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Traveling and Reading and Travel Reading
I have been tying up some loose ends here at CNAS, putting the final touches on my new Afghanistan paper as well as finishing up a research proposal with LTG (Ret.) Dave Barno, a longtime mentor of mine who starts work at CNAS next week. Starting this weekend, though, I will be gone for about 10 days on a trip to the Persian Gulf, which is a) the one area of the Arabic-speaking world in which I have not spent a lot of time and b) the area of the Arabic-speaking world in which the United States arguably has the most interests. So this research trip is long overdue.
I have bought a new Kindle for this trip and thought you guys might be interested in what I'll be taking with me to read while traveling:
1. Someone sent me a complimentary paper copy of Greg Gause's new book on the international relations of the Persian Gulf states, and I cannot think of a better introduction to the region. I have only met Gause once, back in 2007, and thought him both really smart and also kind of a smart-ass. So naturally, I liked him. I also have a reading packet prepared by the CSIS, which is leading this trip, crammed full with useful CRS reports and such.
2. I convinced the team here at CNAS to buy me a paper copy of Buying National Security: How America Plans and Pays for Its Global Role and Safety at Home, which readers of this blog will remember I'm excited about. Cindy Williams and Gordon Adams are both really smart and write about something -- the national security budgeting process -- that is rarely understood by policy geeks like me but really important.
3. I'm also about halfway through an advance copy of Megan Stack's beautifully written new memoir, Every Man in This Village is a Liar: An Education in War. More on this book later.
4. On the Kindle, I have two new books on Lebanon written by two journalists I very much respect. Both David Hirst and Michael Young have taken the time to tutor me on occassion during my time in Lebanon, and I answered a few technical military questions for David when he was writing his book. Their two books are, respectively, Beware of Small States: Lebanon, Battleground of the Middle East and The Ghosts of Martyrs Square: An Eyewitness Account of Lebanon's Life Struggle. You can read a glowing review of the former here and a glowing review of the latter here.
5. Also on the Kindle are two books that have nothing to do with the Middle East: Louis Begley's Why the Dreyfus Affair Matters and Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
6. Finally, I downloaded the ESV Study Bible and Phil Ryken's commentaries on Ecclesiastes alongside Tarif Khalidi's new translation of the Qur'an. That may seem like an odd combination of books, but both Ryken and Khalidi have been mentors* of sorts through the years: Ryken was a pastor at the church I attended in college, and Khalidi is, well, my scholarly hero. Despite his wicked sense of humor and light-hearted spirit, Khalidi is the most intimidating intellectual I have ever met. His command of English, Arabic, Greek and Latin is simply awe-inspiring, especially for someone like me who struggles with all four, and his new translation of the Qur'an is a remarkable achievement. I'm not about to get into the different ways in which Protestant Christians and Muslims approach their respective holy texts, but I will say that I someday hope to approach at least the New Testament with the erudition with which Khalidi tackles the Qur'an. Really impressive. Khalidi's humility** and interest in younger scholars also sets an example for others to follow.
*One of this blog's readers noted how many "mentors" I seem to have. It's true, I collect them. Some are those to whom I have consistently turned for advice through the years, and some are those from whom I have sought advice only a few times. I tend to seek out smart, older people, though, who seem to have figured things out that I have not. (It's worth noting, though, as my friend N.S. always does, that the first "Mentor" kinda sucked at his job.)
**Just to give you a few examples, Khalidi had this habit, during my two stints at AUB as both a master's student and as a visiting researcher, of periodically seeking my opinion on obscure points of Arabic or Greek grammar. Tarif Khalidi asking you a question about Arabic grammar is a little like Paul Krugman asking for your opinion on macroeconomics, and Khalidi's Greek is, I am 90% sure, far superior to mine. But I think it was just his way of engaging with me, in a remarkably self-effacing way, and it left a mark on me with respect to proper ways to treat students and younger scholars. What an incredible man.
AM: Just as an FYI, if you
AM:
Just as an FYI, if you don't already know, there's an article in the June 2010 issue of International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (more scholarly than its "pulp" title would seem to imply) on Hezbollah.
ADTS
I count at least three
I count at least three mentors named in this post, and at least 10 mentors named in 2010. How many mentors do you have, Ex?
Why does the cover of
Why does the cover of Young's book apparently feature Aouni flags (given the author's political proclivities and affiliations)? Some kind of inside joke?
1. ADTS: Thanks, I just
1. ADTS: Thanks, I just downloaded the article. 2. Visitor 1228: Um, lots. I collect them. 3. Query, I thought the same thing!!!AM, I would also suggest, if
AM,
I would also suggest, if you haven't already, Neil MacFarquhar's The Media Relations Department of Hizbullah Wishes you a Happy Birthday. I am actually myself looking for a book of a similar vein (light, easy to read (but still insightful, about culture and politics of the ME/Maghreb) so if anyone has any suggestions... My mind is getting a little frazzled from reading dry and dense books.
-Sam
Have you ever read Max
Have you ever read Max Rodenbeck's book on Cairo?AM, Cairo: The City
AM,
Cairo: The City Victorious? I have not. Would you recommend it? I'm also about to start Street Without Joy so it would be nice to have a lighter book to read on the side. Yes, I am one of those people who reads 3/4 books at a time.
-Sam
Make sure to check this
Make sure to check this scene out, in Dubai:
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2007/09/dubai_sex_for_s.html
This is what happens when
This is what happens when you take away DADT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haHXgFU7qNI
christian louboutin will not
christian louboutin will not only bring you the satisfy of the vision but also the spiritual happiness.
Ex: You probably already
Ex:
You probably already have, but have you read MacKinlay's new book "The Insurgent Archipelago"? Would be interested to hear your thoughts on it (perhaps you already have on a different post, though).
Also you have heard me harp on this a few times but an excellent new book on the Vietnam War (an abridged version) is David Elliot's "The Vietnamese War: Social and Revolutionary Change in the Mekong Delta, 1930-1975" if you have a taste for new scholarly history on that war.
safe trip
gian
Gian, I very much want to
Gian, I very much want to read MacKinlay's book -- am waiting on it to be available on Kindle and also trying to get through a stack of other books. But it is on my list. My short list.Abu M, Why did you buy a
Abu M,
Why did you buy a Kindle in lieu of an iPad? Is it because Israel is confiscating them or for other reasons?
I like Hirsts stuff so I
I like Hirsts stuff so I would have considered buying the kindle version - but how come its more expensive than the hardback edition? Thats ridiculous
Andrew by the way, what do
Andrew
by the way, what do you make of the Kindle?
I kind of like its functionality but I have been frustrated at the number of books I cant buy on it. Although being able to carry around the combined works of Shakespeare etc in your pocket is pretty cool.
I would strongly recommend you download calibre - helps you translate text documents into kindle-friendly e-books, among other things:
http://calibre-ebook.com/demo
It really helps if you're into downloading free classics from project gutenberg etc.
Hope you enjoy your trip...
Schmedlap
remember the ipad isnt really an e-book reader. It doesnt use electronic ink, so is a bit harder on the eye and takes more energy
Ramzi, Yeah, but the iPad
Ramzi,
Yeah, but the iPad does a whole lot more stuff. And my understanding is that in certain lighting situations it's pretty good for reading.
yeah true to the first
yeah true to the first point. I would imagine definitely true to the second point. The kindle isnt backlit so you cant read it in the dark (at least, I havent worked out how to if you can)
I really hope Exum weighs in
I really hope Exum weighs in on this. My assumption is that, as a high-rolling DC-ite, he only buys the best (suits, watches, wines, cheese, cars, and gadgets). I'm really curious to know why he opted for Kindle over iPad.
http://news.soc.mil/Photo%20A
http://news.soc.mil/Photo%20Archive/2010/2010%20UNS%20Archive/album/2448...
I have never my life seen
I have never my life seen someone consistently drop so many names.
Ecclesiastes has my favorite
Ecclesiastes has my favorite verse:
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Charlieford: Me too,
Charlieford:
Me too, although mine is:
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
ADTS
I'm sure that you've read
I'm sure that you've read Khalidi's Classical Arab Islam if you studied with him. If not, it's a well-written book that covers all the bases for the time period. Safe travels.
ATDS - don't you think
ATDS - don't you think Revelations is more appropriate?
6:1 I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!"
6:2 And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
6:3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come!"
6:4 Another came forth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.
6:5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come and see!" And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.
6:6 I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don't damage the oil and the wine!"
6:7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see!"
6:8 And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades followed with him...
What's the secret Ex? How do
What's the secret Ex? How do you get so many mentors? How can I be like you?
(They must be upset at Ann
(They must be upset at Ann Coulter. Hope this doesn't make me a jerk)
Pakistani Muslims Severely Beat, Sodomize Christian Barber
Brother of Muslim who insisted on having beard cut, seven others, break hair-cutter’s bones.
SARGODHA, Pakistan, April 28 (CDN) — A Christian barber in this Punjab Province city is still recovering from broken bones and other injuries sustained earlier this month after eight Muslims allegedly beat and sodomized him for cutting the beard of a Muslim...
“We submitted an application to the Saddr police twice, but they took no action against Shakeel Cheema and his accomplices,” Laal Masih said. The family is appealing to Christian ministers and parliamentarians for assistance.
..Still receiving threats of harm if they do not leave the area, family members also said they cannot afford the fees of a standard physician and have resorted to help from lesser trained doctors.
Police have refused to file a First Information Report against Cheema and his accomplices, who all remained at large at press time.
http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/18035/
PS - what part of the Koran makes beard trimming punishable by Sodomy/Rape?
Eating ice cream can be
Eating ice cream can be punishable by sodomy in the Qur'an.
Hey, eating oysters is
Hey, eating oysters is punishable by death in the Bible. And owls, if I remember right.
Its the glory of literalist religion.
since the CNAs elf has
since the CNAs elf has banned my nick, Ill have to mention that 6 norwgians got hit in an ambush in Meymaneh like a anon. The war is spreading north.
F*ord.
http://www.indiareport.com/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/814135/Internat...
Meshud may well be alive
Meshud may well be alive after all, and (he?) is stating on the Web that the main target now will be US cities.
What's that going to do to our putative talks with the "Taliban"?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100503/wl_afp/pakistanunresttalibanus
I realize that in the rarefied circles of DC-stanople the opinion of Ma and Pa Amiriki doesn't count for much now, but a good solid hit is a game changer.
Oh and F*knorrd.... It may
Oh and F*knorrd....
It may well be spreading West as well..as in Europe and America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGF7EY2Ucm8
you solve this guy, you solve Afghanistan and Africa
the Takfiris don't have the
the Takfiris don't have the capability, fnord. They had one day of luck. It's the Shi'as we need to worry about, when it comes to realistic threats on US cities.
I think you meant Visitor to
I think you meant Visitor to Elf, but no matter. I guess you mean Hizbollah or the Iranians?
What's Iran's motive to commit suicide?
I think I take Meshud at his word, especially with the latest reports of International ties to Times Square fizzle boom.
Suicide's their middle name,
Suicide's their middle name, elf. They perfected the whole thing. the Mahdi will only rise when all's in chaos.
AM's got a post after this
AM's got a post after this on The Big Idea, scholarship and International Relations. I wonder if anyone decided to do any scholarship on internal Iranian politics on whether or not they take that Mahdi stuff seriously, and who, and how far?
You can hardly do better
You can hardly do better than Wolf Hall for a long airplane ride. Reminds us that the English Reformation was about a whole lot more than Henry VIII's urge to swap his old wife for a new one. Also that fine points of religious doctrine have always encouraged some to be martyrs and others to make martyrs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVMPssN7Mr0 (a Time to Betray)
First question, and I'm
First question, and I'm surprised no one has asked about it yet, Ex, can you make your blog available to Kindle readers? You put out enough content that I would definitely subscribe.
Second, the iPad is not a reader. No more that a computer is a reader. For long trips you need a charger. Long plane rides to Europe and such, good luck reading when you land. The Kindle isn't backlit but that does help it conserve energy. It replaces books, not Youtube, facebook and everything else. If you like reading without distractions the Kindle is the way to go. I'll read 3-4 books at a time and its seamless to switch from book to book. And compared to flying around with 3-4 leisure books and a handful of technical books, it's way better.
The current screen format of the regular Kindle isn't that great and the DX can handle a wider range of formatted content, but the iPad really isn't a great reader. It's a duck. Sure it can do everything, but it can't do any one thing really well. It appeals to people's basic want of being able to have everything rather than understanding what they actually need.
The Persian Gulf is surely a
The Persian Gulf is surely a fascinating and important area for the United States. Economic interests are very important (but not only). His work is certainly very important but also very, very interesting. Continue to accompany you on this blog. Thanks and good luck!
Stefano - Forex
There are many factors lead
There are many factors lead to wars. but economic interest is the most important factor. however, we should cherish peace.
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They had one day of luck.
They had one day of luck. It's the Shi'as we need to worry about, when it comes to realistic threats on US cities.
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