18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Kick, and What an Education, April 7, 2004
By A Customer
This is the rarest of books: at once hugely entertaining and hugely thought-provoking; both an exercise in pure fun and an attempt (successful) at genuine political and sociological enlightenment. It's a breezy travel memoir; it's a serious and timely look at the image and impact of the United States abroad. It reflects very much the issues that 9-11 raised, and yet it's also more timeless than that. Burkett bops through the former Soviet Union, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, China and, in almost every place, challenges the conventional wisdom about what's going on and offers less predictable glimpses and insights. It's a book full of hope; it's a book laden with hilariously cranky pessimism. It's terrific.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new perspective on the Middle East..., April 28, 2004
By A Customer
Unfortunately, most Americans "learn" about life in Islamic countries only through the news media and only in the context of the War on Terror. Burkett's most significant achievement with this book is to provide a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in Central Asia and the Middle East - one that avoids the dual pitfalls of self-indulgence (for the most part) and political demagoguery. After reading this book I found it much easier to imagine life in the Middle East and felt I had gained a better understanding of what people in that part of the world love and hate about Americans. It's not a political book per se, but I would highly recommend it as supplemental reading for anyone interested in the region.
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unfocused and rambling, January 29, 2005
Elinor Burkett and her husband, Dennis, having become restless and wanting what might be a final adventure, decide they want to spend some time abroad. Not as tourists, but she as a teacher and he as her companion. They've been to Europe, South America and other usual destinations. Checking on the Fulbright program, she elects to become a professor, teaching journalism in Kyrgyzstan, a fragment of the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately, it seems, they arrive at their home for the next year a week before 9/11.
The book begins right after the attack when all Americans abroad must have been frightened and wanting to go home. She and Dennis, like several others elect to stay. This beginning makes some readers think that this book will be the story of fear and frustration as they cope with hatred and tension over their being Americans in a part of the world that must hate them and their country.
But there is actually very little of that which is what makes her story amazing. During the months following 9/11, the two of them travel to countries in central Asia and the far east. The only real difficulties in their travels is getting there -- the beueaucracy and bribes, suspicions of minor border guards. Everywhere they hear much the same things from the people: America is arrogant and brought the attacks on itself by interfering in the affairs of other states. They should keep their noses out of other people's business. But why don't they do something about . . . (take your pick)" Never has it been more clear that America has such a love-hate relationship with the rest of the world.
In her teaching in the Kyrgyz university her own biases keep her at odds with the administration. In her mind, she is there to teach the journalism students western-style, in-your-face reporting. Never does she say that's what she was asked to do. But this is the style she knows and it puzzles her that none of her students understand, or want to understand, how to do things her way. Nor does she understand their willingness to accept the status quo, or their desire for a return to Communist control. Independence and individual freedom seem beyond their ability to accept.
What surprises most Americans who read this story is our lack of understanding about most of the smaller countries that the Soviet Union brought inside their boundaries. We tend to think that they must be grateful for the breakup of the Soviet state and attaining their new-found freedom. Not so. Everywhere the Burketts run into people who long for the return of order and running water. They accept governments of nearly cult personalities. And wish America would help them get back some of the things they miss most. But don't tell them what to do.
The Burketts' journey is an amazing one through countries where most of us would fear to go. This is an informative read about peoples we don't even begin to understand. But perhaps we can begin to understand that, although we value our way of freedom so highly, not everyone else can embrace it.
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