Mary Slusser's work on the history of the art and culture of Nepal is marked by a series of discoveries and critical reassessments that have advanced our comprehension of this extraordinarily rich cul
Lone Scherfig was the first of a number of women directors to take up the challenge of Dogme, the back to basics, manifesto-based, rule-governed, and now globalized film initiative introduced by Danis
Throughout southwestern Nigeria, Yoruba men and women create objects called aale to protect their properties--farms, gardens, market goods, firewood--from the ravages of thieves. Aale are objects of s
Renee Stout lives and works in Washington, D.C., where she is strongly influenced by the cityOs political, social, and religious composition. She looks to the belief systems of various African peoples
The selection consists of QurOans, illustrated Islamic manuscripts and scientific and religious manuscripts. All are handsomely illustrated and fully discussed. The manuscripts are from all parts of t
The necropolis of Shah-e Zende represents a summit in the art of ceramic wall coverings in the Islamic world. Perched on a steep cliff overlooking the ancient city of Samarkand, today the ghost town o
Street elephants are a common sight in Thailand. Some carry tourists on their backs, but most spend their days begging for food or money, urged on by their mahouts D their grooms and riders. The anima
Everyday Thai for Beginners is a language textbook that lays the essential groundwork for mastering authentic spoken Thai. The textbook provides an introduction to the basics of communication using Ce
Contemporary Thailand has seen the rise of an immense cult focused on King Chulalongkorn the Great (r. 1868-1910). In Worshipping the Great Moderniser, Irene Stengs explores the continuing appeal of K
Detention and deportation are the two most extreme sanctions of an "immigration penality" that enforces borders, polices non-citizens, identifies those who are dangerous, diseased, deceitful, or desti
"Arthur Szyk was one of the most creative and determined political activists of his time. A gifted book illustrator and illuminator, a skillful caricaturist, and a crusader for causes, this multifacet
History of Aid to Laos is the first comprehensive study of development assistance to the aid-dependent country of Laos. The book investigates the situation of a country dependent on foreign aid for mo
Hero and Deity is an eloquent and fascinating journey into the world of the worshippers and the cult of Tran Hung Dao. The legendary fourteenth-century hero and savior of Vietnam has evolved as a key
Of interest to historians, collectors, antiquarians, and scholars of Southeast Asia, this unique volume discloses the curious and intricate world of ancient bird-shaped weights.
For decades, Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Burma intersect, has been infamous for its opium and heroin production. But in the 1990s, the drug gangs in the
The coup leader who believed he was the reincarnation of an eighteenth-century king. The godfather who was slashed to death by a machete on the orders of his son. The party boss who taught his followe
Polygamy emerged as a political issue in Indonesia following the 1998 reformation that ushered in a period of social change. This period has been characterized by challenges to established institution
If an observer asked today whether Thailand is becoming a "knowledge-based society", the reply might be yes---provided that the country continues to invest in the education of her citizens.Yet the aut
Intense political polarization, confrontation and violence have rocked Thailand recently, much of it a divisive legacy of the 2006 coup. Conflicts centre on the legitimacy of institutions and the uses