Asia Books

As a history buff, I read a great deal about wars. I had read articles on the bombing but this book is full of actual victim's stories. Whether you agree with the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is not really relavent. What is the important message here? Simply, man's inhumanity to man. It happens in all wars by all nations. Will we ever learn?

I bought this book while visiting Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, in November 1998. Even if I had not been to this incredible place, this book alone would have affected me greatly. The accounts are brief and striking. My heart ached for the children, whether they were the Hibakusha (Bomb Survivors)telling the story as an adult, or whether they were describing a horrific scene involving these innocents. This isn't a dry historical account with scientific information and political overview. It is a recollection of activities, emotions, and devastation experienced by real people on and since August 6, 1945. I wish there were more books along this line, written as well as this one.

Hibakusha's age(the survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where is only city fell atomic bombs in the world) is getting to be older recently. Their age will be over 70 years old in many cases. At the same time, the young people in Japan who don't know about Genbaku in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at that time well is increasing. That will be uneasy truth for the mean that the fear of atomic bombs disappear. But when August comes in Japan, many Japanese remember about atomic bombs in H and N (Hiroshima and Nagasaki), why? Because the atomic bombs fell down in August 1945.

Even now, in Japan at August many TV programs are broadcasted. The deads were over 100000 in Hiroshima, 70000 in Nagasaki. People over 95% that lived inner 1km from the center where the bomb fell were killed immediately and some people that lived inner 2km had heavy skim burn in their all body. The fear of atomic bomb is not always only the number of the victim. The burn is never the same of the bomb victim in ordinary mean, that is, because when the atomic bombs exploded the temperature was over 3000, they had heavy skin burn over our imagination. In addition to that, their scars never disappeared till their death, called Keroido, for the heat ray made when the bomb exploded included radiation. Their radiation destroyed their skin cells. The burn never disappeared till their death. Off course, that meant that the burn was fatal mental point for young girls who spent fresh daily life in those days. Can you imagine about the girl's despair and agony that dared to choose the suicide killing for the cruel daily lifes after they injured heavy burn on all the body? I never have the thinking that I want to blame for American by explaining and expressing such cruel things. Certainly, the atomic bombs might be good choice for finishing WW2, however the weapon has dreadful factors over our imagination like I have written already.

If you have the chance that you go to Japan, I recommend going to Hiroshima at any cost, going to many Genbaku bomb memorial place, especially to Genbaku Peace Memorial Museum. Apart from the factor whether county have the responsibility of the war, by watching the cruel photograph or the clothes that they put on those days, you must feel a kind of shock absolutely, may feel a kind of the sympathy for them at that time, or may feel the anger for the war. And in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is the event of Hibakutaiken Dan, the act that Hibakusya (the survivors of H and N) tell about the peace by talking the dreadful scenes to travelers. I recommend that you listen to their talk when you go to Hiroshima or Nagasaki. There are the talkers who can tell with easy English for them, too.

I pray that all the atomic weapons on earth disappeared as Japanese, the first and last atomic victim county.

Thank you for reading poor English till last sentence.

When John Knight's father accepts a magistrate's job in British-controlled India, John is sure that India is the most exciting place he has ever been! John and his mother meet Amy Carmichael, a missionary who works to save Indian girls from child marriage, or worse fates. When a young girl named Jewel comes to Miss Carmichael pleading for refuge, John and his mother become deeply involved in her life. As magistrate, John's father is forced to uphold the Indian law requiring Jewel to marry her greedy uncle. John is torn between obedience to his father and compassion for Jewel. What he decides to do affects many people. Don't miss out on this book!

We are two girls from fith grade.
When Johns father accepts to go to India for junior magistrate John and his mother know that their is a lot to explore.When they meet Miss.Carmichel she invites Johns mother to Dohnavur fellowship. Then they meet an Indian girl who her uncle is trying to arrange a child marriage for her. A few months later Miss Carmichel went to court to try to get custody of Jewel. Miss Carmichel was forced to let Jewel to go back to her uncle so she could get married. So John took Jewel to safety so she didn't have to get married. From then a man took her to China so she could be safe.
This book was awesome! We think it needs five stars for having excitement and action.

When John Knight's father accepts a magistrate's job in British-controlled India, John is sure that India is the most exciting place he has ever been! John and his mother meet Amy Carmichael, a missionary who works to save Indian girls from child marriage, or worse fates. When a young girl named Jewel comes to Miss Carmichael pleading for refuge, John and his mother become deeply involved in her life. As magistrate, John's father is forced to uphold the Indian law requiring Jewel to marry her greedy uncle. John is torn between obedience to his father and compassion for Jewel. What he decides to do affects many people. Don't miss out on this book!

Loved the selection and quality of the prints. Great as a gift to someone who is interested in the subject

There are too few book editions of the print series of Hiroshige. There are a few books featuring his "100 Views of Edo" such as the excellent one by Uspensky which I own; a smallish paperback version of the first edition of "53 Stations of the Tokaido" by Muneshige Narazaki; and a book featuring his early bird and flower prints. This book by Marije Jansen is a fine and welcome addition to the few books we have.
The book illustrates Hiroshige's "Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue", "The Famous Views of Sixty-odd Provinces", meaning "more than sixty provinces". The prints featured are from the first edition set owned by Professor Gerhard Pulverer, and were once owned by Frank Lloyd Wright. The introduction features the ubiquitous biography of Hiroshige, followed by an overview of his well known landscape series, an overview of the Provinces series illustrated, a discussion of the format used, later editions of the series, and an explanation regarding the Pulverer prints.
After the introduction, there is a map of Japan showing the locations of every print in the series. The map, and the accompanying key on the opposite page, show that the prints were arranged geographically.
The main body of the book has explanatory text and images on the left hand pages, with a full page print from the series on the right. There are 70 prints. These include the table of contents print, 68 prints of the Provinces, and a print of the capital Edo (#17).
The author gives a brief explanation of each print and what it depicts. A great deal of research has been done on the historical, artistic, and literary background of each scene.
In the upper left of the text page there is factual information on the date, the censors, the block-cutter, and the publisher. The location of the various seals is explained for every print. At the bottom of every text page is a smaller version of the print keyed to a description of how later editions degraded in quality. These include things like poorer colors, missing colors, loss of wood grain, etc. There are usually 10-12 items described per print. This is invaluable for collectors and artists studying wood block printing.
Unlike his prints of the Edo and Fuji environs, and his Tokaido series, Hiroshige did not visit all the locations shown. He was one of the first Japanese landscape artists who actually did make prints from sketches of places he actually visited. It was customary for artists to use the sketches or verbal descriptions of others to make prints, and many of the prints in this series were taken from the guidebook "Sansui Kikan" by Fuchigami Kyokko (26 of the prints), as well as other sources. The prints are wonderful however.
The images are large and beautiful, and this book will give you many hours of enjoyment. You'll want to look through the prints again and again. I know I do.

the book is totally wonderful! completely met my expectations. i couldn"t be happier with it or the service.

A beautiful book: the colors sing. This is joyful, breathtaking, work from one of the world's true artists, of any period. A wonderful gift.

This is simply one of the most beautiful books ever published (on any subject)!!! Hiroshige has collected some of the most attractive Japanese color prints ever created, replete with Japanese poetry and translations. I literally could not put this book down -- I also gasped in awe several times. Braziller has done a wonderful job -- the book is coffee table sized and is bound with quality and workmanship. This is a class act in all regards. Some might balk at the price tag, but believe me it is well worth it!

... coupled with a large format and excellent translations, makes this the single most important volume for lovers of Hiroshige, and especially for those fond of his kacho-ga (birds and flowers). This is not just another art book. You won't understand until you see it. And you must see it.

An essential feature of any historical work is the selection ofsources one wishes to present as an argument. The role of memory and access to history, that is public access to 'other' histories, is an area of much contention in the contemporary world. What I most enjoyed about this book is the authors have not shied away from commenting on earlier critiques of the proposed Smithsonian display, involving the restored fuselage of the Enola Gay. What was shameful about the ensuing debacle, I believe, was the attempt to discredit the further development of an alternate memory given 50 years had passed since the atomisation of Hiroshima. After all, was it not possible to show an American and Japanese view of the closing months of the Pacific War, regardless of who the victor was? It is critical to understand that Australians, let alone Japanese, cut a different slant on the way we interpret history, particularly that of Pacific War history. I believe we are richer for the experience.

But, of course, an alternate memory has developed, yet it is often dismissed by the euphemistic expression, 'historical revisionism'. This appears to be some sort of code for 'this sort of history is not acceptable to the conservative elements in contemporary American society, certainly much less to those who actually witnessed combat in the Pacific'. By virtue of fact, it has no legitimate place among orthodox histories. All history is subject to revision, for the simple reason new facts become available and each generation chooses to impose it's own standards. This is certainly the case with Hiroshima. But this shouldn't be construed as 'wrong' or a 'threat', rather it adds to the debate and formation of ideas which underpin the importance of Hiroshima and historiography. Context retains an essential place.

However, for those of you interested in the importance of historicity, of debate, and value the idea of an education as opposed to acccess to information, I cannot recommend this book enough. It has it all. Needless to say Hiroshima touches a raw nerve both in Japan and America. It also has much currency in Australia. So I do not in any way set out to discredit the efforts of those men and women who gave their services to the state during WW2. I do, however, recommend that prospective readers keep an open mind and try avoid getting caught up in the limited rhetoric of the conservative right and the emotional left.

The bombing of Hiroshima was one of many horrific events that occurred in World War II and in human history. World War II was a pivotal time, and only in the present are we able to look back and reflect on the event with a critical eye. Michael J. Hogan's HIROSHIMA IN HISTORY AND MEMORY provides a collection of essays by cultural and diplomatic historians who analyzed the bombing of Hiroshima based on unclassified documents and past commentary that emphasized the how and why the bomb was dropped. Although this historiographical collection is considered revisionist scholarship, it is by all means essential in order to understand the complicated decision that President Truman had to make in dropping the bomb, and the effects it has had decades after.

Several essays reflect on how the bombing has affected commemoration of the event. Without a clear understanding of Hiroshima from both Americans and Japanese, one cannot equally or fully commemorate or represent the bombing of Hiroshima. The essays in HIROSHIMA AND HISTORY AND MEMORY attempts to present the facts within each essay, and each historian, such as J. Samuel Walker, John W. Dower, Barton J. Bernstein, and a host of others emphasize that the decision to drop the bomb and end the war did not only involve justifying saving military casualties, but the fear of an imminent power on the rise -- the Soviet Union (despite their position as an allie at the time, their possible invasion would have helped the Japanese surrender).

HIROSHIMA IN HISTORY AND MEMORY examines basic history as it pertains to the bombing of Hiroshima. The essays are readable and understandable. The events that occurred in August 1945 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are two major historical events that continue to be a discussion of debate.

as far as hiroshima books go. this was the best one i found. i was writting a piece of history coursework on this travesty and this book not only gave me historians views but in the essays they mentioned other historians and their views!! it looked at this event from many different angles and managed to be interesting, factual and collectively unbiased throughout. very thought provoking.

I have owned the first edition for over 22 years now. It is the most used volume in my personal library during the last two decades. So comprehensive, so well designed.

At the book's price, it is designed for academic reference but for any reader seriously interested in South Asia it contains a lifetime's worth of historical information. Dynasties, monuments, sacred sites, princely states, battles, invasions, photos of sculpture and archaeological finds, etc. One of the most continually fascinating books I've ever seen.

I bought an early edition of this book, and it has been with me constantly. It remains one of the few indispensable works on South Asia, a truly unique one-volume resource. Many developments in South Asia have their roots in the recent and not so recent past, this provides as good a base to work from as anything I have ever come across. The price of the reprint (assuming the quality of the plates is as good as the original) is inexpensive, even for an individual, given the comprehensive scope of the Atlas.

Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan gives a panoramic view of Turkmenistan's past and kaleidoscopic vista of its present. It provides valuable information on important personalities, dynasties, institutions and events. It also gives a clear perception of the Turkmenistan culture, economy, geography and politics. The introduction, chronology and bibliography of selected publications on Turkmen state and society will definitely help researchers, students and general-public.

While other Central Asian countries opened themselves to the world with the end of the Cold War - and the War on Terror even brought them to the center of international attention - in many respects Turkmenistan still remains the terra incognita. Abazov's Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan starts unleashing the country's mystery and potential.

Trained as historian in the Soviet universities and with solid exposure to Western scholarly methods, Dr. Abazov brings best of the two worlds to this concise yet comprehensive volume. Beyond the dictionary's 300+ entries is the portrait of vibrant society, which - due to a combination of internal weaknesses and external rivalries - felt victim of tyranny and international neglect. Very informative and equally well written are historical entries covering various (pre-Russian, Russian & Soviet, and present) periods of Turkmenistan's history. It helps that the dictionary is accompanied by detailed chronology of events in the country's history, as well very useful reader's notes.

One could argue about the choice of extensive biographical entries of the appointed officials of today, while omitting or offering scant references about individuals, whose lifetime contributions to Turkmen culture and society are much better known and proven. Among the latter is the preeminent duo of Kayghisiz Atabaev and Nedirbay Aytakov, who have led Turkmenistan's political consolidation, as well as Shaja Batyrov and Balysh Ovezov - the `architects' of the country's industrial modernization. Just as transformative were contributions to the Turkmen culture by such larger than life figures as composer Veli Muhatov, artist Izzat Klychev, film producer Alty Karliev, writer Kerim Kurbannepesov and many others.

Nevertheless, Dr. Abazov deserves full credit for embarking on and successfully completing such challenging scholarly mission. As the West have learned the hard way not to discount strategic importance of even the farthest and most obscure nations, his dictionary is a must-have reference for anyone interested not only in the region, but in the history to come.

I highly recommend this first historical dictionary available in English, on Turkmenistan. This dictionary offers a concise overview of the Turkmen history, including an impressive chronology of its major political, social, historical and cultural events. The book is a must read for students interested in Turkmenistan and Central Asia, researchers and development practitioners that are planning to go to this country. The book also contains a wealth of statistical data on Turkmenistan, and the most comprehensive bibliography available on this country. I highly commend Prof. Abazov's book for his pioneering contribution to development of the Eurasian studies.

A surprisingly well-written and comprehensive look at religion in Japan, suitable for both specialists and non-specialists. The narrative is extremely well-organized and easy to follow.

Some reviewers have mentioned that the book has far more pages on Buddhism than Shinto. However, that does NOT mean that Shinto is given short-shrift or that readers will not receive here an excellent history of that faith- it is just that the Buddhist sections are truly comprehensive.

Chapters on Japan's much overlooked "third faith"- Shugendo- are also thorough and intriguing.

Possibly the main strength of this book is its compassion and balance. It treats Buddhism, Shinto, Shugendo, and Christianity in a way that could offend none of them. More pages on Buddhism do not entail a pro-Buddhist slant to this book. In fact, some of the comments about the corruption of Buddhism during the Edo period are extremely biting.

By the end of A History of Japanese Religion, one cannot but dwell upon the unstated and obvious fact that after 60 years of prostletizing, tens of thousands of missionary visits, millions of dollars of donations, and official government support after World War II, Chistianity has made little or no impact on the country, with less than one half of one percent of the country, for example, describing themselves as "protestant". Astounding. There are far more members in obscure Shinto cults, such as Tenrikyo. There's a thesis in there somewhere...

If you are seeking to understand the complex history of Eastern religion this book is a godsend. In clear, concise and readable prose, it lays out the development of religion in Japan from its prehistory to the present. It includes detailed descriptions of the major Buddhist and Shinto sects including biographies of their founders and major figures, as well as the history of Christianity in Japan and the development of various other "new religions" in more recent times.

The book begins with a preface and introduction which paint the history of Japanese religion in broad strokes. A chapter devoted to the development of religion to the Nara period (began c. 500 AD) is followed by a discussion of the early development of Mahayana buddhism. The Tendai and Shingon sects receive special attention as does the development of Pure Land Buddhism. The Kannon, Miroku and Jizo buddhist cults are discussed as is early Shinto and its relationship to Buddhism. Buddhist development in the Kamakura period, especially the Pure Land sects of Jodo, Jodo Shin and Ji are covered next, along with the Rinzai and Soto schools of Zen and the Nechiren Lotus Sutra Buddhists. Developments in Shinto and Shugendo (a mountain-based ascetic movement) are discussed as are changes in the major sects under the Shogunate. The early history of Christianity in Japan is well treated and, from a Western perspective, is fascinating. The process whereby Buddhism became the dominant religion under the Shoguns only to be superceded by Nationalistic Shintoism in the Meijan period is likewise interesting. Finally, the development of myriad cults and the splintering of older established religions following the world war and the changes in religious thought up to the present make for interesting comparisons with the changes in religious thought in the West.

The book, by a panel of Japanese scholars, was part of a series written originally in Japanese, on the religions of the world. The translation is very readable and the text hangs together remarkably well for something written by a panel of experts. There is occasional redundancy between sections and even through the translation one can hear different voices speaking at different times. The level of detail will satisfy most in the West, although scholars of particular eras or faiths may find it too general. The book is a history of religion and as such is not really a history of religious ideas. I occasionally wished for more discussion of the philosophical and theological notions underlying the historical actions and developments. The book is supplied with an excellent set of maps but would be improved in my opinion, by the addition of some illustrations. That said this is possibly one of the best books on Eastern Religion I have read in some time.

This is a terrific book. Primarily from a Buddhist prospective, this book provides an excellent overview of Japanese religion. It is up to date and will serve as an excellent basis for more in depth study.

I read an old edition of this years ago. It's nice now to have my own copy.

I wish this book will soon available in your bookshelves coz I really look for this book for ages and none bookstores yet sell the books. I've read some about Thomas Stamford Raffles and really adore the way he rules, and how he could be a Governor General in Java while he was still young, a great leader should not always come from a noble family! I have similarities to his life story.

It is doubtful that any contemporary official could write such an elegant and comprehensive work. Raffles not only left his post as Governor of Java, with the routine reports, but an analysis of the culture and languages. In his dedication to the Prince Regent he stated: "To uphold the weak, to put down lawless force, to lighten the chain of the slave, to sustain the honour of the British arms and British good faith; to promote the arts, sciences and literature, to establish humane institutions, are duties of government... I have had the honour, as a servant of the East India Company, to preside over a mild and simple people ... and by doing everything in my power to make them happy."
This is an artifact of the British Empire at its finest.

I first noticed Christian Brechneff's work in a recent edition of Travel and Leisure magazine. His illustartions of the buildings and landscapes of India's far north were so wonderful that I bought a copy of his book Homage. I have to say that I wish that I had known about the book when it was first published. His watercolors, pin & ink drawings and pastels, which are beautifully reproduced in the book, evoke a sense of space, form and color better than any I've seen in a long time. Each is truly a joy to study. For anyone who has recently returned from a trip to India or the far east this book should bring back many memories of their trip. For anyone contemplating a trip to those regions, this book could serve as a guide to places to see and help to prepare the eye for the colors, shapes and vistas they will encouner on their trip. For everyone else, just enjoying the sense of place these illustrations conjur up should be reward enoungh.

Homage: Encounters with the East
During many years on the faculty of a school of design I have seen numerous books of architectural drawings. HOMAGE: Encounters with The East, is in a class its own. It brings precision and verve to some of the world's most intricate (and difficult to depict) architecture and succeeds in creating an exceptional sense of presence. Mr. Brechneff has a broad talent, equally adept at bringing a delcate filigree to life on one page and the majesty of a surise on the Himalayas on the next. An evocative and altogether charming book, beautifully presented, with an enlightening preface, foreword and introductory notes by the artist. Highly recommended.

This book in unlike any other art book I have ever purchased. Brechneff's intricate drawings are breathtaking and full of life. I traveled through India/Kashmir in 1965, and I must say that Homage transported me back in time! My favorite painting is The Palace of The Winds at Jodphur, it is stunning!The paintings of Burma, Cambodia, and Laos are also incredible; I traveled through those regions in the late 70's. The book is just beautiful. I keep Homage on my coffee table and many of my friends have looked through it and said they loved the book as well. The book also comes with an orange ribbon marker with tiny golden bells, which is a great touch. I highly recommend this book to art-lovers and wanderlusts!