Newsletter Article
North by North
East Recommends 2004:
Planning
a journey? Wanting to read up on Southeast Asia? North by North East
heartily recommends these titles as an addition to any home library.
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| Lonely Planet Thailand |
Lonely Planet Thailand by Joe Cummings, et al.
This is the traveler's bible to Thailand. In depth coverage of nearly every place in the Kingdom and a simple, yet thorough account of Thai history make for great reading to help pass the time on the flight over. Also included are very useful maps to help get your bearings and a section of useful phrases in Thai.
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| DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Thailand |
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Thailand by DK Publishing Inc.
This is a very colorful guide full of photos for easy identification of landmarks and attractions. It contains information on the main tourist attractions in the country, but well worth purchasing just for the detailed drawings and photographs!
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Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind |
Mai Pen Rai Means Never Mind by Carol Hollinger
Diplomatic wife, mother, and teacher, Carol Hollinger gives a hilarious account of her experiences in all those roles during her stay in Thailand. A brilliant observer of customs, manners, and cultural differences, she writes frankly and unsparingly of herself and her fellow Americans, and relates both the fun and frustrations of communicating with the Thai people - without being coy or condescending. Sadly long out of print in the US, it can be found in many public libraries or online at Asia Books.
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Four Reigns |
Four Reigns by Kukrit Pramoj
An intriguing revelation of the evolution of Thai social mores spanning five decades. This Thai novel begins by interweaving scenes from the lives of minor courtiers under the absolute monarchy of the day and their relationships through their extended families with the wider society beyond the palace walls. Kukrit Pramoj, the son of a Thai prince, became an actor, a journalist and Prime Minister.
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The Ugly American |
The Ugly American by William Lederer and Eugene Burdick
This bestseller coined the phrase for tragic American blunders abroad. First
published in 1958, The Ugly American became a runaway national bestseller for
its slashing expos of American arrogance, incompetence, and corruption in Southeast
Asia. Based on fact, the book's eye-opening stories and sketches drew a devastating
picture of how the United States was losing the struggle with Communism in Asia.
Combining gripping storytelling with an urgent call to action, the book prompted
President Eisenhower to launch a study of our military aid program that led the
way to much-needed reform. It also spawned a sequel, Sarkhan, which was
quietly pulled from the shelves by the US government.
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The Mekong: Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future |
The Mekong : Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future by Milton Osborne
A compelling, lively narrative history of the peoples and cultures of the great river of Southeast Asia, The Mekong spans two thousand years - from the dawn of civilization on the Mekong Delta to the political and environmental challenges the region faces today. Beginning with the rise of ancient seafaring civilizations at Oc Eco and moving on to the glory of the Cambodian empire in the first millennium, through European colonization and the struggle for independence in the twentieth century, Osborne traces the history of the region that comprises the modern nations of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, and China. Vibrant, insightful, and eminently readable, The Mekong is a rousing history of a dynamic region that has fascinated readers the world over.
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Hot Sour Salty Sweet |
Hot Sour Salty Sweet by Jeffrey Alford
The Mekong region, which extends south from China through Laos and Thailand to Cambodia and Vietnam, offers extraordinary food. Hot Sour Salty Sweet, which takes its name from the principal taste sensations of the region's cooking, provides an unparalleled culinary journey through this fertile land. Though the book contains a wealth of anecdotal material, its great strength lies in its 175 recipes, explicit formulas for the likes of Shrimp in Hot Lime Leaf Broth, Lao Yellow Rice and Duck, and Hui Beef Stew with Chick Peas and Anise. The breadth and substance of this authentic yet approachable collection is truly exciting; readers who cook from the book (not difficult to do once ingredients are assembled and techniques understood), as well as those searching for the best kind of armchair travel, will be delighted.
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