Tag Archives: Arab World

Revisiting a Book About Yemen

A Book for the Arab World in Troubled Times

I wrote this review of The Woman Who Fell From the Sky, one of my favorite books of the year, in June, 2010. Even though Yemen does not make my list of desirable travel destinations, Since Yemen was one of the first countries to experience rebellion during the current unrest rolling across the Arab world, I wanted to revisit it. You will learn to know Yemen, and perhaps understand a bit better what is going on there at the present time as hundreds of thousands of people demand the president step down. Continue reading Revisiting a Book About Yemen

Understanding Libya

NOTE: BBC World Broadcast invited me to submit a question to Hisham Matar for their World Book Club interview. It broadcast on September 3, 2011. Mine is the VERY LAST QUESTION in this 53 minute interview. I would recommend the entire interview if you are interested in Libya, or in this outstanding writer—but at least, take a listen to the question from A Traveler’s Library. (You can download it as an mp3 file, or as a PodCast.)

A Book for the Middle East in Troubled Times

Bandera tricolor de Libia
Rebel flag, Libya

Destination: Libya

Book: In the Country of Men (2006) by Hisham Matar

It has been difficult for me to comprehend the arrogant statements of the dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. When he asserts, “The people LOVE me!” in the face of thousands of ill-armed, desperate rebels trying to depose him, I think he must be out of touch with reality. Continue reading Understanding Libya