Best of
Asia

1974

Ozu: His Life and Films


Donald Richie - 1974
    The Japanese family in dissolution figures in every one of his fifty-three films. In his later pictures, the whole world exists in one family, the characters are family members rather than members of a society, and the ends of the earth seem no more distant than the outside of the house.

Cosmic Chants


Paramahansa Yogananda - 1974
    Chant traditions from many cultures are being recognized today not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for their spiritual power. Paramahansa Yogananda, a pioneer in introducing India's art of devotional chanting to the West, explains how it helps to quiet and focus the mind in preparation for meditation.

On Education


Jiddu Krishnamurti - 1974
    Krishnamurti with the students and teachers of schools at Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh and Rajghat School at Varanasi. These centres are run by the Krishnamurti Foundation India, which was set up to create a milieu where the teachings of Krishnamurti could be communicated to the child. Krishnamurti regards education as of prime significance in the communication of that which is central to the transformation of the human mind and the creation of a new culture. Such a fundamental transformation takes place when the child, while being trained in various skills and disciplines, is also given the capacity to be awake to the processes of his own thinking, feeling and action. This alertness makes him self-critical and observant and thus establishes an integrity of perception, discrimination and action, crucial to the maturing within him of a right relationship to man, to nature and to the tools man creates.

Agastya


Kamala Chandrakant - 1974
    He drank all the waters of the ocean to expose the wicked Kalkeyas, who hid there after challenging the Gods to battle. Agastya is the most well-known among the Saptarshi. His stories are found not just in the Vedas but are scattered through the Brahmanas and the Puranas as well. These stories are known not only in India but are also a part of S.E. Asian mythology.

The Tide at Sunrise: A History of the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-05


Denis Ashton Warner - 1974
    It was the first war to be fought with modern weapons.The Japanese had fought the Chinese at sea in 1894 and had gained a foothold in Manchuria by taking control of Port Authur. In 1895, however, Japan was forced to abandon its claims by the Russian fleet's presence in the Straits of Tsushima. Tsar Nicholas had obtained a window to the East for his empire and Japan had been humiliated. Tensions between the two countries would rise inexorably over the next decade.Around the world, no one doubted that little Japan would be no match for the mighty armies of Tsar Nicholas II. Yet Russia was in an advanced state of decay, the government corrupt and its troops inept and demoralized. Japan, meanwhile, was emerging from centuries of feudal isolation and becoming an industrial power, led by zealous nationalist warlords keen to lead the Orient to victory over the oppressive West. From the opening surprise attack on the Russian fleet at Port Authur in 1904, the Japanese out-fought and out-thought the Russians.This is a definitive account of one of the pivotal conflicts of the twentieth century whose impact was felt around the world.

The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World


James F. Clements - 1974
    Despite centuries of observation, each year brings the discovery and description of several entirely new avian species and hundreds of other taxonomic splits or lumps based on DNA data. In this arena of continual and increasing taxonomic change, The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World is a compendium of the more than 9,800 species of birds recognized by the scientific and birding communities. This completely revised sixth edition incorporates hundreds of updates since the last edition. In taxonomic sequence, it provides the scientific and English name of each species and a description of the worldwide range of each species and subspecies.The most established resource on the taxonomy and biogeography of birds for the world birding community, The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World is the official world checklist of the American Birding Association (ABA) and is used as the authoritative reference in the birding competitions and listing activities of this preeminent North American organization for serious birders.- Comprehensive indexes with all taxa listed by English and scientific names- Tables and maps showing the world distribution of total bird species and endemics by geographic area, which will be of special interest to conservationists- Space to record the location and date of individual sightings, providing the user with a personalized ornithological journal

The Origins of the Cultural Revolution, I: Contradictions Among the People, 1956-1957


Roderick MacFarquhar - 1974
    Why did Mao Zedong launch the cultural revolution that almost destroyed all that he had worked so long and so hard to create? In his highly praised study-now a classic-Roderick MacFarquhar seeks to answer that question by examining the politics, economics, culture, and international relations of China from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.

The Marvellous Mongolian


James Aldridge - 1974
    Smaller than horses of today, with an unusually large head, a combative spirit, and unusual intelligence, these horses have been known to the world only through their presence in selected breeding zoos and sanctuaries.The story is written in the form of letters between Kitty, who lives on a Wild Life Reserve in Wales, and Baryut, who lives with his family in the mountains of Mongolia. As the novel progresses, so does their friendship and their understanding of one another's culture.

The Cuisine of Armenia


Sonia Uvezian - 1974
    Fragrant with the aromas of spices and herbs, Armenian cuisine abounds in succulent kebabs, stuffed vegetables and fruits, opulent pilafs, delectable breads, and irresistible pastries and confections that have been perfected by generations of ingenious cooks over a period of many centuries. The 375 recipes and variations in this book range from time-honored favorites to inspired innovations and include many highly original specialties from the Caucasus, which were previously unknown in the West. You will find all the classics in this definitive guide - tanabour, dolma, sarma, keufteh, shish kebab, moussaka, boereg, manti, lahmajoon, lavash, pideh, choereg, gatah, baklava, tel kadayif, kurabia, and many more. As a bonus, the book includes a number of Sonia Uvezian's own superb creations, derived from the Armenian tradition, important contributions to a vigorous culinary style. Among these are Pomegranate-Glazed Roast Chicken with Apricot and Chestnut Stuffing; Fried Fish with Oranges, Black Olives, and Mint Leaves; Saffron Rice Pilaf with Toasted Almonds and Sesame Seeds; and Yogurt Cream (a delectable low-calorie alternative to sweetened whipped cream). The book also includes valuable historical information, a selection of perfectly harmonized menus, and an excellent glossary. Long recognized as the standard in its field, The Cuisine of Armenia has received outstanding reviews from major publications both in this country and abroad and has been a selection of four different book clubs. Written by one of America's most gifted cookbook authors, it is a "must have" volume, whether you already own one or dozens of books on Armenian, Middle Eastern, or eastern Mediterranean cooking. Sonia Uvezian was born and brought up in Beirut, Lebanon. A leading authority on Middle Eastern and Caucasian cooking and the winner of a James Beard Award, she is the author of six other highly acclaimed cookbooks, including Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen, Cooking from the Caucasus, and the Book of Yogurt. Several of her books have been selections of Book-of-the-Month Club and published internationally. Ms. Uvezian has also contributed articles and recipes to Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Vogue, and numerous other publications."

Cultural Revolution and Industrial Organisation in China


Charles Bettelheim - 1974