1 comments about Tiger Forest: A Visual Study Of Ranthambhore Park.

1. Tiger Forest - A Visual Study of Ranthambhore National is a very beautiful book containing some stunning photographs of wild tigers in their natural setting. Unlike many other books on tigers, Tiger Forest features only images taken in the wild and this clearly shows, as there are so many glorious pictures of tigers in open landscapes, around lakes and in deep forest. The forest of Ranthambhore is also revealed in exceptional detail, illustrating the Chris Brunskill's versatility as a photographer. This book will appeal to anyone interested in wild tigers, it really is a superb volume of photographs.

No comments about Pocket China Atlas: Maps and Facts at Your Fingertips.

1 comments about Gobi: Tracking the Desert.

1. The author's somewhat standard travelogue visit to Mongolia is escalated to excellence through two key things: the detail he provides about a little-documented country, and the insight that bridges Western concepts of society and natural beauty with those of Mongolia.

   It may help a great deal to be interested in Mongolia or Central Asia before you pick up this book, but if you have even the slightest interest in the area Man will draw you in completely. While at first you might consider reading the book to learn about Mongolia without going there, Man paints in this blank corner of most people'e world view so well that you wish for much more contact with the country and its people.

3 comments about China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, and Globalization (Revised and Updated Edition).

1. This book is for all readers. Not to mention other things, it contains several dozen case studies on global multinationals doing business in China, like Wal-Mart, P&G, Intel, HSBC, Bank of America, Ford, Siemens, BP, Unilever, Sony, GE, GM, Morgan Stanley, and Microsoft. (Amazingly, this revised and updated volume gives most current info on China -- even events happened in May 2006 are contained here.)
   
   It also gives huge info on emerging Chinese multinationals. All the leading Chinese companies such as Haier, Huawei, TCL, Lenovo, China Telecom, Baosteel, China Oil, Sinopec, CNOOC, and Ping An are studied here. Furthermore, comparisons are made between the Chinese companies and their international counterparts. These discussions are straightforward, covering both strengths and weaknesses.
   
   Its scope is rather wide: the author aims to identify key factors behind global development: causes, effects, and consequences. He offers vast info and analysis on a changing global production, investment and trade map, which involves all nations, rich or poor. Interesting comparative studies involve US, Canada, Europe, India, Japan and China. Above all, he pinpoints opportunities and challenges under globalization.
   
   Also it is highly critical of the abusive Chinese bureaucratic power. Gu claims that China's fundamental weakness is with this overextended, self-appointed bureaucratic power. Vast info and facts are presented to support his statement.
   
   He is a high-profile newspaper commentator/consultant that adds much color to his discussions. The book's key strengths come from the fact that the author has vast first-hand experiences, so that he gives countless insider's stories. Its style and presentation is very reader friendly and straightforward, but its analysis is overpowering.



2. Author George Zhibin Gu is a high-profile Chinese journalist whose powerful newspaper pieces are widely read. This book is a must read. The reason for my recommendation is simple: This book summarises the key lessons from a fast-changing China under globalization and capitalism.
   
   These lessons are powerful. First, an open society is a must in order to gain true development. Second, having foreign involvement is a key driving force for China's quick development in this era. Third, a truly meaningful development must depend on individual private initiatives other than government bureaucracy.
   
   This book gives rather straightforward analysis on what is behind China's new development. It gives tremendous information on foreign multinationals and investors doing biz inside. Furthermore, it gives huge info on how this foreign involvement affects China's society, government and economy. In particular, it is extremely open about the ills of the Chinese bureaucracy. To overcome bureaucratic barriers, it emphasizes the need for greater private initiative as well as openness, among other things.
   
   Also, the book talks about the ever-increasing influences of China's surge on global development. It gives very insightful analysis on a changing global production, investment, and trade map, as well as manufacturing and job transfers, among other issues.
   
   The book also offers much practical advice on doing biz in China. Numerous case studies are presented, including both successes and failures.



3. Author Gu is a brave fellow. He offers straightfoward info and analysis on what is really inside Chinese business and political world. He is highly critical of the Communist ills that continue to cause hellish problems for China and foreign operations inside. Other than this abusive bureaucratic power, Chinese people are very diligent and creative. But the key is to get rid of the overextended bureaucratic power, as so claims by Gu.
   
   This book is a must read -- it is a rare book that reveals the inner workings of the Chinese bureaucratic system. This new edition is very nice, which is sharply revised and expanded. (Five stars for his new edition)

2 comments about Luxe Shanghai, 7th Edition (LUXE City Guides).

1. I used this during a recent trip to Shanghai and was really happy to have it with me. It directed me to all the "happening" places - to shop, eat, drink, see art, etc. It is a small fold out pamphlet, not a book - and well worth the price. While it is geared to the hip and trendy young woman, as a 58 year old interested in that side of Shanghai, I found lots of great tips (once I enlarged the really, really tiny type). I also used the guide to Beijing.



2. These books were great because they were small and easy to carry! The stores I found they suggested were very good. I gave the Shanghai book to our private guide because she really thought the book was great. She wasn't even aware of some of the shops or restaurants in it. It was fun to read and very good information. In Beijing I bought Pearls at the shop that was suggested after looking at several places. In Hong Kong the Stanley Market was very confusing and this helped us out a lot! I have already passed Beijing on to a friend for their trip.

5 comments about The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes: Notes from Nepal, Revised Edition.

1. I was really surprised by the quality of this book. Many people who have lived or worked abroad try to write about their experiences, but few actually have the talent to create something worthwhile and lasting. Barbara Scot, however, has managed to capture some moments of incredible poignancy and beauty. A few passages even approach the level of poetry.

   The book is a bit uneven in places, but nevertheless I consider it an excellent effort for a first-time author. You come away with a deep respect for both Nepal and her people, and for Barbara, who as an adventurous woman in her late 40s, will be a an inspiration for many. She's the kind of woman you'd like to know.

   On another note--When I saw this book came from a feminist publishing house I was afraid I might be subjected to preachy diatribes about the evils patriarchy, but mercifully that was not the case. Scot does have a special concern for the women of Nepal, but she doesn't preach about it. In fact a sense of evenhandedness is one of the many virtues of the book. She poses many good questions without claiming to have the answers.




2. Like too many Americans, Scot approaches Nepal as a mysterious secret land. Her book is full of wonderful theories and ideas to help this backward nation, but her notions are little more than jabs at the West and progress. In a country where only 45% of the population is literate I don't think any nation with resources should sit by and let them "figure it out for themselves." I have spent a few years living in differing regions of Nepal and did not come away with this mystical notion of a people that Scot so dearly clings to her heart. Perhaps she should have scrutinized a little more and wore the rose coloured glasses a little less. I don't recommend this book.



3. I've been around the world a few times and lived and worked overseas (mostly in Asia) for about 12 years. I have run into many versions of the author, most of whom hold an almost pious, self-righteous attitude about their short term experiences - who almost unfailingly dress in what my fellow ex-pats termed "Asian travelers'disease" style - for example, a Cambodian peasant shirt paired with Japanese farmer pants and an upcountry tribal hat from Chang Mai. These are generally the types of people who in normal life back home wear purple, brown and blue as if it's part of their religion.
   
   The problem is that it's not a bad book, and it is very well written - it just could have been so much better had the author:
   
   1. Had even a modicum of humor
   2. Wasn't afraid to criticize a culture because of looking "culturally insensitive".
   3. Realized that Nepalis are people just like anyone else, not to be put on a pedestal, with a somewhat different mentality, history and geography. In other words, they're not that hard to understand -
   
   Treating a foreign country as if its inhabitants are some sort of exotic butterfly that will go extinct if you disturb it is really out of date. Mass media has made many more inroads and changed more countries from the inside out than have scores of Peace Corps workers, and it's not going to stop anytime soon.
   
   One almost feels as if everyone the author runs into is so holy as to be destined for sainthood. This is an unbalanced point of view, but unfortunately, it's become very popular in the PC States of America. Frankly, I feel more at home with books like "Holidays in Hell".



4. I really enjoyed this book. Barbara Scot does seem like a woman it would be interesting to know. I appreciated her heartfelt, thoughtful, introspective approach to her teaching experience in Nepal. As someone with a strong family connection to Nepal, I really appreciated the respect and humility she communicates through her writing.
   
   I was especially interested in her reservations about the wisdom of the effort to teach English to Nepali children. It seems so many western efforts to "help" in Nepal and elsewhere go awry. I hope accounts such as this one will encourage more mindful involvement.
   
   Ms. Scot has written with an eloquent, touching, respectful voice about a country that an acquaintance recently described as "beguiling". If you have been to Nepal and have been beguiled, or are dreaming of going for whatever reason, or even just curious about a western perspective on an enchanting and very different culture you would probably enjoy this book.



5. I have read many trips to the Himilayas written from a man's point of view, but this was certainly unique. The typical story of racing down narrow, dangerous roads on a bus is totally different when paying attention to nauseous women and where do the women have to go to the bathroom. When she wrote of climbing mountains, she mentioned the wildflowers. That is something the men rushing up mountains at the very edge of their skills never mention.

No comments about Etiquette Guide To China: Know the Rules That Make the Difference! (Etiquette Guides).

No comments about Shanghai Explorer :The Complete Residents' Guide (Living & Working for Expats).

2 comments about Myanmar Country Map: (Burma) (Periplus Travel Maps) (Comprehensive Country Maps).

1. The Periplus Myanmar map is an indispensable purchase you must make before you enter the country in order to plan and execute your trip, since you will find it very hard to find one once you are in.
   I strongly recommend it in addition to the Lonely Planet guide (see my past review) as the two tools to the serious and organized traveler.

   Inside, you'll find 6 maps:

   1. A big Myanmar map (1:2,000,000)
   2. A map of Bagan area (1:35,000)
   3. A detailed map of old Bagan (1:15,000)
   4. A city map of Yangon (1:35,000)
   5. A detailed map of Central Yangon (1:17,500)
   6. A map of Mandalay.

   All the maps are well printed and help a lot to get around in the country. The best places to see are highlighted in red. Inside you'll also find a few useful traveling tips for a kick-start.




2. It's very nicely made, laminated and all. And the colors and coding and layout is all wonderful. However, I feel like more of the cities can be covered and particularly the areas in each city. Especially Mandalay, they only cover the downtown when it's such a major city.

No comments about Insight Flexi Map Hanoi (Insight Flexi Map).