Editorial Review

Magnum, the international documentary photographers'cooperative, was established in 1947, just one year before the foundingof Israel. Two of the most famous Magnum originators, Robert Capa and David Seymour, were JewishAmerican émigrés from Central Europe; they took a specialinterest in the new state. This anniversary volume, organized by decadeand interspersed with written observations by the photographers whowere there, is an unflinching record of Israel's first 50 years. Thepictures are truly historic: Menachem Begin in 1948, making apassionate speech, is caught with his fist in the air by Capa; in 1951a baby named Miriam, the first child of a new Jewish settler, isdepicted in her Italian baptismal robe; pools of blood congeal in aJewish classroom; terrified Arab waifs cringe at the approach ofIsraeli troops; and a beautiful bride marrying a man with a furrowedbrow is captured on film by the mischievous Elliott Erwittin 1962. These are but five of the terribly moving pictures of"the hardest place one can live," as Seymour wrote in 1948.But, he added, "the young sing at night, and even the old onestalk about the future." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. Documentary Photo Collections    3. Documentary Photography    4. History    5. Israel    6. Magnum Photos, inc    7. Photo Essays    8. Photography    9. Photojournalism    10. Pictorial works    11. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Middle East    12. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    13. Photographic reportage   

Subjects:  1. Jewish Studies    2. Judaism - History    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (4)

Excellent before trip book
Lots of strong colour photographs, very good artwork/floor plans of sites, excellent descriptions of the sites that take their time and really describe the place, it's feel and art.You could carry this with you in the streets as you went from place to place, or use it in your hotel room to review where you are going or what you have seen, or a good book to read while sitting at a cafe in Rome taking a break from sightseeing.
Extremely Helpful ~ Great Buy
I am very picky with my travel guides and I think this was the best purchase I ever made. I expected the beautiful pictures; however, the content was also amazing. I personally prefer more than a 4 line blurb about an attraction and in this book, I found there were amazing detailed descriptions for each place I visited to identify the history, important characteristics and must see items. The maps were very helpful while navigating each district and the recommendations were well suited.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC travel book very similar to travel shows
your typical travel guidebook (a little on the heavy side) with the most detail oriented information at your disposal.good for the plane ride over to italy, it's full of information about everything you wanted to know about rome, starting with history and culture.the guidebook is not very practical for pulling out of your sack especially if your burdened with cameras and other heavy travel items.the book is very very very informative and true to national geographic, chock full of beautiful pictures!this guidebook offers a series of walking tours with national geographic as your guide; extremely useful if you have the time to walk and read as you go!while travelling i found it a little difficult to find the maps when i needed them (during those vacation rush periods).this book is useful for reference; with every point of interest explained thoroughly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Guidebooks    3. Middle East - General    4. Rome (Italy)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. American English    8. Italy    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / General    11. c 1990 to c 2000   

Subjects:  1. 1801-1873    2. 19th century    3. Education    4. Egyptians    5. Europe - France    6. France    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Middle East - General    11. Muslims    12. Paris    13. Tahtawi, Rifaah Rafi,    14. Travel    15. òTahòtåawåi, Rifåa°ah Råafi°,    16. 20th century    17. Classic travel writing    18. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    19. History / General    20. History / Middle East    21. Islamic studies    22. Middle East    23. Other prose: 19th century    24. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Art    3. Art, Ancient    4. Exhibitions    5. Syria    6. Architecture   

Reviews (2)

Fun read on a solemn subject
The writing is clever, with the right zest of irony. The book is sparkling, with the right cocktail of erudition, trivia bits, political analysis and text criticism. My intention was to browse this short volume just to find the dates and facts I needed, but I found myself reading it almost cover to cover (chapter 10, "Archeology and Imperialism", was too English-centered for my taste, and the last chapter, "The Temple is ours!", failed to teach me something new).
Two Gods.Two Goddesses.One Temple Mount.
There is plenty of information about the Temple of Jerusalem in this short book.We see a plan of the Temple Mount in the time of the Herodian Temple, as well as a plan of Herod's Temple itself.And we see a plan of the earlier Solomon's Temple.
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Israel    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Social History    11. Temple of Jerusalem    12. Temple of Jerusalem (Jerusalem)    13. ASIA    14. Ancient World    15. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    16. Travel / Middle East / Israel   

Reviews (3)

Great guide!
I used this guide for travels in Lebanon this past summer, fortunately, before the war.I explored Beirut and Tripoli, and this book provided excellent information on both cities.I found everything from hotel descriptions to guides on inter-country travel via bus and taxi to be accurate and helpful.Whatever information you could require for travelling through Lebanon and Syria is found here.Overall, a solid and reliable guide to an amazing region.

"As you wish"
"As you wish" is the response to most questions in Syria, making the LP Guide very necessary. It contains excellent information on rarer sites and ruins along with very good historical information about them. Best book for all your travel needs (in Syria, of course!)
I've just arriving from a travel to Syria. I've travelled a lot and I've ever used LP guides. This is one of the best. During my travel in Syria sometimes I had asked to myself: where can I find this, that, those...allthe answers, the most weird too, are in this book. During my visit to thedead towns (near Aleppo)the guide wared me about wild dogs. So, you can'tbelieve it, I'll find the dog. The guide don't say how can I save my pourlegs...but this wasa my problem not of the book. Is like to have a friendwith you who knows everything about this country ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Lebanon    5. Syria    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Features

• Folded Map

Subjects:  1. Maps    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Middle East - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Bahrain    7. Qatar    8. Travel / Middle East / General    9. Travel / road maps & atlases    10. United Arab Emirates   

Reviews (2)

Philippines guide, 2
We were being assigned to the Philippines and I browsed through all the travel books available on the country. I chose this (the first edition) because i liked the way it was written and that the writers live in the Philippines. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed! In fact i found both the information provided and the personalized descriptions of places to stay and eat very helpful. When the second edition came out i bought it and passed on my old copy to a friend. The 2nd edition has new information (unlike others that i have found are almost completely re-writes of past editions) and continues to be a more personal travel guide. I will be sorry to leave the country and this book has helped my family enjoy our travels.

Extremely helpful, highly detailed and accurate information.
I am a traveller from Madrid and was given this book as a gift by a friend from Manila.It was full of everything a traveller who is unfamiliar with an exotic country like the Philippines.When I went there with several friends last year we found the book to be extremely helpful and so accurate in detail that we had an easy time moving around, finding hotels and site-seeing areas.To the authors: thank you for a very relaxing trip to the Philippines! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Guidebooks    3. Middle East - General    4. Philippines    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. ASIA    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (2)

What if........
My girlfriend was intent on taking a trip to Egypt and I have to say that I panicked at the thought of going to a strange country. I was used to holidaying on Spanish islands and other Mediterranean beaches so a trip to such an unknown quantity was needless to say a little daunting.
Very useful travel book
I bought this book in order to help us prepare for our first Egypt trip and I wasn't disappointed, as there is so much useful and interesting info, especially regarding on how to barter with the locals.
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Subjects:  1. Middle East - Egypt    2. Reference - Cruise Guides    3. Reference - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Egypt    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (16)

It all comes together and makes an unforgettable point
Although I was immediately fascinated by the historical and literary detective story of the 12th century Jewish merchant and his Indian servant, I did not fully understand Ghosh's mission in writing this book until nearly at the end. Then it became clear to me. This book is an elegy for a way of life that is forever lost. In the 12th century, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus worked in tandem as traders and merchants, with the only reprisals being angry remonstrances rather than armed violence. What we call sophisticated Western civilization has changed all of that.
A fascinating read.
Amitav Ghosh has for long being a favorite - for his simple and lucid style of writing as well as his wordplay when describing the swirling moods of a changing landscape. He is at his most competentIn an Antique Land.
Brilliant mix of travelogue, biography and history
The narrative weaves between Ghosh's account of a year spent living in modern-day Egypt; and the second storyline, his reconstruction of the fascinating life of a medieval Jewish Arab merchant who travelled to India, married a local woman and settled there.Read more

Subjects:  1. 12th cent    2. Ben Yiju, Abraham,    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Egypt    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. General    8. Ghosh, Amitav    9. Jewish merchants    10. Literary    11. Middle East - Egypt    12. Slavery    13. Slaves    14. Travel    15. Travel - General    16. Ben Yijû, Abraham    17. Bomma    18. Journeys    19. Travel / Middle East / General   

Subjects:  1. Aegean Sea Coast (Turkey)    2. Guidebooks    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Mediterranean Coast (Turkey)    7. Middle East - General    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel writing    10. Turkey   

Reviews (3)

Do not buy it from Amazon.com !
When i bought this item,estimated shipping time was 10-12 days. However, amazon changed the date several times at the date when they were supposed ship. They made me wait four months and at the end they've sent an e-mail saying that they can't obtain this item and they've cancelled my order. It was that easy for them ! Even now, despite that the book is unavailable, they listed the book as avaialbale in 2-3 weeks! Never buy this book from Amazon.com. I am planning to buy it from ecampus.com.

Even if just for the photos
Some of you may be looking for a book on this subject for more than good photos but I won't detail about the writing. I feel that the other review on this book has already done a good job on that. I just want to say it is a great book even if it is just for the photos. Very beautiful photographs - perfect for coffee tables, etc... I have visited Istanbul and the photos make me sick to visit again.

Not perfect but probably the best there is nowadays
For anyone under a spell of Istanbul, this is a book to have and behold.The photography is excellent if also typical of glossy coffee table books: romantised and beautiful, very - yet the images chosen cover a wide rangeand offer interesting and evocative - or inspiring, if you like - insightsinto the life in Istanbul and its settings. Visually, then, the book is alittle gem (far better than another recent one, "Living inTurkey").There are several essays included whichare of varyingquality. The preface by an Ottoman princess is - on a second reading - nottoo bad and rather charming, while her attitude - both nostalgic andprotective is as expected as, perhaps, it is befitting, too; a diary by aTurkish writer leaves one with mixed feelings and somewhat at loss as towhat is at stake in it (in my opinion, it is the weakest of the essays inthe book). "A Day in Istanbul" is rather matter of factdescription of the city by and what there is to be seen."Interiors" is probably what most people would expect to find ina book like this - after all, it leans heavily on interior decoration; theselection of interiors is, as expected, very biased: focusing on yalis orthe more contemporary residences of the fashionable Istanbulites, Turkishor foreign - but then, most interior books do the same and this is not tosay it is not pleasant to behold, only that at times the text seems littlebit selfindulgent in terms of the people whose homes are shown - of course,as long as we don't know these people and their names mean nothing to us,it doesn't really matter, but I can imagine that people, say, in Istanbulmight read and view the book rather differently... (also, it might be notedthat the books is written by people who mostly reside someplace else thanIstanbul).The only section where the text surpasses the pictures is theone about the palaces, or I felt so, as they don't really give you a senseof the buildings nor the interiors - it is a very personal selection andquite small one at that, too. The following section on"Traditions" saves much of the book anew: only, minor, drawbackis that the relevant text and pictures don't manage to keep pace but areseparated, at times afew pages apart. Finally, the "Rendezvous"is a pleasant, casual and intimate, retake on the city as to what to do andwhere to go, especially if you don't have a home in Istanbul and you haveto experience the "living in Istanbul" through cafes, bars andrestaurants.The last part, "Visitors guide" would have beenbest left out: not only does it start to turn the book - ambiguously anddissapointingly - into a guidebook, but it will also date it - no doubt,when first published, it was useful and it will be nostalgic in a hundredyears' time, but in between it is bit of a letdown.Yet, in spite of itsdrawbacks, it still remains the best book I've found currently available onlife and interiors in Istanbul. And some of my friends who know the citybetter than me, agree. I myself borrowed the book from a library, kept itfor a month, extended it for another and then bought my own copy... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Middle East - General    3. Scenic Photo Collections    4. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Middle East    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Architecture / Interior Design    8. Europe    9. Places & peoples: general interest    10. Travel / Middle East / General    11. Turkey   

Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. ASIA    5. Asian / Middle Eastern history    6. Cultural studies    7. Places & peoples: general interest    8. Yemen   

Subjects:  1. Design - General    2. Europe - General    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Middle East - General    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / General    10. Turkey   

Reviews (6)

Delightfully entertaining
Eothen is a kind of quirky travelogue describing Alexander Kinglake's 1834 tour of the Near East; it was originally published in 1844.
Inspirational
If you've ever had a dream to travel outside of your own backyard, this book will give you the push you need to make that decision. Alexander Kinglake takes you through the exotic east by the most interesting modes of transportation. Horseback, Camels, Dromedaries, and fantastic sea vessels. You'll travel through places such as Stanboul, Constantinople, Cyprus, Galilee, Cairo, the Pyramids, and Jerusalem just to name a few. Sparkling writing from the Turkish Empire
This is a book to be treasured and I read it several times.It is hard to imagine the world Kinglake describes which is virtually extinct now at a time when lions abounded in Eastern Europe, Caliphs and Pashas smoked their pipes through long tubing and Lady Hester Stanhope gets esoteric.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Middle East - General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Biography & Autobiography-Personal Memoirs    5. Description and travel    6. Middle East    7. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (4)

an example of Orientalism and racism, and its effect on Western perception of the East.....
I was required to read Flaubert's account of his travels in Egypt, when I was in my senior year of college.We were doing an extensive study on the effects of the mentality of "us" versus "them."A prime example was in the travels, made by Europeans, to the East, as well as to other countries that became colonized parts of North and South America.Though, many people consider this a classic novel (hence, it is one of Penguin Classics' "classic" pieces of literature).
Best Travel Journal Book Ever
Kerouac isn't qualified to hold Flaubert's pen. Orientalism
In 1849 Gustave Flaubert was twenty eight.He had an air of athletic vigor.He was the son of a doctor.He had always written.At this point he had finished THE TEMPTATION OF SAINT ANTHONY.Friends suggested he use a story known to him, perhaps through his father, that became the basis for MADAME BOUVARY.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1821-1880    2. 19th century    3. Authors, French    4. Description and travel    5. Diaries    6. Egypt    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Flaubert, Gustave,    9. French    10. French Literature    11. History    12. Literature - Classics / Criticism    13. Middle East - Egypt    14. Travel    15. Classic travel writing    16. Flaubert, Gustave    17. Journeys    18. Other prose: 19th century    19. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    20. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (10)

Informative & personable - GREAT
I've been a carpet collector (primarily tribal piece) for well over 20 years; this book spoke to me as some carpets speak to me! I'm especially grateful for the quotes attributed to Hossein Payghambary of Nomad carpet shop in Isfahan. I rarely read a book more than once BUT this has drawn me to do so because of the rich text and the author's compassion for his subject. This is MUST read for anyone with a heart for carpets.

Quest for insight into the Persian culture
This is an absolutely fantastic book.It is not an academic text filled with facts associated with Persian carpets.Rather, it is the story of a man's quest for understanding how Persian culture is represented by the intricacies of their exquisite carpets.The reader travels with the author on his journey, meeting many people involved in the chain starting with the female weavers working their looms in their nomad tents to the merchants in the Oriental bazaars to the high-end retailer in NY City.For anyone who loves Persian carpets or is interested in attaining an insight into Persian culture, this book is a must read.

Modern carpets in Afganistan and Iran - a memoir of a journey
The authors love of Persian carpets is evident on every page of this book and we are presented with his travels around the wilds of Afganistan and Iran in his quest for the meaning and arts behind the beautiful carpets he is so in love with.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Design - Textile & Costume    3. History - General History    4. Middle East - General    5. Middle Eastern    6. Textile Industries    7. Antiques & collectables: carpets, rugs & textiles    8. Carpets & rugs    9. History / Middle East    10. Middle East   

Reviews (4)

Excellent guide for budget travelers
We travel extensively all over the world and have consistently found the Rough Guide series to be the most in-depth, accurate, an useful.The guide to Turkey is no exception.On our trip last year, we used the Rough Guide to find many exceptional and cheap restaurants, often eating for less than $5 a meal for two.When we did not use the book to locate a place to eat, we were disappointed with overpriced, unimpressive fare.Likewise, the hotel we selected in Instanbul using the Rough Guide was exactly as the book described: well located (half-mile from Aya Sofia), incredible value, friendly staff, free Turkish tea, nice free breakfast, and very friendly staff.Venturing out of Instanbul without a car I think would be difficult, as the book points out.I think that is a fair warning, and the authors of the book should not be criticized for cautioning travelers that public transport outside of the cities is somewhat lacking.Another benefit of the Rough Guide is that it often includes interesting sites a little off the beaten path that other travelers often miss and complete enough descriptions to help you appreciate them.

I won't buy Rough Guide again...
This was my wife and my second visit to Turkey. We're budget travelers/backpackers. The first time (1 month), we used the Lonely Planet, which wasn't great either. This time (6 weeks) we tried the Rough Guide. What a mistake! Here are some of the problems we had: Most Useful Guide to a Wonderful Country
This is the best single guidebook we've found for Turkey. We escort small groups to Turkey...and the Rough Guide is consistently the best single reference for general and historical information. Combined with the Blue Guide to Turkey, it's easy to plan your trip. As usual with the Rough Guides, it has a lot of information for many types of travelers without sacrificing cultural and historical details. Well organized, with good maps (much better than the Lonely Planet series).We've made 5 trips to Turkey now, and find something new from this book each time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Middle East - General    2. Middle East - Turkey    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Turkey - History    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Middle East / General    9. Turkey   

Editorial Review

Twenty years after the Iranian revolution, most westerners still imagine Iran to be a warren of anti-American rhetoric, terrorism, and fanatical repression, especially of women. Not surprisingly, only an unusual woman would choose to travel there, and Alison Wearing is certainly that. "I refused to believe that such a place of unalloyed evil truly existed," she writes. "I like to look for saints where there are said to be demons."Since it is the only country the world traveler could not imagine going to alone, she takes her fussy, gay roommate Ian, along with a fake wedding certificate and a story that they're on their honeymoon. Then she dons a black cloak, scarf, and chador (the full body covering required by Shiite Islam) for a five-month journey from the Caspian Sea (breaking into the Shah's ramshackle summer palace) to the holy city of Qom (and Khomeini's shrine) to a hidden Zoroastrian prayer site (where she faints from heat stroke).From the moment she steps into the country, she's surrounded by Iranians touched by her eagerness to learn about their country. There is the housewife who challenges her to a game of Ping-Pong in her long robe and scarf, offering food to her guests in between killer serves, and the Anglican minister who is "wholly enthralled by the art of living." There is the couple who spirit her away to a mountain oasis when she complains of the heat (leaving a message for Ian, "Mister Canada, we take your wife. We make her cold"), and the mother who tries to marry off her doctor son, joking that Wearing can't leave "not without my doctor" (a reference to the American film Read more

Reviews (48)

First book our club all agreed on
In almost 3 years of gathering, this was the first book our book club universally loved.Some loved it because it is a travelogue, some because of the suspense, some because of the humor, and others because it is an inside glimpse into another culture.I have purchased this book and recommended it to many people.It is a very enjoyable read.

Very One-sided
This is a book written in the typical voice of a westerner who knows nothing about Iran except what they have heard in stories and on TV and what they have imagined Iran to be--based on what they know of the Arab world (which is completely different from anything Iranian.)She presents a very one-sided view of Iran, never mentioning how Iran has the highest level of literacy among Middle Eastern nations, not to mention the highest level of educated women, and never having lived through the Iranian revolution, she gives herself the right to call the former Shah a heartless king who didn't have to think twice about giving the order to open fire on demonstrators during the revolution.She seemed bent on presenting a "simpleton" image of Iranians who are just hungry for anything western. Had Miss Wearing taken the time to educate herself about the history of the revolution of Iran, not to mention the rich ancient history of Iran and it's people, maybe this book would have been a bit more interesting, and a bit less like she is just laughing at the people who have opened their homes and hearts to a complete stranger.
I never read travel books...
... however, as a required reading for a class I am currently enrolled in, I am extremely glad that my instructor chose Honeymoon in Purdah! Wearing promises and delivers beyond the expectations outlined on the back of the book/jackets.
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Subjects:  1. 1967-    2. 20th century    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Iran    6. Iran - History    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - Iran    9. Social life and customs    10. Travel    11. Travel - General    12. Wearing, Alison,    13. Journeys    14. Wearing, Alison