The Palaung in Northern Thailand - Softcover

Howard, Michael; Wattanapun, Wattana

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9748832511 ISBN 13: 9789748832517

Publisher: Silkworm Books, 2002

Synopsis

Today over 2000 Palaung--a group of mountain peoples speaking Mon-Khmer--live in a handful of villages north of Chiang Mai in Thailand. They fled from Burma in the 1980s to escape the fighting between communist insurgents and Burmese army troops. Though granted sanctuary, in the late 1990s many of the Palaung in Thailand found themselves involved in a new conflict over land use in northern Thailand’s environmentally degraded highlands.

This is the first book written on the Palaung in Thailand, a compelling collaborative effort by anthropologist Michael Howard and Thai artist Wattana Wattanapun. They introduce the Palaung culture and way of life, telling the story of the Palaung’s flight from Burma and settlement in Thailand. Howard's photographs and Wattana's drawings enliven the account.

About this title

About the Author:

HISASI

Review:

"In this lyrical work, theoretical physicist Zee steps outside his specialty to write about his true loves - Chinese cooking, language, and culture. Zee's format is elegant: he takes a common food on the menu of any Chinese-American restaurant, explicates the Chinese characters designating the food, and relates charming anecdotes and history associated with the food. 'Swallowing Clouds,' for instance, refers to two written characters in Chinese that designate wonton; in Old China, Zee explains, clouds of steam billowed up from the pot of broth carried on the end of a bamboo pole by street peddlers of wonton soup." - Kirkus Reviews "Charming... a study of the very nature of Chinese culture. Zee has a quirky, personal style that draws the reader in." - Anne Tyler, Washington Post Book World "The most delightful food book of the year, Swallowing Clouds is a happy blending of instruction and amusement in the language, culture, and cuisine of China." - Minneapolis Star-Tribune "One of the most interesting and unique books on Chinese food.... Family anecdotes, folklore, and good sketches help the author present a new understanding and meaning behind this rich and complex cuisine." - Christian Science Monitor "A truly delightful literary compendium of wit, wisdom, and how-to.... Zee provides the amateur linguist with enough clues to demystify the pictographs and history associated with such exotic dishes as 'Woman Song's Fish Broth' and 'Buddha Jumping Over the Wall."' - Newsday

About this edition

• Publisher: Silkworm Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 9748832511
• ISBN 13: 9789748832517
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 117