General Books - Page 5

Dust Bowl: The Southern Plains in the 1930s (Galaxy Books)

Donald Worster

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Subjects -> History -> Americas -> United States -> 20th Century -> Depression

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the mid 1930s, North America's Great Plains faced one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in world history. Donald Worster's classic chronicle of the devastating years between 1929 and 1939 tells the story of the Dust Bowl in ecological as well as human terms. Now, twenty-five years after his book helped to define the new field of environmental history, Worster shares his more recent thoughts on the subject of the land and how humans interact with it. In a new afterword, he links the Dust Bowl to current political, economic and ecological issues--including the American livestock industry's exploitation of the Great Plains, and the on-going problem of desertification, which has now become a global phenomenon. He reflects on the state of the plains today and the threat of a new dustbowl. He outlines some solutions that have been proposed, such as "the Buffalo Commons," where deer, antelope, bison and elk would once more roam freely, and suggests that we may yet witness a Great Plains where native flora and fauna flourish while applied ecologists show farmers how to raise food on land modeled after the natural prairies that once existed.

The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire

Tom Zoellner

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Perhaps it should titled Monopoly, Marketing, & Murder 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Here's a few questions you might ask your jeweler before buying a diamond ring. What's the diamond's history? Where was it mined? Was it swallowed and stolen by a mine worker? Was it taked from the bowels of a murdered mine worker? Did it finance a war? Was it grown in a machine? Was it cut by children in India? How many diamonds does De Beers hold in inventory to keep prices high?

A fascinating, well written expose of the diamond industry.

Editorial Review:

An American Library Association Notable Book
 
When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man--a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe; from the "blood diamond" rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase "A diamond is forever" on the psyche. An adventure story in the tradition of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, The Heartless Stone is a voyage into the cold heart of the world's most unyielding gem.

The Rough Guide to South Africa 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Tony Pinchuck, Barbara McCrea, Donald Reid

Amazon Price: $17.81 List Price: $26.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $14.89

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Editorial Review:

Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to South Africa Lesotho & Swaziland, the ultimate guide to this stunning country. The full-colour section introduces the country''s highlights, from the game trails of Kruger National Park to the picturesque Garden Route towns of the Western Cape and seclusion of the Eastern Cape. With informed accounts and unparalleled coverage, clue-up on all the top sights and experiences from the colourful residential streets of Cape Towns Bo-Kapp district to the fine and affordable vintages of the wine routes. The guide takes a detailed look at South African history, literature, culture and wildlife with expert background on everything from Cape dutch architecture to Zulu traditions. There are plenty of practical tips and information on all the best accommodation, transportation and restaurants and lively reviews of hundreds of shops, bars and clubs. Discover every corner of South Africa with the clearest maps of any guide.

Scribbling the Cat: Travels with an African Soldier

Alexandra Fuller

Amazon Price: $10.20 List Price: $15.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Penguin (Non-Classics) Amazon Marketplace: 82 new & used starting at $1.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Disingeneous writing 1 out of 5 stars.
10 of 13 people found this review helpful.

"Scribbling the Cat" feels like an excuse that a bored married woman gave her husband to go have an adventure. Never before have I been so acutely aware of (or speculated on) a writer's ulterior motives in the telling of her story.

It felt as if she was censoring her writing. Was this to protect husband/children? Was this because she was being dishonest with herself? Whatever the reason, I felt as though she was being dishonest with me, the reader.

The story of 'K' is laid bare across the pages of her book in, at times, painful reading. Fuller claims that she undertook this journey with 'K' to confront her own Rhodesian past and tell 'K's story. Yet, at the end, I know as little about Fuller as I did in the beginning. She reveals nothing of herself -- other than the occasional "thin" explanation that to me felt more like rationalization than anything else.

I find the work fundamentally disingenuous, although Fuller is undoubtedly a skillful word smith and creates a compelling narrative.

Editorial Review:

With the same disarmingly unguarded prose that won her critical acclaim for Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, Alexandra Fuller tells of her unusual friendship with “K”—a white African and veteran of the brutal, racially divided Rhodesian War. An engrossing and haunting tale of love, godliness, hate, war, and survival, Scribbling the Cat recounts the journey she makes with K into the lands that hold the scars of their war, from Zambia through Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and into Mozambique. Driven by memories, they venture deeper into the countries’ remote bush, where they encounter other veterans and survivors and confront the demons of K’s past: a violent war marked by racial strife, jungle battles, torture, and the murdering of innocent civilians.

The Rough Guide to Morocco

Mark Ellingham, Daniel Jacobs, Hamish Brown, Shaun McVeigh

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $12.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Covers the whole country in a depth unmatched by other guidebooks, and up-to-date too 4 out of 5 stars.
24 of 24 people found this review helpful.

During a recent visit to Morocco, hitchhiking across the whole of the country from north to south, I used the 8th edition of THE ROUGH GUIDE TO MOROCCO (published October 2007) and its main competitor, the 2007 edition of Lonely Planet Morocco.

For the independent traveler who wants to explore Morocco in depth, the Rough Guide is clearly the best option among current guidebooks. It is much more detailed than the Lonely Planet, covering charming smaller towns left out of the LP and other guidebooks. If you are planning to go from Morocco to Mauritania overland, the Rough Guide is extremely helpful. While Lonely Planet didn't even update their Western Sahara cover in the latest edition, Rough Guide gives information on the new opportunities for those without their own vehicle. (Be aware, however, that the Mauritanian visa must now be requested in Rabat, not in Casablanca as RG advises.) Unlike Lonely Planet, which is now abandoning its traditional demographic of backpackers on a budget, the Rough Guide has as much guidance for shoestring travelers as for people with money to spend.

If you are curious about Morrocan history and culture, the Rough Guide makes other guidebooks look like they were meant for rude and insensitive package tourists. It contains a hundred-page supplement which not only explains the whole of Moroccan history and its prominent writers and artists, but it even gives some short pieces by Morrocan traditional storytellers. The Rough Guide does a good job throughout of trying to put tourists in contact with the locals. The hammams (Turkish-style baths) listed in the book are those frequented by ordinary Moroccans, not expensive spa-type locations as in other guidebooks. I was unhappy, however, with the Rough Guide's mention of hitchhiking. While it does mention it as an option, and doesn't try to scare people away from it, it suggests that it is difficult and requires payment. That's odd indeed, since hitchhikers consider Morroco one of the easiest countries on Earth, and my usual waiting type was just a couple of minutes, and I didn't have to pay a dime.

If you are an independent traveler, the Rough Guide is probably the only book you need. Lonely Planet does have a whole section dedicated to trekking, but even for those keen on trekking this may not be worth it. All in all it's funny how the Rough Guides, held in scorn for so long because they contain ads and are published by a major corporation (Penguin), now seem the best guidebooks for solo shoestring travelers.

Editorial Review:

From the Meditteranean coast, through four mountain ranges, to the empty sand and scrub of the Sahara, explore this extraordinary country with The Rough Guide to Morrocco. This fully-revised 8th edition contains insider tips and colour sections on architecture, markets, shopping, festivals and music, plus expanded coverage of Marrakesh. The full- colour section introduces the best Morrocco has on offer from the blue-washed walls of Chefchaouen to the vibrant craft displays of the souks. You’ll find evocative accounts of all the main sights including Casablanca’s Art Deco architecture to the unique Djemaa El Fna in Marrakesh, and the ancient monuments of Fes as well as practical information on trekking in the High Atlas, surfing on the Atlantic coast and camel-riding in the desert. Be inspired by dozens of photos and explore every corner with the clearest maps of any guide.

The Rough Guide to Morrocco is like having a local friend plan your trip!

West Africa (Multi Country Guide)

Anthony Ham

Amazon Price: $21.11 List Price: $31.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $15.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

From a returned Peace Corps Volunteer 5 out of 5 stars.
31 of 32 people found this review helpful.

This book is practically the bible for W. Africa travel. I lived and worked in W. Africa for 3 years (2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer) and I never went anywhere without consulting LP. The information is as accurate as anything out there. It offers you suggested itineraries and "off the beaten path" suggestions as well as the traditionally touristy destinations. Many parts are less objective than other parts and the writers tend to harp on corruption. But W. Africa is a pretty corrupt place in general. If you don't like the editorial sections, skip 'em, the info you need is still there.

Editorial Review:

Salt caravans in the Sahara, imposing forts on the Ghanaian coast, urban buzz in Lagos, the steamy lushness of Casamance- West Africa's attractions are as diverse as they are intriguing. Whether you want to set out for Timbuktu, laze on a sandy beach or overland it from desert to jungle, Lonely Planet shows you the what, where and how.

MOVE TO THE GROOVE- our expert music chapter tell who's who, where it's happening and what's hot

BE INSPIRED- highlights, itineraries and planning sections help you plot your path

GET THE BACKGROUND with in-depth discussion of West Africa's history, manifold cultures and distinctive arts and crafts

TALK THE TALK- our language chapter will have you greeting locals in 25 regional languages

GO YOUR OWN WAY with detailed transport information and 150 user-friendly maps

All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in Congo

Bryan Mealer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Personal Memoir Of A Humanitarian Catastrophe 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Bryan Mealer has penned a brutal memoir of his three years as a reporter in the Congo, three years when teenage gunboys roamed the countryside and city streets, when UN peacekeeping forces faced mystical leaders operating from jungle mountaintops, when rebel militias and government forces alike pillaged their own nation. It was a horrible time in the history of a country that has seen little else for the last hundred years.

While Mealer writes about the bloody atrocities he witnessed, the real story he tells is about himself. He's drawn back to the Congo three times, apparently addicted to the extreme discomfort and random violence he endures. His travels cover nearly the entire country from the capital of Kinshasa to the mineral-rich southern provinces to the guerilla-infested eastern region where an alphabet-soup of militias, foreign armies, and UN forces fight a never-ending war of terror, rape, and mutilation. He rides a newly-reconstructed rail line and even follows Conrad's trail up the Congo River via barge. At one point, he and his adventure-junkie buddies take off through the jungle on bicycles.

While Mealer tells us the names and stories of many Congolese he meets along the way, he never really gives much insight into them as anything other than victims. He says as much when he reflects on his bicycle journey:

"...once in the jungle, my own basic needs and level of comfort had stood in the way of learning anything. I didn't even know my riders' last names or anything about their families. I'd simply been too exhausted and hungry to care. It wasn't my proudest moment, and even now, those last days on the trail leave a sting of regret."

Still, All Things Must Fight To Live puts the reader close to the action and accurately reflects the aftermath of war and colonialism in one of the world's greatest humanitarian catastrophes.

Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds: A Novel of Scandal, Love and Death in the Congo

Editorial Review:

A foreign correspondent’s gripping account of his experiences in Congo, told through the long scope of the country’s dark and brutal history.
After covering a brutal war that claimed four million lives, journalist Bryan Mealer takes readers on a harrowing two-thousand-mile journey through Congo, where gun-toting militia still rape and kill with impunity. Amid burned-out battlefields, the dark corners of the forests, and the high savanna, where thousands have been massacred and quickly forgotten, Mealer searches for signs that Africa’s most troubled nation will soon rise from ruin.
At once illuminating and startling, All Things Must Fight to Live is a searing portrait of an emerging country devastated by a decade of war and horror and now facing almost impossible odds at recovery, as well as an unflinching look at the darkness and greed that exists in the hearts of men. It is nonfiction at its finest—powerful, moving, necessary.

Secrets of the Savanna: Twenty-three Years in the African Wilderness Unraveling the Mysteries of Elephants and People

Mark James Owens, Cordelia Dykes Owens

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Mariner Books Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Turning the Tide 4 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This book tells of Mark and Delia Owens' work with the animals and humans in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia. Poachers have decimated the animal population (particularly the elephants), and the Owens work toward animal repopulation and human education. They follow a good business plan in reeducating the Zambians. Those relying on poaching for a living must be taught alternative means of support, and the Owens are very creative in this regard. Their self sacrifice during 23 years of residence is amazing!

Editorial Review:

In this riveting real-life adventure, Mark and Delia Owens tell the dramatic story of their last years in Africa, fighting to save elephants, villagers, and -- in the end -- themselves. The award-winning zoologists and pioneering conservationists describe their work in the remote and ruggedly beautiful Luangwa Valley, in northeastern Zambia. There they studied the mysteries of the elephant population's recovery after poaching, discovering remarkable similarities between humans and elephants. A young elephant named Gift provided the clue to help them crack the animals' secret of survival. A stirring portrait of life in Africa, Secrets of the Savanna is a remarkable record of the Owenses' unique passions.

The Villas and Riads of Morocco

Corinne Verner

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The austere facades that line the labyrinthine streets of Morocco's ancient walled neighborhoods reveal almost nothing of the luminous residences within. The Villas and Riads of Morocco lifts the veil on these secret paradises, from fantastic palaces in Fez and Essaouira to middle-class riads in Marrakech to converted casbahs in the southern oases. With more than 200 stunning photographs, this beautiful volume takes us behind the scenes to explore a side of Morocco that is largely hidden to outsiders.

The book showcases exquisite interiors that combine rich materials such as cedar and marble; luxurious carpets and textiles; filigree carving and other handiwork; and vibrant color palettes. Also featured is the remarkable mosaicwork found especially in the central courtyard gardens and patios that form the heart of the Moroccan house. Accompanying these sumptuous views is a vivid history of the country's residential architecture and its fascinating mix of Andalusian, Arab, and Saharan influences. The Villas and Riads of Morocco not only offers a feast for the eyes but also illuminates an entire culture. AUTHOR BIO: Corinne Verner is a cultural anthropologist who lives in Marrakech. She is also a scriptwriter and has written a documentary film series for television. Cécile Tréal and Jean-Michel Ruiz are photojournalists and members of the Gamma and Hoa-Qui agencies. They have spent many years in Casablanca and have collaborated on several publications on Morocco, Madagascar, and the Maghreb.

White Hunters:The Golden Age of African Safaris

Brian Herne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Non - Hunter Review 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I loved this book and I've never even hunted in my life. It is a fascinating picture of a time which is now gone forever. It's not just a list of hunters and how many animals they killed, although that is a big part of it. There is also a lot of interesting background on the society of the East African colonies at that time. Ironically, after initial excessive hunting, it was the White Hunters who did most to protect the wildlife of East Africa. After independence, rapacious governments made short work of what had been carefully nurtured wildlife populations. If you liked this book I'd also recommend "A Certain Curve of Horn: The Hundred Year Quest for the Giant Sable Antelope of Angola" and Martin Meredith's "The Fate of Africa".
My only complaints about this book are the paucity of photographs; I would have liked to see a lot more photographs. Secondly, this is a book almost specifically about East Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania. Finally the photo of Biran Herne on the dust jacket must be about 30 years old!!!

Editorial Review:

East Africa affects our imagination like few other places: The sight of a charging rhino goes directly to the heart; the limitless landscape of bony highlands, desert, and mountain is, as Isak Dinesen wrote, of "unequalled nobility." White Hunters is the story of seventy years of African adventure, danger, and romance. It re-creates the legary big-game safaris led by Selous and Bell and the daring ventures of early hunters into unexplored territories, and brings to life such romantic figures as Cape-to-Cairo Grogan, who walked 4,000 miles for the love of a woman, and Dinesen's dashing lover, Denys Finch. Witnesses to the richest wildlife spectacle on the earth, these hunters were the first conservationists. Hard-drinking, infatuated with risk, and careless in love, they inspired Hemingway's stories and movies with Clark Gable and Gregory Peck.