Indonesia Books

This is a fascinating book on studying the art of an Indonesian group and how it relates to politics. The author also shares a lot about her fieldwork, how she got the information she did and what daily life was like when she was doing her research there. A must-read for anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to be an anthropologist studying another group!

first off, I must say that the topic itself is not that bad, the author tries to demonstrate how the art of the Toraja people of Indonesians has been politicized (even though i disagree with her methods, she really brings too much personal emotion into her research). but i must say that the book seems to just keep on going on about something that could have been written about in half the length. she reuses the same concepts and experiences to create new chapters.....pretty disappointed

Kathleen Adams' finely written book especially proves the value of an anthropologist studying with and knowing a group of people over decades--thus creating a rich cultural epic. This is a complex yet very readable account of the mountain dwelling Sa'dan Toraja of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The author illuminates histories (from a number of views), the inevitable dynamism of art forms, and honest ethnographic experiences. She brings to life the people in her book within intricate stories reflecting the pressures of history-- brilliantly linking art and life through the changes of time. This is an anthropology of art and of an Indonesian people that deeply resonates today. Rich in description and humanity, meticulous in references, theoretically sophisticated, and many-layered in meanings, the book is also refreshingly lively and engaging in writing style. A welcome break from overly jargonistic books that seem to be written for ten people to read. Anyone interested in learning of other cultures, Indonesia, the people of Toraja, artistic processes, the workings of history, good story-telling, and impressive cultural anthropology will enjoy this book. Really a gem.

This is a thoughtful academic book that is fascinating to read. Seldom do scholars treat their subject with such a personal touch and still attain a high academic level. Adams shows clearly and in a highly readable fashion how the Toraja are able to use their art as a vehicle for political expression. Adams includes lot of nuanced insight in her pages, showing the intricate ways in which these highland people have adapted and preserved their culture despite the constant intrusions of the outside world. An outstanding book in every way.

Art as Politics is a thought provoking and very readable account of how tourism, world religions, and Indonesian politics have changed the lives and culture of the Toraja. (The Toraja people are a minority ethnic group on the island of Sulawesi.) What first attracted my attention was the striking carved portrait on the cover. The artistic skill of the Toraja artisans is truly noteworthy which gives this book a particular importance in understanding how culture shapes art. Adams describes in warm and vivid detail the changes the Toraja have faced over the past two decades and how this has affected their artistic productions as well as their attitudes about their art. In addition, the production quality of the color photos and other illustrations is praiseworthy. One thing that modern Western culture has obscured about art is the importance of social-cultural constraints and rewards. In the West we follow along with Romantic notions of Art as the product of the isolated genius. However, art generally was and probably still is mostly produced to serve social and religious purposes. Adams describes the complexities of the Toraja attitudes about their art and culture in the sometimes traumatic interplay of tradition and modern society that Indonesia has experienced since the 70s. While interested in the art of other cultures, I have only taken one college anthropology course, yet I had no difficulty following the points expressed. The people in this book really come alive and the author has a very readable and involving manner of expression. Armchair travelers, people interested in other cultures with strong religious traditions, and people interested in ethnic arts will love this book.

Although this book is rated for pre-teen/teen readers, as an adult, I found it very interesting in terms of thinking about dreams - what is the meaning of a dream, does it connect with regular life, and if so, how? The book also made me reflect on whether or not people who are on their deathbed and no longer seem conscious can hear/sense the presence of people nearby. I plan to pass this book on to a young aspiring teenage writer.

Although rated for young adults, this is a book for all ages. The imagery is startling -- you can clearly imagine all the characters and locations -- and you are gripped by the story from start to finish. The journey that Sammy takes in his recovery includes lessons that apply to us all, whether young or old. For the "grown-ups," they are lessons that we may have forgotten and could use a reminder now and then. This book makes a great Christmas, birthday, or other gift for younger readers, and is a great read-together book for families. Don't be afraid to buy it if you don't have kids in your life -- there's a kid inside all of us!

David Bromden's Gathering in the Mist will keep you turning pages in the continually fascinating journey that Sammy's subconscious embarks on to keep his spirit alive. The wild creatures he meets and becomes in the rainforest are intriguing in their detail and ability to help Sammy. By the end of the story, a part of me was emotionally rooting for Sammy to leave his broken body behind forever and stay with his amazing adventure that was taking place, whether it was in his imagination or real. On the other hand, each time Sammy showed signs of healing, I was hopeful that he would awake and be reunited with his mother. This was a "couldn't put down" book as I raced towards the conclusion. Gathering in the Mist is an educational yet inspiring story for all ages that I will recommend often.

While Sammy lies in a coma after a traumatic event, beings both inside and outside of his mind strive to
help him heal. Medical caregivers put the boy through a rigorous, often painful process of bringing him home
to his body; meanwhile, his consciousness roams the rainforests of Indonesia and merges with the minds of
animals--a tiger, a squirrel, a jackal, a rhinoceros, and a bright and empathic young orangutan named
Sembuh. Indeed, Sembuh emerges as the story's true protagonist as he struggles to grasp the significance
and responsibility of sharing his mind with that of a human whose survival depends upon machines--and whose healing depends upon the young ape's ability to "gather" the consciousness of other creatures.

David Bromden's "Gathering in the Mist" is an ambitious book with ambitious themes: illness, grief,
memory, healing, ecology, evolution, and--most of all--the deep mystery of consciousness itself.
Bromden's portrait of orangutans as wise, philosophical, and shamanic raises especially striking
questions about the quality of human consciousness and civilization. As Sembuh's elderly ape mentor Antik
observes, "The human's path is one of expanded comforts and conveniences. The ape's path is one of
thought and reasoning. We have expanded our minds and they have expanded their population."

The story hinges on the question of whether Sammy's rainforest experiences--including Sembuh's very
existence--are objectively real or the illusory creations of a self-healing imagination. Bromden
handles this question so skillfully that, by the novel's denouement, the reader is ready to feel fully
satisfied by either possibility. This is a wise, worthwhile, and compulsively readable book for readers
of all ages.

The Gathering in the Mist by David Bromden is a very big small book. The poignant subject matter is treated in such a unique fashion that the impact of the calamity that inspired it is almost obscured until the end. That allows the reader to experience Bromden's unique writing abilities and thoroughly unique perspective, in a far more innocent way than he or she might otherwise.

There is an spirituality to this book that transcends the story. And the lessons are subtle; subtle and invigorating. The writing style is fresh. It's clear that there is a strong emotional connection between the author and his story, and though he tells it with passion, it is not overly sentimental. Bromden draws you in slowly and persuasively until you begin to accept the possibility of his character's singular journey without even realizing it.

The triumph amidst the tragedy is a cathartic awakening.

I purchased this because the entire family LOVED "Go to Sleep, Gecko!" so much. We were expecting a similar style, but different story.

This is basically the EXACT SAME story, only not done quite as well as Go to Sleep was done.

I still love the moral of this story, but you only need one or the other and Go to Sleep, Gecko is definitely the better choice.

The original art in Gecko's Complaint is delightful and the retold folktale is perfect for preschool through third graders. Every youngster I know could benefit from the lesson in the story. Ann Martin Bowler has created a children's book all primary teachers should add to their library.

My 7 and 10 year old loved this book. We thought the jungles of Bali were beautifully illustrated. My sons thought the best picture was of the Rain's face. They also enjoyed the ending when Gecko no longer complained. This folktale is well written and it reinforces the importance of learning to live in peace with one another, to stop complaining, and to be content with what you have. Both children and adults will benefit from this important message.

Our family loves Ann Martin Bowler's delightful Indonesian tale of animals quick to blame others for their behavior. The gorgeous illustrations by I Gusti Made Sukanada make this retelling a sumptious glimpse of Bali and its enchanting folklore. You'll wish you could scamper up the banyon tree with Gecko and explore the lush jungle by the light of the fireflies.

Set on the beautiful island of Bali, Gecko's Complaint: A Balinese Folktale is an engaging picture book retold by Ann Martin Bowler about a gecko whose sleep is disturbed by hundreds of fireflies. He complains to the kindly lion who rules the jungle, and the lion's efforts to unravel the situation brings to light a host of complaints - can peace ever be restored to the jungle? An enjoyable read enhanced by soft, full-color artwork by I. Gusti Made Sukanada.

This book made for a great read on the flight over. Being a history buff I really enjoyed it and it gave me a great sense of the place. But when I got to the island I found that the book was just about useless. I got lost all over the place, which for some is half the fun but not myself. People with the LP's-"southeast asia on a shoestring"fared much better than I at half the volume. I'm all for for making an effort at understanding the country you will visit, but a guidebook that can't guide me...

I was so excited about my first trip to Bali that I used 4 guides. By far, the Moon Guide helped me most to understand Bali and the Balinese. I was even able to impress the cab drivers with my new found understanding of Balinese religion, culture and customs. Although I disagreed with many of the hotel and restaurant recommendations - the real reason for visiting Bali is to get in contact with a culture that exists nowhere else in the world. This book will help you do that better than any other. The section on quick indonesian language is very helpful and the Balinese love tourists who try to adopt their language greetings. The maps are mediocre, but there are no good maps of Bali - most roads are nameless and unsigned.

I was so impressed by Dalton's guide that I immediately looked for another moon guide for my next trip.

I've read virtually every guide out there and Bill Dalton's Handbook is the most comprehensive and compact source of information on travel to and in Bali. If you are an armchair traveler in need of visual stimulation to spur the imagination, however, this book is not for you. Far apart from the Eyewitness/Knopf style high-gloss photography combined with very little travel info, this guide provides current, practical info on everything to do with Bali: history, geography, culture, places to go, how to go, when, where to eat.... You name it, it's in here. But if you're looking for full-color photos and a stunning layout, go elsewhere.

Bill Dalton, internationally acclaimed American travel writer, tour leader, and founder of Moon Publications, wrote the bible of Balinese travel drawing on twenty-six years of Indonesian experience (thirty visits and a total of six years spent on the islands). Jam-packed with incredibly detailed information, the first 310 pages prepare you for the journey of a lifetime with chapters on the land (topography, environment, and climate), flora and fauna (domestic animals, birds, reptiles, sea life, endangered species, flowers, trees), history, government, the economy, and local industries. Dalton quenches your thirst for cultural knowledge with chapters on the people (the caste system, marriage, children, village life), the language (plus a glossary of words and short phrases in Bahasa Indonesia), and religion (priests, temples, cremation ceremonies). Balinese creativity is honored with additional units on traditional and modern art, crafts (woodcarving, maskmaking, stonecarving, textiles, plaiting and weaving, gold and silver works), music, and the performing arts (dance venues and schools and the wayang kulit shadow puppet theatre). Dalton gives you everything you ever wanted to know about Bali, from white raja Mads Lange to the toothfiling ceremony to shaggy Barong masks.
In the second half of the tome, Dalton treks you all around Bali, regency by regency, highlighting the important sights, beaches, nightlife, shopping, restaurants, recreation, transportation, and accommodation at all levels from homestays (the thrust is here) to luxury. Dalton leaves no Balinese stone unturned with his treatment of festivals and events, sports (snorkeling, surfing), health issues and concerns (including folk remedies), and visa/money practicalities. The depth and breadth of research is mindboggling, the reservoir of knowledge and amount of information is encyclopedic. Both travel guide extraordinaire and total reference book, this is an astonishing achievement: the travel parts may lose their currency (until the next edition), but the cultural course work/input is timeless. Dalton does not let you travel alone deaf, dumb, and blind-read him and you will not only see, but understand the Balinese universe pulsating all around you.

Having been to this magical place 5 times now and perusing many travel books on this land. I would place this as the number one book of choice for the area. The background of history and the covrage on the people make this the best trvel tome for this destination. It will give you a solid foundation and a good idea on what to expect when you arrive there. Even if you do not end up going there you would save alot of bucks by just vicariously experiencing it theough the shear reading of it!!!

Good Luck!!

Ron

If you do get there you must try the "soto ayam", the best chicken soup around; better than grandma's!!

A detailed account of this historical find with enough background information to put the subject in true perspective. The account of the ensuing controversy is certainly biased and the importance that it takes in the book is regrettable. The consequences of this find question so much of our past understanding of the chronology of evolution that greater in depth discussion would have been welcomed.

The authors, Mike Morwood and Penny Van Oosterzee, present a first-hand account of the discovery of parts of 13 hominin (ie `human lineage') skeletons (including a well-preserved skull), in a cave on the island of Flores in Indonesia in 2003. These bones have been interpreted to belong to a new species of `human': indeed a dwarfed descendant of a pre-Homo sapien species. Mike Morwood and co., who were responsible for the project, interpret the bones as belonging to dwarfed descendants of Homo habilis, only previously known from ~1.9 million year old specimens from Africa. The bones were found within sediments dating between 95,000 and 12,000 years ago, and reveal individuals only about 1.06m high, with a brain capacity of only 380cc, or around 1/3 of modern humans. Primitive tools, and evidence of hunting and fire were also found.

Massive ramifications ensue from such a discovery. Is this really a case of insular dwarfism, well-documented in the non-human world (where animals bigger than a rabbit on isolated islands tend to get considerably smaller over time), but never before in the `human' lineage? Or is it just a few medically-afflicted Homo sapien individuals? Is it really a different species? How long ago did they live? How did they die out? Did they have language? Did they have religion? Most of the current data and interpretations are presented in this book, although there has been some recent studies not presented in any detail, and of course there will be more to come. Tragically, some of the material has been damaged during research, due to bungling and politics.

The authors do an admirable job putting the find in its proper context. You will have to wade through about 100 pages of context and story before the discovery is actually made, but this is both necessary and interesting in its own right. Discussions include previous excavations on the island, the geological history of the region (Flores is only a few million years old), the significance of the Wallace and Lydekker Lines, migration routes, examples of island dwarfism (including elephants, goats, and deer), two-way traffic in and out of Africa within various animal lineages, and the development of recent agriculture in China and New Guinea, which promoted dispersal throughout Indonesia, Madagascar, and ultimately the Pacific. Other discussions include project planning, rationale and methodology; initial choices of excavation sites; the daily work of field staff; and the stratigraphic context and dating of the cave site.

The authors contend that it is likely that various homo species spread throughout Asia from Africa from around 3.7 and 2.6 million years ago. Their interpretation places this species, as mentioned, as descended from Homo habilis, with characteristics more closely resembling that species than the later Homo erectus, also found on nearby Java. They back this up with various diagrams, anatomical comparisons, dating, and other discussions. They also contend that Asia in general has played a larger role in human prehistory than previously acknowledged, and I must say their reasoning and arguments are very convincing. There is no shortage of surprising finds and scientific tradition within the area of south east Asia, including Indonesia. This includes the discovery of `Java man', and the significance of the Wallace Line in the discovery and formulation of evolutionary theory.

It is also mentioned that horses originally evolved in North America- evolving into the Zebra later in Africa, the `big cats' originated in Asia and later entered Africa evolving into the lion etc, but both elephants and the hominin lineage (that's our relatives) initially evolved in Africa and then spread outward, from several million years ago. The point is, is that Africa has had two-way traffic of various species, in and out, for eons. There is no reason to suggest that some hominin species originating in Africa (or even elsewhere) can't have evolved into new species regionally, including in an evolutionary hotspot such as Indonesia. This has been documented to have occurred with the Neanderthals in Eurasia, and within elephants in numerous places, such as North America (eg mastodon), and on poor old Flores island-the dwarfed elephant Stegodon-on which the small inhabitants of Flores hunted.

In addition to very good scientific review and discussions, all the good, bad and ugly that can occur within scientific research is discussed, including bureaucratic bungling, difficult field conditions, ownership of material, academic bungling, and research ethics; and in the worst cases, poaching, destruction of material during research, secret and/or ideological agendas, `theft', and international politics.

The interpretation of a `new species' going extinct relatively recently on Flores is not without its controversy. Some claim the bones are only medically afflicted Homo sapien individuals-specifically microcephalia-a condition which diminishes stature and brain size. However the authors contend that both the stratigraphic context, and features of the bones themselves, thoroughly discounts this interpretation. This includes anatomical traits which are not found in either Homo sapien (including pygmies) or microcephalic individuals, but are found in other ancestral species-including australopithecines and Homo habilis. I'm no anatomical expert, but I read that these include the forward orientation and length of the arms, the shape and other aspects of the skull, the shape of the pelvis, and the primitive roots of the teeth. The stratigraphic context, which reveals habitation over an extended time period, and the number of individuals found, also discounts this theory. There have also been several independent studies done on the bones which discount the microcephalia interpretation, however this alternate interpretation is still held by some.

There is a wealth of scientific information and context in this book. It is first class research and science writing, and should go a long way in the proper communication of this fascinating discovery.

The book is moderately technical, but most readers will be able to wade through most of the jargon, and the associated interpretations and controversies.

The story of Homo floresiensis, in and of itself, is incredible, but to read about it from a member of the original team makes for a compelling book. In developing histories on discoveries, it is always good to get a book like this early in the drama, before all the political debates ensue. This is a volume those intrigued by this new find must have. (Possible shortcomings: In the review proof copy I was sent, there is no index nor photographs. Perhaps the final printing contains both. I was not sent a final review copy.) - Loren Coleman

When reading about new advances in science it is often best to start with their discoverer, rather than with the "me toos" or the naysayers. Dr. Mike Morwood is an Australian anthropologist well qualified to undertake the now-famous excavations on the island of Flores in Indonesia. With a little journalistic help from a science writer he has turned in a solid book that is part travelogue, part excavation drama, and in the end, quite a shocking revelation about the rivalries that exist within the scientific community. The most common objections to the so-called Hobbits of Flores are that they are microcephalic sapiens, but as Dr. Morwood correctly points out, these arguments have been used before, and date back to the very first Neandertal and Java Man discoveries. Scientific support for the book comes with publication in "Nature" perhaps the most prestigious scientific journal, which also turned down articles submitted by the fossil's detractors. In the latter stages of the book "A New Human" examples of island biogeography and its association with gigantism and dwarfism are presented that should have been brought to the forefront, but this isn't a problem for a true believer. The most startling revelation is the fact that Morwood does not believe the Floresians are dwarf H. erectus (sorry italics not available), but instead H. habilis, or even descendents of Australopithecines! The author's open-mindedness about the importance of Asia and Indonesia to the overall evolutionary picture is refreshing and he makes an interesting point about the sudden appearance of H. ergaster in the fossil record that could be due to its evolution in Asia and a back-colonization of Africa. That pygmies have evolved at least four times in recent history is not in doubt, the Andaman Islanders, Negritos of the Philippines, and San Bushmen are not products of JRR Tolkien's imagination, and island biogeographic principles have clearly impacted the evolution of our ancestors, and other animals.

A New Human is just not a book on the discovery of Homo floresiensis and all the reactions to this amazing find of a new species of man but also a warning towards those who wish to enter the field of archaeology (or any field of science) that nothing is easy. Mike Morwood has to deal with a harsh landscape, a different culture, the scientific controversy his find would bring about and the bureaucracy that seemed to fight him every step of the way. If you have read Java Man, which tell us about the adventures and mishaps Geochronologists Carl Swisher and Garniss Curtis, then you should think of this book as the next book to read. It truly helped to make much of the events easier to understand.

If your interest in Indonesia and its culture goes beyond what can be read in the tourist brochures, then this book is definitely for you. In a very entertaining way, it explains about the culture, habits and beliefs of the Indonesian people, and it includes a funny Cultural Quiz at the end. Highly recommended.

Indeed a very helpful and informative book for understanding Indonesian people and culture. Haveing spent almost two years living and working in Indonesia I found myself referring to this book often. I found myself explaining to my fellow expatriates why certain things happened the way they do in this country often referring to things I read. From conducting business to accomplishing everyday tasks, this book offers excellent example and explantions. Definately a book for expatraites living in Indonesia, business travellers, but also beneficial to the traveller wanting to ascertain a deeper, more sincere understanding of Indonesian people and culture.

This was one of the first books I purchased when I discovered we were going to be posted to Jakarta, Indonesia. Now almost 3 years later, I find that I still enjoy reading this book and have found its examples of every day life to be accurate. The book is very informative and many of its stories are humerous which enables an easy read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is planning a move to Indonesia and even to those who are just planning a trip.

Indonesian culture? A bit like saying Western culture... a rather broad term. But this book acknowledges that right away and does an admirable job of isolating the most important manners for visitors to know and use.

The book's practical tips are especially useful, and these are organized with finger-tip simplicity (Do's and Don't's appendix is great), making this book easy to consult at a moment's notice. Business section and home help section ("Translating Needs into Action") are especially helpful.

There are also meaty and interesting sections about Indonesian values, social structure, and food. It's a good read, will serve well the traveler or expat.

Cultural quiz at the end, a test so silly no one could fail it, is the only negative to this guide.

Professor Taylor in this book presents a pretty thorough history of East Timor. He lays emphasis on the development of its indiginous culture particularly the kinship system which helped it survive Portugese rule and the barbaric Indonesian occupation. He examines the efforts of foreign powers particularly the United States and Australia and even Portugal (at least until the early 80's) to support Indonesia taking over East Timor, the United States taking the lead in replenishing Indonesia with advanced weapons when it ran into trouble as before its "encirclement and annihilation" campaigns of the late 70's.

He examines the East Timorese indigenous culture including the kinship system which is deeply ingrained in the society and helped it survive Portugese rule and (just barely) Indonesian rule; up until 1990 the major Indonesian military campaigns (Persuatan, the dreadful Fence of Legs, etc.), the World Bank funded forced sterilization of Timorese women, some of the major massacres, the ideology of Fretilin, the "resettlement villages," the economic activities of companies like P.T. Denok in East Timor, the visits of foreign journalists and delegations of politicians, the apologetics for the Indonesian regime by the Catholic Relief services.

I think that his rather long introduction about the September 1999 incident and the chronicles of events during the 90's in the timeline at the end of the book serve as more than adequate updates. However I think he is rather too soft on the role (or lack there of) of the Western powers during the 1999 crises. Those countries continued to have normal military and diplomatic relations with Indonesia up until about two weeks into the crises when East Timor was basically destroyed and its population driven from their homes, when they finally engaged in minimally serious gestures, temporarily suspendeding military relations with Indonesia and agreed to a peackeeping force which was probably not needed under the pressure of Australian public opinion. Very little effort was made to conduct war crimes trials or investigations or help the country seriously rebuild from the years of destruction and occupation which America and its allies were in large part responsible for. There's alot more that can be said about this but the criticisms of Indonesia by U.S. leaders in the months leading up to the crises which Taylor lays great stress on are completely worthless.

In anycase a minor flaw; this is a very good introduction to East Timor, if slightly dry here and there with small print.

John Taylor's enlightening ideas about the East Timorese problem goes deep on its roots. Starting with the SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE and its aftermath (which made international headlines out of the horror during the Indonesian occupation), the author takes care of many interesting details about the country, since its pre-colonial history to its most recent facts. There are two remarkable points raised by Taylor: (i) the explanation of the Timorese society before the Portuguese arrival and how it is linked to the country's contemporary history, (ii) how and why the East Timorese resistance managed to grow continously over the past 25 years, becoming very representative of the country's wish for self determination, and, even better, why the same did not happen during the Portuguese ruling. In very well versed 13 chapters of the book (198 pages and a nice cronology of the main facts since April 25th '74 to Sep 28th '99, a small glossary and a very helpful bibliography) the author tries to cover various aspects of the problem which goes from International policies (as the Realism theory), including strategies, economics and politics to the role played by the church on the development and growing of opposition. It is a great book for either researchers on this subject matter or people interested on going beyond what the midia allows us to go.

John Taylor simply sets the standard, with this new and comprehensive text, on a subject in which he has long been an authority. The book is tremendously comprehensive, approaching a variety of issues relating to East Timor's past and recent history as well as the present. It offers analyses, always well substantiated, and without giving excessive space to the author's own subjective views. It is well written and easy-to-read. All in all, it is a book that should be read by anyone studying this topic, whether a beginner or expert.

Readers should be aware that this book was published in 1991, with a different title, "Indonesia's Forgotten War: The Hidden History of East Timor". The only differences are an updated chronology and one new chapter about recents events since 1998. The 1990s are not carefully treated.

The Guide is great to get an overview over the many attractions in Bali - lots of pictures and some nice overview maps of the island's regions. However, the descriptions are on the short side and it does not contain detailed street maps that could be useful for orientation. But overall a nice introduction!

Colorful guidebook has marvelous images that create an immediate illustration of Bali and Lombok.

While the practical references are a bit truncated (foreign embassies listed are only Australia and USA; hotel & restaurant listings are scanty), the cultural & special interest tips are excellent.

The guide works its magic by tying photos to text. The reader can zero in on an image and immediately see the relevant text. This is a highly practical format, leaving no mystery as to whether some place or item may be of real interest to the individual reader. Therefore, reader can figure out what he/she wants to see & do without slogging through chapter upon chapter of text.

I spend a lot of time in Bali and I think this is probably the most useful guide for the average traveler to Bali & Lombok. It has quite a few entries....

If you have a limited amount of time in Bali, and an even more limited amount of time to prepare for it, this guide will suit you very well indeed!

Bali and Lombok are just two islands in the Indonesian archipelago... and one of the most popular tourst destination. This book is crammed with wonderful information as well as photographs by well known photographers, maps, drawing etc... of Bali and Lombok. I found it very wonderful that it covered both aspects of Bali and Lombok's culture regarding religion, music, dance etc... The book is much different from Lonely Planet with maps in colour with icons regarding the village and what the villages are well known for. For example the village of Taro in central Bali in Gianyar Regency is famous for it's white breed of Cattle and there is a little bit of information talking about that village. The book covers all of Bali as well as Lombok.

Denpasar Bali's capital contains many sections like the Museum... the market and so many places of interest. For Kuta its beaches which are popular with many Australians and well known for the surfs... Gianyar regency in central Bali was well known for it's cultural and artistic creation. The famous village of Sebatu and Peliatan are famous for their Legong Kraton dancers... wonderful and graceful like butterflies or heavenly nymphs... Klungkung regency in east Bali was home to the powerful rulers with the title of "Agung Dewa" and most revered... Klungkung was a historical city and site where the golen age of Balinese history began the mass exodus of many Hindu-Javanese fleeing Islam came to the royal court bringing their traditions and tansplanting it in Bali while the ancient art form disappeared from the island of Java as a whole...

Lombok hasn't been developed to tourism yet but it is slowly starting to. The island is very lovely with it's lush green rice fields and wonderful people who are of Balinese race and Sasak origin... They produce wonderful crafts like clay jars, pots, weaving etc... If you want to know more you will need to read or grab hold of the book yourself...

There is even a section on food and the types of food eaten with lovely photographs of food and things to buy in Bali... This is great and I guess it is too good to be true too... Excellent work and research I must say went into making this book...

I grew up in California, and continue to love the scenary and the people there. I thought it was the best place on earth, until I made it to Hawaii. Wow! Do I love Hawaii! I was convinced it, too, was the greatest, until I arrived in Tahiti. Now there's a really awesome place!! When I got back, I spoke with my cousin, the world traveler. She said, "You'll really love Bali, it's much more beautiful than Tahiti." So far, I haven't been able to test her views, but this book certainly helped me to see the many beauties of Bali and the neighboring island of Lombok (which she didn't tell me about).

The scenery, animals, arts, temples, crafts, costumes, and dance are vivid, colorful, intricate, and involved. This guide to the two islands features over 700 color photographs that give you a sense of this beauty in very many ways. Even the smallest images are crisp and distinct.

The book is also a good size to slip into a pocket while traveling, so that you don't have to be burdened with excess weight or bulk. That will help, because this guide has many details of streets, restaurants, and the insides of temples that you will wish to refer to when you are in Bali or Lombok.

This guide has the details of all of the festivals on the two islands, which are reportedly a high point of any visit there. You also get lots of detail on local history and traditions (which will be unfamiliar to many in the United States).

The book breaks the two islands into regions so you can get a flavor of how being in one area compares to another. For example, you can go as an eco-tourist, as a cultural tourist, a scuba tourist, or a plain old beach tourist (but there is good surf for those who like surfing and wind surfing). Bali offers lots of variety for those with different tastes and preferences, and the guide makes it clear how to plan for each. Golf has even made its way to Bali.

I was also glad to see that the book contained many website addresses to obtain additional information.

I cannot report on the accuracy of what is here, because I have not been to Bali. On the other hand, the information made sense in terms of what I know about other islands, and Hindu and Moslem countries.

This guide is so rich in photographs and detail that I can have quite a few "trips" just by reviewing the material here. So even if I don't make it to Bali for a few more years, I will have enjoyed some of the wonders of this wonderful island. I hope you will have the same opportunity.

After you finish enjoying this delightful guide, I suggest that you think about where else you know little about and might like to see. If your time and budget do not permit much travel, you could perhaps use these DK Eyewitness Travel Guides to provide pleasant diversions in the meantime. Then, when you are ready to go to a new place, you'll have an informed view of which one to pick.

Grasp the potential all around you, with all of your senses!

Mr. Tarani has trained in Indonesian Silat and is one of the instructors in edged weapons tactics at the famous Gunsite training academy in Arizona, and has served as an instructor and consultant on edged weapons to many law enforcement and government agencies. He is certainly a fine, qualified instructor and he gives an excellent discussion on the history and practical use of this weapon in this book.

I only have one problem with a book like this. Obviously one book can't cover everything important on knife-fighting, but I had one comment about this, relating to primarily slashing weapons, which is what this book is about.

Although the Karambit is certainly an effective weapon, like all weapons it has its advantages and limitations. In this case, since it's a slashing weapon mainly, requiring curved, rounded strokes that travel in an arc rather than a straight line, it's inherently slower than using faster, straight strikes. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so the fastest way to traverse the distance isn't an arc.

Mr. Tarani does point out that one advantage of the Karambit is that since you can reverse the stroke each strike affords two opportunities to slash--but nevertheless, it still won't be as fast as a straight strike.

And by "straight" I'm not talking about the powerful straight thrusts such as seen in the classical karate punch--I'm referring more to what I call a "ballistic thrust," which is more like a flast flicking strike and which has more speed than power.

An opponent skilled in this type of movement will have an edge in a knife-fight with an opponent with a Karambit or similar curved weapon. I've seen this many times in tests with my own students and black belts--I found they could reach my hand, arm, or body once they were skilled in these techniques (which can take a few years to learn) more easily than I could using slashing strikes. Of course, they could use slashing strikes too if the opportunity arose. Paul Vunak, another respected instructor in knife-fighting, also makes this point in his seminars, although he approaches it from the standpoint of the Filipino rather than Indonesian martial arts--which is fine, too.

That having been said, this is an excellent book on the use of the Karambit weapon. If one sees this method as an important addition to one's existing knife-fighting skills and repertory, that would be the best use of this book and technique.

The karambit can be defined as a small hand-held, curved fixed blade for personal-defense. ~ In "Karambit: Exotic Weapon of the Indonesian Archipelago" Steve Tarani gives us an outstanding introduction to this unique and highly effective weapon.

The book begins with a very interesting introduction and history, followed by three sections teaching use of the karambit:
> Part 1 - Basic Handling and Operation
> Part 2 - Combat Strategy and Intermediate Skills
> Part 3 - Advanced Application

Each section is well illustrated with numerous photographs demonstrating use of the karambit. Although no book will make you a master of any weapon, you can certainly build a good foundation in the use of the karambit by learning the skills demonstrated herein. I highly recommend Steve Tarani's "Karambit: Exotic Weapon of the Indonesian Archipelago" for anyone interested in adding a new skill to their martial arts knowledge.

I picked this up to browse at the local bookstore and ended up buying it an hour later. Mr. Tarani does a great job of introducing this unique weapon through history and some techniques. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. No one expects to learn a martial art thru a manual alone, but this gives a good taste of what you'll get from a qualified instructor.

Karambits, curved fighting knives primarily from the Indonesia Archipelago, are becoming more and more popular albeit controversially so. Folks either love 'em or hate 'em with not much in-between. On the pro-side, they are nearly impossible to disarm and can perform multiple cuts in a single pass as practitioners can flip them mid cut. On the con side, they require very close quarters and are nearly impossible to stab with. This book clearly advocates the benefits of this unique weapon, providing an excellent historical overview along with practical tips and tricks for using one effectively. I think it oversimplifies in some places (kinda like I just did) but not to a large enough extent to warn folks away from it.

I do feel obliged to mention that these weapons are really, really expensive (at least for anything of quality anyway) and very challenging to master without competent instruction. If you want to use one, I suggest picking up a non-edged trainer first. They can also be used as control devices in their own right. While no martial art can be taught solely from a manual, this one covers all the basics in a fair amount of depth. It is easy to read and understand.

The author, Steve Tarani, is a Filipino Escrima and Indonesian Silat practitioner as well as a world renowned edged weapons combat instructor. In that capacity he has passed his skills along to thousands of law enforcement professionals and civilian practitioners. He is certainly knows his stuff and communicates it pretty effectively in this book.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

Selamat siang. Saya hanya tahu sedikit bahasa Indonesia. Dimana setasiun kereta api? Bagaimana jika kita makan pagi di warung ini? Saya mau beli kelambu. Terima kasih.

Unfortunately Echols and Shadilly's two volume Indonesian dictionary is a little too bulky to carry when back-packing in Indonesia. On my first two visits to Indonesia I took the MIP Concise Indonesian Dictionary, which fits comfortably into a pocket, and it never really left my person. While I really like this dictionary (and will probably buy a copy of the new edition), with about 4000 entries in each section its limitations were always fairly obvious. For my most recent trip I bought a copy of Tuttle's Concise Indonesian Dictionary. With more than twice as many entries as the smaller dictionary, I expected this to be pretty solid. Most of the time it was, but there were a few problems: some words I expected to find - "swap" is one, "retribusi" is another - weren't included (though there is a somewhat obscure entry for "tank steamer"); there is an entry for "polemics" rather than for "polemic"; and explanation of meanings is limited, creating problems with polysemic words which even reverse lookup often fails to resolve. On the plus side, Tuttle's Dictionary just fitted into my trouser pocket, and its sturdy plastic cover is a godsend given the wear and tear of travel.

This book is a handy source for getting by speaking Bahasa Indonesia, the national language of Indonesia, and will serve you well if you go to Bali. In Bali, they speak Bahasa Bali and Bahasa Indonesia, and as I have read in Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok guidebook, apparently, Bahasa Indonesia is easier for the visitor to learn.

My husband and I used this book on our trip to Bali in April, and found it very useful. We pleased many Balinese by trying to speak in Bahasa Indonesia, instead of expecting them to speak English.

This is a very small book (126 pages, 3.5" x 5") and fits nicely in the pocket of the very lightweight clothing you will want to wear while in a hot, humid, tropical climate. The book is organized according to topics (food, taxi, shopping, emergencies etc.), rather than alphabetically like a dictionary, and we found the organization helpful when we really needed it, like when dealing with vendors or when going to a cafe. The only thing different that I would have liked to be added, is a small dictionary of Bahasa Indonesia at the back of the book to accompany the small English one. Although we were not at a loss without and Indonesian dictionary.

This fit-in-your-pocket phrase book is nicely designed, and I really use it.

The grammar section alone outperforms bigger Behasa Indonesia language courses for simplicity and clear explanations.

Categories like "Getting Around" and "Food" are well organized, and it really is possible to find what phrase you are looking for, standing at the market in front of Mister Banana Seller, in a few seconds. Glossary is English to Behasa Indonesia only (and not the other way around).