Botchan is a modern young man from the Tokyo metropolis, sent to the ultra-traditional Matsuyama district as a Maths teacher after his the death of his parents. Cynical, rebellious & immature, Botchan finds himself facing several tests, from the pupils
- prone to playing tricks on their new, naive teacher; the staff
- vain, immoral, & in danger of becoming a bad influence on Botchan; & from his own as-yet-unformed nature, as he finds his place in the world. One of the most popular novels in Japan where it is considered a classic of adolescence, as seminal as ” The Catcher in the Rye”, ” Botchan” is as funny, poignant & memorable as it was when first published, over 100 years ago. In J. Cohn`s introduction to his colourful translation, he discusses ” Botchan`s” success, the book`s clash between Western intellectualism & traditional Japanese values, & the importance of names & nicknames in the novel.

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Botchan, like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or The Catcher in the Rye, is a classic of its kind, a sly, funny, poignant tale about a young mans rebellion against the system. Since its original publication 100 years ago, it has enjoyed a timeless popularity among Japanese readers both young & old, making it, according to Donald Keene, probably the most widely read novel in modern Japan.
The setting is Japan's deep south, where the author himself spent four years teaching English in a middle school. Into this conservative world, with its social proprieties & established pecking order, breezes Botchan, down from the big city, with scant respect for either his elders or his noisy young charges; & the result is a chain of collisions large & small.
Most of the story seems to occur in summer, against the drone of cicadas & the sting of mosquitoes. & in every way this is a summer book--light, sunny, & fun to read. Here, in a lively new translation much better suited to the American reader, Botchan should continue to entertain even those who have never been near the sunlit island on which these calamitous episodes take place.

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Bothwell & Blantyre in 1897 in a fascinating series of reproductions of old Ordnance Survey plans in the Alan Godfrey Editions, ideal for anyone interested in the history of their neighbourhood or family. The map covers the town centre of Bothwell plus Blantyre on the other bank of the Clyde. Features include Blantyre Works, Low Blantyre, Bothwell Castle Colliery, southern part of Bothwell Castle, Caledonian Railway with Blantyre station, David Livingstone`s Birthplace, Madder Mill, Powerloom Factory, Caledonian Bothwell Branch with terminus, NBR railway with Bothwell station, Craighead House, Silverwells area, church, Kirkfield area, etc. On the reverse are directories of Bothwell for 1892-93 & 1911-12. About the Alan Godfrey Editions of the 25” OS Series: Selected towns in Great Britain & Ireland are covered by maps showing the extent of urban development in the last decades of the 19th & early 20th century. The plans have been taken from the Ordnance Survey mapping & reprinted at about 15 inches to one mile (1:4, 340). On the reverse most maps have historical notes & many also include extracts from contemporary directories. Most maps cover about one mile (1.6kms) north/south, one & a half miles (2.4kms) across; adjoining sheets can be combined to provide wider coverage.FOR MORE INFORMATION & A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL AVAILABLE TITLES PLEASE CLICK ON THE SERIES LINK. ...

One of the maps in the topographic survey of Iceland at 1:100, 000. The series was last revised in the early eighties. Contour interval is 20 meters. In addition to the usual features shown on survey mapping, the maps also include a large amount of information indicating the type of the terrain & land use (block or smooth surfaced lava, clay, boulders, sand & dunes, cultivated area, meadows, pastures, bogs, wetlands, etc.) & details not often found on maps: physicians' residences, parsonages, etc. Each map covers an area of 44 x 40 km / 27 x 25 miles. Margin ticks give latitude & longitude in steps of 6'. Map legend

Includes:: English.

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Botswana at 1:1, 000, 000 on a large map from Tracks 4 Africa: GPS compatible, with roads & tracks showing both driving times & distances, & printed on light, waterproof & tear-resistant plastic paper. On one side is a map of the whole country, including Namibia ...

Clear general map printed on heavy laminated paper, more suitable for reference & study than for use by tourists when visiting the country. Colours clearly distinguishing land use variations & hydrographic features eg. national parks, reserves, farm areas, lakes, swamps. Contour lines are 100m intervals. Other details include surfaced & gravel roads, tracks, railways, airports, airstrips, international & district boundaries, border posts, mines fences & veterinary cordon fences. Space beyond the country's boundary is left blank. Latitude & longitude lines are drawn at 1 degree intervals. ...

Botswana at 1:1, 500, 000 with Zimbabwe at 1:1, 100, 000 on a double-sided map from ITMB which also

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Botswana in the Culture Smart range of pocket-sized guide books; providing detailed information on local customs, culture, etiquette & manners & ensuring that visitors are prepared for a diverse range of social environments. The series covers an extensive number of countries worldwide & are designed both for those working & living abroad, as well as for visitors who do not want to offend, either intentionally or inadvertently. Their aim is to prevent readers from making embarrassing mistakes & feel confident in unfamiliar situations, while preparing them before arrival on what to expect & how to behave. Each guide is arranged thematically, with dedicated individual chapters on land & people, values & attitudes, customs & traditions, making friends, people at home, ‘time-out’, travelling & communicating. There is also a separate chapter for business travelers, with important information on subjects such as business culture, meetings & making appointments. A Further Reading section also offers a list of recommended other history, travel literature & language titles available on the country. ...

Especially in the years since it achieved Independence in 1966, Botswana has attracted a host of admirers from all over the world who have been captivated, intrigued & sometimes puzzled by it. There is, however, no non-specialist book on Botswana which provides a feel for the place & its heritage, its personality & a sense of where it is going & from where it has come. Sandy Grant has now sought to fill that gap with this easy-to-read, handsomely illustrated book. By drawing on his years of individualistic involvement with Botswana he has been able to blend together a remarkable range of disciplines & topics. His intention has been to stimulate interest by providing an informative, whirlwind snapshot. For people interested in Botswana, this book is not merely a first, it is a must. ...

Botswana & Namibia in the Countries & Regions series from Lonely Planet, market-leading comprehensive guides aimed at independent travellers & serving a large range of international destinations. Frank & informal in style, the guides explore an extensive range of sights, activities, accommodation, restaurants & nightlife & are designed for practical use while travelling on the road. Written & researched by a team of experts, each book is independent in its recommendations & suggestions, often offering individual takes on individual destinations. Widely recognised for their reliability, each Lonely Planet country & region guide has the same layout. Introductory sections profile the destination with individual chapters on particular highlights, getting started, (including when to go) itineraries, history, culture, arts, food & drink & the environment. Each guide is organised geographically by region, with individual sections detailing an extensive range of sights, places of interest, attractions, restaurants, nightlife, accommodation & any local activities. The guides have detailed explanations of historical context where relevant. There is also practical guidance on ...