No comments about On the Cusp of an Era (Brill's Inner Asian Library).

No comments about Christian symbols, ancient & modern: A handbook for students.

3 comments about Ramayana: A Tale of Gods and Demons (Art of Devotion).

1. An easy way to be introduced to the Ramayana epic. Right to the point! I would still advise after this introduction purchasing a more detailed version of this story. Great fun read!



2. Ramayana - A tale of Gods and Demons by Ranchor Prime is a colorfully produced, beautifully illustrated and well printed book. It was originally published as a full color bigger art book. The present Mandala Classic edition is also eye catching. The cover depicts Hanuman, the Monkey God and the servant, devotee and friend of Sri Rama. Hanuman looks charming indeed on the cover and I was thus attracted to take up the book ahead of the que of books awaiting review. The inner pages too are well printed. The illustrations by Shri BG Sharma are really appealing and add visual value to the well-printed book.
   
   Tha story of Rama is now fairly well known, but bears repetition and retelling again and again. Ranchor Prime followed a particular translation of Valmiki's Ramayana. His narration is good. A few incidents as depicted in this book appeared odd to the reviewer who read different versions. One example is that the queens of King Dasaratha received Dasaratha and his party on return from Mithila with Sita. Another example is that Ravana is depicted as dragging Sita by her hair to his chariot. The story which the reviewer read is different, wherein Ravana doesn't even touch Sita but makes her swoon by showing his frightening form and then lifts her up indirectly by digging up the earth surrounding her body. The reason was that Ravana was cursed by another beautiful woman Vedavati that he will die if he ever touches a woman against her wish.
   
   There are a few more similar differences in the story, but in general, the story is well told. One important omission is the story regarding Aditya Hridayam, the Heart of Sun, a glorious hymn in praise of Sun God, told to Rama by Sage Agastya. Ravana's death was certainly felicitated by Sun God's blessings of Rama's efforts. Aditya Hridayam is one of the most beautiful hymns of Valmiki Ramayan and is chanted daily by lakhs of devotees.
   
   This book will be a good read for children and adults who are interested in Hindu mythology.
   
   Note: Swamy is part of my name and I am not a Sanyasi (monk), though I do have spiritual leanings and devotion to Sri Rama, God in human form. I am married and am employed full time.



3. Very beautifully and tastefully done. This book tells an age old story with UNBELIEVABLE portraits. A must have for any one interested in Hinduism and want an easy read with beautiful and engaging images.

No comments about The Art of Prophecy.

1 comments about The Mandala.

1. Martin Brauen's The Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism, translated from the German by Martin Wilson . There have been 3 or 4 other books on the subject to my knowledge, but this is by far the most extensive. Prefaced by remarks from H.H. Dalai Lama and focussing mainly on the Kalachakra tradition, it gives examples from other teachings, too. It provides a complete explanation of the mandala in tangka form, in architectural structures such as various stupas and monasteries, as well as the mandala offered in preliminary tantric practice. Besides scroll paintings and the familiar sand-painting forms, we see a delightful 3-dimensional zhi kro carved model among the many beautiful photographs and illustrations. Brauen reveals in detail the Buddhist cosmogony and Hindu mythology that is the foundation for mandalas and the deities that dwell in them.

   An extensive researcher with profound understanding, the jacket reveals that Professor Brauen, who is chairman of the Department of Tibet, Himalayas and Far East at the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich, Switzerland is currently working on a computer animation of the Kalachakra cosmos.

No comments about Papal Art and Cultural Politics: Rome in the Age of Clement XI.

2 comments about The Celtic Cross: An Illustrated History and Celebration.

1. The religion and lore of the Celts had a tremendous impact on the development of Western spiritual thought. Today, Celtic knots, animals, and other figures are experiencing a new popularity. "The Celtic Cross" is a lovely, well researched volume that describes the art carved upon the stone crosses scattered across northern Europe, especially the British Isles. The iconography and other symbolism, the development of the art form, and the spiritual meaning are all discussed in some depth. The photos are terrific, and a list of place to see crosses in situ or in museums is also included, should you wish to see a few in person.



2. A really lovely book to own with gorgeous photographs and a text that is as interesting as it is informative.

   Highly recommended.

3 comments about Tibetan Rescue: The Extraordinary Quest to Save the Sacred Art Treasures of Tibet.

1. I highly recommend this book. Clearly, it will resonate
   with anyone who has ever been to Tibet, but even more so,
   with those who care about the Dharma and about the
   treasures associated with it. The book is well written,
   balanced -- a marvelously crafted tale of adventure and
   caring.



2. Normally, art conservation is not high on my list of exciting subjects to read about. Pamela Logan has changed my mind. This personal and dramatic story about her commitment to the preservation of a small, remote monastery in the Tibetan region of Kham is unique. Interwoven with short paragraphs on the Buddhist interpretation of the major paintings that "protect" the temple, she tells us a story of how a small group of dedicated "experts", led by a woman who would not give up, and accompanied by an eclectic band of monks, government overseers, and trainees gave new life to the ancient murals of a monastery that were almost forgotten. Filled with the challenges of bringing technical expertise to a remote region where much needed materials are brought in on the backs of horses and supplies mysteriously disappear, the book inspires, entertains, and educates. There are very few books about the mysterious land of Kham. Logan once again takes us there and gives life to a people and a place that few of us will see, but all of us will remember. I give it five stars.



3. This book is about an enormous effort by someone who has devoted many years in helping Tibetans in the eastern part of Tibet called Kham. She is Pamela Logan, who could easily have enjoyed a comfortable life with her Ph.D degree in physics, but chose to spend many months per year in her cause, including disaster relief, schooling of rural children, bringing wheelchairs to remote villges, and restoration of Tibetan Art. This book is about the challenges in restoring art in a remote area where travel had to be done by horseback and supplies are very limited, not to mention the bureaucratic problems with the officials.

   It's a fascinating book for anyone interested in that part of Tibet, and not just about the art, but about the daily life of Khampa Tibetans, and the land. The author also included some history of that area . There are very few books about this part of the world, which was opened up for foreigners travel only since 2000. I myself travelled there that year and the trip was an eye-opener.

   The author's writing is easy to read, even when it comes to technical things about the preservation of murals. If there is anything I have to wish for better, it would probably be that some of the photos are not as clear as it can be, but that just demonstrated one of the challenges the author had to deal with. She did not even have freedom to document the restoration project. Many of her films were confiscated by the police for the silliest of reasons.

No comments about The Wisdom of Mary Magdalene 2008 Calendar.

No comments about Rembrandt's Life of Christ.