LET'S get this straight at the outset - this is not based on a true story. It is a series of experiences by an American who went to Nepal for an adventure.
Frederick Lenz has admitted that it is a work of fiction and hopes it will be entertaining to the reader.
Having said that, Lenz spins a tale of Eastern mysticism and Western pragmatism having a head-on collision. When a person has the advantage of youth, the world looks like a gigantic playground every morning when the sun peeks over the mountain or perhaps the highest skyscraper, as the case might be.
Lenz is very much in love with the snow and he's even crazier about snowboarding. What could be more challenging than to blaze trails on the snow - covered slopes of the Himalayas and then return home to brag about it.
That's exactly what the author had intended to do, but destiny had other plans for him. Lenz's life on the mountains would have been more or less the same as the thousands of foreign backpackers who throng the huts, chalets and hotels of Kathmandu, Nepal, if not for a saffron-colour robed monk named Master Fwap.
At this point, the reader (if old enough) may think that he has stumbled across another Lobsang Rampa clone. Fortunately, here's where Lenz starts to get serious.
Master Fwap is more than just a passing stranger in the night. The first time the writer met him, he nearly collided with him while snowboarding down a slope. Their second encounter began with Master Fwap saying "Our meeting was fated, and your karma caused it to happen."
Putting all his cards on the table, so to speak, the monk identified himself as Master Fwap Sam-Dup. He's the last master of the Rae Chorze-Fwaz School of Tantric Mysticism and Buddhist Enlightment. At this juncture, the reader is apt to exclaim: "Ah phooey, and my grandmother is Wonder Woman!"
Luckily, my initial reaction was to humour the writer. Lenz has a gift of spinning a yarn but it is a tale filled with infinite possibilities, just like an episode of Star Trek.
Master Fwap, after having established a vise-like grip on the snowboarder's attention, begins to educate him on siddhas (miracles), chakras (mystical energy centers in the human aura) and samadhi (state of emptiness).
A word of caution before proceeding to read further: this book is filled with a lot of spiritual mumbo-jumbo which those who are not so inclined may discover while ambling along the chapters to be disagreeable to their calm disposition.
But if, by chance, it has caught your interest, it does become terribly fascinating. Frederick Lenz is not an urban roustabout who just happens to also be a fine storyteller; his credentials speak volumes. Lenz is a Phi Beta Kappa and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Connecticut. His resume shows that he also has a PhD from the State University of New York.
However, the central character of Surfing the Himalayas is undoubtedly Master Fwap who constantly comes up with gems like "each person has a soul - an inner core of light and intelligence as vast as the 10 thousand worlds - whose true nature is emptiness, ecstasy and happiness" and "in deep meditation, when your thoughts have become silent, and your emotions are calm and at peace, you can travel into and experience the inner worlds and dimensions of light and perfection, and even experience nirvana itself."
It is not necessary that you be a Buddhist to enjoy this book. Your religious beliefs are your own but as someone once said: "A mind is like a parachute. It works best when it is open."
Hence, this book must be approached like so. Lenz's story is a splendid tale well-told. It is thoroughly enjoyable, captivating and packed with all that is wonderful and refreshing.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
One of the hottest TV shows right now is Desperate Housewives, but about 42 years ago, Betty Friedan wrote a book about the faceless desperate housewives in America.
The book was an overnight sensation. It brought relief to many silent women who had for a long time sensed that there was something wrong with their lives.
Social activist Friedan, who studied psychology in university, realised that "the problem with no name" was eating away at the lives of American housewives.
More than four decades later, the book remains a talking point among women. From it, emerged the frustrations, hidden desires and secret wishes of all women in the Land of Stars and Stripes.
This book zeroes in quickly on the heart of the feminine mystique - the issue of women's identity crisis. The accepted practice that American women's life ambition was to be a housewife and a good mother to her children. It was only when Friedan - a pioneer feminist - asked them to, that some women found the courage to express their inner pain.
The Feminine Mystique is the fruit of a questionnaire Friedan conducted among 200 college mates at her 15th college reunion. The survey revealed what had been obvious to Friedan and many other women of her time. Most American housewives were desperately unhappy.
Magazines rejected Friedan's findings and she spent the next five years delving more deeply into the subject. The result - this treatise that shook a nation and sent ripples across the world.
This book shows that Friedan had done her homework and legwork and her findings more than proved her case.
Friedan echoes the sentiments of other eminent feminists like Germaine Greer and Gloria Steinem. The bottom line, as Friedan says, is that women have been trapped in societal roles created by community leaders - usually men - since time immemorial. After eons of conditioning and practice, even the smart ones yielded to this conformity without question.
In the closing chapters, Friedan admitted that there are no easy answers to the problem. The only advice she offers is: "First, she must unequivocally say 'no' to the housewife image.
"Second, women must recognise marriage for what it really is. To see it as the final fulfilment of their lives would be a disastrous perception."
Generations later, it is revealed that Betty Friedan's book has helped change the lives of American women forever.
Women heads of government (or State) like Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka), Indira Gandhi (India), Golda Meir (Israel), Margaret Thatcher (Britain), Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh), Kim Campbell (Canada), Hanna Suchocka (Poland), Janet Jagan (Guyana), Helen Clark (New Zealand), Luisa Dias Diogo (Mozambique), Angela Merket (Germany) and others are testimony that women worldwide have made considerable progress since The Feminine Mystique first appeared.
On the negative side, the feminine mystique still exists in numerous forms - some subtle - in many countries. Depending on culture, tradition and the make-up of their society, many women's roles have remained the same for centuries.
Though Friedan was referring specifically to American women, it is undeniable that this is one of the most important books of its time for women all over the world. It holds an exalted position in the feminists' hall of fame.
This seminal work - which Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock, described as "the book that pulled the trigger on history" - still has much relevance. It carries the strong message that all women must be allowed to realise and maximise their fullest potential at every level of society.
The book was an overnight sensation. It brought relief to many silent women who had for a long time sensed that there was something wrong with their lives.
Social activist Friedan, who studied psychology in university, realised that "the problem with no name" was eating away at the lives of American housewives.
More than four decades later, the book remains a talking point among women. From it, emerged the frustrations, hidden desires and secret wishes of all women in the Land of Stars and Stripes.
This book zeroes in quickly on the heart of the feminine mystique - the issue of women's identity crisis. The accepted practice that American women's life ambition was to be a housewife and a good mother to her children. It was only when Friedan - a pioneer feminist - asked them to, that some women found the courage to express their inner pain.
The Feminine Mystique is the fruit of a questionnaire Friedan conducted among 200 college mates at her 15th college reunion. The survey revealed what had been obvious to Friedan and many other women of her time. Most American housewives were desperately unhappy.
Magazines rejected Friedan's findings and she spent the next five years delving more deeply into the subject. The result - this treatise that shook a nation and sent ripples across the world.
This book shows that Friedan had done her homework and legwork and her findings more than proved her case.
Friedan echoes the sentiments of other eminent feminists like Germaine Greer and Gloria Steinem. The bottom line, as Friedan says, is that women have been trapped in societal roles created by community leaders - usually men - since time immemorial. After eons of conditioning and practice, even the smart ones yielded to this conformity without question.
In the closing chapters, Friedan admitted that there are no easy answers to the problem. The only advice she offers is: "First, she must unequivocally say 'no' to the housewife image.
"Second, women must recognise marriage for what it really is. To see it as the final fulfilment of their lives would be a disastrous perception."
Generations later, it is revealed that Betty Friedan's book has helped change the lives of American women forever.
Women heads of government (or State) like Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka), Indira Gandhi (India), Golda Meir (Israel), Margaret Thatcher (Britain), Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh), Kim Campbell (Canada), Hanna Suchocka (Poland), Janet Jagan (Guyana), Helen Clark (New Zealand), Luisa Dias Diogo (Mozambique), Angela Merket (Germany) and others are testimony that women worldwide have made considerable progress since The Feminine Mystique first appeared.
On the negative side, the feminine mystique still exists in numerous forms - some subtle - in many countries. Depending on culture, tradition and the make-up of their society, many women's roles have remained the same for centuries.
Though Friedan was referring specifically to American women, it is undeniable that this is one of the most important books of its time for women all over the world. It holds an exalted position in the feminists' hall of fame.
This seminal work - which Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock, described as "the book that pulled the trigger on history" - still has much relevance. It carries the strong message that all women must be allowed to realise and maximise their fullest potential at every level of society.
The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer
NEVER make a brilliant woman angry. Someone obviously did because in
1970, Germaine Greer came out with a book entitled The Female Eunuch.
It was an overnight success. All the women who had always wanted to be
liberated fi nally found their icon. Those men who caught a glimpse of
Greer were aghast. "Who's this creature?" they asked.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1939, Greer was labelled as one of the
most powerful voices of feminism in the 20th century. Till today, this
professor of literature at Warwick University in Britain is a
controversial figure.
The Australian political journalist, Christine Wallace, who wrote a
biography of Germaine Greer described her as "hegemonic heterosexuality",
"anachronistic passivity", and "grooviness personifi ed".
In reply, Greer called her a "flesh-eating bacterium" and "dung-beetle".
This woman of socially-shocking proportions began her academic career back
in 1956 when she won a teaching scholarship. During her varsity years, she
acquired the nickname "Germainic Queer".
Life never became the same after she joined the Sydney Push, a bunch of
intellectual left-wingers who practised non-monogamy.
The six-footer Greer was a natural at academic pursuits as her peers
found out because, in 1963, she picked up an MA at the University of
Sydney.
Her sterling achievement gained her a Commonwealth scholarship that she
used to finance her PhD programme at the University of Cambridge. Five
years later, she accepted a lecturing post at the University of Warwick.
In The Female Eunuch, all the years of growing up as a woman restrained
by societal norms and restrictions allegedly created by man in general
manifested in expressions of anger and repressed frustrations.
Greer talks about the hostility of men towards women and how women were
conditioned to hate themselves from cradle to grave. She pounced on the
nuclear family system and suburban existence for enslaving women, thus
making them "eunuchs".
It was a most controversial conclusion reached by a feminist with a
brilliant academic background. The book triggered a runaway sale and, by
March 1971, it almost exhausted its second edition. Countries in other
parts of the developed world quickly took notice of The Female Eunuch and
it was soon published in eight languages.
In this landmark book, Greer's rallying cry was "subjugation". She
points an accusing fi nger at the Western concept of female sexuality
which she said made women ashamed of their bodies and sucked the joy of
life out of them. Any member of the male clan who has read this book will
be surprised that a woman can speak so frankly and in such strong terms.
The book is almost flamboyant in its intellectual rhetoric and nerve-
wrecking in its passionate arguments, especially to the men.
At best, Germaine Greer has done women worldwide a service by openly
revealing what have been their heart's deepest secrets but were socially
suppressed until it found expression in a proper avenue. At worst, she has
widened and deepened the misunderstanding between the roles of women and
men as cast by the Western society for centuries.
Today, the postulations and pronouncements of The Female Eunuch are no
longer an issue. Perhaps it is due to the groundwork laid down by
headstrong women like Greer and her admirers.
Whatever the personal opinions may be, this book was a wonderful read
three decades and five years ago, as it still is today. You may not agree
wholeheartedly with Greer but you certainly cannot help but admire her
intellectual depth and deep convictions.
A final recommendation: all women on the threshold of early adulthood
should spend some time with this book. All the young men, too, should read
it, if they want to be someone else's life partners of admirable social
intelligence and cheerful disposition.
1970, Germaine Greer came out with a book entitled The Female Eunuch.
It was an overnight success. All the women who had always wanted to be
liberated fi nally found their icon. Those men who caught a glimpse of
Greer were aghast. "Who's this creature?" they asked.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1939, Greer was labelled as one of the
most powerful voices of feminism in the 20th century. Till today, this
professor of literature at Warwick University in Britain is a
controversial figure.
The Australian political journalist, Christine Wallace, who wrote a
biography of Germaine Greer described her as "hegemonic heterosexuality",
"anachronistic passivity", and "grooviness personifi ed".
In reply, Greer called her a "flesh-eating bacterium" and "dung-beetle".
This woman of socially-shocking proportions began her academic career back
in 1956 when she won a teaching scholarship. During her varsity years, she
acquired the nickname "Germainic Queer".
Life never became the same after she joined the Sydney Push, a bunch of
intellectual left-wingers who practised non-monogamy.
The six-footer Greer was a natural at academic pursuits as her peers
found out because, in 1963, she picked up an MA at the University of
Sydney.
Her sterling achievement gained her a Commonwealth scholarship that she
used to finance her PhD programme at the University of Cambridge. Five
years later, she accepted a lecturing post at the University of Warwick.
In The Female Eunuch, all the years of growing up as a woman restrained
by societal norms and restrictions allegedly created by man in general
manifested in expressions of anger and repressed frustrations.
Greer talks about the hostility of men towards women and how women were
conditioned to hate themselves from cradle to grave. She pounced on the
nuclear family system and suburban existence for enslaving women, thus
making them "eunuchs".
It was a most controversial conclusion reached by a feminist with a
brilliant academic background. The book triggered a runaway sale and, by
March 1971, it almost exhausted its second edition. Countries in other
parts of the developed world quickly took notice of The Female Eunuch and
it was soon published in eight languages.
In this landmark book, Greer's rallying cry was "subjugation". She
points an accusing fi nger at the Western concept of female sexuality
which she said made women ashamed of their bodies and sucked the joy of
life out of them. Any member of the male clan who has read this book will
be surprised that a woman can speak so frankly and in such strong terms.
The book is almost flamboyant in its intellectual rhetoric and nerve-
wrecking in its passionate arguments, especially to the men.
At best, Germaine Greer has done women worldwide a service by openly
revealing what have been their heart's deepest secrets but were socially
suppressed until it found expression in a proper avenue. At worst, she has
widened and deepened the misunderstanding between the roles of women and
men as cast by the Western society for centuries.
Today, the postulations and pronouncements of The Female Eunuch are no
longer an issue. Perhaps it is due to the groundwork laid down by
headstrong women like Greer and her admirers.
Whatever the personal opinions may be, this book was a wonderful read
three decades and five years ago, as it still is today. You may not agree
wholeheartedly with Greer but you certainly cannot help but admire her
intellectual depth and deep convictions.
A final recommendation: all women on the threshold of early adulthood
should spend some time with this book. All the young men, too, should read
it, if they want to be someone else's life partners of admirable social
intelligence and cheerful disposition.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
SWEET SAVAGE LOVE by Rosemary Rogers
ROSEMARY ROGERS is labelled as Queen of Historical Romance. Her novels are not to be taken lightly, not by her devoted readers, that is. I happen to be one of her fans. Miss Rogers has left a deep impression on me many years ago as a woman who knows her characters and the historical tapestry of her tales.
Clearly, her novels reveal that she has done some fair measure of research into breathing an air of authenticity into her stories.
From the breathtaking splendour of Paris ballrooms to the dusty sands of Mexico, Ginny Brandon was to meet her match in passion and desire in the form of Steve Morgan. Together they set the stage for one of the greatest love stories ever told by Rosemary Rogers.
Ginny is the stunningly attractive daughter of an American senator and her paramour is Steve, a soldier of fortune, in modern day parlance, a mercenary. Steve and Ginny will fight each other's attraction in the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous circumstances that prevail in the wild, wild West before they come to terms with love's paramount objective.
Sweet Savage Love is a novel that unchains your heart and frees it from the confines of self-imposed emotional restrictions. From Rosemary's imagination, you are free to roam and ride on her roller-coaster bandwagon of passion. It is a wonderful journey of love's unchained melody that will continue to haunt you long after you have put down the book.
It compells you to look at all desirable women from a new perspective. You may curse the day you lift the book and place it before your eyes because you have been a born-again romantic. Sweet Savage Love makes you want to protect and be gentle to the fairer gender. It softens your demeanor and checks your untamed desires towards all women.
Rosemary Rogers lifts her readers up on to a pedestal that forces them to look at love with eyes anew. She gently assuages your mental agonies over unrequited love and weakens your desire to run away from love.
I put this novel right on top among the top 10 romance novels I have read. It is majestic in its presentation; magnificent in its proclamation of love everlasting and prophetic in predicting that there's no place to hide from true love.
Read it and weep with joy.
Your Destiny
Saturday, November 05, 2005
SHANNA by Kathleen Woodiwiss
I REMEMBER the romance novel Shanna like it was yesterday. I read it a long time ago but it put me on the path to reading more novel of such ilk that it make my growing years rather fun.
For a long time, I was exposed to reading Jane Austen, Bronte sisters, and Georgette Heyer. They were interesting, informative and for the first two, literary.
Then came along Miss Woodiss. Now, she could really spun a tale.
Shanna is about a young girl of 21 who practically ran into the arms of a handsome, rugged stranger named Ruark.
Woodiwiss writes with such passion that it inflamed my heart. And I always thought that it was an exclusive emotion of women. Shanna is simply one of the best romance books I have ever read.
I was quite shocked when I first read it to find out that it was really so good. The historical background and other details that accompanied the story were so finely interwoven into the story that they were seamless.
Kathleen Woodiwiss got enormous respect from me after that novel. I believe I still have that book in my bookshelf somewhere. I couldn't bear the thought of giving it away. Hey, that was practically my first romance novel and it opened up my eyes to romance.
Man seldom like to admit they are romantic. It is taken that the romantic feeling is kind of sissy. I couldn't be more wrong. I learnt that fact later in life.
Basically, the short is like this: In the year of our lord 1749, a beautiful, young woman by the name of Shanna Trehern ran away from home because she didn't agree to an arranged marriage.
That man whom she was running away from was Ruark Beauchamp. The fact that he's a convict helped Shanna to attempt to get as far away from him as possible. They did actually got married but that was an early occurrence. Ruark was not so easily deterred because he pursued her all the way to the Caribbean.
And the romance of two strong-willed persons begins. The tug-of-way between obstinacy and love is an age-old feeling that governed the lives of man since time immemorial. Shanna is intelligent, fiery and passionate. Ruark is kind, slightly rough and domineering and also frightfully handsome.
So while they battle for their own individuality, love somehow intervenes and binds the two wayward hearts into one and set them ablaze with the eternal flame of desire.
Shanna is a novel of great emotional proportions. It is guaranteed to make the reader want to believe in love. Love is scorching, unpredictable but in the end, totally enjoyable.
Kathleen Woodiwiss has upped the ante on romance novels with her magnificent effort. She stands among some of the greatest romance writers of our times.
Find your destiny!
OUSTED - An Insider's Story of the Ties That Failed to Bind
AUTHOR: Patrick Keith
PUBLISHERS: Media Masters
THE history of Malaya and Singapore has been intertwined for centuries. People from both lands criss-crossed the border from the days of the beginning of the Malacca Sultanate and they regarded both lands as one.
In the later half of the 1950s, both Malaya and Singapore were pushing forward their national agendas after emerging victorious from bruising battles with the Communists. History has revealed that the leaders during that time perceived that a merger of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, would be a win-win solution for all concerned, though Brunei opted out at the 11th hour.
For Singapore, merger topped its agenda. Lee Kuan Yew of the People's Action Party was confi dent such a merger would be a political marriage with grand possibilities.
And so it came to pass in 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak merged into one nation called Malaysia. However, in a short span of two years, unresolved differences of opinion between political leaders from both sides of the Causeway cast asunder the two key players.
Lee and his PAP colleagues who fought long and hard in that battle for merger, was aghast at Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's decision. The acrimony between the Alliance of Malaya and PAP of Singapore, which began acrimoniously almost immediately after Malaysia was formed, escalated until the separation in 1965.
Much has been written about the split, which shook Singapore more than it did Malaya. Now 40 years on, a journalist who worked for The Malay Mail and later The Straits Times, has written the story as he saw it back in those tumultuous days.
Ousted consists of three sections. The fi rst is Tunku Abdul Rahman's view of the separation. Singapore's perspective is discussed at length in the second section, and the third section presents Tan Siew Sin's side of the story. Tan was the president of the Malayan Chinese Association. The separation continues to be a touchy subject between the two countries and Ousted gives it an impartial treatment.
In his foreward, Patrick Keith says: "The time had come to attempt a different way of approaching the separation story". On that score, he is right. Forty years is far too long for such an important story to lie dormant. Ousted will serve as an interesting appendix to the study of regional politics by academics and political scientists from both sides of the border. Keith takes no sides in this political skirmish that left both nations with memories that have seldom been discussed, and definitely not fondly remembered.
The author has deliberately given no inkling of his personal opinion of the separation issue. All the key players in the Malaya-Singapore separation have had their say.
One is tempted to draw one's own conclusions after reading Ousted, but the story of Singapore and Malaysia continues to play on even today. Albeit without the angst and acrimony of the past.
The future of this region is deeply rooted in its history. Therefore, to acquire a deeper understanding of the political developments of Malaysia and Singapore, Ousted must be read objectively.
Click on this!
PUBLISHERS: Media Masters
THE history of Malaya and Singapore has been intertwined for centuries. People from both lands criss-crossed the border from the days of the beginning of the Malacca Sultanate and they regarded both lands as one.
In the later half of the 1950s, both Malaya and Singapore were pushing forward their national agendas after emerging victorious from bruising battles with the Communists. History has revealed that the leaders during that time perceived that a merger of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, would be a win-win solution for all concerned, though Brunei opted out at the 11th hour.
For Singapore, merger topped its agenda. Lee Kuan Yew of the People's Action Party was confi dent such a merger would be a political marriage with grand possibilities.
And so it came to pass in 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak merged into one nation called Malaysia. However, in a short span of two years, unresolved differences of opinion between political leaders from both sides of the Causeway cast asunder the two key players.
Lee and his PAP colleagues who fought long and hard in that battle for merger, was aghast at Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's decision. The acrimony between the Alliance of Malaya and PAP of Singapore, which began acrimoniously almost immediately after Malaysia was formed, escalated until the separation in 1965.
Much has been written about the split, which shook Singapore more than it did Malaya. Now 40 years on, a journalist who worked for The Malay Mail and later The Straits Times, has written the story as he saw it back in those tumultuous days.
Ousted consists of three sections. The fi rst is Tunku Abdul Rahman's view of the separation. Singapore's perspective is discussed at length in the second section, and the third section presents Tan Siew Sin's side of the story. Tan was the president of the Malayan Chinese Association. The separation continues to be a touchy subject between the two countries and Ousted gives it an impartial treatment.
In his foreward, Patrick Keith says: "The time had come to attempt a different way of approaching the separation story". On that score, he is right. Forty years is far too long for such an important story to lie dormant. Ousted will serve as an interesting appendix to the study of regional politics by academics and political scientists from both sides of the border. Keith takes no sides in this political skirmish that left both nations with memories that have seldom been discussed, and definitely not fondly remembered.
The author has deliberately given no inkling of his personal opinion of the separation issue. All the key players in the Malaya-Singapore separation have had their say.
One is tempted to draw one's own conclusions after reading Ousted, but the story of Singapore and Malaysia continues to play on even today. Albeit without the angst and acrimony of the past.
The future of this region is deeply rooted in its history. Therefore, to acquire a deeper understanding of the political developments of Malaysia and Singapore, Ousted must be read objectively.
Click on this!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
My Penang by Lim Bee Chin
Penang is also known as the Pearl of the Orient. It is a place that is popular even among Malaysians. It has a long history of tradition and ties with England. It is allegedly the land of the Hokkien plus the nyonyas and babas. The food is great, their prices are below average. The sea, sun and beaches are beautiful. You have to experience it to know what I am telling you right now.
The Inside Guide To Where To Go And What To Eat
SOMETIMES things take place fortuitously, like this book dropping on my
lap just days before I embarked on a journey to that Pearl of the Orient.
It had been about three years since I last stepped foot on the island.
Yes, it has been much too long. This little book of 168 pages has all
the information that a visitor to the island would need. It has just
enough historical data to form the right impressions and the right amount
of geographical information to create the correct visual imagery of a
beautiful island in the sun.
The writer, even though she grew up in Sungai Petani, Kedah, has spent
enough years on the island to give an authoritative account of
present-day Penang. I believe Lim also has a large number of relatives
who are still residing on the island to educate her on the little known
facts about the island.
This is probably the first time I have ever picked up a book and
embarked on a journey to verify its facts. My five-day sojourn in Penang
was an eye-opener of sorts even though I had been a resident of the
island for a better part of eight years.
A foreigner who has not experienced Penang would certainly be intrigued
by the writer's personal knowledge of a place she loves and impressed by
the passion she feels for an island that has a long history with England.
The many colourful pictures of major landmarks are well displayed
throughout the book. The excellent write-up on the major races that form
Penang's population lends character and shine to the persona of the
"Pearl". Even though the dominant race is Chinese, other races like the
Malays and Indians have had strong influences on the culture and
traditions of Penang over the centuries.
Lim has correctly pointed out that Penang Malays have Bugis, Acehnese,
Javanese and Arabic origins. The Indians consist of two groups - Tamil
Hindus and Indian Muslims. The other minor Indian groups are Indian
Buddhists and Malayalees.
From this rich mix of races, coupled with their special dishes
originally from their homelands, sprung the now popular nasi kandar, from
which Penang has earned a fine reputation on a nationwide basis.
My journey to Penang was by road but there are other modes of
transportation to reach the island. The bridge has long overtaken the
ferries as the main route to the island. Those who work in certain parts
of the island and mainland still use the ferry as a matter of choice and
convenience. There are now fewer ferries plying the route compared with
the past.
Trishaws, as mentioned in the book, are still around. However, the
trishaw pedlars who are located mainly on Penang Road are frail and
mostly on the wrong side of middle-age. There had been occasions when I
have seen young foreign visitors riding the trishaws with the trishawmen
as passengers. This was mostly done on a lark - something to tell the
folks back home.
The information on the What To See chapter is accurate. All the major
attractions still exist in their heritage best but George Town is fast
losing its sparkle, according to local residents.
After 6pm, the shutters begin coming down. A shop owner said this
phenomenon started when the population started to expand on the outskirts
of the city, in places like Bayan Baru, Thean Teik estate, Gelugor and on
the mainland.
Twenty or 30 years ago, George Town was very much alive, even at 9pm.
These days, only specific areas come alive or are still awake at 10pm.
One of these places is the junction of Penang Road where the Continental
Hotel and Hotel Malaysia are located.
The row of brightly lit teh tarik stalls selling a variety of roti
canai draws the crowds and the foreign visitors.
The chapter on Where To Shop is a nugget of information for first-time
visitors.
Haggling is almost compulsory at most roadside stalls except for
shopping complexes. At present, one of the more popular spots for night
shopping is along Jalan Batu Ferringhi where the pasar malam or night
market seems to have become the "happening place".
One reason is because of the large number of foreigners staying at the
beach hotels along that stretch.
Personally, the crishme de la crishme in this book is the Where To Eat
chapter. Lim, like most true Penangnites, knows her food.
She has detailed all the places one can think of or has been to. I
believe she has covered most food places of repute.
It was because of this special chapter on food that I decided to check
out the various places that I know of and other places that I have
learned from this book.
It was a wonderful experience, filled with laughter and gluttony of
tolerable levels.
It is suspected that Malaysians who couldn't resist buying this book
will read the chapter on food first. It is safe to say that almost all
the stalls mentioned in the book are still around, whether or not they
have "changed hands" is another matter.
Readers should also take note of the treasure trove of details of where
to stay - from five-star hotels to budget accommodation.
Penang still has its fair share of backpackers. A number of these
people were seen venturing into the nooks and crannies of the island
during my stay there.
Penang will not be Penang without its various celebrations and
festivals. Writer Lim has again scored big on this aspect.
She has given thumb-nail accounts of 14 festivals that have become very
much part of the Penang mystique.
Lim Bee Chin should be complimented on her splendid effort with this
book. It is therefore not a surprise that the Penang Government and
Penang Tourist Guides Association have congratulated her on her literary
contribution.
There are other books on Penang but this one in particular deserves a
place on our bookshelves.
The Inside Guide To Where To Go And What To Eat
SOMETIMES things take place fortuitously, like this book dropping on my
lap just days before I embarked on a journey to that Pearl of the Orient.
It had been about three years since I last stepped foot on the island.
Yes, it has been much too long. This little book of 168 pages has all
the information that a visitor to the island would need. It has just
enough historical data to form the right impressions and the right amount
of geographical information to create the correct visual imagery of a
beautiful island in the sun.
The writer, even though she grew up in Sungai Petani, Kedah, has spent
enough years on the island to give an authoritative account of
present-day Penang. I believe Lim also has a large number of relatives
who are still residing on the island to educate her on the little known
facts about the island.
This is probably the first time I have ever picked up a book and
embarked on a journey to verify its facts. My five-day sojourn in Penang
was an eye-opener of sorts even though I had been a resident of the
island for a better part of eight years.
A foreigner who has not experienced Penang would certainly be intrigued
by the writer's personal knowledge of a place she loves and impressed by
the passion she feels for an island that has a long history with England.
The many colourful pictures of major landmarks are well displayed
throughout the book. The excellent write-up on the major races that form
Penang's population lends character and shine to the persona of the
"Pearl". Even though the dominant race is Chinese, other races like the
Malays and Indians have had strong influences on the culture and
traditions of Penang over the centuries.
Lim has correctly pointed out that Penang Malays have Bugis, Acehnese,
Javanese and Arabic origins. The Indians consist of two groups - Tamil
Hindus and Indian Muslims. The other minor Indian groups are Indian
Buddhists and Malayalees.
From this rich mix of races, coupled with their special dishes
originally from their homelands, sprung the now popular nasi kandar, from
which Penang has earned a fine reputation on a nationwide basis.
My journey to Penang was by road but there are other modes of
transportation to reach the island. The bridge has long overtaken the
ferries as the main route to the island. Those who work in certain parts
of the island and mainland still use the ferry as a matter of choice and
convenience. There are now fewer ferries plying the route compared with
the past.
Trishaws, as mentioned in the book, are still around. However, the
trishaw pedlars who are located mainly on Penang Road are frail and
mostly on the wrong side of middle-age. There had been occasions when I
have seen young foreign visitors riding the trishaws with the trishawmen
as passengers. This was mostly done on a lark - something to tell the
folks back home.
The information on the What To See chapter is accurate. All the major
attractions still exist in their heritage best but George Town is fast
losing its sparkle, according to local residents.
After 6pm, the shutters begin coming down. A shop owner said this
phenomenon started when the population started to expand on the outskirts
of the city, in places like Bayan Baru, Thean Teik estate, Gelugor and on
the mainland.
Twenty or 30 years ago, George Town was very much alive, even at 9pm.
These days, only specific areas come alive or are still awake at 10pm.
One of these places is the junction of Penang Road where the Continental
Hotel and Hotel Malaysia are located.
The row of brightly lit teh tarik stalls selling a variety of roti
canai draws the crowds and the foreign visitors.
The chapter on Where To Shop is a nugget of information for first-time
visitors.
Haggling is almost compulsory at most roadside stalls except for
shopping complexes. At present, one of the more popular spots for night
shopping is along Jalan Batu Ferringhi where the pasar malam or night
market seems to have become the "happening place".
One reason is because of the large number of foreigners staying at the
beach hotels along that stretch.
Personally, the crishme de la crishme in this book is the Where To Eat
chapter. Lim, like most true Penangnites, knows her food.
She has detailed all the places one can think of or has been to. I
believe she has covered most food places of repute.
It was because of this special chapter on food that I decided to check
out the various places that I know of and other places that I have
learned from this book.
It was a wonderful experience, filled with laughter and gluttony of
tolerable levels.
It is suspected that Malaysians who couldn't resist buying this book
will read the chapter on food first. It is safe to say that almost all
the stalls mentioned in the book are still around, whether or not they
have "changed hands" is another matter.
Readers should also take note of the treasure trove of details of where
to stay - from five-star hotels to budget accommodation.
Penang still has its fair share of backpackers. A number of these
people were seen venturing into the nooks and crannies of the island
during my stay there.
Penang will not be Penang without its various celebrations and
festivals. Writer Lim has again scored big on this aspect.
She has given thumb-nail accounts of 14 festivals that have become very
much part of the Penang mystique.
Lim Bee Chin should be complimented on her splendid effort with this
book. It is therefore not a surprise that the Penang Government and
Penang Tourist Guides Association have congratulated her on her literary
contribution.
There are other books on Penang but this one in particular deserves a
place on our bookshelves.
Notes from the United Nations by Abdullah Ahmad
This book is the compilation of writings by an elder statesman in Malaysia. His career is varied and extensive so he has earned the right to comment on a lot of subjects which may be beyond the scope of ordinary people. Malaysians in particular will find this book a good read on a lonely evening when the TV programmes are not so good.
Publisher: Times Edition
TAN Sri Abdullah Ahmad has a background that is the envy of many. His
almost half-century-long professional career has led him to the fields of
journalism, politics, foreign service and business. He has rubbed
shoulders with the high and mighty and also shared experiences with
prisoners.
To say that he has a checkered career is an understatement. It would be
more accurate to describe Abdullah as a person who has been up close and
personal with life's changing and challenging perspectives.
This is one of several books written by the former group editor-in-chief
of The New Straits Times Press. But Abdullah is better known for his years
as the political secretary of the late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak in
the early `70s.
His five years under the Internal Security Act have been well-documented
and his thoughts on this trying period are expressed rather succinctly in
some chapters.
The years of incarceration were a catharsis for a man who rose to great
heights professionally, to a position very close to the highest office in
the country.
Those episodes in his life are some of the most interesting pages in
this book. For example, he said: "After Tun Razak's death on January 14,
1976, important and influential colleagues told me that I would be
arrested, under some pretext or other, and they strongly advised me to
leave the country and return when the Umno leadership changed hands. I did
not heed their advice."
There are more than 70 `Notes' in this 368-page book. I found those
covered under the category "Close to Heart" the most captivating. His
early years with The Straits Times, which began in 1957, were something
that most of us journalists could identify with.
Those years of reporting coupled with feet-pounding-the-street
experience honed his writing skills and sharpened his eye for details. On
that aspect, he would probably have to thank Harry Miller, his KL boss at
that time, and other senior editorial executives at the newspaper.
Abdullah's remarkable memory for details has also made his latest
published work a treasure trove for students of Malaysian political
history. Revelations about the goings-on behind closed doors and insight
into the mindset of powerful figures certainly add colour to the hazy
pictures that students of history gleaned from books.
A case in point: "I once asked Tun Razak why he and most others were
wary of Kuan Yew. He said, `Dollah, you know that I never enjoyed talking
to anyone if I have to be on guard all the time. When you talk to Kuan
Yew, or play golf with him, you will have to be vigilant; otherwise you
will lose your shirt and putter to him.'"
From 1996 to 2000, Abdullah was assigned as Malaysian Special Envoy to
the United Nations. His years at the UN gave him the diplomatic licence to
observe many of the political machinations that went on behind tightly
shut doors of that august organisation.
It was there that his understanding of international politics took a
quantum leap and it opened his eyes, and now ours, as to how superpowers
shaped the destinies of smaller nations.
Abdullah's Notes from the United Nations will benefit those who have a
voracious appetite for political anecdotes and snippets. It will make you
sit up straighter in your chair and say silently, "Ah, I see, that was how
it happened".
Those of us who have lived through some of those eventful times that
Abdullah had an intimate knowledge of will be grateful that certain
important details left out of newspapers and history books have finally
surfaced in this book.
Politicians with Abdullah's kind of background should take note of this
literary effort and emulate his example. Our young nation needs more of
such writings that can contribute to a fuller understanding of the
political developments of the past decades.
But certainly, it takes a man of a certain character and strength to say
the things Abdullah has said in this book.
And on himself, Abdullah says: "In my time, I have seen a bit of life:
from Kok Lanas to royal palaces, presidential mansions and palatial
estates. I have also stayed in filthy police lock-ups. Moving from the
istana and kampung to police hovels was a small step for me. It was a
bittersweet experience. It made me a tougher man, more than I could have
believed possible myself."
The last word on Abdullah surely belongs to Tun Razak, Abdullah's mentor
and boss, when he said: "Dollah, you ni tiada perasaan takut langsung
(neither fear nor suspicion seem to have crossed your mind)."
Publisher: Times Edition
TAN Sri Abdullah Ahmad has a background that is the envy of many. His
almost half-century-long professional career has led him to the fields of
journalism, politics, foreign service and business. He has rubbed
shoulders with the high and mighty and also shared experiences with
prisoners.
To say that he has a checkered career is an understatement. It would be
more accurate to describe Abdullah as a person who has been up close and
personal with life's changing and challenging perspectives.
This is one of several books written by the former group editor-in-chief
of The New Straits Times Press. But Abdullah is better known for his years
as the political secretary of the late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak in
the early `70s.
His five years under the Internal Security Act have been well-documented
and his thoughts on this trying period are expressed rather succinctly in
some chapters.
The years of incarceration were a catharsis for a man who rose to great
heights professionally, to a position very close to the highest office in
the country.
Those episodes in his life are some of the most interesting pages in
this book. For example, he said: "After Tun Razak's death on January 14,
1976, important and influential colleagues told me that I would be
arrested, under some pretext or other, and they strongly advised me to
leave the country and return when the Umno leadership changed hands. I did
not heed their advice."
There are more than 70 `Notes' in this 368-page book. I found those
covered under the category "Close to Heart" the most captivating. His
early years with The Straits Times, which began in 1957, were something
that most of us journalists could identify with.
Those years of reporting coupled with feet-pounding-the-street
experience honed his writing skills and sharpened his eye for details. On
that aspect, he would probably have to thank Harry Miller, his KL boss at
that time, and other senior editorial executives at the newspaper.
Abdullah's remarkable memory for details has also made his latest
published work a treasure trove for students of Malaysian political
history. Revelations about the goings-on behind closed doors and insight
into the mindset of powerful figures certainly add colour to the hazy
pictures that students of history gleaned from books.
A case in point: "I once asked Tun Razak why he and most others were
wary of Kuan Yew. He said, `Dollah, you know that I never enjoyed talking
to anyone if I have to be on guard all the time. When you talk to Kuan
Yew, or play golf with him, you will have to be vigilant; otherwise you
will lose your shirt and putter to him.'"
From 1996 to 2000, Abdullah was assigned as Malaysian Special Envoy to
the United Nations. His years at the UN gave him the diplomatic licence to
observe many of the political machinations that went on behind tightly
shut doors of that august organisation.
It was there that his understanding of international politics took a
quantum leap and it opened his eyes, and now ours, as to how superpowers
shaped the destinies of smaller nations.
Abdullah's Notes from the United Nations will benefit those who have a
voracious appetite for political anecdotes and snippets. It will make you
sit up straighter in your chair and say silently, "Ah, I see, that was how
it happened".
Those of us who have lived through some of those eventful times that
Abdullah had an intimate knowledge of will be grateful that certain
important details left out of newspapers and history books have finally
surfaced in this book.
Politicians with Abdullah's kind of background should take note of this
literary effort and emulate his example. Our young nation needs more of
such writings that can contribute to a fuller understanding of the
political developments of the past decades.
But certainly, it takes a man of a certain character and strength to say
the things Abdullah has said in this book.
And on himself, Abdullah says: "In my time, I have seen a bit of life:
from Kok Lanas to royal palaces, presidential mansions and palatial
estates. I have also stayed in filthy police lock-ups. Moving from the
istana and kampung to police hovels was a small step for me. It was a
bittersweet experience. It made me a tougher man, more than I could have
believed possible myself."
The last word on Abdullah surely belongs to Tun Razak, Abdullah's mentor
and boss, when he said: "Dollah, you ni tiada perasaan takut langsung
(neither fear nor suspicion seem to have crossed your mind)."
Quick Guides to Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Shanghaiese
These two books are not exactly for bedside reading but if you are into languages and love learning and practising a few well chosen phrases in your next overseas trip, then perhaps you could find the time to dip into the pages of these two very practical books. Learning languages is a matter of interest and passion. Even a child can pick up some foreign phrases. So be a child again!!
Say It Right - A Quick Guide to Mandarin, Cantonese &
Shanghainese
Say It Right - A Quick Guide to Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu &
Bahasa Indonesia
Publisher: Times Editions - Marshall Cavendish
THE art of learning languages is a fascinating experience which many
desire to master but few ever achieve.
First, discipline is a prerequisite. Second, passion is a vital key.
Third, the importance of the right aids and tools can never be
overestimated.
Luckily, we are all living in an age where technology and intelligence
abound. The two books in this review are part of a learning process which
has benefited some of the more determined among us.
The two books have Mandarin as its main feature, the reason being that
Mandarin is the most widely-used language in the world. China has 1.3
billion people and Mandarin also opens many doors in Hong Kong, Macau,
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Mandarin is known as putonghua in China and hua yu in Malaysia and
Singapore. In many parts of China, dialects still prevail. So is the case
in Singapore and Malaysia, but Mandarin is the bridge that links all gaps
created by dialects, hence its paramount importance.
The first volume encompasses Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese. It
divides neatly into three categories the questions or remarks made under
the most common circumstances as experienced by travellers.
Let's take, as an example, the question "where is the restroom?". In
Mandarin, it is Wei sheng jian zai na li? Cantonese puts it as Sai sau gan
hai bin dou? And the Shanghainese would ask Ci su le gai sa di fang? Now
if you were in dire need of a restroom while sojourning in some remote
part of Shanghai, you would definitely need to make yourself understood.
This handy book may just add some relief to your life.
These guidebooks have neatly-organised chapters covering Basic Words,
Scenarios, At the Doctor's, Shopping and Social Settings. High marks are
given to its intelligent format, of which those who can converse in
Mandarin may find that their ability to make themselves understood with a
smattering of true Shanghainese can only elevate their status in the eyes
of the locals.
A close scrutiny of the various common expressions on popular topics
reveals that the Chinese, no matter what language or dialect they converse
in, are not that different after all. Any student of languages will tell
you that passion and interest lubricate the tongue and smoothen the
passage of communication.
In this region, notwithstanding the significant Chinese populations,
Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia hold sway in Brunei, Indonesia and
Malaysia.
Indonesia has thousands of islands and about 300 languages and dialects.
In a nation of about 210 million, Bahasa Indonesia acts as a common
platform on which the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups communicate
their wishes and fulfil daily needs.
Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia have been enriched over the centuries
by the adoption of Sanskrit, Arabic, Javanese and Dutch words. Thus today,
what may seem like "pure" is actually an amalgam of an evolutionary
linguistic process that started hundreds of years ago.
The second book of Say It Right opens avenues of communication that hold
endless surprises for those who love the spoken word. For example, if you
want to say "you have overcharged me", in Mandarin it is Ni duo suan wo
le. Bahasa Melayu puts it as Awak terlebih meminta bayaran dari saya. In
Bahasa Indonesia, it is Anda kelebihan menagih saya.
Both books are compact-sized and they can easily be tucked into your
hand luggage. All possible scenarios conceivable for any well-travelled
person are illustrated.
There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing how to tell the
person manning the counter that you are looking for an item for your wife.
Your near-zero knowledge of the local dialect results in the salesperson
staring at you as if you have just stepped off a space ship. Sign language
can only go so far.
If you want to learn more about the languages that have forged and still
form a common bond in Southeast Asia, then these two volumes of Say It
Right should be part of your travelling items.
Read, memorise, absorb and practise. Knowledge is now literally at your
fingertips. That's the fun part of travelling and learning.
Say It Right - A Quick Guide to Mandarin, Cantonese &
Shanghainese
Say It Right - A Quick Guide to Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu &
Bahasa Indonesia
Publisher: Times Editions - Marshall Cavendish
THE art of learning languages is a fascinating experience which many
desire to master but few ever achieve.
First, discipline is a prerequisite. Second, passion is a vital key.
Third, the importance of the right aids and tools can never be
overestimated.
Luckily, we are all living in an age where technology and intelligence
abound. The two books in this review are part of a learning process which
has benefited some of the more determined among us.
The two books have Mandarin as its main feature, the reason being that
Mandarin is the most widely-used language in the world. China has 1.3
billion people and Mandarin also opens many doors in Hong Kong, Macau,
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Mandarin is known as putonghua in China and hua yu in Malaysia and
Singapore. In many parts of China, dialects still prevail. So is the case
in Singapore and Malaysia, but Mandarin is the bridge that links all gaps
created by dialects, hence its paramount importance.
The first volume encompasses Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese. It
divides neatly into three categories the questions or remarks made under
the most common circumstances as experienced by travellers.
Let's take, as an example, the question "where is the restroom?". In
Mandarin, it is Wei sheng jian zai na li? Cantonese puts it as Sai sau gan
hai bin dou? And the Shanghainese would ask Ci su le gai sa di fang? Now
if you were in dire need of a restroom while sojourning in some remote
part of Shanghai, you would definitely need to make yourself understood.
This handy book may just add some relief to your life.
These guidebooks have neatly-organised chapters covering Basic Words,
Scenarios, At the Doctor's, Shopping and Social Settings. High marks are
given to its intelligent format, of which those who can converse in
Mandarin may find that their ability to make themselves understood with a
smattering of true Shanghainese can only elevate their status in the eyes
of the locals.
A close scrutiny of the various common expressions on popular topics
reveals that the Chinese, no matter what language or dialect they converse
in, are not that different after all. Any student of languages will tell
you that passion and interest lubricate the tongue and smoothen the
passage of communication.
In this region, notwithstanding the significant Chinese populations,
Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia hold sway in Brunei, Indonesia and
Malaysia.
Indonesia has thousands of islands and about 300 languages and dialects.
In a nation of about 210 million, Bahasa Indonesia acts as a common
platform on which the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups communicate
their wishes and fulfil daily needs.
Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia have been enriched over the centuries
by the adoption of Sanskrit, Arabic, Javanese and Dutch words. Thus today,
what may seem like "pure" is actually an amalgam of an evolutionary
linguistic process that started hundreds of years ago.
The second book of Say It Right opens avenues of communication that hold
endless surprises for those who love the spoken word. For example, if you
want to say "you have overcharged me", in Mandarin it is Ni duo suan wo
le. Bahasa Melayu puts it as Awak terlebih meminta bayaran dari saya. In
Bahasa Indonesia, it is Anda kelebihan menagih saya.
Both books are compact-sized and they can easily be tucked into your
hand luggage. All possible scenarios conceivable for any well-travelled
person are illustrated.
There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing how to tell the
person manning the counter that you are looking for an item for your wife.
Your near-zero knowledge of the local dialect results in the salesperson
staring at you as if you have just stepped off a space ship. Sign language
can only go so far.
If you want to learn more about the languages that have forged and still
form a common bond in Southeast Asia, then these two volumes of Say It
Right should be part of your travelling items.
Read, memorise, absorb and practise. Knowledge is now literally at your
fingertips. That's the fun part of travelling and learning.
Seeds of Greatness by Denis Waitley
There are motivational books in all book shops but not all can stir your soul and warm your heart. This is one of those special ones that can do both to you. Seeds of Greatness is for those people who think that if you want to be super successful and enormously popular, you need to be born with special genes. Rubbish, I say!
Read this book and be enlightened. Light is now shining on the path you walk.
Seeds of Greatness - The 10 best-kept secrets of total success
Brolga Publishing Pty Ltd
SOMETIMES in life, one is fortunate enough to come across a good book
whereby reading it turns out to be a life-altering experience. Seeds of
Greatness was my personal serendipitous encounter.
Even though the book was first published 21 years ago, its message
continues to be relevant, especially in these times.
Writer Denis Waitley is a behavioural scientist who has taught top
corporate executives and coached Olympic and professional athletes as well
as astronauts. He has mixed and learnt from the best and the most
successful.
This book is the culmination of a lifetime of learning. In between the
covers lie the common facts along with seldom learnt or practised secrets
that make up a successful life.
Norman Vincent Peale, author of the very successful Positive Thinking
series of books, said: "Seeds of Greatness is one of those rare books that
can help to make anybody's life greater."
As Olympic gold medal winner Wilma Rudolph remarked: "From the day I met
Dr Waitley, he has been my source of inspiration, and I feel honoured to
be included in his book. In my sad or low moments, I think of (him) and I
smile."
There are 10 chapters, each allotted to one of the 10 "seeds". These are
the Seed of Self-Esteem, the Seed of Creativity, the Seed of
Responsibility, the Seed of Wisdom, the Seed of Purpose, the Seed of
Communication, the Seed of Faith, the Seed of Adaptability, the Seed of
Perseverance and the Seed of Perspective.
Waitley's seminal work has been revised and updated over the years but
the message remains the same - that each one of us can be successful,
regardless of our background, race or creed.
Greatness is our birthright. It is always within our reach. The seeds
which Waitley talks about could perhaps be some of the advice which our
parents had given us while we were growing up. Like most teenagers, we are
not very good at listening. Now, someone has gathered all these seeds of
wisdom and neatly packaged it for our convenience, growth and personal
development.
Waitley has made it all quite palatable by recounting anecdotes of those
who have fallen and risen to greater heights. The book talks of ordinary
people striving, struggling, persevering and never giving up. It is an old
story often told to a shrinking audience because people are always
wandering about and looking for answers in the wrong places.
One of the facts highlighted is that "60 per cent of our fears are
totally unwarranted; 20 per cent are in the past and out of our control,
and 10 per cent are so petty that they won't make any difference at all."
Apparently only four or five per cent of the last 10 per cent of our
fears are justifiably real and these we can't do anything about. The
remaining percentage then are the real fears which we can solve.
With that kind of logical reasoning, Waitley leads the reader down the
path to tranquillity and visions of greatness.
Waitley's magnum opus should be digested slowly. Allow the "seeds" to
germinate in your mind, nurture them and watch them grow. At the end of
the book, one begins to realise that greatness is much akin to a walk in
the park.
We all have it in us - the seeds of greatness. The mind is the ground on
which these seeds are sown. If the mind harbours only negative thoughts,
then it fails to provide a fertile soil for these seeds to grow.
And the heart is the air which nurtures the greatness that emerges from
the seeds. With Waitley's guidance, nobody should be left behind in the
journey towards success.
Now's the time to plant the seeds of greatness in the garden of your
mind, and Denis Waitley is the right person to seek advice from.
Read this book and be enlightened. Light is now shining on the path you walk.
Seeds of Greatness - The 10 best-kept secrets of total success
Brolga Publishing Pty Ltd
SOMETIMES in life, one is fortunate enough to come across a good book
whereby reading it turns out to be a life-altering experience. Seeds of
Greatness was my personal serendipitous encounter.
Even though the book was first published 21 years ago, its message
continues to be relevant, especially in these times.
Writer Denis Waitley is a behavioural scientist who has taught top
corporate executives and coached Olympic and professional athletes as well
as astronauts. He has mixed and learnt from the best and the most
successful.
This book is the culmination of a lifetime of learning. In between the
covers lie the common facts along with seldom learnt or practised secrets
that make up a successful life.
Norman Vincent Peale, author of the very successful Positive Thinking
series of books, said: "Seeds of Greatness is one of those rare books that
can help to make anybody's life greater."
As Olympic gold medal winner Wilma Rudolph remarked: "From the day I met
Dr Waitley, he has been my source of inspiration, and I feel honoured to
be included in his book. In my sad or low moments, I think of (him) and I
smile."
There are 10 chapters, each allotted to one of the 10 "seeds". These are
the Seed of Self-Esteem, the Seed of Creativity, the Seed of
Responsibility, the Seed of Wisdom, the Seed of Purpose, the Seed of
Communication, the Seed of Faith, the Seed of Adaptability, the Seed of
Perseverance and the Seed of Perspective.
Waitley's seminal work has been revised and updated over the years but
the message remains the same - that each one of us can be successful,
regardless of our background, race or creed.
Greatness is our birthright. It is always within our reach. The seeds
which Waitley talks about could perhaps be some of the advice which our
parents had given us while we were growing up. Like most teenagers, we are
not very good at listening. Now, someone has gathered all these seeds of
wisdom and neatly packaged it for our convenience, growth and personal
development.
Waitley has made it all quite palatable by recounting anecdotes of those
who have fallen and risen to greater heights. The book talks of ordinary
people striving, struggling, persevering and never giving up. It is an old
story often told to a shrinking audience because people are always
wandering about and looking for answers in the wrong places.
One of the facts highlighted is that "60 per cent of our fears are
totally unwarranted; 20 per cent are in the past and out of our control,
and 10 per cent are so petty that they won't make any difference at all."
Apparently only four or five per cent of the last 10 per cent of our
fears are justifiably real and these we can't do anything about. The
remaining percentage then are the real fears which we can solve.
With that kind of logical reasoning, Waitley leads the reader down the
path to tranquillity and visions of greatness.
Waitley's magnum opus should be digested slowly. Allow the "seeds" to
germinate in your mind, nurture them and watch them grow. At the end of
the book, one begins to realise that greatness is much akin to a walk in
the park.
We all have it in us - the seeds of greatness. The mind is the ground on
which these seeds are sown. If the mind harbours only negative thoughts,
then it fails to provide a fertile soil for these seeds to grow.
And the heart is the air which nurtures the greatness that emerges from
the seeds. With Waitley's guidance, nobody should be left behind in the
journey towards success.
Now's the time to plant the seeds of greatness in the garden of your
mind, and Denis Waitley is the right person to seek advice from.
The Power of Now by Echkhart Tolle
IF YOU want to read just one book this year - this is it!
But first, you must be in the proper frame of mind. There are people who can pick up this book and promptly fall asleep, and there are others who are mesmerised by the words and the book changes their lives.
A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Publisher: New World Library
F you are just one of the six billion inhabitants on earth who on
occasion question the purpose of your existence, then welcome to the human
race. Countless people through the ages have asked this question, many
went to their graves still in the dark.
A great number have an inkling of what life is about, sometimes. A few
lifted the veil of eternity and went on to become great teachers. Their
words and teachings live on centuries after their death.
Today, in this time and age, there is a window through which you may
catch a glimpse of your purpose in life. If you have doubts and probably
lots of questions, you are probably soul-searching.
It is a popular term used on people who are spiritually under-nourished.
Five years ago, Cambridge University scholar Eckhart Tolle wrote this
book. It has blazed a trail of enlightenment among members of the inner
circle who were on a spiritual quest, searching for answers to their own
lives, and things beyond the Milky Way.
When Tolle was 29 years old, he suffered like many others did, from
regular bouts of depression. The dread of living lingered in him.
He really did not know what to do with the rest of his life. Tolle
contemplated suicide. Then one morning, he woke up and felt as if he was
sucked into "a vortex of energy". He thought he heard the words, "resist
nothing".
As quickly as the feeling came, it vanished. And then, there was no
fear. There has been none in him ever since. For the next five months, he
wandered through the city as if he were on a high, but not on drugs.
Friends noticed the dramatic change in his personality and started
asking questions. This book is the essence of all that he has experienced
and all that was given to him to learn and cherish.
If words can explain enlightenment, then Tolle has come pretty close to
it in The Power of Now. The writer says: "You are not your mind," in the
first chapter and leads you down the same path that Buddha had probably
taken millennia ago.
You are asked to accept the present whether it is unpleasant or awful to
you. Holding that thought, you are advised to work with the situation.
Of course, it is much more than that simple line of advice. What then is
the power of Now? According to Tolle, it is "none other than the power of
your presence, your consciousness liberated from thought forms".
In reality, the past is beyond your control. The future has not taken
place. Only the present is in your hands and you can perform wonderful
deeds with it.
Dwell on the present. Feel it. Taste it. Revel in it. Enjoy the present.
Relish in it, NOW. There is no other time.
Tolle, who was born in Germany but now resides in Vancouver, Canada,
tells the world about portals opening into the unmanifested.
Some of the Tolle's words may leave you groping in the dark but he
assures his readers that in the silence of space, where mind ceases, the
soul thrives. And it is here, in "nothing", the Truth awaits you.
Two thousand years ago, a teacher came forth and proclaimed: "And the
Truth will set you free." This truth awaits all who are on a quest for
that truth.
Tolle has put up all the necessary sign-posts, pointing towards the
right direction.
One of the answers that sparks everlasting peace and constant joy is as
simple as it is profound. It is forgiveness. Know that you can dissolve
pain, heal hurts and create happiness by merely practising forgiveness.
It is the bridge that takes you to the gates of heaven and love is the
key that lets you in.
Marc Allen, the author of A Visionary Life, described Tolle's book as a
book that comes along perhaps once every generation. Indeed it is.
The simplicity of its explanations reveals its profundity of thought.
For many who have entered mid-life without a clear vision of their
life's path in the next 20 or 30 years, The Power of NOW is that single
candle of light in total darkness.
If you have made a resolution for this year to read just one book, this
should be it. It is for you to read it again and again until there is
nothing but light in front of you, at the back of you and at your sides.
Finally, it envelopes you. That's when you know the book has served its
purpose.
But first, you must be in the proper frame of mind. There are people who can pick up this book and promptly fall asleep, and there are others who are mesmerised by the words and the book changes their lives.
A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Publisher: New World Library
F you are just one of the six billion inhabitants on earth who on
occasion question the purpose of your existence, then welcome to the human
race. Countless people through the ages have asked this question, many
went to their graves still in the dark.
A great number have an inkling of what life is about, sometimes. A few
lifted the veil of eternity and went on to become great teachers. Their
words and teachings live on centuries after their death.
Today, in this time and age, there is a window through which you may
catch a glimpse of your purpose in life. If you have doubts and probably
lots of questions, you are probably soul-searching.
It is a popular term used on people who are spiritually under-nourished.
Five years ago, Cambridge University scholar Eckhart Tolle wrote this
book. It has blazed a trail of enlightenment among members of the inner
circle who were on a spiritual quest, searching for answers to their own
lives, and things beyond the Milky Way.
When Tolle was 29 years old, he suffered like many others did, from
regular bouts of depression. The dread of living lingered in him.
He really did not know what to do with the rest of his life. Tolle
contemplated suicide. Then one morning, he woke up and felt as if he was
sucked into "a vortex of energy". He thought he heard the words, "resist
nothing".
As quickly as the feeling came, it vanished. And then, there was no
fear. There has been none in him ever since. For the next five months, he
wandered through the city as if he were on a high, but not on drugs.
Friends noticed the dramatic change in his personality and started
asking questions. This book is the essence of all that he has experienced
and all that was given to him to learn and cherish.
If words can explain enlightenment, then Tolle has come pretty close to
it in The Power of Now. The writer says: "You are not your mind," in the
first chapter and leads you down the same path that Buddha had probably
taken millennia ago.
You are asked to accept the present whether it is unpleasant or awful to
you. Holding that thought, you are advised to work with the situation.
Of course, it is much more than that simple line of advice. What then is
the power of Now? According to Tolle, it is "none other than the power of
your presence, your consciousness liberated from thought forms".
In reality, the past is beyond your control. The future has not taken
place. Only the present is in your hands and you can perform wonderful
deeds with it.
Dwell on the present. Feel it. Taste it. Revel in it. Enjoy the present.
Relish in it, NOW. There is no other time.
Tolle, who was born in Germany but now resides in Vancouver, Canada,
tells the world about portals opening into the unmanifested.
Some of the Tolle's words may leave you groping in the dark but he
assures his readers that in the silence of space, where mind ceases, the
soul thrives. And it is here, in "nothing", the Truth awaits you.
Two thousand years ago, a teacher came forth and proclaimed: "And the
Truth will set you free." This truth awaits all who are on a quest for
that truth.
Tolle has put up all the necessary sign-posts, pointing towards the
right direction.
One of the answers that sparks everlasting peace and constant joy is as
simple as it is profound. It is forgiveness. Know that you can dissolve
pain, heal hurts and create happiness by merely practising forgiveness.
It is the bridge that takes you to the gates of heaven and love is the
key that lets you in.
Marc Allen, the author of A Visionary Life, described Tolle's book as a
book that comes along perhaps once every generation. Indeed it is.
The simplicity of its explanations reveals its profundity of thought.
For many who have entered mid-life without a clear vision of their
life's path in the next 20 or 30 years, The Power of NOW is that single
candle of light in total darkness.
If you have made a resolution for this year to read just one book, this
should be it. It is for you to read it again and again until there is
nothing but light in front of you, at the back of you and at your sides.
Finally, it envelopes you. That's when you know the book has served its
purpose.
The Story of Srebrenica by Isnam Taljic
This book is well written. It is devoid of angry condemnations and rancour. Actually, I am rather pleased that the writer has approached the subject in such a manner. What's so surprising is that he's a Muslim. There are good people all over the world, especially in the most war torn regions in the world. Srebrenica is no exception.
Translated from Bosnian by Muhamed Pasanbegovic
Published by Silverfish Books 2004
IT IS not without good reason that I intentionally avoid reading books
about war and on war. Srebrenica, as the world now knows, represents a
black chapter in the book of mankind.
Official records put the number of Muslim men and boys massacred in
Srebrenica in July 1995 at 8,000. In reality, the death toll, including
women and children, is closer to 13,000.
Isnam Taljic, who used to be a reporter and editor, wrote this novel as
fiction. He was born in northeastern Bosnia. But from its pages, spring
images of the actual horrors that took place in Srebrenica.
It is a thinly-veiled composite saga of lives that were lost in a one-
sided war where the innocent became the main targets. When an excellent
writer's imagination blends in with one's own, it becomes an inextricably
shared experience. Taljic stands among the best that Bosnia has to offer.
He is the recipient of numerous journalism awards and the author of 12
works, including six novels.
Surprisingly, this book which dwells on lives that were lost or
irreparably damaged is devoid of anger and hostility. It is a masterful
mix of literary prose, a historical map of destiny and an unshakeable
faith in Islam.
Some readers may not see the full picture that is painted by Taljic's
skilful hands at one sitting. It would become clearer on a second reading,
and that too at a slower pace.
But what is clear in the end is that Bosnians, particularly residents of
Srebrenica, are also people like the rest of us. Their only disadvantage
in 1995 was being Muslims.
At that time, the UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force) under the
command of General Bertrand Janvier refused to defend the declared "Safe
Area" and allowed Serbian army General Ratko Mladic to move into
Srebrenica.
The complicity between UN commanders and the armies of the then Serbian
President Slobodan Milosevic has become a burning issue in man's
relentless march down the road of human rights up to the present century.
Even as late as last year, mass graves were still being found in
Srebrenica.
The Story of Srebrenica is not a deliberate intention to jolt the
reader's conscience but a reminder to the rest of the world that a
massacre of any ethnic community is a crime against mankind.
Taljic writes with a passion that can only come from personal experience
of the vagaries of war. The physical pain and the gradual loss of hope
resulting from families being torn apart are penned in starkly realistic
words that hold one's imagination in a vise-like grip.
Amid the suffering that has become synonymous with Srebrenica is the
unwavering faith in Islam. It is heartening to learn that Taljic has
elected not to judge or to condemn the perpetrators of this ethnic
cleansing.
Central to this book's theme is compassion. And with compassion comes
forgiveness. Definitely, a resounding call to the conscience of man all
over the world, more so to the members of the UNPROFOR who were guilty of
gross negligence in the protection of innocent lives.
This book, which has been adjudged the best published work in 30 years
of Bosnian, Herzegovinian and Bosniak literature, comes at a time when
parts of the world are still being shaken by armies running rampage across
villages and towns.
Perhaps, this splendid work may eventually loses its impact with the
passing of years but its message should have its rightful place in our
hearts and minds - that everybody deserves protection because we all come
from the family of man.
That when man loses his humanity, it's time for a courageous soul like
Taljic to remind us of mankind's greatest treasure - love for others and
care for the weak and innocent.
Read it with an open mind with no preconceived notions and you will
benefit from it. Read it especially if you are a non-Muslim, so that you
could walk in your brethren's shoes in a journey without distance and feel
the warmth of his heart next to yours.
Translated from Bosnian by Muhamed Pasanbegovic
Published by Silverfish Books 2004
IT IS not without good reason that I intentionally avoid reading books
about war and on war. Srebrenica, as the world now knows, represents a
black chapter in the book of mankind.
Official records put the number of Muslim men and boys massacred in
Srebrenica in July 1995 at 8,000. In reality, the death toll, including
women and children, is closer to 13,000.
Isnam Taljic, who used to be a reporter and editor, wrote this novel as
fiction. He was born in northeastern Bosnia. But from its pages, spring
images of the actual horrors that took place in Srebrenica.
It is a thinly-veiled composite saga of lives that were lost in a one-
sided war where the innocent became the main targets. When an excellent
writer's imagination blends in with one's own, it becomes an inextricably
shared experience. Taljic stands among the best that Bosnia has to offer.
He is the recipient of numerous journalism awards and the author of 12
works, including six novels.
Surprisingly, this book which dwells on lives that were lost or
irreparably damaged is devoid of anger and hostility. It is a masterful
mix of literary prose, a historical map of destiny and an unshakeable
faith in Islam.
Some readers may not see the full picture that is painted by Taljic's
skilful hands at one sitting. It would become clearer on a second reading,
and that too at a slower pace.
But what is clear in the end is that Bosnians, particularly residents of
Srebrenica, are also people like the rest of us. Their only disadvantage
in 1995 was being Muslims.
At that time, the UNPROFOR (United Nations Protection Force) under the
command of General Bertrand Janvier refused to defend the declared "Safe
Area" and allowed Serbian army General Ratko Mladic to move into
Srebrenica.
The complicity between UN commanders and the armies of the then Serbian
President Slobodan Milosevic has become a burning issue in man's
relentless march down the road of human rights up to the present century.
Even as late as last year, mass graves were still being found in
Srebrenica.
The Story of Srebrenica is not a deliberate intention to jolt the
reader's conscience but a reminder to the rest of the world that a
massacre of any ethnic community is a crime against mankind.
Taljic writes with a passion that can only come from personal experience
of the vagaries of war. The physical pain and the gradual loss of hope
resulting from families being torn apart are penned in starkly realistic
words that hold one's imagination in a vise-like grip.
Amid the suffering that has become synonymous with Srebrenica is the
unwavering faith in Islam. It is heartening to learn that Taljic has
elected not to judge or to condemn the perpetrators of this ethnic
cleansing.
Central to this book's theme is compassion. And with compassion comes
forgiveness. Definitely, a resounding call to the conscience of man all
over the world, more so to the members of the UNPROFOR who were guilty of
gross negligence in the protection of innocent lives.
This book, which has been adjudged the best published work in 30 years
of Bosnian, Herzegovinian and Bosniak literature, comes at a time when
parts of the world are still being shaken by armies running rampage across
villages and towns.
Perhaps, this splendid work may eventually loses its impact with the
passing of years but its message should have its rightful place in our
hearts and minds - that everybody deserves protection because we all come
from the family of man.
That when man loses his humanity, it's time for a courageous soul like
Taljic to remind us of mankind's greatest treasure - love for others and
care for the weak and innocent.
Read it with an open mind with no preconceived notions and you will
benefit from it. Read it especially if you are a non-Muslim, so that you
could walk in your brethren's shoes in a journey without distance and feel
the warmth of his heart next to yours.
Will They Ever Trust Us Again by Michael Moore
Letters From The War Zone
Michael Moore is a well known but controversial character. He has said and written a lot of things that have rubbed his own countrymen the wrong way. However, there's no denying that he feels rather strongly about his convictions. Whatever your opinions may be, Moore cannot be ignored. Not so easily, anyway.
MICHAEL Moore's books and films tend to leave his readers and viewers
with a feeling of anger and frustration. Since 2002 when Bowling for
Columbine propelled Moore into the world's stage as the forerunner for
grappling burning issues in the United States, controversial popularity
has dogged his heels.
This book will find a more ready audience in America where its citizens
can identify with the spectre of American men and women fighting in Iraq,
Afghanistan and for a while in Somalia.
This book should rightfully be described as "written by the anguished
parents and confused soldiers" because that is basically what it is. Moore
has received thousands of letters and e-mail from Americans who have a
bone to pick with America's involvement in the Iraq.
And as the US First Amendment allows, freedom of expression is very much
alive from New York to Los Angeles. Thus, Moore's mailbag is bursting at
its seams with reports and messages from those who are directly or
indirectly involved in the Middle East conflict.
Moore's message is direct and blunt. The present US president is tagged
as a war-monger and at the time this book was published, Moore made it
crystal clear why he should not be given a second term. And as we know,
the results are now history or rather history in the making.
As a student of history who sometimes dabbles in stories of military
campaigns that range from Genghiz Khan, Alexander the Great, Attila the
Hun to Adolf Hitler and Mussolini, I cannot fail but notice that most wars
tend to have somewhat similar patterns.
Leaders who sent hundreds of thousands of their own people to fight and
die don't normally do the actual fighting themselves. In truth, that is
politics, whether ancient or modern.
Hence, politics can sow the seeds of war which compel presidents,
emperors and crackpot dictators to send millions, if need be, to the
arenas of death. It has been so for as long as man learnt to fight each
other.
Moore's book is sadly onedimensional. It projects, rather strongly, the
views of all those who are disillusioned with the war and post-war
conditions in Iraq and elsewhere.
The first thought that enters one's head is how naIve can these people
be. The moment a person signs up with the army, some form of fighting can
be expected, even if at the later date. Death is very much part of the
package. The military recruiter will not elaborate too much on this part,
of course, lest the number of eager beavers dwindles drastically.
Moore has not shed light on anything new on this issue. People the world
over are afraid of death, and rightfully so. To die a violent death is not
any sane person's wish of ending his earthly existence.
On finishing this 218-page book, I can't help making a mental comparison
of a somewhat similar global situation about 70 years ago when Nazism
reared its ugly head in Germany.
At that time, the people of Europe desperately wanted peace. They found
ways to appease that short, little German with a funny moustache who
harboured visions of global conquest. Leader after leader rationalised
that war was too costly and had to be avoided at great costs.
By the time the leaders of friendly Europe had realised that they were
horrendously wrong, Hitler and his storm-troopers were knocking on their
doors. The penalty for such a misplaced compromise was about 35 million
lives around the world.
This little bit of historical fact may arguably be an unfair comparison
to Moore's latest treatise but nevertheless it does conjure images of
events long past.
I understand only too well the issues close to Moore's heart. His
convictions are strong and sincere. He wants the best for his country, as
do all of us living in our own countries. If only war and peace are as
simple as black and white, then mankind does not have to endure and
agonise through millennia of unnecessary suffering and silly misdeeds.
However, after plodding through all the anguished letters written by
mothers, brothers, women and active soldiers, the verdict is that life is
not fair. It really depends on your perception. The wonderful thing is
everyone has a choice. And if all the voices clamouring for peace can be
heard as one, we all can claim our just reward.
I guess Moore knows that already.
Michael Moore is a well known but controversial character. He has said and written a lot of things that have rubbed his own countrymen the wrong way. However, there's no denying that he feels rather strongly about his convictions. Whatever your opinions may be, Moore cannot be ignored. Not so easily, anyway.
MICHAEL Moore's books and films tend to leave his readers and viewers
with a feeling of anger and frustration. Since 2002 when Bowling for
Columbine propelled Moore into the world's stage as the forerunner for
grappling burning issues in the United States, controversial popularity
has dogged his heels.
This book will find a more ready audience in America where its citizens
can identify with the spectre of American men and women fighting in Iraq,
Afghanistan and for a while in Somalia.
This book should rightfully be described as "written by the anguished
parents and confused soldiers" because that is basically what it is. Moore
has received thousands of letters and e-mail from Americans who have a
bone to pick with America's involvement in the Iraq.
And as the US First Amendment allows, freedom of expression is very much
alive from New York to Los Angeles. Thus, Moore's mailbag is bursting at
its seams with reports and messages from those who are directly or
indirectly involved in the Middle East conflict.
Moore's message is direct and blunt. The present US president is tagged
as a war-monger and at the time this book was published, Moore made it
crystal clear why he should not be given a second term. And as we know,
the results are now history or rather history in the making.
As a student of history who sometimes dabbles in stories of military
campaigns that range from Genghiz Khan, Alexander the Great, Attila the
Hun to Adolf Hitler and Mussolini, I cannot fail but notice that most wars
tend to have somewhat similar patterns.
Leaders who sent hundreds of thousands of their own people to fight and
die don't normally do the actual fighting themselves. In truth, that is
politics, whether ancient or modern.
Hence, politics can sow the seeds of war which compel presidents,
emperors and crackpot dictators to send millions, if need be, to the
arenas of death. It has been so for as long as man learnt to fight each
other.
Moore's book is sadly onedimensional. It projects, rather strongly, the
views of all those who are disillusioned with the war and post-war
conditions in Iraq and elsewhere.
The first thought that enters one's head is how naIve can these people
be. The moment a person signs up with the army, some form of fighting can
be expected, even if at the later date. Death is very much part of the
package. The military recruiter will not elaborate too much on this part,
of course, lest the number of eager beavers dwindles drastically.
Moore has not shed light on anything new on this issue. People the world
over are afraid of death, and rightfully so. To die a violent death is not
any sane person's wish of ending his earthly existence.
On finishing this 218-page book, I can't help making a mental comparison
of a somewhat similar global situation about 70 years ago when Nazism
reared its ugly head in Germany.
At that time, the people of Europe desperately wanted peace. They found
ways to appease that short, little German with a funny moustache who
harboured visions of global conquest. Leader after leader rationalised
that war was too costly and had to be avoided at great costs.
By the time the leaders of friendly Europe had realised that they were
horrendously wrong, Hitler and his storm-troopers were knocking on their
doors. The penalty for such a misplaced compromise was about 35 million
lives around the world.
This little bit of historical fact may arguably be an unfair comparison
to Moore's latest treatise but nevertheless it does conjure images of
events long past.
I understand only too well the issues close to Moore's heart. His
convictions are strong and sincere. He wants the best for his country, as
do all of us living in our own countries. If only war and peace are as
simple as black and white, then mankind does not have to endure and
agonise through millennia of unnecessary suffering and silly misdeeds.
However, after plodding through all the anguished letters written by
mothers, brothers, women and active soldiers, the verdict is that life is
not fair. It really depends on your perception. The wonderful thing is
everyone has a choice. And if all the voices clamouring for peace can be
heard as one, we all can claim our just reward.
I guess Moore knows that already.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
BRAVE MEN DARK WATERS - The Untold Story of the Navy Seals
Author: Orr Kelly
Publisher: Pocket Books
I always enjoy reading books on special forces. People with sedentary lives find much fulfilment in the playground of their own imagination. So books like this fill a need in office workers like me.
Great stories in this classic.
THANKS to Hollywood, the name Seals is now almost as well-known as Coca-
Cola.
For decades, members of the USNavy Seals had operated under the cover
of darkness and away from the scrutiny of other prying intelligence
agencies.
But like most things or people whose reputation often precedes them, the
Seals of today have truly earned their stripes on the broken bodies,
courage and skills of their seniors and pioneers.
Orr Kelly's research into the Seals, an acronym for Sea, Air and Land,
took him into the Navy Library at the Washington Navy Yard, to a
collection of oral histories from the Naval Institute to the Pentagon.
The veteran defence correspondent has written an authoritative history
of the Seal programme. Brave Men Dark Waters is now considered a classic
for its wealth of details not found in other books on the Navy Seals.
Kelly's way of narrating the fascinating story about the US Seals
follows much like a Seal operation - strike hard, strike fast and strike
fear in the enemy, except here, the last part should be "fascination in
the readers".
Richard Marcinko, a Seal operative whose reputation has spread far
beyond the shores of America, is given generous mention in a chapter
devoted to his brave and sometime infamous deeds. Marcinko, also known as
Demo Dick the Assassin, was the leader of Seal Team Six.
After his unceremonious departure from the ranks of the Navy Seals,
Marcinko wrote a bestseller titled Seal Team Six. He then went on to write
a series of other books based either loosely or directly on his past
activities. No doubt, some Seals like Marcinko wear the badge of rogue
warrior pretty well.
For the US Navy Seals, the story began on the waters and shores of the
Pacific islands during the Second World War, when the fight against the
Japanese was raging with unfettered ferocity. In those days, the US Navy
had their Scouts and Raiders.
Soon, these were followed by the UDT or the Underwater Demolition Team
which later led to the formation of the modern-day Seals.
Hollywood has made much of the Seals, with some movies to the Special
Forces' immense benefit and others to their detriment. But only the Seal
commander will really know his men.
One veteran Seal officer had this to say after close observation of
Richard Marcinko's Team Six:
"You get a bunch of people, strong, smart, aggressive, and you require
them to kill other people.You are requiring guys to do some really tough
things. They are going in to find that terrorists are women, terrorists
are children, anybody. You're up close. This is very personal. The
psychologist looks at whether you can blow a hole in a man two feet away
and watch his brains come out the other side of his head - and do it."
Brave Men Dark Waters is all about the lengths well-trained soldiers
will go to for an objective. It recounts the vigorous, back-breaking,
mind-numbing courses that are designed to break most men except for the
exceptional few. Aptly, some of these courses are called Hell Weeks.
Before a soldier can be deemed fit to wear that badge which has an eagle
clutching in its claws a gun and a trident atop an anchor, he must first
undergo a vigorous six-month course, followed by another six months with a
full-fledged Seal team. And before all these courses can even begin, he
would have to endure four to six weeks of physical training and
indoctrination.
One of the Seals' favourite lines is: "Make them pay to kill you!"
Physical ailments like inflamed tendons, twisted knees and broken bones
are run-of-the-mill stuff. Trainees normally don't complain about them.
The lesser mortals just drop out. They are supposed to be Seals, for
heaven's sake, not ordinary human beings.
In the mid-'70s, it was reported that one Seal trainee class had 37 men.
None passed.
This book is filled with goose-pimpled accounts such as trainers
suffering stress-fracture of shin bones and thigh bones and yet continue
on regardless. On occasions when the stress becomes critical, it develops
into a compound fracture. That's when the bone protrudes outside the leg.
But if that was in the Seal training camp, in reality, it could be much
worse, as Orr Kelly tells it.
In 1972, somewhere in the Gulf of Tonkin, a team of Seals made its way
in a chopper on a mission called Operation Thunderhead, to rescue some
American PoWs who had planned to escape by way of Red River Delta. The
operation was botched when the PoWs had aborted their escape plan but
could not communicate with control centre. It was not one of the more
memorable Seal operations, resulting in many injuries among the rescue
party, but it demonstrated that despite the intensive training, anything
can and will happen in the field.
This lengthy tale of the history and exploits of US Navy Seals is one of
the finest I have ever come across. It does not hide the warts, the flaws
and the weaknesses in the Seal programme.
The bottom line is they are ultimately still human, and humans can and
do die when carrying out their duties, often in hostile territory. Out of
the chapters of pre-meditated sabotage, espionage, daring rescues and
weapons training, come shining examples of human courage, discipline and
display of awesome skills.
Today, the Seals continue to operate in small numbers, frequently away
from the scrutiny of the public or anybody else.
Very often, they do achieve their objectives. If they die, few will know
of it and if their mission is a success, only they and their commanders
know. That's because of who they are and what they do.
Publisher: Pocket Books
I always enjoy reading books on special forces. People with sedentary lives find much fulfilment in the playground of their own imagination. So books like this fill a need in office workers like me.
Great stories in this classic.
THANKS to Hollywood, the name Seals is now almost as well-known as Coca-
Cola.
For decades, members of the USNavy Seals had operated under the cover
of darkness and away from the scrutiny of other prying intelligence
agencies.
But like most things or people whose reputation often precedes them, the
Seals of today have truly earned their stripes on the broken bodies,
courage and skills of their seniors and pioneers.
Orr Kelly's research into the Seals, an acronym for Sea, Air and Land,
took him into the Navy Library at the Washington Navy Yard, to a
collection of oral histories from the Naval Institute to the Pentagon.
The veteran defence correspondent has written an authoritative history
of the Seal programme. Brave Men Dark Waters is now considered a classic
for its wealth of details not found in other books on the Navy Seals.
Kelly's way of narrating the fascinating story about the US Seals
follows much like a Seal operation - strike hard, strike fast and strike
fear in the enemy, except here, the last part should be "fascination in
the readers".
Richard Marcinko, a Seal operative whose reputation has spread far
beyond the shores of America, is given generous mention in a chapter
devoted to his brave and sometime infamous deeds. Marcinko, also known as
Demo Dick the Assassin, was the leader of Seal Team Six.
After his unceremonious departure from the ranks of the Navy Seals,
Marcinko wrote a bestseller titled Seal Team Six. He then went on to write
a series of other books based either loosely or directly on his past
activities. No doubt, some Seals like Marcinko wear the badge of rogue
warrior pretty well.
For the US Navy Seals, the story began on the waters and shores of the
Pacific islands during the Second World War, when the fight against the
Japanese was raging with unfettered ferocity. In those days, the US Navy
had their Scouts and Raiders.
Soon, these were followed by the UDT or the Underwater Demolition Team
which later led to the formation of the modern-day Seals.
Hollywood has made much of the Seals, with some movies to the Special
Forces' immense benefit and others to their detriment. But only the Seal
commander will really know his men.
One veteran Seal officer had this to say after close observation of
Richard Marcinko's Team Six:
"You get a bunch of people, strong, smart, aggressive, and you require
them to kill other people.You are requiring guys to do some really tough
things. They are going in to find that terrorists are women, terrorists
are children, anybody. You're up close. This is very personal. The
psychologist looks at whether you can blow a hole in a man two feet away
and watch his brains come out the other side of his head - and do it."
Brave Men Dark Waters is all about the lengths well-trained soldiers
will go to for an objective. It recounts the vigorous, back-breaking,
mind-numbing courses that are designed to break most men except for the
exceptional few. Aptly, some of these courses are called Hell Weeks.
Before a soldier can be deemed fit to wear that badge which has an eagle
clutching in its claws a gun and a trident atop an anchor, he must first
undergo a vigorous six-month course, followed by another six months with a
full-fledged Seal team. And before all these courses can even begin, he
would have to endure four to six weeks of physical training and
indoctrination.
One of the Seals' favourite lines is: "Make them pay to kill you!"
Physical ailments like inflamed tendons, twisted knees and broken bones
are run-of-the-mill stuff. Trainees normally don't complain about them.
The lesser mortals just drop out. They are supposed to be Seals, for
heaven's sake, not ordinary human beings.
In the mid-'70s, it was reported that one Seal trainee class had 37 men.
None passed.
This book is filled with goose-pimpled accounts such as trainers
suffering stress-fracture of shin bones and thigh bones and yet continue
on regardless. On occasions when the stress becomes critical, it develops
into a compound fracture. That's when the bone protrudes outside the leg.
But if that was in the Seal training camp, in reality, it could be much
worse, as Orr Kelly tells it.
In 1972, somewhere in the Gulf of Tonkin, a team of Seals made its way
in a chopper on a mission called Operation Thunderhead, to rescue some
American PoWs who had planned to escape by way of Red River Delta. The
operation was botched when the PoWs had aborted their escape plan but
could not communicate with control centre. It was not one of the more
memorable Seal operations, resulting in many injuries among the rescue
party, but it demonstrated that despite the intensive training, anything
can and will happen in the field.
This lengthy tale of the history and exploits of US Navy Seals is one of
the finest I have ever come across. It does not hide the warts, the flaws
and the weaknesses in the Seal programme.
The bottom line is they are ultimately still human, and humans can and
do die when carrying out their duties, often in hostile territory. Out of
the chapters of pre-meditated sabotage, espionage, daring rescues and
weapons training, come shining examples of human courage, discipline and
display of awesome skills.
Today, the Seals continue to operate in small numbers, frequently away
from the scrutiny of the public or anybody else.
Very often, they do achieve their objectives. If they die, few will know
of it and if their mission is a success, only they and their commanders
know. That's because of who they are and what they do.
AS I PLEASE by Salleh Ben Joned
Publisher: Times Editions
Salleh is one of Malaysia's most interesting men of letters. He was a university lecturer at the University Malaya and has written many articles that have provoked thinking among his readers. An utterly fascinating character who detests the limelight but nevertheless a kindly soul, even though he will never admit it.
SALLEH Ben Joned is not a person to be taken lightly, even though at
times he seems to write in that manner. Thus, this compilation of his
articles which appeared in the New Straits Times under a column of the
same title, As I Please, between 1991 and 1994, plus a few essays, say a
lot, or very little (as you please), about a man whom many know only from
a distance.
Frankly, it is with some surprise that we find a writer such as Salleh
living in our midst. Some will say we do not deserve him. It has been said
that he is irreverent, profane, loud and maybe even irrelevant in this day
and age in Malaysia.
Begging your pardon then, I beg to differ. As I read his essays and the
articles which sprung from the NST collection, tears were running down my
cheeks. Not of sorrow, but from comic relief. This man is really funny, in
a clever sort of way.
His command of English is exceptionally good. Perhaps, it's because he
spent a decade studying and socialising with a different crowd. But
whatever he found there seems to have sharpen his literary senses.
Salleh loves to expose those hypocrites who walk in disguise as holy men
or men of letters. Hence, he has probably made more enemies than friends,
but those who know him intimately (and I am not one of them) have
whispered the conclusion that he's either a genius or someone who is prone
to exposing himself too much.
The man has proudly and openly discussed some of the most controversial
things he had done in his younger and "wilder" days. Many of his peers and
students remember him and his antics from his university days.
From his writings, and at the risk of incurring his wrath, I would say
Salleh is about the most pious man I have ever come across. Certainly,
more honest than those self-proclaimed religious men he has taken pot-
shots at.
He claims he knows very little about the religion which he discussed
with great abandon but the little he knows seems quite eloquent in the
manner from which he dances across the subject.
In The (Malay) Malaysian Writer's Dilemma, his points of contention will
surprise many non-Malays. The passion and honesty in which he tells of a
Bumi Dilemma can only elicit silent applause from those who don't know
him.
Salleh's thoughts are refreshing, biting at times, he's brutally frank
but never dull.
Malaysia, a land sometimes accused by some members of that limited pool
of literati of being a wasteland where the river of ideas often stagnates,
would do very well with more men like Salleh Ben Joned.
The writer constantly pokes fun at himself in self-parody to show he's
not beyond staring at his own soul. As for the spelling of his name, which
may have raised some eyebrows, he says: "For those Melayus who are also
self-conscious about being Muslim (that means the overwhelming majority),
an added help would be in order. These readers will have concluded from
what they have heard of Salleh Ben Joned (`Ben' is of course a clear sign
of his secret Zionist, therefore anti-Islamic, sympathies) that the purity
of his religious identity is questionable.
"They will be glad to be informed that the pun of `sully' on
Salleh/Saleh is an unconscious acknowledgement of this, for `sully' is
from the Latin suculus which is a diminutive of sus, a boar or swine."
The articles in As I Please may shock many a reader even though they are
not designed to do so. Salleh's familiarity with parts of the human
anatomy may leave a reader from a more genteel background slightly
ruffled. The ease with which he discusses, argues and stirs topics with
sexual content can make some cringe or roll on the floor with laughter, as
in my case.
But whatever the reaction, the end result is a totally different
impression of the man from what you thought of him in the beginning.
Salleh has a natural inclination to either draw admiration or displeasure
from his readers.
From topics ranging from Kiss My Arse - In the Name of Common Humanity
to Anti-Islam and All That Jazz, this book is guaranteed to make your day,
regardless of which school of thought you belong to.
There will come a time in the years ahead when Salleh Ben Joned may no
longer stalk the earth, that the discovery will be made that he is indeed
a fine writer, nay, a great one. His thoughts are his own. He often thinks
them aloud, preferably standing on a table to a roomful of people who
would meekly keep their heads down and stare into their kopi-o.
Salleh is like a tiny candle in a room shrouded in total darkness. He
forces you to see things rather clearly through his mind's eyes. For that,
we should be grateful. Such a man only appears once in several
generations.
In many other countries, such a man would have accolades readily and
happily heaped on such a character, if they had one to call their own.
To embarrass the man further, may I add that Salleh is like that breath
of fresh air that fills your lungs at the break of dawn. So, to Salleh Ben
Joned, after getting slightly better acquainted with you through this
book, I tip my imaginary cap to you, just as you have lifted your
imaginary ketayap to those whom you admire.
Salleh is one of Malaysia's most interesting men of letters. He was a university lecturer at the University Malaya and has written many articles that have provoked thinking among his readers. An utterly fascinating character who detests the limelight but nevertheless a kindly soul, even though he will never admit it.
SALLEH Ben Joned is not a person to be taken lightly, even though at
times he seems to write in that manner. Thus, this compilation of his
articles which appeared in the New Straits Times under a column of the
same title, As I Please, between 1991 and 1994, plus a few essays, say a
lot, or very little (as you please), about a man whom many know only from
a distance.
Frankly, it is with some surprise that we find a writer such as Salleh
living in our midst. Some will say we do not deserve him. It has been said
that he is irreverent, profane, loud and maybe even irrelevant in this day
and age in Malaysia.
Begging your pardon then, I beg to differ. As I read his essays and the
articles which sprung from the NST collection, tears were running down my
cheeks. Not of sorrow, but from comic relief. This man is really funny, in
a clever sort of way.
His command of English is exceptionally good. Perhaps, it's because he
spent a decade studying and socialising with a different crowd. But
whatever he found there seems to have sharpen his literary senses.
Salleh loves to expose those hypocrites who walk in disguise as holy men
or men of letters. Hence, he has probably made more enemies than friends,
but those who know him intimately (and I am not one of them) have
whispered the conclusion that he's either a genius or someone who is prone
to exposing himself too much.
The man has proudly and openly discussed some of the most controversial
things he had done in his younger and "wilder" days. Many of his peers and
students remember him and his antics from his university days.
From his writings, and at the risk of incurring his wrath, I would say
Salleh is about the most pious man I have ever come across. Certainly,
more honest than those self-proclaimed religious men he has taken pot-
shots at.
He claims he knows very little about the religion which he discussed
with great abandon but the little he knows seems quite eloquent in the
manner from which he dances across the subject.
In The (Malay) Malaysian Writer's Dilemma, his points of contention will
surprise many non-Malays. The passion and honesty in which he tells of a
Bumi Dilemma can only elicit silent applause from those who don't know
him.
Salleh's thoughts are refreshing, biting at times, he's brutally frank
but never dull.
Malaysia, a land sometimes accused by some members of that limited pool
of literati of being a wasteland where the river of ideas often stagnates,
would do very well with more men like Salleh Ben Joned.
The writer constantly pokes fun at himself in self-parody to show he's
not beyond staring at his own soul. As for the spelling of his name, which
may have raised some eyebrows, he says: "For those Melayus who are also
self-conscious about being Muslim (that means the overwhelming majority),
an added help would be in order. These readers will have concluded from
what they have heard of Salleh Ben Joned (`Ben' is of course a clear sign
of his secret Zionist, therefore anti-Islamic, sympathies) that the purity
of his religious identity is questionable.
"They will be glad to be informed that the pun of `sully' on
Salleh/Saleh is an unconscious acknowledgement of this, for `sully' is
from the Latin suculus which is a diminutive of sus, a boar or swine."
The articles in As I Please may shock many a reader even though they are
not designed to do so. Salleh's familiarity with parts of the human
anatomy may leave a reader from a more genteel background slightly
ruffled. The ease with which he discusses, argues and stirs topics with
sexual content can make some cringe or roll on the floor with laughter, as
in my case.
But whatever the reaction, the end result is a totally different
impression of the man from what you thought of him in the beginning.
Salleh has a natural inclination to either draw admiration or displeasure
from his readers.
From topics ranging from Kiss My Arse - In the Name of Common Humanity
to Anti-Islam and All That Jazz, this book is guaranteed to make your day,
regardless of which school of thought you belong to.
There will come a time in the years ahead when Salleh Ben Joned may no
longer stalk the earth, that the discovery will be made that he is indeed
a fine writer, nay, a great one. His thoughts are his own. He often thinks
them aloud, preferably standing on a table to a roomful of people who
would meekly keep their heads down and stare into their kopi-o.
Salleh is like a tiny candle in a room shrouded in total darkness. He
forces you to see things rather clearly through his mind's eyes. For that,
we should be grateful. Such a man only appears once in several
generations.
In many other countries, such a man would have accolades readily and
happily heaped on such a character, if they had one to call their own.
To embarrass the man further, may I add that Salleh is like that breath
of fresh air that fills your lungs at the break of dawn. So, to Salleh Ben
Joned, after getting slightly better acquainted with you through this
book, I tip my imaginary cap to you, just as you have lifted your
imaginary ketayap to those whom you admire.
Books by Kee Thuan Chye - 1984 Here & Now; We Could *** You, Mr Birch; The Big Purge
Kee is a journalist who has established a solid reputation for himself among the voices of conscience in his own country. He has written these three plays during his periods of deep thought and after much reflection. They are fascinating reads.
SOMETIME in the near future, when you are browsing through the shelves
of a bookstore and looking for something substantial to digest, you may
want to consider one or all of the following titles: 1984 Here & Now, We
could **** You Mr Birch or The Big Purge by Kee Thuan Chye.
Kee has made occasional forays into the literary pages of various local
dailies. He is better known for his writing than his acting, even though
he has played minor roles in Hollywood movies like Entrapment and Anna And
The King.
He is versatile, without a doubt talented, and constantly seeks to
broaden himself and excel in the field of theatrical arts that he feels so
much passion for.
These three plays are revised editions of those that were published in
1987, 1994 and 2003. They are the collected thoughts of a man who, through
the theatre, chose to make known his feelings on subjects that were close
to the hearts and minds of many Malaysians.
While others preferred to maintain a stoic silence, Kee takes up the
gauntlet and walks bravely down a darkened corridor filled with real or
imaginary dangers.
Those who have attended his plays, staged from time to time to select
audiences, came away gratified that there are playwrights who have
artistically and successfully transplanted their feelings, passion and
thoughts onto the stage.
The Big Purge revolves around characters from different ethnic
backgrounds in a wayang kulit ambience. It touches none-too-gently the
issues of racial politics, migration and loyalty to one's country.
The play is starkly satirical and calculated to draw certain conclusions
in an atmosphere of hilarity.
1984 Here & Now, when it was first staged in 1985, drew rave reviews.
Malaysian audiences were unprepared for such a drama that touched on
subjects that were either talked about behind closed doors or argued aloud
in coffee shops among people from the same ethnic background.
It is said that members of the Special Branch also attended the play,
albeit for a different reason. Almost 20 years have passed since then, the
issues that were deemed "sensitive" then have slipped out of this category
and are no longer jaw-dropping when discussed publicly.
Based on George Orwell's novel, 1984, Kee's Here & Now broke new ground
when it first appeared on stage in 1985. It was, and still is, a
courageous piece of theatre. At a time when others purposely pursed their
lips, Kee jumped onto the issues with great gusto. Surely, a brave act by
any standard.
Theatre draws differing opinions, even from audiences who share a common
interest. No doubt this particular play will too, but all viewers from
then and the readers of the book now will readily agree that it sparks
scintillating discussion.
The dialogue between the main players is as relevant today as it was
back in 1985. To judge for yourself, the reader needs to approach the play
with no preconceived notions and allow the mind to draw its own
conclusions.
We Could **** You, Mr Birch is another of Kee's stirring contributions
to the local theatre. Based on an episode in colonial Malaya - when J.W.W.
Birch, the first British Resident, was murdered - the play projects a
multi-dimensional version of how it might have been. It adroitly employs
the fascinating elements of conspiracy, intrigue, love, seduction and
recalcitrance.
It is one of the gems that appears on the Malaysian stage from time to
time and brings the house down with long, pronounced applause. A lover of
theatre will be much entertained with Mr Birch.
Kee has pursued his theatrical interests with great fervour in the years
past. His private thoughts have manifested themselves in the form of plays
without fear or favour. The local theatre owes him a great debt for adding
not only colour, but also a sense of purpose, to the field of arts that
occasionally needs that vital spark to rekindle interest among theatre
lovers.
Playwrights such as Kee are rare in this country. In a multi-racial
nation where sensitivities are jealously guarded, for good reason, those
who buck the trend can sometimes be asked to pay a high price. But theatre
is one area where the lines become blurred and almost anything is game.
Thus, Kee has chosen the right platform. The three plays are daring,
controversial and most certainly entertaining. The fact that they were
allowed to be staged speaks volumes about the transformation that the
nation has undergone and is still undergoing.
But Kee can hold his head up high, because at a time when others
shrugged their shoulders and walked away, he stepped forward and spoke
aloud his thoughts, and theirs too.
Not bad for a guy who also sings a mean rendition of Johnny Mathis's
Fascination when he's in the right mood.
SOMETIME in the near future, when you are browsing through the shelves
of a bookstore and looking for something substantial to digest, you may
want to consider one or all of the following titles: 1984 Here & Now, We
could **** You Mr Birch or The Big Purge by Kee Thuan Chye.
Kee has made occasional forays into the literary pages of various local
dailies. He is better known for his writing than his acting, even though
he has played minor roles in Hollywood movies like Entrapment and Anna And
The King.
He is versatile, without a doubt talented, and constantly seeks to
broaden himself and excel in the field of theatrical arts that he feels so
much passion for.
These three plays are revised editions of those that were published in
1987, 1994 and 2003. They are the collected thoughts of a man who, through
the theatre, chose to make known his feelings on subjects that were close
to the hearts and minds of many Malaysians.
While others preferred to maintain a stoic silence, Kee takes up the
gauntlet and walks bravely down a darkened corridor filled with real or
imaginary dangers.
Those who have attended his plays, staged from time to time to select
audiences, came away gratified that there are playwrights who have
artistically and successfully transplanted their feelings, passion and
thoughts onto the stage.
The Big Purge revolves around characters from different ethnic
backgrounds in a wayang kulit ambience. It touches none-too-gently the
issues of racial politics, migration and loyalty to one's country.
The play is starkly satirical and calculated to draw certain conclusions
in an atmosphere of hilarity.
1984 Here & Now, when it was first staged in 1985, drew rave reviews.
Malaysian audiences were unprepared for such a drama that touched on
subjects that were either talked about behind closed doors or argued aloud
in coffee shops among people from the same ethnic background.
It is said that members of the Special Branch also attended the play,
albeit for a different reason. Almost 20 years have passed since then, the
issues that were deemed "sensitive" then have slipped out of this category
and are no longer jaw-dropping when discussed publicly.
Based on George Orwell's novel, 1984, Kee's Here & Now broke new ground
when it first appeared on stage in 1985. It was, and still is, a
courageous piece of theatre. At a time when others purposely pursed their
lips, Kee jumped onto the issues with great gusto. Surely, a brave act by
any standard.
Theatre draws differing opinions, even from audiences who share a common
interest. No doubt this particular play will too, but all viewers from
then and the readers of the book now will readily agree that it sparks
scintillating discussion.
The dialogue between the main players is as relevant today as it was
back in 1985. To judge for yourself, the reader needs to approach the play
with no preconceived notions and allow the mind to draw its own
conclusions.
We Could **** You, Mr Birch is another of Kee's stirring contributions
to the local theatre. Based on an episode in colonial Malaya - when J.W.W.
Birch, the first British Resident, was murdered - the play projects a
multi-dimensional version of how it might have been. It adroitly employs
the fascinating elements of conspiracy, intrigue, love, seduction and
recalcitrance.
It is one of the gems that appears on the Malaysian stage from time to
time and brings the house down with long, pronounced applause. A lover of
theatre will be much entertained with Mr Birch.
Kee has pursued his theatrical interests with great fervour in the years
past. His private thoughts have manifested themselves in the form of plays
without fear or favour. The local theatre owes him a great debt for adding
not only colour, but also a sense of purpose, to the field of arts that
occasionally needs that vital spark to rekindle interest among theatre
lovers.
Playwrights such as Kee are rare in this country. In a multi-racial
nation where sensitivities are jealously guarded, for good reason, those
who buck the trend can sometimes be asked to pay a high price. But theatre
is one area where the lines become blurred and almost anything is game.
Thus, Kee has chosen the right platform. The three plays are daring,
controversial and most certainly entertaining. The fact that they were
allowed to be staged speaks volumes about the transformation that the
nation has undergone and is still undergoing.
But Kee can hold his head up high, because at a time when others
shrugged their shoulders and walked away, he stepped forward and spoke
aloud his thoughts, and theirs too.
Not bad for a guy who also sings a mean rendition of Johnny Mathis's
Fascination when he's in the right mood.
Common Trees in Peat Swamp Forests of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ng Tian Peng and Shamsudin Ibrahim
Publisher: Forest Research Institute Malaysia
If you are curious about what goes on in tropical peat swamps, this is definitely the book for you. It is a magnificent world which ordinary folks won't dare to step into. However, for those who profession demands their participation in these places, the discoveries are almost infinite.
IF you've been near a peat swamp, you will know how trekker-unfriendly
such a place is. This book attempts to put everything that you have ever
wanted to know about peat swamps, but didn't know what to ask, in its
proper perspective.
First, Peninsular Malaysia does not have a wide area of peat swamps. In
1981, it was estimated that peat swamps in Peninsular Malaysia covered
only 0.67 million hectares. Ten years later, the size was reduced to 0.34
million, largely due to reclamation projects for development purposes.
This book is the fruit of the labour of two hardworking people who have
spent many hours with their feet submerged in water and their bodies
subjected to the biohazards that prevail in such an environment.
The book illustrates quite thoroughly 56 species of trees found in the
peat forests of Pekan, Kuala Langat South and Kuala Selangor. The findings
in this book came from an extensive collection of leaves, fruit and
flowers. All of which were photographed and, tagged, so to speak.
The trees described are by no means a complete overview. There are many
more species but those that have been written about are the common ones.
Poor accessibility was reported to be a major problem in collecting more
detailed information about how the trees survive under different climatic
conditions and the biological phenomena of such an ecosystem.
To the average person, peat swamps are a no-go place, meaning only
snakes, big insects, and other creatures of the wild inhabit the place.
Unknown to many, for decades, peat swamps have been a great source of
valuable timber used for commercial purposes.
The past 30 years have seen large tracts of peat swamps being converted
into agriculture land, particularly for oil palm and pineapples.
Scientists are of the opinion that this form of conversion poses the
greatest threat to the sustainable management of this fragile ecosystem.
One of the major problems that results from peat swamp conversion is the
draining of water. A dried peat forest is exceptionally susceptible to
fire. In 1997 and 1998, all the fires reported in the newspapers (aside
from buildings) were in degraded peat swamp forests.
This book has eminently served its purpose in casting a bright light on
the erstwhile dark, almost impenetrable areas of the peat swamp forest. A
careful reading of its chapters, ranging from forest management, tree
species, to descriptions of the species enable the reader to understand
intimately the types of wood extracted for commercial purposes.
Well-taken photographs of the trees in their natural habitat, their
fruit and the leaves peculiar to the trees described enlighten the
aspiring forestry student or the nature lover on the happenings in
nature's kingdom.
Do you know that the nyatoh wood that makes up your kitchen cabinets
comes from a medium to large-sized tree, exceeding 30m in height? This
species is found only in peat swamps or freshwater forest swamps.
Nyatoh is used for decorative work, furniture and the making of boats.
Another species which deserves honourable mention is ramin. It comes
from a large-sized tree which is usually 40- to 50m tall. Ramin trees are
more common in the Sarawak peat swamp forests. It is an important timber
which is used for high quality furniture.
With the methodical approach in categorising the various species of
trees that thrive in peat swamps, the authors of this book have
successfully completed their task of educating and informing the public of
the origins of the various kinds of furniture, as well as timber for
houses, boats and railway sleepers.
The properties of the different timbers are succinctly elaborated upon
and the generous display of pictures have added much colour to what
otherwise would have been a rather dry subject.
This very useful research material should fit in quite nicely between
the other information books on Malaysia on your book shelves
Publisher: Forest Research Institute Malaysia
If you are curious about what goes on in tropical peat swamps, this is definitely the book for you. It is a magnificent world which ordinary folks won't dare to step into. However, for those who profession demands their participation in these places, the discoveries are almost infinite.
IF you've been near a peat swamp, you will know how trekker-unfriendly
such a place is. This book attempts to put everything that you have ever
wanted to know about peat swamps, but didn't know what to ask, in its
proper perspective.
First, Peninsular Malaysia does not have a wide area of peat swamps. In
1981, it was estimated that peat swamps in Peninsular Malaysia covered
only 0.67 million hectares. Ten years later, the size was reduced to 0.34
million, largely due to reclamation projects for development purposes.
This book is the fruit of the labour of two hardworking people who have
spent many hours with their feet submerged in water and their bodies
subjected to the biohazards that prevail in such an environment.
The book illustrates quite thoroughly 56 species of trees found in the
peat forests of Pekan, Kuala Langat South and Kuala Selangor. The findings
in this book came from an extensive collection of leaves, fruit and
flowers. All of which were photographed and, tagged, so to speak.
The trees described are by no means a complete overview. There are many
more species but those that have been written about are the common ones.
Poor accessibility was reported to be a major problem in collecting more
detailed information about how the trees survive under different climatic
conditions and the biological phenomena of such an ecosystem.
To the average person, peat swamps are a no-go place, meaning only
snakes, big insects, and other creatures of the wild inhabit the place.
Unknown to many, for decades, peat swamps have been a great source of
valuable timber used for commercial purposes.
The past 30 years have seen large tracts of peat swamps being converted
into agriculture land, particularly for oil palm and pineapples.
Scientists are of the opinion that this form of conversion poses the
greatest threat to the sustainable management of this fragile ecosystem.
One of the major problems that results from peat swamp conversion is the
draining of water. A dried peat forest is exceptionally susceptible to
fire. In 1997 and 1998, all the fires reported in the newspapers (aside
from buildings) were in degraded peat swamp forests.
This book has eminently served its purpose in casting a bright light on
the erstwhile dark, almost impenetrable areas of the peat swamp forest. A
careful reading of its chapters, ranging from forest management, tree
species, to descriptions of the species enable the reader to understand
intimately the types of wood extracted for commercial purposes.
Well-taken photographs of the trees in their natural habitat, their
fruit and the leaves peculiar to the trees described enlighten the
aspiring forestry student or the nature lover on the happenings in
nature's kingdom.
Do you know that the nyatoh wood that makes up your kitchen cabinets
comes from a medium to large-sized tree, exceeding 30m in height? This
species is found only in peat swamps or freshwater forest swamps.
Nyatoh is used for decorative work, furniture and the making of boats.
Another species which deserves honourable mention is ramin. It comes
from a large-sized tree which is usually 40- to 50m tall. Ramin trees are
more common in the Sarawak peat swamp forests. It is an important timber
which is used for high quality furniture.
With the methodical approach in categorising the various species of
trees that thrive in peat swamps, the authors of this book have
successfully completed their task of educating and informing the public of
the origins of the various kinds of furniture, as well as timber for
houses, boats and railway sleepers.
The properties of the different timbers are succinctly elaborated upon
and the generous display of pictures have added much colour to what
otherwise would have been a rather dry subject.
This very useful research material should fit in quite nicely between
the other information books on Malaysia on your book shelves
A GUIDEBOOK TO PASOH edited by S.S. Lee
Published by Forest Research Institute Malaysia
In every country, there are some areas which are nature's own. Fortunately for us in Malaysia, there are many spots like the above but not many are documented well. This is an exception. Pasoh is one of Paradise's last holdouts.
SOMEWHERE about eight kilometres from Simpang Pertang in Negri Sembilan
lies one of the State's greatest undiscovered secrets (up till now). It is
the Pasoh Forest Reserve.
If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, it will take you about two and a
half hours to get there. Enjoy the scenery. The Pasoh Forest Reserve is
2,450 hectares. It is surrounded on three sides by oil palm plantations.
Six hundred hectares of its core area is in pristine condition. The rest
of the surrounding buffer zone is regenerating lowland forest.
Since 1977, the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has been
managing the reserve. Previously, it was under University of Malaya. For
25 years, Pasoh has been a field research station of FRIM.
Understandably, few people know about this field station. Thus, the
forest is immensely rich in terms of tree species.
There is no big game at Pasoh, such as tapirs and tigers. However, you
may find elephants roaming around. There is also a wide variety of small
mammals, primates and birds.
It is a haven for bird watchers. Birds that are not found in other
reserves have found a home in Pasoh. Malaysian scientists, as well as
scientists from overseas, are using Pasoh to conduct field studies. It is
also an education centre for school children and university students.
This guidebook is a treasure trove of research data which will be a
bonus to any student interested in Malaysian flora and fauna. Coloured
pictures of the various types of vegetation and plants leave little to the
reader's imagination as to what kind of vegetation grows in your garden or
those trees which you often pass by along the highway.
The section on vegetation and plants is particularly useful because it
has pictures identifying the non-edible and edible fruits in the forest.
So next time, you are stuck in the forest and are feeling the hunger
pangs, a bit of knowledge provided by this guidebook may just save your
life.
Other bits of information are about herbs and shrubs, climbers and
stranglers. These are little cousins of trees which either climb the tree
trunks or cling on to the upper branches of trees for survival and
support.
The wonderful part about this guidebook is the detailed and sharp colour
pictures of the various types of leaves, fronds and fruits that abound in
the reserve. The discovery that my aunt's house has a stag-horn fern
actually growing on one of the trees in her garden was most rewarding.
Most of the time, the uninitiated would not be able to identify the
various types of jungle-like plants that one sometimes sees in a
neighbour's garden or backyard.
This guidebook is a compilation of the writings by various scientists
who have done much research in the Pasoh forest reserve. There are five
chapters which range from background and history to insects and mushrooms.
The present edition has been updated and revised from its previous
publication in 1980 entitled A Walk Through Pasoh Forest.
The chapter on birds and mammals should be a source of delight for
anybody even remotely interested in those little critters that one
sometimes sees scurrying around one's neighbourhood.
For example, it has come to my knowledge through this guidebook that the
"squirrel" which has been using my own garden as its playground in the
mornings is actually a common tree shrew.
The chapter on mushrooms is also of great importance because it clearly
identifies the various types of edible and poisonous mushrooms. Mushrooms
come under the fungi category. Even though there are 69,000 known species
of fungi, the rough estimate of fungi is about 1.5 million.
So be careful of what type of mushrooms you pick from the forest or
garden. Better still, stick to the ones that are sold in the supermarket.
This guidebook lists down the various species of mushrooms that thrive in
Pasoh. Accompanied by pictures, mushrooms have taken on a new meaning to
the man-in-the-street.
Personally, I am surprised books like this are not made readily
available in school and public libraries. This book in particular is very
readable and a fantastic source of information for everybody, young and
old.
In every country, there are some areas which are nature's own. Fortunately for us in Malaysia, there are many spots like the above but not many are documented well. This is an exception. Pasoh is one of Paradise's last holdouts.
SOMEWHERE about eight kilometres from Simpang Pertang in Negri Sembilan
lies one of the State's greatest undiscovered secrets (up till now). It is
the Pasoh Forest Reserve.
If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur, it will take you about two and a
half hours to get there. Enjoy the scenery. The Pasoh Forest Reserve is
2,450 hectares. It is surrounded on three sides by oil palm plantations.
Six hundred hectares of its core area is in pristine condition. The rest
of the surrounding buffer zone is regenerating lowland forest.
Since 1977, the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has been
managing the reserve. Previously, it was under University of Malaya. For
25 years, Pasoh has been a field research station of FRIM.
Understandably, few people know about this field station. Thus, the
forest is immensely rich in terms of tree species.
There is no big game at Pasoh, such as tapirs and tigers. However, you
may find elephants roaming around. There is also a wide variety of small
mammals, primates and birds.
It is a haven for bird watchers. Birds that are not found in other
reserves have found a home in Pasoh. Malaysian scientists, as well as
scientists from overseas, are using Pasoh to conduct field studies. It is
also an education centre for school children and university students.
This guidebook is a treasure trove of research data which will be a
bonus to any student interested in Malaysian flora and fauna. Coloured
pictures of the various types of vegetation and plants leave little to the
reader's imagination as to what kind of vegetation grows in your garden or
those trees which you often pass by along the highway.
The section on vegetation and plants is particularly useful because it
has pictures identifying the non-edible and edible fruits in the forest.
So next time, you are stuck in the forest and are feeling the hunger
pangs, a bit of knowledge provided by this guidebook may just save your
life.
Other bits of information are about herbs and shrubs, climbers and
stranglers. These are little cousins of trees which either climb the tree
trunks or cling on to the upper branches of trees for survival and
support.
The wonderful part about this guidebook is the detailed and sharp colour
pictures of the various types of leaves, fronds and fruits that abound in
the reserve. The discovery that my aunt's house has a stag-horn fern
actually growing on one of the trees in her garden was most rewarding.
Most of the time, the uninitiated would not be able to identify the
various types of jungle-like plants that one sometimes sees in a
neighbour's garden or backyard.
This guidebook is a compilation of the writings by various scientists
who have done much research in the Pasoh forest reserve. There are five
chapters which range from background and history to insects and mushrooms.
The present edition has been updated and revised from its previous
publication in 1980 entitled A Walk Through Pasoh Forest.
The chapter on birds and mammals should be a source of delight for
anybody even remotely interested in those little critters that one
sometimes sees scurrying around one's neighbourhood.
For example, it has come to my knowledge through this guidebook that the
"squirrel" which has been using my own garden as its playground in the
mornings is actually a common tree shrew.
The chapter on mushrooms is also of great importance because it clearly
identifies the various types of edible and poisonous mushrooms. Mushrooms
come under the fungi category. Even though there are 69,000 known species
of fungi, the rough estimate of fungi is about 1.5 million.
So be careful of what type of mushrooms you pick from the forest or
garden. Better still, stick to the ones that are sold in the supermarket.
This guidebook lists down the various species of mushrooms that thrive in
Pasoh. Accompanied by pictures, mushrooms have taken on a new meaning to
the man-in-the-street.
Personally, I am surprised books like this are not made readily
available in school and public libraries. This book in particular is very
readable and a fantastic source of information for everybody, young and
old.
Windows on the Forest by Louis Ratnam
Glimpses of FRIM for the Nature Loving Visitor
Published by Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, there's a neat little forest reserve which holds many fascinating secrets of Mother Nature. This is the "window" which opens the natural world before our eyes. A great read.
IF you are a wanderer of the wilds, an erstwhile traveller or trekker of
forests, jungles, or simply the outdoors, then this book would make you
want to take time off soonest possible to re-enter such a world.
This coffee-table book draws the reader into the FRIM domain of trees,
insects, fresh air and serenity.
It is a little known fact that the Forest Research Institute Malaysia
first came into being in 1926 when the Chief Conservator of Forests, G.M.
Cubitt, with great foresight, decided to embark on a daring experiment. He
undertook to build a forest ecosystem from its roots, literally.
The project was to choose a denuded landscape in Kepong, Selangor, which
was stripped of its original forest cover and planted the 42-hectare plot
with carefully-selected species of trees.
The man picked for this task was Dr F.W. Foxworthy who was to become the
institute's first Chief Research Officer.
It was probably Klang Valley's first great experiment in nature.
From 42 hectares, it expanded to 220 hectares in 1957. There was an
interlude during the Second World War.
Then in 1977, Dr Salleh Mohd Nor was appointed director-general of the
institute. The institute was formally changed to its present name, Forest
Research Institute Malaysia, by an Act of Parliament in 1984.
The inauguration of FRIM took place on April 5, 1986.
Today, nature has taken its beautiful hold on the place and called it
its own. The people who run the place are merely custodians of nature's
treasures, seen in all its splendour - the wide range of trees, the
insects, creatures of day and night, the waterfall, the natural pathways
and the sideways that lead the unsuspecting visitor to a world that can
only thrill his imagination and his senses.
This hardcover book has a magnificent display of beautiful pictures. For
those who have visited FRIM, it will re-ignite their senses to recall
those quiet walks along the many tree-covered roads that criss-crossed
FRIM.
For those who have not seen the place, it will seduce your senses into
desiring to visit a place that so many thousands in Klang Valley have
visited and grown to love.
FRIM today is a living testimony of an experiment carried out 76 years
ago which has succeeded beyond the imagination of its founders. As the
pioneers had sown, we the lucky ones today have reaped.
Windows On The Forest is well researched and the contents are properly
organised to lend a panoramic view of what is currently an expanding
natural galaxy of herbs, fungi, vertebrates and feathered creatures.
From the information received from this 144-page book, we must truly say
a silent prayer of thanks to all those who have sacrificed their time and
efforts into making FRIM a jewel in Selangor's crown.
This book is like a breath of fresh air that enlivens your mind, gets
you off your seat and makes you want to go right to FRIM this weekend with
your family.
The story of a psy-warrior - C.C. Too by Lim Cheng Leng
The author is a dear friend of mine. Before he passed away not so long ago, he managed to have his book published. It was a great honour on my part to review his book upon his request. May his soul rest in peace. Mr Lim is a man of character who has lived long and experienced much. A life well lived, full of adventures which most of us young 'uns know little about.
THE war against Communism in Malaya and later Malaysia raged on
immediately after 1945 when World War II ended with the Japanese
surrender.
The Communists, who played a role in fighting the Japanese, subsequently
emerged from the jungle and into the forefront of the political arena of a
war-weary nation.
At stake was the political future of a multi-racial society.
In the midst of this tussle between the two systems on opposite ends of
the political spectrum walked a quiet man who was to play a pivotal role
in the future of his country.
That man was Too Chee Chew, who later became better known as C.C. Too.
This is his story as told by a close colleague and friend who battled
alongside him for the hearts and minds of people who were scarred mentally
by the ravages of a merciless war which left behind many widows, orphans,
and mothers without children.
Lim Cheng Leng, former head of the Malaysian Special Branch Psywar Desk,
has reached deep into the recesses of his keen memory to resuscitate long-
forgotten facts.
The implications of his book's revelations are wide-ranging and far-
reaching on subjects such as subterfuge, psychological warfare,
indoctrination and infiltration of the mind.
In its highest form, the war C.C. Too fought was a war without weapons.
The vanquished vanished either into the jungle or across another border
almost never to be seen again.
This concise biography does not have the pyrotechnics of a Tom Clancy
novel, nor the suspense of a John Grisham. What it has, abundantly, are
facts culled from Lim's close association with Too and his deep knowledge
of the man.
It also offers untold stories, till now, of what went on behind
historical events like the assassination of British High Commissioner
Henry Gurney in 1951, the Batu Caves Massacre of 1942, and the Baling
Talks of 1955 between Communist leader Chin Peng and Tunku Abdul Rahman.
We learn how it was acting on C.C. Too's advice that gained the Tunku the
upper hand in the Baling Talks.
What made Too such a formidable opponent against the Reds could be
traced to his beginnings as the grandson of Too Nam who was the tutor of
Dr Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern China.
His childhood sheds considerable light on the formative years of a man
who was compelled to walk destiny's path as a psy-warrior.
Too Chee Chew was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1920 and studied up till
Junior Middle Standard in a Chinese school.
Later he continued his education at the Methodist Boys' School where he
proved to be a brilliant student.
His scholastic achievements included being champion for three
consecutive years - 1936, 1937 and 1938 - for competitive scholarships.
His successes were by no means confined to the classroom. C.C. Too also
featured prominently in sports where he was captain of Horley House.
He excelled in public speaking - something that would hold him in good
stead in the ensuing years.
According to Lim, Too had the ability to see "the other dimension".
Although this might seem bizarre related to a person of Too's reputation
and stature, Lim is convinced Too "could see the spirits but he would not
say so to avoid scaring the people around him".
Perhaps this could account in a small way for his enormous success
against the Communists.
Two chapters in the book deserve special attention. These are the ones
on the art of psychological warfare - tactical and strategic.
Lim's deliberations are no doubt an encapsulation of Too's strategies.
Nonetheless, they push open that oft-shut window of secrets and lets
through a beam of knowledge to shine upon the public. Now some of the
questions which students of war frequently ask are answered.
Lim has done his best to present the facts as they revolved around C.C.
Too.
But one gets the nagging feeling that there's much more about Too that
has been left unanswered, deliberately.
His mission to Singapore in 1962 makes for compelling reading. Overall,
this final chapter of the book could be considered its piece de
resistance.
The icing on the cake is Too's impromptu speech, quoted verbatim here,
given in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on October 15, 1962, to staff and
officers of the US Army Command and General Staff College.
His talk was on psychological warfare, and you would really have to read
it at least twice to appreciate its worth.
The first time to be thrilled, the second time to absorb and learn.
Lim Cheng Leng has done students of history a great favour in uncovering
some of this country's deepest secrets in The Story of a Psy-Warrior.
The book also comes with a generous display of photographs taken from
C.C. Too's personal collection, some of which are not found even in the
national archives.
It certainly deserves to be read.
THE war against Communism in Malaya and later Malaysia raged on
immediately after 1945 when World War II ended with the Japanese
surrender.
The Communists, who played a role in fighting the Japanese, subsequently
emerged from the jungle and into the forefront of the political arena of a
war-weary nation.
At stake was the political future of a multi-racial society.
In the midst of this tussle between the two systems on opposite ends of
the political spectrum walked a quiet man who was to play a pivotal role
in the future of his country.
That man was Too Chee Chew, who later became better known as C.C. Too.
This is his story as told by a close colleague and friend who battled
alongside him for the hearts and minds of people who were scarred mentally
by the ravages of a merciless war which left behind many widows, orphans,
and mothers without children.
Lim Cheng Leng, former head of the Malaysian Special Branch Psywar Desk,
has reached deep into the recesses of his keen memory to resuscitate long-
forgotten facts.
The implications of his book's revelations are wide-ranging and far-
reaching on subjects such as subterfuge, psychological warfare,
indoctrination and infiltration of the mind.
In its highest form, the war C.C. Too fought was a war without weapons.
The vanquished vanished either into the jungle or across another border
almost never to be seen again.
This concise biography does not have the pyrotechnics of a Tom Clancy
novel, nor the suspense of a John Grisham. What it has, abundantly, are
facts culled from Lim's close association with Too and his deep knowledge
of the man.
It also offers untold stories, till now, of what went on behind
historical events like the assassination of British High Commissioner
Henry Gurney in 1951, the Batu Caves Massacre of 1942, and the Baling
Talks of 1955 between Communist leader Chin Peng and Tunku Abdul Rahman.
We learn how it was acting on C.C. Too's advice that gained the Tunku the
upper hand in the Baling Talks.
What made Too such a formidable opponent against the Reds could be
traced to his beginnings as the grandson of Too Nam who was the tutor of
Dr Sun Yat Sen, the founder of modern China.
His childhood sheds considerable light on the formative years of a man
who was compelled to walk destiny's path as a psy-warrior.
Too Chee Chew was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1920 and studied up till
Junior Middle Standard in a Chinese school.
Later he continued his education at the Methodist Boys' School where he
proved to be a brilliant student.
His scholastic achievements included being champion for three
consecutive years - 1936, 1937 and 1938 - for competitive scholarships.
His successes were by no means confined to the classroom. C.C. Too also
featured prominently in sports where he was captain of Horley House.
He excelled in public speaking - something that would hold him in good
stead in the ensuing years.
According to Lim, Too had the ability to see "the other dimension".
Although this might seem bizarre related to a person of Too's reputation
and stature, Lim is convinced Too "could see the spirits but he would not
say so to avoid scaring the people around him".
Perhaps this could account in a small way for his enormous success
against the Communists.
Two chapters in the book deserve special attention. These are the ones
on the art of psychological warfare - tactical and strategic.
Lim's deliberations are no doubt an encapsulation of Too's strategies.
Nonetheless, they push open that oft-shut window of secrets and lets
through a beam of knowledge to shine upon the public. Now some of the
questions which students of war frequently ask are answered.
Lim has done his best to present the facts as they revolved around C.C.
Too.
But one gets the nagging feeling that there's much more about Too that
has been left unanswered, deliberately.
His mission to Singapore in 1962 makes for compelling reading. Overall,
this final chapter of the book could be considered its piece de
resistance.
The icing on the cake is Too's impromptu speech, quoted verbatim here,
given in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on October 15, 1962, to staff and
officers of the US Army Command and General Staff College.
His talk was on psychological warfare, and you would really have to read
it at least twice to appreciate its worth.
The first time to be thrilled, the second time to absorb and learn.
Lim Cheng Leng has done students of history a great favour in uncovering
some of this country's deepest secrets in The Story of a Psy-Warrior.
The book also comes with a generous display of photographs taken from
C.C. Too's personal collection, some of which are not found even in the
national archives.
It certainly deserves to be read.
INVESTING IN INTERNET STOCKS by Leo Gough
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Lrd, Pages: 254,
Well, a lot of people want to make money in the Internet gold rush but don't know where to dig, so to speak. Here are 10 chaps who are willing to impart a little of what they know to get you started. Good luck!
ELECTRONIC commerce seems to be the buzzword among modern young
professionals who are prospecting for wealth in the rich mines of the
Internet. As the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation (Nasdaq), the US technology stocks indicator, has shown, these
business gold mines can sometimes be landmines for the unsuspecting
entrepreneur.
Investing in Internet Stocks - the Global Gold Rush in the New Economy
consists of interviews with 10 veterans of this increasingly popular money
game. In the parlance of this particular Net zone, these boardroom-
hardened, Internet-savvy professionals are known as VCs or venture
capitalists.
Going by the news reports in business magazines and newspapers
worldwide, VCs are taking the wired world by storm. Young people are
earning their first millions even before they touch 30.
If you are a neophyte in this field, still groping for answers which
have so far eluded you, this book may just be the panacea to some of your
temporal problems.
Between its covers, lie the opinions and sure-fire answers of people who
have already gone through the mill and earned their spurs in the virtual
world.
For some of us Asians, the subject of VCs prowling in the Internet world
is as foreign as finding the cure for cancer among the plants in the
deepest part of the Amazon jungle. For this, writer Gough has managed to
interview someone whom all Malaysians can identify with. This successful
individual, Hanson Cheah, is one of `our boys' who is now ensconced,
rather successfully I must add, in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Cheah runs AsiaTech Ventures, an organisation which has 42 firms in its
portfolio. AsiaTech manages US$ 250 million (RM950 million) worth of
funds. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-educated Cheah, who moved
to Hong Kong a few years ago to seek his fortune, says: `We went from zero
funds to US$ 18.5 million - today, we're managing US$ 250 million - and
from two people working out of our bedrooms to 42 people spread across
Asia as well as in the United States; that's one employee per investee.'
Not bad for one of our very own boys.
If this book has only one message to convey, it is this: Awareness ...
awareness of the massive nuggets of e-commerce potential which lie
unexploited beneath the landscape of the Internet.
Consider another successful tale, that of Ilyas Khan, a British-born
investor who co-founded techpacific.com. Khan relates his story like a
tale from the Arabian Nights. He says: `My professional career started in
1984 with Schroders, and I've been an investment banker, principally, a
corporate financier, for virtually all of my career until autumn 1998. It
was on Friday, Nov 17, 1998, that I and my partner, Johnny Chan, finally
decided to set up techpacific.com having planned it since March 1998.'
On the question, from an investment point of view, which region in the
world now offers the best opportunity, says Khan, `By way of definition,
if you're just looking at opportunity and you're not risk-weighting it,
there's no doubt that it's Asia.'
This book opens the window very wide to reveal the tremendous potential
and the short-comings inherent in Asia. Listening to comments made with
much candour, perhaps for the first time for many, it is almost with a
sense of relief that one knows the truth is finally out and we now know
where to go.
In illustrating an important point, Khan stresses, `In England, we're
trying to set up something called TechAtlantic, and you know the first
thing English people say is, "How am I going to pay the mortgage? How long
is my lunch break? I can't work after 7pm." Moan, moan, moan! Here in Hong
Kong, our people are working flat out. These are rather extreme examples,
but they highlight my point.'
In a nutshell, Investing in Internet Stocks is a gem. Read it if you are
aspiring to be a VC. Read it even if you don't intend to be one. Gaining
an awareness of the e-commerce world through the eyes of 10 people who
have learned the ropes is akin to taking the 10 most valuable lessons on
Internet business.
The wisdom of its speakers is clear. The truisms are succinct and easily
digestible. If your career plans are now germinating in the rich field of
information technology and you hope to move to richer and greener pastures
in the near future, this book will go a long way in helping you make a
couple of right moves. Who knows, it may even make you rich!
Well, a lot of people want to make money in the Internet gold rush but don't know where to dig, so to speak. Here are 10 chaps who are willing to impart a little of what they know to get you started. Good luck!
ELECTRONIC commerce seems to be the buzzword among modern young
professionals who are prospecting for wealth in the rich mines of the
Internet. As the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation (Nasdaq), the US technology stocks indicator, has shown, these
business gold mines can sometimes be landmines for the unsuspecting
entrepreneur.
Investing in Internet Stocks - the Global Gold Rush in the New Economy
consists of interviews with 10 veterans of this increasingly popular money
game. In the parlance of this particular Net zone, these boardroom-
hardened, Internet-savvy professionals are known as VCs or venture
capitalists.
Going by the news reports in business magazines and newspapers
worldwide, VCs are taking the wired world by storm. Young people are
earning their first millions even before they touch 30.
If you are a neophyte in this field, still groping for answers which
have so far eluded you, this book may just be the panacea to some of your
temporal problems.
Between its covers, lie the opinions and sure-fire answers of people who
have already gone through the mill and earned their spurs in the virtual
world.
For some of us Asians, the subject of VCs prowling in the Internet world
is as foreign as finding the cure for cancer among the plants in the
deepest part of the Amazon jungle. For this, writer Gough has managed to
interview someone whom all Malaysians can identify with. This successful
individual, Hanson Cheah, is one of `our boys' who is now ensconced,
rather successfully I must add, in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Cheah runs AsiaTech Ventures, an organisation which has 42 firms in its
portfolio. AsiaTech manages US$ 250 million (RM950 million) worth of
funds. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology-educated Cheah, who moved
to Hong Kong a few years ago to seek his fortune, says: `We went from zero
funds to US$ 18.5 million - today, we're managing US$ 250 million - and
from two people working out of our bedrooms to 42 people spread across
Asia as well as in the United States; that's one employee per investee.'
Not bad for one of our very own boys.
If this book has only one message to convey, it is this: Awareness ...
awareness of the massive nuggets of e-commerce potential which lie
unexploited beneath the landscape of the Internet.
Consider another successful tale, that of Ilyas Khan, a British-born
investor who co-founded techpacific.com. Khan relates his story like a
tale from the Arabian Nights. He says: `My professional career started in
1984 with Schroders, and I've been an investment banker, principally, a
corporate financier, for virtually all of my career until autumn 1998. It
was on Friday, Nov 17, 1998, that I and my partner, Johnny Chan, finally
decided to set up techpacific.com having planned it since March 1998.'
On the question, from an investment point of view, which region in the
world now offers the best opportunity, says Khan, `By way of definition,
if you're just looking at opportunity and you're not risk-weighting it,
there's no doubt that it's Asia.'
This book opens the window very wide to reveal the tremendous potential
and the short-comings inherent in Asia. Listening to comments made with
much candour, perhaps for the first time for many, it is almost with a
sense of relief that one knows the truth is finally out and we now know
where to go.
In illustrating an important point, Khan stresses, `In England, we're
trying to set up something called TechAtlantic, and you know the first
thing English people say is, "How am I going to pay the mortgage? How long
is my lunch break? I can't work after 7pm." Moan, moan, moan! Here in Hong
Kong, our people are working flat out. These are rather extreme examples,
but they highlight my point.'
In a nutshell, Investing in Internet Stocks is a gem. Read it if you are
aspiring to be a VC. Read it even if you don't intend to be one. Gaining
an awareness of the e-commerce world through the eyes of 10 people who
have learned the ropes is akin to taking the 10 most valuable lessons on
Internet business.
The wisdom of its speakers is clear. The truisms are succinct and easily
digestible. If your career plans are now germinating in the rich field of
information technology and you hope to move to richer and greener pastures
in the near future, this book will go a long way in helping you make a
couple of right moves. Who knows, it may even make you rich!
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