Hugh Miles

A beautifully written and illustrated account of one of the pioneering attempts to capture on film the wildlife of the far north: polar bear, whales, seals, musk ox, caribou, snowy owls, and others. The extreme conditions, the challenges in getting around and dealing with uncooperative weather conditions, the large-hearted people (including the native Inuit), the little vignettes with smaller creatures like a friendly Arctic fox, the visuals, all work together to take the reader into their world, so that it seems as if one is really there in person.A very entertaining and honest account.… (more)

An amazing book that covers Al-Jazaara from founding to 2003. The author clearly has lots of expertise and insight, while remaining remarkably impartial. Presents the case for and against Al-Jazeera as partisan. Very interesting to note that opposing sides in the Iraq war often had conflicting views on which side Al-Jazeera fell (Americans alleging radical Islamic bias, Iraqis saying American/Israeli bias). The best parts are the beginning (covers founding and influences) and end (covers how the media landscape has affected specific communities). Recommended for all looking to understand media better.… (more)