Search Results: Titles starting with P from Orchid Press

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2003. This work records the British attack on upper Burma. In November 1885, 10,000 British and Indian troops were transported up the Irrawaddy in steamers of the Flotilla Company. After a few skirmishes they occupied Mandalay and deposed King Thibaw and Queen Supayalat, who were sent into exile in India. Upper Burma was then annexed to the British Empire. Why did it bring only discredit on the soldiers who carried it out? Strangely enough, some of the answers to these questions are to be found in Ireland. For the leading figures in this Burmese drama were almost all Irishmen, from the Viceroy of India, Lord Dufferin, to the special correspondent of The Times. Edward Moylan, who pursued a personal vendetta against the British administration in Burma. Dr. Stewart has based his fascinating account of the Mandalay campaign on Lord Dufferin's vice-regal correspondence and on sources in the India Office Records and Library. Reprint of the 1972 edition. 223 pp., 13 pp. illus., 2… Read More

London: Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland , 1966. Reprint of Dr. Bode's original compilation and critique of Burmese Buddhist literature published in 1909. An important reference work. xv, 119 pp.. Reprint edition. Hard bound. Fine. 22 x 14 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1998. Palms of Malaya provides a unique and easy introduction to the palms of Southeast Asia. Palms are one of the most distinctive and visually striking families of tropical plants. They are of immense importance to humans, and many are planted or harvested for their useful products, or as ornamentals. Think of coconut, oil palm, betel palm and rattans, or royal palm, sealing wax palms and talipot, to name a few. For wild palms the focus is on rain forest species and these extend north of Malaya into the wetter parts of Thailand, Indochina and Burma. This book makes it easy to recognize the different wild and cultivated palms of Southeast Asia, using silhouette drawings, simple descriptions and photographs. It describes the many useful products palms provide, their role in the rural economy and their place in the rainforest ecosystems. 160 pp., 24 pp. illus., 8 pp. in color.. Second edition, enlarged. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 29 x 21 cm..

Taiyuan: Shanxi People`s Publishing House, 1986. A photographic record of the rich ancient Chinese architectural remains still extant in Shanxi province, including shrines, temples (Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian), monasteries, stupas as well as some vernacular dwellings. All detailed captions in bilingual Chinese and English. No jacket, light tape marks on front & back FEP, light foxing on last page; otherwise very good plus. 288 pp., several hundred full colour images. *** PLEASE NOTE - THIS VOLUME IS HEAVY AND WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL POSTAGE. ***. First. Hard bound. Very Good/n/a. 33 x 25 cm..

Yangzhou, nd: China Construction Bank A collection of 18 intricate and colourful paper-cuts illustrating various scenic highlights of Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Each paper-cut has a tipped-on protective plastic cover, and is accompanied by a brief description of the scene portrayed, in bilingual English/Chinese. Rare - aside from a single copy in the Leiden University Library, no other copy appears to exist in any public collection. Small ripple in front cover vinyl, corners lightly bumped, interior fine.. First Edition. Hardbound. Near fine. 19 x 27 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2005. This work comprises in-depth analyses and discussion of Participatory Research and Development in action, with emphasis on the needs of rural communities in marginal regions of Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Nepal, the Philippines, South China, Thailand and Vietnam. 38 scientists and development practitioners share their extensive multidisciplinary experience and discuss the relevance, application and pitfalls of participatory approaches to research and development. Most of the chapters evolved form papers presented at the International Workshop 'Participatory Technology Development and Local Knowledge for Sustainable Land Use in Southeast Asia', held from 6-7 June 2001 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Examples from the field cover the participatory development of soil and water conservation technologies, gender-sensitive participatory methodologies, participation in priority-setting for agricultural research, the use of Geographic Information Systems in supporting… Read More

Tel Aviv: Beth Hatfutsoth, The Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, 1986. Catalogue of an exhibition of artifacts relating to the Jewish communities that arrived in China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Comprised of traders and refugees from central Europe and Russia, they were a very distinct community from the much earlier Jewish settlers in medieval China. The current collection of historic photos captures scenes of their lives - schooling, marriage, religious practice, social events, markets and the trauma of their treatment under the Japanese occupation in WWII. Text in English and Hebrew. xii, 84 pp., 70 full page historic b&w photos, 9 b&w photos in text, map. . First Edition. Softbound. Very Good. 22 x 24 cm..

Hong Kong: Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, 2000. Published in conjunction with an innovative exhibition at the Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong in 2000, the essays, interviews and illustrated exhibits explore the motives and personalities engaged in the 'passion of collecting'. The fascinating and diverse group of collections discussed include (but are not limited to) ceramics and snuff bottles, to ancient textiles and coins, carvings, paintings and archery implements. Foreword by Yeung Chun-tong; preface by Nancy Ma Thompson; essays on collecting by Michael R. Martin, Anthony Lin, Rosemary E. Scott, Craig Clunas and Julian Thompson; interviews with Hu Shin-chang and an anonymous collector; discussions by 23 collectors accompanied by photographs of their collections. English with essays in bilingual English and Chinese. 224 pp, 257 colour and 24 b&w illustrations. First Edition. Soft Cover. New. 30 x 23 cm.

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2005. This is an indispensable contribution to the literature on the material culture of the peoples of Vietnam's Central Highlands. In addition to providing a great deal of new information on the textiles of the Êdê and Mnông, two of most important ethnic in groups in the Central Highlands, it also discusses baskets and architectural decoration. These and other peoples in the central Highlands have a very rich traditional material culture that has been neglected in Southeast Asian literature to a great extent. The present work amply illustrates just how rich this tradition is and will help to draw attention to a heritage that is rapidly disappearing. Maps, drawings of patterns, black and white photographs, and over 200 color photographs accompany the text. 182 pp. fully illustr. in colour.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 30 x 21 cm..

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2009. The Peacock's Children records the struggle for independence, democracy and freedom in Burma from the fall of the monarchy and the British occupation, up to the turn of the 21st century. For the initial period of the study, the author draws on valuable material concerning the British colonial period and its response to nationalist and student protests, discovered mainly in the archives of the British Library -- Indian and Oriental Collection, London. Post-colonial material is complemented by the author's extensive travel and personal interviews in Burma, Thailand and Australia. The account is at times a harrowing one, underscoring the repeated dashed hopes for freedom, as well as the confusion and contradictions amongst Burmese themselves as to the right path to be followed to achieve true independence. In the Epilogue, the author brings us forward to the present. Regrettably, despite the ongoing struggle, sacrifice and bloodshed of many heroic Burmese, little… Read More

Shanghai (etc.): Kelly & Walsh, 1922. A classic account of Beijing in the early 20th century, rich in details of the life, customs and particularly architecture of the old imperial city prior to the tectonic changes, often destructive, that occurred after WWII. Bredon (1881-1937) resided in Beijing for over 40 years and wrote widely on the culture and customs of pre-revolutionary China. A fascinating read and reference work for anyone with interest in a city that has been at the center of Chinese civilization for over 600 years. Spine sunned and head and tail a little frayed; light soiling to cover. Interior hinges cracked but binding still tight and strong. Light spotting around fold-out maps; otherwise interior pages all bright and clean. Overall a complete and very good copy. Early sepia photograph of the Hall of Heavenly Favours [Ling'en Dian] pasted onto front endpaper. Ling'en Dian, part of the Ming tomb complex at Changling, is one of the greatest surviving examples of Ming… Read More

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1991. These monuments are exceptional in the ancient architecture of Southeast Asia and are indeed rare in the whole history of architecture. This original study by Pierre Richard, architect and member of the École Française d'Extrême Orient, presents 17 monuments, discussing the doctrinal, historical, and architectural features of these unique achievements of Burmese genius. 157 pp., fully illustrated.. First Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 29 x 21 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1997. A report on Dr. Morice's posting in the then newly-acquired colony of France, Cochinchina. Since the author took a special interest in snakes and insects, attention is paid especially to these. Dr. Morice also elaborates on the local people and their customs, including the Chinese merchants in Saigon and on the diseases most commonly occurring. A number of local customs and festivities are described through the tinted spectacles of a colonialist Frenchman. Dr. Morice also traveled the smaller towns of the Delta extensively, and contributes to our knowledge of the terrain before the French commenced their culturally damaging, large-scale intervention. First English translation of the 1885 French edition. 124 pp., illustr.. First English Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 21 x 15 cm..

Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 2000. The rugged, near-impassable mountains and deep valleys of Nepal fostered the development of one of the most diverse populations of South Asia, with even neighbouring settlements existing for centuries in near isolation from one another. The present pioneering volume, based on the author's personal contacts with members of each group, explores the characteristics and differences of 29 distinct ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups in Nepal. First published in 1967, this volume is the 7th edition. xii, 218 pp., b&w photos throughout.. Seventh edition. Softbound. Near fine. 25 x 18 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1999. This book is the first comprehensive study conducted in Laos combining research on ethnic culture and indigenous values and the present socio-economic development and describes the ethnic diversity of the country over the decade of the 1990s. The 132 identified ethnic groups and sub-groups belong to the four linguistic families represented in Laos: Tai, Austroasiatic, Miao-Yao, and Sino-Tibetan. For each linguistic family, a detailed case study shows the ethno-linguistic specificity, as well as the institutional and socio-economic complexity. 132 maps give the geographic distribution of each group in Laos, while a large folded map shows the national linguistic and ethnic distribution pattern. For 56 ethnic groups and sub-groups, pictures cover people, habitat, agro-ecosystems, production systems and ethnic-related activities and handicrafts. 200 pp., illustr. throughout, incl. 70 pp. colour illustr., 1 fold-out map in pocket. *** PLEASE NOTE - THIS VOLUME IS HEAVY AND MAY… Read More

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2002. A remarkable personal account of a sojourn of nearly eight years in Tibet, ending in 1952, compiled from the notes, sketches and photographs of Peter Aufschnaiter. An Austrian agricultural engineer, Aufschaiter developed a deep love and sympathy for the Tibetan people, sentiments which were readily reciprocated. Throughout his stay in Tibet, Aufschnaiter worked tirelessly not only to understand the people, their culture and religion, but also to share his skills in any area which could improve their lot. A brilliant linguist, mountaineer and observer, Aufschnaiter provides us with the most detailed and sensitive record available of the Tibetans and their way of life, on the eve of the Chinese invasion which was to wreak such irreversible damage to this unique culture. 208 pp., 70 b&w and 67 colour plates, 11 maps in text and one separate large (70 x 60 cm) colour fold-out map of Lhasa in back pocket. A rich and fascinating account, now rare. . First English Edition.… Read More

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2002. This reprint provides an account of a trading mission on behalf of the British East India Company, the Globe being the first English vessel to take part in trade with the Bay of Bengal, and to sail through the Straits of Malacca and of Singapore. The events described predate the later, well-known accounts of the French travelers Tachard and de La Loubère and differ in observations made. Trade being the sole objective, events and local conditions are described in terms of the market, and in parts in a modern way. For example, both the English and Dutch had local factories producing cotton cloths because markets to be visited demanded cloth with meticulous reproductions of cheap stereotyped designs. Skins and hides were purchased in Siam, the competition having taken the Japanese market for other goods. The port of Siam was then the entrepôt for goods brought by Chinese junks. The impact of the arrival of Dutch traders on the Portuguese interests, events in Siam… Read More

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2001. The most comprehensive book on the history of the capital of Cambodia. It brings together 293 photographs, including numerous unpublished plates from the period 1863 to 1931, and a large number of old maps and drawings unknown until now. A comparison of the serial views of Phnom Penh in 1931 and in 1993 reveals the astonishing transformation of the city, especially in the former colonial quarter. The author, a specialist on Cambodia, evokes the former canals and bridges throughout the town, and the caiman hunts around the lake where the Grand Market is situated today. He defines the main stages in the urbanization of the city, from its foundation in the fifteenth century and its rebirth in the reign of King Norodom to the modern capital that developed after independence and the changes following in the years from 1975 to 1993. 189 pp., fully illus. in colour. A new/unread copy. . Reprint. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 29 x 21 cm..

Bangkok: White Lotus, 1993. C'est le livre le plus complet sur l'histoire de la capitale du Cambodge. Il rassemble 293 photographies, dont de nombreuses planches inédites de la période 1863 à 1931, et un grand nombre de cartes et dessins anciens inconnus jusqu'à présent. La comparaison des vues sérielles de Phnom Penh en 1931 et en 1993 révèle l'étonnante transformation de la ville, notamment dans l'ancien quartier colonial. L'auteur, spécialiste du Cambodge, évoque les anciens canaux et ponts de la ville, et le caïman chasse autour du lac où se situe aujourd'hui le Grand Marché. Il définit les grandes étapes de l'urbanisation de la ville, depuis sa fondation au XVe siècle et sa renaissance sous le règne du roi Norodom jusqu'à la capitale moderne qui s'est développée après l'indépendance et les… Read More

Bangkok: White Lotus, 2001. A photographic sketch of the colonies and protectorates the French established around the turn of the century and the budding exploitation of those colonies. Indochinese architecture, landscapes, and people in their daily activities are shown in 203 magnificent photographs from the 1930s. The journey covers the present-day countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The text, in English, includes a brief introduction to the specific characteristics and history of each country. The photographs also include monuments of Champa, an extinct culture on the coast of Central Vietnam. Tribal people from various regions are shown in their traditional costumes. First English translation of 1930 French edition. 172 pp., fully illustrated.. First English Edition. Soft Cover. New/n/a. 29 x 21 cm..