- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: BBC Books (9 Oct 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0563487682
- ISBN-13: 978-0563487685
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,312,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
"Under Fire" is an account of Dan Cruickshank and David Vincent's quest for the fragile treasures and wonders of a world caught up in conflict. Travelling in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine, their personal account of cultures in extremis also reveals the spirit and history of the people they meet on their journeys. Inspired to make their quest after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Dan searched for the country's great treasures, travelling out into the country in the aftermath of the war. There he discovered the heroism of individuals who had saved many precious artworks, but he also found the remains of the destruction of the Taliban, including the two giant Buddhas. Carved into the mountainside of the Hindu Kush Range on the Silk Route in the second century, the Buddhas survived until March 2001 when the Taliban destroyed them. While Dan had initially sought to discover the fate of the country's treasure he rapidly found that he was also witnessing a side of Afghanistan so rarely seen in newspaper headlines: its culture and the spirit of its people. As the threat of conflict with Iraq grew in 2002 Dan and David turned their attention to Iraq.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Dan Cruickshank's 'Under Fire' films are surely among the most importantand well-made documentaries of the last 20 years. They are worthy of a DVDrelease but, for the moment, we have this book.
'Under Fire' retraces Cruickshank's adventures through Afghanistan, Iraqand Israel in a writing style which perhaps does not quite replicate Dan'son-screen enthusiasm - part of the reason his programmes so addictive -but certainly encourages a sense of wonder and is highly informativethroughout. My only gripe is the small format. The architecture, vistas,people and artefacts which, for me, created so many memorable images fromthe films are reduced to a few pages of rather small, predominantlymontaged photos. Really, this is a great pity, although I daresay there isa (logistical?) reason for it.
Overall, it is a well-written account of a fascinating journey whichexamines these troubled countries from a unique perspective,simultaneously considering their past, present and rather ambiguousfutures. These are people, places and things which most Westerners willnever see in the flesh; 'Under Fire' is a chance to emulate thisexperience safely, with sensibility, accompanied by a culturally,architecturally and historically informed guide. Inevitably, a few detailsare now out of date, but the account as a whole remains utterly relevantin these still uncertain times.
'Under Fire' retraces Cruickshank's adventures through Afghanistan, Iraqand Israel in a writing style which perhaps does not quite replicate Dan'son-screen enthusiasm - part of the reason his programmes so addictive -but certainly encourages a sense of wonder and is highly informativethroughout. My only gripe is the small format. The architecture, vistas,people and artefacts which, for me, created so many memorable images fromthe films are reduced to a few pages of rather small, predominantlymontaged photos. Really, this is a great pity, although I daresay there isa (logistical?) reason for it.
Overall, it is a well-written account of a fascinating journey whichexamines these troubled countries from a unique perspective,simultaneously considering their past, present and rather ambiguousfutures. These are people, places and things which most Westerners willnever see in the flesh; 'Under Fire' is a chance to emulate thisexperience safely, with sensibility, accompanied by a culturally,architecturally and historically informed guide. Inevitably, a few detailsare now out of date, but the account as a whole remains utterly relevantin these still uncertain times.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent book detailing the destruction and desecretion of Iraq's architecture. Dan scrabbles around amongst the bullets and sandstorms unearthing the remains of Babylon, the 'babel style' tower at Saqqara and abandoned british military cemeteries. If nothing else the book makes you realise how much has been lost or despoiled due to the regime of dear old Saddam. Now he's gone it remains to be seen as to whether these gems will ever be accessible to the outside world. The tourist potential to outstrip Egypt is there on a plate... But something tells me they will never get it into the oven.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dan Cruickshank, BA, formerly a Visiting Professor, an Honorary Fellow, Georgian Group Executive Committee member, an Honorary Fellow of RIBA and television presenter has always had my attention. (In two weeks I am off to one of his lectures.) Apart form his great depth and wealth of knowledge, he has a great presence on the screen - that breathless, fascinated, conversational style which makes viewers think he is talking to them. Always dressed like the eccentric Englishman, ("dressed like"? he is!), wearing the batter panama and scarf, no matter what the weather, he travels the world explaining, illustrating, marvelling at and extolling the virtues of mankind's great buildings and treasures.
In these three countries, Afghanistan, Iraq and Israel, his programme showed the ways in which their treasures and monuments are suffering. In the book, hours of excellent footage are reduced to three short photographic sections, rather than exemplifying the text more regularly with pictures.
This is a small criticism of a well-written book, a journal of thousands of Cruickshank miles, documenting momentous events and their aftermath.
In these three countries, Afghanistan, Iraq and Israel, his programme showed the ways in which their treasures and monuments are suffering. In the book, hours of excellent footage are reduced to three short photographic sections, rather than exemplifying the text more regularly with pictures.
This is a small criticism of a well-written book, a journal of thousands of Cruickshank miles, documenting momentous events and their aftermath.
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