Six Degas Ballet Dancers Cards (Small-Format Card Books)

Book Description

Six masterly studies by great French painter, painstakingly reproduced in postcard form: The Dance Examination, The Dance Class, Dancer in a Rose Dress, The Rehearsal, 2 more. Captions.

Customer Reviews:

True Beauty.......2001-06-08

I absolutely love these cards because the selected artworks are beautiful. These cards are so wonderful, you'll want to keep them all to yourself! If you love ballet or appreciate great art, I would recommend these to you.

Book Description

From Islam to Confucianism to Voodoo, dress plays a pivotal role in religious expression. This book investigates how dress symbolically evidences both religious and social systems across a wide range of cultures - from Africa and South America to Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Caribbean. In some of these cultures, dress is part of a system of social control. Gender issues feature prominently since the control of female sexuality is often of great importance to the world's religions. Members of each ethno-religious group actively construct their own lives, and use dress symbolically. A central tenet for many of these groups is that the soul is visually manifested on the body through dress. Drawing on rich ethnographic case studies, this wide-ranging and interdisciplinary volume represents a major contribution to the study of both religion and dress.

Learn to Draw Bugs Bunny and Friends (Looney Tunes School of Drawing Series)
Average customer rating:

Great tool for younger drawing students...

Learn to Draw Bugs Bunny and Friends (Looney Tunes School of Drawing Series)

Manufacturer: Walter Foster Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Drawing | Art | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Learn to Draw Looney Tunes (combo Vol) (Learn to Draw Series (Laguna Hills, Calif.).)

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Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide

ASIN: 1560102004

Book Description

Hey, kids (you older kids, too)--welcome to the Looney Tunes School of Drawing! Now you can learn how to be the kind of artist who draws attention with guys like me, not to mention my esteemed colleagues Elmer Fudd (well, a colleague at least), Sylvester, Tweety, and last but not first, Daffy Duck. It all starts with a pencil. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you'll be spendin' a lot of time with us. Oh, and did I mention--you'll be an artist, Doc! --Bugs Bunny

Customer Reviews:

Great tool for younger drawing students..........2007-01-11

This came exactly as expected. Made a young art student very happy.

Learn to Draw Bugs Bunny and Friends (Snap Pack)

Average customer rating:

Learn to Draw Bugs Bunny and Friends (Snap Pack)

Manufacturer: Walter Foster Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1560103043

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare like you've never heard it.......2001-09-26

I've been an RSC fan since their early renfaire days, & their work is as timeless as the Bard's. This is Shakespeare thru the eyes of American pop culture with references to everything from Casablanca to Dr. Ruth to rap music. But it's not Shakespeare for dummies -- the RSC lads know the real texts inside & out. They show Shakespeare's greatness thru their humor -- & they remind us how funny Shakespeare really is. The RSC would be an excellent introduction to Shakespeare for students or anyone who thinks the Bard is stuffy & boring.

Ripping Good Fun.......2000-04-13

As the child of a teacher of English, I'd been introducted to many of Shakespeare's plays at a very early age. This has lead to two things - a twisted sense of humour and an appreciation of the same. The Reduced Shakespeare Company fits the bill perfectly. Silly, witty, and intelligent, the RSC puts life back into the bard. If you're looking for a serious scholarly thesis on Shakespeare, look elsewhere. If you're looking for somthing that will make you laugh until you cry, the RSC is for you! And hey, you never know - you might learn something too.

Very funny!.......1998-07-18

A whimsical mixture of slapstick humor and witty parody. Somewhat sophmoric at times, but generally insightful.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company knows their stuff, and are very creative about their presentation.

Average customer rating:
The Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Show (Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Hour)
Shakespeare Company
Manufacturer: Uproar Entertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Love, Sex & Marriage | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
General | Comedic Music | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: 1929243618

The Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Show, Volume 1
Average customer rating:
The Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Show, Volume 1
Martin, Tichenor, Adam, Reed, Austin Long
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0002P0FZ8

Average customer rating:
The Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Show, Volume 2
Martin, Tichenor, Adam, Reed, Austin Long
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0002P0GAM

Average customer rating:
The Reduced Shakespeare Company Radio Show, Volume 3
Martin, Tichenor, Adam, Reed, Austin Long
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0002P0GAW

American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film
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American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film

Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film

ASIN: 0252014480

American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film
Average customer rating:
American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film
University of Illinois Press
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPWAWM

Book Description

A figure, moving at blinding speed, shot out from the left side of the stage. Within seconds, the offender wadded up like a piece of paper lay bleeding. The severity of the violence was almost sickening. The band never missed a beat.

The powerful person who made such easy work of a deranged fan was none other than the gentle, well-spoken Andre Augustine.

Throughout his phenomenal career Andre has worked with such rock and rap giants as Aerosmith, The Artist Formerly known As Prince, Kiss, Bon Jovi, George Thorogood, Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy and N.W.A.

This is his story - an insider's look at the glamorous, not-so-glamorous and sometimes dangerous business of music.

Now, for the first time, author Mark Rodgers tells the story of a concert security director and his life on the road with artists who have helped create music history. Packed with insight, Guardian of the Gods is not an expose; rather, it offers a new and unseen perspective on the music business and reveals dozens of untold stories.

The book is packed with over 75 never-before-published photographs, including a 32-page section of color photographs that features a shot of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham's grave and many unique backstage photos.

Customer Reviews:

A - Must read for Rock-N-Roll fans! You won't put it down........2003-02-16

I've read a lot of books about Rock-N-Roll. This one is unique in approach resulting in seeing the industry from the other side. Not from just fans or musicians, but from behind the scenes. What really does go into each show, day after day - and somehow they come off successfully. The author has a remarkable ability to make each of Andres Augustine's episodes come to life. It really is a thrilling read. You won't be sorry.

A must book to read if you're a HUGE fan of KISS........2000-04-23

Bought the book from the Omaha KISS Expo recently while Andre was there to sign the book. Of course, I got his autograph. What a quite nice guy. Also, had a Q & A session with him. It was pretty interested to listen what he had to say but told us to get better information by read this book. He's right about it. Because it was a well informed on how the life on the road to protect the stars such as Aerosmith, KISS ,etc. I laughed so hard when he told the stories about Ace Frehley, the lead quitarist of KISS. If you like KISS, better get this book so you will enjoy to know what the deep inside of how the life of KISS when they are on the road. Mostly on Ace. I am still laughing here...I won't tell you. So you better read this book!

A great book !!.......1999-10-27

Guardian of the Gods is a great book for any music fan. There is a lot of trash out there written about the music industry and I was thrilled to see that this book is not a part of that. To find a good quality written book from "behind the scenes of the music business" is rare.

The stories are great - I bought it for the rock stuff and did not think I'd read the rap sections - but I have to admit that I found the whole book intriguing.

Mark Rodgers did a great job of capturing Andre's life and career in the music business.

The whole book is great - and all the color photos - WOW. I felt like I was right there in the stories.

A Must Read !!!.......1999-10-26

This is a great book for any music fan. There is a lot of trash out there and I was pleased to see that this book was above all that. It was a fun book and hard to put down. The behind the scenes stories gave you a peek at the inside. And the photos were fantastic.

A very in-depth and entertaining look behind the music scene.......1999-10-25

Guardian if the Gods tells the story from Andr Augustine's perspective as the head of security, and in some cases, the tour manager for various Rap and Rock bands. From the start of his career touring with Run D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys in their early days to touring with KISS, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi, Augustine and writer Mark Rodgers have produced a book that keeps the reader interested from the first page to the last. It also includes a lot of great private, never-before -seen photos from Augustine's private collection. Guardian of the Gods is not an expos, but more of a highlight journal that shows the good times, wild times, and in some cases the sad times of the music world, plus, the dangerous times dealing with over zealous fans and groupies.

The Ultimate Closed Sicilian
Average customer rating:

The New Closed Sicilian

How to smash the Sicilian

The Ultimate Closed Sicilian
Gary Lane
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Chess | Board Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Play The Open Games As Black

ASIN: 0713486872

Customer Reviews:

The New Closed Sicilian.......2002-10-03

The Closed Sicilian is a good way to beat the Sicilian Defence. It is easy to understand and there is always a big chance to attack. I have played it on the internet and won games against players rated USCF 2150, which is three hundred points higher than me!! Mr Lane includes lots of fantastic games by White although I am not sure if I can remember everything.
A great book if you want to beat the Sicilian.

How to smash the Sicilian.......2002-07-12

In this book Gary Lane reveals a reliable opening system against the Sicilian. It has potential for kingside attacks and leads to middlegames where White has an easy plan. I also bought 'Winning with the Closed Sicilian' also by Lane many years ago but this is a completely new product.
I have won many games with this opening system because I can follow a basic plan without having to remember lots of moves.
A great book.

How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive-- Without Killing Your Boss
Average customer rating:

Thrive and keep your sense of humor

THANK YOU, DR. HOOVER

Turn the other cheek

if you don't see the value through the humor, might want to check your inner idiot

Pretty mediocre

How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive-- Without Killing Your Boss
John Hoover
Manufacturer: Career Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Motivational | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

When Smart People Work for Dumb Bosses: How to Survive in a Crazy and Dysfunctional Workplace

A Survival Guide for Working With Bad Bosses: Dealing With Bullies, Idiots, Back-stabbers, And Other Managers from Hell

Coping with Toxic Managers, Subordinates ...And Other Difficult People: Using Emotional Intelligence to Survive and Prosper

When You Work for a Bully: Assessing Your Options and Taking Action

Nasty Bosses : How to Deal with Them without Stooping to Their Level

ASIN: 1564147045

Book Description

For more than two decades, Dr. John Hoover has written books on leadership, creativity, and organizational performance, extolling the virtues of flattened organizations, collaborative leadership, and shared responsibility. His clients welcomed him, praised him...yet (he felt) completely ignored his advice! This book contains the confession of a recovering "I-Boss" (Idiot Boss). After decades of writing and consulting, Dr. John finally realized that the vast majority of people he kept trying to "energize," "motivate," and "enlighten" were, well, idiots. Also he was an idiot for trying to change them. Instead, he has decided to enlighten you, who actually have to continue working for difficult and demanding bosses. You cannot change them. You cannot challenge them. Yet, you can survive them, even thrive under them, if you learn how to deal with them using this book. It offers hope for the spirit and strategy for the mind to help you deal with your work place situation.

Customer Reviews:

Thrive and keep your sense of humor.......2007-06-13

This book is a quick and easy read that kept me laughing while providing solid practical advice about how to handle a difficult boss. There were a few silly parts that I breezed over. But overall, the tone is light, and the tips are useful. The author helps you reel in your rage by reminding you how unproductive anger is. And he helps you realize that making your boss comfortable around you is the best way to get what you want. If you're a person who's passionate about your work and you just want to figure out how to get around the brick wall of incompetence and idiocy that exists in so many workplaces, check out this book. Save yourself an ulcer and years in therapy and learn how to put your passion to good use.

THANK YOU, DR. HOOVER.......2007-04-03

I would like to thank Dr.Hoover. He came to help me at the right moment...Well I almost became a serial killer who is after I-bosses. His friendly and humorous style makes the reading fun while teaching you to keep your anger at bay.

Turn the other cheek.......2007-03-01

I guess I had expected a bit more practical advice than to simply accept the fact that life isn't fair and to let my boss take credit for all of my accomplishments. Funny thing though, I DID feel better after reading the book as it made me realize how incompetent leaders can survive and even thrive despite all their shortcomings.

if you don't see the value through the humor, might want to check your inner idiot.......2006-12-20

I, like others, picked up this book while waiting in a kinkos for the latest i-boss crisis to print. The value of the laugh I got when I shared it with several co-workers and consultants was worth the price of the book right there. But it wasn't until a couple weeks later that I picked up the book in utter desperation to talk me out of killing my boss that I realized its true value: the advice cleverly packaged inside the sarcastic humor (is there any better way to proffer advice?)

I know if I say this it will sound like I'm exaggerating for effect, but I'm not kidding when I say that this book saved my job. I've always been the one in the room willing to call attention to the white elephant in the room...not something most idiot bosses particularly appreciate. Dr John's book allowed me the ability to let go of my mission to "state the truth with humor and sarcasm" without feeling that I've completely surrendered to the corporate suck-up rules. Okay, so maybe John simply speaks my language, but I really do need to know how to be a teensy bit more political (aka telling my boss that his stupid ideas really have value so that I can get back to work and maybe even get ahead someday) in my job without feeling that I'm cooperating with the evil empire.

Even a comment like, "wear a large suit to make it look to your boss like you don't make enough money" has a hidden message that indirect, nonverbal clues might be a better way to make a subliminal statement because some bosses just can't handle direct communication.

Thank you, Dr John, for your insight, humor, and liferope. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to look inside to their own inner stupidity and find grace there to deal with others'.

Pretty mediocre.......2006-06-04

This book wobbles between weak attempts at humor, brief examples of Idiot Bosses which aren't used to demonstrate any points, and inane advice on how to get along with "idiot" bosses. The author doesn't succeed in any of these areas.

I'll save you the money: His advice on how to deal with "idiot" bosses is to not get upset about their idiocy, which I think is better summed up by the Serenity Prayer:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

Of course, he doesn't really give any advice on how to actually DO this. I think anyone who is really having problems at work dealing with a difficult boss look at another book, since this one won't help them at all.

How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive Without Killing Your Boss

Average customer rating:

How to Work for an Idiot: Survive & Thrive Without Killing Your Boss
John Hoover
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble in assoc w/Career Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0760775702

Book Description

Despite the infamous reputation of the enigmatic Stanley Kubrick, Matthew Modine couldn’t refuse his offer. Faced with the prospects of a career-defining role and mentorship by a cinematic great, the 24-year-old Hollywood actor arrived in London armed with a large-format Roliflex camera–inspired by Kubrick’s early career as a Look photographer–and a notebook to record his own on-set reportage; preparation for his starring role as a Marine Corps journalist.

But expectations eroded as a strange, creeping sickness pervaded the set, a horrific accident sidelined a principal, and an unexpected rivalry arose with a co-star. And as the months dragged on, take-by-take, Modine realized he was falling victim to a manipulative mind-game of the Grand Master himself.

By the time his tour of duty ended a year and a half later, Modine had shot hundreds of photos and written countless entries. Only now–after two decades and the death of Kubrick–can Modine look back on his images and words. The result–a coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of a seminal Vietnam saga.

A book like no other, Stanley Kubrick would have been the first in line to buy Full Metal Jacket Diary.

Customer Reviews:

Buy this book.......2007-10-13

Full Metal Jacket Diary
If you are a fan of Stanley Kubrick and you don't own this book, you need to buy it immediately. If you're thinking about it and you're skimming the reviews to see whether you should or not then there - I've said it in the first paragraph. Feel free to skip to the next review.
Why should you buy it? You won't learn anything revolutionary about Kubrick - if you're considering spending the cash chances are you know plenty about Kubrick already. You know that he spends 3 times as long as a regular director on principal photography. You know he requires take after take - not because the actors aren't capable enough to get the performance right on the first or fifth take, but because Kubrick himself doesn't know what he wants until he sees it. And you know that Kubrick is a master manipulator who will turn actor against actor to get the required performance. No, the reason you need to buy this book is because it proves without a doubt that Kubrick's methods are completely justified when it comes to film crews and especially actors (regardless of how obsessive compulsive his behaviour appears). Also your friends will think you are cool and educated when they see this shiny book on your coffee table.
Matthew Modine should be commended for allowing us into his head. In retrospect he must have known that many of his comments would seem ignorant and embarrassing in the 21st Century (I'm thinking specifically of his request that his naked Vietnamese co-star keep her vagina off his back for fear of catching AIDS).
Remember what the drama school kids were like when you were in high school/college? Modine proves that no matter how big a celebrity actors are, at heart they are still those over-reacting, overly sensitive drama school kids. All his phobias and anxieties and hypocondria are included in this book for all to see.
When this book arrived in the mail I was half way through two books from a couple of my favourite authors, and while I felt it was a chore to finish those books, I picked up Full Metal Jacket Diary and read it cover to cover in one sitting. It is structured in screenplay form and is very entertaining.
If nothing else, this book is the ultimate pun. It is about the filming of the movie 'Full Metal Jacket', and it has a full ... metal ... jacket. Buy it.

A unique chronicle and perspective on Full Metal Jacket.......2007-08-21

This diary and its photographs provide a very unique look into the making of this classic film from Stanley Kubrick. Matthew Modine's notes and photos, create a very personal glimpse into his thoughts has he went through what became a very long shoot. This is not a "how the film was made" book, but rather a document of a very special film, from the perspective of its leading actor. Recommended for Full Metal Jacket fans.

The Battle of Making an Anti-war Film.......2007-01-21

I was very glad to have bought a copy of this most unusual book, and really feel myself the proud owner of this unique piece of literature. It is not important to me whether anyone else, family or friends, appreciate or value "Full Metal Jacket Diary" by Matthew Modine or not, I possess this book, complete with its hinged full metal jacket and individual number! I have long admired Matthew Modine's work as an actor, but was not familiar before with his photography and writing skills, which are amply displayed in this narration.

Resident in Europe, where such a book would simply not be stocked in a regular bookshop, I only noticed it's existence online a year after its appearance, and was able to order it via[.............].

The layout is very individual, firstly the positioning of the text in a frame marked by crosses on the page. Alternating different types of text with different types of photographs, sepia or black and white, all on high-quality glossy paper, accentuates the special quality of the book as a whole.

The narrative is acutely descriptive, with down-to-earth vocabulary and fine observation, including insightful psychological evaluation of Kubrick, the author himself and everyone around him. As a bonus we hear news of the times, are given miniatures of life and views in America, and an American's view of the English and life in England. Modine's biographical elements make the narrative very personal and touching. Also revealed are film industry tricks to create special effects 20 years ago in the pre-computer effects age.

Matthew Modine's commented diary entries graphically convey the long-drawn-out physical and psychological discomfort to the actors which resulted in this unforgettable film. The thoroughness and perfectionism of Kubrick's working methods exhausted and irritated the cast and added to the costs, but the result was a film that has become a classic. His insistent work on the actors' performance made many of them stars in the film industry, "Full Metal Jacket Diary" clearly brought over this aspect. That this harsh experience made or marred an actor's future could only be expected. In Germany there is a saying "Gut Ding braucht Weile" - meaning a good thing needs time. How true, especially in this case. Not all geniuses enjoy instant success, for most of them hard work and the time needed to achieve success are as important as for the rest of us, and Kubrick was then already an acknowledged genius.

Summing up, I would dare to put forward that this presentation by Matthew Modine has put him squarely into the literary world as an unusual author, tackling a difficult subject from an unusual angle. I hope I will have the pleasure of seeing more of his work in future.

Classic Marine Book.......2007-01-18

I bought this book for a Xmas gift and it was the best one!
Fully Marine Corps Book!

Behind the scenes.......2007-01-06

I was a bit skeptical when purchasing this book, which was recommended by a friend. But I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at such a tremendous director and film. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone took candid photos and kept a diary on all major productions? Modine's inside look into the making of the film and working with Mr. Kubrick really gave you a more in depth perception of what it was like living a movie instead of making a movie. Maybe a little too much info on Modine himself but still a good read and reference, also.

Book Description

The famous Russian soviet aircraft design bureau is thoroughly documented in this book, which has been prepared with the cooperation of the Sukhoi bureau and with extensive access to their records and photo files. Each individual aircraft type is reviewed in detail, including phototypes, testbeds and projects in various three view and other drawings.

Customer Reviews:

a good reference.......2000-12-11

"OKB SUKHOI" is the first comprehensive volume on one of the most famous soviet design bureau. A large part of what was known was based on intelligence database released during the cold war; this work is the first definitive insight of this team: many details are revealed by gathering informations and photographs published in original russian papers; some snapshots are from personal collections of engineers actually involved in bureau development and testing work. In fact many of them are rare examples and they include prototypes and research vehicles, previously unpublished in the west.

The text is accurate and a detailed description of design features, structures and systems is covered by having access to soviet engineering data. In this regard is important to remark that the metric system is a standard russian practice; if the reader is looking for a precise figure in tabular data, she/he must take into account the significant digits while computing own conversions to british system.

Even if its style is different from the western standard in aviation pubblication, this is a much needed book, really helpful to get a clear picture of the hystory of this famous bureau; above all it is a fine tribute of its leader, one of the most gifted genius in soviet aviation industry.

Nothing else worth reading available but a great first try.......1998-08-24

Interesting book but not as throrough as Gordon & Gunston one on MiGs aircraft, especialy when it comes to detailling TOW, fuel load, Sfc and evolution history on the recent types (i.e. MiG-29 versus Su-27 family). Nevetheless a reference book that should be on everyone interested in aviation bookshelf. But who will come up with an update on the Su-24/32/35/37 family ?

Al-Qaida's Jihad in Europe: The Afghan-Bosnian Network
Average customer rating:

Pretty shallow book

The books covers exactly what it intended

Not a complete picture

Michael Innes' book review in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, March 2005

Ridiculous, Preposterous and Oversimplified

Al-Qaida's Jihad in Europe: The Afghan-Bosnian Network
Evan F. Kohlmann
Manufacturer: Berg Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
International Security | Freedom & Security | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Terrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Islamic | World | History | Subjects | Books
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Al Qaeda in Europe: The New Battleground of International Jihad

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Al-Qaeda's Armies: Middle East Affiliate Groups & The Next Generation of Terror

ASIN: 1859738079
Release Date: 2004-11-25

Book Description

Why did so many of the 9/11 hijackers spend time in Germany? How did terrorist sleeper cells plant themselves in cities like London, Paris, Rome, and Hamburg? What exactly is Al-Qaida's connection to Europe? Terrorism analyst Evan F. Kohlmann unveils a new angle to the deadly international terrorist organization and reveals the root of its terror lies in the Bosnian War. He includes recently declassified American and European intelligence reports, secret Al-Qaida records and internal documents, and interviews with notorious figures such as London-based Bin Laden sympathizer Abu Hamza Al-Masri. This is the first book to uncover the secret history of how Europe was systematically infiltrated by the ranks of the most dangerous terrorist organization on earth, as told by the terrorists themselves and the daring investigators who have tirelessly tracked them over the past decade.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty shallow book.......2007-09-24

I wouldn't recommend this book to any serious researcher. This is completely inaccurate picture of the agression on Bosnia.

The books covers exactly what it intended.......2007-07-15

This book is the most comprehensive analysis of the foreign Mujahideens role in Bosnia. Concerning Larissa 1 star review of this book: I find it hard to believe she even read the book enough to realize the authors intentions in his writings. She complains that Kohlmann does not see the whole picture of the Balkins and is under the impression that the author was trying to give an overview of the entirety of the Balkins and its culture. She says, "Kohlmann should perhaps confine himself to the details of the terrorist groups and avoid writing about areas such as the Balkins." That is exactly what Kohlmann did in this book and which was the purpose of this book: to write about the Afghan Mujahideen and foreign Muslims in general who came to Bosnia to fight, and Kohlmanns analysis of the after effects these elements had. Larissa's critique is irrelevent. If you want a book that explains the Balkins, its culture, with emphasis on Yugoslavia (Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia) then yes, one should look elsewhere. If you want a book that covers the element of Islamic radicalism, then this book does exactly that, and Kohlmann was not attempting to do more than that! Infact, Kohlmann does not even bother to give a brief summary of what the war was about and its probably wise that a reader should do some basic research on the war before starting this book, as this book was written with the intention that the reader already understands the basic macro topics.

As for Srebrenica review of the book, I doubt this person even read much of the book. Srebrenica claims Kohlmaan could not see the secular trend of Bosnian muslims as opposed to extremist ones, when the book covered this topic in-depth throughout the chapters, even stating that Al Qaida's failure to setup a perminent base in Bosnia, similar to Afghanistan, was the result of incompatibilities with secular Bosnian Muslims who love to drink alcohal! This was a major aspect of Kohlmann's thesis covering the post-war stance of the Mujahideens in Bosnia.

Ignore these 1-star reviews, as they really are irrelevant to the data in this book as well as Kohlmann's objective in writing this book. The book is not about the Balkins and its many ethnicities. It is about the role of Mujahideen in Bosnia and the compatibilities of Islamic radicalism and Bosnia's secular Islam. If the book tried to be anything else, it would go off topic. This book deserves attention for covering a such topics that are overlooked in the world of Islamic resistance. My only complaint is that it would have been nice if this book had a map in it.

Not a complete picture.......2005-11-01

Professor Kohlmann may have good facts on specific terrorists but he does not see the whole picture of the situation in the Balkans.

The region is known for having many languages, ethnic groups, and religions. To be sure there have been problems but the groups have co-existed for a very long time and that it is unlikely to change.

It is likely not to be doubted that there are alliances between the Afghani groups such as Al Qaida and others in Bosnia and elsewhere. But to assert this lacking the overall context, it is not useful.

Professor Kohlmann should perhaps confine himself to the details of the terrorist groups and avoid writing about areas such as the Balkans where he lacks the expertise to make incisive comments.

As just one example, he fails to grasp the role of the various Orthodox Christian groups in the region. Even though this would be a book of its own he should certainly make some mention as he establishes a theological backdrop by invoking the Islamic element.

Michael Innes' book review in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, March 2005.......2005-09-17

This book is a pathbreaking piece of research into two underexplored aspects of contemporary terrorism. Author Evan F. Kohlmann outlines the trajectories of Arab-Afghan veterans of the anti-Soviet jihad and subsequent civil war in Afghanistan during the 1980s and early 1990s. He also looks to the origins and patterns of mujahedin activity during the 1992-1995 wars in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The result is a deeply disturbing illumination of late twentieth century Islamic militancy. Both troubled states attracted fighters from across the Greater Middle East and North Africa, and although many of the leading jihadists in wartime Bosnia made their reputations in the earlier Afghan conflict, Kohlmann portrays both states as roughly parallel forges of extremist sentiment. Al-Quaida's Jihad in Europe traces terrorist trajectories from the Peshawar-based Mujahedin Services Office, across the mountains of central and southwestern Bosnia, to London's infamous Finsbury Mosque and the metropoles of Western Europe and North America.

The weight of the book is on the Arab-Afghan migration to Bosnia-Herzegovina. As organized combatants, the contribution of mujahedin units to the Bosnian Muslim war effort was clear: their fearlessness under fire, and their consequent impact on military goals, was undisputed. Their lack of discipline and total disregard for the laws of war, on the other hand, were a liability to the government of Alija Izetbegovic. As religious colonizers, their promotion of conservative Islam also conflicted with the laissez-faire attitudes of Bosnian Muslims. Kohlmann addresses this ambiguity quite adroitly, exploring official reluctance to deal with the post-war settlement of foreign fighters who shed blood in defence of their admittedly obscure Bosnian Muslim brethren. Between 1995 and 2001, these contentious remnants of war became regional outposts for transnational terrorist networks. Numerous post-war terrorist incidents have been traced back to the Afghan-Bosnians, but intervention forces in the Western Balkans ensured that the security spotlight never wavered far. The Al Quaida attacks of 11 September 2001 precipitated a sudden shift in foreign policy attention to Bosnia, and in its own government's approach to domestic counter-terrorism. The country quickly became a second front in the war on terror, at a time when patience with the Balkan quagmire had worn thin.

Equal parts travelogue, journalistic exposé, think tank inquiry, and independent research, Kohlmann's work is part of a newly emerging strand of scholarship that explores some of the hidden micro-histories of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Such authors as Cees Wiebes, Marko Attila Hoare, and Charles R. Schraeder have touched on this uncomfortable aspect of the conflict. Kohlmann addresses the issue in unprecedented detail, exploiting a wide variety of available sources to piece together a largely neglected segment of contemporary Bosnian history. Extensive North American and European media coverage, declassified intelligence documents, and legal case files form the backbone of the study, but interviews with radical clerics, and excerpts from jihadist internet and video propaganda, provide critical insights into terrorist preferences, motives, and interests. Kohlmann offers no overarching theoretical arguments. The book, instead, is descriptive and empirically rich: the author's main accomplishment is to document the many terrorist incidents the Afghan-Bosnians perpetrated in wartime Bosnia, and post-war cases of terrorist activity rooted in their far-reaching network.

This book is also useful for the light it sheds on two related issues that have taken on striking policy relevance since the global war on terror began: the nature of terrorist sanctuaries, and counter-terrorist approaches to stamping them out. NATO's intervention in Bosnia after 1996, interestingly, is given the feel of an early denial-of-sanctuary operation, of the sort more commonly associated with post-9/11 Bush Administration counter-terrorist doctrine. For the professional mujahedin of Afghanistan and Bosnia, constantly in search of violent outlets for their religious convictions, sanctuary has clearly not been the same thing as safety. Many of them were committed jihadists before they ever fought the Soviets in Afghanistan and the Serbs and Croats in the Balkans. They remain a mobile diaspora whose members have been unable to return to their countries of origin, and the sanctuaries they sought out have been a mix of combat zones, staging areas, logistical bases, planning centers, transit points, and ideological enclaves. This reader, for one, anxiously awaits further scholarship on sanctuary in terrorist thought and practice. The one major failing of Kohlmann's study is the poor quality of its editing: the text is full of the sort of typographical errors that should have been picked up in a thorough copyedit. A work of this importance deserves better treatment by its publishers, and one hopes that a second printing will see a more polished product.

Michael A. Innes
book review in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, March 2005

Ridiculous, Preposterous and Oversimplified .......2005-05-25

First, allow me to state the obvious fact: Mr. Kohlmann seems completely oblivious to the long history of secularism in Bosnia, particularly among the Muslim population. For corroboration and a meticulous analysis of Islam in Bosnia, please see Noel Malcolm's masterpiece Bosnia. Furthermore, of all the Muslims in the world, Bosnian Muslims are irrefutably the most secularized ones. In point of fact, religion has always had a rather insignificant role in the social life of the Muslims in Bosnia. Given this incontrovertible fact, how can anyone even attempt to link the Muslims of Bosnia to the Muslims in Afghanistan?

Mr. Kohlmann claims in his book that Bosnian Muslims were collaborating with the Muslims from Afghanistan in a joint effort to unleash unprecedented terror throughout the Christian world. This assertion is so absurd that it warrants no serious comment. Kohlmann bases his argument on the fact that a small number of Mujahedeens arrived in Bosnia in 1992 in order to aid Bosnian Muslims in the war. While this is true, Kohlmann simultaneously fails to mention another equally important fact, namely that many Greeks and Russians also came to Bosnia in 1992 to help Bosnian Serbs. Pertinent to the context is also the fact that the Bosnian Serbs were heavily armed whereas the Bosnian Muslims were practically powerless and defenseless. Bosnian Serbs not only received reinforcements from the neighboring Serbia, recruits from all over the world, mainly from Russia and Greece, joined their Orthodox Christian brothers in a crusade against Islam. Mr. Kohlmann simply ignores this fact because after all in his mind the Muslims do not have the right to defend themselves even though he knows that the war in Bosnia was a clear and unequivocal case of Serbian aggression.

Paradoxically although unsurprisingly, one cannot find a single word in his book of the Orthodox Christian fundamentalism. Kohlmann also does not mention in his book that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic have been hiding in Serbia for almost 10 years now despite that they are wanted for war crimes by the War Tribunal in The Hague. These notorious war criminals guilty of egregious atrocities are considered heroes in Serbia; this does not bother Kohlmann at all, nor does the fact that the Serbs committed one of the worst massacres in Europe since World War II in Srebrenica killing approximately 8000 people. Why do not these abhorrent war crimes against the Muslims infuriate Mr. Kohlmann? Why is it Kohlmann that of the six hundred mosques in Bosnia, every single one was destroyed by the Serbs between the years 1992-1995? Conversely, if the Muslims of Bosnia are such fundamentalists as you so adamantly assert, why did almost every church remain intact following the war? Why is it that when you ask the Serb population of Srebrenica what they think about the massacre of 8000 Bosnian Muslims, they simply reply: "I do not care, that was a long time ago".

Thus, this book contains nothing but cunning and pernicious propaganda, the sole purpose of which is to promote hatred and vicious lies. If you want to make some money very fast, all you have to do is to write an anti-Islamic book. What is more, you do not even have to base it on facts, lies and distortions will do just fine. If you really want to learn the truth about Islam, then read books by intellectual writers such as Edward Said, John Esposito, Karen Armstrong and Bruce Lawrence.

I really hope that people will one day be able to judge others not by their race and religion but solely by the content of their character. Will that day ever come?

Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Part 1
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Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book, Part 1
N.J.; Stuart, S. N. Collar
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