Indonesia (Cultures of the World)

Grade 4-8-Myriad facts and quality illustrations bring these countries to life. Chapters discuss geography, history, government, economy, and more. In addition to background material, much information on contemporary life is provided. Throughout both texts and in sidebars, the authors offer lots of interesting detail such as discussions in Indonesia of the 1883 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa or its unique Wallace Line that separates vastly different zones of flora and fauna. In Myanmar, folk beliefs such as the caution that one should not have "a haircut on Monday, Friday, or on one's birthday" will pique interest. In both volumes, the inclusion of the phonetic pronunciations of many of the foreign words is particularly useful. Recipes that use easily acquired ingredients are also included. Appealing, full-color photos, reproductions, and drawings (at least one to a page); and political, economic, and cultural maps accompany the texts. Informative time lines that note Indonesian and Myanmar events in relation to world events through 2001 add a completeness to these books. Worthy additions to any library.
Alida F. Given, Fairhope Intermediate School, AL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. Indonesia has faced drastic upheaval in the past few years, so libraries will want to be alert for updated material. This edition of a book first published in 1990 brings the political and economic history up-to-date and uses the most recent figures for population and other numbers. The pictures are lush, with captions in tiny print offering much additional information. The text is written smoothly and readably, and it contains a substantial amount of information. The authors try to have it both ways, first cautioning against stereotyping, then proceeding to stereotype the many different ethnic groups (although such an approach may be the only way to give a sense of the country's variety). Like other entries in the Cultures of the World series, this one has a glossary and a time line. It also has a very dated bibliography. Susan Dove Lempke
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