Book Description
James Patterson's #1 New York Times bestseller combines two unforgettable love stories in a novel that's impossible to put down. Jennifer returns to the resort village where she grew up to help her ailing, beloved grandmother-and ends up experiencing not one but two of the most amazing love stories she's ever known. The first is completely unexpected. In a series of letters that Jennifer finds, her grandmother reveals that she has concealed a huge secret for decades: Her great love is not the man she was married to for all those years. And then comes the biggest surprise of all: Just when she thought she could never love again, Jennifer finds herself caught up in the greatest flight of exhilaration she's ever known. But just as unexpectedly, she learns that this new love comes with an unbearable cost. Jennifer doesn't think she can survive the pain-but the letters she's been reading make her think that love may help her find a way.
Download Description
Laced with mystery, Sam's Letters To Jennifer combines two unforgettable love stories in a novel that's absolutely impossible to put down.
Customer Reviews:
Sappy story.......2007-09-28
I read Suzanne's Diary to Nicholas in one sitting and enjoyed it. I hadn't read any other book that used that sort of style (diary interspersed with present day happenings). It was a nice change from reading 'regular' stories or ones written solely as a diary or series of emails, letters, etc. It was a sad, bittersweet story. But I liked it.
In Sam's Letters to Jennifer (the gender-ambiguous name is intentional), I thought I would find a similar type story, which I did but I didn't really like it. It reminded me too much of Nicholas Sparks (who is a much better author than this) and at the same time the always-tragedy-stricken characters in the Lurlene McDaniel stories I read as a teen. It's still a sweet story. I did enjoy reading Sam's letters and wished there were more of those thrown in. But the book was very short and rushed feeling. Patterson could've bulked it up without too much effort and would've had a better book as a result. Instead we're left with the sappy story of Jennifer, who has lost her husband, baby, and now her beloved grandmother has suffered a stroke. There is way too much tragedy going on in her life;- it almost doesn't feel realistic- does anyone really have such bad luck?
Overall a fast-paced read good for a boring afternoon but I'd recommend checking it out from the library before paying anything for this mediocre story. After reading this book and a couple other pretty blah Patterson books, I'm not that interested anymore. Too bad- there were a lot of things I liked about his stories- the suspense, quick pace, intrigue, romance- but there's becoming too much that I can't stand (i.e. predictable, mediocre writing).
Fears for Patterson's Tears.......2007-07-30
I and a number of other authors have written tear-jerking-cry until-there-are-no-more-tears-left, types of novels just like this one and couldn't get it passed the editorial assistant's assistant, let alone an agent.
First let me say this, I thoroughly agree with reviewer (publishers weekly?) who said it did not translate well to audio.
Although Jane Alexander was exceptional, for the first time I found Anne Heche to be weepy and droll with a tear in every single word making it even more tedious.
As for the novel itself, could he get anymore death, dying and near death in one 272 page novel? And what's with eighty-three chapters in that length? That's like 3.2 pages per. Editors I know would look at me like I grew two heads. (but then I am NOT James Patterson).
In a nutshell its girl lost husband, girl losing/lost grandmother who wrote a series of letters to her telling her about a secret indiscretion
(I liked that part the best), girl finds new man, but the new man is dying. New man lives? Dies? I'll let you read it for yourself. Hate to give away a plot no matter how succinct it is.
The story is not bad if you want to spend your Sunday afternoon sucking up tissue fibers or re-applying your makeup for the forty-fifth time.
A few readers and writers I know agree that if this book had been written by a woman it would never have gotten the review and kudos it did. ALA Bridges of Madison county.
Maybe its because I can't get passed ALEX CROSS that I don't see this as a Patterson genre, but it seemed to work for most of his following, but I'm afraid, this time it wasn't for me and I like his novels.
Great story.......2007-07-16
I picked up a copy of Women's Day (or some magazine like that) a couple of years ago with an excerpt from this book. After I read it, I couldn't wait to get the book! I was not disapointed. I was surprised though, it's not every day that you pick up a great romance novel written by a man (and a man who is a very popular thriller author to boot)
Anyone who enjoys a great romance novel, will definately enjoy this one!
I truly enjoyable book!.......2007-07-12
I first read James Patterson with his book Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas and just LOVED that book (shedding tears and all)! I recently picked up Sam's Letters on a clearance table at a book store...don't know HOW I missed it when if first came out! Both of these books are written somewhat similarly (the letter, diary style) and are really enjoyable to read. I found myself not being able to wait until Jennifer read the next letter from Sam to see what it entailed! I've not read any other JP books; none of the titles, covers, etc. have caught my eye. I suppose I'll check the reviews and see if I can pick up another one that equals these two!
Enjoyable and addicting.......2007-07-05
Once I read more than the first three chapters I was hooked. I didn't pick up on the whole "Michigan U" thing, someone else wrote in a past review. I didn't know of all the different colleges of Michigan, partly because I'm a University of Virginia fan. Anyway, the CPR given to the cat was a bit far fetched to a point. Although, CPR can be preformed on animals it is highly unlikely that anybody could resuscitate a cat that has electrocuted itself. You would need to use an AED to restart it's heart, at least for a human. I am making an assumption here, I don't know that veterinarians even preform that procedure on animals. Anyway, this book was a fairly good read, I enjoyed it and I ordered another book by James Patterson. We'll see how that goes, it could be just a rarity that I picked up one of his better novels. Especially since most of them seem to be title with some sort of hokie nursery rhyme.
Product Description
This Novel provides drama, A woman is summoned back to the town where she grew up. and in the house where she spent her most magical years, she finds a series of letters addressed to her, each is a piece of a story that will completely upend the world she thought she knew.
Average customer rating:
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Sam's Letters For Jennifer
Manufacturer: Warner Books Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRSAAO |
Product Description
Two novels in one!
Product Description
Jennifer returns to the resort village where she grew up to help a beloved relative--and ends up experiencing not one but two of the most amazing love stories she's ever known.
The first is completely unexpected. In a series of letters that Jennifer finds, her relative reveals that she has concealed a huge secret for decades: Her great love is not the man she was married to for all those years. As Jennifer reads about this passionate partnership, she learns more about love's imperatives and secrets than she ever dreamed possible.
And then comes the biggest surprise of all. At a time when she thought she could never love again, Jennifer lets her guard down for a moment--and is suddenly caught up in the greatest flight of exhilaration she's ever known. But, just as suddenly, she learns that this new love comes with an unbearable cost. Jennifer doesn't think she can survive the pain--but the letters she's been reading make her think that love may help her find a way.
Average customer rating:
- I won't be reading the third part of the trilogy - here's why
- A competent but emotionally unenthralling work by Layton
- I liked it.
- Alas! A Bore
- Not a page turner...
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Alas, My Love
Edith Layton
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0060567120
Release Date: 2005-03-29 |
Book Description
From the talented Edith Layton comes the second novel in her wonderful new series. Can a self–made man overcome humble beginnings to romance the lady of his dreams?
Surviving against all odds, Amyas St. Ives grew up in a foundling home, then escaped to the streets of London and managed, through sheer will and courage, to make his fortune. However, money and devastatingly good looks alone are not enough to gain entry into London high society – not when Amyas is unaware of his true origins and is considered base–born among the posh Regency set. When he meets the alluring Amber, a fellow foundling and ward of a respectable family, he thinks he's met a kindred spirit – but when Amber finally discovers her true identity, the hurdles to their love become insurmountable. How can Amyas convince her family that what a man is matters more than what he was born to be?
Customer Reviews:
I won't be reading the third part of the trilogy - here's why.......2006-02-08
And so to the second instalment in Edith Layton's trilogy about three convict "brothers" back from prison in the Antipodes. I'm afraid that, whilst I enjoyed this a little more than the first book, Return of the Earl, it again failed to get me deeply involved with the characters.
This is the story of a lost identity and a man who uses questionable means to find it. Amyas St Ives at least is a sexier, superficially more attractive character than Christian in Return of the Earl, but he seemed to be caught up in a story that didn't do him justice. The heroine, Amber, was an interesting character although I felt that she was rather bland and it was not obvious how these two were attracted to each other. Yes, there was sexual chemistry but somehow it seemed "bolted on" and did not really add to the story. The fact that both were nameless orphans was not, in my view, enough of a reason for them to be physically attracted to each other. It just seemed an obvious and weak plot device.
We read references to Amyas's daring-do as a spy for the British during the war with Napoleon. This is evidently meant to enhance his attraction as an alpha male. However, the author leaves this completely undeveloped and we never learn anything about it - this is a huge hole in the plot and a missed opportunity to add to Amyas's charms. Why?
The local Cornish characters were two-dimensional and weak, particularly Amber's "stepsister" Grace and her father/guardian, Mr Tremellyn. However, as they were caught up in Amyas's elaborate deception, perhaps they should be forgiven their shallowness.
The author takes Amber off to France to become the daughter of a scheming aristocrat and the plot then really goes off the boil. The wicked father and his attempts at a forced marriage for Amber were just silly. The whole episode did not add value to the story and was no more than a very trite plot device.
If there is any message in this book it's got to be that foundlings are ill-advised to go searching for their roots!
The third hero in this trilogy, the half-gypsy Daffyd, appears once again. I'm afraid that he won't appear on my bookshelves, however, as I won't be reading the third instalment in this trilogy. Disappointed is putting it mildly. Three stars because Amyas was interesting - much more so than Christian - but this story just did not appeal, it took me three weeks to read (during which time I read four other books) and the author has sadly disappointed me. Please, Edith, let's get back to your earlier standards.
A competent but emotionally unenthralling work by Layton.......2005-09-27
Amyas St. Ives is a man desperate for a legitimate identity in 19th century England. He grew up in an orphanage and escaped to the slums of London as soon as he was able to, fearing the infamous workhouses of England. Soon after returning to England a self-made man after having been sent to the Antipodes for lifting a pound note as a child, he departs for Cornwall, hoping that his unique first name will lead him to his family.
In his search for his true identity, he happens upon the Tremellyn family of Cornwall. There, Amyas begins to believe in the success of his quest for respectability and belonging. Although himself a fishmonger and a member of the lower rungs of society, the widowed Hugo Tremellyn has built his fortune with his fishing ventures and is the most respected personage in his little seaside town. Thus, Amyas begins to court Hugo's biological daughter, Grace, although he is immediately attracted to Amber "No Name," who is the Tremellyns' "gift" from the sea--a foundling.
Amber is a warm, competent, loving woman, but like Amyas, suffers from the uncertainty and stigma of not knowing her biological family and true identity. She knows that Amyas is drawn to her, but questions why he courts her adopted sister instead of her. Amyas's attraction to Amber deepens into something more, but his desire to marry Grace and build a new identity outside of his street urchin and "criminal" past sidetracks him. But the two are forced to reconcile their lifelong dreams and present desires after Amyas is expelled from the Tremellyn home for revealing his past and Amber finally discovers her true identity. A rescue in France ensues, followed by the two protagonists' somewhat satisfying realization that they can build their future together.
I understood why Amyas felt that he should marry Grace, but was annoyed by his persistent courting of her even though he had to continually force himself to avoid Amber. The very difficulty with which he tried to do so should have clued him in to his true feelings earlier, before he was forced to leave Cornwall and then rescue Amber in France.
In all, I think that Amyas and Amber's passivity in their feelings for each other made for an unbelievable, and unemotional, ending--I never fully understood why they loved each other. Layton's presentation of Amyas's feelings for Amber weren't enough motivation to fully explain why he would venture all the way to France, by ship (which is very difficult for him), just to see her.
I liked it........2005-05-15
For me, while I didn't necessarily like the fact the hero was focused on courting a different girl than our heroine, it made complete sense with the hero's background and I understood why he did it. The book was well written and he got his comupence enough that it satisfied me. Every book can't be the same and I like books that are a bit different from the norm. This was one such a book. I liked both the hero and the heroine and was only slightly disappointed at the ending which, as usual for romance novels, seemed a bit too pat. But not unduly so, so I would recommended this book as a good read. Just not Great.
Alas! A Bore.......2005-05-04
I am a devoted, loyal fan of Edith Layton. I have enjoyed many of her novels, but I have to agree with the previous readers, this novel was not worth my money. The hero was "not to die for" but instead stilted and hypocritical. The majority of the book was wasted on describing his courtship with the wrong woman! He continually fought his attraction to the heroine, causing us readers to lose all patience with him. The lovers did not come together until the book was almost at its conclusion. There was no sexual tension, no romance no true character development or evolvement. All in all, I would like my money back! Edith Layton is a wonderful writer, please do not judge her by this novel, rather, read her earlier books. The "C" novels are excellent!
Not a page turner..........2005-04-27
This is the first Edith Layton novel I have been exposed to, so I cannot comment on how good her other work is, but, unfortunately, this novel was quite boring. To be honest, I have not finished it (and have no plans to). I usually finish a good book in a day, but this novel took me three days just to get through four dull chapters (because I kept putting the book down to find something more interesting to do). The basic plot of the book seemed fine, but there was no spark in this novel or in the characters themselves. The characters' dialogue seemed forced, the characters themselves were one-dimensional, and the forward momentum of the book was, well, nonextistent. I don't usually write reviews, and negative ones at that, but I felt people should have the option of reading differing points of view before deciding to buy this book. If you have never read Edith Layton before, I suggest trying one of her other titles first, they might be better.
Customer Reviews:
Loved It!.......2006-08-19
All four of these novels are wonderful. It was a nice surprise to see that the characters from the first book were incorporated into the second one.
The first two stories are suspenseful and mysterious, which makes it difficult to put down the book.
This is the perfect book to read if you want to enjoy the medieval time period; the land of maidens, knights, and castles. Even though each book is somewhat short (little over 100 pages each) it didn't seem to affect the story. This is a great read for vacations or at the beach, or if you have a few afternoons free.
My favorite from Barbour/Heartsong.......2005-03-29
This book is my favorite book ever (second only to my Bible)!! I read it straight through--it was impossible to put down. The best part is that the book is quite thick and the print is smaller than usual, so it's nice and long. Unlike some other books I've read, I wasn't left with lots of questions at the end. My favorite story was the first one about Arianne...this is an especially good one if you like mysterious twists mixed in with the romance. Another reason I liked it was because her husband really represents Jesus to her, even to the point of shedding his blood so that she won't have to. The second story is really good too, because it involves the characters from the first story with some new twists and new people. My cousin is borrowing the book at the moment, and each time I talk to her she is oohing and awww-ing over whatever chapter she has just finished. I plan to read it again as soon as she gives it back!
Sweet and relaxing........2005-01-20
This book has four different stories of brave woman who meet their knights in shining armor.
The first girl,
Arianne:She finds love in an arranged marriage made by her cruel father, but her new husband's past may cause some trouble.
Helena:Runs away from her cruel family and finds love in and safety in the arms of her knight.
Mary:She watches her father die, and continues on with the hard life she feels she has been given. Will love work out amidst all the sickness?
Jeanine:She is being forced to marry a cruel man to save her family from ruin when her life is in danger sill her knight rescue her in time?
This is a good book a bit unrealistic but a relaxing read.
Good read.......2004-09-03
I enjoyed this book and it's four separate stories. Great CHRISTian romance. Excellent period descriptions.
great book.......2004-06-20
This is a really good book by Ms. Peterson of the romantic times of Medieval times and life. It really has four beautiful stories that are romantic and Christian. I highly recommend it.
Average customer rating:
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Alas, My Love
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 073945241X |
Average customer rating:
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Alas, My Love
Edith Layton
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEW1FO |
Amazon.com
Astrophysicist John Gribbin first introduced the general public to the world of quantum physics in 1984 with his book In Search of Schrödinger's Cat. A dizzying, counterintuitive domain, the quantum world is so strange that Richard Feynman, the greatest physicist of his time, admitted, "nobody understands quantum physics."
Science has not stood still in the years since In Search of Schrödinger's Cat was written, and in this new book, Gribbin brings us up to speed on the latest developments. New interpretive models have been put forth about the nature of particles and light; experimental evidence has turned over many of the basic precepts of the Copenhagen interpretation, which says that until it is observed, the subatomic world exists only as a probability wave, lacking any objective reality independent of observation. The new models offer not only a paradigm independent of an observer, but also begin to unite quantum phenomena with relativity and Newtonian mechanics. This is not to say that the quantum realm has become more comprehensible. With particles existing simultaneously as particles and waves, feedback loops, and waves that move forward and backward in time, the quantum world is still a strange, strange place; it's just a little less solipsistic.
As in his previous books, Gribbin deftly translates the abstruse mathematics of these new theories into a highly readable narrative that informs as it entertains. Schrödinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality is a book that can be enjoyed by expert and layman alike.
Book Description
Astrophysicist John Gribbin first introduced the general public to the world of quantum physics in 1984 with his book In Search of Schr+dinger's Cat. A dizzying, counterintuitive domain, the quantum world is so strange that Richard Feynman, the greatest physicist of his time, admitted, "nobody understands quantum physics." Science has not stood still in the years since In Search of Schr+dinger's Cat was written, and in this new book, Gribbin brings us up to speed on the latest developments. New interpretive models have been put forth about the nature of particles and light; experimental evidence has turned over many of the basic precepts of the Copenhagen interpretation, which says that until it is observed, the subatomic world exists only as a probability wave, lacking any objective reality independent of observation. The new models offer not only a paradigm independent of an observer, but also begin to unite quantum phenomena with relativity and Newtonian mechanics. This is not to say that the quantum realm has become more comprehensible. With particles existing simultaneously as particles and waves, feedback loops, and waves that move forward and backward in time, the quantum world is still a strange, strange place; it's just a little less solipsistic.As in his previous books, Gribbin deftly translates the abstruse mathematics of these new theories into a highly readable narrative that informs as it entertains. Schr+dinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality is a book that can be enjoyed by expert and layman alike.
Book Description
Don't expect to find here the usual cliches about suicide bombers and what drives them. In this unique study, Anne Marie Oliver and Paul Steinberg render the story of two intertwining, often clashing journeys. The authors lived for six months with a Palestinian refugee family in Gaza at the beginning of the intifada, and offer a gritty, poetic portrait of the time. They also provide an unrivalled documentary of the underground media they collected during the course of six years in the area. Although they could not have surmised as much at the beginning, they soon found themselves led through these media into the world of the suicide bomber. Their early study, notably, anticipated the spread of suicide missions years in advance. Dispensing with the platitudes and dogma that typify discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the authors show that the suicide bomber is a complex, contradictory construction, and can be explained neither in terms of cold efficacy nor sheer evil. Theirs is the only book on the subject to illustrate the ecstatic, intoxicating aspects of suicide missions, and provide extensive access to materials that have remained largely unseen in the West despite the fact that they have served as indispensable tools in the construction and propagation of the suicide bomber. The book contains 86 illustrations drawn from the authors' archive as well as numerous conversations with leaders and followers of Hamas, including a rare interview with a suicide bomber whose bomb failed to explode on an Israeli bus in Jerusalem. Here is an important and timely work that will challenge the way we think about the intifada, suicide bombers, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Customer Reviews:
The book in perspective.......2006-08-06
Oliver and Steinburg's book is an excellent look into the world of the Palestinian suicide bomber. Unlike some reviewers that disparage the political analysis missing from this book, I found the authors' insights quite accurate. The authors' aims were not to provide the historical context, nor to provide a critique of suicide terrorism in general (a la the comment concerning the Tamil Tigers above), but to give an experential portrayal of Palestine during the first intifada. Paradoxically, a couple reviewers bemoaned the book because it portrayed Palestinian suicide bombers as religious zealots and nuts, which makes one wonder if they actually read the book because one of the central themes of the book is the understanding of the suicide bomber as a rational actor.
This book puts Palestinian suicide bombing into the context of Palestine, which is why the understanding of the religious theme becomes incredibly important in contrast to secular groups such as the Tamils, which are motivated purely by politics. A major failure in the understanding of terrorism comes from secular scholars who don't or can't understand religious motivations because those of us in the West no longer regard it as important, though to believe this of the rest of the world is a severe misunderstanding of contemporary social realities and ends up projecting one cultures assumptions onto a completely different one with different mores and values. The primary reason given by suicide bombers for their actions is revenge, but understanding the religious background in the Palestinian context is very important to understand some of the justifications behind their actions. Of course, both religion and politics will remain factors that provide the background for understanding suicide bombing, while the primary factors motivating these individuals will always be personal experiences of oppression and/or abuse (in their eyes).
This book gives one an inside look into the world of the Palestinian terrorist and does not claim to provide ultimate causes, a look at Palestine outside the world of religious terrorism, in-depth analyses of all factors, or a look at suicide bombing in general. For students of terrorism this is an intriguing glimpse into a particular social reality of Palestine - that of the world of those who fight as religious terrorists. It's extensive, and forever irrecoverable, collection of intifada media, as well as an in-depth look at the language of the intifada make this book worth the time it takes to understand the insider worldviews, dialogues between believers, and images it records.
The conclusions are fundamentally flawed and misleading!.......2006-05-16
As one reviewer so eloquently pointed out, Anne Marie Oliver and Paul Steinberg show a complete disregard for political and social factors in their extremely superficial and biased analysis of suicide terrorism. In order to describe the true motives behind suicide attacks, one must look into the root causes of suicide terrorism. Contrary to popular belief, a typical suicide bomber is not a religious zealot seeking to destroy the West because he abhors our liberal values. In point of fact, most suicide bombers are secular individuals, as corroborated by the fact that the group responsible for most suicide attacks in the world the Tamil Tigers are adamantly opposed to religion. Admittedly, religion is often used as a tool to recruit new suicide bombers by promising them eternal life in paradise. Nonetheless, religion is by no means a primary motive behind suicide terrorism. While its importance should not be downplayed or denied, it only plays a secondary role.
Robert Pape has in my opinion conducted the most meticulous and comprehensive study of suicide terrorism. What makes Pape's study so superior to every other book on suicide terrorism is that it refuses to make simplistic and unsubstantiated claims. It delves deep into the root causes of suicide terrorism and is not afraid to ask the dangerous questions. Pape's study demonstrates without a doubt that most suicide bombers are driven primarily by political motives. According to Pape, the principal motive of suicide bombers is to obliterate the presence of foreign powers from the areas that suicide bombers consider to be their homelands. Therefore, simply labeling a Palestinian suicide bomber as a religious fanatic driven solely by religious motives is a gross overgeneralization and oversimplification. Most Palestinian suicide bombers have divulged that their primary motive is to fight the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and to relieve the suffering of their people. They believe that the only way to fight a much more powerful adversary is to resort to suicide missions. In the view of the Palestinian suicide bombers all targets are legitimate since they are at war with Israel. They also believe that they have the right to retaliate against the Israeli killing of the Palestinian children and women which Israel by the way conveniently labels as the "collateral damage".
Understanding suicide terrorism does not suggest in any way that it is morally justifiable. But if we really wish to understand its root causes then we must tell the truth and refrain from making sensationalistic albeit incorrect and misleading conclusions. People who live under the Israeli occupation are subjected daily to humiliation and derogatory comments. They live in abject poverty where desperation, despair and hopelessness are omnipresent. It is out of these gruesome conditions that suicide terrorism emerges. Imagine being humiliated and mistreated every day in your own country by an extremely powerful bully. What would you do?
All these factors are somehow overlooked or at best downplayed in this book. Subsequently, the conclusions are erroneous, inaccurate and biased. I recommend Robert Pape's brilliant book Dying to Win The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism and John Esposito's Unholy War Terror in the Name of Islam. In addition to these books, I recommend an extremely powerful and disturbing movie Paradise Now.
Partisan Misrepresentations.......2005-07-24
This book is one of the most obnoxious partisan screeds I have come across in a long history of reading about this region. The authors conveniently ignore the entire political context, that of Isreal's belligerent military occupation of Palestinian territories, which is what the people they have written about are fighting against. Such decontextualized, depoliticizing representations lead readers to interpret the subjects of this book as simply deranged individuals, rather than politically motivated people who are shaped by and reacting to their history and social context. In addition, the authors either misunderstand or deliberately misrepresent the range of complex meanings associated with martyrdom in Palestinian society, which in fact go well beyond the issue of suicide bombers. Drawing on the most cliched set of Orientalist caricatures, the authors portray their subjects as alternately murderous, backwards, bizarrely exotic, sadistic, or simply crazy. This is not a book for anyone who actually wants to learn about the social, political and religious situation in Palestine and their relationship to martyrdom and suicide bombers.
A scary look at suicide bombers.......2005-01-18
This book shows how Arab society in the Levant has supported a culture of death and destruction. It shows the elements of the incitement and manipulation that create this culture. And it makes it clear that suicide bombings are not just a few acts of a small minority, but have become an inherent aspect of the overall community. It makes one sad to see all the destruction, and it makes one worried about the future of the Arab community as a whole, which appears to be its own worst enemy right now.
Still, I had to take away a star from my rating. That is because the authors make a huge effort to be totally neutral in the Arab-Israeli conflict. They do not entirely succeed in this, but that isn't my complaint. My problem with this attitude is that neutrality between aggressors and victims is a stand in itself. Neutrality favors aggression and insanity, both of which need to be condemned severely. Arab aggression is not helping Arabs or Jews. It isn't helping the region to become more peaceful. Quite the contrary. Aggression needs to be opposed. And the authors ought to have done just that.
Facinating book.......2005-01-17
Great book! I was captivated from cover to cover. It's great to read a gritty, realistic view of the beginings of the intifada.
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