"This is a love story based on the author’s ongoing affair with an exotic land.... [Novak] captures the reader’s attention, admiration and sympathy and then describes straightforwardly the external and internal elements of thinking and policy that are detrimental to the country’s survival." ―Foreign Service Journal
"... personal and well-informed analysis... Another fine addition to the ‘Essential Asia Series’." ―Asiaweek
"This rich meditation on the land and people but especially the waters of Bangladesh is a masterpiece of journalism." ―The Reader’s Review
"... beautiful, even lyrical account... " ―Orbis
"As an introduction to Bangladesh this book is invaluable... " ―Current History
A positive and hopeful presentation of Bangladesh by a writer who loves the country while recognizing its many faults. It is both a scholar’s and an insider’s view of Bangladesh, its history, geography, politics, and culture.