Don't we all face this conflict?
929044
"Brilliant Disguises" is an insightful look into a man's effort to maintain his separateness from God. The main character, Cameron, carries on a sporadic internal dialog with a God he refuses to believe in. Like many of us, he wrestles with the idea of depending on someone besides himself, feeling as if he's going to lose his identity. The ending didn't turn out as I thought it might -- thank God, because ending I would have written was really boring. When I turned the last page, I could completely emphathize with the man and his struggle to not believe.
2949109
It is very hard not to listen to a person who is there. The writer has written a first class book on the current "War on terrorism."

It is a very well-researched and interesting book. I particularly found some of his stories in Afghanistian fascinating.

I tend to agree with the writer's conclusion that we are not going to get 100% of the problem solved. Unfortunately, what we are often doing trying to solve it completely is making the problem worse.

I suspect like so many problems today we will be lucky if we can marginalize much of it.
706081
This is a timely story in a year when the world is swamped with refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. This moving story of a family that lost their home and lands is well written. But I have to keep reminding myself as I read Susan Abulhawa's story that it is fiction and not history. The UN divided the land between the Jews and the Arabs in 1948. The Arabs never accepted the concept of two states and attacked the new state of Israel. And so it continues up until the present. Meanwhile, the Palestinian people continue to suffer, not due to the actions of the Jews, but due to the actions of their own short-sighted leaders. The Arabs that remained in the portion given to Israel have prospered in the State of Israel. The Arabs that fled to Judea and Samaria (so-called West Bank) have languished for all this years in a state of denial. Nevertheless, the suffering of people bereft of their original home and lands is heartbreaking,
2280544
War is he'll and horrible things continue to happen when you are not willing to pay attention to the small errors of the most unlikely enemies. There are more than enough bad things happening and the different ways that things could possibly change for the worse will not necessarily be obvious to someone who is focusing on the most important things that are happening. However, many people are totally unprepared for what can happen in moments of inattention. Horrible things continue to happen to the most unlikely and undeserving.
4395391
Such a thought-provoking book in regard to the issue of war.  God bless our young men and women who are sacrificing their lives for our freedom and for the freedom of innocent people in other countries.
4757688
Excellent treatise on war.  The old adage holds true every time--"follow the money"....Unfortunately our young men and women are sacrificed on the alter of war, money, greed.  When will we awaken????  P.S. Hart Miller
4535547
This book should be required for every adult to read.  It depicts the horrors of wars and the senseless deaths of mostly young/poor people for reasons that are absolutely pointless.  Paul states his enemy could  have been his brother, and that the real enemy should be the drill sergeant or the politician.  The hopelessness and sadness expressed in this book seems to capture the essence of war as I imagine only veterans have seen and know.  How can one be the same after war?
4899429
This should be a must watch for everyone. There is a cost to war that we forget. We are so desensitized by what we see everyday on the news, in the papers and on social media that we are in danger of forgetting people are loosing their lives defending the freedoms we take for granted.
4320482
Some are
  This is a series of stories about both.  Bad and good is always a battle.  This is a modern battle.
3463658
We must remember why WWIi was fought. Also the human spirit is unabled to be distroyed .It gives one courage to go in their life.
876281
Along with a handful of writers, including Mark Steyn and Pat Buchanan, Michael Scheuer writes books that should be read by any and all Americans who are concerned with something foundational -- our lives.

America faces all sorts of threats -- e.g., the end of the Hollywood writers' strike.  But the most serious threat of all is the large number of Muslims (not "Islamo Fascists") committed to killing us.  And what are those sworn to protect us doing in the face of this extreme hostility?  Well, outside of mouthing politically correct platitudes, not a whole lot.

Things would be different if Scheuer were in charge.  A couple of for-instances.  First, we would bring to an end the archaic and self-defeating policy of Israel-pandering (and Abe Foxman can rant and rave all he wants.  He's a whining Christophobe, worthy of no more than a sneer of unmitigated contempt).  Second, we would bring to a halt President Bush's fatuous Wilsonianism.  Along with Scheuer and a multitude of other Americans, I couldn't care less if democracy -- of any type or to any degree -- is brought to Afghanistan, Iraq, or even to the EU.  It's an experiment that's largely failed here in the West; it has no chance of success in a part of the world where the history and culture are about as antithetical to democracy as matter is to antimatter.  Iraqui women now have the right to vote?  Goody!  That's been worth the gallons of blood American servicemen have gushed forth, hasn't it?  Scheuer is right:  If we go into battle, it should be for reasons beneficial to us, and the war should be short and decisive.

Well, Scheuer isn't in charge.  But McCain, Clinton, or Obama soon will be.  God help us.
3224408
Many people suffer during wars.  Innocent children must do whatever they can to survive and are willing to help those in need.  Everyone needs to keep in mind that we are all human beings who should consider future generations.  The story is very thought-provoking.
3141367
When guided by prophecy not all seems clear. Having been give the chance is it the time? One never truly knows till standing in that moment. Only them must we decide. For light and darkness have a balance. This scale isn't ours to govern.
3845740
AMERICAN WAR is simultaneously current and far away, a reminder that we are divided and on the brink and yet united in our American-ness. Told personally, specifically, and above all plausibly, this is required reading for anyone who is thoughtful about their patriotism, our collective violence, and the political bubbles in which we reside.
801233
I think the world has gone crazy.  We expect___what we don't do.  We all have made mistakes even racial slurs in one way or another, be serious we have.  We sometimes let our mouths over ride our thoughts.  That doesn't mean we should be condemned for the rest of our lives, or deprived of a lively hood. We also shouldn't be judging others, what makes us think we are so perfect.  Someone even makes an apology from the bottom of their hearts and that still isn't enough. When will we all learn to forgive and forget and not continue to dwell on the negative.  Life is too short to not look at an issue, form an opinion, express it and then let it go, and let that person go on with their life.  Why do we feel we need to tear down others, could it be to cover up our own shortcomings? People wake up, look at the positive, forget the negative and move on to a happier life.  Remember the phrase "What Would Jesus Do".  I wish all the luck and happiness to all of the Deens and hope they have a great future.  Please continue to make us happy with your delicious food and future tv shows.
2222077
I have a better idea of why certain people want war. Its time for our voices to be heard.
4210390
, As someone who lived during this time, it is hard to read, but also proof of why we are put on this earth...live, learn, cry and teach.  War is not something that only touches those on the battlefield, it crosses all borders of life.

Well done, my friend.