Product Description
The essays in this volume form a rich collage of the central Mekong basin spanning nearly 1,400 years of history. Gathered from an international group of scholars, each with a unique approach to the region, this research draws upon materials in more than a dozen languages scattered in archives around the world. Topics include basic structural problems in writing Lao history; political geography from the 600s to 800s; separate discussions of Lao, Vietnamese, and Western sources of early Lao history; the Lao-Tay-son alliance in the late eighteenth century; Lao millenarian movements and French colonial rule; and the geographical history of changing territorial boundaries of modern Laos. This collection breaks new ground, and is certain to stimulate new questions, ideas, and research. It is an invaluable new resource in Lao history. ... Read more

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Dengler's story is a valuable contribution to the literature of survival as well as to the literature of the war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

An amazing escape
If you've watched the movie "Rescue Dawn" starring Christian Bale, then this book is a must.It's an amazing story of survival and covers an aspect of the Vietnam War, the incursion and air raids into Laos,that along with the bombing of Cambodia, does not get much coverage in either books or films.

Dieter Dengler's book is written in an easy to read style that is very self-effacing and full of interest.

The Laotian jungle was more deadly than the Pathet Lao
The stories of the brave Americans, most of them military pilots, who were captured and tortured in the North Vietnamese prisons are among the most harrowing and compelling sagas in the history of war.The brutality of the guards, the primitive conditions of existence surrounded by concrete and filth, the dysentery, the untreated traumas induced by the pilots' high-speed ejections from their airplanes or from the villagers who found and attacked them before they reached Hanoi.These men deserve all the respect and valor that America can give them.

And, believe it or not, they were the lucky ones.It was the American prisoners who never made it to Hanoi that suffered the cruelest fate.The barbaric cages in the jungles of South Vietnam controlled by Viet Cong were even worse.The jungle diseases tore apart the healthiest of American soldiers and airmen.The POWs held in the jungles were at the utter mercy (or lack thereof) ofthe captors and their sadistic whims.There was no chain of command, unlike in North Vietnam, where the guards and inquisitors of the POWs sometimes spoke English and knew something of western culture.In the jungle, even the guards were fighting to just stay alive.

Lt. Dieter Dengler was even worse off than those held by the Viet Cong.In the jungle areas of South Vietnam or the Mekong Delta, some Americans managed to escape and find American patrols or outposts.The land or rivers could at least be traveled through.In Laos, if you weren't immediately rescued, you were on your own and as good as dead.Lt. Dengler should have died on impact when his Spad crashed.He actually evaded capture in the dark heart of Laos for 24 hours.Weeks later, he managed to escape and climb a rugged karst mountain only to be forced to retreat because of the brutal conditions and unquenchable thirst.He was recaptured, and eventually ended up in a primitive jungle prison deep in Laos.

There he met some Americans, some of whom had been held captive for up to 3 years.One, Air Force Lt. Duane Martin, had evaded capture in Laos for over two weeks while 3 others from his downed Air Force rescue helicopter were quickly captured and sent to the North Vietnam prisons.Again, those captured 3, unlike Lt. Martin, were the lucky ones.It is a cruel irony that the bravest and strongest of the Americans - those who evaded capture or escaped - were almost invariably killed by the lethal jungles or by the enraged captors who tracked them down.Duane Martin chose to escape with Dieter and his fate is poignantly described by Mr. Dengler.This final escape, with Martin and Dengler fighting the elements and the Pathet Lao to stay alive in the brutal jungle of Laos, is riveting and virtually unique in the recorded history of Americans at war.After 23 days, Dengler was alone and within a day or two of death due to the harsh environment. Then, in what is perhaps the most amazing, miraculous, needle-in-a-haystack rescue in American history, the story climaxes with the blessed appearance of a Jolly Green Giant and a tree-penetrator.

Virtually nobody ever made it out of Laos once in the clutches of the enemy.This inspiring story is a classic of indomitable human will.

Unimaginable heroic story
It is a compelling well written story. This book has touched me deeply for their pain, suffering, and inspiring will to live. I truly appreciate those that risk their lives for our freedom.Amazing story, you can't put the book down. Read it, you won't regret.

The Real Deal
This is the real story of Dieter Dengler's experiences in Laos. When compared to the movie RESCUE DAWN, it becomes obvious that the movie is a lot closer to the truth than it's critics advocate.

Riveting!
I finished this book on Memorial Day 2008. It is still relevant to our
position of freedom and life. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes the changes in society over 600 years as Lan Xang was gradually dismembered and became a French colony. Most importantly, it shows the essence of the Lao and why, despite all that has happened, they possess their own social and cultural values that mark them as distinctive. ... Read more

Product Description
Phia Sing was the Master of Ceremonies and Chef at the royal palace of Luang Prabang. He died in 1967. Phia Sing's notebooks containing these recipes were loaned to Alan Davidson, British ambassador in Vientiane in the early l970s, by the Crown Prince of Laos. Alan Davidson arranged for their translation and added much useful material explaining Lao foods and cookery. The text is ornamented by drawings, mainly by the Lao artist Soun Vannithone. There are 124 recipes. Some of them also figure in Fish and Fish Dishes of Laos, but their range encompasses every aspect of cooking, not merely the fishy bit. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

yummy
I love this book very very useful... many many many recipes!!!!!!! I know I can call my mom for recipe but sometime I can't get a hold of her. The only problem with this book is that there's no picture. I highly recommend this to all Laotians "newer generations" who want to cook lao food and all those who enjoy eating lao food ;)

Royal Laos Cuisine
I bought this book for my Laos friend who could never remember her families recipes.

She enjoys the book, because many of the recipes were only served in the royal court. She recognizes some of the recipes, but many are very new to her.

For lack of anything else. She thinks this is a great book.

Authentic Laos Cuisine
If you would like to prepare Laos food like that you would find in Luang Prabang, on the Banks of the Mekong, Pakse, etc, this is the book.Great recipes that include both the classics and obscure recipes.Good luckfinding some of the ingrediants outside of South East Asia though. A verythoughtful approach from a Master Chef. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
A series of insightful comments on life and nature that have been expanding the view of readers for some two thousand years. Translated by John C.H. Wu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Lao Tze's Work
The Tao Te Ching is not a manual for leadership, but rather, a description of all existence condensed into one philosophical work. It is, basically, a poetic discourse on the nature of "The Dao," nothing more. It should not be interpreted as a leadership manual. Even though it states what an ideal leader is, it gives no specific instructions anywhere on how to achieve that end.



The books says that for others to have confidence in you, you must be confident in yourself. Yeah, how do you achieve it? Where this truly a manual for leadership, it would be specific about the point. It isn't, because that is not was Lao Tzu was concerned with. All it really is, is an explanation on the nature of things the way Lao Tzu saw it, that is, "The Dao" as best Lao Tzu interpreted, and understood it.



As a book, this is pretty raw; it goes straight to the work itself. After a brief introduction, it gets right to it. No footnotes, no side notes (except only in one page I believe), just the work itself. This is not a life manual, nor is it a religious work; it is a spiritual philosophy that follows a higher form of logic. If one must present a hierarchy of logic, from basic to highest, it goes as follows;



1)First, there is Mathematics, from basic Arithmetic, to Calculus.Alongside Mathematics, mastery of language and rhetoric, from grammar, to writing.



2)When Mathematics and Language are mastered, one then studies Greek Philosophy, specifically, the works of Plato and Aristotle. After that, more complex forms of logic, eventually leading to abstract reasoning.



3)Once abstract reasoning has been mastered, then, and only then, do you read the Tao Te Ching, and actively try to think about, and absorb the message it attempts to convey.



Interpreted in this manner, the Tao Te Ching is a spiritual and philosophical work that at once negates and confirms itself so many times it is nearly impossible to understand unless the nuances of logic, abstraction and language as described by Plato are understood first. That is, Daoist thinking as presented here, paradoxically is a higher form of logic, but at the same time it negates logic in favor of instinct. I could go in circles all day regarding this, so, I'll keep it short; read Plato and Aristotle first, and I hope you are Math major honor student, or an M.I.T. grad. That's the only way you'll hope to understand this higher form of logic.I'm not saying you are not entitled to read it, I'm just saying, this is not a philosophical work for just any Tom, Dick or Harry.



Myself, I barely understand this work.From what little I do understand of the Tao Te Ching though, is that it is a higher form of logic. It does seem cryptic, even nonsensical, but, the truth is, it isn't. Again, it is a philosophy of paradoxes that relies on abstract logical reasoning easily on par with Newton's works.In the same way Physics is difficult because it deals with so many abstractions, the Tao Te Ching is difficult because IT IS an abstraction on a more complex level than Physics.Physics, at least, is a real science that can be proven.Daoist, is a self-negating, yet self-confirming philosophy.



Know that is what you are getting yourself into when you purchase this work, and I will warn, its not for everyone. Unless you have mastered language, have proficiency in math, and have read Plato and Aristotle, I will almost guarantee that if you try to analyze this work it will give you a lot of headaches. Again; there is nothing cryptic or mystical about it, its just a higher form of logic. By its very nature, when mastered, logic becomes an abstraction. The Tao Te Ching is a Philosophical abstraction presented as a poem.



If you're a fast reader you'll get through it within an hour. Everyone else, about two, but, make no mistake; even though its a lighter read than any ancient Greek philosophy, it is much harder to understand. Again, the best way to gain an understanding of it, is by mastering Mathematics and Language, studying logic, reading Plato and Aristotle, and THEN taking the time to actively think about the things said in this book. Again, let me warn any potential buyer, this is not at all a light read, brief though it may be.

Great leittle travel book
I absoutely love this edition of the "Tao Te Ching"! I've bought multiple coppies as gifts. It's simple read, it provides some feedback from the translator to help you think about what you just read in perhaps a different way or wiht better insight, and it's tiny which is great for traveling-it takes no more room then a pack of cards. This is convienient becuse I personaly find the content perfect for traveling. Reflecting on days past and events past happens naturally while suspended between one place and the next which makes relating to the content even easier.

One of the best editions for text
It cannot be underemphasized that this edition has the traditional Chinese in its entirety, printed large enough to read, as well as the English translation.Having read only one other translation , Iam not the most qualified to judge the translation's relative quality, but I can say that this is the best edition I have seen as far as clearly displaying the Chinese text.

One of the Most Influential Books I've Ever Read
The Tao Teh Ching is by far one of the best books I've ever read on spirituality, ontology, and leadership. The book is more than a historical text, and more than a simple book of collected wisdom, but rather,it presents the author's world view on everything to do with human existence, linking it through polymorphous concept of the Tao.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants an introduction into Taoism, anyone who is interested in Ancient Chinese thought, or just someone who wants a different way of looking at the world.

Daniel Clausen
www.danielclausen.com

A stripped-down edition for beginners, with a bonus.
Anyone who may be looking for a stripped-down edition of the Tao Te Ching, one without Introduction, Commentaries, or Footnotes, so that one may immediately come to grips with this most fascinating and profound of texts without any distracting impedimenta at all, could hardly do better than get hold of a copy of this book.

A brief description of its translator, Dr John C. H. Wu, will be foundin the Introduction to Red Pine's 'Lao-tzu's Taoteching.'From Red Pine, who attended a graduate course on the Tao Te Ching given by Dr Wu at the College of Chinese Culture in Taiwan many years ago,we learn that he was a person of considerable attainments.

Besides translating the Tao Te Ching, Dr Wu also translated the New Testament, drafted his country's constitution, and served as China's ambassador to the Vatican and it's chief representative to the Hague.Clearly we are dealing here, not with some sort of 'mystical' dreamer, but with an accomplished scholar, diplomat, and man of the world,and one who must have realized the world has never stood in greaterneed of Lao Tzu's religion of peace than it does in our present era of aggression.

After a brief Foreword, and a couple of pages of Editor's Notes, we are immediately confronted by the text.Here is an example of Dr Wu's style from the opening of Chapter 29, slightly adjusted since it should be set out as poetry:

"Does anyone want to take the world and do what he wants with it? / I do not see how he can succeed. // The world is a sacred vessel,which must not be tampered with or grabbed after. /To tamper withit is to spoil it, and to grasp it is to lose it" (page 59).

In the present age of manipulators both great and small, could there be any more apt words for us than these? And could they have been expressed more effectively?One doubts it.

But it gets better.Classical Chinese is an extremely rich language, a language of multiple meanings.No English translation, no matter how good - and Dr Wu's is very good indeed - could possibly hope to capture more than a fraction of the meaning inherent in the Chinese text.Given this, we see the hand of the diplomat at work in Dr Wu's next move, for facing each page of the English translation he has given us Wang Pi's edition of the original Chinese text.

Evidently Dr Wu went to some pains to present us with a truly striking version of this text, for we are told that it is reproduced from the Lao Chieh Lao edition compiled by Ts'ai T'ing Kan, and privately printed in 1922.It would seem we have been given a collector's item, and it is certainly one of the most beautifully printed Chinese texts of the Tao Te Ching that I have ever seen.

The traditional full-form Chinese characters are printed in a large, clear, bold font, and even a beginner, after a week's study of the Chinese radicals, would have no trouble at all making out the structure of even the more complex characters.Somehow I get the feeling thatDr Wu would like YOU to become that beginner...

There is of course enough to keep anyone busy pondering for years in any competent English translation of the Tao Te Ching.But for those who may find themselves stirred by the visual beauty of the Chinese characters, each of which is an exquisitely balanced and supreme work of art, and who may be curious to learn more about them and how they work and what they mean, there are a number of books that would help.

One of them is the 'Gate of All Marvelous Things : A Guide to Reading the Tao Te Ching' by Gregory C. Richter.This is an interlinear edition of the Tao Te Ching which gives the Chinese text in simplified characters, pinyin transliterations, a literal word-by-word gloss anda final translation.By means of this book you can learn to read the original, or some of your favorite passages, in Chinese.

I think that if one or two of you were so impelled, Dr Wu would be left feeling very happy indeed.He seems to be a man with a keen desire to share the most important and beautiful things he has foundin life. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Elegant and delicate, without shying away from reality.
There is not one ounce of anger or aggressivity in this book, set in the middle of a civil war. As if the increasing conflict were mere clouds that will be pushed by the wind. Never does the author complain excessively, nor does he fail to point at difficulties, in small and big matters. One can wonder if he is not Lao himself, detached from our material world but still fully conscious he lives in it, without any anger nor apathy. Measuring the impact one has on the others.

This book is as interesting for the rendition of Laos in an extremely important time in its history, as it is interesting for a little lesson in life. ... Read more

Product Description
Laos 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

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This work contains papers presented at a conference called "Current Developments in Laos" in Washington DC in 1988. The topics covered range from Lao nationalism and American policy, 1954-1959, to Laotian refugees in Thailand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The U.S. Army's last big offensive of the Vietnam War
This is the story of the U.S. Army's final major offensive of the vietnam war.It is also the war's most violent action involving U.S. tanks and aircraft, in which more helicopters were shot down than in any other single battle of the war, and which in some cases pilots were refusing to fly.This book is highly detailed in military jargon, and several military readers have stated to me that this book is geared for the serious student of military science.I have read the book, and I agree with their statements.

If you were on this operation this is the book to read!
As an amercian trooper with "B"Btry 1/44th "Dusters" on this operation FSB Lao Bao, this is a great book. All the details.. all the units.. I have an interview of myself on CBS news.. and can place the book right to the film. Amazing! This book is Lam Son 719. Great research on the part of the author. If you were there.. this is the book to read. If you were'nt.. this is a great book to get a feel of what being in this part of the country and war was all about. ... Read more

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--Choice

Customer Reviews (6)

Fascinating and informative
This translation of the oldest known version of Daodejing is fascinating. I've read dozens of translations of the modern versions and the same author's translation of the Mah-Wang-Dui text of the Daodejing, and this one gives another exhilarating glimpse into the evolution of a seminal book in world thought. Of particular interest to me are the instances in which this older text differs from later versions in ways that can be best explained by errors of copying which have led to changes in the meaning of a some of the lines. Many of these lines are easier to understand without the copying errors. (Go figure!) This book is required reading for any English-language reader who wants to develop a rich and layered understanding of the meanings of the Daodejing.

Embrace this translation with confidence...
This is a sure bet for a reliable edition of the Tao Te Ching in the hands of a skilled translator.

He guides you through a brief introduction to the 'philosophy' of Taoism and through the significance of the Mawangtui texts.These provide marvelous foundation for approaching this ever elusive, ever unfolding Tao.

Of my six copies, I have found his to be the most 'objective' (recognizing, of course, that this is somewhat of an illusion) and matter-of-fact.As far as I can tell, he sticks to the text as text, having a scholastic view of the Tao rather than a spiritual bent.Whereas many, if not most, translations display the spiritual background of the translator, I never get that feeling from this one.

It reads easy and makes sense of some passages that have proven difficult in other translations.Of course, if we can understand the Tao then we really don't have it!

But this is a surefire bet to give you a solid foundation and an easily approachable translation of the Tao Te Ching.It's one I return to again and again.

Earliest Version!
A must-have for those who can't wait for a translation and commentary a little more in-depth and "friendlier" of this, the earliest copy.

Scholar excellence on Taoist classic
It was with amazement that I read about the new publication of the Guodian slip of Laozi, translated by Robert G. Henricks. This new treasury found in 1993 was studied upon by several Chinese and western scholars, including R.G. Henricks. He was one of the 31 scholars who attended the International seminar for discussion and study upon this new bamboo slip scripture.

It doesn't need explanation, to say that Mr Henricks is an extraordinary skilled and profound scholar in the Laozi realm of work. After translating and publishing his work on the Ma-Wang-Tui text of the Lao-Tzu - which proves over and over again to be a high-quality translation and commentary - it was but logical to find the 1st translation of the Guodian treasure to be translated and commented upon by him.

The Guodian version, named the Laozi, consists only of 31 chapters out of the 81 chapters we know today as being the complete Lao-Tzu work called the Tao Te Ching. It should be seen as an indepth study on the new Guodian version and I would not recommend this book to someone who has not studied the 'complete' Tao Te Ching prior to reading this book.

The Laozi is organized as it was written down on the bamboo slips; In three different Themes. For simplicity, Mr Henricks named these A, B and C. This division has a similar approach in Chuang-Tzu's work: three Sections making up his work:Inner section, Outer section and Miscellaneous. If this was intentedis a thesis, but not a fact. It is opted this version to be one that's connected with the Guan-Dao school of Daoism. A great explanation is included on the completeness of the Guodian version compared to the philospical elements that are known in the later versions of the Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching).

For those who study and want to have new revelation upon the philosophy and Meaning of the Lao-Tzu, this book is a MUST read.

An exceptional piece of work
As a student of the Dao i have studied six different translationsof the Dao de Jing intensly.I have never been able to pick one out as the best.All versions have something of the essense of the Dao, and all have something of the translators desires or his or hers own spiritual/philosophical background.But then the Ma-wang-tui texts were translated by Mr. Henricks and we were indeed closer to source. The translation of the older Guodian chapters casts an even brighter light on the text we are familiar with today. Was there an "old Master" who wrote the original?No matter what we believe there is no doubt that his work was added to again and again.I have often wondered about the content of some of the chapters and how different portions (within the same chapter) related to one another.I often suspected that often they were different chapters combined.This work bears that out. Compare this work with your favorite version and others.You will be suprised by the added clarity.This is not for everyone, but the time spent in study and comparison will benefit reader and practioner greatly.I highly recomend the Ma-wang-tui texts by Mr. Henricksas the best foundation in the "modern" Dao De Jing.And please throw away the Mitchell version if you own it--it rarely gets it right. ... Read more

Product Description
Lord Lao, first known as the philosopher Laozi, the purported author of the Daode jing, later became an immortal, a messiah, and high god of Daoism. Laozi, divinized during the Han dynasty and in early Daoist movements, reached his highest level of veneration under the Tang when the rulers honored him as a royal ancestor. In subsequent eras he remained prominent and is still a major deity in China today.
Livia Kohn's two-part study first traces the historical development of Lord Lao and the roles he played at different times for different believers. Part Two is based on one of Lord Lao's major hagiographies, the twelfth-century Youlong zhuan (Like Unto a Dragon), and studies the complex myth surrounding him. Lord Lao appears in eight distinct mythical roles, each associated with a particular phase in his life: He is the creator of the universe, bringer of cosmic order, teacher of dynasties, and the divine made flesh on earth. He is also the converter of the barbarians, the source of major Daoist revelations, and the god of Great Peace and political harmony. Comparing his story with related Confucian, Buddhist, and Western mythic tropes, Kohn illuminates the dynamics of the Daoist tale and persuades us to appreciate Lord Lao as a key deity of traditional China. Includes illustrations and tables.
Livia Kohn is Professor of Religion and East Asian Studies, Boston University; Adjunct Professor of Chinese Studies, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary; and Visiting Professor of Japanese Religion, Stanford Center for Technology and Innovation, Kyoto, Japan. Her most recent book is Lao-tzu and the Tao-te-ching.
... Read more

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The third edition of the Historical Dictionary of Laos-through its chronology, introductory essay, appendixes, maps, bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on important persons, places, events, and institutions and significant political, economic, social, and cultural aspects-traces Laos' history and provides a compass for the direction the country is heading. ... Read more

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In 1990 the author travelled to Laos to find herrelatives still living there. For years she and her sister had soughtto find the descendants of their grandmother, Sao Boun Ma.ThesLaotian relatives were finally found in Vientiane. The search revealeda complex and fantastic story. The Norwegian grandfather, Peter Hauff,who died in 1951, left a long account of his experiences as a traderin Indo-China(1890-1928) with a number of hitherto unknown photographsof Laos and Cambodia/Vietnam. Nowhere did he mention the Laotianmother of one of his daughters, and the Vietnamese mother of theother. The energetic Peter Hauff, shortly after his son drowned andthe premature death in Laos of his equally fantastic Swiss businesspartner, Hans Faesh, left for Europe in 1905 with his twodaughters. He proceeded to marry a woman probably not of his choice,and returned to Vietnam to continue trading. He eventually settled inFrance, and died there, never having seen again his Sao Boun Ma whomhe described in a note shortly before his death as "the honest andfaithful" ... Read more

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By exhaustively analyzing Lao She's literary writings, Vohra traces the development of his political consciousness and convictions. Answers are sought for crucial questions: Why did Lao She drift to a leftist position? Why did he return voluntarily to China? Why did he become disenchanted with the authoritarian regime? And why did he commit suicide?

Besides being an introduction to the life and works of Lao She, this book contributes to a greater understanding of the nature of the social and political change in twentieth-century China.

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Laos is a major arena of international confrontation despite the Geneva Accords of 1962. Yet there is a dearth of published material on Laos, and the crucial issue of North Vietnam's role in that country has hardly been examined. This important study illuminates the North Vietnamese-Pathet Lao partnership, an understanding of which is so critical to the search for peace in Indochina.

The authors reconstruct dispassionately the politics of the Lao revolution since its beginning after the Second World War. Focusing on North Vietnam's past and present role in Laos they trace the origins, evolution, organization, and leadership of the Pathet Lao organization. They demonstrate that the war in Laos is really three wars--Vietnamese traditional attempts to assert hegemony over regions of Laos important to North Vietnam's security; an extension of the struggle in South Vietnam; and a civil war between Lao Communists and anti-Communists. They show that Hanoi's active role springs from its interest in protecting its borders, gaining access to South Vietnam, and establishing a politically congenial regime in Laos. They conclude that the Viet Minh were a key factor in the genesis of the Pathet Lao and that the Vietnamese have continued to provide guidance and vital assistance to the revolutionary organization which now controls a significant portion of the country. On the other hand, the authors point out that the Pathet Lao share common interests with the North Vietnamese Communists and that, from their own perspective, they have not compromised their legitimacy as a nationalist movement by their heavy dependence on Hanoi.

Langer and Zasloff, experienced analysts of Southeast Asian affairs, conducted extensive field research in Laos. They interviewed a wide variety of persons with intimate knowledge of the Lao Communist movement, including former Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese military and civilian personnel. They talked with Lao, in and out of the Government, who had gone to school with their future Lao or Vietnamese adversaries, were linked to them by family ties, had been in the same political camp, or had confronted them at the conference table. They interviewed specialists on Laos and Vietnam, among them scholars, journalists, officials of international agencies, and foreign government officials. They examined a range of internal Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese documents diaries, letters, party directives, and training guides, as well as textbooks, newspapers, propaganda leaflets, and general literature. They studied Pathet Lao, Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian, Chinese, and Soviet radio broadcasts and consulted printed materials about Laos from Hanoi, Peking, and Moscow.

Product Description
Lao Textiles and Traditions focuses on the historical and cultural background of the Lao-Tai, whose exquisitely woven textiles with rich natural dyes and intricately fashioned designs have amazed and intrigued textile connoisseurs for years. Beautifully illustrated, the book tells the story of the people who created these masterpieces and who are still living lives intimately bound to their traditions and textiles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great introduction to Lao textiles
This little book is a great primer for the wonderful world of Lao textiles.It gives you a background to the various Lao communities, explains what sort of textiles are woven and how they are used in daily and ritual life.There is also a basic guide to the meanings of various designs that are commonly found in these weavings.

The hand woven textiles of Laos are intricate and gorgeous displaying a wide variety of technique from ikat to supplementry weft weaving that gives the impression of embroidery.They are made in coarse cottons through to gorgeous silks - mostly on home looms by women in villages. That these wonderful textiles are still being made today is in some ways a minor miracle and their revival in recent times is something we should all be glad of.

The middle section of this book contains colour photographs which give you a good feel for some of the range available in this textile work.While this book is not the last word on Lao textiles is a fantastic introduction to a sometimes under-rated art form.

If you enjoy hand woven textiles an excursion into the world of Lao textiles is very worthwhile and rewarding and here is a good place to start to get a feel for their beauty. ... Read more