Do you ever get confused about what the heck is going on in the world? Are you wondering what is going on in Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Somalia or Kosovo? Well, have I the book for you.
Bob Harris’ book Who Hates Whom? Well-Armed Fanatics, Intractable Conflicts, and Various Things Blowing Up: A Woefully Incomplete Guide (Three Rivers Press $11.95) gives the reader a good account of the world’s trouble spots. His chapters offer concise information on most of the raging conflicts and does so by giving historical context as well as describing them with both humor and compassion.
By way of example, in discussing the on-going Basque separatists in Spain, Harris writes:
“…Franco’s fascist regime ruled with an iron grip until 1975, when his persistent death brought Saturday Night Live into power in the U.S. However, Franco’s intended successor had been killed by car bomb planted by Basque separatists. As a replacement dictator, Franco designated Juan Carlos I, a descendent of every blueblood from Queen Victoria to Burger King.”
Other things the reader might learn include where Waziristan, Bangsamoro, Kurdistan, Ituri, Baluchistan and Jubaland are located. Or which royal family were respected as gods, until the crown prince gunned down the king and queen. Or in which bodies of water are the world’s most active pirates.
Harris previously penned Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!, a rather loving look at his obsession with that quiz show and his participation as a contestant.
Who Hates Whom? is available at Jackson Street Books and other fine independent bookstores.
democommie could not participate in this book report as he is busy instigating third world revolutions.
