreme brutality and cultural rape that accompanied that system.
   The book is well written and the topic is fascinating. As a historian I regret that there is not more source material on this subject. This is not the fault of the author, rather it is the simple absence of much reliable original material on this subject. The only warning that I will give is that many types of brutality were committed by all sides and you will here about it.



4. The book was interesting to read however, I thought the book was going to more about the Baron. It was about 10% of the content. I did enjoy reading about the Buddist practices and politics, I was very unaware of what Buddism was then compared to today.



5. I liked the last chapter; but most of the book was sort of Hollywood ala Mel Gibson.
   
   I wanted to know more about Mongolia and less about the White Russians.
   
   The White Russians behaved very badly even given the excuse of fleeing the revolution.
   Eventually the weary Mongolians handed the Baron back to the Soviets.He was found guilty and he died in front of a firing squad.
   
   
   I was surprised to read that Taiwan does not have diplomatic relations with Mongolia. As late as 2002 Taiwan still claimed Mongolia!
   
   

5 comments about The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army.

1. Biographies of Von Steuben are not many, and modern ones very few. This one is thorough, well-documented, and well-written.
   
   The other reviewers have covered the main points, so I will just add a couple of observations:
   
   * sums of money make an important part of the story, but it is not clear how they relate to modern purchasing power. Von Steuben was owed many thousands of dollars of back-pay; but if not modern US dolars, then what?
   
   * illustrating the story with 1770s maps was a cute idea and enlightening in a way, but not very helpful to the 2000s reader. The NJ (1778) and VA (1781) campaigns need more detailed illustration: plots showing the movements of Steuben and the forces he managed would be more helpful.
   
   Sorry. I knock one star off for the maps and money.



2. An accurate, well written, informative book. My wife, not the history buff that I am, read it and enjoyed it so much she sent it to her brother in France. I had to buy a second copy!



3. Always in the background but we never really know very much about him. This is really overdue and frankly well worth the wait. Well written, well researched and very readable this brings the Old Prussian right into your reading room. Like so many before and after him he was so close to obscurity. This is an inspiring story of how yet another new American made a fresh start in the new world. His contributions to the war effort are beyond calculation. Right man, right place, right time. Thanks Lockhart for a real winner.



4. I was very impressed with Mr. Lockhart's discussion of both de Steuben's strengths and weaknesses. The book read easily and included detail that was a reflection of Lockhart's considerable research. Any student of history will appreciate the informative portrayal of de Steuben and his valuable contributions to the American Revolution gained from reading this book.



5. I found this book in a supermarket. Lord knows how it ended up among the romance novels and thrillers, but there it was. I enjoy military history of any era, so I threw it in my cart. What a delightful surprise! I'm almost at the end, and I hate to see the story draw to a close. Baron de Steuben was certainly a name I knew; I always got A's in history. But that's ALL I knew: some foreigner who fought in the American Revolution. Oh, my: the Prussian baron is so much more! Move over, Lafayette; there's a new hero in town! Looking at the facts, Baron de (von) Steuben arguably saved the rebellion from military defeat, probably on more than one occasion. Why isn't this guy on a coin?!? Read the book: draw your own conclusions. It is lively. It is well-stocked with fascinating scholarly odds and ends. And in places it reads like a documentary: you are there, on horseback, pacing a particular patch of ground, with the enemy ready to pounce. This is popular history at its best.

5 comments about A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice.

1. Joya is an example to all who fight for what is right. This book is an inspiration to many. Although her message is
   loud and clear, I found it repetitive as of the middle of the book. We never found out much about her family or her husband. I also found it unrealistic in that she could do no wrong. She constantly slammed the warlords in Afghanistan and the US in her book which is gutsy and correct. She never appeared to look at herself to ask...What can I do differently?....How can I work WITH members of the Parliament to change views?



2. This is a useful and interesting book that made this reader consider the Afghan "government" that western powers are currently propping up. However, for a person not familiar with the history and details of the situation in Afghanistan (like myself), the frequent references to the multiple warlords who are the chief constituents of a corrupt government were opaque. I tend to think that for the interested North American reader, more background information needed to be provided about many of the figures in the Afghan parliament. I was disappointed at reading so much about men, all guilty of the same crimes--and seemingly interchangeable, and not being better informed about how democratically minded Afghans (like Joya and those who elected her) would begin to correct the situation were the Americans, Canadians and others to back out. I understand the idea that democracy must grow naturally out of the struggles of the people, but when there are such human rights abuses going on, how much of a hands-off policy should westerners really have? The book certainly made me question what we are really doing there, and what (in a more optimistic light) the role of true supporters of democracy should be. How can the West really support this war-torn country? How can we protect the most downtrodden from bullies? Joya's message about the heinous crimes against women, children, and the poor of this country perpetrated by a government of criminals, who have a long history of violent abuse of human rights, is loud and clear. However, as another reviewer has noted, the book felt repetitive. I wonder if more knowledgeable or skilled editors (and possibly co-writer) might have helped the book become a clearer, more illuminating work. Having heard a number of interviews with Joya, a charismatic and galvanizing woman, I was surprised at the tone of the book. From the book, one has the sense that Joya stands almost alone against the corrupt; she alone sees the fundamental truth about the fundamentalists. Few other democratic Afghan voices are heard. Yet, surely, given Joya's success and support, she has met with other thoughtful and dedicated "freedom fighters." The frequent use of the word "martyrs" is also concerning and requires clarification for a western audience. This was an interesting book that could have been more effectively written.



3. Malalai Joya has written a lucid book called "A woman among warlords-The extraordinary story of an Afghan who dared to raise her voice.".In it she tells of her upbringing during the war in Afghanistan in the 1980's. She describes how the family had to flee the fighting and live in dangerous conditions in Iranian refugee camps where many Afghans where persecuted. Then the family took refuge in Pakistani refugee camps where many of the Afghan orphans would later be recruited into the Taliban. After the Russians are driven out of Afghanistan with support from America the country is left to be ravaged by opposing factions of brutal warlords. The stories that Malalai reports here are incredibly brutal, with rape and murder becoming a commonplace thing in the Afghan scenery at this time. Some of these warlords who fought for power between 92 and 96 when the power vaccum developed would later become part of the new Afghan government under Hamid Karzai that America and Nato now support.
   
   The Soviet empire had bombed and killed their way all across Afghanistan and now the warlords fighting was continuing to tear the place appart. Finally the Taliban took power in 98 and this brought some inital stability to the country but at a high price. Human rights suffered immensley as well as womens rights. Malalai went back into the country to start teaching the women reading and writing in underground schools. The Taliban misused Islam too and crearted a set of medieval, repressive rules in the name of their religion. She took risks teaching these classes but local Afghans demanded it, not wanting their girls to lack education. Many of the fun things for people had to be done on an underground level. Malalai recounts: "It was a challange to learn to eat icecream under the burqa". Women would meet and dance together in each others homes, wear makeup or western style clothing under their burqas, or have "Titanic parties" where people would meet up at secret parties and watch the popular film Titanic together. Ofcourse after the Taliban fell in 2001 the first hing that happend was that people went out and bought DVD players and stereos, with music blasting on every street corner.
   
   After the tragic events on 9/11 Afghanistan was now under an attack from the US army and NATO. The goal was to get rid of the Taliban government and catch Bin ladin and his ALQaida men. Civilians in Afghanistan first felt liberated but then eventually betrayed when the old warlords who had been driven away by the Taliban started to return to power with US and NATO backing. On november 19th 2001 the New York times wrote that "The galaxy of warlords who tore Afghanistan apart in the early 1990s and who where vanquished by the Taliban because of their corruption and perfidy are back on their thrones , poised to excercise power in the ways they always have." Now old warlords like Dostum and Fahim came back to power at the dread of many Afghans. Sensing that a critical voice was needed within the new government Malalai went into politics.
   
   She travelled to Kabul to attend the Loya Jirga, a big national meeting between representatives from many different regions before the elections in 2004. Here all the different players who had helped America defeat the Taliban where represented. Many of these warlords had long records of human rights abuses yet here they where wearing "the mask of democracy" as Malalai Joya called it. This outraged her and she delivered a powerfull speech where she denounced the warlords and their cronies. This launched her into the public eye making her message known around the world almost overnight. The BBC news called her "The bravest woman in Afghanistan". But it also enraged the warlords who immediatley denounced her and she was banned from speaking again in jirga. She also started recieving alot of support from Aghans who shared her point of view. But she also became the target of threats and assassination attempts due to her comments.
   
   Later Joya met with Afghan president Hamid Karzai. He listened to her and even shed tears when she told her the brutal stories about the women she had cared for who had been raped. She also met with his wife who wanted to start a womens group with her. This was never followed through and Malalai Joya makes her point clearly that she sees now Karzai as being a puppet for the American with the real power behind the throne being Zalmay Kalilzad who was at the time the US ambassador to Afghanistan. Who according to Joya "many people in Afghanistan considered the architect of misguided US policy in Afghanistan". It is Joyas opinion that America was repeating it's old mistake of supporting Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan. Due to a movie made about Malalai called "Enemies of Happiness" her message started to spread around the world. The film won some prizes so she was invited abroad to speak about the war in Afghanistan. This lead to her reputation as a peace activist growing. Eventually she was thrown out of the Afghan parliament and has become even more unpopular because of her outspokeness against the corruption and former warcrimes of some of the parliament warlord members.
   
   All in all this book is a very heavy read. It takes you deep into the troubled world that is Afghanistan today. There are so many tragic stories she relates about the immense suffering of the Afghan civilians who have been caught up in 30 years of brutal warfare. The picture she paints of her country is very dark and one becomes very pessimistic for Afghanistans future when one reads her assessment of the state of things in her country. But the warlord policy that is now in place is something that is a huge obstacle to the countries future. By allowing the corruption to continue regular Afghans see the former warlords now filling their pockets with foreign aid and drug money. The Americans and NATO forces who have put them in power and support them have become very disliked because of this in many Afghan peoples eyes. Even vice president Joe Biden said "America has replaced the Taliban with the warlords. Warlords are still on the US payroll but that hasn't brought a cesation of violence. Not only is the US failing to rein in the warlords, we are actually making them the centerpiece of our strategy."
   
   Malalai says that her country has always been used as a battlefield for a much bigger chessgame taking place between foreign players, wether it be the Russians, the British, the Americans, the Iranians or Pakistanis (the list goes on). But the massive support that America gave to the radical islamic movements in this part of the world has now brought America back to the region into a much bigger quagmire. I am honestly very discouraged about how things will turn out for them there. By backing Hamid Karzai who cheated his way into winning the recent election and also supporting many misogynistic, drug dealing fundamentalist warlords their chances of gaining local support will be bleak at best. But I like the quote that Malalai has in the book from Martin Luther King:
   
   "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."



4. I really hope Malalai Joya lives to see the day when there is PEACE in her land, despite those bloodthirsty drug smuggling warlords and those remote controlled drones, sowing "Freedom and Democracy" everywhere. I do wish her all the best and good luck !



5. I read this book in awe and amazement. While reading I was thinking to myself that I was coming to know the bravest woman in the world. Despite threats of death, Malalai Joya is never intimidated. She stands fierce and proud up against ruthless tribal warriors who have murdered endless innocent Afghan citizens. These are the same men standing in the Afghan parliment, continuing to increase their power, without concern for the people they rule. These warriors will murder Malalai Joya too, should they gain the moment. While she is accepting of the fact that her life may end in violence, I tremble in fear for her safety, but she stands tall and proud and is never intimidated.
   
   This woman is my hero. She gave me a rush of inspiration to do more to alert the world about discrimination against women. I wanted to throw down my duties at hand and rush to Afghanistan to stand beside her and to guard her. If the Afghan people truly want to end corruption and discrimination, they should elect Malalai Joya as their president and follow her from the darkness into the light.
   
   I do so hope that millions of people purchase and read this book, and support this woman in any way that they can.
   
   I would have liked more personal information, but Malalai Joya is not involved with "self." She only cares about her country and the plight of the Afghan people.
   
   What a woman, is all I can say....

5 comments about Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy.

1. I loved the Thrawn trilogy novels by Timothy Zahn. This graphic novel adaptation/compilation is a great addition to your bookshelves. Star Wars is such a visual experience- when I was a kid you couldn't own the movies so the comic book adaptations were your closest connection to experiencing the film story at home. This book continues that tradition since you can't own the film versions of what are largely considered to be episodes 7,8 & 9. The size of the book is more like a traditional hardcover- which makes it ideal for the collector. Highly recommended!



2. I just finished this book, having never before read the Thrawn trilogy novels. I must say that I enjoyed it and think the story is a worthy entry into Star Wars lore. As an adaptation I think it succeeds. I think if this were done originally for comic and not as an adaptation of a novel it would've come out very differently. I say this because it does progress through the plot in a very matter of fact kind of way, occasionally summarizing plot points with a single caption box (ie. "Using the force to suppress curiosity, Luke enters the pilot ready room"). Having said that, I think the pacing works well. It's actually surprising to me how dense this volume really is. Not having read the books, I can't say how true it is to them, but I get the impression that it stays very true. They definitely didn't give the quick and dirty version.
   
   If this weren't Star Wars or if I weren't a big Star Wars fan I don't know that it would've been as enjoyable. It's not about developing lovable characters and all that jazz, that's for sure. For Star Wars fans though, I think it's a real gem. It picks up five years after ROTJ, and delivers great moments from the characters we know and love. Opposed to the prequel trilogy, I think adult fans of Star Wars will appreciate a story that isn't about CGI and selling action figures.



3. A bit of a history lesson here is necessary for the uninitiated. Odds are that there will be few (uninitiated) here, given that most drawn to this review will have working familiarity with the subject matter, but I'll supply a few details from memory anyhow. Call it posterity. Once the lights in the theatre went out on STAR WARS: EPISODE 6: RETURN OF THE JEDI, serious Star Wars enthusiasts had no idea when (or even if) they'd be treated to another adventure in their most favorite cinematic universe. The original trilogy had come to its close with mild controversy (Ewoks? Really, George? Were they necessary?) with some fanfare -- after seriously amping up the stakes in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK -- and 1983 seemed to bring an end to the continuing adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the rest of the gang.
   
   Then, in 1992, science fiction novelist Timothy Zahn's new trilogy of Star Wars tales began, and it reminded Star Wars fans everywhere of the latent potential still lingering like a welcome disturbance in the Force in that galaxy far, far away. Over the course of the next few years, Zahn did as Lucas had done with the original trilogy, amping up the stakes just a little bit at each crazy turn, whetting fandom's appetite for even more visits to these distant worlds ... and the good folks at Dark Horse Comics were all too happy to oblige. Eventually, Dark Horse stumbled onto the brilliant idea to adapt Zahn's books; these novels had, after all, earned a special place in the hearts of most Star Wars fans, so much so that most consider these outings as unofficial Episodes 7, 8, and 9, picking up the events of Luke & company nearly a decade after JEDI ended.
   
   Dark Horse completed three miniseries adaptations -- each with six issues, each miniseries focusing on one of Zahn's novels -- ultimately and inevitably re-releasing each of these three miniseries in trade paperback forms, and now Dark Horse Books has finally put them all together in one grand spanking adventure. At over 400 pages, STAR WARS: THE THRAWN TRILOGY is the ultimate fan package, returning Star Wars fans to the excitement they felt with each passing chapter of Zahn's massive adventure. It's not a light undertaking in the slightest: these comics go to great lengths to capture the details of the books, bringing many new characters, worlds, ships, and situations that, honestly, fit like a glove in Lucas's fantastic universe.
   
   In a nutshell, the New Republic has grown to encompass many worlds, but elements of the Empire -- namely, several surviving ships, bases, and one nasty Grand Admiral Thrawn -- have come across data that indicates the Emperor held a few tricks up his sleeve even in death. A hidden Dark Jedi Master ... ship cloaking technology ... and a mountain fortress complete with cloning cylinders mean that the return of the Empire has always remained a virtually galactic heartbeat away, leaving Adm. Thrawn to hatch his plan to return the forces of evil to reign in the galaxy. Standing in his way? The usual suspects of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and they each have special roles to play, alongside a growing legion of smugglers and Rebel fighter pilots ...
   
   Read closely, and you'll find it hard to believe that the theatres were dark with new cinematic Star Wars adventures for two decades!
   
   Zahn weaves his tale with several new faces and even some new twists on the ol' ones, and he brings an adult, dramatic, treacherous sensibility to bare on every development. THE THRAWN TRILOGY is a massive undertaking -- wouldn't it be great to get three more Star Wars stories up on the silver screen -- and, while it might not be to everyone's liking, it certainly tickled mosts fancies when so little else was happening in this universe. While some of the events feel a bit rushed toward the end of the collection, this is one story worth visiting again and again, not only for nostalgia but also because it's great to have Star Wars making all of us feel like a kid again.
   
   May the Force be with you. Always.



4. I'm just gna keep this short and spoiler free.
   
   This comic is a MUST BUY for any star wars fan! I've never ever been a fan of Post-ROTJ stories but this story was incredible. I never read Thrawn before because it seemed like such a daunting task to invest all my time in 3 novels when Post0ROTJ stories have continually let me down. But as soon as i heard about this omnibus I HAD to have it. I have every TPB and Omnibus released by Dark Horse and this book might be my favorite in my collection, at least top 3.
   
   The story was great and didn't rehash old plots. There's a lot of fantastic new characters and great insight into how the New Republic got it's footing. Thrawn is an incredible character and you really understand why he deserves to be a Grand Admiral.
   
   anyways i said i'd keep this short so do yourself a favor and buy this book. The art is incredible and the dialogue is word for word from the novels with no changes. I will be reading the Novels soon, maybe after i reread this comic again from the beginning!



5. In 1992, Timothy Zahn revived the Star Wars line big-time with his trilogy of novels showing what happened years after the film saga. The results are now obvious and Dark Horse has finally gotten around to putting together the entire trilogy in one nice volume.
   
   Now it's true that in adapting the books, some stuff had to be edited out. Zahn always had a great line for dialouge and the comic, while an excellent adaptation, is forced to lose some of his nice lines which in some cases give a bit more depth to things. For example, a theme in the trilogy is how it seems Alliance leader Fey'lya seems to be planning a coup but a bit in the books has someone pointing out that he wouldn't know what to do with a military coup, this is simple politics to him. The comic, however, loses that line and a few others.
   
   However, the pull isn't the dialouge here, you can simply read the books. What you get is the visual experience and it is terrific seeing these characters you've only imagined and would enhance the reading more. The battle scenes are well done with epic clashes and the battle between Luke and mad Master C'Boath is a powerful scene.
   
   The best part are the two characters introduced. The first is Grand Admiral Thrawn, a brilliant villian, cool, responsible and an utter genius in battle with a love for art. He's a compelling figure you can't help rooting for even if he is with the Empire. Better is Mara Jade, a former Imperial agent who clashes with Luke several times despite her wanting to change. It's great to see this woman in her debut given how huge a role she'd play.
   
   I still wish Dark Horse would adapt Zahn's two book follow-up (Specter of the Past/Vision of the Future) but this is still one of the best SW tales outside of the film saga. If you've read the books already, the comic is a great way to see it unfold. If you haven't, then the comic is the perfect primer for the more in-depth novels. Either way, it's an experience every fan of the saga can appreciate all the more that captures the magic of the films perfectly.