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November 14
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Donald
gave
 
to:
1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West (Paperback)
by Roger Crowley
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in April, 2007
Donald said:
"The author is typically English: he tries to make excuses for Moslem atrocities. The author lived in Constantinople and apparently feels the need to justify its history.
While the narrative is ok, the author makes some ridiculous contentions. My...more
The author is typically English: he tries to make excuses for Moslem atrocities. The author lived in Constantinople and apparently feels the need to justify its history.
While the narrative is ok, the author makes some ridiculous contentions. My favorite example is in trying to talk of the "stereotype" of the "savage Turk" he points out that Christians thought it barbaric how Moslems kidnapped Christian children and raised them to be warriors so Christian children would die for Islamic territorial gains rather than spend Islamic blood for their territorial gains. The author uses the rather lame moral casuistry that is was a chance for Christian children to advance in Islamic society.
In trying to justify the bloodlust of ancient Islam, the author accidentally points out what far more westerners should be aware of. ...less
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Donald
is currently reading:
The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944 (Hardcover)
by Rick Atkinson
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Donald
gave
to:
Twilight in the Forbidden City (Hardcover)
by Reginald Fleming Johnston
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in October, 2007
Donald said:
"One of the few if not the only true remaining accounts of the last days of the forbidden city. Johnston was the last emperor's tutor (portrayed by Peter O'Toole in the movie). Since Johnston was a westerner, his records were not destroyed by Mao in...more
One of the few if not the only true remaining accounts of the last days of the forbidden city. Johnston was the last emperor's tutor (portrayed by Peter O'Toole in the movie). Since Johnston was a westerner, his records were not destroyed by Mao in the communist attempt to destroy Chinese history....less
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Donald
gave
to:
Yanks : The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I (Paperback)
by John Eisenhower
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2007
Donald said:
"I read the hardback. This book is a great starting off point for someone wanting to learn more about WWI. Rather than trying to absorb the whole war, its political causes, intrigue, etc., "Yanks" concentrates only on the building of the A...more
I read the hardback. This book is a great starting off point for someone wanting to learn more about WWI. Rather than trying to absorb the whole war, its political causes, intrigue, etc., "Yanks" concentrates only on the building of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). It gives the beginner and manageable piece of the war to digest and learn....less
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Donald
gave
to:
Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking (Hardcover)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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Donald said:
"Only Bourdain could get me to try a French cookbook. I have failed on the few things I've tried, but he has all the most basic recipes you've heard of if you are interested in trying French cooking. Additionally, there is commentary on the inside t...more
Only Bourdain could get me to try a French cookbook. I have failed on the few things I've tried, but he has all the most basic recipes you've heard of if you are interested in trying French cooking. Additionally, there is commentary on the inside that is typical Bourdain that makes for great reading even if you aren't cooking that day....less
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Donald
gave
to:
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (updated edition)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2005
Donald said:
"Hilarious book that started me on Bourdain. My disclaimer is that I used to work in restaurants; so, maybe some things rang funnier to me than others. However, every person I've recommended this book to that has worked in the food industry has love...more
Hilarious book that started me on Bourdain. My disclaimer is that I used to work in restaurants; so, maybe some things rang funnier to me than others. However, every person I've recommended this book to that has worked in the food industry has loved it.
Bourdain is a funny writer even if you have not been in the food industry....less
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Donald
gave
to:
Gone Bamboo (Paperback)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2007
Donald said:
"Good Pulp Fiction from Bourdain. I needed a break from the hustle and bustle; so, I sat and read. This book was a first for me. I didn't just read it in a day; I read it in one sitting.
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Donald
gave
to:
Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical (Hardcover)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in January, 2006
Donald said:
"This was the most disappointing of all Bourdain's books. My problem is I have read most of what he has written. In "Kitchen Confidential" he talks of his experience of rising to chef in the food world. He doesn't accept excuses. For som...more
This was the most disappointing of all Bourdain's books. My problem is I have read most of what he has written. In "Kitchen Confidential" he talks of his experience of rising to chef in the food world. He doesn't accept excuses. For some reason he cannot stop making excuses for Typhoid Mary.
The book let me know about the person behind the infamous name, but she was guilty, a killer, and selfish. There is no excuse for her....less
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Donald
gave
to:
The Bobby Gold Stories: A Novel (Paperback)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in May, 2006
Donald said:
"More pulp fiction. Something to pass the time without thinking.
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Donald
gave
to:
Bone in the Throat (Paperback)
by Anthony Bourdain
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2007
Donald said:
"Pulp fiction. About the mafia in the restaurant business in New York. If you know Bourdain, you know what to expect.
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