I recently traveled to Bangkok using Michael Buckley's book as a guide. It was an excellent source for figuring out what to see (from the Grand Palace to Patpong). It also has simple maps that explain how to get where you want to go. The book's specific descriptions help one travel around the city whether by Tuk Tuk, river express boat or city bus. I highly recommend this book. It was the best of any I read on travels in Bangkok.

Any country that is presented under the cultures of the world series is pretty good. Cultures of the world offers the reader an insight into another country's culture, history, and customs. Everything from language and history to economic standing and traditional celebrations are covered under cultures of the world. They are great books and though they are mainly under children's literature, these books are also recommended for adults that are illiterate on the culture and geography of other nations. These books present valuable cultural and geographic information in a brief form with simple writing that highlights the most important aspects of the culture. That is why these books are recommended even for adults because the writing is clear and easy enough for lazy adults to understand another culture without getting confused. Cultures of the World also offers many colorful pictures on the country and its people.
Wether its Bangladesh or Estonia the Cultures of the World Series offers valuable insights to the cultures of the world.
Most of the time the informatrion is pretty accurate and helpful although it varies from country. In the case of this review for Bangladesh, the information is accurate enough.

Through the accounts of representative Western travelers -over thirteen centuries- in China, the author provides a historical thread of encounters between West and East, starting with the christians-nestorians in the year 625, and continuing with Marco Polo and the Mongols. Then, the great saga of Jesuits scholars and Dominics during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The author moves on to the 19th century with detailed accounts on traders and diplomats intertwining with the Opium War and the Unequal Treaties, finishing with the boxer attack of the Foreign Legations in 1900 and the Sun Yat Sen's first republic in 1911 .

In the background one reads of the comings and goings of the Chinese dynasties dealing with increasing waves of "ocean devils". In the forefront one finds the portrayal of a gallery of actors : sages and villains, missionaries and eunuchs...The underlying clash of cultures enhances the reciprocal fascination and disbelief of two worlds, each one convinced of his own superiority but nevertheless enthralled by the other.

Nigel Cameron -- in a well documented exposition of hundreds of historical clues, with over 100 illustrations-recounts the introduction of western astronomy to the Middle Kingdom, the enchantment of Jesuits with Confucianism and the subsequent conflict with Christianity, the antiforeignism as official Chinese policy confronting the Western "gunboat" extraterritoriality.

History repeats itself ?.I am writing this review in Beijing, July 1999, myself a " bearded barbarian" European staying in China since early 1989. A few weeks ago I saw in Beijing demonstrations of Chinese students stoning two western embassies. Recently we have seen on the news the emotional confrontations between Chinese and Western (Americans) diplomats and political leaders regarding atomic espionage. At the threshold of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the New China and the upcoming China entrance into the World Trade Organization, the story of the East and West, face to face, is an unending and fascinating one .

A copy of its out of print 1989 edition has been on my desk as a special reference book, so I am glad that it has been recently reprinted.I would recommend it for someone who has more than a mild interest in the subject matter, and mainly for the next barbarians coming to China in the next millenniums...

This book is very useful if you want to have an easy guide to japanesse. Going to japan,then bring this little guy along. It can help you when your stuck on asking someone(japnaesse) for directions or even for a date! I suggest this book!

This book delivers a keen insight to the impact of micro-lending as a positive force for change. The story tells how a young woman and four of her friends, with seed money borrowed from an innovative bank in Bangladesh, change their lives by starting their own businesses. It works on many levels including multiculturalism, women's rights, capitalism and entrepreneurship. Based on the real success of the Grameen Bank, this is the kind of story that all western children need to understand in an ever growing global village. This book has recently been listed as one of the Best Children's Books of the Year from Bank Street College and also received a 2003 Skipping Stones Honor Award in the Multicultural and International Books category.

Anyone interested in the Silk Road will appreciate this unique look at life in this remote region.

Lovely & brilliant photos! Covering all of Japan's beloved attractions and scenery. It's a great memory book for those leaving Japan or thinking of visiting this beautiful country!

Library Journal April 15, 2002
Award-winning Korean photographer...has contributed both photography and text to this beautiful book featuring the people, architecture, and sites of South Korea's capital. Suh is wide published photographer whose previous books with the Hollym the Beauty of Korea and Hanoak: Traditional Korean Homes follow a similar format. ...For public and academic libraries.

This is quintessential self-help and empowerment that takes you past the sensationalism of today and into the wisdom of the past, ensuring your accomplishments and happiness in the future.

With the added benefit of containing the deft touch of Mark Watts, this is an invaluable text which shall prove edifying and entertaining for years to come.

This book is filled with the wisdom and humor of Alan Watts, and no body does it better.

If you buy one self-help book this year, make this the one!

A lavishly illustrated book, depicting the beauty the city of St. Petersburg before its bombardment by the Germans in WWII. Depicting everyday life as well as the monumental architecture of this historic city, with a brief history of this city of Peter the Great. The reader is also told which buildings survived destruction and which didn't. A must for any lovers of Russian history under the last Tsar.