"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.