This book is an interesting two-parter. The first is by the Vietnamese patriot Phan Boi Chau, writing from prison in 1914 for his efforts to overturn French rule and return the Vietnamese monarchy to the throne. Next, we read some pretty good poetry that Ho Chi Minh wrote while in jail in the early 40s for his revolutionary activities. This is a good way to become familiar with the history of the struggle for Vietnamese independence.

This is all excellent and educational for the whole world to know about depth of indian culture that how old, pious and rich it was....

"The water was murky and from the dark depths branches of trees, long dead and covered with green slim, protruded through the surface, looking like surrealistic paintings in the half light. Mangrove trees with gnarled roots grew in the swamps and marshes around the edge of the lake. Bordering these swamps, in deeper water, were thick forests of rasau, a type of spiky reed, higher than a man could reach, and so dense we had difficulty poling our rafts through them."

Harold Stephens has written a book about Southeast Asia based on true stories and places. Some of the material was originally published in the Bangkok Post, The Asia Magazine, Living in Thailand, Signature, Travel & Leisure and Thai Airways International's in-flight magazine: Sawasdee.

Several of the chapters in this book also appeared in the author's previous travel book called: Asian Adventure published in Singapore.

This land is so new to me. I've traveled in Europe and Africa and across America, but Asia has always been rather mysterious. Plenty of my friends have traveled there and some have gone there to live and have disappeared into their fantasy life.

Harold at times uses great humor. Like the time he had to decide if stoking up the fire would be best to keep away "tigers" or if it would attract the "elephants." Such a difficult decision really. I also liked his thoughts about meeting a long lost cousin of the Loch Ness monster.

"If you let your imagination run wild, fear of the jungle can be awesome."

The author really does immerse himself in the culture, natural environment and each experience. He writes about his own experience and fills in the details about the history of each location.

This book is fascinating. I enjoyed reading about:

The fury of the thunder crashing through the jungle night.
Boating trips and rapids.
A Saladang - who knew there was such a creature.
Buddhist temples hidden within caves along with magnificent statues. (pictures provided, this book has lots of pictures)
Temples in Thailand
Climbing to the top of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

The Adventures Include:

Digging into Southeast Asia's Past: The Search for Lost Cities
On Safari in the Oriental Jungle: Exploring the World's Oldest Rain Forest
Treasures Beneath the Sea: Scuba Diving for Pleasure and for Profit
Spelunking vs. Speleology: Cave Exploring in Southeast Asia
River Exploring: From Wild Rivers to Luxury Cruising
Motoring and Four-Wheel-Drive Safaris: Touring the Main Roads and the Backroads
Mountain Climbing: Scaling Southeast Asia's Highest Peaks
Yachting Comes to Southeast Asia
Biking Southeast Asia
Archeology Digs
Great and Not So Great Train Journeys: From Orient Express to Jungles of Borneo
The Mood of Southeast Asia: Living with Volcanoes and Monsoons

There is a certain romance about traveling in untamed lands. This book even discusses the Asian Big Foot although the author is not fully convinced it exists. Harold Stephens has spent most of his life in Asia and loves to write about his adventures.

Very good book. Tells a fascinating story about the author's life in Indonesia. Brave lady who was willing to risk everything for all she believed in.Vivid picture of Bali and the situation there, and the people and culture.

Mark Berger and Douglas Borer have produced an edited volume which merits significant praise in the scholarly community. The central theme of the text is that most Western "visions" of Asia are highly contestable. Both the editors and the contributing authors believe that mainstream perceptions and discourses regarding future political stablity and economic prosperity (and the concurrent rise to global power) of East Asia are too simplistic and overly optomistic - ignoring the vast diversity, the potential for domestic unrest, and the possiblity for conflict amongst countries within the Asia region.

Most notably, it is the only such book to question the so-called "Pacific Century" published before the traumatic economic crisis that infected the region in 1997. Although some chapters are less powerful than others, for the greater part the editors and authors have succeeded where the overwhelming majority of social scientists fail: their attempt at future gazing has proven to be be largely correct - a success last seen by Paul Kennedy's now-classic work "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers" (1987). This is a book definately worth buying.

Osborne's book is an excellent account of the first European expedition up the Mekong River, from Saigon into the Southwestern region of the Chinese empire. As it is based on official and unofficial records of the exploration, written by the actual members of the French team, the account is both vivid and accurate, and conveys so much of the hardship and heartache experienced by the Frenchmen and those who accompanied them. It is also a profound and readable introduction to the history of Southeast Asia, its relation to China, and its position as the centerpiece of a colonial competition for trade, conquest, and scientific discovery. Great book!

I've read, A Brown Water Sailor in the Delta several times. You see, I was there in 1967 and 1968 myself. Mr. Sheppard did a supurb job depicting the life of PBR sailors and the hardships they endured while patroling the rivers and canals of Viet Nam's Mekong Delta. Don Sheppard is not only a fine author but a Warrior in the truest meaning of the word. If you havn't read this one, you really should; it is great reading.

This is a must read for anyone interested in Indonesian contemporary history and society. It is the story of the American woman who established the first hotel in Bali, later in life became known as the revolutionary "Surabaya Sue" and who died abroad forgotten by most. Her fabulous novel "Revolt in Paradise" was never made into a film, much to her frustration. Lindsey has done a fantastic job researching the archives and interviewing the old and somewhat bitter lady.

an exceptionally practical guide to travel in bali and lombok. on a recent month holiday to bali, i used the book from cover to cover. the information is accurate and the maps came in very useful whilst negotiating the other road users in my rented jeep. i will certainly buy a roughguides for my next trip and have peace of mind that what is written is correct.

The Rough Guide To Southeast Asia is a comprehensive and superbly organized travel guide to Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Enhanced with a full-color illustrated section introducing Southeast Asian highlights, The Rough Guide To Southeast Asia provides the traveler with accounts of destinations ranging from urban city nightlife to beautiful isolated beaches. A compendium of reviews for the best places to reside, the best foods to eat, the best drinks offered, and the best places to party, The Rough Guide To Southeast Asia also covers a veritable wealth of available activities ranging from a sunrise climb up Mount Bromo to boating down the Mekong River, to diving into the waters off the Philippines. Profusely illustrated with maps and plans for every region, as well as dependable transport details (including border crossings and island ferries), The Rough Guide To Southeast Asia is "user friendly" and highly recommended for anyone planning a visit anywhere in the exotic countries and climes of Southeast Asia.