The resurgence of Islam is a constant theme in the writings of J.B. Kelly from the 1980s to his death in 2009; and it is appropriate; therefore; that it should be reflected in the title of this third; and final; volume of his collected essays and reviews. The title was; in fact; originally a phrase which he gave to a lecture he delivered to the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C. in 1980. It captures the surreal; Alice in Wonderland; nature of Middle Eastern politics. He intended that the lecture; given to promote his new book on Arabia; the Gulf and the West (Weidenfeld Nicolson/Basic Books;1980); should enable his American audience to peer through the looking glass of the Middle East and to understand how to navigate the political labyrinth of the Persian Gulf and the wider region. His subsequent essays and reviews written while he was in Washington D.C. were intended to serve the same purpose. The introduction by the editor gives readers a guide to the political context of his writings; especially his involvement in the struggle over the sale of F 15 enhancements and AWACS to Saudi Arabia. The later writings in this volume are the fruits of his retirement in France; from whence he tried to counter the received wisdom about Western policy towards Iraq and other matters. Reading the essays in this volume one is struck by their relevance to our understanding of the causes of the revolts in the Middle East in 2011 and after against the last generation of oriental despots; and the resurgence of militant Islam. This volume; like the earlier ones; should be required reading for policy-makers in the West.
#1170480 in Books James Albright 2015-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .47 x 5.98l; .67 #File Name: 0986263001222 pagesFlight Lessons 1 Basic Flight How Eddie Learned the Meaning of It All
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. As an attentive reader of code7700; Eddie's aviation website ...By David C. FedorsAs an attentive reader of code7700; Eddie's aviation website; I ordered "Flight Lessons 1: Basic Flight; How Eddie learned the meaning of it all" as soon as it was available. The 30 chapters are arranged in chronological order; starting with Eddie leaving his home in Hawaii and attending Purdue on an AF ROTC scholarship and ending with assignment back to Hawaii. Each chapter starts with personal story; aviation related; and then concludes with technical notes on some flying subject pertinent to the personnel story. The technical notes are illustrated with diagrams from USAF publications; flight manuals; and the USN's Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators. The technical notes are written with engineer's precision; but are not too technical. They are the notes you wished you would have taken in pilot training. As a USAF pilot following in Eddie's footsteps a couple of years behind him; I found the personal stories the most interesting; as they describe the world of the SAC tanker pilot that has since vanished. Without giving anything away; the books subtitle contains the most memorable lesson offered in this volume. It is the difference between pilots you can trust and those who seem to be cruising through on luck. Looking forward to subsequent volumes.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy J. GriffithAs a professional pilot I was a little skeptical that I would find the book useful. I was wrong! This book (and all of his books and website) I have found to be very good; packed with useful information for any level of pilot. I wish I had come across a book like this earlier in my career. The book is engaging with the stories and then gives the practical lessons at the end of each chapter. I will buy all of his books that come out.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy TexasA great read...
