David Kilcullen is one of the world's most influential experts on counterinsurgency and modern warfare; a ground-breaking theorist whose ideas "are revolutionizing military thinking throughout the west" (Washington Post). Indeed; his vision of modern warfare powerfully influenced America's decision to rethink its military strategy in Iraq and implement "the Surge;" now recognized as a dramatic success. In The Accidental Guerrilla; Kilcullen provides a remarkably fresh perspective on the War on Terror. Kilcullen takes us "on the ground" to uncover the face of modern warfare; illuminating both the big global war (the "War on Terrorism") and its relation to the associated "small wars" across the globe: Iraq; Afghanistan; Indonesia; Thailand; the Pakistani tribal zones; East Timor and the horn of Africa. Kilcullen sees today's conflicts as a complex interweaving of contrasting trends--local insurgencies seeking autonomy caught up in a broader pan-Islamic campaign--small wars in the midst of a big one. He warns that America's actions in the war on terrorism have tended to conflate these trends; blurring the distinction between local and global struggles and thus enormously complicating our challenges. Indeed; the US had done a poor job of applying different tactics to these very different situations; continually misidentifying insurgents with limited aims and legitimate grievances--whom he calls "accidental guerrillas"--as part of a coordinated worldwide terror network. We must learn how to disentangle these strands; develop strategies that deal with global threats; avoid local conflicts where possible; and win them where necessary.Colored with gripping battlefield experiences that range from the jungles and highlands of Southeast Asia to the mountains of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to the dusty towns of the Middle East; The Accidental Guerrilla will; quite simply; change the way we think about war. This book is a must read for everyone concerned about the war on terror.
#902998 in Books James Hoffmeier 2011-08-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x 1.00 x 9.20l; 1.18 #File Name: 0199731691384 pagesAncient Israel in Sinai The Evidence for the Authenticity of the Wilderness Tradition
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Understanding the ExodusBy S. E. MooreAs one reviewer on the back cover has stated; this book should be the standard academic source for the study of Exodus;James Hoffmeier is neither an evangelist trying to convert anyone; nor is he an Indiana Jones wannabe trying to promote his own agenda. He is a serious scholar whose knowledge of ancient Egypt and experience in the field of Egyptian archaeology give him a much deeper understanding of the Exodus than evengelists and adventure seekers.Other scholars have tried to marginalize the biblical account of Israel's Exodus from Egypt by claiming it was based upon mythological stories from surrounding cultures and was written in Judea or Babylon long after the Exodus was supposed to have occurred. Hoffmeier offers a serious challenge to these assumptions by taking a scholarly approach in authenticating the biblical account. Hoffmeier clearly demonstrates that the Exodus narratives are based on first hand accounts that that go back to Egypt and Sinai in the second millennium BC. Hoffmeier doesn't go off on flights of fancy by trying to explain the miraculous sea crossing or the theophany on Mount Sinai. He leaves tha up to the reader's personal faith. However; by using the Bible as his primary guide; he is able to tell us where these events were most likely to have occurred by backing up the biblical narrative with historical and archaeological data.Hoffmeier reveals how the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant; as described in the Bible; have earlier prototypes in ancient Egypt and that portable shrines of this type were used by Egyptian priests. He also reveals how certain items and implements associated with the Tabernacle and the garments worn by the Levitical priests are named in the Bible with words having an Egyptian etymology. Many of the names of significant individuals recorded in the Torah; particularly from the tribe of Levi; such as Moses; Aaron; Miriam; and Phinehas; are derived from Egyptian names. In adition; Israel's covenant is structured along the same lines as covenants and treaties recorded in ancient Egypt.Hoffmeier clearly demonstrates that the Egyptian influence on Israel would hardly make sense if Israel had never spent a considerable amount of time in Egypt. This is further elaborated in his earlier book; Israel In Egypt.In the process of verifying the biblical authenticity of the Exodus account; Hoffmeier debunks the popular and sensational claims regarding Jebel Al Lawz being the real Mount Sinai and the corresponding theory that the sea crossing occurred from the Straits of Tiran into Saudi Arabia. Hoffmeier claims with certainty that if the Bible is to be used as a guide in locating the sea crossing and Mount Sinai; they could not be at the Straits of Tiran and Jebel Al Lawz.Hoffmeier; who knows alot more about ancient Egyptian history than the people who promote the Jebel Al Lawz theory; demonstrates how ancient Egypt's eastern frontier was in the Bitter Lakes region where they built fortresses and canals to defend against marauding Canaanite tribes from the east and that the Sinai Peninsula wa never considered part of ancient Egypt. In addition; the geological history of that region indicates that the Bitter Lakes were at one time substantial bodies of water.The Bible describes the location of the sea crossing with the terms Migdol; Pi-Hahiroth; and Baal Zephon. The exact locations described by these terms have been lost over time but Hoffmeier explains their meanings. Migdol refers to a fortress; Pi-Hahiroth refers to an area where a canal empties into a larger body of water; and Baal Zephon refers to a Canaanite deity. There is archaeological evidence of ancient fortresses and canals in the Bitter Lakes region which can't be found at the Straits of Tiran. In addition; Canaanites tried to invade Egypt in the Bitter Lakes region. There is no evidence of Canaanite presence near the Straits of Tiran.Hoffmeier also points out that the Israelites' travel itinerary in the Book of Numbers from the sea crossing to Mount Sinai roughly corresponds to the distance between the Bitter Lakes and the traditional Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa).Hoffmeier does not claim to know the exact location of the real Mount Sinai but that the Bible clearly points to the southern Sinai Peninsula as its location. He expresses doubts about Jebel Musa due to the lack of an adjacent plain suitable to encamp a multitude of people for any length of time. However; he identifies two adjacent peaks which are possible candidates.For anyone having a serious intellectual interest in understanding the Exodus as it is recorded in the Bible; this is the source.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great scholarship with real archeologyBy PetersonGreat scholarship with real archeology; yet not on a quest to tear down the Bible. Just honest assessment of the recent discoveries.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. excellent review of evidence for the ExodusBy Roland LudlamThis is an excellent sequel to Hoffmeier's book on Israel in Egypt. I especially appreciated the more recent evidence that he presents regarding everything from the geography of the exodus journey to the name of God in the desert tradition. I highly recommend both books for a student of Torah and the Exodus.
