Product Description
An extraordinary portrait of a young woman, terrorized in her own country, brought to the U.S. and mercilessly exploited by the film industry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fascinating, Sad, and Uplifting
As a book, "Ravished Armenia" delivered more than I expected.Film author Anthony Slide providers readers with a short essay on the 1919 film "Ravished Armenia", a lost silent film based on the story of Aurora Mardiganian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide.In the essay, Slide describes Mardiganian's exploitation by film makers and even symptoms of post traumatic stress she endured.The film itself featured an odd combination of being used to raise charitable funds and make audiences aware of the terrible fate of the Armenians in WWI Turkey and on the other side it was argueably exploiting cruelty to draw in audiences.For its time, the film was quite successful and fairly controversial for its violence.Slide also includes a number of photographs from the film and even a list of captions for the film.
The real power of this book is actually the reprint of Mardiganian's powerful memoir of the genocide titled "Ravished Armenia."Her story is frankly gut wrenching and powerful.While not accurate in every detail (some of the violence was apparently toned down a little from real life for example), the story is never the less a riveting tale of faith, loss, hope, and man's inhumanity to man.This is the story of a fourteen year old who saw her family practically annilihated by the end, experienced violations and cruelty, survived massacres and death marches, and yet found the strenght to carry on.There are many scenes that may stay with you if you read this short volume.Perhaps it will be the "game of swords" or the torture of an Armenian priest.Or perhaps it was the two sisters who realized they had renounced their faith to save a relative who died anyway and decided not to make the mistake again even if it cost them their lives (it did
).Yes, there are the stories of kindness here from some sympathetic Turks to the monks who hid genocide survivors and gave their lives trying to protect them.Then there are the acts of cruelty which can make one shudder.The argueably most famous scene in both the book and film (and most controversial scene in the later) is likely the scene outside Malatia where Aurora witnesses a row of crucified Armenian girls.The essay preceeding the reprint explains that even this scene was toned down from what Mardiganian actually saw.Even when Aurora escapes from the Turkish controlled areas, she is still not completely out of the woods because she goes to Petrograd Russia as violence and turmoil sweep the streets.Aurora conveys an epic human tragedy though the eyes of youth, despair, hope, and Christian faith.The end result is a fascinating but at times brutal read.I recommend it with caution.This work is not for everyone.

Oh, I should point out that since this book was written, there has indeed been part of the movie version found.A reel approximately 20 minutes long (over 1/5 of the original) was discovered.

The best Armenian survivor story I've ever read
I have read many of the books written by survivors of the Armenian genocide carried out by Turkey, and this is by far the best of them all. Aurora Mardigian (her name was subsequently changed by "Hollywood") was 14 when her story began, and what makes this book the best is also what makes it the worst: she gives many specific examples of how Turks murdered and tortured Armenians, told quite dispassionately but in no less horrifying terms.
I've already bought copies to give to my brother and sister, even at its high price, because it's worth every cent, and so that all will KNOW what the Armenian people went through at the hands of the still-denying Turks.
Those who don't know what Armenia and her people are about will also learn the true nature and identity of our wonderful culture, and all that it emcompassed both in early times as well as currently.

Excellent Book
This book is truly interesting. It explains how an Armenian Genocide survivor's memoir was turned into a motion picture in 1919, a year or two after her arrival to the United States. The beginning of the book explainsthe whole movie production process, and even lists reviews given at thetime of its showing.The movie apparently was very popular in 1919,however all copies of it seem to have been lost. However, the book hasabout 6 still photos from the movie. The bulk of the book is simply areprint of Aurora Mardiganian's account of living through the ArmenianGenocide. It is amazing, sad, sickening. This is an extremely excellentbook for anyone knowing little about the Armenian Genocide, and an originaland interesting one for those more familiar with the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

A must read
The book takes you through a painful journey of a Genocide survivor. What kept me reading on and staying positive while reading this book was the fact that Vergeen had lived to tell her story. Throughout the reading, I cried with her and felt her pain through every page of the book. The book also teaches one more about history of the world and what was going on in the Middle East in early 1900's. The Armenians were not the only ones subject to the harsh treatment from the Turks. Syria and Lebanon were also under the Ottoman Empire and those countries' citizens were also subject to mistreatment from Turks, just not as awful as what the Armenians experienced.
My hat is off to Mae Derderian for her desire and will to write this book and let the world know about one more survivor's account of what is the 1st horrific act of the 20th century.

I still think about Vergeen...Great Book
This book was a quick read with a lasting impression. This is one womans account of her struggle to get through the times of 'the March' as I hear other people call it. This story has given me a deeper understanding of the Armenian culture and a new respect for it as well.

This book has also made me want to be more involved with what is going on Somalia. It's not right. It's so sad to me to know there are girls like Vergeen that may be experiencing this right now.

For the posts that say this is a made up story or call the genocide a myth, all the posts are so defensive & mad. The tone to those posts makes them not credible to me. Not to mention, why would anyone make up stories about genocide?

A very good book for a very bad time.
*******CONTAINS SPOILERS******
It is always interesting to read how people can endure and survive the unthinkable.This is truly one of those stories.My uncle recommended to to me because he had heard that it was much like my grandmother's ordeal & that they were deported from the same area....however once I began reading Vergeen - other than being from the same area there are many differences in their stories.My grandmother did tell us about the many pregnant women whose bellies were slit open & how they would spear the babies... and about walking over dead bodies...starving and more but she also had different experiences.The only thing that made me feel bad about this book is that Vergeen never forgave God whereas my grandmother had increased her faith in God for the many miraculous things that happened along the way to her survival.So I like my grandmothers story better........

It touched my heart to see how Vergeen's husband handled the entire situation....what a wonderful soul.It also broke my heart to read about the tent of babies........

Great Book!
This came in great condition and a speedy arrival! I am perfectly satisfied with my purchase! Thank you so much.

Heart Wrenching Story
Since I am a descendant of survivors of the Armenian genocide in Turkey, the story of Vergeen has tremendous meaning to me.The Armenian genocide had forever changed the complexion of my ancestors' lives in both my mother's and father's families.It's a miracle I am here today since both sides of my family witnessed and experienced such atrocities.

From the moment I began Vergeen, I couldn't put it down.I was captivated.Every emotion filtered through my body and soul.Mainly I cried.I cried a lot.Although painfully sad, this book is soul enriching.Mae M. Derdarian, the author, did a superb job in writing the book.Vergeen is a must read. ... Read more

Product Description
Award-winning, contemporary Armenian-American short stories.

* IMPORTANT:THIS IS THE PREVIEW EDITION OF THE BOOK.
This version contains three stories (about 42 typed pages). The complete version will be available for Kindle soon.

Awards for Bringing Ararat:

*Finalist-OSU Prize in Fiction
*Finalist- St. Lawrence Press Book Award
*Semi-Finalist- The Spokane Prize

Bringing Ararat is an award-winning, interwoven collection of short stories that follows men at the far Western tail of the Armenian Diaspora. While each has elements that are distinctly Armenian, at their heart, these stories illuminate the deeply personal experiences of family and immigration, fear and loyalty, and compassion and betrayal.

At turns dark, funny and sad, The Lord Moves Us Forward, Forward documents a family struggling with the legacy left by their matriarch's suicide. Calust, the aging hero of the award winning story See Me, tries to negotiate a subtle peace with life in the suburbs and his rebellious nephew while climbing out of the shadow of a beloved Uncle’s execution by communist hitmen some forty years before.In Clean, young Armen finds himself caught up in the edges of the Armenian-Mexican gang war that plays out in the foothills of LA.

Praise for the stories in Bringing Ararat:

"See Me is an extraordinarily beautiful story."Linda Swanson-Davies, Editor, Glimmer Train Fiction.

"Clean is an unsentimental mixture of alien subcultures and familiar feelings, the characters linger like bullet holes in a shot-up stop sign, and the narrative voice captures youth’s gritty parlance and desperate confusion while still maintaining youth’s humorous abandon." Aaron Gilbreath, Newpages.com ... Read more

Product Description
Award-winning, contemporary Armenian-American fiction.

* IMPORTANT:THIS IS THE COMPLETE EDITION OF THE BOOK.*
There is also a shorter, less expensive Preview Edition available for Kindle.

Awards for Bringing Ararat:

*Finalist-OSU Prize in Fiction
*Finalist- St. Lawrence Book Award
*Semi-Finalist- The Spokane Prize

Bringing Ararat is an award-winning, interwoven collection of short stories that spans the westward progress of Armenian migrants in the 20th century, from Mount Ararat, west through the Communist Block, to Bucharest, Beirut, and finally the USA. While each has elements that are distinctly Armenian, at their heart, these stories illuminate the deeply personal experiences of familiarity and alienation, fear and compassion, and loyalty and betrayal.

Contains six short stories and one short novella. The equivalent of about 185 pages typed.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Engaging, funny, and poignant
Inezian's collection of short stories is occasionally surreal and always contemporary. I laughed out loud, winced (in recognition), and generally gushed about the book to my vacation companions. His characters share a common ancestry--they are Armenians living in the "diaspora"--Watertown, Bucharest, Hollywood, Beirut. Yet they are wonderfully fleshed out and different from one another. His characters are contending with disparate issues--coming of age and aging and mortality; ethnic identity and family identity; insider/outsider status. I loved it and highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Crossing Borders describes author Jerry Johnson's personal struggle to adjust to life in Armenia while he was there as a community development consultant from 1995-1997. More than a diary of events, it offers a simple model for successful intercultural adjustment that readers can apply in a variety of settings. It also provides a fascinating, detailed account of the living conditions in Armenia in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, the Nagorno-Karabakh War, and the historical tragedies that shape the Armenian collective consciousness. Furthermore, Johnson uses his personal experiences as a backdrop for a broader discussion of contemporary issues such as the lasting effects of the Cold War Era, anti-communist propaganda on America's role in the so-called New World Order, and the preparation of American relief and humanitarian aid workers. Accessible to a wide audience, "Crossing Borders" will be of great value to those interested in intercultural adjustment, developing cultural competence, foreign travel, or the aftermath of the cold war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Naked truth about an American's "Psychic Emergency"
This book is an honest and straight-forward account of one American's experience. The journal entries within the book provide vivid images of Armenia and the "tourist" struggling with the erosion of hiscultural safety net.

A must read for American travelers or workers going abroad!
Johnson's grasp of the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign culture is excellent and moving. This is based on his experience as a community consultant in Armenia, during one of that countries most difficult periodsin history--immediately after the Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Through hisjournals and thorough analysis, I felt like I was there with him!Anybodypreparing to travel abroad, or professionals training in social work orother services should read this before going on. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a timely book on politics in Armenia and itsDiaspora since Armenia's independence. The volume analyzes howconflicting interpretations of history have nurtured competingpolicies and influenced the future of Armenia and of its relationswith its neighbors. The author challenges ideologized views of war anddiplomacy, of the Genocide and the politics of its recognition, and ofnational unity and political legitimization. He explores the NagornoKarabagh conflict, the difficult relations with Turkey, and therelationship between Homeland and Diaspora. The author argues that theresignation of President Levon Ter-Petrossian in 1998 constituted awatershed in the ongoing battle between pragmatic and ideologicalconcepts of independence, statehood, and nationhood.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the Armenian political landscapesince the rise of the movement and the position of political actorsregarding the major issues confronting Armenia during thedecade. Chapter 2 discusses the resignation of President LevonTer-Petrossian as an event significant for understanding therelationship between the problem of Karabagh and the choices that mustbe made between the two kinds of answers, pragmatism and nationalideologies. Chapter 3 details the position of political parties andleaders on the resolution of the conflict and the role the conflict isassigned in their political program and worldview. Chapter 4 coversthe important themes of Genocide recognition, unity, and politicallegitimacy and their significance for a strategy to achieve a highervision or maximalist program. Chapter 5 analyzes Diasporan realitiesand the ability of the Diaspora to perform the role it is assigned bymaximalists. The last chapter argues against maximalism and in favorof normalcy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Depending on your stance...
The other reviewer has some valid points, but I think he may be blinded by the fact that quite a few people disagree with certain choices that the author has made in his personal and political life. In my opinion, this does not take away from the fact that this is the most honest and realistic books on the current political situation in Armenia. One who is not familiar with some of the basic issues in Armenia politics may not enjoy this book as much.

Disappointing apologia
Libaridian's disjointed narrative makes excuses for the failings of the autocratic ruler he served as advisor--some would say éminence grise. Claiming confidentiality, he fails to reveal anything new; not that his"revelations" would have been particularly credible. One mighthave hoped for a coherent explanation with a touch of self-criticism. Onewould have been disappointed. ... Read more

Product Description
The 11-film oeuvre of Artavazd Peleschian is considered one of the most influential of Russian documentary cinema. Shifting between documentary and experiment, between poetry and quotidian life, the work of this reclusive Armenian filmmaker brings image and sound together in an imposing overall composition. He calls his unique editing technique "contrapuntal editing," and through it achieves tension-filled sequences and sharp image changes, often set to the rhythmic power of music.

In the tradition of Dziga Vertov and Sergej Eisenstein, Peleschjan has revived the avant-garde film tradition. But though he was recognized and supported by Jean-Luc Godard in the 60s, his work has remained largely elusive. Nevertheless, it is screened regularly at film festivals and, since the 90s, Peleshian has gained some art world recognition: Paul Virilio included Peleschian's longest work, Our Century (1982), a key role in the exhibition Ce qui arrive at the Fondation Cartier in Paris.Our Century is a grandiose black-and-white film about the dreams and nightmares of the progress of civilization in the 20th century. It shows what Hannah Arendt recognized in 1968, that progress and catastrophe are flip sides of the same coin. Seasons (1972-75) gives a striking picture of daily life in Armenia, of life caught between progress and tradition, still marked by its dependence on and vulnerability to the forces of nature. The short film Inhabitants (1970) shows, partly through archival footage, partly through images from the filmmaker's own camera, animals of the steppe fleeing from an unspecified but constant threat.Essays by Paul Virilio, Constantin Wulff, and François Niney.Preface by Gerald Matt.Clothbound, 6.75 x 9.5 in. / 432 pgs / Illustrated throughout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

30 pages of text and 400 pages of pictures?
In this book there are 400 pages of enlarged film frames and only about 30 pages of text about Artavazd Peleschjan. I like the book but I think it's a little bit misleading. ... Read more