Asia Books

Both a seer and an artist, Bruce Luther's Elements Of Creation is a fascinating and engaging autobiographical memoir, presenting a journey of circles -- of his discovering the cycles that embody life, space, time, thought, and death. Seemingly conflicting choices beckon at every turn, testing the human ability to remember the right path. A soulful and moving metaphysical presentation of the author's own life, Elements Of Creation is highly recommended, challenging, insightful reading.

In his autobiographical page-turner, Elements of Creation, Author and seeker Bruce Luther offers a tale of discovery that kept this reviewer revitted. That discovery occurred in India...and it forever changed his life.

Bruce Luther found the circle of life, the body in time. He writes, "The body is a vehicle for an awareness in which to experience reality. The body shifts space and time and moves it so that the awareness has a vehicle in which to see materiality. Just like the water passing by the hull of the boat, as one we pass through this awareness, the contact we make with reality has a startling impact on our direction."

Elements of Creation takes the reader, as it did the author, in and out of time cycles...sometimes into the past, and sometimes into the future. They can reveal "...every experience we have had and those yet to come." Like watching a motion picture, awareness of choices unreel exposing selections "...made from our core being, before we take a body." And so we learn that the circle of life is not life and death, but a test of our ability to remember our way."

Bruce Luther is a seer and painter. Elements of Creation is his canvas and the reader finds his words are bright splashes of color representing images he's seen since childhood. His journey into the circle dance unveiled the validation of his direction. Elements of Creation will hold you, shock you, awaken you and rid you of the beast that blocks your way to attainment!

Elements of Creation is a transformative book presenting the idea that your life is not your body, your experiences, or even an apparition. While reading this reviewer was nudged into a state of introspective meditation with a burning question-what is true reality?
The author is initiated into The Circle Dance and encounters The Beast while traveling in India with a companion. During the trip Luther discovered a mind-bending new reality about life, our body, and the concept of time and space.
With postulations such as, 'Death is a symptom of paying too much attention to time,' Reader, fasten your seat belt. It's a brilliant work, and an exciting, wondrous trip!

This book about a little boy who befriends the grouchy imperial elephant is one of the best children's stories I have ever read. The story line is simple, yet conveys a lot of messages, i.e. how Sing Lo develops empathy for the elephant's situation, how giving can be more fulfilling than receiving, how we all go to sleep more easily when we are well taken care of, etc. What a wonderfully rich book!
The illustrations in this book are absolutely exquisit. You just don't get tired at looking at them.
I have read this book many times to my sons. However, when this book was read to a group of us by another adult, I discovered so many new things I had not seen before. This is a must have for every child's library.

My daughter received this beautiful book as a gift and we enjoy reading it again and again.
The story tells of a wealthy, sometimes seemingly selfish, young boy who rather unselfishly reaches out to the emporer's elephant who has not slept since the death of his beloved master. The little boy reacts lovingly and works diligently to ensure care and rest for the sad animal.
The art is bold and each page is a museum-goer's dream. The pictures jump off of the pages and work exquisitely with the text.
I cannot do this book justice, I know. Just find and read it to your children!

Sun washed yet brilliant the unique illustrations of South African artist Jude Daly enhance this story of how a young boy learns to be helpful.

Sing Lo is the son of one of the wealthiest merchants in Peking. He's a rather spoiled child who has been cosseted since birth. One day during an outing in his rickshaw Sing Lo becomes bored, and asks his driver, Li, what might be the greatest sight of all. Upon learning that this extraordinary sight might be the Imperial Elephant, Sing Lo determines that is precisely what he wishes to see.

Cautioned by Li that the animal is reputed to be bad tempered since the death of the Emperor, Sing Lo decides to take him a gift of buns "glazed with honey and sprinkled with poppy seeds." When Sing Lo delivers them he learns that the elephant hasn't slept since the Emperor died.

What can Sing Lo possibly do to bring rest to the unhappy animal, and is he willing to expend time and energy to bring comfort to another?

This story, which is based on a bedtime tale told to the author by her father, is as relevant today as it was years ago.

- Gail Cooke

One of the co-authors; Dr. Anita Hibler of "Elephants for Mr. Lincoln" is an old friend. It seems that she and I have been in and out of Southeast Asia for most of our adult lives and I can tell you she very much loves this area of the world and the peoples who live and work in it.
The notes and Selected Bibliography are fantastic starting off points for history, economic and numismatic researchers because I do not think I have even thought of using American missionary writings as sources of research of the region, or that they even survived and are available.
One of the most notable numismatic sets of coins during the timeframe was a present to the King of Siam of a complete set of American proof coins called the "King of Siam" set. It is not mentioned but a gold sword to the King and a silver sword to the second king are mentioned. There has to be more interesting gifts.
The many, many currency transactions will be very useful to someone researching the economics of the period, and there are brief items about the French taking over parts of Viet Nam and Cambodia that are interesing hints that more is hidden in the references to it. There are also quite a bit of Confederate Navy actions in it that might not be known to those interested in that side of the Civil War.
I highly recommend this book, but as my review title is an indication, do not look for any excitement in it.

ELEPHANTS FOR MR. LINCOLN: AMERICAN CIVIL WAR-ERA DIPLOMACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA tells of American-Asian relationships and encounters before and during the U.S. Civil War era, focusing on the individuals who fostered relationships throughout the war years. Diplomacy, trade, and changing relationships between different Asian countries are the focus of chapters surveying changing opinions, politics, and relationships both affected by and distant from Civil War events. A fascinating coverage provides college-level readers with an unusual early diplomatic history key to understanding today's Asian history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Elephants for Mr. Lincoln is an interesting study as it places its focus on the activities of the United States government and American Christian ministry enterprises in Asia during the American Civil War.

Students of the "War Between the States" often find their education focused on both domestic issues and activities in Europe (at least I did when I took classes on the Civil War in college). The politics and the battles continue to produce large volumes of work and will continue to do so as time goes on, such is the Civil War ingrained in our historical fascinations.

This book is very well researched (as attributed by the pages of references) and finds its niche in an often overlooked part of American activity, in this case Asia. The authors underscore the dire state of our diplomatic representation and shipping industry that reduced the status of the United States in the eyes of Asian monarchs and governments. The Confederate raiders that attacked US shipping are also discussed to reflect their impact on shipping.

That lowly view of the US in Asia remained unchanged through the 1870's until around the time Ulysses Grant made a world wind tour of the region. (I think part of that is due to American focus on developing the Western Frontier after the war, and otherwise putting a lower priority on foreign issues during the two decades following the end of the conflict.) In the least it's an excellent historical research tool for anyone performing empirical in depth studies of the United States during the Civil War.

I bought this book to read with my daughter before we went on vacation to China and actually saw the Terra Cotta Warriors. I doesn't come close to showing how phenomenal they really are but the history is wonderful and now it's a great reminder of a wonderful trip.

Rich with exciting historical details, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor offers a well-researched book that tantalizes the reader with tales of a poisoned King, a camouflaged dead body, and a booby-trapped tomb. The targeted audience of ages 9-12 will thrill with the adventure while simultaneously profiting from their newfound knowledge of China's first Emperor, Qin Shihuang, and his war and burial customs. Heavily strewn with color photographs, computer images, maps, drawings, and charts, the book easily captures interest and successfully holds attention with its succinct wording and short chapters that directly complement the images.
Jane O'Connor's career spanning roles as editor-at-large, president of mass market children's books at Penguin, and prolific author is crowned by her most recent gem, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China. Realizing that no children's books had thoroughly documented the world wonder discovered in China, O'Connor successfully fills the void. This book is a must for any library!
The only negative aspect is that the book fails to be part of a larger history series since once the book is read, the reader will want to read more. The detailed bibliography and author's note provide a scope for further reading on the Terracotta Warriors, but readers will long to learn the same concise and tantalizing information on other subjects as well! Hopefully, Jane O'Connor will follow with more books to engage children and adults since The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China masterfully explores its subject.

While on vacation in China, Jane O'Connor visited the thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues discovered near the tomb on an emperor in northern China. She was inspired to find out more about both the army of ghostly gray warriors and the man who had ordered their creation. But as O'Connor read everything available about the first emperor and his buried army she discovered that a book on the subject had not yet been written for children. "The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China" rectifies that mistake.

In March 1974 three farmers digging a well near the city of Xian in Lintong County of the People's Republic of China, discovered the clay head of a "pottery man." Neither the farmers nor the archaeologists who arrived to investigate the figure had ever seen anything similar to the life-like figure, and where astounded to discover dozens, and then hundreds and finally thousands of these terracotta figures. When the excavation was done, an army of 7,500 soldiers and horses has been uncovered (so far), after being buried for more than 2,200 years. The life-size figures weighed as much as four hundred pounds each and wore knee-length robes, armor made from small iron "fish scales," and elaborate topknot hairdos (the low-ranking infantrymen did not wear armor). The figures stand at attention and archaeologists also found the hundreds of real bronze swords, daggers, battle-axes, and arrowheads, these silent warriors were carrying.

After sharing the story of the discovery of the figures, O'Connor tells the story of Qin Shihuang, the divine Son of Heaven, who was the first emperor or China. Qin was a paranoid tyrant, and fearing that grave robbers would loot the treasures in his tomb after he died. O'Connor talks about the measures Qin took to protect his final resting place, which included the terracotta figures, stationed in underground trenches, less than a mile from the tomb. The details about the figures, as to why they do not wear helmets or shields and why they are facing east, are quite interesting. There is logic to their arrangement that O'Connor is able to explain, a well as the difference between the 350 chariot horses and the more than 100 cavalry horses. There are more than forty full-color photographs in the book, which help to distinguish between the different types of warriors. The only disappointment here is that there are not more such photographs.

One of the most amazing things about the figures is that of the two thousand unearthed at the time O'Connor's book was published, no two had been discovered to be the same. The figures represent different ages, different parts of China, and even different temperaments. A colored computer image shows how one of the figures would have looked originally when it was painted. Another fascinating section has to do with modern artisans making replicas, following the techniques of 2,200 years ago, to help archeologists understand how the original figures were created. The final chapters of the book are devoted to what it was like inside the Emperor's tomb, where the body may be wearing a jade funeral suit (the government has no intention of actually opening the tomb and looking, but other tombs have been opened in the past to five us some ideas), and Qin's legacy, which is mainly the first Great Wall of China that he had made with a workforce of half a million slave laborers working for a dozen years. However, it would be Qin's silent army that is probably most responsible for what immortality the first emperor possesses today. Seeing them in person would be an unforgettable experience, and O'Connor's book does an excellent job of making that impression on her readers, young and old alike.

This book is simply amazing! It has virtually all the important information you will need to know on Mongolia and its history. I find it comes in handy whenever I need it and would recommend whoever interested in this part of the world buy a copy.

this is a MUST HAVE book .... great to refer to as you plow through Mongolian Travel and Adventure Books..... I'm thrilled to own it! Glad it was 'finally' published!

This is a gem of historical history of the all of the Mongols, when I mean all, I mean all - Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern tribes from early times to the present. The book is organized alphabetically and references are made so the reader can obtain further information after each topic.

Kudos to C. Atwood in putting this together!

I would recommend this for all Mongols and non-Mongols to crasp the impact of The Mongol Empire!

If you're Mongol, you may even pick up some knowlege about your own tribal lineage.

If somebody want to know more about the history of central Asia, to read about the Great Game is a must. This excellent book explain, in a very engaging way, the latest events in the relations between Britain and Russia, concerning Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet after the 1907 entente. This relation was very complex in nature since Russia was pushing forward to broaden its empire and influence, fact that directly affected British interest in the zone, always thinking in India. So by using those "buffer" states Britain was able to contain Russia advances to a certain limit, in particular Persia that become of major strategic importance for Britain because of its oil resources. It is obvious then, that the entente didn't finish the game, it was just the best way for both empires to conduct their policies in Central Asia at the time, a fragile understanding but mostly peaceful and only finished by the Great War in Europe. All in all, a great book.

Endgame: Britain, Russia and the Final Struggle for Central Asia won the 2003 Barbara Jelavich Book Prize awarded annually for the most distinguished monograph published on any aspect of Southeast European or Habsburg studies since 1600, or nineteenth- and twentieth-century Ottoman or Russian diplomatic history.

The book prize selection committee wrote the following about this book:

Possibly the most significant contribution to Russian diplomatic history in a decade, Siegel's work richly deserves the Barbara Jelavich Book Prize. Endgame revises our understanding of the dynamics of Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia, the struggle better known to its contemporaries as the Great Game. Historians traditionally believed that this Victorian Cold War ended with the Convention of 1907, as the erstwhile adversaries now joined to face the spectre of rising German power during the years leading up to the First World War.

Based on meticulous work in Russian and British archives, Siegel effectively disproves this teleological approach to early 20th century international relations. Instead, she demonstrates that the Great Game's final round came after the 1907 Convention, only to conclude as the guns of August began to sound in 1914. In the best tradition of diplomatic history, Endgame also has considerable relevance for the present by shedding light on a region that, while largely sidelined in the literature, has sadly reclaimed a central place in the news. Written with panache and confidence, Endgame is a pleasure to read.

This book reveals much to anyone who is interested in the relationship between Britain and Russia in the pre First World War period.

It focusses on the power struggle for Central Asia, an area of the world which, particularly today, is the arena for some of the most complex and important questions of international security. This work provides fascinating background to a key historical period in a region which has been so analysed in recent months.

It is obviously the result of detailed research into archives, only recently opened to the West, some of which I believe may shortly be closed once again for many years to allow renovations to take place. I can only take my hat off to Dr Siegel, for enduring what must have been many cold months in Russia, combing the various archives to produce such a detailed work.

A fascinating and thoroughly absorbing book by Dr Siegel, whose next work I await with eager anticipation.

Fantastic collection of short stories about Sikh women throughout the century and living around the world. Some of the best stories I've read about women and their need to follow honour,but also the anger and confusion this causes in a rapidly changing world. Very moving fiction. All the stories are told with excellent subtlety. A very strong recommendation for a relatively new writer of short fiction.

Probably one of the best pieces of fiction I have ever read. In fact, I asked my friends not to give me another book until it matched Singh Baldwin's quality.

The narrative and characters remain with me two years later. What more can a reader ask for?

This book is a wonderful account of the Indian (predominatly Punjabi) immigrant experience in America and Canada. The author's lyrical prose brings the reader into each character's life on an intimate level, rather than making the reader feel like a casual observer. Although most of the short stories are told from a female's point of view, readers across the board will be drawn in by the author's in depth afinity for character evolvment. The short story, Montreal, 1962, is the highlight of the collection, with it's tearful account of a Punjabi housewife's ability to see beyond the symbolism of her Sikh husband's turban.

If you're interested in ancient Mesopotamian civilization, you'll probably love this book. It's full of fascinating information about the day-to-day lives of the ancient Sumerians and Akkadians. Chapters include such topics as Love and Sex, Women's Rights, Food and Cuisine, the Law, Religion, and so on. The book is written mostly by Bottero, but there are also several other scholars who contribute some of the chapters. Most are well written and not too technical or difficult to read, and as I said, full of lots of interesting and intriguing information and facts.

The ancient Mesopotamians come across as practical, no-nonsense people who, in contrast to the ancient Egyptians, weren't especially religious and believed in living life in the here and now as best one could. Although they did have a religion, it was mostly for propitiating various gods and deities who they hoped would bestow their blessings on them in their personal or public affairs. There was a concept of the afterlife, but it was basically a dark, dingy, netherworld where not much happened, it seems, and they regarded the present life as far preferable to it.

A good example of their practical approach to affairs is that marriage was a simple contract without much ceremony. Women could marry who they wanted and could divorce much as men could, although adultery was tolerated much less for women than for men. A surprising fact is how extensive their food and cuisine was. According to the writer of the chapter, the Sumerians knew how to make hundreds of different types of breads, soups, beer, and other dishes, depending on the ingredients and how they were prepared.

Overall, a fine book and addition to the practical history and understanding of the ancient Mesopotamians.

This excellent book is a series of sixteen articles on the subject of life in ancient Mesopotamia. The articles are written by four leading authorities on the subject, and cover everything from the origins of the Sumerians to how they lived to what they believed. Indeed, I must say that I found the chapter, Love and Sex in Babylon to be quite interesting, covering a topic that most history books shy away from.

Overall, I found this to be an excellent book on the subject, informative without being dry and academic. Indeed, if you are interested in extending your knowledge of ancient Mesopotamia, then you must get this book. I give this book my highest recommendations.

"Everyday Life in Ancient Messopotamia" offers an interesting option to the general reader who is interested in Ancient Mesopotamia but is put off by most of the dry and academic texts that are currently available on this topic. As Bottero stated in his foreword, he wanted the reader to become acquainted with the Mesopotamian culture through vivid impressions, much as a tourist would gain when visiting a foreign country for the first time. All exaggerations aside, Bottero really manages to do a very good job of igniting the reader's interest in this part of the ancient world.

Although I felt that the chapters on food and wine were a bit overextended, the rest of the book provides a solid and entertaining discussion of Mesopotamia. The chapters dealing with women in Mesopotamian society were quite interesting, where Bottero suggests that women may have had more leverage power in dealing with men than would be suggested by the textual evidence. Additionally, Georges Roux's discussion of the origins of the Semiramis legend are equally appealing. One of the things that impressed me about this book was the ability of the various contributors to throw a new light on old ideas, thus allowing the reader to gain new insights. For example, one theory that made me think was Bottero's idea that the use of writing to communicate decrees made by the king may have prepared the Mesopotamians to accept the possibility that the gods might issue their decrees through the movements of the celestial bodies. And just as there were experts to read the texts, there originated the need to obtain experts in astrology who could interpret the heavenly bodies. I do not know if this is a widely supported idea in the Assyriological community, but nevertheless, the ability of the various contributors to communicate to the general reader is a definite strong point of this book.

I highly recommend this book as a good starting point to Mesopotamia, since it will leave the reader (like myself) wanting to learn more.

The best guide book about Chaingmai

It's a shame that there are no newer editions out but this sturdily bound and nicely sized book seems to hold up against information I have found on various websites. Written by a long term resident of Chiang Mai, it is useful for a short visit or a long stay. There is a newer edition coming out next year. However, you should be able to get an edition from the author if you google for his email address. This books make the internet information search much much more comprehensible as does Nancy Chandler's map. I recommend both products as worth buying and genuinely useful.

As as resident of Chiang Mai, I have found this book to be the most accurate and interesting guide book on Chiang Mai currently in print. Unlike many other guide books, it is just as relevant for a long-term resident or frequent visitor as it is for a short-term tourist. It is a great book.

I first came across these books traveling to Europe and I own almost 20 of these guides. I will be going to Singapore this year so I bought the DK guide, naturally!

The photos are in bright stunning color and leap from the pages. There are history time lines, references to historical and political development, architecture, museums, maps, culture, restaurants, places to stay. Very complete. Just a great book.

Let me elaborate a little bit. There are a number of other travel books - and some guides are mainly just text. I like some photographs and color. A picture is worth 1000 words. The visuals are just stunning in the DK books. This book about Singapore is no exception. Like all other DK books it has maps, and drawings, and numerous stunning photos of art, architecture, city scenes, etc. This book also has a section unique to Singapore - it has a special section on foods with many dishes all (again) in wonderful color photographs. Just an excellent job.

Highly recommend and makes for a good souvenir.

This is the best guide book i have ever bought. It helped me get through my whole trip in singapore, I would have been totally lost without it.

I love all Eyewitness guides and was not disappointed with this one. Full of details, full of pictures and very well organized. Just great...