EXCELLENT. This book, which is really a thesis paper, was very well written. The bibliography, about 7 pages long has many other great references cited. This is an excellent book to start with for those wishing to learn more about the transformation of Germany into a military power between the wars.

During the 1980s the CIA's Office of Research and Development, under its 'Deception Research Program,' conducted conferences on and analyses of strategic deception: its history, theory, and prospects. Barton Whaley, who as an MIT researcher had amassed the world's largest database of political and military deceptions and stratagems, and had authored the definitive account of how Hitler hoodwinked Stalin ("Codeword Barbarossa"), became one of the Deception Research Program's principle investigators.
"Covert German Rearmament, 1919-1939" was originally a research paper, written for the Deception Research Program, on how Germany consistently violated the Versailles Treaty disarmament mandates and prohibitions on rearmament from 1920 to 1935 and got away with extensive deceptions, despite British, French, and American on-the-ground inspectors. Germany collaborated extensively with Soviet Russia to evade Western treaty constraints. The parallels to the post-Gulf War UN inspections of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction deceptions are manifold.
Once Hitler came to power and unilaterally rejected the Versailles limitations, Germany switched to a deceptive strategy of exaggerating its air power and land power while hiding its sea power. Whaley describes how every naval power in the 1920s and 1930s cheated on naval limits, but Germany cheated more, vastly understating the displacement of its capital ships. As a result, the Royal Navy had to deploy two or even three capital ships to challenge the German monsters, such as Bismarck. As a result, Germany completely evade the spirit and the purpose of the naval limitations; to keep fleets in balance and avoid a naval arms race.
By deceptively exaggerating German land and especially air power, Hitler successfully bluffed the British and French over the Austrian Anschluss, the reoccupation of the Rhineland, and most significantly over Czechoslovakia at Munich. Thinking he could bluff again, Hitler invaded Poland, and started the most catastrophic war in history.
About the author: Barton Whaley, among the best-known analysts of deception, is author of "Stratagem, Deception and Surprise in War;" "Cheating and Deception" (with J.Bowyer Bell); "Codeword Barbarossa;" "Soviet Clandestine Communication Nets;" and "The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Magic."

Through a lovely, personal account, Tuller invites the reader to see the West from a Russian point of view. Here, a gay reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle came to Russia to study the so-called gay and lesbian movement there only to fall in love with Ksyusha, a mercurial lesbian. As we too fall in love, Tuller, a sensitive and insightful writer, subtly liberates, allowing human experience to be more mysterious, comic, delicious, and tragic than the acceptance of appearances or the application of trite, political labels permit.

Tuller gives remarkable insights into the modern world of Gay and Lesbian Russia. He takes the reader to a world of transexual lesbians, weekends in the country, and a sexual identity just gestating, waiting to be born. It was very enjoyable reading, and even for the heterosexual reader, it gives excellent insights into the dramatic changes that occured in Russia after 1991 -- all of it explained on a personal level.

One of the most remarkable books on World War II I have ever come across. Belongs up there with Ambrose and Linderman. Up there even with Bell Irvin Wiley's classics on Johnny Reb and Billy Yank, America's Civil War soldiers.

Peter Schrijvers' book is a wonderful one when as a reader or a scholar you are interested in intercultural studies or more generally in perception that one has of the other(s). Using an extensive aray of primary sources (diaries, letters, poems, songs, jokes, cartoons and memoirs) Peter Schrijvers allows any readers to enter the G.I.'s state of mind. Either intellectually or emotionally one has the possibility to see how Europe (its nature, weather, landscape, cities, town) and Europeans (whether Allies or Foes) were perceived by the G.I.'s during this period. But this book also is about another actor of this dark period, namely: War. Peter Schrijvers' book is a reminder on how powerfully War can shape someone's perception and how it surprisingly can blur G.I.s' vision of their surroundings. It is striking to see that American soldiers weren't really able to distinguish between a normal and an exceptional period of time in European life. War years seemed to be the reflection of a normal image of Europe and by reading Peter Schrijvers' book one might understand why it was perceived so.

I bought the first edition in 1996 and have been using it regularly since. Well researched on out of the way places - it's one of the few english-language guides to mention the two tavernas at the tiny Ayios Ghiorgios along the coast from Ayia Ghalini on the south coast, although you can walk it in 30-40 min rather than the 2hrs quoted if you ask the locals the way. Logical layout, decent maps, sensible advice, and not too much history and politics, which just adds bulk to so many guides. On the other hand, just enough about people and customs to be genuinley useful as a starter if you want to move from the north coast tourist strip. I bought the map separately and I don't recommend it. There are 4 decent scale (1:79,000) maps of the Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklio and Lassithi areas available locally. Highly recommended for a first-time visitor.

In preparation for my month in Crete recently, I bought three books...Globetrotter's Travel Pack/Crete, Berlitz's Greek Cassette Pack with Phrase Book and Wicked Greek for the Traveler and out of the three the one that proved most comprehensive and valuable was Globetrotter's Travel Pack. Nick Hanna does not fail the traveler in any aspect of his descriptions...from what sights to see, to accomodations, to where to find a great meal. I stayed with an American friend who has lived in the village of Kiparissos, outside of Chania, for 12 years (and who is considered to be horiata or native) and we were always, genuinely delighted and amazed at the detail Mr. Hanna provided as we adventured around the island of Crete doing the tourist trail with this lovely little book and map in hand.

Outside of the ocasional typo or incorrect telephone number (not unusual for Crete) Globetrotter and Mr. Hanna do a superb job of presenting Crete to the traveler on a silver platter. Bravo!!!!

More than humor, I remember this book for its poignancy, the effects on a young girl of her own culture (black, Caribbean) being denigrated and other cultures and anything associated with whiteness and England being praised. So touching was the scene where Tee is playing with dolls; so telling is her idealization of the dolls' world and the juxtaposition with her own.

Everyone wants the best for their children; this book examines how people decide what is best and how these preconceptions affect the very children they love and want to protect.

This is one of the rolicking, humorous West Indian novels in the vein of V.S. Naipaul's Miguel Street, Alvin Bennet's God, the Stonebreaker, Austin Clarke's Amongst the Thistles and Torns, and A House for Mr. Bishwas. It captures the bitter-sweet experiences of a little girl growing up in Trnidad and Tobago. An excellent Caribbean novel.

This is a comprehensive account of the ideological development of the Third Reich. I highly recommend anyone interested in the Nazi Germany to read this book. George L. Mosse has a writing style that I have encountered in few historians. He presents his idea's is simple, but profound manner. I can guarentee this book will get your brain juices flowing in a delightful way.

Mosse has challenged the set thoughts on the origins of the third reich (such as the Luther to Hitler theories and the idea that the people in Germany were merely subjected to propaganda, which ultimately shows the weakness of human beliefs). A must if one is studying Nazi germany or have an interest in twentieth century political theory.

First let me express my thanks to amazon.com for locating a copy of this book for me even though it had been out-of-print for more than thirty years.

This book traces all areas of life involving the various classes of noblemen such as Lords, Barons, Earls, Counts, Duke etc. and their relationship with the crown with particular reference to the reign of Elizabeth, Charles and James. It showed the noblemen as a group involved with extravagant expenditures and often died in heavy debt in order to maintain the high social status required of their position. This 'status' thought was also associated with the fact that arranged marriages were the norm in the middle ages. It also showed the development of 'education' from being trained soley in military skills to moving into the academic world. However, not all nobles were really 'noble' as a quote from Sir Walter Raleigh will put it in the best way. "The Justices of Peace in England have opposed the injustices of war in England."

What fascinated me was the fact that at various times in history ANYONE could have become a Baron, Earl, Lord etc. if he/she had enough money to buy the title! Throughout the middle ages, monarchs often sold titles to raise cash! The sale of the 'Baronet' started as a new title in on the market in 1611. The sale of titles ceased in 1629 when even an ex-convice, Ralph Buckinsham was sold a title! However, sales continued again in 1641 with a renewal by King Charles. It is interesting to note that the first round of sales led to the (temporary) abolition of The House of Lords and the second rounds from 1891 to 1921 led to a severe reduction of the political powers of the Lords.

Stone, who died in 1999, established his international reputation with this work, one of the most important books published on Engish history in the last half century. He examines the decline of the Court centered aristocracy as against the provincial squires, with the consequent loss of Parliament and the country. He also mentions the remarkable sequel: the Aristocracy regains its power and prestige, this time leading Parliament. Like all of Stone's work it asks large questions , and dares the reader to analyze it independently. It is a great temptation. I admit that my own prejudices incline me to the view that the landed gentry who backed Cromwell, and the landed gentry who were loyal to the King were not that different from each other, which is why Cromwell was successful (he could easily conciliate his former enemies, who were just like his gentry supporters) and why Cromwells revolution was swept away in an instant with no oppostion(the gentry decided they wanted their King back). It is a testimony to Stone's book that I was forced to think these things through, and that I am still not sure wie es eigentlich war, as Ranke said.

Rest in peace, Professor Stone. A light has gone out in Princeton.

Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country by Tony Fabijancic is a superbly written, personal memoir and eye-witness travelogue of what it was like to experience the land and people of Croatia as both an ancestral home and an undiscovered country. Transporting the reader on one man's journey into a rich and varied landscape, Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country is a vividly written, deftly informative, and memorably presented experience of a land steeped in centuries of tradition and lore. Croatia: Travels In Undiscovered Country is especially recommended reading for armchair travelogue adventure enthusiasts and anyone thinking of a trip to Croatia for themselves.

A terrific book. I have found no other book on Croatia that offers such insight into the country's current way of life and historical emblems, without becoming trite or resorting solely to political fact listing. Reveals the fragile beauty of a an undiscovered country in the midst of economic and cultural change. A wonderful travel book. Accessible and imaginative writing. Very well done.

This book is an honest and straight-forward account of one American's experience. The journal entries within the book provide vivid images of Armenia and the "tourist" struggling with the erosion of his cultural safety net.

Johnson's grasp of the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign culture is excellent and moving. This is based on his experience as a community consultant in Armenia, during one of that countries most difficult periods in history--immediately after the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Through his journals and thorough analysis, I felt like I was there with him! Anybody preparing to travel abroad, or professionals training in social work or other services should read this before going on.

An intriguing and informative account of (at least for me) a beforehand unknown type of naval warrior. Capt. Slavick portrays the intregrity, honor and sterling seamanship of the German sailors in a well paced account of their arduous and eventful journey. The book is effuse with personal anecdotes of the crew and Slavick does an especially good job of portaying the exceptional character and ability of Kapitan-zur-See Bernard Rogge. This account compares with "South" by Shakleton in intrigue but is a more juicy and livlier book.

On a recommendation, I ordered this book as I am interested in history. Upon receipt, I honestly thought it would be like many historical accounts I've read: dry, long, a battle to read through. How absolutely wrong I turned out to be!!!! This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down. I completed the book in one sitting...

In fact, Capt Slavick's writing style and story telling was so captivating, I FOUND MYSELF ROOTING FOR THE GERMAN RAIDERS against the Allies!!!

This is a story of perseverence, leadership, integrity, dedication-to-duty, experience, job knowledge, "can-do" attitudes and yes, even discipline. The crew of the Atlantis displayed all of these time-honored words that the military holds so dear. The terms themselves may be cliche to some, but to the military, they mean "mission accomplished." When one reads this book, one will have a better understanding of what these words truly mean.

Capt Slavick also captures the essence of WWII naval warfare for the reader. He brings the reader onto the ship and deftly includes us into the nuances of inaction and wildly takes us along during the explosive interruption of combat and chaos...

Read this book, you won't be disappointed!