Asia Books

This is a great childrens book for reading level 4th grade and up. It has a boy as the central character and you will cry at the ending! My fourth grade class loved the characters and all of the facts they learned about Vietnam.

The author is the young child in this story. He described his relationship with two of the family buffaloes. One water buffalo name was Water Jug. The other buffalo's name was Tank. Water Jug died of old age. After Water Jug died Ngoung[the young child in the story]and his fater went looking for buffalo. The found a great young bull. Ngoung and the buffalo played alot. One day a war spread over their country. A bullet hit Tank and one hour after the war Tank died.

This is my favorite book that I've ever read because I like how the author describes his life. I read this book because it was a Bluebonnet book at my school. I never knew that I would like it this much. I just picked it out, and started to read it at the library. My favorite part was when Tank(the waterbuffalo) fights the herd's leader (Hurricane) and wins. I think you should read this book because it tells about a boy's life in Vietnam.

I borrowed this book from our local library, thinking it was just any other book. When I read the book, I enjoyed reading the adventures. Later on, I was surprised to discover that all the adventures were true. People could learn a lot from this book, not only about where the author lives but lessons in life, as well. After I returned the book, I decided to read it again, and this time, I borrowed both of the author's books. I've really enjoyed these books and think that children would benefit from reading these books, too. I hope that the author writes some more books about his memories.

As an elementary school teacher who loves children's literature, I try to read all the Bluebonnet books every year. This was one of the best. I really learned about life in a Vietnamese village from the perspective of a young boy. Even without learning this background, the book is a great story for all children and adults who love animals.

This was a great book. Author kept me interested in all the stories and the book was really heart wrenching when this disaster was seen through the survivors eyes.

This book is a must read for anyone remotely interested in the Asian people and their culture. I was truly humbled by the strength and dignity shown by the families featured in this account of the terrible tragedy. Their resolve should be used as a benchmark in our own everyday lives, it makes our own crisis', and the way we handle them, seem pretty silly and trivial by comparison.

Quite by chance, I had the pleasure of meeting a gentleman that employees a Thia aupair just days after finishing this wonderful book. It went out in the mail to him a few days later. I'm sure he will gain some valuable insight upon reading it, and will have a new and better understanding of the person sharing in his own families' culture after reading this wonderful book.

I highly recommend Wave of Destruction. Ready or not, it places you in the midst of the horror.

At least twice, while reading these stories, I flipped to the front of the book looking for the word "novel," or a disclaimer stating that the characters had been compiled in order to tell the story of the many who had suffered. No such words exist. The accounts are real and each person's experiences are more than any human should have to bear. The stories of the waves themselves made me savor every breath. Many of the survivors's minds were shattered making me want to reach out and pull them to safety, something that is impossible, even today.

After the physical horror had slowed, greed and corruption allowed people with varying degrees of power to profit from (and, arguably, even enjoy) the tragedy of others. How can they look in a mirror? How can they sleep at night? In contrast, the survivors choose to exhibit a level of grace for which there are no words.

This book is a must read for all. The book not only sheds light on the worlds deadliest tsunami, but takes you through the hardships of what life was like before the wave struck--perhaps even more interesting than the tsunami itself. It is a jaw dropping tale of tragedy yet strength. I couldnt put the book down, and when I finished I was left in a shocked state of ah. The author tells the story with passion, keeping the reader locked in until the very end. This tragic true story reminds us all just how much the human spirit can endure...

There are not many books that can bring me to tears, but this one did it. The lives of the people in the book are as amazing as they are sad. It reminded me just how strong some people can be. And just how evil others can be. In the middle of the worst natural disater in history people were actually praying on those who had just lost everything. I spent some time in Thailand years ago, but I only went to the tourist places. After reading this book I know I am going back. I have a totally different outlook on the country and the people now. I think sometimes when we go to foreign countries and do the whole tourist thing we miss out on the beauty. This book has shown me what is beautiful about Thailand--it's people. I think this book will open a lot of eyes.

Phil Karber is my Dad's first cousin. Trust me, the sarcastic humor runs in the family. I have not read my cousin's book yet, but I have no doubt that it is wonderful. Phil is a great guy to be around, and he could write a dozen books about his life. I would love to read about his childhood also.

While visiting family members in Arkansas over Easter weekend, I happened to read a review for the book Yak Pizza to Go by Arkansas native Phil Karber. The excerpts from the book in the review left me craving more and as soon as it came out, I purchased a copy. I was not disappointed. As an avid traveler (I believe I may have run into Karber while visiting Sapa, Vietnam), this book is incredibly interesting and entertaining. Unlike most travel books that only tell you where to eat, sleep, and drink, Yak Pizza To Go provides the reader with this information along with a capsule summary of the history and culture of the regions that Karber has visited. From the bia hoas of Hanoi, Vietnam to meeting fellow Arkansan Hillary Clinton at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Karber's informative and at times sarcastic stories along with vivid and accurate descriptions of these places flooded me with memories of my own journeys and a longing to visit others. This book is a must read for anyone who is serious about traveling and getting the most out of their experiences to foreign lands.

i am unable to leave the usa due to physical problems. this book takes me places in my imagination that i never thought i would go. the writing is crisp with a dry humor. the author lives his life as he says in the book, a roaming vagabond, tied to the countries his wife is assigned to. with her job they spend all their time all over. i just wish i had been able to accompany him on some of these travels. i am only 2/3 through the bbook, it is very long. i just wish it had another 500 pages to anticipate when i go to bed at night which is when i do most of my reading. in short, a fascinating book from a new author. i hope he has another book in his future.

I've just finished Yak Pizza--and how much I was transported from Fort Smith, AR to places I've only dreamed or heard of. Each day I looked forward to that time after dinner when I could grab Yak Pizza, get off by myself, and take trip after trip.

Phil Karber did a remarkable job here, finding the right distance from his subject matter--at times letting places and experiences speak for themselves and at just the right times giving such keen insights from observation and analysis.

There were such poignant moments and then humor and then righteous indignation and then such a knowledge of the background history of environment, economics, political/social structure. . .and gadzooks what a vocabulary.

I wrote a haiku over my impressions the night I finished the book and had such bittersweet emotions on finishing it--here tis Brushed bamboo, twisted thickets of morass. Leeches hold time in their craw.

Warning: This travel guide is not designed for the "accidental tourist," the person who travels to foreign lands hoping only to recreate a faraway, expensive version of his homeland. This book is for anyone who wants to travel not only for pleasure, but also for knowledge. With humor and incredible insight, Phil Karber writes of his adventures in the lands he has visited, lands that most of us will only see on National Geo specials. Karber immerses himself in each culture, learning as much as he can about the history, philosophy, people, and customs of each country that he visits. After reading this book, the reader will feel as if he, too, has visited each place Karber describes. This book is a must-have for anyone who plans to travel to these exotic locales, but it is also a delightful way for those of us who lack the courage, time, or funds to travel to experience places that may no longer exist in a few year's time.

I had never read anything by this author, but when I saw this book at a used book store the title intrigued me. I wanted to know Aprils story and how she met her Indian Prince. I read this book in less then a week. The story pulled me in. I felt Aprils fear, worry, and love When she cried so did I. This book gave me a new look into what it was like to live with TB. I felt sorry for the people who were treated like lepers just because they were sick. I would recommend this story to anyone who never gives up on their dreams.

well i was looking Around the library and saw the book...then mah friend kath was all in a hurry so i just grab it..then i read the book i couldn't put it down because it was so good...i love it...this is the first book that i ever love....the book is mix with love story n adventure...hahhahhah

This is my all time favorite book. The very first day i got it, i didn't put it down until i was done with it late that night. The vivid descriptions of a forbidden love was so touching, it kindled a new flame for an obbsession with romance. Even my e-mail was influenced by the rememarkable book. I recommend this book for any girl (or guy) that wears their heart on their sleve and can use a little sweet mushyness in thier life!

I enjoyed "The Year of My Indian Prince" a lot. It is about a girl that is stuck in a TB (Tuberculosis) center where she is receiving treatment. Meanwhile, she meets up with a handsome prince from (where else) India. They become buddies... etc. The plot is interesting but I was a bit skeptical at first. The title reminded me of another story. The Summer Of My German Soldier. Do you see the simularities?

This book was about 16 year old April who is diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB). To get well again, she must live in a TB hospital where she must undergo various treatments. April soon meets Ravi, an Indian prince, and he show interest in her. As April's condition worsens, April and Ravi's love for each other gets stronger.

This was really an amazing book! It is also based on the author's actual life experiences. For me, I could not put the book down, I was hooked. I would reccomend this to everyone, especially those who are in the mood for reading about a truly sweet romance.

Each poem of Stonehouse is a meditation in itself, each seeming as lines written after a satori while sitting on his mountain-side. Here was a true Nirmanakaya of Zen, no attachment, all needs provided by chance.

Red Pine's notes can be helpful, but don't worry about them unless you have a question about what you just read. Otherwise, reading the poem then referring to the notes may cause you to be distracted from the insight Stonehouse is attempting to relay to you.

I finally have my copy of this wonderful volume. Why do I say that? I first ordered the book new on Amazon in August 2005, with a note saying 2-4 week delivery. After monthly alterations in delivery dates, Amazon unilaterally cancelled the order in January 2006. So I ordered again. Again, monthy alterations in projected delivery date. So I looked into the matter. Turns out other companies cannot supply the book. Even the publisher has no copies. This realized, I ordered a used book from an individual listing on Amazon, at a reasonable price, and finally have this valuable document in June 2006.

This is not a review, just wanted you to know that the Editorial Review listed for this book "The Zen Works of Stonehouse: Poems and Talks of a Fourteenth-Century Chinese Hermit",
is for a completely different book... thought you'd want to know & couldn't find any other way to tell you.

Another great treasure of poems translated by Bill Porter. I believe this could be the best of the lot. These poems are tough, gentle & uncomprimising. I've gone through them several times always at ease and also alert.They truly come from the void, the Tao, whatever that is or isn't. Like notes from shakuhachi: soft ,dim slow quick, sloping, climbing. This man was a teacher of many and yet also a true recluse shutting or opening his brushwood door. I have read many poets from this period and used to wonder why Stonehouse was somehow considered one of the very best. On successive viewings their depth and clarity really begin to show them selves in comparison to some others. This ,of course, explains such an opinion

I don't think I can adequately express my love for this book, so I will just tell a little about the contents. Stonehouse is the English translated name of the Chinese Ch'an (Zen) poet Ch'ing-hung who retired early from being a temple abbot (he pleaded old age) so he could return to his beloved mountain retreat and live a peaceful, reflective life in nature. This great Zen monk whose medium of instruction was poetry also gave brief but potent Zen talks which are included here. Burton Watson's commendation on the back cover is correct about Pine's translation of the poems, noting that "...Red Pine has devised and unusual translation style that not only captures much of the flavor of the Chinese originals, but at the same time works splendidly as English." Yes, so splendidly that in reading a few to a friend, she began weeping. As if Red Pine carries in his chest the heart of the original poet, he expresses each poem sensitively and perfectly into English for us.

Here's what else I love about Red Pine's works: he has thoughtfully accompanied every poem with notes explaining contexts, references, and doctrinal backgrounds. The poetry carries you back to a beautiful wilderness in fourteenth century China and awakening a love for simplicity, return to nature, and Zen mind. Six pages of introduction to the monk provide very good backdrop for his poems. This volume contains three parts:
Book One: Mountain Poems
Book Two: Gathas
Book Three: Zen Talks
I read excerpts of Stonehouse for an incense game called Kodo, and a Zen monk attending exclaimed, each one is like a meditation!

From the books of Zen I've read, it always seemed to me that only the ancient writers have had the most impact. See if you will agree by reading this insightful book. It also includes a fascinating biography of this humble man.

This is a set of 100 cards, each of which has a very brief description of a tourist destination in Beijing, along with Chinese Characters that describe the location. The cards are grouped into sections (famous tourist sites, shopping, restaurants, etc.). Unless you are part of a tour group, a lot of travel in Beijing is done by taxi and these cards are invaluable if you don't speak Mandarin since you can show one to your driver and that's all they need to know to get you there. We used them several times and it always went smoothly. Each card also points out two other destinations that are nearby, which can help as you plan the rest of your day. The main limitations are (1) these are very quick descriptions - the cards do not replace a guidebook by any means; (2) if you want to go anywhere that isn't one of the 100 listed, obviously you are out of luck! and (3) the ring that binds the cards together is fragile - the Zhao card people say they are working on that.

If you are staying at any of the big tourist hotels, then the concierge there will be used to writing out destinations in Chinese for you to give to taxi drivers, but these cards allow for some spontaneity, and it was nice not to have to ask every time we wanted to go somewhere. It helped us feel more independent - even though we spoke no Mandarin, we could get around on our own.

The Ipod of travel guides. Cool, cleverly designed and extremely practical are some of the characteristics that set aside Zhao Cards from other guides. But what makes Zhao truly unique is that it empowers the traveler. This guide will help you move around town with ease, without constantly feeling insecure because you don't speak Chinese. And to my personal delight it's made for people that not only want to discover China, but also its fantastic cuisine. Highly recommended!

We used these cards in Beijing (in August 2008) and found them to be incredibly helpful. Each of the "place" cards (Temple of Heaven, for example) has the name and address of the place in English and Chinese characters. It also has the phone number (which was used by confused taxi drivers on a couple of trips); the subway line and closest stop, and the hours that the site is open. We pulled the cards that were the most useful for us, put them on the included keyring, and carried them with us wherever we went. There are cards for places, hotels, restaurants, shopping....food and beverages - you can just show these cards to the taxi driver, restaurant server, person on the street - they worked like a dream! My best ever impulse buy before heading to China!

I go to China very often for business. Moving around is always problematic if you don't hire a translator with you. Taxi drivers never understand when I try to mumble in Chinese and not even restaurants or bars in big hotels are able to take my order. However, on my recent trip, I bought a fantastic pocket guide in Beijing called Zhao Beijing (I was tremendously pleased to see Zhao Shanghai in Amazon and bought it immediately, my next trip to the city was memorable thanks to this guide). The first thing that attracted me was its sleek and practical design. Unlike other so-called pocket guides, Zhao is a very simple, yet clever idea: a ring bounds 99 cards and a map. This way, you can simply remove the cards you need and put them in your wallet without the need to carry the entire book. Being a businessman this has proven to be an invaluable feature; I'm able to secretly carry my guide to meetings with clients without looking like the biggest dork.

But Zhao's real benefit is that all the information in the cards is listed both in Chinese and English -names of sites, restaurants, streets and even menus! This way you just get on a cab and show the driver a card, he/she will take you to your destination without speaking a word! No need to stress out every time you step outside. In addition, Zhao Cards' restaurant list is absolutely superb, the writers recommend a wide range of both prices and cuisines. And in each place they even make a selection of dishes. I would say that if you enjoy eating, this is a fantastic product.

Furthermore, the cards are written in a witty and funny style. Zhao's insight into the city is deep and you can tell this guide was written not only by people that live in Beijing, but most important that love it. My only criticism? Develop more cities!!! Beijing and Shanghai are not enough.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RQAKMZD5GHKLW My husband and I used these cards first in Shanghai. The first night we ate at some restaurant and ordered everything that it recommended. We don't know how to speak so all we did was show them the card and they brought it out. The food was sooooo good! We would have never known to order these local favorite dishes.

This video is of us using the cards sight seeing in Pudong Shanghai.


We also used the cards in Beijing. While my husband was in business meetings I took the cards and visited the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China. My favorite Zhao card was the shopping suggestion. When I told a local that I was going to this shopping market, she was surprised and asked me how I find out about it because it's mostly a local's shopping area. The cards suggested it! The cards also warned me about their aggressive sales style and recommended to start negotiating at least 30% below their start price. At first I was overwhelmed, then I totally got the hang of it. I got great items at great prices. I have both sets and am keeping them for my next trip back to Shanghai and Beijing. The language barrier is less daunting with these cards.

I love this calendar. Every day that I look at my calendar by my desk, I long to be back in China again. The photos are gorgeous and the text is quite informative, especially because the calendar doesn't just focus on the most famous places in China. In fact, when I took the calendar down temporarily, I got complaints from my office mates that they missed the China calendar--and not one of them is a sinophile like me. Don't buy it if you don't want your wanderlust awakened. It will make you discontent sitting in your cubicle when you could be out exploring the Chinese countryside.

Reviewed by Barbara Strother, author of Moon Living Abroad in China (Living Abroad).

This is the second year I've bought this calendar. Likely, I will buy it every year. It's gorgeous with great tid-bits about China. As a mother with 2 children from China, it is a nice addition to the play area.

We got this calendar to get us excited for our trip to China next year to adopt our daughter. There are tons of beautiful pictures of all different regions. Very nice.

For anyone who has been in China or for anyone who wants to go, this calendar is a marvelous display of nature and daily life in China. Lisa See's texts are as lovely as the photographs by Keren Su.

I purchased this calendar last year and was pleased with the photos, and this years calendar is just as good if not better. Each month features a province in China and then each day has a smaller photo which would also be perfect for photos for your child's lifebook because the photos of temples, objects, countrysides and people. The provinces featured in this year's calendar are: Guangxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, Shanghai, Shanghai, Sichuan, Shandong & Shanxi, Zhejiang, Beijing which is for the month of August to celebate the 29th Olympic Games and it's slogan - One World One Dream. There is only 1 photo in this month that is of the Millennium Monument and is a small photo. Guizhiu, Anhui, Xinjiang,Yunnan finish out the year.

Lisa See write information on each province and there is also a small black outline of China that shows you where this province is located in China. Keren Su who is the photographer for all of the photos did a fantastic job! I am planning on using the photos of the calendar for photos for my daughter's lifebook. And if your child is from one of the provinces mentioned about you have a nice write up on that province.

The book was very good from the standpoint of showing an uninformed family what the plane I flew in as a combat gunner was all about. Even though he left out a lot about my squadron and slighted us for other units it did not deminish my interest in others who were justly remembered. There are a lot of people who knew nothing about Navy heavy bombers and the book certainly introduced them to our war. Thank you. I have purchased a lot of these books as presents for my family and friends.

Mr. Carey has written a great book on a little known aspect of U.S. Naval History. He clearly brings out the suffering and bravery of the combat aircrew that served with Navy B-24 squadrons. His interviews of veterans and the multitude of photographs captures the spirit of fighting above the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Both of his books on this part of the war are more than excellent. There are no more superlatives that can describe the accuracy of the events depicted. Great reading

This is one of the most informative and telling documentation I have ever read. I highly recomend the reading of this book. It would be a great addition to any historian's library. Every page is loaded with personal accounts of what it was really like to fight above the ANGRY SEA! Mr. Carey has captured the true essence of life on a PB4Y. If Spielberg could get a hold of this book, there would be a great movie made.

Alan Cary has followed up his earlier book (We Flew Alone)and if possible he has surpassed himself with this second volume. I must admit to being a bit prejudiced since I was one of those Navy men who served in the old B-24 that the Navy called the PB4Y1. Prior to these books, the story has only been reported occasionally and not always accurately. These two books by Alan Cary are exceptionally well done.

As one who was there during much of the time that he describes I can testify to the accuracy of his book. He has accurately captured the feelings, the fears, the loneliness, the pride of the men who performed these missions. Almost always a single airplane at the maximum range of the aircraft and over "an angry sea" that was a final resting place for too many brave men.

For anyone who is interested in this phase of the war in the Pacific, these two books are absolutely essential. There are many fine photographs, including many combat action shots and many of the stories are in the actual words of the men who performed so gallantly.

Thank you, Alan Cary and God bless America.

I've tried several courses: math, science, history and language. My kids especially love the Sign Language cards! I purchased all three card sets and the CD-software. The photographs are more realistic than drawings which you mostly find in ASL products. Great for younger kids too. My daughter's using them in her Brownie troupe and my three-year-old has picked up on some of the alphabet and numbers already. My older son has some mild learning disabilities and looking at a page in a book with so much information all together makes him nervous. I put one card at a time on a cleared table. It helps him focus and that gives him more confidence. People have been making or using flash cards forever, and I think they always will be no matter how fancy computers and software gets (but the Exambusters software is good too). I've recommended them to others.

When I was in school, flash cards were the best way to learn and I always made my own. The exambusters cards cover many of my daughter's courses and I bought her several. Sometimes we work together and she and her friends study in a group too--making a trivia game. Try the software. The screensaver function is great!! In our house, we love to learn new languages. The program flashes words or phrases and then translation every few seconds. The material goes into your brain by osmosis and the constantly changing cards on the screen keep pulling you back to read more. The software is much easier to figure out than some other brands we've purchased. It's intuitive; you don't need to read a lot of confusing instructions. All in all, good investment.

In junior high, my son got a head start on high school courses and that helped him get better grades. He used both cards and CD. My son liked the software, so he studied more than he would have from a book. Learning is hard work, but the exambusters made him feel like it's not quite so bad. The software is well-laid out, colorful, and user-friendly. The messages they give when they score the tests are amusing.

I bought several courses. The cards offer basic concepts in small bites. The information was relevant to what was presented by my teacher. The cards and CD's gave good review before exams and a head start at the start of the new school year. The cards had a lot of questions; you can carry them in your pocket and learn a few each day. The software was easy to use. It is like the cards but on the screen. You can take a test or just review. Front is question, click for answer on back of card. The software can also show the cards on the screen at random, first the question, then the answer. They change every few seconds. That keeps you reading and wondering what's coming up next. It's entertaining while you're studying.

Every year I recommend them to my students. The ones who buy them seem to do a little better than they might have. The cards are numbered, so it's easy to tell them which ones they need to know, and which they can set aside based on the curriculum. It's harder to accomplish that type of culling of information with a review book you'd buy at the superstore.

I used this book for my own motorcycle travels - it, along with Asia Overland, was the only reference I truly needed. It was fantastic for both pre trip planning and for during the trip.

Chris highlights all of the things you need for a successful and fun journey, and provides enough excitement to build your motivation to buy & equip the bike and get on the road. If you think that you might like to do this the future - watch out, a few months after reading this book you may find yourself on a dirt track in a country you didn't know existed....

Just the sort of book the rapidly increasing band of motorcycle explorer-adventurers need. If you like the feeling of long-distance independent motorcycle travel and want to take in more of the planet then this book will answer many of your questions and provide plenty of welcome advice.

Most of the practical information is geared towards exploring the more challenging parts of the world rather than the comparatively simple Western countries. Every adventurous touring motorcyclist is likely to benefit from reading this thoroughly.

Highly recommended.
David French, Chairman, Irish Motorcyclists Action Group

A very helpfull book indeed. It gives you prcatical advice and touches all possible subjects that involve a motorbike trip. It even reminds you of the possible failure, or that one should reconcider the possible departure date. Very usefull are short stories written by teachers, workers etc who have done a long overland journey, even in a short time (as like most of us they have to get back to work! ) Most travels books are nice to read, but unfortuanetly we all cannot take months off from work. This really helps anyone planning a trip

If you want do a overland journey, this is a MUST !

This book is the best way to find out what it is like to ride your bike around the world without actually doing it. Great practical tips on bike setup, routes, what works and what doesn't. The last quarter of the book is full of interesting stories from those adventure bikers who have actually put the principles of this book to the test, including some great color pictures (my favorite image is one of Helge Pederson dragging his BMW through the Darien Gap in Panama). The appendix has a good list of Web sites and related readings.

You'll find updates for this book, latest trip reports from readers, a discussion forum and a whole lot more atwww.adventure-motorcycling.com