Asia Books

Please note that the introduction is by "The Dalai Lama," NOT The "Dali Lami", as it currently is written above. This should be changed. There are an additional reviews of this book in Library Journal of May 15, also Publisher's Weekly May 10, 1999.

Many Americans have probably never heard of East Timor, and most of us--including those who are active followers of world affairs--would probably have some difficulty pinpointing it on a map. Arnold Kohen does a remarkable job of introducing this unfamiliar land. It's very hard not to feel sympathy and a healthy dose of admiration for the inhabitants of this long embattled nation. The book simultaneously serves as a hagiography of East Timor's heroic favorite son, and Bishop Belo's extraordinary life greatly enhances the work's inspirational level.

Among East Timor's striking characteristics is the fact that it may be the strongest seat of Catholicism on Earth today. Over 85% Catholic (less than half was in the 1960's) its rate of practicing members puts most other countries to shame. The cathedral's 6 a.m. weekday Mass regularly has an overflow crowd of 1000+. John Cardinal O'Connor once told Bishop Belo how envious he was at East Timor's teeming seminarians. Even its Indonesian occupiers concede the Church's massive influence. Although they disdain Bishop Belo for his tireless devotion to human rights, they often unhappily allow him to mediate disputes with Timorese resistance fighters.

The East Timorese greatly need this faith because the world has turned a blind eye toward the genocide inflicted upon them. Those of us in America who seethed under the reign of Bill Clinton probably never realized how culpable he was for tacitly approving these crimes against humanity. The author on numerous occasions sites examples where the United States after decades of inexplicable silence at Indonesia predation became a veritable proponent when Clinton--abandoning his campaign rhetoric about the suffering East Timorese--wanted expanded trade with the highly populated interloper. Bishop Belo is probably the only person in history to be awarded a Nobel peace Prize without a word of praise or congratulations from the Unites States Government because it was bestowed at a very inconvenient time for pending trade deals.

The island nation faces an uncertain future, and all Catholics and others concerned with human rights should monitor the situation closely. Despite the unending brutal assaults bravely endured by the East Timorese citizens, their bold faith is a good omen that eventually their struggle will be victorious.

Now that Archbishop Belo has been driven into exile, and his beloved Timor transformed into an abbatoir, this superb book is more important than ever. I will not praise Belo, save to say that I hope that he is eventually canonized. I will just say one thing. This book reveals such a consistent record of perfidy, stupidity, and cupidity on the part of the United States government as to make even the most patriotic man or woman ashamed of being an American. As readers of some of my other reviews will know, I am fairly Conservative Republican. Reading of Fords, Reagans , and Bushes short-sightedness and incompetence in the matter of Timor saddened and enraged me.The only ( slight)point in their favor is that the Democratic Presidents, Carter, and Clinton, were just as bad; Carter through simple incompetence, and Clinton through cowardice and greed. Let it be asaid and said plainly: The Clinton campaign became so dependent on the Riady families money that they turned blind eye to the atroicities occuring in Timor. With the laudable exception of a few republican members of congress such as Malcolm Wallop and Frank Wolf, practically no American public figure-Republican, democrat, or independent- has spoke out on the horrors occuring in Timor. Now, when it may well be too late, the world has begun to wake up.It is time for all men and women of good will, of all political and religous faiths, to cry out "Enough". We cannot be so dependent on the raw materials and sweat shop produced sneakers and toys emanating from Indonesia that we would let theese horrors continue. I am going to phone and write every member of congress I know, asking them that they vote to discontinue ALL foriegn aid to Indonesia. I will also openly ask ALL presidential candidates- Republican, Democratic, and independent,if they will continue to support our bankrupt policy toward this outlaw state, Indonesia. I hope EVERY responsible American does the same.I beg my fellow Americans;have the courage to read this book, and the sensitivity to be outraged by what it contains.

From the Place of the Dead: The Epic Struggles of Bishop Belo of East Timor By Arnold S. Kohen

Review by David Hinkley, former Chairman, Amnesty International USA

Arnold Kohen's moving biography of Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos X. Belo of East Timor illuminates one of modern history's most horrific human rights tragedies. Belo, the first Catholic bishop ever to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace (1996) is revealed as a great humanitarian in the tradition of Archbishop Romero and Desmond Tutu. In this age of cynicism and disillusionment, Belo exemplifies the power of faith, dedication and indefatigable effort to reshape the history of a terrorized and nearly forgotten people.

Kohen, formerly an investigative reporter with NBC news, skilfully balances lyrical evocations of a lush land, its tortured people and their unsilenceable champion with incisive analysis of the political and church forces with which Belo has contended in his successful struggle to bring his people's plight to the world's attention. Since Indonesia invaded the island territory, for centuries a Portuguese colony, the Indonesian army's campaign of brutal suppression has left an estimated 200,000 dead, of a population of less than 700,000. Beginning with the acquiescence of President Ford and Secretary Kissinger at the time of the 1975 invasion, through provision of deadly OV10 Bronco counter-guerrilla planes and other military hardware, the United States has played a complicitous role. This has only recently been mitigated - and to a lethally insufficient extent - by Clinton Administration diplomatic overtures to Jakarta.

Such examinations share these pages with indelible images of Belo the man. Among the most emblematic is a glimpse of Belo the boy athlete and mischief maker donning a grapefruit bishop's hat in a foreshadowing of his astonishing future. Belo's great love of East Timor's young people and his sardonic wit emerge as defining traits, along with the courage to confront a combination of forces that would wither almost anyone. Against a backdrop of genocide and international intrigue, Kohen has created a luminous, touching and fascinating portrait of an inspiring and unforgettable man. This one is for the ages.

Many books have already been written about the tragic events of East Timor between 1998 and today, namely since when the regime of president Suharto of Indonesia collapsed, and the territory started on its slow, exciting, yet very painful path towards independence. Some books are more academic, others more journalistic and speculative. This book by Arnold Kohen, a long-time East Timor expert, makes it clear that the author is no academic or journalist in search of quick success. He is someone who has followed East Timor for a while, and has also been active and become known as a prominent East Timor lobbyist. He has now been able to recollect in this book some excellent material, excellently edited, about Monsignor Belo's role in the struggle for independence. The book is written in a vivid style, it is chilling, it is direct, yet (despite the rather eye-catching and shocking title) without leaving the place to any sensationalism... All the book says is, very unfortunately, totally true. Whether Bishop Belo's struggles could be defined as "epic" is another matter. Meanwhile, this book makes a strong and meaningful contribution to knowledge on the recent events, and also makes excellent, educative and even pleasant, if shocking, reading.

Nancy Garrison Jenn has taken upon herself the challenge of boiling down a highly fragmented industry into a meaningful knowledge base that can be used by corporate executives and individuals to network to solve both business and career needs. Her summary chapters on how to select a recruiter and advice to both corporations and individuals provides a quick study on critical issues affecting all parties concerned. While some in the industry may quibble with her selection of individuals, without question she has identified the "Who's Who" of the search industry, reflecting a credible balance between US-based and global search professionals. Without question it is the only work of its kind.

In writing The Global 200, Nancy Garrison Jean has combined her enthusiasm for the international executive search industry with rigorous analysis to create a must read for clients, candidates, and search professionals. Bravo, Nancy!

The Global 200 is quite simply the most authoritative work on the global search business. A 'must' for every CEO

Nancy Garrison Jenn has pulled off another first in the retainer executive search field - a comprehensive list of 200 executive search consultants who work in a global environment. This is an excellent cross section of the experienced people in our profession. "The Global 200 Executive Recruiters" should be in every person's library.

The Global 200 Executive Recruiters is another proof of Nancy Garrison Jenn's in-depth knowledge of the world's executive recruitment market. Though interesting for recruiting companies to learn about their sector and their competitive position, the book is particularly of help to their clients and potential clients in assessing executive search firms and the recruiters with those firms. The Global 200 provides very useful and detailed information regarding recruiters and their expertise, both in terms of business sector specialization, as well as local, regional or global orientation. It is an excellent guide for both smaller companies and larger corporations on their path to find the executive talent they need to build a sustainable competitive edge.

A great contribution. Illustrates how to build global firms that create value. Pragmatic, with interesting new insights from Asia. If you are a CEO, take up the challenge - use this book

This volume provides dramatic insight into how Asian companies are developing their global strategies. Foreward looking and highly international, this volume privides breakthrough analysis and recommendations. I liked Samsung's case in particular.

a very timely book. Lenovo, SAIC, Benq, TCL, CNOOC - they are all bidding for European or American firms. And they are right to do so. These deals will propel them on the forefront of international business.

Global Future is a world-class book - an excellent guide to global strategy. While the argument is at times very dense and tightly written, it is also very clearly and succinctly put together for corporate executives to follow. The authors understand the real world - the complexities and challenges firms face when they address global opportunities. The author's treatment of global issues is not just worth the reading, but a book you will want to keep within reach from your desk.

The authors give extraordinary insight into the challenging environment in which Asian business leaders operate today. Rigorously researched, this is the indispensable guide to corporate globalization.

The first four prologue chapters outlines the origins of Japanese history starting with the creation of the world by the gods. Then we fast forward to the time of the ruling Taira (Heike) family in 12th century Japan. They are overthrown by the Minamoto family faction. At that time, one of the symbols of the emperor, the ancient sword named Grasscutter was lost in the Inland Sea. The Heike crabs in the sea, have the appearance of the lost Heike warrior's faces (Google the image of these crabs, they are amazing!). Fast forward again to Usagi and the ongoing plot to restore the emperor to power and overthrow the shogun. In this volume, brilliantly as ever penned and written by incomparable Stan Sakai, Usagi stumbles literally upon Grasscutter. The conspirators had enlisted supernatural powers to secure the sword, and it is up to Usagi to prevent Grasscutter from falling into evil hands. Other highlights of this volume include Usagi's on-again, off-again bounty hunter sidekick Gen, and the supremely evil Jei, emissary of the gods. Sakai never fails to disappoint and is able to maintain an amazingly high standard for his graphic novels.

I only just recently discovered the adventures of Usagi Yojimbo, and being a swashbuckler/samurai fan I started thumbing through issue number one at my local library. It looked interesting enough to pick up. The first couple of books were fun, you can see where artist Stan Sakai borrowed from Japanese mythology and other sources, and look a few homages to some of Kurosawa's greatest films. Light entertainment. And then I picked up Grasscutter. What a story!!! Starting of with the legend of the sacred sword Grasscutter, Sakai spins an amazing quest saga. All the elements are there, love, betrayal, friendship, loyalty, honor, magic, monsters, plots, ninjas .... A fast moving tale with surprises on almost every other page. To add even more depth to the story, Sakai cleverly weaves in characters and plot points from past adventures. You don't need to read previous Usagi Yojimbo novels to enjoy this tale, but trust me, it's well worth it!

In this story , the future of Japan swirls on "Grasscutter" the losted Japan Emperor Sword in the bottom of the sea, wich was the gift of the sun goddess Amaterasu to the first Japan Emperor and the most important simbol of the emperor authority. With 4 prologue-shortstories that tells the old history of the sword, you can inmerse yourself in this tale without problems in this "1999 Will Eisner awarded Graphic Novel".

Basically, at this time the shogun is who have the power, but a conspirancy of 8 Lords, pretend to find the lost sword and use it in a plot to reinstaurated the full power of the emperor. Once again the journeys of Usagi Yogambi take him to the middle of the action and put the destiny of Japan in his hands.

Good story telling where the costumes, and historical facts will be mixed with magic and misterious forces in a fight between good and evil, among a good and detailed art, fullfill the expectations of the fans. You will find here a lot of the usual protagonists, but if you are not common to this serie this can be a good startpoint because is a self contained story, anyway, apparently there will be a "Grasscutter 2" for the beginning of the 2002.

Stan Sakai gives us a glimpse of the mythos of the creation of Japan. A sword - Murakumo-nu-tsurugi - from this legend resurfaces in the age of Usagi Yojimbo. The sword was once in the possession of the Emperor but vanished beneath the ocean. Desperate samurai seek to reclaim the sword as Usagi stumbles upon it. Usagi slowly realizes the potential danger of this sword and wishes that he had never found it. When the sword is taken away from him he charges after it realizing that the sword could cause civil war in his beloved Japan. In this book Usagi again meets the bountyhunter Gen, the mad samurai Jei, priest Shobo and the lightning fast samurai-ko - Inazuma. Outstanding artistry from Sakai and awesome swordplay from Miyamoto Usagi. In the end of this book Stan Sakai writes about the myths that inspire him to write these stories and explain these myths. Really interesting if you want to know more about japanese mythology.

Stan Sakai's long running series hits an all time high with this ambitious story mixing history, mythology, and his own unique universe of anthropomorphic characters.

The book begins delving in Japan's mythological past to tell story of the origin of "Grasscutter," one of the three sacred treasures given to the Emperor of Japan, and how it was lost in a battle that decided the fate of who should rule the nation. This trade paperback contains copious notes on Japanese history and mythology so it is much more than just reading a comic book.

This story includes other storylines that have appeared as loose threads in previous books and they all tie neatly together in a well thought out epic confrontation, including a climatic showdown between Usagi and long time nemisis, the demonic Jei.

I would recommend this series to more than just fans of comic books and graphic novels. It's just an excellent story. Period.

If there's one book that I could recommend to the general reader on the history of modern China (i.e. from circa 1800-1985), it would be this book.

To be honest, my first impression of this book is not a very good one in the sense that I did not feel like dancing in joy. This is because the book appears to me to be too simple, lacks good facts and not very scholarly. How could Fairbank write such a book? My expectations were very high or to be precise, I have expected the wrong things. This book is not intended to be scholarly, not intended to bog you down with boring details but is intended to be entertaining and at the same time have enough facts to highlight certain important events.

I bought this book only on a second visit to the bookshop and perhaps due to a change of mood, I find the book entertaining and at the same time enlightening in that it proposes different views on events that have not been considered before. For example, the discussion on the port of Hankow was quite enlightening. This is refreshing and after understanding the intentions of the book, my perception and expectations changed and I was able to see it in a new way. Since then, this has been one of my favourite books on modern Chinese history and will become a benchmark for me to measure good historical storytelling.

Compared to Jonathan Spence's "In Search of Modern China" this book appears to me be more entertaining and in a way, more intelligent. Highly recommended.

No decent individual who wants to talk about China, or wants to understand Chinese history in the last 150 years, can skip anything written by Fairbank. If there's anybody who can claim to be 'the' authority on China, Fairbank would be the one. And this work is his crowning glory, culmunating in a tour de force after research in this field for more than half a century. This work sees China's history from the late Qing period till the Post-Mao era as one huge struggle -- for modernity, for survival, for progress. If you are not convinced that China is agreat nation, read this and you'll change your mind, thanks to the late Fairbank.

Professor Fairbank is one of the most insightful individuals who have written on China. His attention to detail -- particularly the historical process of cause and effect -- helps the reader gain a good overall picture of China as a vibrant, living organism -- an active player in the global scene. Seeing that China is becoming more and more important, it is becoming not only fashionable but important for an intellectual in the West to know something about China. This book is a good starting point.

I wouldn't read this book as an introduction to Chinese history of this period. Fairbank's China: A New History, or several other general histories, are better for that. This book is Fairbank's argument that the development of Chinese history was far less heavily influenced by the West than most historians and Westerners believe. He convincingly puts the major interactions between China and the West in Chinese contexts, noting the similarities between Taipei Rebellion and the White Lotus Rebellion, for instance, although the latter event occurred when Western influence was much less. It's unfortunate that this topic is so politicized. Whether China was heavily or lightly influenced by the West should have no bearing on the inherent moral worth of the Chinese people, although many people on both sides of the debate don't see it that way. Nevertheless, Fairbank's topic is interesting in itself. Ultimately, I didn't find him fully convincing (not that I'm an expert), but I'm glad I read his book.

I got this book for the specific purpose of studying China's secular civil wars -- the White Lotus Rebellion (1796-1805), the Taiping Rebellion (1851-64), and the civil war that began with Mao's Long March (1934), culminating in the Great Leap Forward (1959).

Each of these civil wars resulted in massive bloodshed, including executions and famine, and was settled with compromises that lasted only a few decades, leading to the next civil war. This is important today, because the compromises forced on Mao after his disastrous and bloody Great Leap Forward are unraveling today, as peasants are losing their farms and their livelihoods and flooding into the cities. When a future economic downturn occurs, these peasants will be unemployed, with no infrastructure to support them, providing fertile ground for a new rebellion, possibly led by followers of the Falun Gong. This could happen any time in the next 10-15 years.

Fairbank's informal style presents the details of these and other historical events in an enjoyable manner and from a Chinese and China-centric point of view, rather than from the typical America-centric point of view used by other writers. The result is both enjoyable and authentic, and gives us the historical background to understand the revolutionary changes going on in China today.

My Mom and I love this book! Only thing is, she bought it for much more money than I did through Amazon. Great Prices.

I love this book - it is one of my favorite cookbooks. This has delicious easy to make recipes including many variations on noodle soups, fried rice, curries, appetisers etc. The recipes taste authentic, such as the Singaporian laksa - which is as good as any I have had in Singapore
It is very modern, the recipes are trendy, and the food tastes restaurant class. After cooking out of this cookbook it is very difficult to enjoy going out for Asian meals again - much nicer to cook it yourself using this book!

Access to a well-stocked Asian grocery will be required for successful appreciation of GREEN MANGOES AND LEMON GRASS; but readers with such access will find this a fine introduction to the range of Southeast Asia's dishes, from Thailand's spicy cuisine to the French influences of Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy a Mimosa Rice from Vietnam spiced with coconut milk, fish sauce, Chinese sausages and onions; or a Spicy Minced Beef from Laos with lime juice and lemon grass. Beautiful color photos abound.

Ms. Hutton offers reliable, clear recipes in a beautiful book, with clear advice as to ingredients, combinations, and cooking techniques. Lush photographs make everything look scrumptious. Good design keeps one recipe together on one page. I have had very good results with the three recipes I have tried. I bought the hardback because I expect to be using this book often, and appreciate the author's identification of recipes that require extra time and effort--a whole chapter. Another approach I appreciate is a good use of English that is not too British, not too American--but comprehensible to both, I hope. I am an American cook but sometimes use metric measures and having both is helpful.

Not only is this book beautiful to look at, the recipes produce the most delicious (and authentic tasting) food. The simple recipes are easy enough even for people who aren't that confident in the kitchen (like my spouse); the fancier ones are perfect for dinner parties. Highly recommended!

These twenty nine stories give us a much needed look into the multi-faceted journey of Filipino youth coming of age in this society. These tales are full of humor, fear, sadness and love of family and their culture. Over the course of time in the development of this country we have heard from diverse immigrant groups about their struggles to find a sense of belonging here. It is time to hear the voice of the Filipino community. I think this would be an ideal book for teachers to introduce to all their students.

Emerging and established award-winning writers are the authors of this fine collection of 29 stories about what it means to be young and Filipino in the Philippines and in the United States. Filipinos in America are now the second largest in the umbrella group of Asian Americans, yet there is a scarcity of books by and for Filipinos. This impressive array captures the complexities of both the Filipino culture and history and the realities of the lives of young adults no matter what their ethnic affiliation. Each story is assigned to one of five universal themes: family, angst, friendship, love, and home. (by Glenna Sloan)

In a world where we are all interconnected by technology, itis so important to expand our experience of the world. I read these stories with such interest and became aware of a unique perspective on a different cultural experience. I am an adult and read these stores with fascination before reading them to my daughter. Three cheers for this book and an editor who brought these experiences, past and present, together.

I read this book to my grandson and realized the emotions stemming from difficult times and family matters are universal. There are so many diverse races in today's classrooms. This book helped him see beyond his own little corner of the world. I highly recommend it.

In this fine short-story collection, 29 Filipino American writers explore the universal challenges of adolescence from the unique perspectives of teens in the Philippines or the U.S. Organized into 5 sections - Family, Angst, Friendship, Love, and Home - all the stories are about growing up and what the introduction calls "growing into Filipino-ness, growing with Filipinos, and growing in or growing away from the Philippines." The stories are introduced by the authors, who illustrate the teenage experience as they remember it or as they wish to explain it to the reader - whether the focus is the death of a grandparent, budding sexuality, or going to the mall. The cultural flavor aspect never overwhelms the stories, and readers will be drawn to the particulars as well as the universal concerns of family, friends, love, and leaving home. While the stories are fairly easy to read, teens might be intimidated by the dense book design and small type. Take the time to help them overcome this. The stories are delightful!

Written history, in particular the written history of any war, is made up of small pieces. No one person can possibly give a good account of an entire battle, even a small one, much less an entire war. We therefore need many written pictures, many pieces of the puzzle, many views, in order to have some understanding of just what went on and why. In this work by Charles Anderson we have another of those hundreds of word pictures we need. This is a very small view of a very small part of the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of one Marine. This makes it a rather important work. Without first hand accounts such as this, much of the history of this particular war will be lost forever. As a participant of this particular war (certainly nothing in comparison to Anderson's experiences, far, far from it), I appreciate another's view, an account of another's experiences. This is a well written work, quite frank, quite to the point. It is a pity this one apparently is no longer in print. If you can find a copy, grab it for it is certainly a good addition to your library. I highly recommend this one.

Anderson's book has got to be the next best thing to "being there". I am envious of his talent for "detailing" the ordinary. He is absolutely "right on" in describing just how wonderful plain old ordinary water can taste. I read Anderson's book before I joined the Corps. Since then I've read all the big names in this genre; Sassoon, Graves, Owen, Mailer, Jones, Caputo, O'brien, Webb. I guess I tend to identify more with Caputo's, Webb's, and Anderson's books since they're Marines. It really doesn't matter because they were all good and they all sent a message that has never been heeded. I wish someone would tell a story about us and all the silly c**p that went on in Somalia.

I served with "Andy" in Vietnam in 1969 in the First Battalion Third Marines. He was a friend to everyone and paid very close attention to things around him knowing he would write this book. Many of the stories in the book are based on actual happenings. The pallet of mortar rounds exploding really happened and it was a wonder more Marines weren't killed. This book ranks along with Jim Web's "Fields of Fire" as two of the most realistic Vietnam combat accounts. A friend of mine served under Jim Web and lost his right arm just below the shoulder. He and Mr. Web still stay in touch and continue the bond that can only be formed in combat. Don't waste you money on all those Vietnam war novels until you have read "The Grunts" and "Fields of Fire".

I thought this book was a real sleeper. I bought it as a used paperback and based on its title and cover, I expected a "pulpy" style blood and guts novel. Once I looked at it closer, I realized it was a true story. And once I read it, I realized it was an exceptionally well-conceived and well-written book.

The book is in two parts - the first part being about the tour of duty in Vietnam for an infantryman and the second nominally being about "The World". I thought the first part did a fine job of describing the physical and mental hardships imposed on the grunts by the climate, the terrain and the unpredictable boredom/terror nature of the conflict. Following that, Part Two takes the reader through what I believe is the material that really distinguishes this book as one that anyone who studies the Vietnam war should read. Anderson presents a thoughtful and straightforward discussion about the attitudes of Americans who served and those who did not and the forces that shaped those attitudes. He does a great job of relating these to the struggles the servicemen faced in reentering civilian life and to the struggles they faced in dealing with Vietnamese society and their own combat leaders. Placing the veterans' homecoming adjustments, atrocities and fraggings in this context was what moved this book from the very good to the extraordinary class.

Easy to read, hard to put down. Read it - you'll enjoy it and you'll learn some interesting things.

"Andy", as we knew him, is right on the money with this book. He has covered the experiences of the Vietnam War as only a participant could. He was not a "journalist" who went along to get some good material for a book he was planning. He was just another "grunt" who was clever enough to document his experiences and put them together in a book later. It sure brought back some memories to read this book. The account of the pallet of ammo exploding hit home, even though I was not on that hill. I remember the event as if it was yesterday.

If anyone would like to know how it was being a grunt in Vietnam just read this book. I know from talking with combat veterans of different branches of service and from different areas in Vietnam that things were different according to where you fought and who you were with. I can assure you that things in the "Northern I Corps" and with 1/3 (First Battalion/Third Marines) were exactly as they are represented in this book. To be able to do his part in every way while serving with 1/3 and to still come up with a book like this says a lot for Andy. He was liked by all who served with him and is now appreciated by them for documenting what they could not or would not talk about. Only Jim Webb's "Fields of Fire" can compare in authenticity with this superb account of the Vietnam Experience. Bill Bratton, USM

I've got it and you don't! Too bad. It's outta print. I called the publisher and they are not reissuing. Go find it used. It is worth every penny ($85 I paid) if you need or desire to ID gulls.

This book is a must have for every birdwatcher! If you have problems with indentifying gulls, this is the book to have! It anwers all my questions I have about gull distribution and indentification. Now I know how to Indentify those Ring-billed Gulls that I see in the parking lot. Also I have a better outlook on where they came from as Well!

The size and massive detail in this new book on identifying the gulls of the Northern Hemisphere is likely to deter most readers from more than a cursory leafing through its lovely paintings and photographs. But if you're curious to learn more about these common but highly varied, many-shades-of-gray birds around us, and you happen to live in a coastal area as I do, with more than a few gulls that are hard to identify during the winter, this might be a book to look into more thoroughly.

A caution though: gulls can be notoriously difficult to identify accurately, since they have so much finely detailed, age-related plumage variation. But an effort to simply knuckle-down and learn more about all this, such as this book amply provides, can pay off greatly in much greater detective-fun trying to figure out all these heretofore anonymously gray gulls sailing and prowling around us here each year. It's already helped me develop better skills in figuring out nearly all the varied groups of gulls around us here more quickly than I would have heretofore thought possible. And to more quickly decide which birds you can or cannot more accurately identify...and why.

The detailed accounts and maps of the distribution and relative abundance of various gull species have also helped me better understand where the gulls that migrate through or winter in our area are likely to have come from. And, finally, as you delve more deeply into what's known about all these gull species, and their European and Asian counterparts, it becomes obvious that the series of beautiful, comparative paintings and color photographs provided in such detail for each species in its various age-plumages, subspecies, and hybrid-forms is worth the price of the book alone.

Well....maybe not easy....but, not through any fault of this book! The book starts with a lesson on the various body parts, as you will need to know many of these in order to ascertain what gull you have sitting in front of you. A comparison of the wings comes next. Then, it goes through each gull species and all of its plumages, including the months you might expect to see them in that plumage. It ends by discussing the various hybrids. If you ever hope to get beyond referring to gulls as "gull sp.," this book will do it. When you hear other birders refer to "the gull bible," this is it!!! However, don't think that this is a field guide you might want to carry in a fanny pack...it's a heavyweight!

growing up with the knowledge that there are just a few "kinds" of gulls and realising after a while that all the gulls you knew are now called somthing compleatly different (the whole herring,yellow legged,caspian,armenian,lesser black backed,sibirian etc. complex). this is the book we were all looking for, easy to use and extremly proffesional.
another good birding book to have around.

I first traveled to Thailand in 2001 and am now planning my long-awaited second trip. I leave in a few weeks and am browsing the different Thailand books available in bookstores, but I will also definitely be bringing the Moon Handbook: Bangkok guide I brought with me in 2001.

During my first trip to Thailand (I taught English for three weeks within the Bangkok vicinity) this book was the perfect guide. Since my trip was so long ago I unfortunately can't remember specifics, but I do remember being impressed by it and thinking during my trip that I couldn't have asked for a better guide to Bangkok. It provided a thorough guide to the city and it was easy to understand, well-written and the content was well laid out. For whatever it's worth, I wanted to write a review and give it five stars because I think it deserves it.

I, also, would love if it Carl Parkes wrote an updated version. I'll need to bring along a more updated book with me for this trip because I don't think it's a good idea to rely solely on an out-of-date book, but I'm sure I'll be consulting the Moon Handbook again.

I brought both this book and Joe Cumming's Lonely Planet guide with me. I was glad I hauled both with me across the Pacific (you can never have too much information), but Carl's book was my clear favorite.

The Moon guide always seemed to bring me a bit closer to the Thais than the Lonely Planet guide -- it seemed like Carl is closer to "going native," or perhaps more empathetic than Joe. What a shame that it seems to be the less popular of the two.

Bring them both, but if you only want to buy/carry one, make it Carl's Moon Guide.

I first picked up the initial edition of Bangkok Handbook in 1992. As I worked in Bangkok for 7 years in the 1980s and I was a bit curious as to how deep this guide would go. While most guide books cover all the basic sights and things to do they often fall short in really getting under the surface. This book did indeed have things to teach me. I ended up taking some of the walking tours myself and used the map of the river stops extensively.

I like my guides to give my some good historical and cultural information in a concise but insightful manner. Take Thai temples. First time visitors are typically struck by their stunning beauty. But what do all the architectural forms mean? What aspects of Buddhism are contained within their design? You could read whole volumes on this at your local university. The Handbook, however has a two page spread that will get you up to speed fast with an understanding of the basic terminology and historical usage. To my mind this is what separates the Handbook from the more popular Lonely Planet travel survival guides. These "backpacker bibles" may be very good at where to get the cheapest rooms and meals, but really fall short on what you are really seeing while you are there.

Bangkok is both heaven and hell. It's city of fabulous restaurants, fantastic shopping, pristine temples and frantic sex. It's polluted, noisy, smelly, ill-planned and hot, hot, hot. And It's traffic is world famous. We used to joke that you could do anything you wanted in Bangkok; you just couldn't get there. (Over the last few years with the advent of many new tollways and since Dec. 99 the overhead trains this has really abated.)

I've used Parkes book a lot - along with my reprint of the "1928 Guide to Bangkok" which is great for my historical expeditions. And I have found myself in Thailand every year since I've left in 1990.

Carl Parkes provides a great cultural education and writes well about Thai history. You'll be informed and your table manners won't offend your Thai hosts (they use forks and spoons but not the way that we do). More photos and maps would be nice (the D-K guide to Thailand will fill those gaps). But the big shortcoming with the book is the subject itself: Bangkok. Sophisticated and curious travelers to Thailand always say that their favorite spot is Chiang Mai in the north! You've got to fly through Bangkok to get there so you still may want to carve out a week to see Bangkok and environs. But do try to get to the north (Parkes also wrote the Moon Thailand Handbook, which will be useful if you do decide to visit Chiang Mai).

This book not only got me around, but I learned a lot along the way.