Book Description
Two idealistic scientists unwittingly developing the deadliest virus the world has ever known...A family making desperate choices as they struggle to survive the Infection's initial outbreak...A lone gunslinging survivor battling the Infected in a decimated London...Four original tales chronicling the greatest horror humanity has ever faced come together in a bloody conclusion as terrifying as the Rage Virus itself.
Written by horror master Steve Niles (creator of the classic 30 Days of Night) and illustrated by three of the most terrifyingly talented illustrators working in comics today, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath begins before the hit movie—and ends with a shocking revelation that leads into the events of the sequel, 28 Weeks Later.
Customer Reviews:
3 1/2 stars.......2007-09-03
I really hate only being able to give this comic three and a half stars, I really do. One reason is that I'm a big fan of both the 28 Days Later movie and Steve Niles, but another was that this had so much potential and promise that it hurts to not be able to score it perfectly. I'm not going to rehash the plots of the four stories, since that's been done in most of the other reviews. Character development is in the low, which is ok I guess since I didn't like any of these characters enough to care that much, aside from the brother/sister. The art in most of the stories is a little too cartoonish for me, but act three had great art, scratchier and darker than the others, which is great because it reminded me of Ben Templesmith a little bit, and I'm a fiend for Ben Templesmith. The dialog is huge, though, making this book a very quick read, and some of the pages where the text is near the spine gets hidden by the fold (at least my copy). Some of the story points are a little confusing, such as how a person who committed suicide in the first act managed to survive it in the third act. But, overall, if you were a fan of the movie why not buy this? It's a decent quick read, and some of the art is really great. Just don't expect anything revolutionary, like Steve Niles's '30 Days of Night'. Take it for what it is- something to add on to the 28 Days Later mythology. You might, however, laugh when it's discovered why the Infected know who is and isn't. I did.
great book.,.. so so ending.......2007-08-07
first off the art and writing in this one is very well done. the story moves fast and was quite fun to read... my only problem was that it ended to abruptly. the story is about a disease and a government cover-up. if you are a fan of steve niles you will like this one.
Disappointingly lame.......2007-07-27
Supposedly a brigde between Danny Boyle's surprisingly great film 28 Days Later, and the recent sequel 28 Weeks Later; 28 Days Later: The Aftermath is a collection of short stories revolving around the original outbreak from the first film. Scripted by horror comic maestro Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), 28 Days Later: The Aftermath throws such things as character development and suspense out the window, and instead piles on the gore. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing for some, the action is so incoherent, and the stories overall themselves just aren't very compelling. Personally, I've always felt that Niles has been overrated as a comic writer, as all his recent works have suffered from the same flaws: promising story with little delivery. The art here is pretty good though, with enough blood and gore to satisfy the most gore hungry comic readers. That aside though, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath can't touch either film in terms of quality, and as a movie tie-in, it fails as well.
Great stories, but too short.......2007-05-21
First off, I loved the styles of the art work. The stories were great, and it was awesome how they all connected, but they left a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth... Why were they so short? While they left you hanging just enough to use your own imagination (sometimes that's just fun.), it was a little disappointing. However, being the fan that I am of the story, I would still highly recommend picking up a used copy.
Days to Aftermath to Weeks.......2007-05-15
A fan of Danny Boyle, Cillian Murphy and co after seeing the first movie, was interested in finding out more about the background to the story and heard about the graphic novel. It's a gorgeous piece of work. Appreciated each of the 4 different, but related stories that it's made of, each adding layers of depth to the stories told by the 2 movies. Still trying to figure out which of the 4 I liked best. I'm definitely interested in seeing Niles' work interpreted on the big screen with 30 Days of Night and Criminal Macabre being developed. Also, I just saw 28 Weeks Later and loved it!
Book Description
Key Benefit: Organized around the National Career Development Association’s competencies, this practical, engaging book examines the full spectrum of state-of-the-art career development topics.
Key Topics: Coverage focuses squarely on the application of interventions with real people, using straightforward presentations and cases studies to expose readers to all of the essential competencies required for the professional practice of career counseling. The authors’ respect for their field, and their long-standing commitment to educating individuals about career development theory and practice creates a readable, useful, interesting text that addresses the wide diversity of career counseling clients and counselors in today’s society, while emphasizing that careers develop over time, rather than in a single âenlightenedâ moment.
Customer Reviews:
good information, tough reading.......2007-08-03
This is certainly a good textbook, but reading it was a real chore. The style is very dry and I had a really hard time maintaining my focus on the text. (The Amazon review claims that this book is "engaging" - um, no.) When I could stay focused, though, I learned quite a bit. Chapter 5 - Assessment and Career Planning - had the most useful info, with lots of assessments listed and their uses.
Good Career Counseling Overview.......2006-11-04
I used this as a textbook for my Career Counseling class (master's level). The book was a good overview of career counseling. I found it to be highly readable, well-written, and well organized.
Great text!.......2006-02-25
This book covers wide range of topics! I will definitely use it to study for the NCE!
Book Description
Tony Browder's book, Nile Valley Contributions To Civilization, is about correctinf some of these misconceptions so the reader, in fact, cane be introduced to a Nile Valley Civilizations in order to understand its role as the parent of future civilizations.
Customer Reviews:
Seeker of Truth.......2007-07-26
I thought this book was an excellent resource for research into the origin of Christianity and the Bible. As one who has believed in Christ from an early age, I have, however, always wondered if the Bible is truly reliable for everything pertaining to life. The christian books and studies I have been involved in for years leaves no room for depth spiritually, of which I crave. This book has opened the door for expansion from the narrow views I have had thus far. The book is well written, the pictures are great, and the meaning the author gives for the images and what they represent was an amazing eye opener for me. I would refer this book to all who are thirsty for more spiritually. This is a good place to start.
Knowledge.......2007-05-12
This is a great book for anyone that wants to begin learning the history of the Black race as a whole. Even if you're well learned in the area, I still recommend this one to you. Buying it is a great investment. WARNING: It will challenge traditional Christianity's teachings.
LOVE THIS BOOK!!.......2006-08-08
This book has so much information on African history. EVERY AFRICAN AMERICAN or of African descent should READ this book and take it seriously. I would give this review 100 stars if I could. If you wanted to know something about your history, this book is a good place to start. Anthony Browder gives you a great deal of information about Egyptian (Kemetic) civilization.
This book gives you information on how the Kemets were the originators of astrology, sciences, mathematics, geometry, medicine, masonry, etc. Anthony also talks about the Bible and how the Kemetic people worshipped.
I am so glad that I purchased this book. I simply just LOVE this book and it will always be a part of my collection.
PEACE
Excellent Book! Please add this to your libaray!.......2006-05-11
This is a good beginner book brothers and sisters that are beginning to learn more about our history.
The material in the book was written in very plain, common sense that the average person can learn and build on. This is a must for your libaray and good material for our children to learn about our rich history.
But this is only the begining for those who are in search for more light (knowledge).
Peace,
Mr. Orange in Miami, FL.......2006-03-20
As an African American male, I give a standing ovation to the contents of this book. Mr. Browder states, in very simplistic and understandable form, many of the contributions that the Ancient Africans have made modern civilizations all over the world. To any African American who wishes to know some about people from which they came, I highly recommend this book. TEACH THIS TO YOUR CHILDREN AS WELL!!!!!!!
Average customer rating:
- Good book despite inaccuracies and racial bias
- A wonderful gift for anyone interested in Sudan or the Nile
- A wonderful gift for anyone interested in Sudan or the Nile
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Sudan: Ancient Kingdom of the Nile
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Similar Items:
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The Nubian Pharaohs: Black Kings on the Nile
ASIN: 2080136372
Release Date: 1997-04-15 |
Book Description
In association with the Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris, and the Kunsthalle, Munich.
The culture of the ancient Sudanese and Nubian Kingdoms is chronicled in this groundbreaking exhibition catalog.
Customer Reviews:
Good book despite inaccuracies and racial bias.......2004-02-11
The book convers a vast history from the beginning of the Khartoum Mesolithic and Neolithic to the unfolding of the Arab invasion of the Sudan. Through each chapter readers will find out more information about Sudanese history. All the leading experts in the field of historical and archeological reserch from Charles Bonnet to Timothy Kendal.
Not only does this book cover Sudanese history,but also accomplishments of the Nubians. In the past various books have tried to overshawdow Nubia with using the ''Eurocentric'' implications of strictly Egyptian influce. In this book,however,it shows indigenous relgious existed well before the absorption of Egyptian relgious deities like Amun. In fact,there is proper evidence that the deity Amun,itself,might have been based off a Nubian deity called Amani.
Despite the shinning qualities of the book,many bias of long dead scholarship seems to rear it's ugly head. Jean Lecant tries his hardest to argue based off tomb scenes of Huy that the figures depicted are not streotypical ''true negroes'' Lecant fails to observe the diversity of Africans and that phenotypical traits like noses are influced by adaptation of climes not intermixture with caucasoids. Lecant unfortunatley still clings on to old outdated anthropology that clearly demonstrates his ignorance.
A wonderful gift for anyone interested in Sudan or the Nile.......1999-01-29
This beautiful `coffeetable' book is something every Sudan scholar should take a look at, perhaps once a month? The book illustrates and catalogs an exhibit at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and goes from Neolithic gravesites to the Christian era of Meroe. Anyone who doubted the complexity of prehistoric Nubian society will be convinced that here was an extremely interesting and complex society. The artisanship evident in the jewelry, construction of temples, and pottery, is stunningly skilled. If you can't justify buying it for yourself, give it as a gift to a friend.
A wonderful gift for anyone interested in Sudan or the Nile.......1999-01-28
This beautiful `coffeetable' book is something every Sudan scholar should take a look at, perhaps once a month? The book illustrates and catalogs an exhibit at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and goes from Neolithic gravesites to the Christian era of Meroe. Anyone who doubted the complexity of prehistoric Nubian society will be convinced that here was an extremely interesting and complex society. The artisanship evident in the jewelry, construction of temples, and pottery, is stunningly skilled. If you can't justify buying it for yourself, give it as a gift to a friend.
Book Description
In a sleepy, secluded Alaska town called Barrow, the sun sets and doesn't rise for over thirty consecutive days and nights. From the darkness, across the frozen wasteland, an evil will come that will bring the residents of Barrow to their knees. The only hope for the town is the Sheriff and Deputy, husband and wife who are torn between their own survival and saving the town they love.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-09-28
Very interesting and good quality book. It should make a pretty good movie. I recommend it if you like vampire stories.
30 days of terror.......2007-09-17
Excellent and simple story with a diferent approach to the vampire cliché. The art is very scary and well-done. You can't take your eyes off this reading until you finished, great material.
Terrific art, great story.......2007-09-08
Some say this is nothing new. I don't know what they are talking about.
The art is awesome - look at the images I put in.
Some panels are like dark movie stills, showing the angst and the horror to come, others are funny with a very dark and edgy humor to it, and some are as if unfinished, blurry, but mostly when there is action or something waiting to happen. That way the "unfinished" art work gives you the feeling things are about to move (or you as the reader better get moving before you're being eaten alive...)
It reminds me of the camera work on NYPD Blue when it first came out. A lot of people who didn't like it just didn't get it that there was a purpose behind both the moving camera shots and the "still" ones.
To the story, do you always need a "new" take on vampires to like it? You got a problem with cliches? I don't. A town in dark Alaska with nothing going on is attacked by a horde of vampires. That's the story in one line. I left out the details because I would be giving away too much.
The twists and turns make this a story to enjoy not once, not twice but over and again.
It is a graphic novel - the artwork and the storyline are as one. Ben Templesmith's terrific pictures and Steve Niles' tight and at times very funny dialogue make this book a great add to my - and I hope everybody's collection.
IDW is publishing the trilogy (of which his is part 1) as a HC soon. All three parts can be read seperately though. And then there's the movie scheduled for release October 30 2007
Solid story.......2007-08-06
About: Graphic novel about an Alaskan town where the sun does not rise for a month, the perfect place for a vampire frenzy (will be coming out as a movie on October 17, 2007).
Pros: Entertaining, well written little book, dark art matches tone of book well.
Cons: The sometimes blurry art style didn't appeal to me so much.
Grade: B+
I want to say it's crap .......2007-07-27
But that would be a bit too harsh. In reality it's just mediocre. The artwork is excellent (Though not for all tastes), the concept is excellent but what drags this down is the writing. The characters are all one dimensional and not terribly interesting, the story arch doesn't live up to the potential of the idea behind it, the ending is a total cop out and quite infuriating, there's a pointless side plot that comes to an abrupt end, I really can't wrap my mind around why it was included as the main story is already too short. Overall, the amateurish writing bogs down what could have been a classic horror comic.
Book Description
"I think it is the most eloquent of female dances, with its haunting lyricism, its fire, its endlessly shifting kaleidoscope of sensual movement."
With these words, Wendy Buonaventura explains her own fascination with Arabic dance. Her book is a unique celebration of the female dancers of the Arab world, and their impact on the West. She explains the origins of this ancient art, which has survived in the face of commercialism, religious disapproval and changing times.
Focusing on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, she shows how Arabic dance came to be influenced by Western ideas about art and entertainment. But the influence was two-way. In the heyday of "Orientalism," Arabic dance exerted a powerful influence on the Western imagination-on such writers as Flaubert, such artists as David Roberts and Jean-Leon Gerome, and such imitators as Colette and Mata Hari. Their fascination was often based on common fantasies about the women of the Middle East. Yet, as the book's sumptuous illustrations show, this obsession also produced wonderfully evocative images. At the turn of the century, the genre also had an impact on fashion, theater and popular entertainment.
Customer Reviews:
For the Bellydance Afficionado.......2002-11-17
Lots of colour pictures ... past & present ...including old paintings, quotes & accounts of the people who actually watched belly dancing...& then tried to describe it!
For those just starting out to find out about Bellydancing & such enthusiasts,there are some pictures of famous older dancers, past & present .. Samya Gamal, Fifi Abdou & Sohair Zaki.
More like a collection of cameos than a real in-depth exploration of the Art Form, or Elucidation of the styles & Expression... but it IS a good coffee-table book & nice, informative read .
FOr the Pictures, if Nothing Else.......2002-07-04
I can't speak to the accuracy of Wendy Buonaventura's history of belly dancing, though I found no evidence of the most controversial complaint, that she fails to note the role of European Orientalists in fabricating our notions of Middle-Eastern dance. In fact, she discusses this very thing at length.
The treasure in the book is the collection of paintings. Where else can you see Dinet's gorgeous watercolors? I had never even heard of him. Are the pictures accurate? I suspect they are. Are they representative? Of course not. Like Gauguin in Tahiti, the Orientalists saw what they wanted to see.
Inspirational, but Flawed.......2001-07-26
Wendy Buonaventura obviously loves raks baladi ("country" or folkloric belly dance) with a passion. As sometimes happens with authors passionate about a subject, she unfortunately treats her opinions as facts upon occasion. As a dancer, I love the glorious Orientalist pictures, early 20th-century photos and fascinatingly slanted accounts from Western travellers, and I love her feelings for the dance. It's a beautiful book to peruse, and you can get some marvelous ideas for theatrical costuming from it. But like the Orientalists she reviews, Buonaventura presents an exotic and monolithic Middle East, where Egypt represents this entire diverse region and where nothing changes over time. She also perpetuates the popular myth that this is a *women's* dance, whereas in truth both sexes dance at private functions, and in both Egypt and Turkey, men historically performed as well. (Western tourists just weren't interested!) Read this for its lovely artwork and, if you're a dancer, for a feel-good spiritual connection with earlier dancers--but if you're interested in the subject of dance history, do some further research. And if you are involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism, PLEASE don't use this book for costume documentation. Egyptian clothing pre-1600 was very, very different.
great pictures but..........2000-08-29
The quality and quantity of pictures in this book is wonderful and there is also some good information but unfortunately all the information is not very accurate and there are even many things that are not true. As a book this is nice to watch but as this book has become "a bible of belly dance" when other more accurate documents have been hard to find I can't rate this higher because readers tend to believe everything that is written here.
Or, Belly Dancing for Dummies! A Good Resource and Accessory.......2000-07-26
"Serpent of the Nile" is a wonderful book for anyone with an interest in Middle Eastern Dance, which is currently gaining tremendous popularity in the West. The author traces the art of 'Beladi,' what we now refer to as 'belly-dancing' from its origin to how it has changed over time. There is a lot of very interesting information in here, written concisely and accessibly, even for those of us who are not overly concerned with history; such as the need for male dancers to entertain the public when women were forbidden to do so, how the patriarchal nature of Arabic society affected Beladi, and how the Westerners exoticised and perhaps even corrupted the original form of dance. But the beauty of this book lies in its stunning pictures, a treat for the eyes! Photographs of sculptures, paintings and engravings of dancers and musicians fill the pages and make it an ideal coffee table book. A wonderful resource.
Book Description
A secular regime is toppled by Western intervention, but an Islamic backlash turns the liberators into occupiers. Caught between interventionists at home and fundamentalists abroad, a prime minister flounders as his ministers betray him, alliances fall apart, and a runaway general makes policy in the field. As the media accuse Western soldiers of barbarity and a region slides into chaos, the armies of God clash on an ancient river and an accidental empire arises.
This is not the Middle East of the early twenty-first century. It is Africa in the late nineteenth century, when the river Nile became the setting for an extraordinary collision between Europeans, Arabs, and Africans. A human and religious drama, the conflict defined the modern relationship between the West and the Islamic world. The story is not only essential for understanding the modern clash of civilizations but is also a gripping, epic, tragic adventure.
Three Empires on the Nile tells of the rise of the first modern Islamic state and its fateful encounter with the British Empire of Queen Victoria. Ever since the self-proclaimed Islamic messiah known as the Mahdi gathered an army in the Sudan and besieged and captured Khartoum under its British overlord Charles Gordon, the dream of a new caliphate has haunted modern Islamists. Today, Shiite insurgents call themselves the Mahdi Army, and Sudan remains one of the great fault lines of battle between Muslims and Christians, blacks and Arabs. The nineteenth-century origins of it all were even more dramatic and strange than today's headlines.
In the hands of Dominic Green, the story of the Nile's three empires is an epic in the tradition of Kipling, the bard of empire, and Winston Churchill, who fought in the final destruction of the Mahdi's army. It is a sweeping and very modern tale of God and globalization, slavers and strategists, missionaries and messianists. A pro-Western regime collapses from its own corruption, a jihad threatens the global economy, a liberation movement degenerates into a tyrannical cult, military intervention goes wrong, and a temporary occupation lasts for decades. In the rise and fall of empires, we see a parable for our own times and a reminder that, while American military involvement in the Islamic world is the beginning of a new era for America, it is only the latest chapter in an older story for the people of the region.
Customer Reviews:
Good story--poor product.......2007-09-04
About half of three of the cd's were unusable. They were simply silent, so we missed a good deal of the story. I will not buy from this vendor again.
John H Reed, Jr., a dissatisfied customer.
Reads like a novel!.......2007-07-25
I really enjoyed this book. This is a book about British involvement in Egypt and Sudan between 1869 and 1899. Much of the policies undertaken then by the British parliament echo present day policies in the Middle East. If you are interested in the history of the Middle East, read this book!
I most enjoyed the chapters on the Mahdi. According to Islamic traditions, the Mahdi will come to save Muslims from their imminent collapse in society and deliver them from the hands of the unbelievers (the non-Muslims). His name will be Mohammad, like the prophet be peace upon him, and his father will likewise be named Abdullah, like the prophet's father. His appearance will signal the end of days, or the coming of the Day of Judgment. During the Mahdi's lifetime, Jesus Christ will also return to rule the world, according to Islam.
It is quite clear that the self-proclaimed Sudanese Mahdi was not the awaited Mahdi Moslems all over the world are waiting for. Yet he was able to save his people from British rule, and successfully retook Khartoum and killed General Gordon after a 300 days siege. Gordon's body was mutilated, and his head severed and taken to the Mahdi. Yet in the process hundreds of thousands of Sudanese died. Was the price worth the freedom from British rule? Interestingly, the Mahdi at first refused to use guns and rifles to fight the British armies, believing that since God was on his side, guns and rifles would be unnecessary. He soon realized though that this was foolishness at its best, not to mention suicide.
Another suicidal strategy was to run in masses towards the armed British forces, equipped with rifles and cannons. Thousands of Sudanese died this way, their bodies piled on top of each other. Since any Muslim who dies in Jihad goes straight to Heaven, the Sudanese army was keener of dying in battle and going to Heaven than actually winning the battle. This attitude is clearly shown today in unnecessary terrorist attacks.
The Mahdi died quite young, in his early forties and shortly after defeating the British forces. His dreams were of conquering Egypt and then the Gulf states (Middle East), thus cutting the British forces from their Empire in the East (mainly India) and defeating the Ottoman Empire. But right after his death, chaos erupted between the Sudanese and civil war arose between them. The British forces, seeing an opportunity, re-conquered Sudan. The Mahdi's dream was destroyed.
Interestingly, during the Sudanese Mahdi's time, another self-proclaimed Mahdi appeared in Libya. However, the Libyan Mahdi did not want anything to do with the Sudanese Mahdi. This demonstrates how religion is used for political ambitions. None of them was the true awaited Mahdi, yet both believed they were.
The chapters on General Gordon (Chinese Gordon) and Mr. Gladstone were also very interesting. It is really amazing to read that Gordon was abandoned by the British during the siege of Khartoum. If only the British sent reinforcements to Gordon, the city would never have fallen and the Mahdi would have been defeated. But politicians back in London, mainly Mr. Gladstone, thought that Gordon was not in need of reinforcements, despite his repeated insistence. Politics! Politicians! Being behind a desk thousands of miles away is much different than being under the line of fire, and this is as true today as ever.
It is interesting that some in the British parliament thought that the Sudanese have a right to rule their own country and that the British forces should leave Sudan. Debates actually arose on this point, and this was one of the reasons the British forces were delayed in coming to Gordon's aid. When they finally arrived, it was too late. Gordon was dead and Khartoum had fallen. Another reason for the delay in troop deployment was that Sudan was a burden on the British economy, with more money being invested than actual returns. Sudan was not financially attractive, but rather a financial drain.
The chapters on the ruling Egyptian khedive (viceroy) Ismail Pasha were also interesting. Ismail Pasha was westernized, having been educated in Paris, and he liked living the life of an aristocrat. He spent a lot of money for his self entertainment and on acquiring land. But he also borrowed a lot of money from the British to build his country; money that he couldn't pay back. It was Ismail Pasha, together with a French engineer, who built the Suez Canal, separating the Continent of Africa from the Middle East and turning it into an island!
His administrative policies, notably the accumulation of an enormous foreign debt, were instrumental in leading to British occupation of Egypt in 1882. When he assumed power, the Egyptian national debt stood at £7,000,000; by 1876 this debt had increased to almost £100,000,000. Eventually Ismail was exiled from his country after bankrupting it and left with all his personal belongings and his personal harem (probably his most important asset) aboard a ship headed for Sicily. He never returned, yet his legacy lives on today by the city named after him, Ismailia. He died on March 2, 1895, in Istanbul.
This book reads like a novel, and apart from being informative, is very entertaining. I highly recommend it.
empires on the Nile.......2007-03-10
This was a very good book . I read a lot of History books and this is my favorite of the last few years . Anyone with an interest in the Middle East or African History will enjoy this book .
Readable recovery of important history.......2007-03-10
This is a well documented, yet very readable, recitation of British involvement in Sudan and Egpt in the years leading up to WWI, and the reverberations down to the present day. While many are aware of the actions of Kitchener and the hysterical reaction back home in England to Gordon's fate (thank you Charlton Heston), few have a clear view of the deeper objectives and consequent military and economic policies that drove England's actions. This history is a useful reminder of the importance of deeply held worldviews of two cultures riven by much, but especially religion.
Popular history at its very best, and more.......2007-01-28
Truly good popular history should inform, entertain, and provoke further thought. Green's relatively slim (266 pages) volume does all three far more effectively than many a longer tome from better-known, longer established authors. If, like me, your knowledge of European imperialism in the Middle East, Ottoman decay, the stirrings of both Arab nationalism and Islamist reawakening was pretty much framed by movies such as "Khartoum", "Lawrence of Arabia" and the works of H. Rider Haggard, this volume will make sense of a key era of history mainly perceived in the West as a time of quaintly romantic chaos.
Green makes his cast of characters, Gladstone, Gordon, the Madhi, et al come alive in ways I never recall from my collegiate history days, and frames their actions, motivations, and the results of their choices in a coherent way that provides the reader with an excellent intelligence brief, not only on the era described, but on the issues topical to the region today. Green shows with great precision how personality often drives public policy, and illustrates the apparent paradoxes of how liberal, anti-imperialist humanitarian impulses can sometimes create empires of misery, and how elitist conservatism can sometimes create social improvements and upward mobility for the masses. Mr. Gladstone, meet Mr. Carter.
Green's discussion of the origins of modern Islamism in the odd stew of Western and Eastern ideas bubbling in the dying Ottoman hinterlands is alone worth the price of admission to this book. Without demonizing nor idealizing the iconic figures of Muhammed Ahmad, Chinese Gordon, Winston Churchhill, or Herbert Kitchener, we get a better understanding of the Mahdist revolt and a glimpse of how yesterday's news headlines drive those of today. A note to George Clooney and other well-heeled would-be humanitarians who hope to stop genocide in Darfur- READ THIS BOOK!
In summary, this is excellent book on a little-known subject that the reader will find very entertaining and enlightening, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I look forward to more works by Mr. Green.
Book Description
Just as Fox on the Rhine and Fox at the Front showed readers an alternate Europe in which Hitler had been killed, thereby radically changing the course of World War II, Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson bring us the Battle of Midway with a very different outcome.
The Allies are wildly out maneuvered and sent home in disgrace. Back in the States things are looking rather grim as the ultra-secret Manhattan Project runs into snafus that greatly delay the final production of the atomic bomb.
President Roosevelt’s approval ratings drop dramatically. Congress is desperate and the country cries out for a hero.
That hero might just be Douglas MacArthur, who vowed that he would return to his beloved Phillipines. He plans to do so with the backing of the entire US Armed Forces.
MacArthur’s plan of action is simple: bring the war back to the Japanese, island by bloody island, until standing on the shores of Japan, he can proclaim victory.
And possibly gain the leadership of the United States as well.
Customer Reviews:
Not all it could be.......2007-09-17
The book was a great concept but I found the characters a bit two-dimensional. The political in-fighting was not too realistic and the concept that the President would have to kowtow to even a General as well known as MacArthur is unrealistic. As Harry Truman proved only 5 years after WWII during the Korean War: President beats 5 stars, and MacArthur didn't have those at the time of the book. Good in its own way, the book was a bit disappointing.
Definitely Well Worth Reading.......2007-09-08
Douglas Niles has put together a very readable alternate history of the War in the Pacific. He portrays MacArthur and Patton very believably. The story flows well and it is all very plausible. If you enjoy well written alternative history, then this book will not disappoint you. It discusses the politics more than the battles, though the battle scenes it has are gritty and realistic.
Invasion of Japan.......2007-09-02
The overall scenerio was very plausible. The remaining allies seemed to be forgotten in the what if. Especially the Soviets. The personalities of the real individuals seemed to be established.
The fictional characters provided good imaginary sense of what life was like on both sides.
I liked the book well enough to read additional books by the authors.
Great Alternate to Reality.......2007-08-10
Doug and Mike do their regular wonderful job with this book. Their knowledge of WWII history is unparalleled, and they tackle the idea of an invasion of Japan with as much imagination as found in any of Doug's numerous fantasy novels. It's great to see such WWII enthusiasts playing around in one of the biggest sandboxes in history and coming up with such a compelling tale.
They do a great job at both the strategic and tactical level. The scenes with the heavies of WWII (Hirohito, Roosevelt, MacArthur, etc.) ring true and humanize these legends, giving them strong, realistic motivations. At the same time, they take pains to show how the war affects the regular joes and GIs, giving this massive tale as much depth as breadth.
Unlike many stories of WWII, this doesn't gloss over the horrors of war or revel in the violence of it. In the end, it's a grim story of people on both sides doing the jobs they feel they must, and it's that sense of inevitability that lends the book its strong verisimilitude. If you enjoy well-told histories and exploring the ideas conjured by expert talespinners asking "What if?", your search ends here.
(Disclaimer: Doug's a good friend of mine, and I've known Mike for years. Still, they both know my praise doesn't come cheap. They've earned it.)
The war behind the war.......2007-08-03
The battlescenes are riveting, the grand sweep of this alternative history is compelling.
I am most impressed by the authors' sense of realism and drama they bring to one of the little appreciated aspects of war in a democracy--the internecine, bureaucratic struggle between American generals, admirals and the services. Maybe its because my career has been in government and public policy, but I found the descriptions of this PR war to be amusing and disturbing in equal parts, a kind of circus funhouse mirror of our own times.
This book reminds us that for all our current divisions, the American style of war has never been as smooth or as unified as we remember. To some degree, we've always been at war with ourselves--even when we have been fighting for our survival.
Average customer rating:
- An architect for the 21st Century
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Free Expression: House Design : Edward R. Niles (House Design, 4)
Michael Webb , and
Edward R. Niles
Manufacturer: Books Nippan
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Binding: Hardcover
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An architect for the 21st Century.......1999-07-03
Edward Niles is a remarkable architect. His Meier House in Malibu, California, is a stunning achievement.
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