A review of Murder in Samarkand has been written by NMJ on Velo-Gubbed Legs. Here is an extract:
At this time, the invasion of Iraq was unfolding (somehow, Saddam was a bad guy yet Karimov was a good guy). It’s not just the ‘dissident’ torture in Uzbekistan that horrifies, day to day life is grim. Uzbek children are forced by the state to work seventy hour weeks in the cotton fields in appalling conditions. Women set fire to themselves with cooking oil to escape their terrible lives. Innocent people are routinely beaten and raped by the police. The double standards and myopia of the British government in all of this is nausea-inducing. Craig couldn’t turn a blind eye to this sickening abuse of human rights – as our government appeared to be able to do without conscience – and was sacked after he blew the whistle on Uzbek intelligence being gained through torture. It’s depressing reading, but his style is light, he is funny and self-deprecating – at one point he irons a crumpled speech.
See full review here:
http://velo-gubbed-legs.blogspot.com/
She had blogged that the library had made her take back MinS before she finished it, so I sent her a copy.
I enjoy NMJ’s blog very much. She is a good writer and draws you in to her world, and I find it relaxing to go there. The attitudes to life and interests are similar to mine. It is good to remember that blogging can be used for good writing, not solely on politics. On the other hand, I find it all a bit worrying. If I am finding feelings of companionableness and relaxation on the Web, am I becoming deeply sad?
Hey Craig, Am glad you liked the 'review' – you have a good memory, I had forgotten I had taken your book out from library last year and they'd whisked it back unread! I have to say it is funny (but flattering) that you find my blog relaxing, I am the least chilled out person I know.
Craig, if it helps to know, I believe that many of your posts are critically important to the world that my kids will inhabit, along with thousands of millions of others. The selling of torture, war, all forms of paranoia that help only vested corporate interests, depend on ignorance and a lack of personal connection. I admired your stance on torture, and was very glad of your contributions on the credibility of our government regarding the boundary waters of Iran and Iraq. The personal concerns that enter your blog add another dimension that I did not come looking for, yet I believe they are helpful in that they provide that personal connection that I mentioned above.
I believe healthy folk interchange sadness for anger as the situation calls for it. (though I readily confess I know little about it) I hope you will always have the resilience to keep up the good work.
It wouldn't be possible for this site to be relaxing considering its subjects but i've been taken aback by your companionableness Craig.
Personal asides can too often damage serious testimoney (especially since most of us are unsteadied by terrible causes), for example http://www.medialens.org has to work a little to keep its contributors civil and focused. Your blog has been an education in successful campaign manner and intimacy…. so far;) there is that ever present danger of online blogging that a real time-mess can be made as soon as emotions boil over. Whether it is down to maturity or professionalism, i haven't seen you do that yet -very impressive consistency.
What heart I can get out of your webcasts could reveal my own patheticness (which may be established by other measures), but I can only wonder how you could worry about your own 'sad' rating.
It really is a privilege to read here, and Andrew keeps us well informed too. So when you need to take a break or a holiday please do look after yourself.