People and Society Books

The author deserves great praise for a very well written account on a subject often ignored by historians. The people of Sindh have been excellent traders for a few thousand years and the author has done well to describe the development of 2 Sindhi networks developed in the past couple hundred years.

I'd highly recommend this book (and not only because it covers the history of my ancestors).

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BY LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN

The Global World of the Indian Merchant 1750-1947: Traders of sind from bukhara to panama

By Claude Markovits, Cambridge, Price not mentioned

This is a book many of us have been waiting for. Periodic pronouncements have been made about the resilience and prescience of the Asian trader operating within and against the writ of the colonial economy of the 19th and 20th centuries. Along with these, the long debate on the world economy has sustained a level of interest and enquiry about the dynamics of non-European commercial activity in widely dispersed areas of the globe. Serious gaps and doubts have, however, remained and we are often left wondering, "Whose world economy was it anyway?" Was Asian enterprise a tedious aggregate of small, but countless, transactions indulged in by the colonial state with its own calculations and compulsions.

On the other hand, the visibility and movement of Indian merchant groups in the emerging global economy since the 19th century have invested the Asian experience with a certain significance, which, in turn, warrants a closer examination of the process, its antecedents and its projections. Claude Markovits's study attempts precisely to do all this and more, with the result that we have a narrative that is rich in detail, sensitive to the play of historical configurations and supported by a theoretical framework that is balanced and not overly ambitious. He focuses on two communities - the Shikarpuris and the Sindworkis, and through them proceeds to weave a story of dispersal and circulation, rather than that of a unitary diaspora with overarching Indian connotations.

Markovits argues that south Asian merchant movements were essentially temporary migrations and that the settlements, when these did occur, were largely involuntary. Nor did these correspond to any unitary category of caste, territory or religion and were in every sense the outgrowths of regional compulsions and local realities. The experience of the two communities chosen by Markovits, the Shikarpuris and Sindworkis, illustrates the juxtaposition of local processes with that of the global economy, where the activities of merchant groups took on a fuller meaning.

Obviously, such an approach is admissible when dealing with the operation of a colonial economy and not that of a national one, and it is no coincidence that the study should stop at 1947. Within this framework of local and global history, Markovits teases out a fascinating story of the merchant networks of Sind region, that has suffered an overdose of orientalizing descriptions. He also traces their emergence in the context of 18th century transition politics and their expansion in the high noon of British imperialism and Russian centralization. There is also the story of their spatial advance from Bukhara to Panama. The relocation of the south Asian merchant networks in the world economy in the 18th century is a well-established fact, even if its implications are not so well drawn out. The 18th century, in particular, is seen to have constituted a turning point in the positioning of the Asian merchants who suffered major reverses and in the process facilitated the marginalization of Asia in the newly emerging world economy centred firmly in Europe. The process of relocation was not coeval with that of decline and dislocation, and according to Markovits, it was marked by sharp regional and sub-regional variations.

Additionally, the establishment and workings of the colonial economy reared a sub-stratum of commercial functions and operations that were deftly handled and taken over by enterprising indigenous groups. It is within this context that Markovits positions his communities. He argues that far from operating in a residual space left open by the colonial dispensation, these merchant networks adapted successfully to a trading world dominated by European capital through a complex process of collaboration and conflict. The Shikarpuri and Sindworki networks developed under very different circumstances. The surge in Indo-Central Asian trade from the 1840s enabled the Shikarpuris to rework an existing network of caravan commerce and credit transactions under the dispensation of the Uzbeg khanates of central Asia. Meanwhile, the Sindworkis regrouped under the British dispensation and took advantage of the extension of the colonial economy from Bombay into Sind to operate a trade of truly global proportions. The Shikarpuri network was forced out of its base in Sind by changes that followed in the wake of colonial subjugation and changing configurations of commercial exchange. They exploited their old connections with central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan to emerge as principal moneylenders and traders, especially in the khanate of Bukhara. The details of the network have been deduced from a mass of legal material that the Russian authorities felt compelled to share with the British government in the eventuality of any death-related succession dispute involving a British Indian subject. One of the most striking features of the network to emerge from this legal discourse is the working of Shikarpuri panchayats in most localities of central Asia. The Sindworkis, on the other hand, were very much part of the colonial economy and began as modest peddlers of native crafts to a European clientele. This venture expanded substantially to include, in subsequent years, a wide range of curios that found their way into the European markets. Their initiative and intrepidity were quite remarkable. Consider the trader who protested against Australian immigration restrictions and flashed his credentials as a trader of repute who bought and sold exotic goods besides carving the occasional tortoise shell or setting a piece in jade. Curios became doubly important as the tourist traffic caught the fancy of European visitors, enabling a massive expansion of Sindhi enterprise on both sides of the Suez that soon turned to trade in textiles and financial speculation.

In all, this is a fascinating story of commercial dynamism. What makes the story even more fascinating is the exploration of the proclivity to spatial and social mobility among the networks. Caste did not play a central role in forging solidarities. The affinity seemed very much to lie with the region and with the ability to travel extensively and, in the process, ensure a circulation of skills and entrepreneurial labour.

Circulation however, remained confined to males, very rarely did wives accompany their partners. The absence of female company did not, however, deflect the passion for riches as merchants alternated between celibacy and permissiveness to balance the sexual economy of circulation.

i'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO THE HORMONE REPLACEMENT QUESITONS FOR A LONG TIME. THIS BOOK TELLS ME MORE THAN ANY DOCTOR I'VE BEEN TO AND HAS HELPED ME MAKE MY OWN MIND UP ABOUT THE RISKS AND BENEFITS. THIS IS REALLY WONDERFUL. EVERY WOMAN 45 AND ABOVE SHOULD BUY A COPY TODAY

Searching for answers about hormone replacement therapy, i.e. should I or shouldn't I, I came across this new book. It is absoulutely the best yet. It really answered all my questions. I now feel empowered to make my own decision. This book covers it all. Every woman should own it

It seems that a great number of architecture books of this type exist solely to promote the author's personal design philosophy. This book, however, is full of design guidelines based on feedback from residents of both public and private high-density housing. Many (if not most) of the guidelines could be applied to almost any housing type (from low-income public housing to high-end private developments.) At the very least, the book gets designers thinking about how people use and perceive the buildings in which they live.

This book is both a call for better designed medium density housing and a source book on how to achieve that end. The great thing about this book is that it provides simple design and layout advice for housing projects based on detailed research and post occupancy evaluations. This book sets out what works in housing design. I think every planner or designer should have this book close at hand.

A great read for my six and eight-year old grandsons and me. This biography briefly but clearly covered several areas of history: colonialism, slavery, scientific works of more than 200 years ago. It told of Banneker's many accomplishments,focusing mainly on his producing the first known almanac by an African-American and his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson over the unfairness of slavery in America. We learned what an almanac is and how important it was in colonial days. The book mentions how Banneker's grandmother, Molly, taught him to read and this led my grandsons and I to another biography, "Molly Bannaky", the story of Banneker's grandmother, written by Alice McGill. We had fun researching Banneker's family tree in this way. What I especially liked about the book was the quiet message I hope my grandsons grasped, that if you keep trying hard enough, you can accomplish many goals in your life and have a richer life for it.

. Why is there a DC high school named for Benjamin Banneker? If you read this book, you will find out that this local-boy-made-good was a free African-American tobacco farmer who was born and lived his entire life just outside of what is now known as Ellicott City, MD. He had an early interest in mathematics, science, and astronomy, and with a pocket knife and some other tools built one of the first clocks ever made in the 13 American colonies, out of wood. For this he became locally famous, and made friends with some of the younger members of the Ellicott family, who were Quakers, anti-slavery advocates, and owners of some mills in what was then known as Ellicott's Mills. They lent him some mathematics and astronomy texts, and eventually gave him a telescope. He taught himself a considerable amount of mathematical and observational astronomy, and eventually began, around the age of 60, to publish an almanac detailing the locations of the planets and the Moon for the coming year, as well as predicting eclipses and sunrises and sunsets - all based on laborious and lengthy calculations and diagrams that he made himself.

Eventually, he was tapped for an even greater role - he was hired to help Major Andrew Ellicott in the astronomical and chronometric portion of the most important surveying job of his day - laying out the 10 mile by 10 mile square that eventually became the District of Columbia.

This very well-researched book also helps lay to rest some of the myths about what Banneker did and did not do during his most unusual lifetime; unfortunately, many websites and books continue to propagate these myths, probably because those authors do not understand what Banneker actually accomplished. Many state, for example, that Banneker's clock was an exact copy of one he saw, which is not true -- he figured out the mathematics and physics on his own for a clock made out of wood, instead of trying simply to copy the small pocket watch that he was lent to observe. However remarkable this clock was, it was not the first clock made in America. Other sources continually repeat the myth that when Pierre l'Enfant was fired from the job of laying out the new Federal City, Benjamin Banneker recreated l'Enfant's plans from memory. Bedini lays this myth to rest and shows us that what Banneker actually did in terms of astronomical work was actually much more difficult -- in fact, it was in the league of the work done by Mechain and Delambre to measure the length of the meridian that passes through Dunkirk, Paris and Barcelona, with the purpose of defining the meter for all time. But that's another story -- but if you want to read about it, check out Ken Alder's The Measure of All Things: The Seven-Year Odyssey and Hidden Error that Transformed The World.

If you read this book, you will also see some facsimiles of his widely-known almanac, some of his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson where he vainly attempts to convince the future president that African Americans are just as smart as European Americans, photographs of some of the equipment that he used, and so on. Unfortunately, Banneker's house, and all of its contents (including the wooden clock and many of his astronomical workbooks) burned to the ground on the day of his funeral.

Now scattered in small communities in Northern Indiana, the Eastern Miami Indians have lived in undeserved obscurity since the 1840s. In 1791 Chief Little Turtle and the Miami inflicted the worst defeat ever of an American army by Indians. The Miami ceded most of Indiana in a series of treaties beginning after the War of 1812. Chief Richardville led Miami resistence to removal which finally took place in 1846. Half of the Miami tribe was exempted and many more returned from Kansas Territory to rebuild the home community. The Indiana Miami negotiated a new treaty in 1854 that guaranteed their way of life and slowly adapted to late 19th century American society. Hunting, fishing and casual labor continued as they had in the past, while some children were sent to far off federal Indian schools. Others began working for the many circuses that wintered in Peru, Indiana, beginning in the 1880s. Legal tragedy struck the tribe in 1897 when their treaty rights were abruptly terminated. Their effort to regain status under federal Indian law has involved them intimately in twentieth-century American Indian history. In recent years, the Indiana Miami have become more visible as they have again sought restoration of their treaty rights and have revitalized their culture. The first history of the Eastern Miami tribe, this volume is a fascinating combination of social, legal, and economic history, much enhanced by folklore and a rich series of maps and photographic images.

Stewart Rafert is adjunct professor of history at the University of Delaware.

This book held my attention as it took me on a fascinating journey, I recommend this book to every american, it is a incredible insight in history.

Ms. Nebitt has captured the wonder of the Amazon and how its people live in a marvelous narrative from a child's point of view. Her captivating book is a must-read. Visit the wonderful Amazon Rising exhibit Ms. Nesbitt was instrumental in creating at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. I hope this young woman will continue to write. Bravo!

This book was produced to go along with the Shedd's amazing new Amazon Rising: Seasons of the River walk-through exhibit detailing a year on the Amazon floodplain - a must see. My Amazon River Day gives readers a treasured insight into the life of Peruvian riberenos - "people who live near the river."

Told from the perspective of 10-year old Patricia, it follows her day - dawn to dusk - living near the Amazon River where seasons are marked not by changes in temperature, but by the changes in the river level.

Edward G. Lines Jr.'s abundant, rich photographs capture life from every angle. Kris Nesbitt's engaging text captivates the reader's attention, being neither too detailed for children, nor overly-simplistic for adults. It answers many questions children and even adults would have about river life: How do they use the water for drinking, bathing, transportation? What are their houses like? What chores do the children have? What is school like for them? How do they play with friends, relax with family? What foods do they eat?

My Amazon River Day includes an abundance of information (how do they deal with those pesky mosquitos?) without diving into more serious issues, such as poverty. But most importantly, it teaches a lesson we as parents all hope to pass on - that people all over the world share many similarities, but are beautifully different.

Both my 9 year old daughter AND I loved this book. This is a wonderful story, appropriate for all ages. It is a story of healing, understanding, and of course CROCHET! If you are a crocheter, give it to the person who taught you how to crochet - she can be your "Irene" as in the book. Highly Recommended - it is quick and easy reading, too.

Any one who is -- or is related to -- a Holocaust survivor, any crocheter, anyone who has lost family treasures: all will regain perspective, hope and insight from this inspiring, healing story. Faye, any chance Mia would share the pattern?

i know harry davis personally, and he is definitely an incredible man, along with his dear wife charlotte (who has passed on). This book is a wonderful read, and details the struggles of a black youth growing up in the early 20th century, along with talking about harry's dedication to the civil rights struggles in the 60's and 70's. A great book!

UPDATE: 8/11/06 - Harry Davis passed away today. We'll miss you Harry. Please read this book and learn about an exceptional man, and how one person can make a difference.

Overcoming: The Autobiography Of W. Harry Davis is the autobiographical story of a remarkable African-American man who helped to shape civil-rights history in the United States. Exploring Davis' life as one of the first black executives in a major Twin Cities corporation, one of the principle leaders of a historic church merger, the founder of a bank, a member of the U.S. Olympic boxing committee, and the first black mayoral candidate to campaign in the Twin Cities, Overcoming is as much a testimony to the results of dedication, perseverance, and hope, as it is the remarkable life story of an impressive and dedicated man within the context of his life and times. Overcoming is an especially welcome and highly recommended addition to Black Studies biographical reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

In "People in Quandaries," the speech pathologist Wendell Johnson describes the causes and effects of the IFD cycle. In this series of reactions, I, unrealistic expectations and ideals, lead to F, frustrations, which discourage us, and may delude us with even less realistic expectations or ideal; the IFD can quickly become viciously circular.

Probably the IFD cycle affects almost everyone to some degree: who doesn't have some ultimately frustrating expectations? But instead of letting our frustrations discourage or delude us, we can and should learn from them; some mistakes may prove worth making for the sake of the discoveries they lead to.

"People in Quandaries" includes some semantic exercises with which we can learn how to learn; by recognizing the limitations of our expectations and language, we can learn to see beyond them.

In People in Quandaries, Wendell Johnson presents Korzybski's system of general semantics in an engaging and easily followed way. He takes a step by step approach to explaining the formulations so that someone with no prior knowledge of the system can understand it. Johnson concentrates on applying the system to solving personal problems, and has produced one of the best 'self help' books ever written.

What's the difference between owning a painting and a pet? Legal and social issues involved in pet ownership are treated to a scholarly discourse debating philosophical ideas involved in pet ownership in People, Property Or Pets? Essays come from lawyers, scientists, psychologists and students alike, examining legal guardianship, property status, and animal rights.

this book offers a refreshing and unique set of essays written by Harvard students, and reflected on by true experts. I found the arguments riveting--they pushed me to contemplate the status of animals in our society from the perspective of law, biochemistry, philosophy and even veterinary medicine. a recommended read for anyone wishing to challenge their intellectual understanding of the human world's interaction with our fellow species.