This is a great book -- smart and funny. It's a very interesting analysis of how art and calligraphy are used to express leadership and exert power in Chinese culture. It may seem irrelevant to Westerners, but ask anyone from a calligraphic tradition about it, and they'll tell you how important it is. A great read with super pictures.

Ruegg's work is a great synthesis of information derived from primary and secondary sources, and explores the ways in which important themes of Indian Buddhist thought (buddha-nature, conceptions of mind and enlightenment) were interpreted and adapted in the complex cultural matrix of early Buddhist Tibet. A must-read for anyone wanting a deeper take on the cultural history of Tibetan Buddhism, or the history of Tibetan Buddhist philosophical interpretations!

Studies of Buddhism in China continue to flourish, and this is an excellent collection of essays that showcase the strengths of a historically-informed understanding of this religious tradition. Hawaii continues to lead the field in its publication of high-quality monographs and essay-collections on Buddhism. Some of the essays in the collection are stronger than others, though on the whole, this is a quite readable scholarly work. Shinohara's essay is especially good.

The authors explore the practice of Buddhist acupressure (so named because it was taught to them by an old Buddhist monk). They provide an introduction to acupressure and its theoretical foundations, point locations, and basic massage techniques. The treatment therapies cover more than 75 common health conditions, ranging from abdominal cramps and arthritic pain to varicose veins and vomiting. All the techniques can be self-applied, making this a useful text for anyone initiating a self-care health regimen.

This book is a uniquely entertaining explanation of the Chinese thought processes as applied to business decision making. There are numerous examples drawn from Chinese historical military and philosophical references with the lessons applied to today's modern business and political world. The authors' approach educates the reader as to the historical, cultural, governmental, and educational background factors that have created the thought processes of today's Chinese government and business leaders. Of importance are the nuances of conducting business or political negotiations. Comparisons are made to corresponding western thought processes. Additional background material includes diagrams and explanations of organizational structures of manufacturing, service, and government organizations. For anyone doing business in China or with Chinese organizations, this is an excellent source background text.
Chapter headings are:
1. The Structures of Manufacturing Organizations
2. The Structures of Service Organizations
3. The Structures of Government Organizations
4. The Processes of Decision Making
5. Characteristics of Decision Making
6. Tactics of Decision Making
7. Traditional Culture
8. Modes of Thinking

Although this is an expensive book, it simply is the best and most definitive work on butterflies of the region. The standard of presentation is excellent. Descriptions are clear and very informative, with plenty of in text illustrations showing identification characters allowing similar species to be identified - particularly useful for the Hesperiidae. Many species are give full ecological write ups, some reared for the first time. Also included in the core text are photographs of many species taken "in the field" (mostly of good to excellent quality). Short chapters also outline Hong Kong's natural environment. The plates (in two sections: adults and immature stages) are absolutely top quality and show dorsal and ventral wing surfaces, male, female and seasonal forms at life size; the immature plates comprise photos of each stage, where known. A few negatives - local distribution data is already out of date and must be regarded as historical (a sad reflection of Hong Kong's general apathy to its natural resources); the list of contacts is also out of date!

Thoroughly recommended (I'm still saving up for my copy!), a wonderful addition to any butterfly bibliophile's portfolio and a must buy option for anyone interested in the butterflies of South-east and East Asia.

I found this slim volume a superior history of an oft overlooked part of Canada's WWII participation. I've had the opportunity to read most everything written in Canada, and a good deal of the British work, on this topic, and while not exhaustive, this book covers most every aspect of the battle and imprisonment of the Canadians quite well. There are the odd errors (and they are very minor,) but otherwise, the book picks up on some important themes in its limited length. The only drawback the its somewhat expensive price, for it is a slim volume.

This book was one of the first to look closely at how Chinese Communism really worked, rather than guessing based on readings of Mao's works and Party propaganda. Barnett interviewed at great length emigres who had just come from China to Hong Kong to form a picture of how the bureaucracy worked in a central ministry and at three different levels of local government. Despite the small number of interviews conducted, most of Barnett's findings have held up quite well over time. Many of the party and government structures he described still exist, even in the New New China.

There is no central argument to the book, since at this stage of China studies scholars were still trying to form a picture of the basics. Rather, the book should be used as a kind of encyclopedia, a reference work from which to draw details of political structure as needed.

Disclaimer: Barnett was my PhD advisor's advisor's advisor, so I may be biased. However, I believe my opinion reflects the general consensus.

I found this book to be well organized in its presentation. It is especially helpful in providing a beginning student of Tibetan Buddhism with a general understanding of the do's and don'ts of effective meditation that leads to calm abiding and special insight. Well organized and easy to understand.