I found the story both too little known and fascinating. I have some stylistic quibbles with the author, like the use of a composite fictional character to make some historical points, but overall I enjoyed the book.
The beginning of an end to the old world is eloquently and interestingly portrayed. From our position today we can see the portents clearly and know the horrors which are about to befall the characters as the series continues. I very much enjoyed reading this book.
I have a fascination with Istanbul that was deepened by this book. Orhan Pamuk has lived his life in the city and ruminates on history, melancholy, desire and change. This is memoir as history and history as memoir.
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(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
I found this book very enjoyable. I'm a father of three boys, from 20 to 14, so I have first hand experience of some of the parenting tribulations and joys Edwin narrates. At times I wanted to yell advice, at times I laughed out loud, and at times I teared up.
Our collective failure to understand the failure of American plans in Afghanistan is nearly complete. This book, by an author who lived in Afghanistan for four years is one of the best books about that country recently. I highly recommend this book as a first dose of corrective.
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(2 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
William Smith has commented on (5) products.
Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloo by Stephan Talty
William Smith, August 13, 2008
I found the story both too little known and fascinating. I have some stylistic quibbles with the author, like the use of a composite fictional character to make some historical points, but overall I enjoyed the book.World War One Novels #01: No Graves as Yet by Anne Perry
William Smith, April 13, 2008
The beginning of an end to the old world is eloquently and interestingly portrayed. From our position today we can see the portents clearly and know the horrors which are about to befall the characters as the series continues. I very much enjoyed reading this book.Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
William Smith, April 5, 2008
I have a fascination with Istanbul that was deepened by this book. Orhan Pamuk has lived his life in the city and ruminates on history, melancholy, desire and change. This is memoir as history and history as memoir.(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
Breakfast with Tiffany: An Uncle's Memoir by Edwin John Wintle
William Smith, January 14, 2008
I found this book very enjoyable. I'm a father of three boys, from 20 to 14, so I have first hand experience of some of the parenting tribulations and joys Edwin narrates. At times I wanted to yell advice, at times I laughed out loud, and at times I teared up.Kabul in Winter: Life Without Peace in Afghanistan by Ann Jones
William Smith, October 10, 2006
Our collective failure to understand the failure of American plans in Afghanistan is nearly complete. This book, by an author who lived in Afghanistan for four years is one of the best books about that country recently. I highly recommend this book as a first dose of corrective.(2 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)