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BEST OF 2011

Wild Coast

John Gimlette

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FOR THE HOLIDAYS

To the Arctic

Florian Schultz

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Arctic Dreams

Barry Lopez

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GLOBES

The Pioneer

Replogle

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Buddhism

Blooming in the Desert, Favorite Teachings of the Wildflower Monk Taungpulu Sayadaw


by Anne Teich | Andrew Harvey

  • RELIGION
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 90 PAGES

A collection of the straightforward teachings of the venerable Burmese monk Taungpulu Sayadaw, as recorded by Anne Teich (who also provides an overview of Buddhist practices and history). (BMA35, $11.95)

Buddha

Buddha


by Demi

  • RELIGION
  • 1996
  • HARD COVER
  • 48 PAGES
  • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12)

Beautiful, intricately detailed, full-color illustrations make this life of the Buddha an excellent choice for children. Intended for children age 7-10. (ASA17, $21.99)

Buddha Stories

Buddha Stories


by Demi

  • RELIGION
  • 1997
  • HARD COVER
  • 32 PAGES
  • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8)

Intended for ages 4 to 8, this book tells 10 of the author's favorite "jakatas," or moral tales of the Buddha. She has sumptuously illustrated the volume in gold printed on deep, dark blue (in the tradition of an ancient Buddhist text). (ASA16, $23.99)

Buddhism and Society, A Great Tradition and Its Burmese Vicissitudes


by Melford E. Spiro

  • RELIGION
  • 1982
  • PAPER
  • 560 PAGES

This scholarly book, based on field work in the 1960s, is a surprisingly good introduction to the practice -- and impact -- of Buddhism in Burma. Spiro stars out with a clear and useful introduction to Theravada Buddhism. (BMA34, $35.50)

Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey

Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey


by Kenneth Ch'en

  • RELIGION
  • 1972
  • PAPER
  • 560 PAGES

A well organized, scholarly history of the development of Mahayana Buddhism in China, originally published in 1964. (CHN151, $57.50)

Buddhism in Chinese History

Buddhism in Chinese History


by Arthur F Wright

  • RELIGION
  • 1983
  • PAPER
  • 144 PAGES

A brief overview of the transformation of the culture of pre-modern China by Buddhism and the legacy of Buddhism in modern China, originally presented as a series of six lectures in 1959. (CHN131, $24.95)

Buddhism, A Very Short Introduction

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)

Buddhist Art and Architecture

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)

The Buddhist Handbook

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)

An End to Suffering, The Buddha in the World

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)

Essential Tibetan Buddhism

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)

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism

Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism


by John Powers

  • RELIGION
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 591 PAGES

A comprehensive study of the history and philosophy behind Tibetan Buddhism, suitable for the general reader. (TBT40, $22.95)

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

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)

Monkey, A Journey to the West

Monkey, A Journey to the West


by David Kherdian

  • LITERATURE
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 224 PAGES

The 16th-century Chinese epic of adventure and pilgrimage, brilliantly retold by David Kheridan. It's the wild tale of the encounters of the rogue-trickster Monkey and his Buddhist companion Tripitaka on the Silk Road. (ASA32, $16.95)

Prisoners of Shangri-La, Tibetan Buddhism and the West


by Donald S. Lopez Jr.

  • HISTORY
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 284 PAGES

A scholarly history of western myth-making and romance over the question of Tibet. Lopez, a leading scholar of Tibetan Buddhism reveals a complex country and its spiritual history in this scholarly analysis. (TBT42, $18.00)

Religions of China in Practice

Religions of China in Practice


by Donald S. Lopez Jr.

  • RELIGION
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 472 PAGES

Confucionism, Daoism and Buddhism, and how they overlap and interact with each other. (CHN127, $42.00)

Religions of the Silk Road

Religions of the Silk Road


by Richard C. Foltz

  • RELIGION
  • 2000
  • PAPER
  • 186 PAGES

A scholarly survey of cultural traditions, and especially religions, along the trade routes through China and Central Asia from antiquity to the 15th century. (CAS52, $26.00)

Religions of Tibet in Practice

Religions of Tibet in Practice


by Donald S. Lopez, Jr.

  • RELIGION
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 421 PAGES

A collection of 36 essays and translated texts by scholars of Tibetan Buddhism, including selections on prayers, pilgrimages, death and ritual. (TBT16, $28.95)

The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang

The Silk Road Journey with Xuanzang


by Sally Wriggins

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

A nicely illustrated account of an extraordinary, 16-year trek from Xi'an to India by way of Central Asia in search of the origins of Buddhism by Xuan-Zang, the famous 7th-century Chinese monk. (ASA31, $25.00)

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

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)

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Liberation from Understanding the In Between

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Liberation from Understanding the In Between


by Robert Thurman

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 275 PAGES

A key text as presented by Robert Thurman for a western audience. This is the Tibetan guidebook to dying or "the between," written in the 8th or 9th century by Padma Sambhava. (TBT06, $18.00)

Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up, A Practical Approach for Modern Life

Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up, A Practical Approach for Modern Life


by B. Alan Wallace

  • RELIGION
  • 1993
  • PAPER
  • 214 PAGES

A straightforward primer on the essentials of Buddhism as practiced in Tibet. The book is the result of a lecture series introducing the practice of Buddhism to the general public. (TBT19, $15.95)

The Way of Zen

The Way of Zen


by Alan Watts

  • RELIGION
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 236 PAGES

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

What the Buddha Taught

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)

The Wisdom of the Buddha

The Wisdom of the Buddha


by Jean Boisselier

  • RELIGION
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 191 PAGES

A pocket-size primer of Buddhism, this book is an illustrated history of the sixth-century Indian prince and his quest for enlightenment. With 207 illustrations, 160 in full color. (IDA55, $12.95)

Zen Shorts


by John J Muth

  • RELIGION
  • 2005
  • HARD COVER
  • 40 PAGES
  • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8)

A charming introduction to the Zen tradition for young readers accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations. When Stillwell, a giant panda bear, moves next door he shares traditional Buddhist and Taoist tales with his three curious young neighbors. (CHN268, $17.99)

 

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