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The Spirit of Asia: Journeys to the Sacred Places of the East
 
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The Spirit of Asia: Journeys to the Sacred Places of the East [Hardcover]

Michael Freeman (Author), Alistair Shearer (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Thames & Hudson; illustrated edition edition (9 Oct 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0500510237
  • ISBN-13: 978-0500510230
  • Product Dimensions: 27.2 x 26 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,305,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Michael Freeman
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Product Description

Review

`It is difficult to conceive of a more handsome tribute to human faith . . . spectacularly beautiful . . . a splendid book'
--Resurgence

Product Description

Long-distance travel has opened the eyes of the West to the rich cultural heritage of Asian countries, and to the ability of their great belief systems to regenerate, refresh and renew. These sacred sites are seen as places of central importance, where heavenly and earthly energies are thought to intersect. Through the photographic odyssey undertaken by photographer Michael Freeman, this volume attempts to capture the power of the sacred places of Asia, both natural and man-made. The sites pictured in the book include hills, mountains, temple complexes and shrines.

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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A deeply thought and visually stunning journey through Asia, 18 Dec 2001
By 
This review is from: The Spirit of Asia: Journeys to the Sacred Places of the East (Hardcover)
Michael Freeman's stunning photographic pilgrimage through Asia's multi-faceted spiritual heritage finds its perfect counterpoint in Alistair Shearer's deeply thought commentary. Those who know Shearer's other books, such as the Upanishads, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the Traveller's Key to Northern India will know what to expect. Not merely a profound first-hand knowledge of the countries and traditions covered, but also a deep experiential understanding of the spiritual paths outlined.

This is a glorious book, visually and informationally rich and stimulating. Freeman has particularly surprised with some unusual and excellent pictures taken in Tibet and China, the latter all the more unusual, given the severe repression meted out to all forms of religious practice under the current Beijing regime.

Alistair Shearer's scholarly background in both the Vedic and Buddhist traditions, together with his own years of experience as a teacher of meditation give his commentary a depth of understanding one does not normally expect to find between the covers of a "photo-essay." He knows the terrain from the inside.

The decision to limit the scope of the book to the indigenous religious traditions of Asia, animist, Hindu and Buddhist, was presumably dictated by limits of space. But it also tantalises the reader with the thought of what the authors could do with a companion volume to cover the "invader" religions, Islam and Christianity in their Asian forms. Hopefully Thames and Hudson will consider a second commission to cover this area.

An enchanting book, both for the seasoned traveller, and those just starting to explore the territory. Wonderful stuff, not to be missed.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An informative and beautifully photographed asian journey, 26 April 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Spirit of Asia: Journeys to the Sacred Places of the East (Hardcover)
A beautifully presented book which provides an informative narrative set amongst some beautiful photographs of the Asia region. The book is structured into short sections covering varios religios beliefs or areas of the region of significant importance. The book not only covers the varying religions but also the people, traditions and a breif summary of local history. The photographs in the book are well selected, often quite stunning and clearly demontstrate the beauty of the region. For anyone wishing to visit Asia this book would provide a good sample of the experiences your are likely to encountered and is well worth the money.
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Amazon.com: 4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate "coffee-table" book!, 27 Aug 2001
By Wyote - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Spirit of Asia: Journeys to the Sacred Places of the East (Hardcover)
This is in the style of a coffee-table book, with very large pictures and rather superficial, accessory text. But the text is accurate, and often even interesting and informative. It is heavily influenced by the theories of Mircea Eliade.


Of course the most important feature of this book is the pictures, and they are excellent.


The book covers a wide range of religious sites and varieties: Burmese Nats, Thai Spirits, Hinduism, Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. It features the standard important monuments, such as Angkor Wat and Borobodur, as well as lesser known sites like Sagaing, Burma or Si Satchanalai, Thailand. Altogether 38 sites are covered. Three unfortunate omissions are Mount Tai Shan and the Temple of Heaven in China, and Shikoku island in Japan. Perhaps something from Bhutan would have been nice as well. I find its coverage of ancestor woship and Shinto lacking.


If the book has an obvious, glaring weakness, it is the absence of Islamic sites. Islam has been influential in the East, so even if not considered an Eastern religion it has interesting Eastern manifestations--for instance the Taj Mahal. Its absence is at least as unfortunate as the inadequate coverage of ancestor worship.


I am obviously rather picky, but for the price and the photograph quality, this is a first-rate bargain, and might well spark someone's interest in travel or further reading--the ultimate value of any coffee-table book.

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