Providing insights into this neglected Southeast Asian city; this interesting book interprets Vientianersquo;s landscape - physical as well as imagined - as a reflection of key aspects of Lao geo-political history; the nature of Lao urbanism; and its critical relation to constructions of Lao identity in the contemporary period. It is argued that the patterns of change seen through Vientianersquo;s past embody the key political and economic processes and transformations impacting on the people of Laos. The Lao urban past has rarely been an object of attention by scholars. Laos; in fact; is continually portrayed as a rural backwater; marginal to the dynamic trends affecting most of the Southeast Asian mainland. In contrast to these persistent and static portrayals of Laos as a tiny landlocked backwater; with no significant urban present or past; the authors aim to document; explain and evaluate the significance of the Lao urban landscape. Focusing on the theme of Vientianersquo;s lsquo;marginalityrsquo; in its various forms; the book interprets this apparent marginality as an historically-produced phenomenon resulting from geo-politics dating from the pre-colonial period and extending into the post-colonial period. Drawing on a wide range of research materials; Vientiane is the first work of its kind on this ignored city.
#3004799 in eBooks 2006-12-07 2006-12-07File Name: B000SK5XCW
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Pattie MillerVery interesting to read; just havent had time to try any of the projects. Soon I hope.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent book for anyone who wants to decorate glassBy Carl E. BoxlerThis book is a mother lode of good information for anyone with an interest of engravingand decorating glass with any one of several methods. The only thing about it is that there are not enough pictures. The author goes into very detailed explanations but if there were pictures; those explanations would be even easier to understand.I would recommend the book for beginners of diamond tip engraving. The machine engraving and other decorating methods sections are a little less detailed but are excellent to get anyone started.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Advanced engravers onlyBy Kathleen KumarThe instructions for procedures were aimed at the experienced engraver. There were only photos of completed items not step by step. The description should say "not for beginners" I was looking for a step by step instructional book. There are no photos to speak of other than finished items and the book is just not motivational.