Reader Views

Iraq Through a Bullet Hole: A Civilian Returns Home

What would it be like to return to the home of your early years, only to find that a war has changed the face of almost everything as well as the quality of life of most of your extended family? Issam Jameel recounts this exact experience in his small, 198-page paperback called, "Iraq Through a Bullet Hole: A Civilian Returns Home." In this book he relates the sights, sounds and situations he encountered during his travel back into his home country, Iraq, in 2005, after having been away for twelve years.

Jameel describes, in a diary-like fashion, his nearly three-month stay in Iraq from June through August of 2005. Beginning with his nerve-wracking entrance from Jordon into Iraq, to his explosive exit, Jameel relates the personal insecurities and fears he faced day by day. Included in his narrative are the tense conversations he regularly had with his family over his conversion to Christianity, their perceptions of the presence of the American military forces, and the constant threats from assassins and bombers.

In "Iraq Through a Bullet Hole," Jameel shows in a brutally honest fashion the deconstruction of the infrastructure in Baghdad since the fall of Saddam, as well as the splintering of once peaceful communities into hostile religious factions. He also gives a personal, eyewitness picture of the effect the new environment had on his kinfolk, especially how his nominally religious family had turned toward radical and strident forms of Islam as a way of giving meaning to their daily struggles. The anger and hurt that many of his relatives had comes through clearly. Disappointments, loss of security, fear, worry and empty future fill almost every page of Jameel’s hard-hitting story.

The book really has no ending since the conflict in Iraq still continues until this day. The reader coming to the conclusion of the book will most likely be left with a sense that when an ending finally does arrive, it will probably be tragic. This ill foreboding seems to flow from the writers own saddened and troubled heart.

Though Jameel writes in English, it is quite obvious that this is his second language. And yet he communicates his story intelligibly for the average reader. "Iraq Through a Bullet Hole" will give the person who reads it an insider’s view of how the war has affected the common person in Iraq.

Iraq Through a Bullet Hole
Issam Jameel
Modern History Press (2008)
ISBN 9781932690705
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (8/08)

Belly Up to the Bar

“Belly Up to the Bar” is a collection of reviews of 101 New York City restaurants that service their full menu at the bar. All restaurants included in the book have a Zagat rating of 23 or higher, and some are Michelin starred as well. While it could take up to a month to get a reservation for a seat in the dining area at most of these establishments, you can walk in off of the street and pull up a stool to the bar without reservations. Restaurants highlighted include well-revered spots like Jean Georges, Gramercy Tavern, wd-50, Babbo, and Veritas.

Each of the 101 establishments in the book list the address, phone number, Zagat rating, Michelin rating (if any), website address and the name of the chef. The author gives wonderful descriptions of the atmosphere at each location, including the crowd that typically frequents the bar (businessmen, vacationers, opera-goers, thirty-something’s, couples, older foodies, etc.). The décor of the location is included as well as what to expect when you pull up a seat and ask for a menu, right down to the type of placemat that is laid before you, the bartenders’ knowledge of the menu, the bread and butter and how it is served, and if water is provided without asking.

Background information on some of the chef’s and the concepts behind their menu design and the set-up of their dining establishments is included. “Belly Up to the Bar” also highlights the beer and wine selections available at each site, and the price ranges that you can expect for your drinks. Quite a few of the appetizers, entrees and desserts available at the restaurants are noted, along with their prices, and the author tells you what she ordered and how it was. Handy indexes are also included for the 101 restaurants included in the guide, broken down by cuisine, location and Michelin star rating.

I would suggest this guide to any New Yorker who appreciates fine dining and doesn’t mind the less-formal bar and lounge area as long as the food is just as good as what is served in the dining room. Vacationers planning a trip to New York City will find this guide no less handy than those native to New York, as with so many dining options to choose from, even native New Yorkers probably don’t know which spots offer full menu’s at the bar for those times when you can’t possible wait four weeks for a table. “Belly Up to the Bar” by J.S. Mitchell is a guide that will allow you to walk into the setting with confidence, knowing the crowd to expect, the attire required, the atmosphere, and the certainty that you can pull up a bar stool without reservations for a great meal.

Belly Up to the Bar
J.S. Mitchell
Cumberland House Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9781581826364
Reviewed by Nikki Pringle for Reader Views (7/08)

Dolphins Under My Bed

Sandra Clayton’s husband told her one day that he would like for them to sell their house in England and live on a sail boat for their retirement.  Although she was quite skeptical at the beginning, eventually she acquiesced and the result is “Dolphins Under My Bed,” their story as adapted from the diaries that Sandra kept while on the journey. 

In “Dolphins Under My Bed” we follow the Claytons from their initial forays into sailing around the North Atlantic, to their decision to sail to the Mediterranean, to their actual trip down the coast of France, Spain, and Portugal.  Sandra creates a separate chapter for each leg of the journey, so that their adventures in every port are described.

I found Sandra’s prose easy and fun to read.  She described the sights around her, and her experiences on the boat, extremely well.  If I was able to really concentrate, I could almost see what she was describing.  I also appreciated that she did not assume that the reader knew all of the sailing terms with which she became familiar on her travels.  Clayton both attempts to describe the terms the first time or two she uses them and provides a glossary in the back of the book so that the reader can refer to the back at any time in order to remember what on earth the ‘boom’ is. 

“Dolphins Under My Bed” is a book that is appropriate for a wide audience.  People who might particularly relate are those who sail, those who travel often to smaller, more out of the way locations, and those hoping to do something incredibly interesting in their retirement.  This is not to say that these are the only people who would enjoy this book.  I, personally, fall into none of these categories and yet I very much enjoyed the book.  Anyone who has dreamed of travelling, or who is simply interested to see an intimate picture of culture in a variety of places is likely to enjoy “Dolphins Under My Bed.”  This is a book that can be read by a teenager with wanderlust and her grandfather who has enjoyed sailing and be completely appropriate for both of them.  There are no sex and language issues, so that the book could be given to anyone capable of reading it without worry. 

The only other thing I could have wanted would have been to learn how long the Claytons stayed on their boat after that first year, and what else happened to them after “Dolphins Under My Bed,” was written from author Sandra Clayton’s diaries.  Perhaps a sequel?

Dolphins Under My Bed
Sandra Clayton
Wheatmark (2008)
ISBN 9781587368165
Reviewed by Jen Cardwell for Reader Views (6/08)

Escaping the Rat Race: Freedom in Paradise

If you are seriously considering moving to Belize, Helga Peham’s “Escaping the Rat Race: Freedom in Paradise” will have you feeling a part of your new home in no time. The book is a series of interviews with both transplant and native locals from various age groups, educational backgrounds, income levels, and reasons for living in Belize. Their candor and the personal information they provide is sure to be the start of many conversations with strangers who have read Ms. Peham’s book.

Formerly known as the British Honduras, Belize gained its independence from Britain in 1981. It still has functioning army bases and is a part of the British Commonwealth, and the fact that it is primarily an English speaking country is emphasized throughout the book. Chapters discuss business and real estate, children and the aged, the arts, and the tourist trade among other things, but each interview generally includes insights, opinions, and advice on several aspects of Belizean life at once. The author has also ensured that the information is well-rounded, including thoughts on personal safety, hurricanes and environmental degradation, government interference, and youth and drugs. Those interviewed generally agree that Belize is a lovely place to call home, and express very strong community feelings. However, they do not spare their words to possible newcomers regarding it being a foreign country that has its own way of doing things, which needs to be respected.
           
This book would not interest anyone who does not enjoy reading biographies. The writing is also a bit choppy and repetitive at times, with an overabundance of invitations to e-mail the author for more information. However, the generous margins and large, clear font will be appreciated by older readers. Television travel shows and books such as this are bound to generate further interest in the country. If a move to Belize is being seriously considered, take some advice from the people already living there and do some research first, which should definitely include reading “Escaping the Rat Race: Freedom in Paradise” by Helga Peham.

Escaping the Rat Race
Helga Peham
World Audience (2007)
ISBN 9781934209936
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (6/08)

Dream Cruises: The Insider’s Guide to Private Yacht Charter Vacations

If you’ve ever cruised on one of the megaships, I bet you’ve occasionally caught a glimpse of a sleeker, much smaller ship that crossed your path somewhere, but you’ve never seen them in the same port as your megaship. I’ve often wondered who could possibly be using those luxurious-looking, very appealing smaller catamarans and yachts, since they seemed to be oh-so-expensive.

After reading “Dream Cruises” by Kim Kavin I wonder no more. Ms. Kavin wrote an all-encompassing guide to choosing, chartering and enjoying vacations on private yachts. Surprisingly enough, those vacations can be quite affordable, and she provided examples for budgets from $1,000 to $1,000,000. If you regularly cruise with several friends, a private yacht charter could be even more cost effective for you than a cruise ship vacation. And with all the research that went into Ms. Kavin’s book, unpleasant surprises, unnecessary hassles and wrong decisions could and should well be avoided.

After I’ve gotten over the feelings of intense jealousy, stirred in me by reading about the absolutely fabulous cruise vacation Ms. Kavin has taken in the past (just kidding, just kidding… but they are enough to make you sigh wistfully for sure!), I delved deeper in the technicalities of chartering a yacht. Ms. Kavin provided all of the necessary information to make the decision process simple and streamlined. Starting with the basic explanations of yacht chartering and comparison of yachts vs. cruise ships, Ms. Kavin familiarized the reader with boat basics, types of boats and what one could expect on different boat types. An in-depth discussion of destinations, both the usual, classic ones and a nice sampling of the emerging, new ones, followed those basic chapters. Ms. Kavin did not neglect to include a detailed overview of the cost, both up-front and the additional as well as optional ones. The next half-a-dozen chapters dealt with all of the other cruising aspects, from whom to choose to be your boating party to how special requests and needs could and would be accommodated, how to decide on the right type of the charter for your, how to find a respectable broker and what exactly will you encounter once on board, down to the descriptions of the different types of staterooms or bedrooms as well as how a head looks on a yacht and where to find it.

If you are planning a cruise vacation and would like to depart a bit from the routine of the megaships, or if you are just curious about how other people live, “Dream Cruises” is an excellent book to familiarize you with the world of private yacht chartering. And there is no law against dreaming, is there?

Dream Cruises
Kim Kavin
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9781583489840
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (6/08) 

Tin Lizard Tales: Reflections from a Train

Schuyler Wallace and his wife, Carol (to whom he dedicates the book and describes her as a fantastic traveling companion) take a 30-day trip by train through the United States and Canada from Bakersfield, California in “Tin Lizard Tales.”  (Tin Lizard was the name applied to streamliners by old-time railroaders which I did not know.)  This 30-day trip encompasses stops in various cities from Sacramento, Chicago, New York City, Washington, DC, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Portland, and back home to Bakersfield.  Along the way Mr. Wallace shares his experiences (some opinionated, some not) as well as the history of some of the cities.  While they were traveling through Chicago there were essays on the Great Fire; Erie Pennsylvania on the fishing industry; New York City on the World Trade Center and Harlem, Washington, DC on Gettysburg, and Niagara Falls on Sing Sing Prison.  Each section of the book was broken down by areas they visited.  He describes the scenery and monuments like you were there.  Their reaction to seeing the World Trade Center site and the Statue of Liberty was particularly heart-wrenching.

Mr. Wallace was very vocal when it came to the environment (some of the places they passed in their travels were littered and dirty with graffiti), homelessness, poverty, and animal cruelty (he describes slaughterhouses of yesterday and today) which I found very hard to read.  However, I did enjoy his comical side especially when he talked about his fellow passengers (the Balkan Bitch Chapter was hilarious) and the descriptions of the sleeping quarters as being smaller than an average casket.  (That’s probably why they chose to make a few stops to stay in a hotel along the way.  I know I would have.)

“Tin Lizard Tales” was well-researched, particularly the historical events and the evolution of trains and the Amtrack system.  This book would fare well with both men and women who enjoy travel essays.  As I’ve never taken a trip on a train before, I salute Schuyler and Carol Wallace for being able to travel and sleep on one for 30 days.  He humbly sums it up at the end of the book “It was fun while it lasted, as they say, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”

Tin Lizard Tales
Schuyler T. Wallace
Outskirts Press (2007)
ISBN 9781432712549
Reviewed by Wendy Cleveland for Reader Views (5/08)

What Time Is the Midnight Buffet?: Tales from the Cruise Adventure of a Lifetime

If you are planning a cruise vacation, this is exactly the type of book you would be wise to read. Duct tape-using, Jimmy Buffet-loving, Richard Holleran has written a fun account of his first cruise trip with his wife, and filled it with an incredible amount of practical information.

Although Holleran states that they were usually quite careful with their money, no expense was spared this time with a Sky Suite, and its unexpected perks, booked for their trip. The top-notch service and physical space associated with this type of reservation was surprising to learn about, as I had assumed that all cruise packages were automatically like theirs, and readers will be able to learn a lot from what was not included in the Holleran’s vacation package and be able to plan their own trips more effectively. In addition, I was surprised at the amount of money that was required to be spent each and every day onboard; cruises are not inexpensive holidays to take. From the hazards of clean windows, to how to dress and tip; from the clock-work functioning of the ship and its crew to the abundant places and times to eat, drink, and entertain yourself onboard; to exploring on and off the ship by yourself or in groups, and how to avoid the lineups; there are very few questions a vacationer might have that Holleran does not answer.

Even though the author and wife traveled alone, this book is suitable for all travelers planning a cruise vacation, including families, as a very thorough account seems to be given. Richard Holleran’s descriptions of daily activities, the other travelers you might meet online or onboard, and how quickly the delightful pampering seems to come to an end (so get as much in as you can) were a lot of fun to read. At a short 108 pages, “What Time Is the Midnight Buffet?” is a great starting place for anyone hoping to take a cruise, or an armchair, vacation.

What Time Is the Midnight Buffet?: Tales from the Cruise Adventure of a Lifetime
chesterh (Richard Holleran)
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9781583484883
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (1/08)

Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person’s Guide to Travel

There are very few people nowadays who decide to use a ship as the means of transport for a transatlantic voyage, and even fewer people who have the time and money to explore any location in real depth. Most of us are overly busy and any travel explorations are very often just short side-trips when we are away on business or maybe simply extended weekend trips to some of the famous locations. Although travel has become much easier, simpler and in many ways less expensive than it has been in the past, many people still hesitate to go and see the world. The reasons for that can be manifold, but very often they simply lay in the fear of the unknown and the relative unfamiliarity with the process. For all of those overly-busy and reluctant travelers “Spontaneous Tourism” by James C. Samans should end all of the excuses and send them happily on many adventures in the future.

Starting with a charming short story called “Travels with Harry,” written by Larry Tritten, Mr. Samans clearly explains why we should travel. Then he proceeds with extremely detailed chapters on all aspects of travel, from how to get to a certain destination, including invaluable tips on how to choose the best mode of transportation for any given trip and any given type of a traveler, to how to get ready and organized, how to plan, where to stay, what to do and where to stay. I found those first ten chapters fantastically well-researched and enormously informative.

The next two chapters deal with domestic and international travel destinations, each of them presented on two or three pages. I liked these two chapters considerably less, mostly because I found them very uninspiring. While I realize that it would be impossible to give a comprehensive overview of any city in such a limited space, I found all of the recommendations very run-of-the-mill variety. In some cases there were some quite amusing errors as well, such as the info about the ferry to the New Orleans Zoo (no ferry runs there, just a hideously overpriced tourist boat ride – yet there is a ferry to the fantastic section of Algiers, which was not mentioned by the author). Oh, and Jackson Square is not a site of a historic brewery – that was a little bit further down… The Square itself witnessed a long line of significant historical events, yet not one of them is mentioned.

After those two slightly disappointing chapters the book becomes very interesting and useful again, with sections on Further Reading and References, Airlines, Hotels and Lodgings, Rental Car Companies, Major Currencies of the World and Packing List.

Overall I found “Spontaneous Tourism” very interesting and truly useful for novice to intermediate travelers. Even the seasoned travelers should be able to find a lot of useful tidbits, new ideas and interesting approaches, so I would not hesitate to recommend it to anybody who is interested in seeing the world.

Spontaneous Tourism: The Busy Person’s Guide to Travel
James C. Samans
CrystalOrb (2007)
ISBN 9780979189708
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (09/07)

Walk the Land: A Journey on Foot through Israel

Sam Nadler describes the author as “…a verbal camera,” with her lens pointed at the landscape of Israel. Given her skill, we learn to appreciate the beauty as well as the history of the land and the determination of the author and her husband, John, both almost sixty, as they set out to walk the entire Israel National Trail, or Shvil Israel. Their journey would last over forty days and take them almost 600 miles.

Hikers will appreciate the skill and strength required for this journey which averaged nine hours a day on the trail. Those of a religious background will value Judith’s faith and her referral to historical events from the Bible as she and her husband walked through the areas. I didn’t expect to learn about the variety of groups living in Israel and the diversity of believers and the openness to converted Christians. I feel that I not only learned about a great hike, but a country I would like to visit one day.

I also liked how she not only gave the history of their walk the length of Israel, but of her personal journey to become a Jewish Christian, or Messianic Jew. It is easy to see how strong her faith is as she reminds readers, “…I had come to equate using a map as our guide on hikes to using the Bible as my guide through life; I try not to go very far without either of them.”

Judith is detailed in her discussion of the type of terrain and the difficulties they encountered from climbing up steep mountains to avoiding flooded wadis or streambeds that were usually dry. But she also shows herself to be a philosopher comparing events on the hike to everyday life. “…I concluded that in life we also have mountains to climb. When we look at them from far away and concentrate on how tall they are, they seem impossible…but as we go up gradually, in the end we reach the summit. Then it all seems worthwhile and we’re glad we didn’t remain in the valley.” She calls these life parallels her “Lessons from the Trail” and the book is full of them. Just as it is easy to wander off a pathway, she explains we do the same in life sometimes straying from God’s plan. Again she comments that by “…using the Bible as my map, and my conscience as my compass, I have peace.”

Judith and her husband run a Shelter Hostel in Eilat in the southernmost part of the country. It is the kind of place where people in need can stay for a day, a week or even longer. The couple doesn’t miss an opportunity to share the story of their faith at the Shelter or along their hike. It was fun eavesdropping on the couple, hearing how they handled being lost or low on food or water. This trip was only for those with a strong marriage. “After thirty years…we knew each other better than we knew anyone else on the planet, but as a result of this journey, our relationship had developed in special ways.” Judith was a pillar of strength as she held her tongue more than once and never grumbled when John said, “Take a picture,” for what seemed like the thousandth time!

Color photographs document their journey and the rugged beauty of the countryside. They managed to stumble through almost every type of geography and climate. Sometimes there was no one on the trail for days, but towards the end they encountered many people, including a multitude of school groups. “We were like a pair of migrating storks who finally discover the rest of their flock.” In the last chapter, the author summarizes their motives for their journey, all admirable and inspiring. But I appreciated her last line the best. “I wondered what would be next.”

I can’t imagine a better tribute to your homeland or adopted country than experiencing it and the people who live in it by traveling on foot. “Walk the Land: A Journal on Foot through Israel” inspires me to think about such a journey in my own country. At least I have about fifteen years before my sixtieth!

Walk the Land: A Journey on Foot through Israel
Judith Galblum Pex
Cladach Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9780975961957
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (8/07)

Explore Costa Rica, 5th Edition

Harry S. Pariser
Manatee Press (2007)
ISBN 9781893643550
Reviewed by Kelley Anderson for Reader Views (4/07)

“Explore Costa Rica” is a well-written, in-depth guide to visiting Costa Rica. The introduction gives a comprehensive overview of the land, climate, vegetation, animal and social life of Costa Rica. It presents this varied country’s past and present, reflecting on how the history of the country affects the travel and culture today.

Read complete review on Reader Views