Product Description

The Samaveda contains the earliest tradition of music from India, which is largely Rigvedic textual material in a form arranged for singing in the solemn Srauta ritual. Since the first editions by Theodor Benfey (1848) and Satyavrata Samasrami (1874–1899), there has been no complete, accented edition that has also included all of its important commentaries. In this work, B. R. Sharma presents an accented edition that is based on manuscripts collected from all over India and Europe. Its Padapatha, and the commentaries of Madhava, Bharatasvamin, and Sayana comprise three volumes totaling 2,500 pages. These volumes contain the Purvarcika and Uttararcika portions of the text. The third volume complete with the indexes and a detailed introduction to the whole work will be published soon.

Product Description
This book provides an authoritative assessment of the`transitions' or `transformations' currently under way in Central andEastern Europe. In order to explore this abundant set of diverse andcomplex processes, it has adopted a particular perspective, whichconsists of examining the historical specificity of these processes-- particularly the simultaneity of political and economictransitions -- and, at the same time, how the social scienceshave approached and interpreted them and how, in return, they haveand, a number of new substantial insights into these transformations,in particular on the questions of what `democratic consolidations'actually consist of, as well as the political economy, in a strictsense, of these transitions, focusing on the precise characterizationof the market economies which have emerged from these processes. Onthe other hand, it also constitutes an in-depth critical appraisal,unequalled so far, of the methodological principles, models ofexplanation, and fallacies, of the main approaches or paradigmscompeting within this research field, especially the `strategic'approach of the classical transitology, and the path dependenceapproach, with its more avant-garde flavor. Thus, the analyses anddiscussions presented in this collection of essays exceed widely theempirical fields of East European transformations, and of transitologyon the whole; as a result this innovating book should usefullycontribute to destabilizing routine ways of thinking of socialscientists and students far beyond the communities of specialists inthese questions. Audience: This book will be of interest to academics,researchers, and students in the field of political science,sociology, economics, history, political geography, internationalaffairs, and European and Eastern European studies. In additionspecialists, professionals and civil servants of internationalorganizations and public administrators interested in aspects of theeconomic development, economic aid, and enlargement of the EuropeanUnion may find this volume invaluable. ... Read more

Product Description
The word 'park' conjures a kaleidoscope of bucolic images. Childhood frolics in urban playgrounds. Strolls through the country estates of Stourhead and Versailles. Wilderness adventures in the Serengeti. White-knuckle thrill rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Coney Island. The Invention of the Park explores our fascination with making parks. In a broad-ranging environmental and social history, authors Karen Jones and John Wills search for a common set of ideas that inform park design. From Greek philosophers wandering sacred groves in the ancient world to today's kids watching Mickey Mouse in Disney's Magic Kingdom, the park has inspired and thrilled in equal measure. In a work spanning all five continents and several thousand years, Jones and Wills chart the evolution of the park idea. They ponder the intersection of the green pleasure ground with notions of democracy and freedom, welfare and consumption, conservation and nature. They forward the principle of a universal park idea malleable enough to survive war and revolution.

Contributing to a growing literature on global environmental history, the Invention of the Park explores how the park idea has come to transcend national boundaries and found appeal among a worldwide audience. Jones and Wills situate the park as a complex product of natural and cultural forces. Their work is of interest not just to students and scholars of environmental philosophy, history, and landscape design, but to amateur gardeners, rollercoaster 'adrenalin junkies' and all those who like to take a 'walk in the park.' ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

At a time when strategic spatial planning is undergoing a renaissance in Europe, The Visual Language of Spatial Planning makes a unique contribution to this rapidly growing area of teaching and research. Discussing the relevant theoretical perspectives on policy-making and planning, combined with cartographic communication and the use of cartographic representations in the planning process, Stephanie Duhr provides conceptual and practical tools to help students and practitioners better understand maps and visualizations in strategic spatial planning.

The book is the first to review the form, style and use of cartographic representations in strategic spacial plans in the Netherlands, Germany and England as well as at European level. Significant differences between planning traditions and the impact of these on transnational planning processes are highlighted. It concludes by discussing the practical implications for future strategic spacial planning processes in Europe and the best use of cartographic representations to reach agreement and to focus dialogue.

Product Description

Twelve literary scholars and historians investigate the ways in which space and place are politically, religiously, and culturally inflected. Exploring medieval texts as diverse as Icelandic sagas, Ptolemy's Geography, and Mandeville's Travels, the contributors illustrate the intimate connection between geographical conceptions and the mastery of land, the assertion of doctrine, and the performance of sexuality.

Product Description
When maritime transport and communication depended on muscle and wind-power, the Mediterranean Sea functioned as a symbiotic force between the civilisations which surrounded it, at once the major dividing barrier and the major connecting element. In this study, the technological limitations of maritime traffic are considered in conjunction with the peculiar geographical conditions within which it operated, and which led to the establishment of major sea lanes on trunk routes along which traffic could move safely, efficiently, and economically. These trunk routes remained virtually unchanged from antiquity to the sixteenth century, and eventually constituted economic and strategic maritime frontiers between civilisations. At the same time, the technological limitations of the oared galley meant that coasts and islands along the trunk routes had also to be held, a necessity which favoured geographically the Christian West over the world of Byzantium and Islam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Geo, Tech, & War: The Mediterranean
This book is filled with intricate details about the geography and technology of Mediterranean ships up to the Renaissance - this makes for interesting reading if one is into this subject. For the historian, however, the book has less value in proportion to the amount of reading one needs to do.

somewhat disappointing
I must say I expected a lot more from this book. Although there are some clear analysis, all what has some interest could have perfectly summarized in 50 pages. It gives the wrong idea that a limited technology imposed sea routes in the Mediterranean till the advent of "round ships" from the North. However, the same routes so brilliantly described in the book are used today by any of the thousands of yachts sailing the Mediterranean, both motor and sail. And it should not take so easily for granted that small galleys and galliots could not withstand bad weather in some way. There is room for further research there. ... Read more

Product Description
The New Industrial Geography focuses on the most important industrial-geographical transformations that have taken place in North America and Western Europe over the last twenty years.This interdisciplinary volume brings together some of the most prominent scholars writing on the topic of contemporary industrial and economic geographical change. ... Read more

Product Description
Presenting a comprehensive overview of the economic basis of integration, this book examines the evolution of various systems of government, planning and forms of devolution. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
ALegal Geography of Yugoslavia's Disintegration explains the violent break-up of the former Yugoslavia in early 1990s in the context of two legal principles- sovereignty and the self-determination of peoples. The author recounts Yugoslavia's history, with a focus on the country's internal, administrative divisions, and aspirations of different ethnic groups in order to effectively explain the genesis of the international community's political decision to recognize the right of secession for the largest administrative units of Yugoslavia.

Trobovich, a Serbian author writing from the perspective of a disengaged scholar, tackles her subject matter with clarity and detail and offers an intriguing analysis of Kosovo's future status; international recognition of secession; implications of Yugoslavia's disintegration for other conflicts invoking right to self-determination; and international intervention in ethnic conflicts. ... Read more

Product Description

One of the most resilient ideas about societal development after World War II was that nations would inevitably secularise as they modernised. However, as we come to the end of the 'secular' twentieth century, it is obvious that religion continues to be an important factor in politics around the world. The author examines the continuing importance of religion, focusing upon the regions of Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Customer Reviews (1)

Pleasant and concise packet
Haynes analyses through nine different societal settings in which religion and politics are in dynamic relationship with each other. Haynes recognises cultural roots of each religious tradition, but keeps his eye mostly on contemporarily relevant political structures. Chapters are concise and geographical subject area changes so often that even readers who easily get bored should be able read the book through without having to resort to skipping pages. However, if you haven't got relatively wide knowledge of local politics around the world the book is by no means light reading -- for the very same reason why it is so interesting: All the time you get new information. Just when you have understood one political situation the chapter ends and we move to another, often very different kind of setting. Book's structure is luckily designed to make the information very accessible: it has good index and after each chapter there is a conclusion.

For me, description of the political situation in Central Asian nations, which were formerly part of Soviet Union, was particularly interesting. Before reading this book I knew nothing of party political developments in that area. I would recommend the book for both those interested in global politics and those who would like to learn about certain area's political atmosphere. Nothing to blow your mind, but lots of useful information and insights. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduces the history, geography, people, culture, government, and economy of the Soviet Union. ... Read more

Product Description
The Far East constitutes the largest economic region in the Soviet Union. Enormous, isolated and sparsely populated it possesses mineral and other resources consistent with its size. Exploiting these resources is one of the key challenges facing the Soviet Union, and Gorbachev has announced a major problem of investment in the region which is to run until the year 2000. This book looks at the likelihood of this programme succeeding and concludes that it will have to improve significantly on earlier development projects if substantial progress is to be made. Seemingly intractable problems are posed by the combination of geographical remoteness, the inhospitability of the climate and the ingrained inefficiency of the administration. Attracting an adequate labour force to region remains a problem despite the inducements that are offered. Major problems to improve the transport infrastructure, including the construction of the Baykal-Amur mainline railway, have been dogged by delays and poor standards of performance. Even joint ventures involving the Japanese have not been successful, yet the region remains central to Soviet regional development.This book explores the Soviet Far East in all its geographical and economic complexity. Chapters on the current state of its development are supplemented by examinations of the history of its settlement; analysis of its unique environment and the threats which economic growth might pose for it and of the region's vital strategic significance. ... Read more

Product Description
This text provides a systematic and regional approach to the geography of Europe, with systematic studies of the complex physical, cultural and economic landscapes of the continent, and regional and national summaries. The text also explores recent dramatic events, such as the liberalization of Eastern Europe, the reunification of Germany, and the break up of the Soviet Union and its implications for Europe. In addition, the book features chapters on Europe's modern scene, such as the European environment, and tourism in the European economy. ... Read more

Product Description
This text presents a study of collective learning, networking and high-technology regions in Europe. It first provides an overview of the subject area, then goes on to discuss topics such as the role of inter-SME networking and collective learning processes in European high-technology milieux. ... Read more

Product Description
The impact of sea-level rise on the coastal lowlands on the world is one of the most important topics in modern geographical research. With over half the world's population lining on or near coastal lowlands, the effects of sea-level rises will have a profound human impact. In this book, specialists in this field examine the likely impacts of sea-level rises on European coastal lowlands, such as those in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain. ... Read more