AUTHOR'S HAD first encounter with the DICTATOR in 1980s as an EXXON executive. Gadaffi had literally gatecrashed and took over the Brega private club for Exxon families, with his bodyguard's battalion of troops and armory. Gopal was terrified when he was brought to the dictator with gun inches from his neck. That was the start of a relationship over the remaining 4 years-one which the author says developed into a sort of friendship which led to his addressing the leader as "M.G" and being called "M.G." in return. As Go Pal explains, "G," was daringly devilish, unstoppable despot, who was lucky to escape death and defeat on several occasions. He became gutsy and more like a thug on the international scenes, and misused the country's super oil wealth for supporting espionage and counter-espionage." The publication provides a rare insight into Moammar Gaddifi, the man - lonely and yearning for recognition and respect while under the constant danger of being taken out and done away with. One of the interesting aspects of Go Pal's book is his coverage of Libya's history. He looks back to the 1910s, describing Omar Mukhtar, as the father of the nation and the "miracle lion of the desert" who fought against Mussolini's might, with meager resources and was finally hanged defending the nation he loved. The Turks and their Libyan allies withdrew to the countryside instead of surrendering, while the Italians bombarded the city for three days. They subsequently proclaimed the Tripolitanians to be "committed and strongly bound to Italy." This marked the beginning of a series of battles between the Italian colonial forces and the Libyan armed opposition under Omar Mukhtar A teacher of the Qur'an by profession, Mukhtar was also skilled in the strategies and tactics of desert warfare. He knew local geography well and used that knowledge to advantage in battles against the Italians, who were unaccustomed to desert warfare. Mukhtar repeatedly led his small, highly alert groups in successful attacks against the Italians, after which they would fade back into the desert terrain at lightening speed Mukhtar's men skillfully attacked outposts, ambushed troops, and cut lines of supply and communications. The Italian army was left astonished and embarrassed by his guerrilla tactics. GADDAFI was a Gardner who never watered his plants. He assumed he owned Libya and its entire people, personally and they respected him as their livelihood was in his two hands. In turn all he wanted was that they pump their fists in the air in synch with his. He purposely kept his people away from schools and Postgraduate research labs, which were better equipped than any in the West (including the top of the line TELESCOPE.) "Believe it or not, this book is not a narrative, nor an atlas, a single story, or only an account of one person, but covers an incredibly wide range of mind illuminating, soul stirring and politically sensitive topics." "Gaddafi Up-Close,"covers the eccentric and flamboyant dictator, the colorful history of Libya itself, it's people and it's world relationship.The outpouring of the ARAB SPRING from Egypt to LIBYA, inspired Go Pal to write this timely, topical, and trendy book. It covers Gaddafi's 42 years of rule till the last eight days before his capture and brutal assassination and sodomy. Moti. L. Kashyap MD, at the University of California in Irvine wrote: "A remarkable memoir by an Indian American writer who has captured through his life, a multidimensional slice of the twentieth century starting with pre-partition India and ending in the current decade. It is a fascinating story of a many-faceted well traveled man. A brilliant engineer by training, an artist, political analyst, and economist, Philosopher, historian, entrepreneur and family man. Chapters are filled with vivid commentaries and meetings with internationally renowned politicians and celebrities. Fantastic reading " Sidney Poitier, filled blessings in the books he