Asia Books

I had the pleasure of stumbling across this book recently and purchasing it through Amazon; it contains striking pictures of Islamic people & places captured by Peter Sanders, a famous English photographer. The associated descriptions and quotes from Islamic sources for each impeccably selected photograph greatly enhance the high production quality.

In this day and age where the electronic media is replete with images of death, destruction, and violence this book serves as a breath of fresh air, evoking the simplicity and beauty inherent in being near to one's Creator.

Mr. Sanders has a great gift to see the world through a beautiful lens, and to be able to share it with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He has a well-crafted web site (which I'll fail to mention, respecting Amazon's review guidelines) that contains a mini-photo gallery - as well as info on his forthcoming books in the series which I hope to see available here soon, inshAllah (God willing).

If you're still debating whether to buy this book or not, stop and just click the button; trust me, you won't regret this purchase one bit! :)

The photography of Peter Sanders takes us into a new world of possibilties and challenges us to humanise the "other". A man who straddles East and West, Sanders captures the spiritual depth and universal message of the lived Muslim experience in a way few others have. Each photograph is the starting point for a narrative that ought to be written by those who view them. A blessed and marvelous work!

This book came as a gift from a dear friend who happens to be a Christian from Britain. His note read "I thought you might appreciate this lovely book." Lovely it is indeed. In many ways. A gift that is a challenge to repay.

Great photographers' through their works get us to see and comprehend the world surrounding us. A few among great photgraphers are able to translate to us through their images what we miss or are not able to see inside the people arround us.

Peter Sanders' work gives us glimpses of many insides. It is a look at many parts of the world of Islam. But as you go through the images and the words you see straight into the crevaces of Sanders' yearning. And from his inside you can see much of what it is to be a muslim. A word that means something along the line: one who is willfully submiting in peace, to the Peace.

In these days of many horrors this work is a gift for those who want to know. A gift for searching hearts.

Peter Sanders, one of the first non-Muslim's (Before he entered Islam) to take photo's of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, has put together an excellent pictorial journey through specific countries and places.

While the cover claims, "An Odyssey through the Muslim World", I would choose to call this collection a glimpse into the heart of Peter Sanders.

Mr. Sanders went through his extensive collection of photographs taken from throughout the World, and picked ones that he felt had something to say. He placed a quick commentary and some words of wisdom together with each photograph, and created this book.

Some of the pictures are breathtaking, and some are not so breathtaking. Some of the pictures become breathtaking after reading the commentary; Several pictures made me scratch my head in puzzlement. But after reading Mr. Sander's explanation, I found a new appreciation for the pictures.

I think the book can pass off as an interesting coffee table book. Some people though, will find the photo's and the commentary exceptionaly interesting, and find the book much more then an idle conversation passer.

Anybody interested in exceptional photography (In my limited appreciation of photography) from North Africa and the Middle East will find this book worth the cost.

Peter Sanders is an acquantance of Shaikh Hamza Yusuf; for some people, that might be enough reference to purchase the book.

This book provided everything I hoped it would: 1) A brief outline of the major events and major figures in Mughal history - 2)Some anecdotal material - 3)maps, pictures, diagrams, etc.

It also had some bonuses, like a suggested list for further reading, some translations of texts and letters from people from the time period. The Babur-nama undoubtedly provided the most entertaining texts.

This certainly isn't the be all end all of Mughal history, but that's not what this book is attempting to be. It provides a concise, brief picture of the dynasty and provides the perfect springboard to go deeper into the subject. I finished the book in one sitting in a few hours and that was with really looking at the paintings, diagrams and pictures. All in all, this is a brilliant little intro to a fascinating subject. It certainly has made me want to read further.

This is a small, but nice book that gives only an overview of the Mughal Empire. It is full of colored pictures mixed in with the text, and lots of info sidebars. While it made for an enjoyable read, if you need something more on the academic side, with heavy detail, this is not the book you are looking for.

I love the Discoveries Series. An intelligent text is interwoven with beautiful illustrations and pictures. Each illustration comes with text that is pregnant with information. In fact, the text and the illustrations can be read as parallel texts.

This one on the Mughal empire is an absolute delight - even though the final days of the Mughals India are treated only very briefly. It's the sort of text that children and adults can learn a lot from. Beautiful and Magic.

I have read lots of background essays on the influence of the Mughals in India - but Ms. Berinstein's is the best as it links the influence of the Samarkand society on an attempt by later Mughal leaders to integrate into Indian society - if you want a good reader and on the way to India - this is a must read - it is a jumping off point to read more about the Mughals individually, the Sikhs, the Rajputs and the impact of British power on a declining culture. A quality paperback (small in size but packs a wallop) with excellent pictoral displays. Jay Pineda, Ph.D (History and Political Science, University of California, Santa Barbara)

The world's largest democracy is on the move. Till about a quarter century ago, this country had been almost written off, for its inability to get out of the vicious circle of poverty, trapped inside a "Hindu growth rate" of less that 3 percent, and a growing population nearing Malthusian proportions.

Till the beginning of the nineteenth century, India was a leader in world trade, and also a great contributor to world civilizations and culture, rightly termed as the jewel on the crown of the British Empire. Since then, several accounts have been written about the rapid deterioration in India's economic progress and her inability to keep pace and participate in the Industrial revolution. Colonial exploitation emerges as the key factor in some accounts, but the absence of disciplined pluralism in a country of extreme diversities is another. Since her independence from the British in 1947, India, once a conglomerate of over 600 loosely coupled princely states, became a single country, a Sovereign, Democratic, Socialist and Secular Republic, as per the preamble of her Constitution, considered to be one of the best written constitutions of the world.

Despite best and well intended efforts in planned economic growth, more than half of the country's population lived below the poverty line even 40 years after independence in 1947. The attempts to gain control over the "commanding heights of the economy" seem to have failed despite having laid some good economic foundations in terms of steel plants, research institutes and a successful green revolution.

Come 1991, the national budget presented by the then Finance Minister (now Prime Minister) Dr Manmohan Singh, was the magical turning point in India's destiny. In a country where everything was controlled in a "License Raj", the corridors of power were suddenly opened to a blast of fresh air of economic liberalization. The rest, as they say, is history. But the good news is that the rapid strides that India has made since 1991, is just the beginning of a glorious journey for her rightful place in the global economy in the twenty-first century.

Despite changes in political leadership at the central government several times the basic economic philosophy and direction has not changed since 1991.

This book is an excellent and accurate view from an insider, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, who has been at the helm of India's glorious economic journey, part of the A team, shaping policies and aspirations, and leading from the front, if one ignores all political affiliations.

To get a bird's eye view the economic transformation at the world's largest democracy, this is an excellent book. Each chapter is devoted for a interesting topic- IT, Manufacturing, Rural Development, and of course the author's own elected constituency in the State of Madhya Pradesh, to cite a few.

The book lacks the depth of an academic research paper, but does not fall short in terms of an honest, passionate and exciting narrative of the unfolding economic miracle of the twenty-first century.

The single most significant aspect of this book is that it's under the byline of Kamal Nath, arguably India's most talented and resourceful politician since Independence. In fact, he's 61 years old -- just a year older than Modern India, which was carved out of the British Raj in 1947.

There are those who predict that he will some day be the country's prime minister, and, indeed, some of his friends are already canvassing in his behalf. Mr. Nath's intrinsic decency and good nature make him a likable figure not only in his own Congress Party but also among Opposition members. His exceptional intelligence and acuity have impressed world leaders. As a journalist, I've observed his career for nearly three decades, and I've been struck by how accessible and sharply focused he is. No doubt Mr. Nath has his share of political enemies, but you'd be hard pressed to cite too many instances when he's down-sizing anyone (except, maybe, a journalist or two).

Moreover, Mr. Nath is a "contemporary" Indian -- a truly global citizen in this era of globalization, a man who's equally at ease in the chancelleries of the West, in the negotiating chambers of multilateral organizations, and in the poor constituencies of his native land. He's the beneficiary of a remarkable family: his late father, Mahendra Nath, was an accomplished industrialist who also established one of India best institutions of management education. Kamal Nath continues his family's tradition of educating and inspiring talented Indians, and also furthering philanthropy.

He makes no bones about enjoying life. He's a colorful character, full of good humor and good cheer and bonhomie. As a journalist, I rarely admire politicians -- not because of any bias against them, but because it's best to be skeptical of those in power. But I must admit to a certain fascination with Kamal Nath's life and career. If he occasionally succumbs to the poor advice of associates, or associates himself with dubious characters -- well, he's a big boy now, and knows very well how to take care of himself. He knows how to take criticism in stride, and put it in context. He's not exactly unflappable, but, given the constant scrutiny and limelight he lives under, Mr. Nath is about as even tempered as a man holding public office can be. That isn't to say he's not capable of being politically ruthless and calculating -- but then, which politician isn't? His three decades in India's national parliament bear testimony to Mr. Nath's ability to successfully navigate the political and social shoals of India's complicated society. They also bear testimony to the fact that, the rumors and whispering notwithstanding, Mr. Nath's personal integrity remains intact. Born into wealth, and having a family business that's formidably successful, Mr. Nath doesn't need to be corrupt.

His book is well organized, and offers a wide-ranging review of India's economic and social development. It offers his special insider's insights into how policy is made and implemented. Mr. Nath has a good grasp of not only India's indigenous economic scene but also of world affairs. Global audiences -- particularly investors -- should find "India's Century" useful; no wonder India's industrialists are promoting the book heavily, and a recent launch party in London was attended by the "who's who" of Indian and global business.

Having said all that, here are some quibbles and disclosures: Mr. Nath fails to mention that the book would never have happened without the extraordinary efforts of Robert L. Dilenschneider, the New York-based guru of strategic communications, who persuaded McGraw-Hill to publish the timely book. He fails to mention that it was I who suggested the book's title, and informally assisted him in the early stages of the book. I'm sure that these are unintentional oversights, because I like to think that Mr. Nath is far too magnanimous a person to withhold credit where it's due.

Another lapse -- one that Mr. Nath cannot be necessarily held responsible for -- is that some of the wonderful photographs that adorn the back cover and inside of the the book were not credited to the young man who took them, Siddhartha Prakash of New Delhi. Instead, another, equally talented, photographer, Sanjit Das -- some of whose pictures were also used -- was credited with those pictures. I hope that the publisher corrects this matter and makes the proper restitution to the photographer. It's an unnecessary blemish on the book, and one that was entirely avoidable had there been more vigilance during the editing and production stages.

Regardless of Mr. Nath's political future and fortunes, this book will enjoy a long shelf life. It is a sensible book about what makes modern India tick, a book by a skilled practitioner of the art of the possible -- politics.

The book is a must-read for people who do business transactions with India or Indians and want to get a deeper understanding of what drives the country and its people. The book explains the reasons behind India's phenomenal economic growth and why it's a sustainable model vs. "flash in the pan" phenomenon.

Additionally, it details the cultural ethos and history of a country which is essential to building long term relationships with its people. This fact is not very well imbibed with most of corporate America who go for pure numbers and shy away from a personal connection. After a slew of books on India and emerging markets (World is Flat, etc), which present a peripheral and superficial view from an outsider's viewpoint; it's great to read a book on India's growth from a very important member of its economic growth team. A must-read!

The book is authored by Kamal Nath, a seasoned Indian politician who received much acclaim as the tough negotiator for the `third world' countries' rights at WTO. The narrative of the book is certainly easy-to-read and I would recommend it to my NRI (Non Resident Indian) friends, many of whom continue to be armchair politicians even after acquiring foreign citizenships.

The only jarring aspect of the narrative - perhaps understandable, given Nath's political background - was that one is reminded over and over why Congress, Nath's party, IS THE party to lead India into the future. [eg. "Looking back at those days, it becomes obvious that many owe the Congress apologies for the misplaced fervor with which its government was attacked over the WTO agreement"]. Discounting a bit of political rhetoric, the book is certainly a good read.

I would recommend it to those interested in contemporary India and the changes in the policy making landscape at the highest levels.

The IndoChina Chronicles, a travelogue good enough to be a historical novel, captures the sights, sounds and the people of the area more richly than most travel books. Phil Karber, a dedicated world traveler, returns to where he started his travels as a soldier during the Vietnam conflict. Phil takes you beyond the big cities and tourist spots to the villages and byways of the region. Experience life (and death)along the Mekong with Phil and his trip companion, Simon, as they travel with the locals. Witness emotional encounters between American veterans and their former foes as they all seek to put the war behind them and build better lives. And life is improving in Indochina. The scars of war are gradually healing over. But Phil won't let you forget the horrors that the war brought. His extensive research provides an historical perspective for almost every town he visits. The intensity of the battle of the Tet Offensive in 1968 as told by a participant is especially compelling. In all, the reader will experience a vibrant culture brought to life by a traveler who can't seem to experience enough of it, a traveler deeply sympathetic to the land and its people. Savor it as you would a fine wine, sip by sip, or as Phil and Simon often do, with a nice spliff.

The Indochina Chronicles: Travels In Laos, Cambodia And Vietnam is the intimate and intriguing memoir to the Cambodian, Laos, and Vietnam travels of esteemed travel author and globe trotting adventure Phil Karber. Exploring the pieces and intricacies of the country's histories which may only be observed by a native, student, or true professional traveler, The Indochina Chronicles delves deeply into the exotic worlds of three interesting far eastern countries. Perfect reading for the armchair traveler, The Indochina Chronicles is very strongly recommended to as an informative and intriguing collection of stories, histories, happenings, and travelogue explorations of generally unknown countries, all tactfully and engagingly written from beginning to end.

A journey of redemption for all of us who fought in or against the war in Indo China. Phil Karber does not hide his own personal sadness and outrage as he shows how that war physically and emotionally traumatized an entire region of the world ( as well as an entire generation of young Americans back in the 60's and 70's) And he does this by telling a tale of a journey filled with humor, poignancy, drama, vivid descriptions of places and people and a glimpse of his own comming to terms. His writing, both inspiring and entertaining allows the reader to visit these countries as if he's sitting with you over a beer and sharing it personally with you. This is must reading for all of those who came to terms with "Vietnam" as well as for those who see Iraq as this generation's Vietnam. Phil is an eloquent spokesman for those many quiet, sweet and peace loving citizens of Vietnam Cambodia and Laoas as he relates their stories. And in so doing he presents these countries as intriguing and inviting places to visit.

Indochina Chronicles is simply a wonderful travel book--you can practically taste the food Phil Karber eats and smell the smells. Everything is vividly described, so that you feel as if you're making the trip yourself. The book is really three books in one--part travelogue, part voyage of self-discovery, and also a series of fascinating anecdotes and stories explaining the people and the history of Indochina in an unforgettable way. It was a real pleasure to read.

This book is a guide to cooking Indonesian food in the American kitchen. It begins with a brief introduction to culinary traditions in Indonesia and general cooking techniques, followed by some discussions of spices and coconut. The remainder of the book consists of recipes, organized by type of food. The chapters include: rice, satay (barbecue), soups and noodles, chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, fritters, garnishes and chips, eggs, sauces and dips, and sweets. At the end of the book are some menu suggestions for a rijsttafel (buffet), traditional herbal remedies, a glossary of ingredients, and an index. There are no photographs and very few illustrations.

While the recipes include a sampling from all the major islands (Java, Sumatra, Bali, Borneo, Sulawesi, and Madura), the focus is on Java, Sumatra, and Bali. Many of the recipes include a brief introduction explaining the cultural significance or context of the recipe. Marks has included recipes for many well-known dishes, such as nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (barbecue), rendang (coconut stewed beef), soto ayam (chicken soup), gado-gado (salad with many ingredients), and rujak (green mango salad). On the whole, the directions are clear and many of the recipes can be prepared without a lot of fuss. Marks frequently includes useful notes about which recipes can be made in advance and which freeze well. He also describes which spices are essential to a recipe, and which can be substituted without a great loss in flavor. The chapter on vegetables is titled "Vegetables for the Vegetarian," but this is a bit of a stretch, since recipes in this chapter frequently call for shrimp paste, shrimp, and one even uses ground beef.

I have quite a few Indonesian cookbooks to supplement what I've learned from my mom. This book covers all the basics that you might not find in other Indonesian cookbooks. By this I mean the staples that you might be able to order in a restaurant to supplement fancier dishes or would likely make yourself at home if you were living in Indonesia (e.g. lontong, rempeyek kacang, sambal bajak). While Marks and Soeharjo cover regional variations, they include them side-by-side in the book rather than grouped by region--very helpful for anyone just getting started in Indonesian cooking. I also love the short section on "Spices as Medicinal Remedies"--something almost always considered in Indonesia when deciding what dishes to prepare. You'll be able to make good use of this book if you love to cook Indonesian food.

As a "meat-n-potatoes" American woman married to an Indonesian man, I have been looking for a good Indonesian cookbook for 15 years. THIS IS IT. Most other Indonesian cookbooks are written in Dutch or suffer from metric measurements. Recipes from other multi-Asian cookbooks have resulted in bland semi-chinese food. But this book results in authentic Indonesian cooking. All dishes have both English and Indonesian names so I can cook my husband recipes from his childhood. Everything I have tried has turned out delicious. Also the menu planning tips for "rice tables" or banquets help with meal planning. Spices and common ingredients are listed in Indonesian, Latin botanical, English, and Chinese or Indian if applicable.

I was first introduced to Indonesian food at a wonderful Rijstaffel (rice table) restaurant in Utrecht, The Netherlands, in 1994. Once I returned to the States, I lost touch with this cuisine. Fortunately, I recently found The Indonesian Kitchen. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow. The ingredients needed are relatively easy to find if you have any Asian groceries in your area (and since we have a few here in western Montana, you should be able to find them just about anywhere). My family loves the dishes I've prepared from this book, and it will get used often! Spice up your life and try the recipes in this book. You won't be sorry.

War may be hell, but waiting for it in a sweltering dockside warehouse or in the mosquito-infested desert is its own form of infernal torment. Thompson, who was among the first U.S. troops sent to protect the Saudi border after Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, vividly describes the confusion, ennui, anger, fear, and occasional satisfactions of a Marine artillery captain caught up in the biggest military campaign since Vietnam. Mixing extensive quotes from his field journals with passages written with a decade's hindsight, Thompson puts the reader into the world of a combat soldier, a universe that shrinks at times to what can be seen with the eyes, heard through the rumor mill, or evoked by letters from home. Here, too, are tales of the fog of war: orders made and countermanded, improvisations brilliant and foolhardy. No one with a historical interest in the Marine Corps' Persian Gulf operations or a personal one in its troops should miss this book.

War may be hell, but waiting for it in a sweltering dockside warehouse or in the mosquito-infested desert is its own form of infernal torment. Thompson, who was among the first U.S. troops sent to protect the Saudi border after Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, vividly describes the confusion, ennui, anger, fear, and occasional satisfactions of a Marine artillery captain caught up in the biggest military campaign since Vietnam. Mixing extensive quotes from his field journals with passages written with a decade's hindsight, Thompson puts the reader into the world of a combat soldier, a universe that shrinks at times to what can be seen with the eyes, heard through the rumor mill, or evoked by letters from home. Here, too, are tales of the fog of war: orders made and countermanded, improvisations brilliant and foolhardy. No one with a historical interest in the Marine Corps' Persian Gulf operations or a personal one in its troops should miss this book.

Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were a blend of frustration, depression, anxiety and adrenaline rushes. Phillip Thompson captures, with stellar accuracy, the build-up to and conduct of the Persian Gulf War. The reader sees through his eyes how a company grade Marine Corps officer faced family separation, debated the "politicalness" of this conflict, and ultimately served with distinction and courage on the frontlines. The reader can feel the heat of the 120-degree desert, smell the smoke of the burning oil fires and sense the frustration of waiting interminably for the war to begin. This book captured the essence of "my" war better than any other that I've read.

War may be hell, but waiting for it in a sweltering dockside warehouse or in the mosquito-infested desert is its own form of infernal torment. Thompson, who was among the first U.S. troops sent to protect the Saudi border after Iraq's August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, vividly describes the confusion, ennui, anger, fear, and occasional satisfactions of a Marine artillery captain caught up in the biggest military campaign since Vietnam. Mixing extensive quotes from his field journals with passages written with a decade's hindsight, Thompson puts the reader into the world of a combat soldier, a universe that shrinks at times to what can be seen with the eyes, heard through the rumor mill, or evoked by letters from home. Here, too, are tales of the fog of war: orders made and countermanded, improvisations brilliant and foolhardy. No one with a historical interest in the Marine Corps' Persian Gulf operations or a personal one in its troops should miss this book.

An Introduction to Japanese Society is a book no serious student of Japan (or East Asia generally) can afford to pass up. It affords an unflinching and incisive look at the nature of Japanese democracy by a Japanese scholar who pulls no punches. While quite a few Western scholars have characterized the Japanese elementary school classroom, for example, as less authoritarian than its American counterpart, Sugimoto contends that authoritarianism is pronounced but subtly pervasive throughout Japanese society. Instead of accentuating top-down coercion by authorities, as Korean and Chinese societies do, Japanese authoritarianism is more subtle, relying heavily on indirect controls such as small group pressures, extensive surveillance, moralistic ideologies, positive reinforcements, mythologies of benevolent leadership, and pleasant rituals to mask underlying and potentially coercive power. As Sugimoto persuasively demonstrates, "Japanese friendly authoritarianism does not normally exhibit its coercive face." But when all else fails, it can and does exercise the full measure of its power. Sugimoto's book should inspire more Western scholars to take a closer look at the informal mechanisms of control in Japanese society. If Sugimoto is right, Japan has far to go before it becomes a full-fledged democracy.

In a world of Inside/Outside, it is refreshing to get a view form the inside. YOSHIO SUGIMOTO'S "An introduction to Japanese society" is probably the most functional addition to the limited number of books which give a wide-ranging coverage of Japanese society fit for an preliminary Japanese society course, and more sophisticated students will find much in it as well. As a counterpoint to myriad of books and thesis, which show Japan as culturally homogenous, and predominantly white collar, Sugimoto zeroes-in on Japan's multiculturalism and class distinctions which he posits are more akin to other highly industrialized societies. The Japanese "everyman" (term mine) he posits from the get-go is not a highly educated "salaryman" working for a large company, but rather older woman with less education maybe working for a smaller company or family firm. What is important to note is that Japan, with a dropping birth rate, aging population and more emphasis on individualism in education and work, Japan might be even more like other countries.

Sugimoto manages to cover a large selection of the essential issues that affect Japanese society at present time and its historical development. Furthermore, Sugimoto presents a balanced perspective of the weaknesses and strengths of the Japanese system. In Chapter 2, dealing with the issue of "stratification", Sugimoto explains that while class distinctions have become less apparent in the post-war period, inequality is actually on the rise. Chapter 3, Sugimoto discusses regional disparities, the positions of minorities, regional variations, and the influence of Tokyo on the more peripheral regions of the country. This section is insightful as it is pedagogical - Sugimoto's treatment of ethnic diversity is clear, concise and balanced.

Chapter 4 deals mainly with the economy. Sugimoto examines the rupture between those permanently employed in the large corporations, and those with less secure jobs in small enterprises. Chapter 6, focuses on women's exclusion from the permanent employment sector of the job market (either by exclusion through education or other means), despite what might seem like equal opportunities legislation. Chapter 7 engages in the discourse of discrimination, namely that against Koreans. Burakumin, the Ainu in Hokkaido, and Japan's now substantial number of foreign immigrant workers. Perhaps the most important chapter in dispelling the homogeneity myth, this chapter explores what is apparently a long and complex discourse of race and race relations in Japan.

Most interesting to Sociologists and Japanese Studies majors is Chapter 8 on the Japanese establishment, and the close and often dubious 3 way links between bureaucrats, politicians and business leaders. For a more detailed but less compelling dissertation of this issue, you can also examine MIKISO HANE'S EASTERN PHOENIX - JAPAN SINCE 1945. Chapter 9 leads in with "Internationalization" and is clearly related to the discussion of popular culture, which includes karaoke, pachinko, the sex industry as well as new religions. For those looking for a Japan textbook, this is looks to be the definitive account of a sociological experiment with it's primary focus in stratification. It does cover a lot and from my discussion above, looks to be a long book. It is not. Much like MIKISO HANE'S book it is well worth the read.

Miguel Llora

This book should be required reading for any introductory course for Japanese Studies. Sugimoto presents a very unbiased view of Japanese society, and covers many different aspects, such as gender, hierarchy (the vertical society), and education that play daily roles in the maintaining of the structure and implement of Japanese ways. Excellent reading for anyone with an interest in Japan, necessary reading for any student of Japanese Studies.

While no book is able to entirely encapsulate a culture, Yoshio Sugimoto's "An Introduction to Japanese Society" manages to showcase the ethnic and economical diversity alongside pop culture and "Friendly Authoritarianism," something that one can see every day in Japan. Scholarly in tone, this is a competent book for serious students of Japan, who want more than can be offered by "culture" books and such.

An impressively wide examination, each of the ten chapters examines a particular face of Japan. Economic class and stratification, varieties in work and labor, diversity and unity in education, minority groups and gender stratification, almost every possible angle is seen. Popular and folk culture are examined in detail, with the "Four Japanese Phenomena" described as manga, pachinko, karaoke and the sex industry. As someone who has spent considerable time in Japan, I can assure that these four areas have more impact on modern Japan than the tea ceremony and the Japanese garden!

Although it is packed with information, "An Introduction to Japanese Society" is also small enough as to not be intimidating. It is only an introduction, but it should be a gateway to those seeking insight into a fascinating culture.

I'm a Taiwanese myself. Even though the content of this book is not new to me, it still provides a fantastic read for me personally and I can imagine it'd be more fantastic for someone wishing to know more about Taiwan. Because Taiwan is so isolated in the international arena, books such as this one is highly recommended for the average person. The only aspect I did not like about this book is the first part of this book's title: "Is Taiwan Chinese?". I'd just like to inform readers that all the population in Asian countries (east, north and south east) all originated from China. So basically everyone is Chinese, so it doesn't just apply to Taiwan. It is like saying: Is Australia British? Nevertheless, a rather informative book for all.

"The "one China" policy officially supported by the People's Republic of China, the United States, and other countries asserts that there is only one China and Taiwan is a part of it." The Description of this book is Misleading.

United States acknowledged China's claim but do not agree with "Taiwan is a part of China". United states position is the resolution shall be peaceful.

At last, a book that covers an aspect of Taiwanese history and culture not often discussed until recent years: the Taiwanese people are a hybrid people. Many have some Plains Aborigine blood (traced on the maternal side). But, with cultural stigma, many Plains Aborigines and part Plains Aborigines forfeited their identity and were absorbed by "Han" identity. I've been waiting for a book in English to discuss this area and am glad Melissa Brown published this book.

If - like me - you are interested in the title's answer, Ms.Brown's is the book! Quoting some of her words: " Many events are completely unknown to us, many events are known only through extremely biased perspectives, and many events are so contradictorily reported that is difficult to reconstruct even a chronological sequence of what occurred". And - believe me! - Ms. Brown interviewed people - in Taiwan ( living there) and interviewed people - in China !!! We are talking about an Stanford University Professor. Congratulations and thanks to Amazon .

We don't go out for Southeast Asian food since starting our cooking adventure through James McNair's beautifully laid out book. This book is a pleasure to peruse as the layout and photography are beautiful. But most importantly, the recipes are right on! I've made the pork with garlic sauce, various thai currys, and the lemongrass chicken and all have turned out restaurant quality - if you are in Thailand, much better than restaurant quality if you have the misfortune as myself to be currently living in the midwest. My next attempt will be the shrimp and pineapple yellow curry - I'm sure that it will also be fantastic.

After I got my wife hooked on Thai food she bought me a cookbook that was loosely translated from Chinese. Didn't work too well. I picked up James McNair's Southeast Asian book and love it. Like all of the other McNair volumes I own, I can start off with an easier recipe and work up to harder ones as my particular skills and confidences increase. You can't go wrong with this or any of McNair's books!

The day I received this cookbook I was so inspired I went out and bought all of the ingredients for and then prepared the "Thai Curry" recipe. It was excellent. I've made several other recipes from this book since and have yet to be disappointed. My family has become big fans of Asian food primarily because of my love of this book.

Be prepared to find what many inexperienced cooks may find as exotic ingredients. We're lucky to live by a huge Asian grocery store, so finding things like jasmine extract, kilfer lime leaves, fresh lemongrass, and other interesting-sounding bottled or dried flavorings was not difficult, but could potentially be.

I appreciate the sumptuous photos supplied with each recipe. Obviously there was a hefty budget for food stylists and photo shoots, but it really helps when you're trying to envision the finished product and the presentation.

James McNair's South East Asian cook book has a great selection of recipes from countries like Malaysia, Thailand,and Vietnam among others. The illustrations in the book are beautiful. Recipe's are easy to follow and very helpful. There are sections on the basics of South East Asian cooking, shopping guide for ingredients and useful equivalency tables. Each recipe is also preceded by a synopsis of the background of the dish. I highly recommend the book!

Joe O'Donnell captured the aftermath of World War II with his photographic record of the Japanese rubble. As a 23 year-old US Marine, O'Donnell served as a photographer, and a sample of the photographs he took are included in his book, JAPAN 1945: A US MARINE'S PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GROUND ZERO. The collection is a visual snapshot of the Japanese landscape of the cities and towns, Sasebo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, almost a month after the atomic bombings and air raids.

Indeed, JAPAN 1945 includes poignant and moving exposures of remnants of the worn torn landscape. The book is a composition of photographs of O'Donnell's seventh month long tour of the Japanese cities in which he documented what was left of the cities -- pure destruction without a living thing in sight. There are numerous shots worth mentioning, such as the boy and his young brother on the cover of the book, the boy served as O'Donnell's guide through the streets of Hiroshima, as well a man severely burned, "Victim with Rope" who is covered with an immense amount of clothing in order to protect his skin. However, there are also photographs depicting reconstruction, such as the shot where a teacher leads a class with the classroom still intact despite the outside view of the devastating rubble that lurks in the background.

JAPAN 1945 is an excellent photographic record of the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. O'Donnell's account of what he had seen has been best described not with words, but with the photographs he presents. The book may further provide a better understanding of World War II history as well as how photographs provide a template to how history is interpreted.

Photographer Joe O'Donnell, a 23-year-old Marine assigned to the occupation of Japan, has released many of his photographs that he took while on station. Locked away for some 45 years, these vivid, graphic, and moving photos show what life was like immediately after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

O'Donnell's photo archive begins with images from his arrival in Japan. A prayer service offered aboard a landing ship, and the unloading of equipment are shown in this section. The harbor at Sasebo is photographed with many American ships filling its waters, but it is in this section where the reader gets their first glimpse of the level of destruction wrought by American planes; most of the surrounding city is literally flattened. Many displaced Japanese citizens are shown wandering the streets of what has become a barren wasteland.

O'Donnell has also included images of American soldiers giving candy to Japanese children, and Japanese geishas performing dances. Images of children with babies strapped to their backs cleaning rubble and elderly displaced civilians with few or no possessions really touch the reader.

The most eye-catching part of the book for me was the images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both cities were literally wiped off the face of the earth; only massive piles of rubble remained. O'Donnell had to travel by horse to navigate through the massive piles of debris. Images of people wandering about aimlessly, smashed factories, and burn victims dominate this part of the book.

The most piognant pictures I saw in the book are the one of the three brothers in Nagasaki; the eldest pushing his brothers in a make-shift cart, and the most heartbreaking one, the photo of the child who has come to the cremation site in Nagasaki with his dead baby brother strapped to his back, all the while struggling to keep from crying. I can't remember seeing a more moving photograph.

This is a tremendous book. Each photograph tells its own story, and O'Donnell has provided excellent narrative above each photo. I highly recommend this fine book. Open it up and take a photographic journey through a defeated Japan. Some photos will inspire awe; others pity, and you'll get a true sense of what it was like in Japan immediately after the war ended.

Could it be that we see a photo of an 8 or 9 year old boy bringing the body of his dead baby brother to a site in Nagasaki for cremation? Could it be that this photo was taken by a 23 year old American Marine? Would it be possible that the Marine was mistaken, perhaps he misunderstood? Perhaps the baby is only sleeping. Alas, the older brother's face belies the truth as the baby's body hangs lifeless. Marine photographer Joe O'Donnell was obviously moved by many of the photos he took during his time in Japan, just after the war ended.

But it's not just bombed out cities that he shares with us. There are happier times when American GI's were talking to children, geisha and hotel maids and other slices of Japanese life that would interest most any foreigner (or perhaps today's Japanese even). We can only wonder how many other photos he has that are have not been published.

I think Japanese history is at its most interesting when it interacts (or collides) with other countries. O'Donnell shares with us images of a Japan that no longer is. Perhaps Japan never has publicly atoned for its war time actions sufficiently; but this book shows clearly that it certainly was punished sufficiently.

We've all seen the pictures of Hiroshima where everything but the shells of a few building is flattened. Here are seventy-four pictures from several cities, fire-bombed with conventional munitions, not atomic bombs, that look just as devastated, just as destroyed.

But more than that are pictures of the people. There's a picture of the crowd at an Athletic Day - women, children, and old men - the young men are gone, probably never to return. There's a picture of a young boy, perhaps eight years old. To his back is strapped his little brother, perhaps one year old. The little brother is dead and the boy is delivering him to the cremation site.

Yes the pictures from other wars, the child at the railway station after the rape of Nanking, those from the camps in Germany are equally tragic. Even the pictures showing Charleston after Sherman's army went through show this kind of destruction.

But there is a special feeling I get from these pictures. Perhaps it comes as a residual of the racial hatred this country felt towards Japan. I hope not, but the fact is that these striking photographs make me feel terrible.