Product Description
In his new book Andargé Asfaw captures Ethiopia's striking splendor of nature and its deep and abiding link to the country's faith and culture. Much of the beauty captured in this stunning book is rapidly disappearing, however. Especially alarming is the rate at which the forest canopy is vanishing."I hope readers will let these photographs guide them on an Ethiopian journey through breathtaking landforms, graceful wildlife encounters, and an intimate experience with Ethiopian culture," Mr. Asfaw said when announcing the book's publication.Mr. Asfaw hopes that the passion he has put into the book's photographs will create and heighten the awareness of Ethiopia'sand the world'senvironmental crisis. His belief that everyone can help save the Earth one step at a time is reflected in how the book was produced using post consumer materials where possible. In addition, part of the proceeds from each copy of Ethiopia from the Heart sold will be combat deforestation in Ethiopia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stunning
This book has earned a place of prominence in my home. I love to share it with friends and have given it as a present to many members of my family. Why? Because it appeals on two levels.

Mr. Asfaw has a gift for photo composition. The book is filled with lovely examples of texture, opulent color, stark contrasts, and, fittingly, heart. The photograph captions are reserved for an appendix. In "Ethiopia from the Heart," the viewer is politely presented with photographs and an opportunity: to enjoy a personal experience with the beauty and dignity of the Ethiopian people, their striking homeland, and their rich culture.

Another level of this book is its purpose. Mr. Asfaw and Ms. Jones, who so nicely handled the photo editing and layout, are very vocal supporters of renewing Ethiopia's natural resources. The flyleaf states, "A portion of the profits from this book will donated to organizations working to preserve forests by providing alternatives to using wood for fuel." It encourages me when artists generously apply their gifts to achieve such admirable goals.

From a Western perspective, these photographs are exotic. The idea that deforestation is threatening the way of life for so many today is disturbing. That future generations might never know the lushness on display in some of these landscapes is frightening. The intense, sere bleakness of some landscapes shown in this work is an undeniable call to action. A simple first step for many of us is to purchase this book and help Mr. Asfaw contribute to a worthy cause. ... Read more

Book Description
A Story in Stones explores the relationship between Portugal and Ethiopia during the 16th and 17th centuries from a unique perspective. Through historical research and many years of fieldwork J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee reveals Portugal's early Renaissance contact within the Ethiopian Highlands using a description of contemporary architectural vestige.What started as a mission of exploration and discovery for the Christian kingdom of the great Emperor Prester John and Portugal's search for an ally against Islamic forces developed into diplomatic, military, religious, cultural and most long lasting of all, architectural ties between Portugal and Ethiopia. This great search started with the overland route of Portuguese explorer Pêro da Covilhã that led him to the Ethiopian Highlands in 1493, thirty-seven years before Portugal's diplomatic embassy mission of 1520.

The story within the stones can still be seen in the ancient Portuguese and Gondarine ruins which are still of great influence in today's architectural design in this region. J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee explores over thirty different sites within the Highlands, many of which are remote and rarely visited. Fully illustrated with colour photos and drawings.

Review:
"We are deeply indebted to Jeremy Hespeler-Boultbee... for his initiative in studying Portuguese, Portuguese-Indian or Ethio-Portuguese buildings in Ethiopia, and thus opening an entirely new field of Ethio-Portuguese studies."
- Richard Pankhurst, Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University

About the Author:
J.J. Hespeler-Boultbee is an Art & Architectural Historian and Associate of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Ababa University.Having worked in Portugal as a lecturer at the University of Lisbon, an associate for CIDEHUS, the research and development organization at the University of Évora and as a Master Builder and Stonemason restoring old and traditional houses for over twelve years, he is uniquely qualified in this field of research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Important Historical/Artistic Overview
While there are an increasing number of volumes, works, and articles in the press regarding Eastern/Western exchange for Asia and the Americas as well, there is precious little on this topic - other than works dealing with the slave trade. Portugal's influence - and here we are talking about Catholic and Jesuit influence as well - is an important but little know chapter in Africa's religious and artistic history.
Because there is so little on this topic I am quite pleased with the work. However, a hard back edition would be better, in my opinion, as well as a great use of color photos instead of B/W imagery. Also a few articles dealing in greater depth with the artistic nuances and historical details would be useful. There is a lot of explanation of the various sites but the work needs something more to pull it more effectively together - in my opinion. Still a very good and useable work.

Father Joseph Lea ... Read more

Book Description
The Jews (Falasha) of northwestern Ethiopia are a unique example of a Jewish group living within an ancient, non-Western, predominantly Christian society. Hagar Salamon presents the first in-depth study of this group, called the "Hyena people" by their non-Jewish neighbors. Based on more than 100 interviews with Ethiopian immigrants now living in Israel, Salamon's book explores the Ethiopia within as seen through the lens of individual memories and expressed through ongoing dialogues. It is an ethnography of the fantasies and fears that divide groups and, in particular, Jews and non-Jews.
Recurring patterns can be seen in Salamon's interviews, which thematically touch on religious disputations, purity and impurity, the concept of blood, slavery and conversion, supernatural powers, and the metaphors of clay vessels, water, and fire.
The Hyena People helps unravel the complex nature of religious coexistence in Ethiopia and also provides important new tools for analyzing and evaluating inter-religious, interethnic, and especially Jewish-Christian relations in a variety of cultural and historical contexts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good, but academic
This book was fascinating. Unfortuanetly, it is written in a highly academic style, making it a bit dry. I found the first couple of chapters slow, buit then it got more interesting, with great quotes, really getting into the subject of what it was like ot be a Jew in Ethiopia. ... Read more

Book Description
Ethiopia has recently come to the attention to global strategic planners.This report puts these executives on the fast track.Ten chapters provide: an overview of how to strategically access this important market, a discussion on economic fundamentals, marketing & distribution options, export and direct investment options, and full risk assessments (political, cultural, legal, human resources).Ample statistical benchmarks and comparative graphs are given. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

A picturebook says more than 10,000,000 words...
If you're considering a trip to the Motherland, definitely buy this book! The pictoral essay translates a million cultural norms and customs for the Westerner/Asian. These images are "provocatively considerate" of the ancient peoples of Eastern Africa, which is unusual. These images also transport you back to a time when (in my opinion) Mankind lived simpler, easier lives.

I really enjoyed the images of the Christian influences including the rock churches of Ethiopia.

africa
I know the book and it's very good like all the books of carol beckwith,it's the only one i didn't got ,but i am still waiting for the delivery....

Truly the best

As a repeat visitor to beautiful Ethiopia, and a pretty darn good photographer, the last thing I want my friends to do is to pick up this book before they see MY pictures. My best ones are drab next to this fabulous work of Fisher and Beckwith. So many books on Ethiopia cover either just the north, with it's religious architecture and history, or just the south with its beautiful tribal people only recently touched by the encroachment of modernity. But this book covers it all, and stunningly so. If you can afford only one book of glorious photography on tribal Africa, make it this one. There is a reason for the consistent 5-star ratings.

(Later note: two newer books by different authors/photographers focus just on the tribal areas of the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia. If that's your interest, then also check out Gianni Giansanti's "Vanishing Africa" and Hans Silvester's "Ethiopia - Peoples of the Omo Valley.")

Ethiopia: Deep History
A land now wracked by famine and war, the region of Ethiopia and the surrounding countries which make up the Horn of Africa, have a rich and diverse cultural history. The coastal areas have been in close contact with the outside world for centuries, linked by trade with Arabia, China and India.Ethiopia itself is situated in more remote highlands and has enjoyed protection from foreign influences, for an even longer time. The are archaic forms of Christianity and Judaism, pastoralist groups, hunter-gatherers and farmers and they have lived undisturbed for hundreds of years.Until the twentieth century, Ethiopia was the only African country to have successfully avoided Western imperialism.

And here is a book of superb photographs of the land and its different peoples by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher. The text by Graham Hancock is unusually helpful giving the historical background so necessary to take in these startling photos.A wonderful book, beautifully designed, published by Abrams, it is well worth its published price of $75.00 to anyone interested in Africa.

For Lovers of Photography
If you are interested in Ethiopia, this book provides a pictured guide to the country, its history and its sites. The photography is amazing. ... Read more