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SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS

Lands of the Great Buddha

READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

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Enrich your travels with reading! Here's a hand-picked list prepared for your journey in conjunction with the book experts at Longitude.

Item EXASA102. Buy these 7 items as a set for $112 including shipping, 15% off the retail price.
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Buddhism, A Very Short Introduction

by Damien Keown

• RELIGION
• 2000
• PAPER
• 152 PAGES

One of a series of very brief, authoritative introductions by Oxford University Press with chapters on The Buddha, Karma, the Mahayana, Buddhism in Asia, Buddhist practices and ethics. (ASA53, $11.95)

Eyewitness Guide Vietnam and Angkor Wat

by Eyewitness Guides

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2011
• PAPER
• 312 PAGES

Featuring innovative site diagrams, local maps and hundreds of color photographs, this handy companion introduces the culture, history and attractions of Vietnam. (VNM102, $25.00)

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World

by Jack Weatherford

• BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
• 2005
• PAPER
• 352 PAGES

Weatherford, who has lived and studied in Mongolia, interweaves his own travels and field work on the Central Asian steppes, much of it on horseback, with a lively portrait of Genghis Khan and the world of the medieval Mongols. The Mongols introduced not only mayhem, but also paper, printing, gunpowder, the compass and trousers to their far-flung empire. (CAS106, $15.00)

Mao Zedong

by Jonathan Spence

• BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
• 2006
• PAPER
• 192 PAGES

Yale Sinologist, writer and historian Spence tracks the life of the Chinese ruler from his provincial upbringing through his powerful rule. (CHN66, $14.00)

The Snow Leopard

by Peter Matthiessen

• EXPLORATION
• 2008
• PAPER
• 368 PAGES
• FAVORITE

The most perceptive, acutely observed and personal of all his books, Matthiessen's account of a five-week journey through Nepal with naturalist George Schaller combines their quest for the elusive cat with a moving introduction to Buddhism and the people and culture of the Himalayas. (NPL03, $16.00)

So Close to Heaven, The Vanishing Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas

by Barbara Crossette

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 1996
• PAPER
• 297 PAGES
• FAVORITE

Asia correspondent for the New York Times, Crossette portrays Bhutan and neighboring Ladakh and Sikkim as strongholds of Tantric Buddhism in an increasingly homogenized world. (NPL04, $16.00)

India

by Stanley Wolpert

• HISTORY
• 2009
• PAPER
• 281 PAGES

Reflections on India -- religion and philosophy, art, culture, and politics -- by the dean of its American historians: beautifully written, and provocative as well as evocative. (IDA04, $24.95)

 

Also Recommended

Angkor Map

by Dawn Rooney

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2007
• PAPER

A site plan and pocket guide to the city of Angkor at a scale of 1:40,000. (CBD16, $12.95)

Bradt Guide Mongolia

by Jane Blunden

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2008
• PAPER
• 420 PAGES

Once the student of explorer and historian Owen Lattimore, Blunden draws on her long association with Mongolia (and many friends) for this comprehensive, up-to-date guide. (MGL44, $27.99)

Insight Guide Thailand

by Insight Guides

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2010
• PAPER
• 432 PAGES

This handsome guide brings Thailand to life in hundreds of color photographs and vividly written essays by a team of experts. Panoramic in scope, the book takes us from the crowded streets of modern Bangkok to the beaches to the rural north. (TLD16, $23.99)

Insight Guide Vietnam

by Insight Guides | Scott Rutherford

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2011
• PAPER
• 384 PAGES

A highly recommended guide to history, culture and popular destinations, featuring essays, informative maps and photographs. (VNM02, $24.99)

Lonely Planet Laos

by Justine Vaisutis | Andrew Burke

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2010
• PAPER
• 332 PAGES

This practical guide to Laos by Lonely Planet features maps, a 60-page overview of culture, history and nature and plenty of information on excursions, accommodations and sightseeing. (LAO02, $23.99)

Odyssey Guide Angkor

by Dawn Rooney

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2011
• PAPER
• 496 PAGES

The sixth edition of Rooney's indispensable guide to Khmer culture and history. Includes monuments, temple plans, color photographs and practical information about Siem Reap. (CBD05, $27.95)

Odyssey Guide Bhutan

by Francoise Pommaret

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2009
• PAPER
• 326 PAGES

A compact overview of the kingdom, its culture, history, flora and fauna by a resident scholar, enhanced by color photographs and maps. (BHU03, $23.95)

Odyssey Guide Xi'an, Shaanxi & the Terracotta Army

by Kevin Bishop

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2009
• PAPER
• 336 PAGES

With color photographs, insightful essays on culture and history, site plans and places of interest in and around China's ancient capital. (CHN34, $24.95)

Spectrum Guide to Nepal

by Camerapix

• GUIDEBOOK
• 2000
• PAPER
• 364 PAGES

A comprehensive guide to the country, its people, history, culture and geography, featuring excellent maps and 200 color photographs. (NPL27, $22.95)

The Pocket World Atlas

by Oxford Univ. Press

• REFERENCE
• 2008
• PAPER
• 160 PAGES

You can't go wrong with this inexpensive pocket atlas, which includes city plans, country maps, gazetteer, index, time zones and basic statistical information on countries worldwide. (GEN104, $16.95)

A Traveller's History of Southeast Asia

by J.M. Barwise | Nicholas J. White

• HISTORY
• 2002
• PAPER
• 352 PAGES
• COMING IN MARCH

A compact history of the region, including the Khmer and the various ancient kingdoms that produced Borobudur, Angkor and other architectural marvels. (SEA36, $14.95)

Adventures With the Buddha, A Buddhism Reader

by Jeffery Paine

• RELIGION
• 2005
• PAPER
• 410 PAGES

Paine chooses nine influential 19th and 20th century western adventurers and their travels in China, Tibet, Nepal and India for this riveting tale of religion, adventure and enlightenment. (REL12, $16.95)

An End to Suffering, The Buddha in the World

by Pankaj Mishra

• RELIGION
• 2005
• PAPER
• 320 PAGES

A personal and informative exploration of the life of Buddha and the history of Buddhism. (IDA242, $18.00)

Banaras

by Diana L. Eck

• HISTORY
• 1999
• PAPER
• 448 PAGES

This history of the holiest and oldest of Indian cities, the home of Shiva, encompasses many millennia of Buddhist and especially Hindu practices along the Ganges. (IDA211, $29.50)

Buddha

by Karen Armstrong

• RELIGION
• 2004
• PAPER
• 240 PAGES

A concise, thought-provoking biography of the Buddha in the Penguin Lives series, written by one of the foremost experts on world religions. (REL09, $14.00)

Essential Tibetan Buddhism

by Robert Thurman

• RELIGION
• 1996
• PAPER
• 317 PAGES

The foremost Western scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, Thurman has chosen well from that tradition's sacred literature and helpfully includes suggested further reading, explanatory notes and a directory of sacred sites. (TBT15, $14.99)

India, A Wounded Civilization

by V.S. Naipaul

• CULTURAL PORTRAIT
• 2003
• PAPER
• 208 PAGES

A vivid and unsentimental cultural portrait that draws together conversations with Indians, news reports, politics and literature, paying particular attention to the Hindu confrontation with the West. (IDA224, $12.95)

It's Easier Than You Think, The Buddhist Way to Happiness

by Sylvia Boorstein

• RELIGION
• 1997
• PAPER
• 145 PAGES

A down-to-earth, warm-hearted introduction to the basic teaching of Buddhism. (GEN264, $13.00)

Khmer, The Lost Empire of Cambodia

by Thierry Zephir

• HISTORY
• 1998
• PAPER
• 128 PAGES

Stunningly compact, this profusely illustrated history of the Khmer, its art, architecture and archaeology, is a splendid introduction to monuments of Angkor. (CBD12, $15.95)

Mughal India, Splendours of the Peacock Throne

by Valerie Berinstain | Paul Bahn

• HISTORY
• 1998
• PAPER
• 159 PAGES

This illustrated pocket guide presents the history, culture and splendor of the Mughal court and its celebrated architecture in hundreds of archival photographs and drawings. (IDA50, $15.95)

The Art of Pilgrimage, The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred

by Phil Cousineau

• RELIGION
• 2000
• PAPER
• 288 PAGES

Cousineau draws on his own experiences, mixing quotes and excerpts from classic accounts in this soulful guide to the art of travel. (TVL11, $18.95)

The Blessings of Bhutan

by Russ and Blyth Carpenter

• CULTURAL PORTRAIT
• 2002
• PAPER
• 192 PAGES
• HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

Head-over-heels in love with Bhutan, the Carpenters introduce their adopted home, its people, customs, religion and history. (BHU16, $26.99)

The Book of Tea

by Kakuzo Okakura

• CULTURAL PORTRAIT
• 2006
• PAPER
• 116 PAGES

A graceful, witty meditation on Japanese aesthetics and culture as reflected through the tea ceremony. A celebrity and cultural ambassador, Okakura was a curator at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. (JPN21, $9.95)

The Buddhist Handbook

by John Snelling

• RELIGION
• 1992
• PAPER
• 345 PAGES

Subtitled, "The Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice and History, " this even-handed book is a concise primer covering the history, philosophical foundation and practice of Buddhism. (ASA08, $19.95)

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Civilizations

by John Haywood | Simon Hall

• HISTORY
• 2005
• PAPER
• 144 PAGES

A slim, informative history of ancient civilizations tracing the development of cultures in Mesopotamia and the Near East, China and India, Egypt and Africa, Greece and Rome, Peru and Mexico through excellent color maps. With color photographs, illustrations and succinct accompanying text. (WLD71, $20.00)

The Politics of Ritual and Remembrance, Laos Since 1975

by Grant Evans

• HISTORY
• 1999
• PAPER
• 216 PAGES

Social anthropologist Evans looks at the transformation of Laotian society since the 1975 revolution in this important book. (LAO14, $22.00)

The Raven Crown

by Michael Aris

• HISTORY
• 2005
• HARD COVER
• 160 PAGES

Aris chronicles the rise of the Wangchuk dynasty in this beautifully illustrated history of the kingdom and its 20th-century monarchy, featuring 106 rare photographs. (BHU02, $60.00)

The Way of Zen

by Alan Watts

• RELIGION
• 1999
• PAPER
• 236 PAGES

A history and introduction to the practices of Zen. (JPN71, $14.00)

Understanding China

by John Bryan Starr

• HISTORY
• 2010
• PAPER
• 400 PAGES

The Yale professor brings us up to date in this third edition of his succinct and refreshingly forthright best-selling guide to China's economy, history and politics. (CHN196, $17.95)

Understanding Vietnam

by Neil Jamieson

• CULTURAL PORTRAIT
• 1995
• PAPER
• 428 PAGES

Jamieson's ambitious primer addresses politics, social history, village life, structural renewal, literature and the arts, illuminating the Vietnamese worldview with insight and depth. It's a terrific introduction to Vietnam. (VNM01, $27.95)

What the Buddha Taught

by Walpola Sri Rahula

• RELIGION
• 1972
• PAPER
• 151 PAGES

A classic account of Theravada Buddhism by a respected monk and scholar from Sri Lanka. Provides translations from original texts with explanations for Western readers. A good foundation for any visitor to Southeast Asia. (SEA41, $14.95)

Women of Mongolia

by Martha Avery

• CULTURAL PORTRAIT
• 1996
• PAPER
• 187 PAGES

An astoundingly diverse sample of contemporary Mongolian women from every segment of the country. Each woman is profiled with a photograph and a brief first-person description of her life. (MGL07, $19.95)

Zen Keys, A Guide to Zen Practice

by Thich Nhat Hanh

• RELIGION
• 1994
• PAPER
• 198 PAGES

An overview of Zen Buddhism as practiced in Vietnam, including 43 koans from the 13th century Vietnamese master, Tran Thai Tong, and an opening chapter on daily life in a Zen monastery. Originally published in 1974. (VNM72, $14.95)

Art & Architecture of Cambodia

by Helen Ibbitson Jessup

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 2004
• PAPER
• 224 PAGES

Jessup includes not just Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei but also lesser-known recent discoveries in the surrounding jungle in this illustrated overview in the World of Art series. (CBD41, $16.95)

Arts of Southeast Asia

by Fiona Kerlogue

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 2004
• PAPER
• 224 PAGES

A handsome guide to the art, architecture, textiles and crafts of Southeast Asia. (SEA45, $16.95)

Buddhist Art and Architecture

by Robert Fisher

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 1993
• PAPER
• 216 PAGES

A wide-ranging, illustrated survey of Buddhist art, architecture and iconography in the excellent World of Art series. It includes examples from throughout Asia. (ASA30, $19.95)

In Praise of Shadows

by Junichiro Tanizaki

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 2010
• PAPER
• 73 PAGES

An earthy meditation on traditional Japanese art, architecture and design, this essay by the great Japanese novelist, first published in 1933, offers tremendous insight into Japanese aesthetics. Most illuminating. (JPN19, $16.00)

The Art and Culture of Japan

by Nelly Delay

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 1999
• PAPER
• 160 PAGES

Lavishly illustrated, this handy pocket encyclopedia introduces the art, architecture and culture of Japan. With 165 archival and modern illustrations and a section of original documents. (JPN51, $12.95)

The Past from Above

by Georg Gerster

• ARCHAEOLOGY
• 2007
• PAPER
• 416 PAGES

A celebration of World Heritage, Gerster's dazzling low aerial photographs depict exceptional archaeological sites, castles and sanctuaries from the Great Wall of China to Stonehenge, the Acropolis, Borobudur, Aleppo and the fortified town of Carcassonne. (WLD88, $39.95)

Vanishing Histories, 100 Endangered Sites from the World Monuments Fund

by Colin Amery

• ART & ARCHITECTURE
• 2001
• HARD COVER
• 207 PAGES
• HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

A stunning portrait of 100 threatened archaeological and cultural monuments around the world from Angkor, Pompeii and Mesa Verde to lesser known buildings and sites, all listed by the World Monuments Fund. (GEN219, $60.00)

A Dragon Apparent, Travels in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

by Norman Lewis

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2003
• PAPER
• 358 PAGES
• FAVORITE
• HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

A classic account of travels and adventure during the last years of French Indochina, strong on atmosphere and including wonderfully detailed descriptions of local cultures and archaeological treasures. First published in 1951. (SEA40, $33.95)

Dispatches

by Michael Herr

• BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
• 2009
• HARD COVER
• 296 PAGES

Robert Stone introduces this Everyman's Library edition of Herr's impressionistic, affecting memoir of his time as a war correspondent in Vietnam, called by the New York Times the best book yet to be written about the war. (VNM03, $24.00)

Hearing Birds Fly

by Louisa Waugh

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2004
• PAPER
• 270 PAGES

A transporting account of the people, landscapes and challenges of life in westernmost Mongolia. The author is attuned to the diverse ethnic mix of the region with its dominant population of Muslim Kazakhs, Mongol Halkhs and Altai Tuvans. (MGL45, $17.95)

In the Empire of Genghis Khan, A Journey Among Nomads

by Stanley Stewart

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2004
• PAPER
• 266 PAGES

Mixing anecdote and history, Stewart captures the warmth and spirit of people he encountered in this spirited tale of an epic journey across Eurasia, much of it on horseback, to Mongolia. (MGL40, $14.95)

Seeing with the Third Eye

by T. Sangay Wangchuk

• BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
• 2006
• PAPER
• 176 PAGES
• OUT OF PRINT

Wangchuk recalls with warmth and earthy detail the daily rhythms, festivals and traditional ways of life in rural Bhutan in this affectionate tribute to his grandmother, a superb overview of Bhutanese beliefs and culture. (BHU29, $16.00)

The Inland Sea

by Donald Richie

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2002
• PAPER
• 255 PAGES
• FAVORITE

Richie's masterpiece, more than a travel account, is a beautiful reflection on all things Japanese by one of its most acute observers. (JPN13, $16.95)

The River's Tale, A Year on the Mekong

by Edward Gargan

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2003
• PAPER
• 352 PAGES

A personal, probing chronicle of a 3,000 mile journey on the river from its source in China through Tibet, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. (SEA33, $15.95)

Walking the Gobi

by Helen Thayer

• TRAVEL NARRATIVE
• 2008
• PAPER
• 272 PAGES

Thayer weaves her experiences on a camel trek with a portrait of the nomadic cultures and the region's natural history. (MGL56, $16.95)

Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China

by Jung Chang

• BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
• 2003
• PAPER
• 524 PAGES
• FAVORITE

In this riveting tale of three generations spanning the end of Old China, Mao's regime and the Japanese occupation, Chang chronicles the enormous changes in China since 1929. (CHN04, $16.99)

Escape from Kathmandu

by Kim Stanley Robinson

• LITERATURE
• 2000
• PAPER
• 320 PAGES

The four interconnected stories in this laugh-out-loud novel include the (mis)adventures of two young Americans with a Yeti, international espionage, mountain climbing of the highest sort and a quest for Shangri-La. (NPL41, $18.99)

Gods, Demons and Others

by R. K. Narayan | R.K. Laxman

• LITERATURE
• 1993
• PAPER
• 241 PAGES

Hindu stories freely adapted by Narayan, one of India's foremost writers. They include tales both highly readable and revealing of Indian Hindu traditions, some drawn from the Ramayana and the Mahabarata. (IDA101, $23.00)

The Quiet American

by Graham Greene

• LITERATURE
• 2004
• PAPER
• 180 PAGES
• FAVORITE

A classic, this is the most famous Western work of fiction on Vietnam. Greene writes of a love triangle between a war correspondent, his Vietnamese consort and an optimistic young American during the last days of French rule. (VNM08, $16.00)

Travellers and Magicians

by Khyentse Norbu

• LITERATURE
• 2005
• DVD

The first feature shot on location in Bhutan, this film, directed by a respected lama, follows a young official on his odyssey across the country. Along the way he is joined by a mischievous monk, an elderly peddler and an old man with his daughter. (BHU22, $29.99)

Vietnam, A Traveler's Literary Companion

by John Balaban | Nguyen Qui Duc

• ANTHOLOGY
• 1996
• PAPER
• 239 PAGES
• COMING IN FEBRUARY

From rain forest and rural countryside to the cities, these 17 stories from Vietnam's finest writers explore Vietnam's landscapes, myths and changing traditions. (VNM04, $14.95)

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