'Gamelan Stories'is a really informative, scolarly research concerned with tracing the tantric history of Javenese Gamelan music. Begining with a general look at Buddhist and Sufi tantric practices Becker precedes with an investigation of the links between tantrism and Gamelan. The 'stories' themselves, handed down through generations include some real insights into the theories between the human energy system, i.e. the chakras,how they relate to particular notes in the Gamelan scale, and the relationship between Gamelan playing and meditative practice. She includes elements of trance dance, how tantrism effects form, and the relationship between language and belief. This is not,refreshingly, another new agey type book, and even if a touch dry, a real insight and education to read.

This charming book is based upon the true story of two 80-ish twins living in the historic "Gimghoul" neighborhood in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For 50+ years, the twin sisters have tended their garden. Each Spring, when the garden is ready for guests, the sisters hang a small wooden sign which states "the garden is open" on their gate. Hundreds of visitors stroll their garden paths, ask for advice, and sometimes return home with a cutting or a handful of seeds. Author Pamela Pease has done a fine job in sharing this wonderful story in this beautifully executed pop-up. Her illustrations are childlike and bold; a pop-up of the sisters' house and garden "blooms" amidst the pages, and a packet of seeds from the garden is tucked into the back. For gardeners (and children) of all ages!

I have purchased that book last week in Barcelona, and I think it is highly recommendable to initiate anybody to the study of the tibetan language. Also it will be interesting complete the grammar with any pronuntiation workbook and dictionary. i have also seen a pair of good book ( 2 volumes) of Tibetan Grammar

This book is incredible but still lacks a depth to qualify it for 5 stars. It's intriquite description of the scenes, the vote, and the bloodshed are all aspects which are touching to even the coldest of people. Highly recomendable - If you can face the truths of this world!

When I study a language, I go for the verbs. Tagalog verbs are extremely difficult, as there are many different forms each verb root can take. This book helps a lot to show the different forms a particular verb root can take and what they all mean. My only complaint is that it does not have enough verbs in it, only 200.

This book is very well written. It flows well and the author does a fine job in letting you get to know the characters. The fact that these types of events are still occuring in the world today is a travesty. The only reason I didn't rate this book a five is because of the fact that the "Killing Fields" was written before this and a some what similar story was told. The difference though in this writting is the more personal nature of the story from the author. I would recommend this book especially to younger readers so they may become aware of what takes place in other parts of the world.

Finding recent information on the higher education system in Vietnam, published in English, is quite difficult. This book provides good background information on what the system was like up to 1995. Authors of the chapters are Vietnamese who were in postions that gave them excellent access to data. Although Vietnam's higher education system is still in a state of change, the book helps to inform the efforts of today's researchers. The book also provides specific information valuable to anyone researching Can Tho University, in the Mekong Delta.

Although this book is somewhat out of date (first published in 1965), it continues to be a good general introduction for students of Southeast Asian societies. There are two major drawbacks in my opinion -- first, as I said, the book is out of date since the many years of warfare in the region have had a profound effects on the peoples in this region. Second, the author devotes only one chapter to the numerous hill tribes. The book is geared toward state-level societies in the lowlands. At any rate, the reader will come away with a good general understanding of state-level societies in mainland Southeast Asia. It's a good starting point for further study.

First of all, thank you to Scarecrow Press and its Asian historical dictionary series. These are superb resources. Yes, they are expensive, but for a student/scholar they are indispensable.

The main drawback of this historical dictionary is its 1993 publication. So much has happened in Malaysia and Southeast Asia since then: the "Asian Tiger" concept; the 1997 economic crisis; the Anwar crisis and subsequent Reformasi movement; the growth of Muslim fundamentalism and political Islam, and; Mahathir's and UMNO's flagging leadership. A new edition of this reference is imminent, and I trust it will address all of these issues.

There are a few disappointing aspects of this dictionary. First, the list of abbreviations/acronyms can be much more comprehensive. The chronology is a bit thin; there are many events in the post-colonial era, especially during the Emergency and the Indonesian Konfrontasi period that, alhtough somewhat minor, really would serve to flesh out the chronology. The maps are a big disappointment. No, this is not an historical atlas, but if the maps are to be included, they should be full-page (fold-out would be even better), full-color, better annotated, and much more detailed. Yes, such an improvement would raise the cost of the book somewhat, but if one is spending close to $50 on such a reference, a few more dollars would not be a budget-breaker.

The dictionary itself is fine, well cross-referenced. The bibliography is superior, an indispensable resource for further research. The bibliography is sub-divided into subject areas, which further aids in refining research. I am looking forward especially to the new edition's updated bibliography. The appendices and tables are also useful, albeit somewhat shallow and now dated.

I assumed this would be another book bashing of our Vietnam experience.

Instead this was an interesting perspective from a major player in this historic endeavor.

It provides a timeless truth leaders and foreign policy makers seem to ignore but must learn if we are to enjoy successful foreign policy.

LESSON:

"Applying Occidental solutions to Oriental problems is a recipe for failure!"

When Ky said "WE lost" he is not refering to the American military but to the American and South Vietnameese Policies and approach to the conflict.

Nguyen Cao Ky professes to have uncompromising values and being above the corruption that infected the politics and policies of the South East Asian war. His definition of corruption may be very different from that of a westerner.

Regardless if it is in Vietnam, Somolia, Haiti, Iraq, Bosnia or now in Kosovo, the American politicians and military leaders are destined to fail if they persist in not learing that "You cannot project your values, beliefs and customs on an alien culture and expect success".

RVN Class of "68"