Provides a good insight of Maltese culture
580487
I bought this book only because I'm going to Malta and I have no idea what to expect - I always enjoy works of fiction based in the countries that I want to travel to, and this book seemed to have decent reviews.

The story itself is a bit slow - the protagonist, an Australian writer trying to rediscover himself after a failed marriage and a single successful novel without any others to follow, travels to Malta and finds himself renting a house with a dark and mysterious history. However, his search for the Mifsud family which previously lived there, along with the lovely and enigmatic Patricia and an outlandish, constantly inebriated yet secretive doctor provides a very clear picture of life on the island country, which was what I was looking to get out of the book in the very first place.
1236941
This book surveys in a readable fashion the long history of al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) from its beginnings in the 8th century through its Golden Age and decline, to Ferdinand and Isabella's expulsion of the Jews and their conquest of the last Muslim stronghold, Granada, in 1492. The survey is spiced with enough colorful anecdotes and little-known facts to keep your interest.

The author's goal is to take a close look at the convivencia - the "living together" of Muslims, Christians and Jews in medieval Spain. It was here that the three great monotheistic faiths engaged - and collided - for the first time on Western soil.

Lowney, a former Jesuit and banker with degrees in medieval history and philosophy, believes the story of religio-ethnic cooperation in al-Andalus has great relevance in today's strife-torn world. He demonstrates that Christians, Muslims and Jews can live together in peace, because they did so in medieval Spain.

Lowney does not try to sugarcoat the "Golden Age." He points out that convivencia was not without its problems, and that it at times broke down in spasms of bloody violence. He demonstrates that cooperation among Muslims, Christians and Jews in al-Andalus was a matter of self-interest, motivated not by idealism or charity but by each community's recognition that survival often depends on getting along.

Lowney shows how, in this atmosphere, the three communities grew in wisdom and prospered economically. Fascinating parallels emerged. The Muslim philosopher Averroes and the Jewish sage Maimonides made similar though unconnected journeys toward a philosophy of reason. Both men pointed the way toward tolerance, and yet both fell victim to the intolerance of others. As Lowney shows us time and again, man has the freedom to choose which path he will take.

[A version of this review appeared in Saudi Aramco World, Sep/Oct 2005]
1114689
This book was suggested by an English friend of mine as a good read after our trip to Sicily this last year. It also came highly recommended by several Italian acquaintances here in the Netherlands. "Although," one of them remarked, "you could summarize the book neatly by saying that Jones hates Berlusconi."

"Is that a problem?" I asked.

She thought about it. "I hate him too, but it would be nice sometime to try to see an explanation about why people vote for him that doesn't make all Italians sound like idiots."

She may have a point. In any case, this book is quite critical of the Italian then and now Prime Minister, and that criticism informs a great deal of the text.

What I like best about The Dark Heart of Italy is that it doesn't spend its time waxing poetic about the history of art or the food. Jones combines short chapters about various episodes in Italian political and public life to build his larger arguments about modern Italy as a whole. The subjects range widely: from football to Padre Pio, he sketches scenes of dissent and corruption that stretch through the country.

It isn't a perfect book. I wasn't happy at all with the way that he (the editors?) used italics to switch between his previously published material (parts of the book initially appeared in The London Review of Books and Prospect and the text that was created for the book. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding completely what the italics were for, but I found it quite distracting and really very strange.

Still, I'd recommend the book pretty highly. It should be a particularly nice counterpoint to all the Italian travel books out there that wax poetic about the Tuscan sun and the history of pasta. I had many moments of amused recognition (particularly as he discusses traffic and Palermo) and it also helped me explain a lot what I see on my vacations in Italy.
4089953
I came upon this title at my local public library and truly enjoyed reading it. I enjoy reading about historical sites that also reflect the secret practices and occult beliefs of people long ago. Author Charles Walker compiles his research into this topic in this coffee-table sized hardcover, covering various places throughout Europe that portray the blend of myth and legend as well as history.

The book is divided into several chapters: Heretics and Knights; Demons and Witches; Planets, Zodiacs, and Stars; Heavenly and Earthly Lines; The Rosicrucians of Europe; Stones and Magic Symbols. Throughout the book, photographs (black and white and color) enhance the narrative, and the author also includes archival documents to further enhance the reader's understanding. Recommended for those with an interest in the subject.
2855639
I actually bought this because one of the stories is about one branch of my family tree.  It was interesting to read other stories and of course having some Calabrian blood makes this all more interesting.  I would think others that have ancestors/family from Calabria would appreciate this as well.  For me, it was worth showing my Grandfather (who comes from a different branch within the same tree as that in the book) and having him reading it and so interested.
2197529
I thought this would be about current landmarks and sites so I was a little disappointed that it was about the history. But I dove into it and found it a good introduction to understanding their current culture.
2040924
Basso offers us a survey of Apache history before detailing the current life of a modern Apache community in Arizona. He covers well social life based on kinship, and then explores econonmic and political life. Throughout, he uses his knowledge of the Apache language to give us better insight into Apache thought especially useful for understanding their religion.
The book was widely used in anthropology courses as part of the Holt, Rinehart case studies series, but it serves the general reader well.  ernestschuskycom/aboiut-the-author
2896473
The book presents a nice balance between the biography of Cagliostro and a discussion of the alchemical and arcane lore (particularly that of ancient Egypt) which resulted in the development of his Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry. The book also demonstrates how the thinking of other mystics and Age of Englightenment philosophers with whom he interacted and studied shaped his own opinions and world view. The book treats the Count with objectivity, leaving it to the reader to form his own opinions as to whether or not the Count was a tragic, misguided charlatan or a philanthropist who sought to aid men and bring them to a higher state of intellectual and moral purity. The latter part of the book discusses the development of Cagliostro's Egyptian Rite and its Adoptive Grades (for women) and presents a full translation of a manuscript of the three degrees of the Rite held in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, followed by an analysis of these degrees by the authors and an interpretation of the symbolic devices utilized in them.

A well-written and illustrated book on one of the premier thinkers of the latter 18th century that quickly engages the reader's attention and interest and holds it throughout the reading.
3833492
Interesting peek into Hawaiian / Polynesian mysticism. Some of the text runs on a bit, but it's a fairly accessible read. Aloha.
2038630
Mick Aston was a special archologist, and his passion for Monasteries clearly shows.  Worthwhile for any fan of archology.
1758897
Having spent many summers on the Cape and still a frequent visitor, I am interested in the history of the Cape's tourism. This book is an interesting, concise, easy-to-read history of the Cape's appeal and how tourism has evolved. If you are interested in the Cape's past, present and future, this is a book for you.
2731291
It is easy to read, and has a lot of historical detail in it.  It lists books in the Bible from a Greek Orthodox; a Roman Catholic and Protestant perspectives.  The Old Testament was reviewed and written by highly knowledgeable authorities.

I was curious about the different terminology and meanings across the numerous denominations.  The pages have explanations in footnotes that explain the meanings of words spoken at the time that the information was written.  It is interesting to see a different perspective from biblical times.

The English is easy to understand in this book.  It indicates it is a fairly accurate translation from conventional Hebrew and/or Greek into English terminology.  It reflects historical information about the division from Roman Catholic practices and the Greek Orthodox churches.

For me, it is nice to know some background behind a translation of information written in other languages and cultural behaviors.
1773743
I have read all of Michela Wrong's books.  All are well-written with an enjoyable style.  All give in-depth information about countries that don't get much attention in international newspapers.

The last century of history of the nation of Eritrea and city of Asmara, as captured in "I Didn't Do It for You," is fascinating.  I gained good understanding of Italian, British, American, and Russian involvement in Eritrea and concluded that Italian involvement was mostly positive and Russian involvement was entirely negative.  The bungled work of the United Nations was interesting to read about, as were the stories of the lunatic king "The Lion of Judah."

If I can be bold and state one criticism:  Authors (including, to some degree, Wrong) writing about troubles in Africa usually write the story such that the ordinary Africans are bright and honest people and their problems are caused by European involvement.  Europeans might have hurt more than they have helped over the years, however I suspect that most people in Eritrea are not particularly bright and honest and this explains much of their trouble.

John Christmas, author of "Democracy Society"
3780180
It is easy to read, good pictures and added web sites to get more information. they give good ways to pronounce the names of the ancient characters.  I enjoyed learning more detailed information about this history.
3125210
A curious little tale upon which a well-known, popular opera is based. Having seen the opera several times, I was not expecting the book that inspired it to be so concise. What I liked most about Mrime's more or less exciting noveletta was the information it contained about the life of the Roma ('gypsy') people.

If you enjoy the opera, which is more enjoyable than the novel, it is worth reading the noveletta, which will not take you very long.
4744865
This book is a good study of Sufism and of comparative religion.  The writing is concise, a lot is said with few words.  The author does not always spell everything out, but leaves the reader to draw some conclusions.  There are extensive quotes and beautiful pictures.  I found that the book does show a deeper side of Islam.  I do feel that Sufism predates Islam, in accord with the understanding of Idries Shah and his writings on Sufism.  However, Sufism took home in Islam for a part of its life and shaped the traditon from within.  This book, like many, holds the belief that Sufism is the inner mystical side of Islam.  While this is not completely untrue, it is not the whole story.  However, within the limits of the premise that Sufism is mystical Islam, the author does a wonderful job expressing What Sufism has been when it took home in Islam.  There is a lot of history about Islam, Judaim, and Christianity from this vantage point that I enjoyed reading.  I would recommend, for a fuller picture of Sufism that one read THE WAY OF THE SUFI by Idries Shah and CHASM OF FIRE by Irina Tweedie.
3712829
As others have highlighted, the book is a chronology of events about Jordan, the region mixed with autobiography about the king's history as a king and before. I  picked this book out of patriotism but found it insightful how history does shape our future.  I really enjoyed reading it over the holidays.  While 350+ pages thick, reading through was a smooth sail and the structure gives ample space to see through the king's perspective and reflect.  Nice pictures and anecdotes are along the way. I  The book does not give options on how to restructure peace, but reading it end-to-end clearly it gives room to conclude what should be done next.