Michael Asher

Advantages: Explores a very popular story
Disadvantages: Too much love for the Bedouin

...years later, the author of this book, Michael Asher, was approached by a TV company wanting to make a documentary about what had really happened. Asher seemed the ideal choice having spent several years in the territorial SAS and lived for a couple of years with the Bedouin of Northern Africa. The reasons for this documentary were twofold, 1) there were many discrepancies between the two accounts of the mission and 2) the family of one of the soldiers killed, Vince Phillips, wanted to know that it was not the fault of their son that the mission had been compromised and that he had died a brave man. Asher agreed and soon he and his crew were headed for Iraq where, after several delays they were able to trace the route of the patrol up until capture. If you have read either of the two books on this topic then this is a great read. It explores... Read review

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Advantages: A real-life adventure of the most poetic kind
Disadvantages: Heavy going in places, a few doubts on strict authenticity

...and failings. He shares his utter degradation, and his dissembling of it after the event. Looking back allows him an opportunity to cleanse himself, and so the book becomes not just a biography, but a confessional. In the reading of it, we must also bear in mind that attitudes to many things have changed since it was written and try to avoid placing modern interpretations on historic realities. ~ Technicalities: The Folio Society edition (2005) runs to 584 pages, including introductions, appendices and index. It is interspersed with photographs mostly of, or taken by, Lawrence. There are a number of maps covering the various theatres of action. A short foreword by Wilfred Thesiger, who speaks of its ‘profound influence’ on his life, is followed by a considered introduction by Michael Asher. Contrary to my usual stance of leaving... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Explores a very popular story
Disadvantages: Too much love for the Bedouin

...years later, the author of this book, Michael Asher, was approached by a TV company wanting to make a documentary about what had really happened. Asher seemed the ideal choice having spent several years in the territorial SAS and lived for a couple of years with the Bedouin of Northern Africa. The reasons for this documentary were twofold, 1) there were many discrepancies between the two accounts of the mission and 2) the family of one of the soldiers killed, Vince Phillips, wanted to know that it was not the fault of their son that the mission had been compromised and that he had died a brave man. Asher agreed and soon he and his crew were headed for Iraq where, after several delays they were able to trace the route of the patrol up until capture. If you have read either of the two books on this topic then this is a great read. It explores... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: So moving it will pluck your heart stings.
Disadvantages: A bit difficult to get into the yiddish worldview.

...On the frontispiece of this book is a quotation from Picasso, “Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth.” The same can be said of fiction. Asher Lev is a great painter and this novel tells his story, and the trials, tribulations and heartbreak on the way. Through the memories of a four year old Asher we are introduced to the very private world of a Jewish Hasidic community in Brooklyn in the 1950’s. It is quite a culture shock and certainly a different kind of world, Yiddish words and phrases are used without explanation and a certain knowledge of Jewish traditions and festivals is assumed. It is possible to read the book by accepting that this is simply another world but a little background knowledge does help. Hasidism was a renewal movement in orthodox Judaism in 18th century founded by a rabbi who is now legendary, Baal Shem... Read review

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Advantages: Fast paced, exciting tale which is very well thought out
Disadvantages: None if you've got the second book ready!

...*** The Plot *** Our story begins with Asher, youngest son of an Olken fisherman. As the youngest son, Asher has a dream, and he has travelled to the great city of Dorana with high hopes of making his fortune. He has planned to run away and make enough money to buy a boat of his own so that he and his father will not have to worry about money any more. Asher has some reservations. These people from Dorana are a race apart from the Olken whom he has grown up with. These are no lowly fisherman; they are fancy, well-off Doranen with magical abilities. What need would these people have to employ him? Then Asher becomes aware of excitement building in the crowded market place - the prince is coming! Asher wonders at their anticipation; he has of course heard of Prince Gar the Magickless. To be without magic in this wondrous nation seems... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful