Book Description
Courage is not the absence of fear, says Osho. It is, rather, the total presence of fear, with the courage to fact it. This book provides a bird's-eye view of the whole terrain-where fears originate, how to understand them, and how to find the courage to face them. In the process, Osho proposes that whenever we are faced with uncertainty and change in our lives, it is actually a cause for celebration. Instead of trying to hang on to the familiar and the known, we can learn to enjoy these situations as opportunities for adventure and for deepening our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.The book begins with an in-depth exploration of the meaning of courage and how it is expressed in the everyday life of the individual. Unlike books that focus on heroic acts of courage in exceptional circumstances, the focus here is on developing the inner courage that enables us to lead authentic and fulfilling lives on a day-to-day basis. This is the courage to change when change is needed, the courage to stand up for our own truth, even against the opinions of others, and the courage to embrace the unknown in spite of our fears-in our relationships, in our careers, or in the ongoing journey of understanding who we are and why we are here.Courage also features a number of meditation techniques specifically designed by Osho to help people deal with their fears.
Customer Reviews:
Not one of his best........2007-08-04
The very 1st book I picked up by Osho was Zen : The Special Transmission which I thought was amazing. I picked up this book and I didn't feel the power that I did in teh other book. That being said I can sum this book up easily. Whenever any new opportunity comes in life, GO! Jump into the unknown at every opportunity.
A wonderful, accessible, interesting book.......2007-08-01
I'd never heard of Osho before I started practicing with a particular yoga teacher who has studied his work extensively, even going to an ashram in India where Osho is the "spiritual teacher." It took me about 2 years to check out an Osho book, and this was a great one to start with. Living with courage is difficult, both since our mind/ego is so good at self-preservation, and because we have hundreds of years of programming to overcome. But Osho's words are kind, personal and easy to read. You don't have to be a Hindu or Buddhist to read this, Osho uses the divine and G-d interchangeably, so it is understandable to people of multiple faiths and beliefs.
subtly shocking.......2007-07-20
Direct. Honest. Inescapably thorough in his observations and communication. True. This man is possibly the most brilliant mind I've encountered. Read him if you dare. Heed him, if you are able.
Courage......buy it.!.......2007-06-03
Courage, is an amazing piece of writing. Though I wont go into details, concerning the content of the book. (I'll let you discover that for yourself) What I will say, is that Im an avid reader, and somewhat critical toward all things concerning how my time is spent. "Courage..." is a title that I read many years ago, since than, Ive read hundreds of other books. Yet unlike most that're soon forgotten. "Courage.." stands out as a book that I'd love to re-read again, as well as always have in my collection.
This title shouold be required reading for teens, adults, and future revolutionary minded people alike. It shows one how to live without self doubt, while still teaching the importance of being humble and a good natured human being.
wow.......2007-04-17
Osho was the subject of a turbulent and at times disturbing life and because of this many people have tried to dicredit him. Let me tell you now, that regardless of his personal short commings, Osho is one of the clearest most wonder writters kown to man. His wisdom in timeless and his writting radiates with clarity, centeredness, and truth. Oshos writting has changed my life, I'll never be able to see things the same way again. Please give him a chance, this is a great book to start with. You will eventually end up reading the all.
Love.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting read especially if you're traveling in SE Asian.......2007-03-27
I grew up in SE Asia and I was enthralled when I first saw the movie. Two decades later I finally got to reading the book.
First thing is that Kock is a beautiful writer. Some of his sentences just blew me away. Especially when he describes Indonesia. He completely captures all the senses and you're right there on a hot Jakarta night with the aroma of clove cigarettes. He's a journalist so his knowledge of the underlying political event surrounding the novel are impressive as well. If you want to understand the unsteady and inscrutable world of SE Asian politics then this book will be a great introduction.
I think the book is weak in a few areas that prevent it from becoming a class. The critical failure is that the reader does not identify with any characters in the novel. The protagonist is Guy Hamilton and we're allowed to see his thoughts but I don't think we deeply relate to him. He's too shallow of a character. His main issues are that he's afraid of relationship commitment and he hasn't been able to succeed at work. Nothing too interesting here. Jill is also somewhat distant and I didn't feel the passion between them. The movie did a far better job of this. Billy, the dwarf, is the deepest character but he's too creepy to relate to.
The second issue is point of view. It's written from the point of view of another journalist, Cookie, who sees Guy and the other characters and writes the story. However we're able to get into Guy's brain and this switching between Cookie's view and Guy's internal thoughts is confusing.
The conflict never built up sufficiently either. We knew from what Cookie said that Billy would die and he would meet Guy in London later.
It's a good read especially if you want to be immersed in all that is SE Asia - mysticism, smells, poverty, riches, cruelty, passion. From that point I enjoyed reading it.
Engrossing.......2006-11-04
I loved the movie with Mel Gibson and the book is just as good if not better. You're able to sense the danger and the mystery of the main character's situation and Billy becomes a figure you never forget.
Multi-Layered Novel.......2006-01-25
Intriguing thriller set in one of Indonesia's most turbulent times follows the basic plot of most of that country's shadow puppet fables. Viz: The earthly balance of good and evil has lapsed, and the clueless but good-hearted hero finds himself aided by the unexpected attentions of a bold dwarf.
There is so much going on, it's to be enjoyed on several levels. Innocence lost, cloak and daggery, true political intrigue, guy meets girl, expatriate sleaze, lessons in Indonesian culture: it's all there. Very nicely written with a perfect pace and memorable characters; Koch seems to be a great observer and decent researcher.
So nicely composed was this book, the subsequent film (featuring breathtakingly fresh performances by youngsters Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson) captured the best dialogue and the steamy atmosphere with apparent ease. Destined to be a classic, YLD is a story that takes hold and stays with you a long time.
De rigeur reading for the expats of Indonesia, but also a great book to have along if traveling in Indonesia (the twenty year ban on this book has been lifted by the government, so you can bring it in legally now)!
Not bad.......2005-06-13
Not a bad read at all actually. The hero is a half-Chinese dwarf named Billy. The other characters treat him quite shabbily at times, but things never descend to the level of dwarf tossing. There is lots of atmospheric stuff about how hot and humid it is in Indonesia -- duh! -- which I could have done without. Otherwise, a pretty good read.
Third World Primer.......2004-05-09
Keeping the politics of this book aside; I can really recommend it for anyone who wants to feel what it's like to live through a coup and martial law. No other book I've read can really make that smell of fear and random violence as alive as Mr. Koch.
The movie is best avoided. The nearest parallel movie to rival the atmosphere of this book would be "Power Play" with Peter O'Toole.
Funny thing, I'm yet to meet an Indonesian who's ever even heard of "The Year of Living Dangerously".
Book Description
In this groundbreaking book, Akbar Ahmed, one of the world 's leading authorities on Islam, who has worked in the Muslim world but lives in the West, explains what is going wrong in his society by referring to Islamic history and beliefs. Employing theological and anthropological perspectives, he attempts to answer the questions that people in the West are asking about Islam: Why do they hate us? Is Islam compatible with democracy? Does Islam subjugate women? Does the Quran preach violence? These important questions are of relevance to Muslims and to non-Muslims alike. Islam Under Siege points out the need for, and provides the route to, the dialogue of civilizations.September 11, 2001, underlined the role of Islam in our time. In its demographic spread, its political span, and its religious commitment, Islam will be an increasingly forceful presence on the world stage in the twenty-first century. While some scholars predict that there will be a clash of civilizations, others see a need for a dialogue of civilizations.This book will help students, scholars of politics, sociology, international relations, and cultural studies, and reporters as well as a more general audience interested in some of the most important issues of our time.
Customer Reviews:
A book with refreshing ideas.......2006-05-17
This is a must-read book written by a broad-minded, knowledgeable and experienced author, if you are interested in current World events and the notions behind them.
The author, in no way, condones suicide missions or terrorist activities or any other kind of violence. He lays down the terrorists' mindset in plain language.
He also mentions the reasons why the Muslim youth in some Muslim-majority countries react very harshly and aggressively against the West or anything represents the Western civilization.
He argues that some of the violent acts of some Muslims, under no circumstances, represent the compassionate and peaceful aspects of Islam. Therefore, they cause great trouble for non-Muslims as well as Muslims. Especially, Muslims living in Europe and North America are exposed to threats, harassments, discrimination and isolation. This acts as an impetus to push Muslims to further estrangement, and possibly to marginalization.
He also presents very meaningful and sensible propositions for Westerners as to how they approach and treat Muslims and receive positive feedbacks and reactions. There are also very constructive and sound suggestions for Muslims, especially Muslim leaders as to how they should act and govern their countries in order to make long-lasting progress.
In conclusion, a broad-minded, tolerant, and knowledge and compassion-based attitude for Muslims is promoted throughout the book. When Muslims regain the genuine Islamic sense of justice, compassion, care and scholarship and live up to these principles, they will have a good chance of gaining their old glory back.
Thoughtful essay on Muslim predicament.......2005-03-10
For those who reflect on the mess in much of the Islamic World Ahmed's uncompromising essay is worthwhile reading. Mature reflections by an Anthropologist, former Ambassador and Muslim intellectual provide perspective and ideas all but absent in Western media.
Neither `Occidentalist' blaming the west nor `Orientalist' blaming Islam, Ahmed considers the witches brew of tribal, dynastic, European, and Islamic factors in times of great pressure, rapid change, and social imbalance. He is hard on Muslim leaders and countries - this is no apology. He also attempts to understand and analyze these difficult times. The application of the idea of a "post-Honor" world (including Muslim views of Clinton) may speak more to readers than the chapter on Ibn Khaldun and asabiyya perhaps.
At times personal, even idiosyncratic, the essay is always provocative. For those with some background and serious about understanding who want more than the typically polemic or hidden agenda multitude of books promoted in the U.S. - read this. Muslims frustrated by hving disaster after disaster in the media and public attention on what they see as exceptional, even un Islamic, presented as `typical' - read this.
Three other books are strongly suggested: for recent events and a Muslim `take' on the news "The War on Islam" by Enver Masud would complement this essay. Also Michael Sells and Emran Qureshi have edited a valuable collection "The New Crusades: constructing the Muslim Enemy". Another insightful book has three studies of how the purposeful fiction of the "Axis of Evil" has been promoted and manipulated (Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran, and Syria
by Bruce Cumings, et al.)
This author lacks objectivity.......2004-03-11
Ahmed unconvincingly dismisses the "envy/jealously" excuse for why there is so much animosity in the Islamic world toward the USA and tries to present an overall cultural reaction to the breakdown of 'asabiyya' or social cohesion and group loyalty as the main culprit.
His unabashed pro-muslim attitudes and opinions kept me wondering when he might ever show a little objectivity. He even seems to accept suicide bombings, which he calls 'martyrdom', as an understandable and perhaps even laudable act as he refers to the poetry of Al-Gossaibi, Saudi ambassador to Britain. He doesn't entertain the idea that the social acceptance of strapping bombs around children to kill a few unsuspecting and innocent civilians may itself be a manifestation of such egregious social disintegration and decline that in and of itself may point to the real problem at hand.
The entire theme of the book comes across as a little ridiculous when in the opening chapter he compares Israel's 'feeling' of being under siege to that of Islam's feeling of being under siege. This when Israel is a single tiny nation surrounded by much larger Islamic nations bent on her destruction and having been militarily attacked and invaded on several occasions by as many as six of those nations simultaneously. Islam on the other hand, thrives in dozens of countries stretching across several continents!.
The book is barely worth reading for the asabiyya education and gaining a broader understanding of viewpoints from the Islamic world.
A ground breaking examination of critical issues.......2003-09-11
Expertly written by Akbar S. Ahmed (Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington, DC), Islam Under Siege is a ground breaking examination of critical issues surrounding Islam, the West, and how the two diverse cultures view one another. Ranging down the last few centuries of history, and into the post-modern world of globalization, and now in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Islam Under Siege ranges from such central issues of controversy as the Islamic treatment of women, the failings of Muslim leadership, the quest for Muslim ideals and a global paradigm, and more. Islam Under Siege is a quite sober analysis and a very strongly recommended addition to Islamic Studies reference shelves and reading lists.
An insider's perspective.......2003-07-15
As a student of theology and conflict resolution, I felt privy to an insider's perspective on the religious distortions of a violent few and was encouraged to seek a better tomorrow with newfound understanding and knowledge.
In Islam Under Siege: Living Dangerously in a Post-Honor World Dr. Akbar Ahmed, explores the rise of religiously motivated violence and corresponding notions of honor in the world today. Dr. Ahmed's insights highlight sociological and spiritual factors contributing to such behavior. He interprets the underlying problem as the lost or misinterpreted notion of honor and calls his readers to understand the events surrounding such circumstances. Dr. Ahmed engages the reader in a journey of reflection, criticism, grievance, and exhortation; but most importantly he inspires one hope. This is a definite must read and worth the time in any busy schedule. You will not be disappointed.
Book Description
From the author of
Thyme Out and
Artistic Licence -- Polly Cameron is happy being thirty-five and celibate, living in a small town with a possessive cat for company. After all, a relationship would only complicate things.
Customer Reviews:
Katie Fforde's Best Book!.......2007-09-25
I've read 13 of her books and I think she's written 13 to date. I don't know the order but I can say this is unequivocally the best of the lot. I love her novels. They're a fun beach read that's romantic and cozy. An Anglophile, I enjoy the atmosphere. I really recommend this book. I read it last and love it the most.
Something to Savour.......2004-04-07
As the title suggests, this book is definitely worth savouring. I first encountered it in its audio-book version, rented from the local library and almost did not listen to it because of the length. Once I tried it, however, I was hooked within the first minute and am so glad that I took a chance. By the time the book was over, I was wishing that it was twice as long, or rather that it would never end. Sigh. This was Fforde's first novel, and as such, it is amazing. Of the ones of hers that I have read, this is definitely her best. (I have not read any of the ones that been produced by her new publisher, but I can not wait!) Enjoy! (If you like Darcyish heroes, this book will be right up your alley. The experience of reading it is similar to watching the BBC Production of Pride and Predjudice.)
The literary equivalent of eating chocolate.......1999-04-07
Reading this book is like talking with an old friend. It is funny, poignant and beautifully plausible...so we don't all have happy endings...just read this book and it'll make the most cynical among us believe that they're possible.
Book Description
Explorer, war hero, filmmaker, and cinema pioneer Merian C. Cooper–the adventurer who created King Kong–was truly larger than life. “Pictures cannot be made from an executive’s desk,” “Coop” declared, and he did more than talk the talk–he walked the walk to the far corners of the globe, with a motion picture camera in tow, in an era when those corners were truly unknown, untamed, and unforgiving.
Cooper’s place in history is assured, thanks not only to the monstrous gorilla from Skull Island but because the story of Kong’s creator is even bigger and bolder than the beast he made into a cultural icon. Spellbound since boyhood by tales of life-threatening adventure and exotic locales, Cooper plunged again and again into harrowing expeditions that took him to places not yet civilized by modern man.
Cooper was one of the first bomber pilots in World War I. After the war, he helped form the famous Kosciuszko Squadron in battle-torn Poland. He then turned his attention to producing documentary films that chronicled his hair-raising encounters with savage warriors, man-eating tigers, nomadic tribes, and elephant stampedes.
In addition to producing King Kong, he was the first to team Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers, arranged Katharine Hepburn’s screen test, collaborated with John Ford on Hollywood’s greatest Westerns, and then changed the face of film forever with Cinerama, the original “virtual reality.” He returned to military service during World War II, serving with General Claire Chennault in China, flying missions into the heart of enemy territory.
This book is a stunning tribute to a two-fisted visionary who packed a multitude of lifetimes into eighty remarkable years. The first comprehensive biography of this unique man and his amazing time, it’s the tale of someone whose greatest desire was always to be living dangerously.
Customer Reviews:
Passing through history.......2006-02-17
Mark Vaz has not only captured the life of Merian C. Cooper, but in doing so has also captured pieces of World War I, the Hollywood motion picture industry from the late 1920's through the 1950's, the origins and growth of the commerical aviation industry, and World War II.
Along the way, we find Billy Mitchell, David O. Selznick, Juan Trippe, Claire Chennault, Jimmy Doolittle, Jock Whitney and a cast of thousands; we also find King Kong, Technicolor and Cinerama.
It's a book that is easy to read, and hard to put down.
Chest-thumpingly essential.......2005-11-30
A scrupulously researched and heart-felt bio, if not always the best written. The author gets cuaght up up in his topic and overreaches his writing abilities.
Cooper was one of those amazing men whose life encompassed war, travel, explornography, mythopoeia, cinema, big business, and, at least to his own eye, international relations. The book does a wonderful job of seeking out all the details of these endeavors and tying them into a fine package. Deservedly best known for King Kong (1933 and only), Cooper was certainly a man of his century.
A Breathtaking Life Captured.......2005-11-15
Cover blurbs reflect this reader's approach as well: picked up for the information on King Kong but relished for the other information on Cooper. This is a pretty good read (four stars) of a truly amazing life (five+ stars). If you are a history buff, you will be astounded how many events Cooper saw/participated in; Pancho Villa, First World War, Russian Civil War, Interwar Pacific, Second World War China (with Flying Tigers), etc. The photographs being scattered through the text rather than plates in the center of the book helps with grasping it all. Overall, this book a very nice read for a fan of the old King Kong films or someone who likes early 20th century history. (I bought myself a copy and my father a copy as we used to watched King Kong, Son of Kong, and Mighty Joe Young when it was broadcast every Thanksgiving on Secaucus, New Jersey's Channel 9.)
"I'm King Kong".......2005-09-08
Mark Cotta Vaz's latest film book is his most important to date as it is the first biography of a true cinema pioneer, Merian C. Cooper. The life of the creator of KING KONG is richly detailed in a work that is hard to put down. The concluding chapters tie everything together nicely in a poignant way while at the same time explaining the lasting impact of Cooper's greatest film. There may be future bios that probe even deeper into this truly larger than life figure and his many achievements, but Mr. Vaz has laid the foundation and has done an admirable job-- one Cooper would be proud of.
Average customer rating:
- great read!
- dissapointed
- save your money
- Fantastic!
- Recommended Read
|
Wife Living Dangerously
Sara Susannah Katz
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Comic
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Comic
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Queen of Babble
-
The Debutante Divorcee: A Novel
-
Swapping Lives
-
Baby Proof
-
Dear John
ASIN: 0446612685 |
Book Description
She's recycling glass with plastic.She's passing off store-bought brownies as homemade.And she's thinking of doing more than flirting with that hot college professor#133;WIFE LIVING DANGEROUSLY.She went from being the good girl to the good wife and mother.Married with three kids and living in the "perfect" suburban community, Julia Flanagan plays by the rules and (almost) never lies. Sure, her life could use a little more excitement and her husband has started taking her for granted. But she never dreamed that a truth-telling game at her best friend's beach house would reveal that her buddies think she's boring.Or that she'd take on their challenge to "go forth and do something bad" in a really big way.Now Julia is stepping out, acting out#151;and on the verge of making out with a sexy medieval studies professor. The only question is: Just how far will she dare to go?
Customer Reviews:
great read!.......2007-04-13
I wasn't sure what to expect of this novel, but what I got was a read I couldn't put down. I could really relate to so much of it. Maybe that's why it was both poignant and hysterically funny to me. The main character, Julia, has a wonderful sense of humor in spite of all the crises and drudgery of suburban life. I want more! Please, Sara Susannah Katz, write more!
dissapointed.......2006-09-09
I absolutely love Susannah Katz articles on MSN about dating in the subburbs. I was anxiously awaiting this book. I really didn't feel a connection or have any interest in this character. I was less than impressed with story. when I Katz's teasers on MSN Icould not stop from reading and wanting for her next article. This book was for lack of better words...blah
save your money.......2006-09-09
save your money! this is a horrible, horrible book. pathetic character who basically iclings to her familiarities in the end. where is the 'living dangerously' part?
Fantastic!.......2006-05-16
This book was absolutely amazing! I honestly read it in less than a day because I could not put it down. Although it is listed as a romance, it is really more like reality. Watching the struggles of Julia as she goes from the good little girl to the girl gone bad is both exciting and, at times, saddening. Very descriptive, but allowing one's imagination to soar, the book has just the right amount of detail wthout getting too wordy. I found myself rooting for Evan (largely due to the fact that he reminds me of my husband) as he "courts" Julia, scolding Michael for his inattentiveness, applauding Annie for her brazen attitudes toward most everything while supporting her friend, and cheering Julia in which ever decisions she made. Katz's first novel is a definate must read and a crowning achievement. BRAVO!!!
Recommended Read.......2006-05-08
Julia Flanagan has spent her entire life playing by the rules. She's been a good girl, a good wife and a good mother. But the way she views her life is about to change. When Julia realizes her friends find her boring, she takes a good hard look at her life and decided to make some changes. And does she ever make some changes.
When Julia's friends dare her to do something bad, they probably didn't expect Julia to take them literally. Soon Julia is not just going through the motions of living, she IS living her life. On the edge! Julia is lying to her husband about the family pet. She's eating all the marshmallows in the cereal box. And... she's dangerously flirting with a medieval studies professor. A sexy and adoring medieval studies professor. Just how bad is Julia willing to be?
First of all, Wife Living Dangerously is not a traditional romance, it's chick-lit. So, traditional contemporary romance readers beware: There is infidelity in this book. Wife Living Dangerously is an engaging look into the life of a woman finding her true self. The bad choices and the good. I related to Julia on so many levels; I ached for her and laughed with her. An appealing book, Wife Living Dangerously is a recommended read for all good girls who have ever thought about being bad.
Annabelle
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Average customer rating:
- long winded and inaccurate
|
Colin Farrell: Living Dangerously
Jane Kelly
Manufacturer: John Blake Publishing, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Acting & Auditioning
| Theater
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Actors & Actresses
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Entertainers
| Arts & Literature
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Irish
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Biographies
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
2007 Colin Farrell Poster size wall calendar
-
Ask the Dust
-
The Making Of Alexander
-
The New World
-
Ordinary Decent Criminal
ASIN: 1844541711 |
Book Description
A candid account of the career and off-screen antics of Ireland's hottest young cinematic export.
Colin Farrell is one of Hollywood's A-list actors, but it's not just his box-office success that he's known for. Charming, quick-witted, and rebellious, the Irish lothario has filled a staggering number of column inches with his love of booze, women, and the L.A. party scene. The magnetic young actor first turned heads in the BBC television series Ballykissangel, establishing himself as a talent to watch, and it wasn't long before he was approached by the movie industry. He's since gone on to garner film credits that include Joel Schumacher's Phone Booth, Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, and Oliver Stone's Alexander, and his star will no doubt continue to rise with his upcoming role as Sonny Crockett in Michael Mann's much-anticipated film remake of Miami Vice.
Customer Reviews:
long winded and inaccurate.......2005-11-08
Jane Kelly attempts to pad her book with long drawn out explanations of the plot of every film Farrell has done. Page after page of plot and character descriptions that have little to do with the subject at hand. At other times she pads this book with long winded descriptions of some of the characters to enter in to Farrell's life. Do we need to read three pages about a soapopera star he had a two week affair with?Then there are the times she plays arm chair psychologist disecting farrell's childhood and relations with women with the insight of someone who has just completed their first week of psych 101. To top it all off there are glaring mistakes, most notably a caption reads "Colin is worried about his hair on the David Letterman show in 1993", yet it is Jay leno sitting at the desk in the picture. There are several misquotes that distort Farrell's intentions. This is a piss poor attempt even for a tabloid level biography. Save your money and read about the guy on the web if you are really that curious. All the quotes from him are from old interviews anyway.
Book Description
Korea was "discovered" by the West after World War II when it became a flashpoint in the Cold War. Before the war, however, it was home to many hundreds of Westerners who experienced life there under Japanese colonial rule. These included missionaries who opened Korea as a field for evangelism, education, and medicine; speculators who risked much and reaped riches from mining concessions; and diplomats who tried to keep them neutral, even as the Japanese forced them out of business on the eve of the Pacific War.
In the first part of the book, the author reconstructs the foreign community and highlights the role of Americans in particular as participants in Korean history, bringing vividly to life the lives and suffering and triumphs of the expatriate community in Korea, especially the missionaries. In the second part of the book, the author presents the altered circumstances of American military occupation after 1945 and the consequences of the Americans' assuming a role not unlike the one that had been played earlier by the colonial Japanese.
By telling the lives and experiences of Westerners, the author highlights the major historical events of modern Korean history. Accounts of foreigners in the Independence Movement and during the period of militarization in the 1930s shed new light on what Japanese colonial rule meant to the Korean people. Similarly, Western experiences in Korea in the 1940s amount to a commentary on the way Korea was divided and the events that led inexorably to the ordeal of the Korean War.
The stories recounted in this extraordinary book, highlighted by more than sixty photographs, are a valuable commentary on Korea's early modernization and the consequences of the Korean War as it set the stage for Korea's relations with the world in the late twentieth century.
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful account of Korea from a different perspective.......2007-08-05
The book is an in-depth study of life and times of Westerners in Korea - mainly Christian missionaries, but also diplomats, refugees, military men. Eloquently written, it makes for a great read. I could not put it down until getting to the last page.
The book begins with a description of adventures of early Christian missionaries, among whom Clark lists his grandfather. It is indeed a moving story of hardship and suffering, of remarkable achievement and loss. The author accounts for miserable conditions of Korea back in the early 1900s, and shows why so many Western missionaries chose to brave the difficulties and make Korea their home.
The book dwells at length on the Japanese occupation of Korea, brutality and suppression. He notes that whilst many missionaries supported the cause of Korean independence, most chose to keep on good terms with the authorities. At the same time, as the militarist regime grew more oppressive in Korea, many Christian missionaries had to choose between accepting increasing state control of religion and giving up their work by leaving Korea. Clark gives an interesting example of this dilemma in his discussion of the Japanese efforts to force Shinto worship on Koreans.
The author's main point is to argue that missionaries did much good work for Korea, notwithstanding prejudices and arrogance that was inevitably manifest in the Western community. In a very subtle way he takes an issue with the attempts in modern Korean historiography to depict early Westerners as racist exploiters. At the same time, he does not shun away from the discussion of exploitation and injustice, as in his analysis of the gold mining business in Korea. On the other hand, the author in a few places makes fairly careful references to anti-Western prejudices and bias in Korea itself - too carefully perhaps, because indeed such sentiments bordering on plain racism are often seen in many parts of Asia, not just Korea.
Korea, which Clark depicts, is long-gone. Seoul is a cosmopolitan hub, one feels here much the same as in any other modern metropolis. The frontier of expat communities moved further into Asia. For instance, when living in Mongolia and Central Asia for several years I witnessed - and was properly disgusted by - self-contained expat communities with much of the colonial mindset so present in the Korean expat community in the early part of the 20th century.
The author talks about the suffering and deprivation of Korea in war-time (1940s up to the Korean War). It is incredible what many of these Westerners went through, and even more incredible to think that they actually had a good time compared to the vast majority of Koreans. The book leaves a sad impression of modern Korean history, which is simply soaked in blood - and it is probably an accurate impression. Hard to believe this now, looking out the window of the 4th floor of Gwanghwamun Starbucks.
Good read, highly recommended!
Living Dangerously.......2004-12-03
This book is by far one of the best, if not THE best, I've read about Korea during the first half of the 1900's. Very interesting, intriguing, and well-documented.
Book Description
In 1926, beautiful Aileen Gallaher left California to join trapper "Slim" Williams in the wild Copper River Valley. Theirs was a perilous existence spent in isolated cabins, bucking heavy snows, uncertain river ice, and fierce cold. Yet Aileen fell in love with Slim and with the country, missing only female companionship. Enter Samme, her tenacious fifteen-year-old sister. Their lively and honest story details their emotional coming of age in a strange land that is still little known.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Picture of a Special Time in Alaska.......2006-07-08
My wife and I read this book aloud together and found it very enjoyable. It was fun to read about our home state and its early development. But it was also a fascinating human story of friendship, love, and the sad turns life can take. The only real mystery is, why in the book Alaska Sourdough by Richard Morenus, a book that purports to tell the story of Slim, there is no mention of Slim's years with these sisters? I read Alaska Sourdough almost 30 years ago and am now delighted to read more of the truth of these remarkable people.
Book Description
How to find your way in the flood of information that makes up our modern world
How well do you know the risks in your life? Probably not as well as you think-and that can make for dangerous living. In this provocative book, John F. Ross reveals how new types of risk decisions-choices never confronted by our parents or grandparents-have filled our lives with worry and confusion. Through vivid storytelling, intriguing forays into history, and compelling insights about modern science, Ross helps the reader combat fear, manage risk, and become a truly empowered citizen of the twenty-first century.
Customer Reviews:
How we consider everyday risks.......2000-11-20
Americans do a poor job of measuring and reacting to the risks we face in our everyday lives. John Ross does a good job of explaining the basics of how risk can be measured and applies those basics to common situations in a science for non-scientist (or statistical for non-statisticians) kind of way. After dealing with risk in this manner, he moves on to more immediate and interesting topics of how we perceive risk and then react and overreact to perceived risks, often while ignoring or underreacting to some very real risks. Ross also discusses how we make tradeoffs in dealing with some risks that result in taking on new risks in other areas that are more serious than the ones we commonly find unacceptable.
The author points out that Americans almost universally believe they are exposed to more risks today than their grandparents were exposed to, yet we are living much longer and healthier lives. Anyone overwhelmed with putting the constant stream of risk stories from television, newspapers and magazines into context could benefit from Ross' interesting and readable treatment of the subject.
Books:
- Cretaceous Life (Prehistoric World Books)
- Debris-flow Hazards and Related Phenomena (Springer Praxis Books / Geophysical Sciences)
- Digging for the Truth: One Man's Epic Adventure Exploring the World's Greatest Archaeological Mysteries
- Diversity Amid Globalization: World Regions, Environment, Development (3rd Edition)
- Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (8th Edition)
- Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (8th Edition)
- Earth System History
- Earthquake Engineering: From Engineering Seismology to Performance-Based Engineering
- Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods
- Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future (9th Edition)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- April 1865: The Month That Saved America
- Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2: More Amazing Clones of Famous Dishes from America's Favorite Restau
- The Looking Glass: A Novel
- The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats
- The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't
- The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
- The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers
- Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance: Hands-On Field Package
- Sayajirao of Baroda ; The Prince and the Man
- The 1st Field Hospital: The Experiences of T-4 Robert U. Shepard
Intimacy: Trusting Oneself and the Other
The Book of Secrets: Keys to Love and Meditation
Intuition: Knowing Beyond Logic
Awareness: The Key to Living in Balance (Osho, Insights for a New Way of Living)
Creativity: Unleashing the Forces Within (Osho, Insights for a New Way of Living.)
