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Reports From Hell
A gonzo ride through the Middle East as only Chas Smith, the award-winning author of Welcome to Paradise, Now Go to Hell and Cocaine + A Sordid History of Surfing’s Greatest Love Affair, could provide. Follow Smith and his misfit band of merrymakers as they search for the true origins of Al Qaeda and endeavor to ride the unsurfed waves of Yemen all while exploring the slim opportunities for fun in the margins of our global war on terror and at what cost―even if it means eventual kidnapping by Hezbollah.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
October 21, 2026
I really liked this book! I was completely entertained the whole time. Chas reminds me a little of Tom Robbins. Nothing is off limits. Danger can be lighthearted and funny. And the truth about history in the making is the adventure to be had experiencing it. To live means to live life like you own your life; and if circumstances are out of control, well, have a good time as you throttle through the chaos. That seems to be Chas’ mode of operation. It’s in all the characters in this book. The other characters, who are his true friends, are a perfect fit for Chas. They help this book and Chas’ place within it, from going down the possibilities of many dark rabbit holes.
This book has a serious side along with its lighter side. It’s full of Middle Eastern history from scholars who like the Middle East and are very comfortable in its culture. I find that refreshing. And the fact that these guys are surfers allows the reader some lighthearted shenanigans and perfect uncrowded surf stories while enjoying clear-cut descriptions of the local cuisine and falling bombs. Everything and almost everyone goes with the flow in this story. This book is light on drama. Well done.
Chas, as a writer, likes to make himself not just the narrator but one of the players in the story. He brings his own highly intelligent linguistic skills to the party and asks all the right questions and observes significant happenings. Under his impulsive, sometimes ‘silly,’ humoristic verbal reactions is a humble reality Chas has a tight hold on; Live like you only live once. Some say Chas is narcissistic, a fashionista, flippant about danger or mutual respect within his writings. I don’t see it in this book. I see a character who knows that how you look to others will determine first impressions. Middle Easterners respect good fitting jeans and high dollar sunglasses, much like Central Americans do. Believe it or not a ‘cool’ look can open doors, make friends, and help you look like you own the moment. Chas can certainly deflate or maybe inflate suspicion with his style and MO but never to the extreme. Chas can make someone laugh and feel comfortable with his great hair and sly charisma. And he writes good imprints of the other characters in his stories helping his reader understand that fear is only a topic if invited and nurtured.
All this is to say, this book is a great choice for a trip. It’s a fast and engaging read. It’ll take your mind off your own hustle and bustle and place it in another crazy zone located in one of the most dangerous places in the world right now, and you’ll laugh all the way. (And you’ll get a good history lesson to boot.)
5stars for a delightful telling of a could-of-gone-very-wrong surf adventure
This book has a serious side along with its lighter side. It’s full of Middle Eastern history from scholars who like the Middle East and are very comfortable in its culture. I find that refreshing. And the fact that these guys are surfers allows the reader some lighthearted shenanigans and perfect uncrowded surf stories while enjoying clear-cut descriptions of the local cuisine and falling bombs. Everything and almost everyone goes with the flow in this story. This book is light on drama. Well done.
Chas, as a writer, likes to make himself not just the narrator but one of the players in the story. He brings his own highly intelligent linguistic skills to the party and asks all the right questions and observes significant happenings. Under his impulsive, sometimes ‘silly,’ humoristic verbal reactions is a humble reality Chas has a tight hold on; Live like you only live once. Some say Chas is narcissistic, a fashionista, flippant about danger or mutual respect within his writings. I don’t see it in this book. I see a character who knows that how you look to others will determine first impressions. Middle Easterners respect good fitting jeans and high dollar sunglasses, much like Central Americans do. Believe it or not a ‘cool’ look can open doors, make friends, and help you look like you own the moment. Chas can certainly deflate or maybe inflate suspicion with his style and MO but never to the extreme. Chas can make someone laugh and feel comfortable with his great hair and sly charisma. And he writes good imprints of the other characters in his stories helping his reader understand that fear is only a topic if invited and nurtured.
All this is to say, this book is a great choice for a trip. It’s a fast and engaging read. It’ll take your mind off your own hustle and bustle and place it in another crazy zone located in one of the most dangerous places in the world right now, and you’ll laugh all the way. (And you’ll get a good history lesson to boot.)
5stars for a delightful telling of a could-of-gone-very-wrong surf adventure
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review