New Arrivals at The Penang Bookshelf
in
October 2021
(Last Updated 31-10-21)
Firth, at the time Professor of Anthropology at the University of London, produces a detailed study of the fishing industry in Kelantan state just before the Japanese invasion of Malaysia. Amongst the 398 pages are included a map of the area of study, more than 30 black and white plates, a set of 7 appendices at the end of the book and numerous statistical tables. Contents include - 1 - Fishing Economy and Rural Malay Society, 2 - Economics of the Industry in Two Malay States (Kelantan and Trengganu), 3 - Structure of A Sample Fishing Community, 4 - Planning and Organisation of Fishing Activities, 5 - Ownership and Management of Capital, 6 - The Credit System in Financing Production, 7 - Marketing Organisation, 8 - The System of Distributing Earnings, 9 - Output and Levels of Income, 10 - Fishermen in the General Peasant Economy and 11 - Modern Developments - A Re-Study after Twenty-Three Years. Very Good Hardback Reprint of the Revised and Enlarged 1966 edition 398 pages with an index, figures, tables, a fold out map and plates
- Each book advertised below includes a brief description of its contents and condition as well as the price in Malaysian Ringgit. If you want a fuller description of a used book's condition, to look at the scanned contents page, if any, and/or to find out the price in USD, please click on the link in blue for the relevant book.
- If you click on a link after the current month and find nothing, the book's been sold.
- Of course, if you want to buy anything you see here, you can either do so from the site or contact me at penangbookshelf@gmail.com.
- This page will be updated constantly until the end of the month.
- The prices shown here hold good for at least this month, but for out of print books, the prices may change in subsequent months.
- All prices include free postage to anywhere in Malaysia and to Singapore.
Malaysia & Singapore - Anthropology & Sociology
Saw, arguably the leading international authority on population trends in Malaysia and Singapore, here embarks on the most comprehensive study of the peninsular population at the time. Topics covered include internal and external migration, Ethnic and Religious Patterns, Population Distribution, Growth and Structure and Marriage, Fertility, Mortality and Labour Trends. Very Good Paperback. First Edition 342 pages with an index, tables, figures and a bibliography.
Demographic Transition and Socio-Economic Development in Malaysia - Tey Nai Peng & Others (eds) RM80
In recent years Malaysia's demographic make up has been changing mainly due to fluctuations in mortality and fertility. The editors have put together a group of papers analysing the changes and then showing how this feeds into the country's development. New Paperback. First Edition. 229 pages with figures, tables, a bibliography and an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - Architecture
Over a five year period conducted a series of interviews with those involved with ten major projects, including Muzium Negara and Parliament House, that were the core of Kuala Lumpur's landscape at the time of independence. The book not only highlights the roles that these architects, engineers and artists played in shaping the capital of a newly independent Malaya, but also the historical context in which they worked. New Paperback. First Edition. 667 pages with numerous black and white photographs.
Malaysia & Singapore - Armed Force & Policing
An introduction to the history and workings of the Royal Malaysian Police. The contributors not only examine the rights of those arrested, but also explain police disciplinary proceedings and civil actions against the police. 146 pages with a bibliography and an index New Paperback. First Edition.
Malaysia & Singapore - Arts & Crafts
Reprints of two articles, Lucky and Unlucky Keris Measurements and A Note on the Kingfisher Keris, both by Ivor NH Evans, reprinted from past journals of the Museum. The text is in English and Bahasa Malaysia. Very Good Paperback. 20 pages with a couple of black and white plates.
This book is a collection of 19 essays which discuss the development of art through exchange of expressions and experiences among the varied lifestyles and cultures of Malaysians from after Second World War to contemporary times. A useful introduction to Malaysian art history. This book has 308 pages which includes 140 paintings illustrated in colour.
An exhibition catalogue of Malay textiles woven for and used by Malay royalty. Very Good Paperback. First Edition 30 pages with many colour plates and some explanatory text.
Malaysia & Singapore - Biography & Memoirs
A journalist's account of his travels around Malaya in the 1920s. 295 pages. First American edition Good Hardback.
Dalton's childhood in Malaya obviously made quite an impression on him because as an adult, the books he was best known for were children's' stories based in the country. This partial autobiography confirms his nostalgia for the period in that it concentrates on his childhood in the country which only lasted between the ages of eight and thirteen. In order to fill it out he has added other childhood reminiscences from not only expatriate children of the time. Good Hardback. First Edition 285 pages with 9 black and white plates.
A fond biography of the author's father, Daniel Jayaratnam, an activist for the Malayan Indian Congress in the Selangor area. Good Paperback. First Edition. 80 pages.
The autobiography of a leading Malaysian gynaecologist and obstetrician whose career has seen him delivering babies in Brunei, Sarawak, England and in Peninsular Malaysia. Although the reader is introduced to the birth customs of both indigenous people of Sarawak and the three main races in Malaysia, such anecdotes form a backdrop to a life lived to the full as the country transformed itself from a British colony to a vibrant Southeast Asian nation. Engagingly written with some black and white and colour photographs. 489 pages.
Malaysia & Singapore - Boats, Fishing & The Sea
Firth, at the time Professor of Anthropology at the University of London, produces a detailed study of the fishing industry in Kelantan state just before the Japanese invasion of Malaysia. Amongst the 398 pages are included a map of the area of study, more than 30 black and white plates, a set of 7 appendices at the end of the book and numerous statistical tables. Contents include - 1 - Fishing Economy and Rural Malay Society, 2 - Economics of the Industry in Two Malay States (Kelantan and Trengganu), 3 - Structure of A Sample Fishing Community, 4 - Planning and Organisation of Fishing Activities, 5 - Ownership and Management of Capital, 6 - The Credit System in Financing Production, 7 - Marketing Organisation, 8 - The System of Distributing Earnings, 9 - Output and Levels of Income, 10 - Fishermen in the General Peasant Economy and 11 - Modern Developments - A Re-Study after Twenty-Three Years. Very Good Hardback Reprint of the Revised and Enlarged 1966 edition 398 pages with an index, figures, tables, a fold out map and plates
Borneo
The Diaries of George C Woolley, Volume 1: 1901-1907 - Danny Wong Tze Ken & Stella Moo-Tan (eds) RM200
Woolley was a colonial administrator in British North Borneo, now the Malaysian state of Sabah, in the early 20th century. He was also a keen ethnographer amassing a large amount of information about the indigenous people amongst whom he worked. He retired in Borneo and gave his collection of diaries, traditional artifacts and photographs to the state to found what is today the Sabah Museum. This diary covers his first tour of duty before his return to the UK for a brief break. New Hardback in a Near Fine Dust Jacket. First Edition. 358 pages with an index, some black and white plates and annotations.
A scattered collection of accounts of Sarawak history, mainly during the Brooke period. Good Paperback. Reprint. 144 pages.
The main importance of this book was to disprove the previously held belief that the Malays of South-West Sarawak were ethnically similar to Malays in Indonesia and on the Malay Peninsula. Based on anthropological research carried out during the twenty years when he lived amongst them, Harrisson argues that this group were in fact pagans converted to Islam. Harrisson not only records the people's daily life in detail, but also ventures into more general topics, including how one defines what it means to be Malay. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First American Edition 671 pages with plates, illustrations, maps and an index.
In the 1980s the Penan of Sarawak were catapulted into the international limelight as a result of international environmentalists backing their attempts to preserve their rainforests from predatory logging activities. Here Bending examines what really happened, looking, for example, at the extent, if any, of outside interference and what happened afterwards. He uncovers a tale of cultural change, collective action and individual corruption. Good Hardback. First Edition. 181 pages with a bibliography and an index
Malaysia & Singapore - Cinema, Dance, Drama & Music
A chatty and emotional review of Yasmin Ahmad's six feature length films. The book was written within a month of her funeral by a friend and fellow film maker. Good Paperback. First Edition. 224 pages with some colour stills from her films.
In this comprehensive introduction the author introduces the reader to the musical aspects of Malay drama, the gamelan and kuda kepang as well as drum ensembles and nobat. Very Good Paperback. First Edition. 189 pages with colour plates, music scores, a bibliography and an index.
The book is based on research carried out by the author in 1994 which was followed up in 2001. In the course of his research, he attempted to disentangle the various cinematic influences on the country, how it affected films produced in Malaysia and what messages the effect of those influences gave about the Malaysian cinema going public and their preferences. One early discovery was that Malaysian cinema, demonstrating cross cultural interactions, hardly existed, 301 pages with a filmography, bibliography and index. Paperback. First Edition.
Malaysia & Singapore - Education
The case studies contained here cover a wide range of issues - Information technology in the city and village, land registration, the enforcement of forest law, a geography of the poor and urban crime. Their common feature is the effectiveness of implementing government policies especially at the community level. The book is also intended to demonstrate the practice of case study methodology for research. 203 pages with figures, tables, a bibliography and an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - The "Emergency"
Miller, who was a journalist in Malaya at the time, was one of the more prolific chroniclers of the Malayan 'Emergency.' This book was published when the 'menace' was still alive and troublesome and traces the fortunes of the Malayan Communist Party from its founding through to Templer's successful efforts to bring the insurgents to heel. Good Hardback. in a Good Dust Jacket First Edition 248 pages with some black and white photographs. For further details, please see the scanned contents page.
The book's title is a description of the author given by an orang asli, Malaysian aboriginal, while they were fighting alongside each other in the 'Emergency' in Malaya in the 1950s. That conflict was Cross' introduction to 40 years continuous involvement in taking part in counter insurgency work in Asia or training others to do the same. The author describes these experiences in this 238 page book which includes nearly 20 black and white photographs and three maps. Contents: - Part I - Malaya 1948-56: Gurkhas and Guerillas, Part II - Malaya 1961-3: Seven Veils, Part III - Borneo 1963-4: Border Scouts and Part IV - Malaysia 1965-71: Retreat from the Tropics. First published in 1996
Malaysia & Singapore - Environment, Nature & Wildlife
Of interest to both the casual visitor and more dedicated naturalist, this book opens up the diverse ant life to be found in Sabah's rainforests. Both common and endemic species are described with details of their habits and habitat as well as colour pictures in each case. New Paperback. First edition. 60 pages with a bibliography and an index of ant names.
The Forest Department's occasional journal of plant systematics,, morphology and natural history. Articles include S. Suzana, J.T. Pereira & J.B. Sugau - A new species of Wendlandia (Rubiaceae) from Borneo ; John B. Sugau - Enumeration and Notes on Adinandra (Pentaphylacaceae) in Borneo & W.J.J.O. De Wilde & Brigitta E.E . Duyfjes - The edible Cucurbitaceae of Thailand and Malesia and the wild forms of the cultivated ones New Paperback. First Edition 91 pages with some colour photographs.
The Forest Department's occasional journal of plant systematics,, morphology and natural history. Articles include Wong, K M. Racemobambos pairinii (Gramineae: Bambusoideae), a new species of bamboo from Sabali, Malaysia; Kulip, J . Racemobambos glabra, a new record for Sabah, Malaysia; Shim, P. S. Two New Fern Records for Borneo; Wong, K. M. The Poring Puzzle: GIgantochloa levis and a new species of GIgantochloa (Gramineae: Bambusoideae) from Peninsular Malaysia & Lee, Y.F. & A. Berhaman The Sabah Forestry Department's Arboretum at Sepilok, Sandakan
Near Fine Paperback. First Edition 36 pages with some colour photographs.
The two thousand acre Templer Park was established by the late General Templer as a forested refuge for the residents of nearby Kuala Lumpur. The author, after three decades of caring for the park as a volunteer, describes its history and features. 93 pages.
Thapa visited Sabah, on secondment from the Forest Research Institute of India to carry out the first extensive survey of termites in the region. In doing so he identified 103 species and subspecies, of which 38 were new to science. This comprehensive work is the result. 373 pages with many line drawings, tables and a list of references. Very Good Paperback. First Edition.
This is the story of Jim Hislop, the last European Chief Game Warden of Malaya. He knew the jungle both as a conservator of nature and wildlife and as a killer of men and women. His jungle skills were used by the British Government firstly in undermining the Japanese during World War II and then challenging the Communists in the Malayan 'Emergency' where the jungle provided the insurgents with many a safe haven. The book also recalls the thrills and dangers of the Malayan jungle in the mid 20th century. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket 271 pages with a few maps and black and white plates.
RM 90
The noted naturalist introduces the reader to the wide variety of insects at the reserve which covers approximately 20 acres. Each species is illustrated by a colour photograph. The scientific names and habits of each insect is also included. New Paperback. First Edition 127 pages with a list of references and indices of scientific and plant names.
This book was for many years the gardening bible for English readers in Malaya. Written by the former Director of the Botanic Gardens of Singapore and the most prolific author on Malayan botany in the first half of the 20th century, the book covers almost anything the Malayan gardener might want to know from flowering plants, trees and hedges to fruit, vegetables an diseases. Very Good Hardback in a Good Dust Jacket. Reprint. 323 pages with 18 black and white and 16 colour illustrations and an index.
The author, a well known authority on spiders in the region, introduces the reader to twenty families of spiders that can be found in Singapore. The description of each type is accompanied by a colour photograph and information on its habits characteristics and distribution. Good Paperback. Reprint Originally published in 1989. 160 pages.
With over 30 years experience in the field, the author highlights 37 species of land and sea snakes that are poisonous out of a total 137 of species of snakes that had been recorded at the time of the original publication in 1979. The book also contains information on how to avoid snake bites and how to treat them Good Paperback. Reprint. 73 pages with colour photographs, a bibliography and an index
The guide covers nearly 200 species which have been planted as the reserve has expanded since it was established in 2009. Each species, the majority of which are native to the state, is illustrated with a colour picture, with a description of it characteristics, uses and distribution. New Paperback. 241 pages with indices of scientific and vernacular names.
The Forest Department's occasional journal of plant systematics,, morphology and natural history. Articles include W.J.J.O. de Wilde & B.E.E. Duyfjes - Bayabusua, a new genus of Cucurbitaceae; R.W.J.M. van der Ham - Pollen morphology of Bayabusua {Cucurbitaceae) and its allies; K.M. Wong, J.T. Pereira, J.B. Sugau & S.P. Lim - A new species of Paraboea {Gesneriaceae) from the volcanic islands off Sempoma, Sabah; K.M. Wong, J.B. Sugau, J.T. Pereira, B.S. Parris & Benito C. Tan - New records of Bornean plants from the Semporna Islands off Sabah's east coast; K.M. Wong, R. Nilus, G.H. Petol, J.B. Sugau, J.T. Pereira & R.C. Ong - The landscape, vegetation and botany of the Sempoma Islands of Sabah, Borneo: A conservation perspective; A. Latiff & K. Mat-Salleh - Studies in Malesian Vitaceae XI . Pterisanthes in Borneo, with additional notes on P. grandis and P. hirtiflora; Charles Clarke - Nepenthes benstonei {Nepenthaceae), a new pitcher plant from Peninsular MalaysiaBambusoideae) from Peninsular Malaysia & Lee, Y.F. & A. Berhaman The Sabah Forestry Department's Arboretum at Sepilok, Sandakan New Paperback. First Edition 89 pages with some colour photographs.
The Forest Department's occasional journal of plant systematics,, morphology and natural history. Articles include P.S. Shim - A new species of Aerides (Orchidaceae : Vandeae : Aeridinae) from Borneo; W.J.J.O. de Wilde & B.E.E. Duyfjes - The genus Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) in Sabah; H.-P. Heckroth, J. Moog, H.I. Janka B. Fiala, A.Y.C. Chung & U. Maschwitz - Smilax borneensis (Smilacaceae), an unspecific climbing ant-plant from Borneo and myrmecophytic traits in other Asiatic Smilax species; J. Gobilik, A. Lamb & A.D. Poulsen - A new species of Amomum (Zingiberaceae) from Borneo; L.G. Saw - A new species of Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) from Sabah, Malaysia New Paperback. First Edition 59 pages with some line drawings. Near Fine
A guide to gardening in the tropics based on the experiences of the author in his garden in Kuala Lumpur. After nearly three decades living in Malaysia, the author became interested in gardening. So this book moves from the basics to glorious abundance. The book is illustrated with water colours and colour photographs. New Hardback in a New Dust Jacket. First Edition. 110 pages.
In the thirty years before the publication of this book, Sabah's forest cover had halved because of logging and human incursions. As part of the forest department's efforts at reforesting, its staff have carried out research into the activities of termites, stem-borers, ambrosia beetles and defoliators and how to limit their damage. This book presents the results of such research which would also be applicable to forestry and agriculture in Southeast Asia generally. Near Fine Hardback. Fine Dust Jacket. First Edition. 110 pages with several colour plates and an index.
Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands is a group of volunteers dedicated to monitoring and publicising changes in the environment of the Cameron Highlands a forest area which is now coming under threat. From 2002 until the publication of this book the group documented the spread of an state of orchids in this habitat. More than 15,000 photographs were taken and more than 600 species and sixty genera were discovered. This book publicises the results of their dedication. 208 pages
Malaysia & Singapore - Fiction
Katherine Sim, one of the clutch of expatriate novelists of the British colonial period, has been described as one of the few who is clearly partisan in her loyalties. She had a particular affinity with Malay and Orang Asli people and culture. In this romance, she allows herself full rein, as she narrates the love story of a Malay schoolmaster and the visiting cousin of a British Advisor. Illustrated with the author's line drawings. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition 256 pages.
A collection of eight of Yap's short stories. Although he was better known as a poet, he brings his sparse style to hint at the social changes Singapore was undergoing in the 20th century. Edited by Angus Wilson. New paperback. First Edition 86 pages.
Originally published in Bahasa Malaysia in 2017, this novel narrates the struggles of a feminist professor in the midst of Islamic fundamentalism in Malaysia. Her views are strengthened during her studies in the United States and Europe and put to the test when she returns home to be caught up in violence from conservative groups opposed to her activism and sexuality. New Paperback. First English Language Edition. 321 pages with a bibliography.
Buku ini meninjau tema perpaduan nasional dan peranan sastera kebangsaan menerusi genre cerpen. Sebanyak 83 buah cerpen dipilih. Very Good Paperback. First Edition. 211 pages
A collection of short stories from Malaysia, Singapore and the Asian diaspora intended to demonstrate that there is an Asian women other than they typical passive, beautiful and conformist stereotype. The stories are a mix of those based on well known legend and modern inspirational narratives. New Paperback. Reprint. Originally published in 2019. 222 pages.
Another collection of stories that probably should not be read at bedtime by 'Malaysia's Prince of Darkness. This is a sequel to the author's previous collection, Horror Stories, which the publishers claim was 'the bestselling Malaysian English fiction book of all time. 380 pages.
Malaysia & Singapore - Folklore
The retelling of an Iban folk tale where Keling of the Raised World, the land between heaven and earth, courts Kuman, the Goddess of Beauty. Very Good First Edition. Paperback. 162 pages with some line drawings.
The Ida'an people are mainly concentrated in the Lahad Datu area on the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia. This is a collection of their folk tales in their own language with translations into Bahasa Malaysia and English. Good Paperback First Edition 209 pages with line drawings.
A collection of Malaysian folk tales rewritten for children. New Paperback. Reprint. Originally published in 1978. 48 pages with many colour illustrations
Malaysia & Singapore - Geography & Guide Books
This inspiring guide book doesn't attempt to be comprehensive, but selective, being full of tips for discovery and enjoyment for both visitor and resident. The first third of the book gives us an eclectic introduction to Malaysia's architecture, arts and crafts, bars, clubs & cafes, best places to visit etc and then there are more detailed descriptions about what to sample in Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia and East Malaysia. Very Good Paperback First Edition 192 pages.
A guide to a sprinkling of historical sites on the peninsula from Hindu times until the 17th century. The text is in Bahasa Malaysia and English. Good Paperback First Edition 42 pages with colour illustrations, black and white photographs and a pull out map.
Malaysia & Singapore - Health & Medicine
Each volume of this two volume set covers 100 different species of medicinal plants. Each plant's scientific name is given together with its vernacular name(s), taste, energy & characteristics, function, uses, part(s) of the plant used and folk medicinal uses. There is a bias in the work towards plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Near Fine Paperbacks . First Editions Volume 1 ISBN: 9789670180137 149 pages and Volume 2 ISBN: 9789670180151 149 pages with indices of scientific, vernacular and Chinese names.
Malaysia & Singapore - History
This book, considered to be a classic at the time, was originally published in 1937 at the zenith of colonial rule in Southeast Asia. This edition has a foreword by John Bastin. It is basically a review of British and Dutch colonial exploits in the Malay Archipelago, with about two thirds of the book being devoted to the development of the British presence in Malaya. Emerson was a Harvard Professor in Government at the time the book was written. Very Good Paperback. Reprint 536 pages with an index.
While literature on colonial Malaya is awash with studies on the three main ethnic groups, Malay, Chinese and Indians, there is very little academic literature on how the colonisers, the British, functioned as a community. Butcher seeks to redress that imbalance by analysing the this group's accepted way of living and their interaction with other communities in the country. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition. 292 pages with black and white plates, appendices, glossaries, maps, tables and an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - History (19th Century)
Kerawanan Perang Padri (1803–1845) yang meluluh-lantakkan dataran tinggi Pulau Perca membangkitkan eksodus anak bangsa Sumatra yang mencipta suaka di ‘tanah seberang’. Pengungsi-pengungsi ini terjerumus dalam rentetan perang saudara di Tanah Semenanjung selama tiga dasawarsa, mulai dari Perang Rawa di Sungai Ujong, Perang Pahang, Perang Kelang sampai ke Perang Perak, yang sudahnya mengantar Pax Britannica. New Hardback. First Edition 286 pages with several black and white plates, a bibliography and an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - History (20th Century)
An interesting little book that gives an insight into life in Malaya a decade after the end of World War II when it was on the brink of independence. The book is based on a series of radio talks given by the author explaining from what made Malaya tick, 'explaining those things which go on quietly' that make up national life, but the reader may know little about. Topics include local and national government, the law, trade, agriculture, sport etc. Good Soft back. Second Edition. 160 pages with several black and white plates
A fascinating study of the formation of Malaysia demonstrating that it's only rationale was to serve the interests of Britain trying to dump its colonial obligations and the interests of the leaders of Malaysia and Singapore. The interests of the inhabitants of present day Sabah and Sarawak barely came into the equation. The inside story of the messy negotiations between Malaysia and Singapore reveals why Singapore's membership of the federation was short lived. Near Fine Paperback. First Edition. 224 pages with some black and white photographs, a bibliography, chronology and index
Islam has been notable in the late 20th and early 21st centuries for being strident in its identification with both internal and external politics in many countries. Malaysia, being a predominantly Muslim country, has not escaped that trend. In this book Nair looks at how that coalition of religion and politics has affected Malaysia's external political agenda, particularly during the first premiership of Mahathir Mohamad. She also contrasts this 'right Islam', as she calls it, with the 'wrong Islam' of extremists. Very Good Hardback. First Edition 301 pages with a bibliography and index.
In this wide ranging book, written at the time of the formation of Malaysia, McKie not only describes the different peoples and histories that were about to be coalesced into one nation, but also presents the reader with pen pictures of some of the main political and cultural personalities of the time. He ends up by questioning whether such disparate forces can ever really find a way of accommodating each other. There is also a chapter on the odd man out, Brunei. Very Good Hardback. in a Good Dust Jacket. First Edition. 236 pages.
A past president of the Malaysian German Society Penang, who was also a well known history teacher, explains Malaysia's history from the return of the British after World War II to the appointment of Mahathir Muhammad as the country's prime minister. The book is mainly written for non-Malaysians. Good Paperback. First Edition. 127 pages.
A sketch of Malaysian history suitable as an introduction with many mainly black and white photos. Please see the scan of the contents page for further details. Near Fine Paperback First Edition
When one reads the works of British scholars of the imperial period describing the history and culture of the Malay community, one does not often gain the impression that the Malay peasantry were anything other than happy with their lot. However during the post independence period much scholarship has sought to bring to light what could be termed as "the people's history" of colonial rule. This work is a significant contribution to that body of scholarship gathering in all the threads of such scholarship so as to gain new insights. 237 pages with chapters on The Precolonial Period, The Emergence of Capitalism 1874 - 1920: Colonial State Expansion and the Peasant Village Community, The Emergence of Capitalism 1874-1920: Peasant Resistance, State Power and Rubber Cultivation, Colonial Capitalism Triumphant, Vicissitudes of Domination: The Japanese Occupation and the Postwar Years & Changes in Malay Villages 1945-1957. There are also Notes, a Bibliography, an Index, a map and three sets of tables Good Hardback
The noted jurist and a member of three generations of a Singapore family, recalls the Singapore and the peninsula of the 1930s with a series of anecdotes and vignettes. Good Hardback. Reprint. Originally published in 1934 205 pages. with 39 illustrations Please see the scan of the contents page for further details.
Malaysia & Singapore - Humour
In this revised and expanded second edition, the author updates her amusing and insightful collection of articles on life in Malaysia at the beginning of the 21st century. The book starts with a few chapters on Manglish, Malaysian English, and then moves onto both enjoyable and annoying aspects of daily living, some reflections on snapshots of history and much else that makes the book a light, but worthwhile, introduction to the country. Very Good Paperback Revised Edition 274 pages
The author, a former principal of St. George's School, Penang had a hobby in publishing a variety of light hearted books. This is another one designed to improve one's English at the same time as being humourous. It is an anthology of quotes snatched from literature, newspapers, text books etc. Very Good Paperback. 125 pages.
A collection of humourous essays in Malay. Good Paperback. First Edition. 110 pages with some black and white plates.
Malaysia & Singapore - Indian Community & Culture
Sebagai satu daripada kumpulan utama dalam masyarakat di Malaysia, orang India mempunyai jaluran sejarah yang panjand dan cukup unik dalam konteks perkembangan negara ini. Walau bagaimanapun, sehingga kini tidak banyak kajian masyarakat yang terdiri daripada berbagai-bagai seperti masyarakat Tamil yang menjadi kelompok dominan dalam masyarakat India di Malaysia, mahupun kumpulan-kumpulan lain seperti Sikh, Ceti, Chettiar dan India Muslim. Buku ini memberikan perhatian bukan sahaka mengenai asal-usul kedatangan masyarakat India, namun lebih penting lagi berbagai-bagai rupa bentuk transformasi ekonomi, sosial dan politik yang berlaku kepada masyarakat ini sejak sekurang-kurangnya abad ke-19 hingga abad ke-20. Very Good Paperback First Edition. 276 pages.
The research that made this book possible was for a study of how religious practice and belief was changing in various Singapore communities. The authors particularly wanted to determine the extent to which Singapore' rapid development and emphasis on multiculturalism had affected various aspects of the Indian community's identity. Near Fine Paperback. Second Edition 184 pages with a glossary and bibliography.
Johor
A distinguished historian of Malaysia and Singapore uses archival research and field work to tell the story of how Johor was transformed from jungle into one of Malaysia's economic centres. She also charts the significant role played by the state in Malaysia's emergence to independence. 240 pages with many black and white pictures. For further details, please see the scanned contents page.New Hardback in a New Dust Jacket. Reprint. Originally published in 2009
Kelantan
The author examines the effects of independence on running of the civil service in Kelantan and the particular issues raised by the state being governed by a party in opposition to the ruling party of the federal government. He also looks at the effect of the decision to abolish elected local government and provides a framework to compare Kelantan's experience with other post-colonial societies. Very Good Hardback. First Edition. 122 pages with a bibliography, index and a map.
Malaysia & Singapore - Language & Linguistics
An interesting study by a linguist on the use of languages, English and Malay, in Malaysian courts. While lawyers need to be proficient in both languages on qualification, Powell wonders whether justice would not be better served if there was a more concerted move towards a monolingual Malay language system. The research was carried out in courts, at various levels, in the Kuala Lumpur area. 98 pages.
Over the course of time English, like any other language, develops new features and retains anachronisms than may be unintelligible to English speakers elsewhere. In this study the author demonstrates the feature of the Singapore version of the language, often called Singlish, looking at pronunciation, morphology and grammar, word usage and discourse patterns. The book includes a transcript of the data used. Very Good Paperback. Reprint. Originally published in 2007.
The book not only includes essays, but letter writing as well. Very Good Paperback. First Edition. 129 pages.
A book intended for teaching Mandarin in schools in Malaya. Produced by the Government Language School. Good Hardback. First Edition. 199 pages plus an additional 28 pages of vocabulary.
Malaysia & Singapore - Malay Community & Culture
Dr. Djamour's widely praised study was based on two years field work, both within Singapore city and in a Malay fishing village. Her study unearths the vulnerable state of marriage within the community, attempts to assess its causes and dwells on lessons for the wider community. Very Good First Edition in a Fair Dust Jacket 151 pages with an index.
A general introduction to Malay customs in the middle of the 20th century. The book is divided into two parts with the first devoted to general customs, including those concerning birth, marriage and death, while the remainder of the book is devoted to royal customs. Good Paperback. First Edition. 128 pages with 13 black and white plates.
The common view of Malay culture is that it is conservative, placing emphasis on courtesy, values and tradition. In this work the author, a senior lecturer in Malay studies at the time of writing, seeks to understand how Malay society and its beliefs fare in taking advantage of or resisting economic development. He also looks at the values and beliefs of other societies with which the Malay community is most frequently in contact. Fine Hardback First Edition 319 pages. For further details, please see the scanned contents page.
Malaysia & Singapore - Media & Journalism
Filling a gap in Singapore's history, Lee Geok Boi concentrates on the history of the printing press for the city's first 140 years. Thanks to Christian missionary zeal, the first press was established within six months of Raffles' arrival. For many years missionary presses dominated Singapore's publishing scene taking on a wide range of secular publishing in many languages as well. Very Good Hardback in a Near Fine Dust Jacket First Edition 41 pages with an additional 100 pages of colour plates and a bibliography.
Both Malaysia and Singapore offer limited space for public discourse that questions the government in either country. This began to change with the advent of the internet this century where the consensus of the mainstream media was challenged. George, a noted public intellectual and journalist, examines a few of these upstart sites, looking at both their technology and journalistic style, to better understand their role in the relationship between the internet and the media. Good Paperback. 278 pages with a bibliography and an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - Miscellaneous
A professional hypnotist sets out to demonstrate how women in tired relationships can use hypnosis to reinvigorate their connection with their partner. The premise of the book appears to be rather sexist, but there you are. Very Good Paperback. First Edition. 255 pages.
Orang Asli/Indigenous People
An introduction to one of the last aboriginal groups of people in Malaysia. The author looks at their means of subsistence, kinship, housing arrangements and much else besides. He makes special mention of the nonviolent nature of the Semai culture. Good Paperback. 141 pages. with some black and white plates.
In this 176-page book the author recounts his travels by raft, boat and on foot through a hilly jungle areas of Kelantan. He gained a thorough knowledge of the area as an Assistant Protector of Aborigines for the Malayan Government. His concern about the disappearing lifestyle of the three main aborigine tribes, the Jakun, Senoi and Negritos are evident. Very Good Hardback in a Good Dust Jacket. Reprint
Malaysia & Singapore - Peranakan/Straits Chinese
Although there is an ever increasing range of books on the dress, architecture, furniture, silver and much else of the Babas and Nyonya/Straits Chinese there's little published about how this mixed Chinese/Malay group amused themselves. Chee has remedied this by bringing together a wide selection of their traditional songs (with musical scores) and poetry. All of the contributions have English translations. The book also contains short pieces on Peranakan culture and an ample selection of photographs. This fourth edition includes many new poems, songs and colour photographs together with other amendments to the earlier editions. 156 pages with a CD included
Khoo, curator of the Asian Art Museum in Kuala Lumpur when she wrote this book, was an art historian by training and a Peranakan, or Straits Chinese, by birth. However, this book is not just another collection of beautiful photographs of museum pieces. Those coloured plates are there, but the book is far more all embracing, looking at the history and every aspect of this people who were vital to the development of Southeast Asia as it is today. It was the first comprehensive review of its kind when published and still stands the test of time today. 288 pages with the following Chapters - 1 - The Straits Chinese, 2 - Religion, Customs & Festivals, 3 - Everyday Life, 4 - Architecture, 5 - The Arts, Epilogue: The Straits Chinese today. There is also a bibliography, glossary and index. Near Fine Hardback in a Near Fine Dust Jacket First Edition
Perlis
A biography of the late Raja of Perlis, published to celebrate his golden jubilee. At the time of his death in 2000, he was the longest reigning monarch in the world. The author was the raja's daughter in law. The text is in Bahasa Malaysia and English Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition.
Malaysia & Singapore - Poetry
A collection of Malaysian poetry in English edited by the West Indian poet who taught at the University of Malaya in the 1960s. Good paperback. First edition. 82 pages.
Malaysia & Singapore - Politics
This work essentially brings up to date, in a more manageable form, the author's mammoth Islam Embedded, written a decade earlier. He traces Malaysia's very influential Islamist party's many transformations from being a leftist anti-colonial party at the time of its founding, to being a more doctrinaire conservative party and into what is now, a more democratic group ready to enter coalitions with others so as to gain power. 260 pages with a bibliography and an index.
Ramachandran, a regular newspaper columnist in Malaysia, looks back at the decade from 1995 to 2005 in the country. She covers issues such as education, politics, science and women's place in society looking at the successes and what could have gone better. New Paperback. First Edition 244 pages.
A collection of articles, originally published in the international media, analysing the results of Malaysia's 2008 general elections, which saw Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, suffering its worst result since independence some 50 years earlier. Good Paperback. First Edition. 272 pages.
This book is a continuing response of The Nut Graph website to a Government party politician smarting after the significant loss of Government seats at Malaysia's 2008 parliamentary election. He referred to non-Malay Malaysians as "pendatang" or "squatters." So the website set out to interview a wide cross-sections of Malaysians, mainly Malay, to ask them about their ancestry. Maybe some of them were pendatang too!. Their conclusion was that it's "ludicrous" to try to claim that the country belongs to one racial group rather than another. This 256 page book explains why through the stories of a wide selection of Malaysians born between the 1930s and 1980s. Amongst the more than 50 contributors there are exclusive interviews with Lim Keng Yaik, Yasmin Yusuff, Yuna & Meera Samanther.
A collection of sharp and trenchant commentaries on the current Malaysian political scene by a leading Malaysian playwright and part-time journalist. Also included in the book are a couple of excerpts from his plays, the transcript of an interview with him and reviews of his previous book, 'No More Bullshit, Please. We're All Malaysians. 277 pages.
A collection of Johns' regular columns for the online new portal Malaysiakini. Although an Australian, he quickly built up a reputation as an astute, sharp and humourous commentator on the Malaysian political scene. A particular target was the Barisan Nasional (BN), Malaysia's ruling party at the time of publication. The preface to this book contains a damning indictment of BN's activities. Near Fine paperback. First Edition. 153 pages.
A collection of articles from an academic who was actively pursued his interests in politics and literature during his career. The collection is divided into the following sections - I - Realpolitik and Communalism, II - Failed Nationalism and the New Malay, III - Education and Society & IV - Media and Culture. With an introduction by Clive Kessler. New Paperback 179 pages.
This revised and expanded edition, to include the 14th General Election, consists of the essays by four leading international academics with a long experience of studying Malaysian politics and a foreword by Saifuddin Abdullah, a former UMNO Supreme Council Member, from the original edition. The same four academics have added four new essays and there is a new foreword by by veteran UMNO leader, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. The contributors attempt to understand what has brought about the party's waning influence and how it will manage its future. 396 pages.
Although M Ghazali Shafie was only appointed as foreign minister for Malaysia in 1981, he had a long interest in the country's external relations, having been appointed as High Commissioner to India some 30 years earlier at the time of independence. This collection of his speeches covers the period from 1954 to 1980. Good Paperback. First Edition. 328 pages with an index.
Malaysia & Singapore - Race Relations
The banning of a book or, as in this case, the threat of banning can never be bad for sales. As a result one of the most important works on Malaysian post-independence history has been republished. The significance of the book is that through use of British documents, declassified under the 30 year rule, the author has been able to overturn the myth that the riots were spontaneous. Instead the author postulates that they were the result of darker political maneuverings within the governing party. 152 pages. The Chapters include - 1 - The Alliance Racial Formula, 2 - The 1969 General Elections, 3 - Record of The Riots, 4 - Foreign Assessments of The Regime Change, 5 - The New Malay Ruling Class. There are also notes and a selected bibliography. New paperback. Reprint Originally published in 2007
Having grown up in postcolonial Malaysia herself, the author has put that experience in the wider context of an academic study to determine how other women fared in this changing environment. She gathered data through interviews and questionnaires over a long period to analyse the common and disparate experiences of young women from all communities. One particular feature that played into most respondents' experiences was the effects of Government affirmative action programmers. New Paperback. 212 pages with a bibliography and an index.
The author seeks to demonstrate how colonial policies were easily transformed into communalist policies following independence. Basing his work on previously unpublished British colonial records, he moves on to look at how political processes are manipulated by capital and class in 'nominally independent countries.' Very Good Paperback. First Edition 230 pages including notes, a bibliography and an index.
Selangor
This study of local government in rural Selangor was part of a wider international study comparing the performance of such institutions in stimulating rural growth. The study looks at the interplay between local and national government, local administration, farmers' associations and other rural local institutions and the extent to which these relationships hinder or improve local development. Very Good Hardback. 102 pages.
Malaysia & Singapore - World War II
Singapore is a prosperous and blessed island but it is threatened by the Japanese army. For the crew the trawler, Grey Seal, Singapore appears like a ticking time bomb with few aircraft or trained troops. They enjoyed themselves but they know the fun could not last. The Japanese army strikes and Grey Seal is galvanised into action Good Paperback 307 pages. Weight
Percival, very often cited as the scapegoat for the rapid British capitulation to the Japanese, gives his full and comprehensive account of why he and the 85,000 troops under his command couldn't cope. 336 pages. Please see the scan of the contents page for further details.
A biography of the British commander whose lot it was to surrender Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942. Kinvig traces Percival's career from the First World War right through to his life after he was released from Japanese captivity. The book is a vindication of Percival's role and a critical examination of the part played by Churchill in Singapore's downfall. Very Good Hardback in a Fine Dust Jacket 278 pages.
An account by a journalist of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942 based on interviews with survivors and documentary records. 186 pages with a bibliography and index. Good Paperback
Asia
En Route to Mecca: Pilgrims' Voices Throughout the Centuries - Nurul Iman Rusli & Zulkifli Ishak RM90
A collection of writings of different pilgrims' experiences in completing the Hajj. The first section of the book is in English and the second section in Bahasa Malaysia. New Hardback. First Edition. 168 pages with many photographs.
A catalogue of a combined exhibition of samples of Arabic calligraphy in the collections of the British Museum and the Islamic Arts Museum. A lavishly produced book with many colour photos of the items on display. Please see the scan of the contents page for further details. New Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket 231 pages.
This book was published to accompany an exhibition at the Museum in 2005. Please see the scan of the contents page for further details. New Hardback. First Edition 237 pages.
A catalogue produced in connection with an exhibition demonstrating the influence of Islamic Art on Western culture through the ages. The collection is presented in three chronological chapters namely, East and West: Estrangement and a Wary Welcome, the Golden Age of Orientalism and The End of the Romance analysing the history of the interaction. New Paperback. First Edition. 237 pages with many colour plates.
Various contributors give their accounts of the visits of Henri Mouhot and Francis Garnier to parts of Indo China. of JG Scott to Burma and Robert Burns, Carl Bock and AW Nieuwenhuis to parts of Borneo and the Malay Archipelago. Near Fine Paperback. First Edition 280 pages.
As a means of introducing the visitor to the museum's jewelry collection, this book look at the significance of jewellery in an Islamic context, the techniques employed in their creation, pre-Islamic influences and finally the Museum's collection itself. New Paperback. First Edition 79 pages with a bibliography and many colour photographs.
Ikat is a resist dyeing technique, where the dye is released onto the yarn in stages, that is prevalent in many textile producing communities. This book is a catalogue accompanying an exhibition of ikats from Central Asia, which were traditionally on silk and whose production flourished particularly at the end of the 19th century. The Central Asian ikats are particularly well known for their profusion of colour and varied motifs. Apart from detailing the exhibits, the book explains the significance of ikats in Central Asian society and the different techniques employed in their production. As New Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition. 192 pages with a bibliography and many colour photographs.
This book seeks to challenge the commonly held perception that women in Islam have not had and do not have a significant role to play in Islamic society. This is done through highlighting the lives of significant Muslim women from the time of the Prophet Mohammed's first wife, Khadijah, onwards to the present day and presenting artifacts associated with them or their time in an exhibition, for which this book was a catalogue. New Hardback. First Edition. 117 pages with several colour photographs and a bibliography.
This account of the life of prisoners of war under the Japanese is based on a series of letters that Australian Cecil Dickson wrote to his wife as he was waiting for their reunion following his release at the end of World War II. They not only look back at his time as a prisoner, but present a matter of fact account of how he was adjusting to his freedom and preparing to go home. The book also includes some photographs taken secretly depicting life in a Japanese concentration camp. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition 179 pages with an index and some black and white photographs.
Although far from being a socialist movement itself, the Japanese takeover of Southeast Asia in the World War demonstrated to other Asians that the European colonialists were not invincible. This realisation was a spur for independence movements, most of which were socialist in character. In this book the authors assess these nascent movements which to a great extent shaped Southeast Asia's future for at least the following two decades. Good Hardback. First Edition. 298 pages with an index.
A catalogue of examples of calligraphy from the sixteenth to the nineteen century shown at a 2005 exhibition at the museum. The book serves also as a monograph on Persian calligraphy using many colour illustrations to compliment the text. New Hardback. First Edition 181 pages. For further details please see the scanned contents page.
A catalogue that accompanied an exhibition at the museum. The book covers traditional tents of Muslim peoples in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Central Asian Steppe and Iran Turkey and Moghul India. There is also a chapter on tent furnishings. Near Fine Hardback. First Edition. 133 pages with a bibliography and many colour illustrations.
The story of a marriage between a dyed-in-the-wool Anglo-Saxon forign correspndent and a proud Chinese woman who happened to fall in love and stay married for more than 40 years. Each of them take turns to write parts of the book showing how very difficult it is to understand another's culture, but also how, if you try hard enough, how the rewards keep coming. Good Paperback 252 pages.
For the first time, Barbara Harrisson has produced a comprehensive study of jars, usually of 30 cm or more in height, found in Borneo. Most have now found homes in museums there. Few were actually produced in Borneo, but brought there by traders and settlers. Near Fine Hardback in a Fine Dust Jacket. First Edition. 55 pages plus an additional 32 colour plates, more than 100 black and white plates and line drawings and an index.
Articles include - Qur'ān 2:114 and Jerusalem - Suliman Bashear; The diminutives in the dīwān of Ibn Quzmān: a product of their Hispanic milieu? - J. A Abu-Haidar; New studies on the verbal system of Old and Middle Iranian - Nicholas Sims-Williams; Al-Bīrūnī's Arabic version of Patañjali's Yogasūtra: a translation of the fourth chapter and a comparison with related texts - Shlomo Pines, Tuvia Gelblum; The shrine of Imām-i Kalān in Sar-i Pul, Afghanistan - Mehrdad Shokoohy; Verb agreement in Proto-Tibeto-Burman - Scott DeLancey. Near Fine Paperback 198 pages First Edition
China
This major work is a revised and enlarged edition of the late Wolfgang Franke's An Introduction to the Sources of Ming History (1968). Liew-Herres, who reviews more than 2,500 texts, includes many works overlooked or inaccessible to Franke. Where works have been translated from Chinese into other languages, these are noted. The 1289 pages breaks the annotated texts into seven sections in the first volume dealing principally with aspects of history, biography and politics. The second volume contains chapters on foreign affairs and military organisation, geography, economics and technology. There are also indices of the authors and titles, a glossary and a bibliography. . New Hardbacks. First Edition
A detailed review of how Chinese medicine is practiced and of the reasoning behind the different methods used. Near Fine Paperback. Reprint. 191 pages including an index.
A series of essays looking at Chinese ways of 'modernising'. Professor Wang points out that often the trends are set by others with the expectation that Chinese, both in China and in the Diaspora, have to catch up, which often re-emphasises their otherness. Nevertheless this book shows the many ways in which Chinese have successfully transformed themselves as they seize opportunities for change. Near Fine. Paperback. First Edition. 159 pages with an index
Snuff bottles started being used in the imperial court in China from the 17th century onwards. They were made from a wide selection of materials including porcelain, enamel, metal and wood, amongst others. This book documents a selection from the author's collection and includes information on the origin, provenance, material, manufacture, design style and symbolism of the pieces. As New. Hardback in an As New Dust Jacket and As New Slipcase. 416 pages with a bibliography and many colour illustrations.
This two volume work sets out to cover the history of Chinese works of art. Volume I is devoted to calligraphy and painting while Volume II is devoted to everything else including bronze, ceramics and sculpture. Very Good Hardbacks in Very Good Dust Jackets. 233 and 224 pages with many colour and a few black and white plates.
A catalogue of oriental ceramics, mainly Chinese, loan from The Topkapi Museum for an exhibition held in Tokyo. With text in English and Japanese. Near Fine Paperback. First Edition unpaginated with 75 colour plates.
Chinese export ceramics are highly valued and collectable. This beautiful book tells the story of Chinese ceramics exported to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia from the 14th to the 19th centuries through the V&A's extensive and celebrated collection. It illustrates the extraordinary range of styles and decorative patterns, the integration of European and Middle Eastern shapes and designs, and the circulation and uses of exported objects around the world. Superb new photography reveals over 200 stunning pieces ranging from bowls, pitchers, and vases, to statuary and much more. New Hardback.in New Dust Jacket First Edition.
China was traditionally a predominantly agricultural society so it is not surprising that most Chinese festivals have links to important regular events in agricultural life. In this book the author explains the significance of and the rituals attached to the major Chinese festivals which are still celebrated in China and amongst the Chinese diaspora today. New Paperback First English Language Edition. 139 pages with some black and white photographs
India
This book is a wide ranging anthology of Tamil poetry which have been translated into English to gain a wider audience. The poetry is divided into different periods of time from the Sangam classics through to the 20th century. The poetry demonstrates the rich wisdom and beauty found in the Tamil language. 316 pages with a glossary and an index.
Forbes, who had been with the Indian Army in India during the war, returns to the country as a journalist to try to make sense of the place for a Western audience. He finds the people hard to fathom, but the countryside a blessing. Good Hardback in a Good Dust Jacket. First Edition. 205 pages with an index and some black and white plates.
Indonesia
Aceh and North Sumatra have the double distinction of being both one of the few places in the Archipelago that were left virtually untouched by Indian influence in pre-Islamic times and also of being an important base for Arab and Indian traders who, inter alia, initiated the spread of Islam in the area. That history of independence meant it was one of the last areas over which the Dutch were able to exert their control. Here, in a recently revised edition of his 1989 work, Anthony Reid, traces the history of increasing Dutch influence and the efforts of the British, based in the Straits Settlements, to thwart it. 288 pages with a bibliography, index, maps, tables and some black and white photographs. New Paperback Revised edition
Before the British East India Company established their East Asian bases on the Malayan peninsula they dabbled in Indonesia mainly for the purpose of sourcing pepper for Europe. Here we have an account of the Company's trials and tribulations at their Benculen base in West Sumatra. Very Good Hardback in a Very Good Dust Jacket. First Edition 270 pages including a glossary, appendices with trade statistics, a bibliography, two maps and an index.
Sri Lanka
A history of Sri Lanka that doubles as a guide book to the island. Fair Hardback. Reprint. Originally published in 1950. 460 pages with a bibliography, index and 33 black and white plates.
Thailand
An examination of how Thailand was transformed from the world's fastest growing economy into a country in economic turmoil following the 1997 crash. The authors look at the political and social impacts of this upheaval as well. Very Good Paperback. 367 pages.
Vietnam
This is a revised version of Tuttle's Essential English-Vietnamese Dictionary. This version claimed to be the most up-to-date and complete English-Vietnamese dictionary available at the time of publication. Very Good Paperback. 367 pages.
Xtras
A complete pictorial guide to the several varieties of cichlids indicating their places of origin. Volume one is in Chinese, English and German and Volume 2 is in these three languages and Japanese Very Good Hardbacks 206 and 311 pages with colour illustrations of each species, a bibliography and indices. Vol. 1 ISBN: 9780964505803 Vol. 2 ISBN: 9780964505810