Eastern University Books

This is both a superb work of scholarship and fieldwork, and a beautiful account of how dreaming can help us to find our way through the jungles of life, and to bring through healing - above all, the recovery of lost soul energy. I hope it will find a much broader audience, because it is not only brilliant and scrupulous ethnography, but a treasure-trove of indigenous wisdom on healing body and spirit.

Books that cover the military history of irregular warfare campaigns are plentiful. Most will provide great insight or not so great insight into tactics and military strategies for counterinsurgency. Very few seem to take a more holistic approach to discuss the grand strategy of a campaign at the political, social, and military level combined. This broader view is more helpful to citizens and political leadership than are the microcosm of only the military aspects. Counterinsurgency is more often a political and social problem fed by political or social injustices that serve to promote insurgent support in the form of material supply and fresh recruits. The absence of good texts providing case studies has doomed us to repeat the same learning process in each new conflict. Hearts and Minds in Guerrilla Warfare is a classic case study of the 1948-1960 Malayan Emergency which provides the broader view needed in all aspects of a counterinsurgency grand strategy. We would do well to return to it as a study in one success story and what was learned from that experience. It would also serve well as a model for more studies of its kind.

Hearts and Minds begins with a study of how the communist insurgency sprang from the insecurities and uncertainties of a near anarchy at the sudden end of Japanese dominance in the area after the second world war. It demonstrates how lawlessness creates a vacuum that charismatic guerrilla leaders can fill with their own brand of security. The book covers various phases in the conflict from the inception and growth of the insurgent forces through outside influences out of the control of the local authorities such as the economic boom of the Korean war period. It also covers the policies that led to failures and even fed the rebellion in the early stages then picks up on key points of the philosophy that led to the eventual defeat of the guerrilla forces. It is a study of the conflict that gave rise to the "hearts and minds" philosophy talked about so often with regard to counterinsurgency and provides us with a success we can study for key elements that provided that success.

This is a very well-written work that provides the political and social backgrounds to the conflict without overpowering the reader with the multitude of acronyms and abbreviations of the political movements and parties involved. Other books have focused on the military aspects or political aspects of this and other conflicts. This book covers a wider, more meaningful view of the political, social, and military aspects that can be considered in how we approach similar conflicts. It is an important work that can provide great insight to political and military leadership in current and future conflicts. Very highly recommended.

Guangzhou, or Canton as it has been called for centuries, suffers in the popularity race that favors Western language books about Shanghai and Beijing. Ms. Garrett has addressed this shortcoming in her book Heaven is High and the Emperor Far Away. The book presents a historical and cultural overview of a city that has been at the cross roads of trade, commerce and diplomacy between the Middle Kingdom and the outside world since the Han dynasty. Her book brings to life the flavour of Old Canton as an outpost for European traders from the era of the Co-hong trade to the "Canton Trade Fairs" of the People's Republic. In the course of her book, Ms. Garrett provides us with many insightful glimpses into the prior identity of neighborhoods, temples and streets of Guangzhou. It is both useful for the armchair reader and the urban explorer who wants to experience more deeply a city typically slighted in most guide books. The book is lavishly illustrated and is a valuable addition to anyone's library about Old China.

If you are studying Byzantine iconography, you must have this book or at least read it. It consists of a number of articles by experts in the field, who are writing about the subject from various points of views - icons in connection to Byzantine (Christian Orthodox) theology, Byzantine liturgy, architecture, manuscript illumination, society in general.
The book that I ordered from Amazon came in the perfect shape, completely new and shiny. Furthermore, it arrived even before I expected it. All in all, the service was without a spot.

The Herbaceous Layer in Forests of Eastern North America is an invaluable reference tool for those interested in studying forest ecology. The editors have assembled an impressive group of scientists who weigh-in on current issues related to the herbaceous layer of eastern forests. Subjects include nutrient cycling, ecophysiology, composition, interaction with overstory, temporal and spatial dynamics, disturbance, invasion, and more. This is a text that has been long-needed, and includes numerous references that will be helpful for graduate and undergraduate students alike. My doctoral research work has been significantly enhanced and influenced by reading the chapters presented in this book. The ecologic importance of the diverse and multi-functional forest plant layer cannot be overstated. The editors have done justice to the formerly-known "step-over" plants, revealing their significant and intrinsic link within a comprehensive definition of forest ecology. Every college and university library should have at least one copy of this book, and every student of forestry would benefit from keeping this book handy.

This beautifully written book covers three heroes from the period before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The author uses these heroes to explore the cultural roots of the violence and turbulence in Afghanistan today.

Though the book was written before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S., it sheds light on the culture of Afghanistan and gave me lots of ideas about why the Taliban continues to shelter Osama bin Laden. Also, the "moral incoherence" that the author finds in Afghanistan is important--U.S. aid and withdrawal are important aspects of why Afghanistan is in the state it is in now, but by no means the only source.

Compiled and organized by Pratapaditya Pal, Himalayas: An Aesthetic Adventure is a stunning artbook quality collection of sculptures, illuminated pages, pigment on cotton artworks, and more -- all skillfully crafted across centuries of Himalayan history. Full-color photography and an extensive, scholarly text filled the pages of Himalayas: An Aesthetic Adventure with history, anecdotes, and insights to create a seminal and impressive work which is very highly recommended for Art History collections and enthusiasts.

"Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects" covers the macro historical, social, religious, and political highlights in Kashmir from about 1840 to 1950. It is a fascinating view into a world far distant but fearfully close as two modern nuclear armed adversaries seek domination over the mystical lands of Kashmir. This is a book of essential preliminary understandings to the current situation in the region and of the volumes I have encountered is the best. I hope the author contemplates another book dealing with the post 1947 era. For those seeking recent political happenings, I suggest "Kashmir" by Sumantra Bose.

This is the best academic intro to Hinduism available. Highly recommended for undergraduate classes

A great and unforgettable book. Richard H. Minear has translated three great "witnesses" (and survivors) of Hiroshima: Hara Tamiki, Ota Yoko, Toge Sankichi. Everything is very important and useful in this book: introductions, notes, maps, pictures, glossary, Minear added a note and about Maruki Iri and Maruki Toshi, two famous painters of Hiroshima.