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Review Date: 10/8/2010
Helpful Score: 1
An excellent analysis on the evolution of the passing game in football and the need for a special type of person to play left tackle and guard the quarterback's "blind side." Also a fantastic human interest story. The movie (for which Sandra Bullock wins the Best Actress Oscar) covers the human interest stuff very well. The book has a great deal more on the evolution of the passing game. Much like the author's previous work "Moneyball" (about baseball), this book is highly readable even if you are not a sports fan.
Review Date: 7/8/2009
Helpful Score: 2
"Lyrical" is the best term for this book. As a friend and Chinese scholar said to me, "it reads like people *think* classical Chinese literature should read."
This is the first and best of the three books by Hughart. The other two work, but the format is what makes the books what they are (a giant, Karmic circle) and the surprise of the first is never quite the same after that. The other two are still good reads, but nothing tops this one.
This is the first and best of the three books by Hughart. The other two work, but the format is what makes the books what they are (a giant, Karmic circle) and the surprise of the first is never quite the same after that. The other two are still good reads, but nothing tops this one.
Conflict of Myths: The Development of American Counterinsurgency Doctrine and the Vietnam War
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
1
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
1
Review Date: 12/13/2010
Helpful Score: 1
The book is good, the author's credibility, though...
Dr. Cable was "outed" sometime around 2007 as a fraud regarding any direct military experience (See books "Stolen Valour" and "Phoenix and the Birds of Prey" for details). He was never a Marine, and his Bachelor's degree from Shimer's College is also in question (although, evidently, not his Master's or his PhD).
After this revelation, two colleagues (both respected military historians, one a Vietnam specialist) went through "Conflict of Myths" page by page, note by note. Their conclusion: the research is solid, even if the author's "backstory" may not be.
Dr. Cable was "outed" sometime around 2007 as a fraud regarding any direct military experience (See books "Stolen Valour" and "Phoenix and the Birds of Prey" for details). He was never a Marine, and his Bachelor's degree from Shimer's College is also in question (although, evidently, not his Master's or his PhD).
After this revelation, two colleagues (both respected military historians, one a Vietnam specialist) went through "Conflict of Myths" page by page, note by note. Their conclusion: the research is solid, even if the author's "backstory" may not be.
Review Date: 7/8/2010
A powerful, important book.
One should also read the book based on her libel trial: History on Trial. David Irving takes her to court in Britain (where libel laws put the burden of proof on the *defendant*). That story is gripping.
One should also read the book based on her libel trial: History on Trial. David Irving takes her to court in Britain (where libel laws put the burden of proof on the *defendant*). That story is gripping.
Review Date: 9/19/2007
Sequel to The Plutonium Blonde. The last private eye on earth and his computer companion HARV (the chip in his head with a hologram projection) on the case of the Thompson quads, the "most powerful women on earth." (Funny, that's what they said about BB, the blonde in the first book. And I think they say that about the women in the next books). The story is a mix of hard-boiled private eye and sci-fi. The writing is funny and light. Wonderfully entertaining.
Review Date: 7/18/2009
Still one of the best books explaining card sleight of hand. Giobbi's Card College Series is better for the modern reader (the language in ECT can be a little dated), this is still very good card instruction.
Review Date: 7/9/2007
The late Bruce Chatwin was one of the greatest travel writers ever. This book, of his tour to the "bottom of the world," is trademark Chatwin. Lyrical prose, interesting people, vivid descriptions. _Songlines_ his book on his travels through Australia, may be his best, but this one gives it serious competition.
Review Date: 2/10/2009
Time and fashion may have passed Cabell by, but Jurgen is still one of the wonders of literature. If you like wordplay of all kinds (anagrams, different languages, puns, you name it), then this is a book you need to read. Have a dictionary handy, or perhaps a passing knowledge of (at least) French and Russian, and this book is both funny and edifying. Cabell loved wordplay, and Jurgen is his crowning achievement.
The book was actually banned; authorities figured those odd words and puns just *had* to be something obscene. They weren't sure what, but it *had* to be... :)
The book was actually banned; authorities figured those odd words and puns just *had* to be something obscene. They weren't sure what, but it *had* to be... :)
Review Date: 11/16/2009
Fun stories from the greatest poker player ever. Some good poker (and life) lessons, too.
Review Date: 7/11/2007
I really enjoyed this book, including some of the asides on the debate over whether or not Pax was a real Iraqi or some American fake. (The name is an obvious pseudonym, being the Arabic and Latin words for "peace"). There are some great notes here about what everyday life was like for the ordinary Iraqi citizen. Completely captivating reading.
Review Date: 1/15/2010
Helpful Score: 1
This book remains one of the great introductions to the struggle within Islam itself. Huband writes with great engagement and his coverage of the manifestations of Islam in several different regions offer the reader great insight to the different ways Islam is practiced and understood by its believers around the world. Highly recommended.
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