This book is the first and only one that focuses on the environmental aspects of the Philippines in a convincing and brilliant way. I hope to meet Mr. Nigel Hicks one day in person.
Martin Stummer, 113 Seminario street, Jaro Iloilo (Nagarao Island,Philippines)

This small book is an excellent example of how the findings of anthropology can extend the frontiers of history into pre-history. It also illustrates how an historian can take too-frequently dry anthropological data and make it into a fascinating account of cultures long-gone.

Shaffer, a Ph.D in East Asian and American history, uses her expertise to interpret anthropological information with historical methods, thereby incorporating this information into the larger historical record.

Although information on the significance of the "Mound-Builders" has long been known in anthropological circles, the significance, the historical extent, and the geographical breadth has generally escaped notice in other fields. In just 100 text pages, Dr. Shaffer places that information into an internal historical context and ties it into the larger world picture. She gives back to the Native Americans of North America their place in world civilization and American history that had been lost.

And it's a very readable book, too.

As a Mississippian, I found this book fascinating. It reveals little known facts about native americans of Miss. and the south. For anyone interested in Native Americans or Mississippi history.

In this highly readable book, Rita O'Clair and her co-authors explore the geology, habitats, and animals of Southeast Alaska and how they interact with each other. I haven't found any other source that puts the basic story of the region together in this way. For those getting started learning about the area, this book provides a framework to organize future observations and learning. Those who already know some natural history of the area may be surprised by the connections this book helps make and the gaps it fills in.

New Wave Asian: A Guide To The Southeast Asian Food Revolution showcases 125 classic and contemporary recipes drawn from the fabled cuisines of Asia and adapted for American kitchens. From Fresh Shiitake Stuffed with Vegetable Tartar; Vietnamese Hot-and-Sour Soup of Duck and Bamboo Shoots; Fried Snapper and Egg Noodles with a Coating of Parmesan and Chili; and Burmese Chicken Curry with Limes and Tomatoes; to Parsleyed Soba Noodles with Tofu and Avocado Tempura; Steamed Coconut Cupcake; Pan-Seared Bonito on Green Lentils; and Deep-Fried Squid in Rice-Powder Batter, New Wave Asian offers exotic dishes that are as palate pleasing as they are appetite satisfying. Enhanced with fabulous color photography of finished dishes, and a very useful basic cooking instructions, New Wave Asian is the perfect choice for any personally or professionally adventurous, multiculturally oriented, kitchen cookbook collection.

This is a beautiful book. The wisdom spoken by such primitive people is simple, clear, and mesmerizing. The story is tragic, and the photos are unforgettable.

Old Luang Prabang (French transliteration from Lao is in fact Louang Phrabang) is an excellent presentation of the rituals, culture, and deep spiritualism of the Lao people. The author is not known to me, but had indeed done considerable primary research, and uncovered facts and depth that was unknown to me, even after having had a close association with Laos and Luang Prabang for over 30 years. The book is not for a novice, but for one who is interested in appreciating the culture and spiritualism of a beautiful, charming, and undiscovered Lao people. The book looks beyond Lao Buddhism, and examines the more natural and indigenous aspects of Lao traditions and social norms. An excellent read for anyone truly interested in a more meaningful experience during a visit to one of the world's last Shangrala's.

Hoyt has not done any injustice in summarising Malacca's last 500 odd years in 80 pages. This is certainly one of the better history books I've read. It reads like a novel, I felt I was back in old Malacca, in the thick of all the action, living through the Portugese, Dutch and British occupation. I have recently returned from Malacca and it was exactly the way Hoyt has told it. I reminded myself, this book is not fiction, its real, these things happened and how wonderful to have somebody like Hoyt to write it

This book was written through the eyes and soul of one Vietnam vet as he faces the daily struggles and tragedies of war. It is very realistic but also very sensitive. After reading this book it is easy to understand how it changed the lives of our young soliders over there and stole their youth. Since Vietnam is the untold story, every American should read this book and give thanks to the Vietnam veterans and the sacrifices they made. I for one believe it is never to late to tell them WELCOME HOME.

This Book is still one of a kind. Since it was published in 1970, it is still the only reliable Book which gives the complete Text of three Wayang Kulit (Javanese Shadow Puppet) Lakon (Plays). "The Reincanation of Rama" from the Ramayana and "Irawan's Wedding" and "The Death of Karna" from the Mahabharata. The Book begins with a fine introduction to Wayang, the Plays, Performance and Translation. The translation from Javanese was rendered by Pandam Guritno, one of the froemost Javanese Wayang Scholars of all time, whom I knew personally. Next follow the texts of the three Plays, which include 143 illustrations. James Brandon has also included descriptions of the action that takes place and the musical pieces that are played. The reader can thus review three performances through reading. At the end of the Book are useful Appendices, Notes on Sources, a good Glossary and a now outdated Bibliography. This Book is useful for those who are interested in Wayang, Javanese Culture, Theater Arts, Sanskrit Literature and many other subjects. That is what makes Wayang so wonderful. It is many things in one.