Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Israel    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Easily one of the best nonfiction books i've ever read!
This should almost be required reading in colleges, especially with the current geopolitical situation. It isn't just a translation of Ibn Battuta's book, it's at least 50% background material on the places he visited & the people he met with considerable historical info from before, during, and after Ibn's travels. The writing is excellent and easy to get through. It easily ranks next to Plutarch (in a good translation) and Gibbon for it's grand overview of a largely unknown area of history & the world (at least in the West).
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Subjects:  1. 1304-1377    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Ibn Batuta,    8. Islamic Empire    9. Medieval    10. Middle East - Egypt    11. Travel, Medieval    12. Travelers    13. Egypt    14. History / General    15. History of specific subjects    16. Islam    17. Places & peoples: general interest    18. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (4)

When its good, it's very good...

A Missed Opportunity
The Hajj is a fascinating topic and this book promised something possibly unique: a travelogue which attempts to reconcile the detachment of an ethnographer with the physical, mental and emotional demands of a committed participant. However, the end product is almost completely undone by long, turgid, almost unreadable and certainly incomprehensible passages written in academic gobbledeygook. Sokal & Bricmont did us all a favour by dissing this style of writing in their book 'Fashionable Nonsense'. All we now need is a fatwa from Al-Azhar University which does the same for authors like Hammoudi.Having said this, what remains is actually worth persisting with as the author does not hold back on either the negative aspects or virtues of the Hajj experience. In other words, it's a warts and all portrayal that is rather different from the sanitised descriptions of the pilgrimage in most Islam textbooks. In closing, then, the book is just about worth the effort: two and a half stars would be a more realistic rating if this were possible.

A Muslim writer questions his religion's fundamentals
A SEASON IN MECCA: NARRATIVE OF A PILGRIMAGE comes from a Muslim writer who is always questioning his religion's fundamentals - but not its meaning. His survey of how his fellow Muslim make the pilgrimage to Mecca, and why, gets him on the road of pilgrims, to personally investigate the different worlds of Islam and the varied reasons pilgrims have for making the sacred journey. Moroccan scholar Hammoudi's own pilgrimage to Mecca describes its history, religious importance, and social effects alike, as well as the politics which influence the pilgrimage itself. A 'must' for any who would understand modern Muslim sentiments.
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Subjects:  1. Islam    2. Islam - General    3. Islam - Rituals & Practice    4. Mecca    5. Middle East - General    6. Morocco    7. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Saudi Arabia    11. Travel Guides    12. Religion / Islam   

Reviews (2)

...the whole world's Jewish!
I bought the book because I love the travel articles in Hadassah Magazine.They are consistently fascinating and well written. The book offers Jewishhistory, customs, and local color of 100 places, both familiar and exotic. Only two things could make it better:I miss the photos that are publishedin the magazine; and the articles should be dated.It's still worthreading, even if not current, but since phone numbers, restaurants andhotels change over time, readers should know when each article was written.

world of jewish interest
The articles are detailed and interesting. HOwever, the book does not cover asia or the south pacific so it is notgood as a guide to world jewish travel.The Ben Frank book lists more restaurants but this booktells you the historic significance and current sites of interest to thejewish traveller. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Jews    3. Judaism - General    4. Middle East - Israel    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Social life and customs    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Israel    10. Judaism    11. Travel & holiday guides    12. Travel / General   

Reviews (1)

Stuart McCoy
This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size.His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1796-1864    2. Artists    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Egypt    9. Historical - British    10. Middle East - General    11. Palestine    12. Roberts, David,    13. Scotland    14. Travel    15. Travelers    16. Africa    17. Israel    18. Journeys    19. Roberts, David    20. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (10)

This book is by far the WORST Frommers publication
I always use Frommers books for my vacations, but I have to tell you that this book is the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on Amazon or any other book store for that matter. The author obviously has not done her job here. Be careful, you just might wind up in Iraq if you follow her guides. This book is very vague and confusing throughout. You can not trust her hotel recommendations. How in the world can she justify putting Apricot hotel in Istanbul in this book. This guy isa crook. This hotel should be taken out of this book completely for it's opportunistic behavior. Have you ever heard the phrase BAIT AND SWITCH? BUYER BEWARE? Well, thatshould be the heading for all her recommendations if they are all like the Apricot hotel in Istanbul. My advise to the author, have a chat with the guy who wrote the Frommers Italy book, you can learn alot from him.

a little out of date
Things have changed in Turkey. The currency has been modernized and preparation for membership in the EU changes other things as well.The book is still dealing with the old currency and you must convert everything. Hotel ratings, restaurants as always need to be checked against standards where they exist. It is not enough to say first class or three star. The historical venues and the directions, advice on what to see probably very valid.Need to get guide that includes the New Turkish Lira.

An Indispensable Guide
Our battered and dogeared copy of the Frommer's Turkey guide was an indispensible guide on our trip to Turkey. We are independent travelers who like to get out on our own, away from tours, and this guide was perfect for our needs. We used it to plan our trip, modifying Ms. Levine's suggested 2-week itinerary to match our needs. The guide also provided us with plenty of off the beaten path suggestions of where to stay and eat. We found the reviews of accommodations and restaurants particularly accurate in terms of quality, though would have liked to see a few more restaurant recommendations -- this is one area, I think, where Frommers guides in general feel a bit thin. The book also has lots of historical and cultural information and "surivival tips" that made for good reading (and re-reading) during long airport waits and on downtime -- I found myself reading this book more often than the novel I brought along. This guide also works well in conjunction with the Eyewitness or Insight guides (we have found this for other locations too), as the latter seem to provide better at-a-glance cultural information and have superior maps. Yes, prices were more than what were listed in the book, but this is not the author's fault. In any case, after a couple of days in Turkey we could get a sense of "budget," "moderate," and "expensive" prices and estimate these categories in the guidebook accordingly.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Europe - General    3. Guidebooks    4. Middle East - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Turkey    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (4)

There are guides, and then there are guides
I bought this book while preparing for a trip to Syria, as the Lonely Planet had mentioned it in high esteem. While it is a great source of info, and does have some suggested itineraries, it is more of an index than a guide. Best guide to Syria
I have used Ross Burns' "Monuments of Syria" guide while visiting Syria and found it excellent. It gives detailed information and expert maps - making the whole discovery of the sites as easy as possible. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Syria.

Highly informative
This is a well written and meticulously researched guide. The author is obviously very knowledgeable and has done his homework thoroughly. You can't go wrong! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Art    3. Asia - General    4. History - General    5. History: World    6. Middle East - General    7. Pictorials    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Ancient World    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    11. Syria    12. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Gunaydin Istanbul!
Well written and chock full of what appears to be some very recent photographs. The book starts off with twenty-some pages of Turkish history including several pages devoted to Istanbul for women--governmentally secular, Turkey is nonetheless 90% Islam. The travel section contains critiques of dozens of hotels and even lists web sites and email addresses. A rarity even in current travel books. Web search engines tend to overwhelm the senses with too much data, so finding a source that actually evaluates hotels on an individual basis is a revelation. Likewise the section on dining, drinking and shopping covers a wide range of price choices with many recommendations that have the ring of authority to them. With 5,000 of years of history, Istanbul would require several lifetimes to investigate properly. Sightseeing is arranged in neighborhood fashion and gives the armchair traveler an opportunity to plot a variety of routes depending on time and inclination. The more you read, the more time you want to spend peeling back the layers of archeological wonder. Time Out includes almost 50 pages devoted to arts and entertainment and provides a comprehensive guide to adult night life in Istanbul. The factual style of writing lends an air of believability and authenticity. One of the off putting elements in the book is the inclusion of magazine style advertising throughout the text. And, the map section leaves a great deal to be desired. Ten pages at the back of the book split into areas of the city, without hotel indexes, and only identifying major streets. All in all, if you have only one guidebook for Istanbul, this is the one. There is a small section on Turkish language and vocabulary, and where to go to get instructions in Turkish. Covering virtually every aspect of the city the editors have created a concise yet detailed guide to what used to be Constantinople.

Gunaydin Istanbul!
Well written and chock full of what appears to be some very recent photographs. The book starts off with twenty-some pages of Turkish history including several pages devoted to Istanbul for women--governmentally secular, Turkey is nonetheless 90% Islam. The travel section contains critiques of dozens of hotels and even lists web sites and email addresses. A rarity even in current travel books. Web search engines tend to overwhelm the senses with too much data, so finding a source that actually evaluates hotels on an individual basis is a revelation. Likewise the section on dining, drinking and shopping covers a wide range of price choices with many recommendations that have the ring of authority to them. With 5,000 of years of history, Istanbul would require several lifetimes to investigate properly. Sightseeing is arranged in neighborhood fashion and gives the armchair traveler an opportunity to plot a variety of routes depending on time and inclination. The more you read, the more time you want to spend peeling back the layers of archeological wonder. Time Out includes almost 50 pages devoted to arts and entertainment and provides a comprehensive guide to adult night life in Istanbul. The factual style of writing lends an air of believability and authenticity. One of the off putting elements in the book is the inclusion of magazine style advertising throughout the text. And, the map section leaves a great deal to be desired. Ten pages at the back of the book split into areas of the city, without hotel indexes, and only identifying major streets. All in all, if you have only one guidebook for Istanbul, this is the one. There is a small section on Turkish language and vocabulary, and where to go to get instructions in Turkish. Covering virtually every aspect of the city the editors have created a concise yet detailed guide to what used to be Constantinople. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. Middle East - General    3. Middle East - Turkey    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel / Middle East / General   

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Israel    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Pictorial works    5. Religion    6. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (5)

You don't have to be Jewish to love this book
This is an enormously enjoyable book that is both educational and thrilling.In 1999, Israeli journalist Hillel Halkin accompanied the eccentric Rabbi Avichail to Mizoram (in Northeast India near the Burma border) in order to investigate whether the Mizo people who lived there were indeed the descendants of one of the "Lost Tribes of Israel."Halkin is skeptical and constantly has to challenge Rabbi Avichail's fanatic true-believer mindset.Then Halkin's own investigative methods begin to reveal surprising things.This is a fascinating scientific mystery.Halkin entertainingly gives a clear history of the lost tribes as well as the many theories about what happened to them that have been posited by others over the centuries (including the once popular notion that the Lost Tribes wound up in North America, in which belief the Mormon Church is rooted).The Mizo people believe that they are Jews and want to get back to their true roots.They also want to immigrate to Israel for a better life.As a result they throw themselves into the study of Judaism with the zeal of Holy Rollers at a revival meeting.Rival synagogues are founded that try to incorporate Jesus into Jewish teaching.Rabbi Avichail has his hands full when he tries to explain to them that they cannot do that.The Mizo people had thrown off their indigenous religion in favor of Fundamentalist Christianity at the beginning of the 20th Century.There are very few people among them who remember anything about the former religion.Halkin tries to find out what, if anything, their former religion had in common with Judaism. His efforts are hampered, Halkin realizes, by his third-rate con man translator, who is not above creating phony evidence and altering existing evidence.His investigations hit mostly dead ends until several tantalizing clues and his non-academic approach seemingly solve the mystery in which there were next to no clues. Journalist, linguist and scientist, Halkin is a brilliant man who has written a brilliant book.I found ACROSS THE SABBATH RIVER a very satisfying reading experience.Highly recommended.Five Stars.

Scholarly Work Flawed by Few Graphics
"Sabbath River" is well researched and well written, but it suffers from the absence ofgraphics: maps, timelines, and tables.Halkin would better serve his 21st century audience with visuals.Call me intellectually lazy, but I would have been fully on-board this "great adventure" had the author used graphics.As it was, I read the first half and thumbed through the latter half-unable to trudge through the details that could have been fleshed-out graphically.For example, in the final chapters much is made of various obscure texts, but these are never put into perspective on a graphic that shows their temporal and spatial context.In another case, the author cites a "lost," then "found" will of questionable provenance.I wanted to see the picture of the will-a picture of the will with arrows pointing to all its questionable features.This books is attractive to the curious, but it suffers from an insufficient number of graphics.

A Great Narrative
Hillel Harkin's study of the fabled 10 lost tribes of Israel succeeds because he is not an anthropologist or biblical scholar.Indeed, if one is looking for an in depth study of the lost tribes and their hypothetical present locations, this probably is not the best place to go.However, if you are looking for a story rooted in history, told by a world traveler who writes sweeping narratives and locale descriptions, than this is your best bet.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. China    3. Civilization    4. Description and travel    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. India    9. Jewish - General    10. Jews    11. Lost tribes of Israel    12. Middle East - Israel    13. Thailand    14. History / Israel    15. Judaism   

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Architecture    3. General    4. HotelsInnsetc.    5. International Architecture - African    6. Middle East - General    7. Photo Techniques    8. Photography    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    11. Interior design    12. Middle East    13. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Editorial Review

The romantic time-travel series by the popular Caroline Cooney (Read more

Reviews (21)

bad ending
This book was just O.K.I was so excited to read the last book, and was very dissapointed.There was too much of camilla and renifer, and not enough of the main characters.The ending was very bad! I was sooooooo confused! Was Strat born again? Will anny forget about the old strat and take the second strat? What was the deal about the sand in the watch? How did the second strat have a dream that he was floating on the nile? My other friend couldn't figure this out either. The book would of been good if it diddn't have that ending.

Disappointing End to Good Series
After a several-year wait, I found For All Time and was happy that another Time book had been written.However, the story disappointed hugely. My biggest beef with the story was Annie going back to ancient Egypt. The point? I didn't see one. And really, I didn't need another oppressed girl 'finding herself' as Renifer did. In fact, the entire Renifer story was unnecessary and frankly, a bit boring.
I can't believe the series ended this way...
i remember being devoted to Cooney's Time series some years ago, and religiously tracked down the first 3 books. A few weeks back, my friend came across the fourth book, For All Time, and i was ecstatic, for i wasn't aware of its existence. The book was fun and engaging, however, the ending was rushed and an extreme disappointment. For years i was committed to the Time series, and to see it end the way it did made me feel as though i have been wasting my time. I won't give away the ending, however, i fear that devoted Time readers will be left feeling as though not reading the series would have been more agreeable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Romance    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Civilization    4. Egypt    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Love & Romance    8. Science Fiction / Fantasy (Young Adult)    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Time travel    11. To 332 B.C.    12. Juvenile Fiction / Love & Romance   

Reviews (4)

Sprawling, badly written, but wonderful as well
The Gem Hunter concerns gemologist Gary Bowersox's personal journey from self-absorbed businessman to advocate for gems as a tool for betterment of depauperate third-world economies. The prologue starts with his interrogation by a group of grim-faced men who never smile and never even think to offer him a drink of water. Who are they - Taliban, or Afghan secret police? No, they're U.S. Government intelligence agents, anxious to glean his expertise about Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11/2001. What follows is a personal account of Bowersox's personal journey from selfish businessman to world-traveler -- adventurer and ambassador for empowerment of third-world economies -- specifically, Afghanistan's war-ravaged economy. He accomplishes this by awakening them to the value of their native gemstone reserves.
"Gem Hunter" is an Insider's view of Afghanistan
The Gem Hunter is a boots-on-the-ground, first hand account of Bowersox's 30+ years of travel to Afghanistan to buy rubies, sapphires, emeralds and lapis puts into perspective the unfolding story of the struggles, hopes & dreams of the Afghan people. Bowersox, who was friends with Massoud the head of the Northern Alliance who was killed at the hand of Bin Laden directed assassins two days before 911, tells about the involvement of the Russians, the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Pakistani government's role in the affairs of the country. Although perhaps self serving, Bowersox says the best way to help everyday Afghan people is to buy gems from their country, one of their only legal exports with opium being number one illegal export.
This I Know
It is unbecoming of Gary to include so much about his love life, so to speak, in a book about gemstones and travel in Afghanistan.
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Gems    3. Middle East - General    4. Reference - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides   

Reviews (9)

The Modern-Day Desert Fathers
The comtemplative monk is a baffling figure to Westerners, even to many Catholics, and moreover, most Westerners probably do not think very much of the Christians in Egypt, which we tend to think of as a wholly Muslim nation.
Terrific
I don't know which was more interesting, the author's anthropological observations or his spiritual journey.Both fascinating and enlightening.Originally, Br. Gruber sets out to study the fathers of monasticism with a scholar's eye (albeit a fellow Monk-scholar), but the desert and those who live there transform him eternally.
Excellent - very readable
This memoir of the year that Fr. Gruber spent among the Coptic monasteries of Egypt is fascinating.Fr. Gruber lovingly describes these men and their piety, along with the phenomenal faith of the Coptic lay people.There appears to be a direct line back to the conferences of John Cassian in the lives of these monks, but that perhaps is because Fr. Gruber has crafted the chapters in such a way to invite the comparison.But maybe not.These men live lives of remarkable holiness.I loved the image of people grabbing them by the ankle and holding on till the monk will bless them.I also loved the hike in 130 degree heat, and realization that the cave he has been brought to, and in which he spends the next three days, probably saves his life, in that it is much cooler than the monastery, nothing is swimming in the drinking water, etc.At any rate, I highly recommend this book.I do agree with the review that states this treats more of his exterior life than interior, but why should he discuss his private life with us.Also, there is another book (can't recall the author) called "Coptic Nuns" that makes a nice companion to this book, in terms of knowing more about the culture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diaries    2. Egypt    3. Gruber, Mark,    4. Institutions & Organizations    5. Monasticism and religious orde    6. Monasticism and religious orders, Coptic    7. O.S.B    8. O.S.B.    9. Religion    10. Religion - Church Life    11. Spirituality - General    12. Travel    13. Christian spirituality    14. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (2)

Very Helpful
This combination CD and phrasebook has been excellent in helping me with both my research for my third novel and for preparing to visit Morocco. Moroccan Arabic is not the same as the Arabic spoken in other countries and this product not only lets me put authenticity in my dialogue, it ALSO lets me communicate to shopkeepers and others while touring Morocco. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to this beautiful country.
Book suggestion
This page suggests that you buy the Phrasebook, but my CD actually came with the same book, so then I had two .My husband is Moroccan, and he said the book is pretty good accuracy wise.I have just started learning so, we'll see.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arabic    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Language    4. Middle East - General    5. Special Interest - Adventure    6. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    7. Language learning: audio-visual & multimedia    8. Language self-study & phrasebooks    9. Middle East   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art Museums And Galleries    4. Catalogs    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    6. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    7. Description And Travel    8. Jerusalem    9. Middle East - Israel    10. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    11. Art / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    12. Israel    13. Museum, historic sites, gallery & art guides   

Subjects:  1. Maps    2. Jordan    3. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (50)

Romantic and memorable
I found this book to be one of the more memorable books I have read.The romance is well written (although some of the historical points could be suspect). I enjoyed this book immensly and would like to see more of this author.

Far-fetched and simplistic, boring at times
When the lion "Thief" showed up, I lost all respect for the book.Please.It was also a bit strange on the religious front.I was offended somewhat by the author's portrayel of the whole thing, and I'm not even a super religious person.
Really opened my eyes!
I had read other "flung back in time" novels and, while I loved the Gabaldon series, figured with this one I would be just reading fluff.Boy, was I wrong.This book really made the Exodus vivid to me and made the Bible come alive.Getting vicious satisfaction out of crunching on the locusts, dealing with the Nile as blood, and the staffs turning into snakes!I was enthralled right from the start, and bought them for my mother, who loved it as well.I would recommend to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American First Novelists    2. American Historical Fiction    3. Egypt    4. Eighteenth dynasty, ca. 1570-1320 B.C.    5. Fantasy fiction    6. Fiction    7. Fiction - Romance    8. History    9. Romance - Contemporary    10. Romance - Historical    11. Romance - Time Travel    12. Time travel   

Reviews (10)

excellent as intended
i don't know why reviewers are parsing and saying, well, this is actually atravelogue or it isn't really about religious concerns... More travelogue than spiritual journey . . .
Readers expecting insights into Islamic spirituality will find this a different kind of book. Its first half describes a long visit to Marrakesh during which the author is the house guest of an old friend who is a shop owner in the Old City's bazaar. A recent convert to Islam in California, Wolfe discovers how the teachings of Muhammad infuse the daily life and culture of this Moroccan city.
Kirkus Review Above Is Bigoted
Oh dear, for just one instant a Muslim writer forgot to key his writing to allaying Western concerns about Islam and addressing Western stereotypes, for their noble concerns must frame our every endeavor, so he rightly gets rapped on the hand by the Kirkus Review included above by Amazon:
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Islam - General    3. Mecca    4. Middle East - General    5. Muslim pilgrims and pilgrimages    6. Muslims    7. Pilgrims and pilgrimages    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Saudi Arabia    10. Travel    11. United States    12. Islam    13. North Africa    14. Travel writing   

Reviews (5)

Only good for drivers
We returned this very thin volume almost immediately.It is essentially a road atlas for Egypt, and doesn't give any other information at all.If we'd been planning to drive out in the desert, this would have been greatto have.We weren't.

so out of date it is dangerous
I have been traveling around Egypt by 4WD, along the Nile valley and also in the Eastern and the Western Deserts.I took this book and found it useless -- worse than useless, in fact, because it is so inaccurate and outof date that it is dangerous to rely on.I recommend instead a good mapsuch as that by Freytag + Berndt.

Egypt travel Atlas - Lonely Planet Series
This atlas is way out of date (i.e., 1996) and not for the serious drive-yourself traveler.Be aware that most road identification signs are in Arabic, with only the major routes identified inEnglish.I suggestusing an up-to-date map, such as the Bartholomew World travel Map series -obtainable in bookstores located in Egypt. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Middle East - Egypt    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Africa    6. Egypt    7. Maps, charts & atlases    8. Travel / road maps & atlases