mondojohnson » middle east

Review: 100 Myths About the Middle East

chris — Fri, 12 May 2006 22:20:18 +0000

This books delivers precisely what the title promises, but also adds an excellent "post 9/11" glossary that defines a lot of the lingo that has emerged in recent years (from the ridiculous to the sublime -- e.g. from "Cakewalk" to "al Jazeera").

“Nuke Their Ass and Take Their Gas”

chris — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:38:10 +0000

….a bumper sticker I saw yesterday (on, of course, an SUV, next to the usual yellow ribbon magnet, etc.) I assume it’s referring to Iran, but you never know with these folks, who can’t sort out the Persians from the Arabs. Despite being literally in the shadow of NYC, this suburban shithole in which I [...]

Book Review: The Great War for Civilisation

chris — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 05:00:00 +0000

The Great War for Civilisation : The Conquest of the Middle East

Author: Robert Fisk
Year: 2005
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 1400041511

Rating: 5 out of 5

Robert Fisk's gigantic book on the Middle East. Epic, passionate and scholarly (yet personal). Fisk is the real deal: a "wartime correspondent." His stories are exciting, informative and insightful. Check out his writings over at counterpunch.org if you're unfamiliar with him (as many of us Ammrrrrkens are).... UPDATE: Fisk gave a firey talk at the Sydney Ideas Conference in Australia on March 26, 2006. It is archived at abc.net.au, but I'm not sure for how long. ABC (the Ozzie one) radio usually keeps the last seven or so broadcasts available -- they then usually put up the transcript.