This book looks at Iran's involvement in the political and military situation in surrounding countries. It is well-written and somewhat timely, but doThis book looks at Iran's involvement in the political and military situation in surrounding countries. It is well-written and somewhat timely, but does not include the latest developments, despite being published this year. The author does a good job of considering the various facets of Iran's political ideology....more
This book is a combination of a biography of Dostoevsky, and a biography of an executed French murderer who was the inspiration for the character of RThis book is a combination of a biography of Dostoevsky, and a biography of an executed French murderer who was the inspiration for the character of Raskilnikov in "Crime and Punishment." The book is well researched and written, and provides significant insight into the main intellectual currents of Dostoevsky's time, and how he experienced and wrote about them. I thought it was interesting, and disturbing, to see the influence of the true crime genre during the 19th century. It also provided insights into Dostoevsky's life, particularly the time he spent among criminals while in political exile in Siberia. The author traces the influence that this had on Dostoevsky's life and thinking....more
This exciting non-fiction book traces an uprising at the main mosque in Mecca during the 1979 Hajj. It was the year of the Islamic Revolution in Iran,This exciting non-fiction book traces an uprising at the main mosque in Mecca during the 1979 Hajj. It was the year of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, often seen as the beginning of the rise of political Islam. A group of jihadists seized control of the mosque, and there was a significant military battle involved in getting them out. Militants also attacked the US Embassy in Pakistan during the same time period. I had heard of this incident, but had no idea how dramatic it actually was. Carefully researched by an author who is the foreign correspondent for the "Wall Street Journal," this book is a real page-turner. The author did significant research, and clearly explains what is known and what things about the attack remain unknown to this day....more
This short novel is set in Ireland in the mid-1980s. It tells the story of a middle-aged coal merchant, who goes to the town's powerful convent to delThis short novel is set in Ireland in the mid-1980s. It tells the story of a middle-aged coal merchant, who goes to the town's powerful convent to deliver coal a few days before Christmas. There, he meets a young woman who is being held as an unwed mother, and how asks him to help her escape. What follows is a deep character study of this man, and how much he is willing to risk social ostricization to do what he believes to be right.
The author does an excellent job describing the main character, both externally and in terms of his inward struggle. The author also does a good job of describing the setting and the time period. I think she could have written a longer book, and included more material about the supporting characters, and more background about the town. However, for such a short novel, I thought the author did an excellent job....more
I ran across this book when I was looking for a different book about Greece at the library. It is a travel memoir, written in the mid-1990s. It is relI ran across this book when I was looking for a different book about Greece at the library. It is a travel memoir, written in the mid-1990s. It is relatively well-written, and contains some interesting background about the Greek War of Independence and subsequent struggles against the Ottoman Empire. It also contains some interesting background about the Greek Orthodox Church, and how religious holidays were celebrated at the time of the author's sojourn in Greece. I was struck by how similar the Balkans are to the Middle East in terms of culture, particularly with regard to family life. There were some references to the then-current conflict in the former Yugoslavia, but I thought the author could have analyzed this further. Overall, the book provided an interesting snapshot of history, but I would have liked to see more analysis....more
Written by a young journalist from the area, this book is a history/contemporary reflection on the county of Essex, to the east of London. There were Written by a young journalist from the area, this book is a history/contemporary reflection on the county of Essex, to the east of London. There were some really interesting parts of the book, but the author seemed to jump from topic to topic without much of a transition. Also, the author didn't develop much of the history, such as Essex's hosting of many factories and working class Britons. He mentions that Essex was both the home of the greatest support for xenophobic, populist politicians, and of the main politicians who campaigned against populist xenophobia. However, he never develops this idea in depth. He mostly talks about how Essex is currently the home of many British reality television stars. This is OK, but wasn't really that interesting to me....more
This book was first published in 1930, and chronicles a year in the life of a middle class woman in a small English town, which is dominated by the loThis book was first published in 1930, and chronicles a year in the life of a middle class woman in a small English town, which is dominated by the local gentry. I thought it was relatively boring, and didn't see the wit that was supposedly there. I found it hard to follow, since it is really written as a series of short diary entries, and doesn't provide any context or background about the narrator, her family, or her community....more
Written by a woman of North African origin living in France, this book tells the story of a French woman who marries a Moroccan soldier after World WaWritten by a woman of North African origin living in France, this book tells the story of a French woman who marries a Moroccan soldier after World War II and their life in Morocco during the independence struggle. It seemed like a very interesting topic, but I was disappointed in the book. Despite the dramatic backdrop, the story seemed mostly focused on relatively petty domestic matters. And, the characters were relatively unlikable. I also found it hard to follow, as there would be a chapter devoted to a minor character who would then never be seen again. In some ways, it was trying to be a 19th century style novel, with lots of description of supporting characters, but wasn't nearly long enough to do justice to this type of style....more
Beautifully written American novel about a Syrian refugee boy, who washes up on a beach in Greece, the only survivor of a shipwreck. He meets a teenagBeautifully written American novel about a Syrian refugee boy, who washes up on a beach in Greece, the only survivor of a shipwreck. He meets a teenaged girl, who helps him escape. The book is in alternating chapters, with one telling the story of the boy's background, and the next about his life in Greece with the girl. The book is beautifully written, with compelling characters, and a fascinating plot. I only wish that the author had developed the girl's character further, and written more about her background....more
This is a sweet novel set in 1950, about an English college student who meets CS Lewis when he terminally ill younger brother wants to hear stories frThis is a sweet novel set in 1950, about an English college student who meets CS Lewis when he terminally ill younger brother wants to hear stories from him. It suffers from the same problem as most books about Lewis do, that they mostly cover the same material, and don't bring anything new to the table. This book added a somewhat schmaltzy romance, which I didn't really care for. But, the main characters were appealing, so there's that....more
Set in the late Victorian era, this book tells the story of an English widow who goes to the countryside, just as a mythical serpent, which terrorizedSet in the late Victorian era, this book tells the story of an English widow who goes to the countryside, just as a mythical serpent, which terrorized the area during the Middle Ages, has returned. It is the type of story that I like, and I've enjoyed some of the author's other books and articles, but I was disappointed with this one. The author didn't conjure the right atmosphere for this type of story, and the characters were not well-drawn. I put it down to being the author's second book. Sometimes, second books are the disappointing ones of an otherwise storied career....more
This is a well-written historical study of Rwanda, with an emphasis on the Anglican Church's role in the country's development. The book starts with aThis is a well-written historical study of Rwanda, with an emphasis on the Anglican Church's role in the country's development. The book starts with a brief history of Rwanda, looking particularly at the ethnic distinctions between Tutsis and Hutus. The author then turns to European colonialism, and looks at how Catholic (Belgian and French) and Protestant (mostly British) missionaries came to the area. The author looks at how the missionaries interacted with political forces. The author then looks at Rwanda's independence struggle, the genocide of the early 1990s, and efforts at reconciliation. He also looks at the increasingly dictatorial regime of Paul Kagame. He looks at the increasing efforts of the Anglican Church in Rwanda to play a role in the West, largely by overseeing Western Anglican churches whose bishops were thought to have left the true faith. The author's overall conclusion is that religious efforts in Rwanda were closely tied to political leaders, and reflected these secular political leaders' wishes rather than the Gospel.
This book was interesting to me, because I didn't know much about Rwanda's history or contemporary politics, and it was a good introduction. I am also a member of an Anglican Church which spent several years under the leadership of a Rwanda (and other African) bishop. It was interesting to learn about this history, although a bit sad to realize that the Westerners' influence was not always salutory....more
Interesting mystery/thriller about a man who goes to teach at a preschool for children of asylum patients. However, he has an unhealthy interest in onInteresting mystery/thriller about a man who goes to teach at a preschool for children of asylum patients. However, he has an unhealthy interest in one of the patients, and seeks to enter the asylum. I read the author's Oland series (at least all of the books that were available in English) and really enjoyed them, but this one wasn't up to that level. It didn't reflect the author's deep knowledge of the setting and atmosphere, and was just a regular mystery/thriller. On that level, it was interesting, but definitely could have been better....more
Written by a journalist, this book tells the story of the elite Iraqi military units that infiltrated and destroyed ISIS. It is an excellent topic, buWritten by a journalist, this book tells the story of the elite Iraqi military units that infiltrated and destroyed ISIS. It is an excellent topic, but I thought having the story jump back and forth between different people, while well-intentioned, made the book hard to follow....more
This is an interesting history of Latin American immigrants in American cities, based on ethnographic studies of neighborhoods in Chicago and Dallas. This is an interesting history of Latin American immigrants in American cities, based on ethnographic studies of neighborhoods in Chicago and Dallas. The book bills itself as a history of how these immigrants helped revive American cities after their mid-20th century decline, but only the last third of the book is really about that. The author traces a longer history, ending with revival and gentrification. I wish the author had spent more time contrasting the two different environments, and providing more analysis of why they differed. However, it is still a good introduction to a topic about which not much has been written....more
This is a book of scholarly essays, written in the 1990s, that look at the period after the Civil War and how it set the stage for modern America. It This is a book of scholarly essays, written in the 1990s, that look at the period after the Civil War and how it set the stage for modern America. It is very well-researched and well-written, although it seemed to jump from topic to topic, and was very detailed in each essay, such that I found it hard to follow in some places. It definitely has a lot for the casual reader of American history, but also much more for those who are well versed in the time period....more
This book tells the story of a young Greek Cypriot man, and his Turkish Cypriot girlfriend. They are separated during the war, only to reunite in middThis book tells the story of a young Greek Cypriot man, and his Turkish Cypriot girlfriend. They are separated during the war, only to reunite in middle age. The chapters go back and forth in time, and some of them are told by a tree that the Cypriots plant when they escape to England. The story is beautifully told, with the author's signature knowledge of the place and its history. I thought the ending was somewhat anti-climactic, however, and could have been written better....more
This book is a comprehensive history and current overview of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. It is a valuable addition to the literatureThis book is a comprehensive history and current overview of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. It is a valuable addition to the literature on Iran, as this ministry isn't written about as often as the IRGC and other parts of the government. At the same time, the author often gets sidetracked, and spends a considerable amount of time either speculating, or discussing other parts of the Iranian government, since this one has only limited material available. So, it is a necessary book on an important subject, but could have included much more material....more
This book is about a couple where the husband wants children, and the wife doesn't. The book is written with many (nine!) alternative endings. I was iThis book is about a couple where the husband wants children, and the wife doesn't. The book is written with many (nine!) alternative endings. I was interested in the story, but found the characters to be self-absorbed and irritating. I also found the different endings confusing, as they weren't in any kind of logical order. A good premise, but not executed all that well....more
This book begins in 1970, with a Saudi couple living in America and going to university. The woman eventually leaves the man, with their child, and heThis book begins in 1970, with a Saudi couple living in America and going to university. The woman eventually leaves the man, with their child, and he spends years looking for them. It seemed like an interesting premise, but I was disappointed in the novel. The author didn't seem to realize that Saudi Arabia wasn't super conservative in the early 1970s (particularly in Jeddah, where the main characters came from). That came in the late 1970s, after the Iranian Revolution. The couple also lived in an area near Cleveland OH, near where I am from. Again, I didn't think the author did a good job of capturing the area at that time. I also didn't find the character development to be that interesting....more
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