Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics by
Seoul, South Korea
Mia is an outsider. The child of an English mother, she defies the rigid expectations of her Korean stepmother to work as a translator at the British Embassy.
Her uncle runs a charitable - and controversial - school for North Korean defectors, and prevails upon Mia's stepmother to shelter a traumatised young student. Mia is too preoccupied to note the defector's strange behaviour - or its implications.
She has become infatuated with Thomas, a diplomat with a self-destructive streak. When an outrageous indiscretion endangers his position, it is Mia who saves him from humiliation and rescues his career. And the boundaries between them are crossed.
As a reward for his reformation, Thomas is commissioned to audit security amongst Embassy staff. Learning of Mia's connections to the defector, he is compelled to dig deeper into the life of the woman who has captivated him.
Suddenly, all that Mia has done to get close to Thomas begins to cause her undoing.
Culture and Customs of the Hmong by
This book is the first to balance an account of the traditional life and history of the Hmong as a global people, with a full account of their modern, urban lives.
* A chronology from the earliest history of the Hmong to the present day
* Numerous photographs depicting Hmong culture and artifacts
* Glossaries of English, Hmong, Latin, and Chinese terms
Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations by
The civilizations of Ancient Asia have played a major role in humankind's development through their accumulated knowledge and impressive achievements, yet they are little known to most Americans. Encyclopedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations is a new and exciting addition to Facts On File's series of encyclopedias on ancient history. Written by one of the preeminent scholars in the field, this authoritative single-volume reference covers ancient Asia from the Indus Valley Civilization in approximately 3000 BCE through the Cambodian empires of Funan, Chenla, and Angkor that lasted until the 15th century. No previous work has brought together the complete range of early states under one cover. In many cases—for example, the states of Champa in present-day Vietnam, which are only described in French and Vietnamese texts, and the Dvaravati state of central Thailand, which is best covered in the Thai language—the civilizations included have thus far been treated only marginally in the English language.
Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania by
Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania is a two-volume A-to-Z reference to the peoples of the Asia-Pacific region east of the Caspian Sea, not including the countries of the Middle East. More than 400 entries cover the major peoples that for a time maintained a cultural identity in the area—from ancient to modern times—describing their history, migration, culture, belief system, social organization, and relationship to other peoples. This accessible resource makes it easy for students to find not only entries on the Han and Jurchens but also on "Chinese: nationality," describing who they are today with cross-references to the various ancestral peoples.
Entries on all large or well-known groups include information on their geography, origins, languages, history, and culture. Subsections cover such topics as subsistence, religion, social and political structures, economy, government, military practices, dwellings and architecture, clothing, transportation, technology, art, music, and literature. The back matter includes a chronology, bibliography, and comprehensive index, as well as several appendixes with useful background information on topics such as kinship systems, religious systems, and subsistence systems.
The Silk Road by
In The Silk Road, Valerie Hansen describes the archaeological finds that revolutionize our understanding of these trade routes. Hansen explores seven oases along the road, from Xi'an to Samarkand, where merchants, envoys, pilgrims, and travelers mixed in cosmopolitan communities, tolerant of religions from Buddhism to Zoroastrianism. There was no single, continuous road, but a chain of markets that traded between east and west. China's main partners were the peoples of modern-day Iran, whose tombs in China reveal much about their Zoroastrian beliefs. Silk was not the most important good on the road; paper had a bigger impact in Europe, while metals, spices, and glass were just as important as silk. Perhaps most significant of all was the road's transmission of ideas, technologies, and artistic motifs.
Women's Roles in Asia by
All around the world, women's important role in history has only recently been acknowledged. Asia is no exception. Despite a long record of achievements, women's experiences in South, Southeast, and East Asia go largely untold. This compelling book looks at women's lives in contemporary Asia, and reviews the cultural similarities--and differences--in the patterns and experiences of women across various regions. Women's Roles in Asia examines the full scope of women's lives throughout history, including specific topics such as education, family life, marriage and childbearing, religion, public life, economics, legal status, and literature and the arts. A timeline and introduction provide a backdrop to the events, achievements, and issues that have impacted Asian women from pre-colonial time to the present day.
The Princeton Encyclopedia of the World Economy
An essential resource for anyone who needs to better understand the global economy.
Cassell's Peoples, Nations and Cultures
A unique and comprehensive historical guide to the world's peoples, from the earliest times to the present.
Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary
Describes holidays, festivals, commemorations, holy days, feasts and fasts, and other observances from all parts of the world.
Reference Shelf: the South China Sea Conflict by
This volume will deal with the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea where numerous countries lay claim to fishing waters and exclusive economic zones in Southeast Asia. At issue is China's historical claim to lucrative fisheries and supply routes. The contested area concerns six nations, one third of global maritime traffic, untapped oil and natural gas reserves, military buildup and 5 trillion dollars worth of trade. The volume will explore the economic, diplomatic, military and environmental impact of resolving this conflict.
Critical Terms for the Study of Buddhism by
Provides a unique introduction to Buddhism by examining categories essential for a nuanced understanding of its traditions.
Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend
Provides accessible, informative and authoritative entries to answer any major question about Hinduism, its mythology, practices, customs and laws.
Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy by
Covers the main traditions within Asian thought: Persian; Indian; Buddhist; Chinese; Japanese; and Islamic philosophy. Each section provides comprehensive coverage of the origins of the tradition, its approaches to, for example, logic and languages, and to questions of morals and society. Also contains useful histories of the lives of the key influential thinkers, as well as a thorough analysis of the current trends
