Profiling individual, legendary authors, best-selling author Jerry Hopkins combines his research & his own experiences as a longtime expatriate with an intimate knowledge of Asia & offers us a unique perspective on the impact of Eastern culture in Western literature. From the time of Marco Polo`s trek across the Central Asian desert to the empire of the mighty Kahn, no other place on earth, not the languid South Pacific or even deepest, darkest Africa has so challenged & enchanted the Western imagination as have the fabled lands of the East! However soaked in blood its history & no matter how unsettling its social conditions & poverty, Asia has never lost its irresistible attraction or mystic. It has long been an inspiration for Western novelists, so much so that more than 5000 novels have been set in Asia in the English language alone. Storied names like Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, Pearl S. Buck, George Orwell, Graham Greene, E.M. Forster & many more have used their experiences in Asia as a vibrant backdrop for some of the world`s most famous works of literature. ...

The worldwide development of ecotourism
- including adventures such as mountain climbing & whitewater rafting, as well as more
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When the Vietnam War finally ended in April 1975 with the communist capture of Saigon, Vietnam itself became a closed country, out of bounds to western travellers & journalists. By 1989, however, such was Vietnam`s economic plight that the government decided the time had come to open its doors again, albeit most gingerly. By a stroke of good fortune Justin Wintle became the first writer from the West to be allowed to journey around the whole of Vietnam, from Pac Bo on the Chinese border in the north to Ca Mau in the far south, below the Mekong Delta
- though never without a posse of helpful, watchful ”minders”. But because he had official approval, he was able to meet many of those who had played a prominent part in Vietnam`s recent history, among them General Vo Nguyen Giap, the victor of Dienbienphu & principal architect of America`s military humiliation, & Le Duc Tho, the man who outsmarted Henry Kissinger during the Paris peace negotiations.” Romancing Vietnam” is Justin Wintle`s classic account of what he found in post-war Vietnam, & how, for three months, he played cat & mouse with those charged with keeping him in line, while developing a profound love for more ordinary Vietnamese & the astonishing landscapes they inhabit. A young man`s book, written with open eyes & a deft pen, ” Romancing Vietnam”, first published in 1991, describes a heaven & hell country, still full of the pain of war & unappeased ghosts, but a place of hope nevertheless, as also of sometimes outlandish comedy.
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The Romanesque churches to be found in every corner of France are one of the wonders of Europe. They were built between about 1000 & 1200 & were contemporary with English Norman architecture. Their architectural style varies from region to region, as do their size, shape & layout. The period saw the first revival of the art of sculpture since Roman times, & many of the churches such as Moissac, Autun, Vezelay & Chauvigny contain outstanding sculpture. Some, like St-Savin-sur-Gartempe & Tavant, have superb frescoes, & a few like Ganagobie have fine mosaics. It was the age of pilgrimages & a number of the churches were built along the four great pilgrim routes through France to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. Many have links to Romanesque churches in Italy, England & Germany, since Romanesque was a style that was admired throughout Europe. ” Romanesque Churches of France”, which covers a hundred or so churches in ten geographical sections from Normandy & Burgundy in the north to Provence, Roussillon & Languedoc in the south, is the first comprehensive book to be published on the subject. This book is an ideal companion for travellers, with its many maps & its regional arrangement, & will be a stimulus for the exploration of remote & beautiful areas that are less familiar, such as Auvergne & the Pyrenees. It will also be invaluable as a reference book for all those with a general interest in the history of French architecture & sculpture. ...

The widespead & numerous Romanesque churches in the northern half of Spain rival those of France for their distinctiveness & originality & for their remarkable sculpture. They were mainly built between about 1000 & 1200 & mirror the progressive rolling back of Islamic power in the long reconquista, first of all along the north coast & in Catalonia, which was only occupied by the Muslims for about a hundred years, & then in Leon & Castile. Their architectural styles vary greatly from region to region, & some of them contain fine frescoes as well. Romanesque style introduced the first revival of the art of sculpture since Roman times, & in Spain there good examples of decorative carving as far back as the seventh century. It was the age of pilgrimages & many of the churches were founded along the pilgrim routes from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, which are popular destinations for travellers in Spain today. Romanesque Churches of Spain, which covers a hundred & twenty churches in Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre & the Basque Country, Cantabria, Castile, Leon, Asturias & Galicia, &

Includes:: no less than twenty pre-Romanesque churches in the Visigothic, Asturian & Mozarabic styles of 600-1000, many with exotic features such as the horseshoe arch, is the first comprehensive book to be published on the subject. It is a perfect companion for travellers, with its ten maps & its regional arrangement, & will be a stimulus for the exploration of wild & remote areas that are unfamiliar to many people, especially across the Pyrenees & in the mountainous areas of Aragon, Cantabria & Asturias. It will also be invaluable as a reference book, with its 262 illustrations, for all those with a general interest in the history of Spanish architecture & sculpture, many of the churches possessing outstanding examples such as Santiago de Compostela, Jaca, Soria, Agramunt, Ripoll, Armentia, Estibaliz, Sanguesa, Santo Domingo de Silos & San Pedro de la Nave. Peter Strafford is a distinguished journalist who worked on the Times for more than three decades, including in Paris & Brussels, & was, among other things, the Times correspondent in New York for five years. His acclaimed Romanesque Churches of France has recently been reprinted.

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Romania on a single-sided, indexed road map at 1:800, 000 from Insight. This large map

Includes:: many places

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Romania & Moldova 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 ...

Romania in the Countries, Regions & Cities series from Rough Guides; comprehensively detailed guidebooks specifically designed for independent travellers & serving a range of worldwide destinations. Widely recognised for their free editorial style, Rough Guide authors are allowed to express their personal opinions on a range of subjects. Although sometimes controversial, this editorial stance allows readers to experience more detailed & personal takes on each destination, a feature often more limited in other guidebooks. Cultural & historical nuances are explored in significant depth throughout the text & descriptions on the ambience of individual settings alongside personal recommendations, particularly in cities, are notably prevalent. Each Rough Guide in the Countries, Regions & Cities series has a similar layout. A ...

New for 2008, Travellers Romania is the perfect guidebook for mainstream visitors wanting to discover one of the most dynamic & intriguing countries in Europe. This book delivers: expert advice, tracking down the best sights & experiences; suggested Itineraries & Highlights sections to help you make the most out of your trip; detailed background on people, geography, culture & history; clear & accurate mapping for orientation at country, region & city levels; suggested walks & tours to somewhere a little different; impartial & dependable sleeping, eating & entertainment listings; full colour throughout, with over 140 photographs; &, comprehensive coverage of the best of the destination including: Bucharest, Brasov, the Black Sea Coast & the Danube Delta, Bran Castle, Prahova Valley, Sibiu, the Carpathians. Travellers are popular, compact guides for mainstream travellers wanting to discover something a little different on their trip. Covering the very best of country, regional & city destinations, they offer the perfect balance of culture, history, practical information, mapping, photography & listings to appeal to a mass-market readership. ...

Romania is one of the most beautiful, intriguing, & little-known countries in Europe. This new book, arranged as a series of essays, is the most lucid & wide-ranging guide available to Romania`s architecture, history, & culture. From the remains left by the Romans to the unique churches of Moldavia & Maramures, & not forgetting the Transylvania of Vlad Dracul, ” Romania ”explains, informs, & inspires. A comprehensive gazetteer & essential practical information make it the perfect companion on the road, while a generous selection of photos makes it a pleasure to read & use. ...