{"title":"River Books","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9786164510845","title":"A Life in Shadows","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the oldest storytelling traditions, shadow theatre combines puppetry with music, philosophy, history, storytelling, fashion, ritual, religion, and education.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile each nation in Southeast Asia has its own distinct culture, shadow theatre is a shared theme. Many of the masters make their own puppets, play all the musical instruments, learn long texts in ancient languages, sing, study movement, and perform for long period of time in what is one of the most difficult and challenging art forms. Most of the performers are farmers, fisherman, factory workers, or teachers by day and artists by night.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough documentary photography, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Life in Shadows\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e by Constantine Korsovitis, illustrates the sophistication and value of shadow theatre and its creators, and the author has been capturing the spirit and multiplicity of shadow theatre since 1999 in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, the common thread being the use of the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mara Mahabharata as a source stories.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56309964079477,"sku":"9786164510845","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510845_13e70243-9fe8-4c30-9cca-fae5a58639d8.jpg?v=1786031465"},{"product_id":"9786164510791","title":"Lacquerware Masterpieces from Southeast Asia","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough much has been written about Burmese Lacquerware, this book breaks new ground with essays by the art historians Sylvia Fraser-Lu and Linda McIntosh focusing on the locations and techniques of lacquer production in Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, as well as the form, function and use of these beautiful utilitarian and sacred objects. More than 150 exquisite and diverse objects are beautifully photographed with full descriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311052960117,"sku":"9786164510791","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510791_f49221f3-fdaf-4cee-b34f-3094e4158dc5.jpg?v=1786031463"},{"product_id":"9786164510760","title":"Maymyo Days","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo many the words Hill Station are evocative of an exotic and exciting vision when the subjects of the British Colonial Government gloried in the Hill Stations of India and Burma. Beautifully constructed holiday towns built at 3,000 feet or more where people flocked to escape the heats of the plains. High up the Shan hills of east Burma stood Maymyo. This book tells the stories of the people for whom Maymyo really was a heaven 'lost on the clouds'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311116562805,"sku":"9786164510760","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510760_012362c4-2110-4f1a-8871-f5e58fab2ec2.jpg?v=1786031461"},{"product_id":"9786164510937","title":"Homo Gaia","description":"\u003cp\u003eDuring childhood holidays by the sea, the pristine Long Beach was full of treasures from the deep, sharks and dolphins swam near the shore, and the sea and air was vibrant with life and energy. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHomo Gaia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is written by lifelong environmentalist and citizen scientist, who wishes to pass on a thin strand of hope to the next generation. After a five year project on nature connection at the Greenworld foundation, Thailand, where she was chairperson, was halted by Covid, Oy decided to write a book instead. Showing how others can also experience the wondrous world that surrounds us, she weaves in her own experiences with information and insights from scientists.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311116693877,"sku":"9786164510937","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510937_027e457d-212e-48c7-80e4-9c96d6335fdb.jpg?v=1786031467"},{"product_id":"9786164510777","title":"Malay Silver and Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"... With its hundreds of beautiful photographs and outstanding research, it is a magnificent and eye-opening contribution that tells not only the story of the silver and gold items fashioned by Malay artisans but the Malay peoples themselves.'\u003c\/em\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eSeif El Rashidi, Islamic scholar, author \u0026amp; Director, Barakat Trust\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis ground breaking new book is the first study of Malay silver and gold to take chronology and place production into serious consideration, leading to a much more nuanced understanding of developments across Southeast Asia. The exciting findings include the identification as Malay of certain exquisite gold filigree pieces held in august collections worldwide.'\u003c\/em\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eAnnabel Teh Gallop, Head, Southeast Asia Department, British Library\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAt last, here is an excellent publication that does full justice to the scope and beauty of Malay silver and gold...'\u003c\/em\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eSylvia Fraser-Lu, Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis beautifully produced and illustrated book, ideal for collectors and curators, is the most comprehensive book ever published on the silver and gold ware of the Malay people of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand and Brunei.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHundreds of colour photographs of previously unpublished items, and meticulous research, are used to tell not just the story of Malay gold and silver, but that of the Malay people, with reference to their princely regalia, banqueting items, betel sets, jewellery, silver and gold-encased weapons, and other items of adornment and finery. In addition, previously unrecognised gold items made by the Malays for the 18th century European market are identified, and other items of silverware now in museum collections and believed to be Malay are shown not to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMichael Backman also shows how 19th century collecting for museums and private collections, and colonialism itself, all distorted our view of Malay gold and silver today, if not the Malays themselves, and also influenced what was produced. He weaves a complex story, and in so doing reveals the Malays' rich, dynamic and sophisticated legacy, one that is little understood today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Malay Silver and Gold is the first book on this topic to have been published in over a hundred years. Rightly, it restores the Malays to the very centre of the commercial history and material culture setting of their region whilst placing them in the broader context of the 'Islamic world'. With its hundreds of beautiful photographs and outstanding research, it is a magnificent and eye-opening contribution that tells not only the story of the silver and gold items fashioned by Malay artisans but the Malay peoples themselves.' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e- Seif El Rashidi, Islamic scholar, author \u0026amp; Director, Barakat Trust\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'This ground breaking new book is the first study of Malay silver and gold to take chronology and place production into serious consideration, leading to a much more nuanced understanding of developments across Southeast Asia. The exciting findings include the identification as Malay of certain exquisite gold filigree pieces held in august collections worldwide.' \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e-Annabel Teh Gallop, Head, Southeast Asia Department, British Library\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'At last, here is an excellent publication that does full justice to the scope and beauty of Malay silver and gold. Michael Backman describes and illustrates the full range of Malay silver and gold work with superlative photographs. A great contribution to a very important, but hitherto not well understood Southeast Asia craft!' \u003cstrong\u003e-Sylvia Fraser-Lu, Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311229153653,"sku":"9786164510777","price":80.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510777_60132652-093c-4d7e-878c-188520f39c98.jpg?v=1786031463"},{"product_id":"9786164510999","title":"Journey to Southern Thailand and Burma (1912)","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplorer, Oriental scholar and diplomat, Pierre Lefèvre-Pontalis (1864-1938) was a member of Pavie Mission to Laos in the 1890s, participating in drawing up the borders between French Indochina and independent Siam, as well as the French territories and Burma, annexed by the British in 1886. He was later appointed as Minister Plenipotentiary to Siam. However, before taking up this ambassadorial role he journeyed in Siam and Burma in 1912, during which he wrote copious notes recording ethnographic, historical and geopolitical thoughts. This is the first time these journals have been published and provides a unique window into the colonial mindset of the time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56311229743477,"sku":"9786164510999","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510999_2aff93a5-5711-46aa-ba27-3f218163fed1.jpg?v=1786031469"},{"product_id":"9786164510722","title":"From the Red River to the Mekong Delta","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the 2nd century CE to the 19th century, the people of the fertile estuary of the great Mekong River created treasures of sacred art, architecture and accomplished feats of water engineering that are coming to light in Vietnam’s vigorous new archaeological research programmes. The large stilted wooden houses of Oc Eo, the early Venice of the maritime routes of the East in the earliest centuries of the first millennium, drew in ships with precious cargoes from Rome, India and China to trade while waiting for the change of the monsoon wind to continue their voyages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinese annals record that the early polity they called 'Funan' ruled 1,000 km of coastline along the shipping route. Among the earliest Mekong Delta Buddhist icons are a breathtakingly elegant 2.7m tall Buddha carved in hardwood that has survived more than 1000 years in the delta mud and a 29cm bronze Buddha that arrived on a trading ship from the 6th century Chinese Northern Qi dynasty. Very early Vishnu statues wear high, floral mitres and clasp war conch-trumpets on their left hip, and Shiva's face stares out from stone lingas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ho Chi Minh Museum collection conserves diverse masterpieces of the art from Vietnam, from the prehistoric Dong Son drums of the Red River Delta in the north to the vibrant Hindu and Buddhist statuary of the former kingdoms of Champa in Central Vietnam. In addition, there is an immense array of art and imperial furnishings of the last Vietnamese dynasty, the Nguyen, which was founded in the Mekong Delta at the beginning of the 19th century. There are refined inlaid wooden cabinets, sets of the finest blue and white ceramics and embroidered silken court costumes worn by the royal family, as well as huge wooden and ceramic Buddha statues which played crucial social and political roles in establishing the dynasty and quelling its foes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368292102517,"sku":"9786164510722","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510722_50bc7b5d-d89f-4b66-ae33-edf76064fd8d.jpg?v=1786031459"},{"product_id":"9786164510180","title":"Turbulent Times","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing the success of \u003cem\u003eLetters from St. Petersburg\u003c\/em\u003e, which recounts the early years of Prince Chakrabongse’s life through his letters to his father, King Chulalongkorn, the diaries covering the last four years of his life are full of sadness and tumult. The Prince records all the facets of his daily life: his work as Commander-in-Chief of the army and his push to bring Siam into World War I, the conflicts within the royal family, the breakup of his marriage and the death of his beloved mother, Queen Saowabha. These diaries provide an invaluable first-hand insight into Siamese politics and governance at a turbulent time, as well as poignant glimpses of his personal life and divorce from his Russian wife, Katya.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368292200821,"sku":"9786164510180","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510180_aefc5c32-73df-46d9-aeaf-bb220073539c.jpg?v=1786035008"},{"product_id":"9786164510227","title":"Sacred Sites of Sri Lanka","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo country, apart from India, is as closely allied with the Buddha's travels as Sri Lanka, which was visited thrice by the Buddha and received corporal relics and a branch of the bodhi tree after his death. Today the Buddha's eye-tooth is venerated daily by thousands in Kandy and regarded as a priceless relic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuddhism is not the only religion to have influence the island, as another major pilgrimage spot is Kataragama, a site devoted to a Hindu God, while Christianity and Islam are also part of the mix. From Europe, the Portuguese, Dutch, and English added new spiritual layers in a colonial period that stretched nearly three centuries. As a result, understanding the country, through the lens of sacred sites provides a special glimpse into this unique civilisation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368292495733,"sku":"9786164510227","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510227_47ea765d-56b8-46fa-9306-a82098d2e346.jpg?v=1786031457"},{"product_id":"9786164510968","title":"The Nylon Hotel","description":"\u003cp\u003eCycling Myanmar, Mandalay, and the Nylon Hotel over three decades, Daniel Ehrlich opens a series of windows onto people and places held captive in time. Through beautifully crafted vignettes of coming and going, meeting and waiting, we are invited to get to know a prince among sidecar drivers, and anglophile living on the banks on the Irrawaddy, a long-haired freedom fighting musician, an octogenarian English teacher who might have been a princess, and the inventor who built a helicopter out of teak. Each story, in its own way, reflects the tragedy of a country trapped under military rule. But each contains human possibilities, fragile hope for the future, and the connections to deeper traditions in which darkness is a necessary counterpart to the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eEhrlich writes with warmth, insight, and a good deal of humour. This book should be required reading for all who are friends of Burma and who wish a better and free future for the Burmese people\u003c\/em\u003e”. \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Axelby\u003c\/strong\u003e, SOAS, University of London\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56420225057141,"sku":"9786164510968","price":11.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510968_8b0da63a-2046-4e5c-9e1e-a62bd1683be5.jpg?v=1786035011"},{"product_id":"9786164510944","title":"Prince Chakrabongse's 1911 Grand Tour","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1911, Prince Chakrabongse and his wife Katya (Ekaterina Desnitskaya) made an epic journey by boat and train, across one third of the globe. They were returning to St Petersburg where after meeting in 1905 they had fallen in love and eloped. For Katya, after five challenging years in Bangkok, it was the first time she would see her family; for the prince it was the first time he would see the Tsar who had treated him like an adopted son. While Katya went to stay in with her family, Prince Chakrabongse went on to London to represent King Rama VI at the coronation of King George V.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56420225319285,"sku":"9786164510944","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510944_5b1c05e8-13ea-450b-b4e4-941e6b2285a5.jpg?v=1786035010"},{"product_id":"skin-deep-2","title":"Skin Deep","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSkin Deep\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is a collection of parables in the form of five novellas by Thai national artist, V. Vinicchayakul. While each parable is told from a uniquely Buddhist perspective and offers an insight into the Thai way of thinking, all contain a message that can be universally applied. A recurring theme that runs through the parables is the idea that things are not always what they appear to be, and that everything is subject to change. The collection is named after the last story, S\u003cem\u003ekin Deep\u003c\/em\u003e, which illustrates that beneath outward appearances lies as itself that is fluid and ever changing. Together, these stories offer profound reflections on Buddhist teachings of impermanence, compassion, and detachment, providing international readers with a chance to engage with modern Thai literature in a refreshing and accessible format.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57510278431093,"sku":"9786164511095","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164511095.jpg?v=1787130623"},{"product_id":"lake-of-tears","title":"The Lake of Tears","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the award-winning novelist Veeraporn Nitiprapha comes this emotional and profound novel written in her signature style, lyrical and magical. A magical coming-of-age story, this, Veeraporn's third novel (following \u003cem\u003eThe Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eMemories of the Memories of the Black Rose Cat\u003c\/em\u003e, both winners of The Southeast Asian Writers Award), tells of an emotional journey of growing up in the shadow of loss.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57510279184757,"sku":"9786164511118","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164511118.jpg?v=1787130625"},{"product_id":"house-by-the-river","title":"A House by the River","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Italianate villa, Chakrabongse House was built almost 120 years ago on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River with magnificent views to Wat Kalaya, the Wichai Prasit fort and Wat Arun. It was commissioned by Prince Chakrabongse and his wife Katya as a private retreat from their main residence Paruskavan Palace. Designed by Turin-born architect Mario Tamagno, the tall villa with its beautiful teak staircase and panelling has accumulated paintings and works of art from three generations of the Chakrabongse family. Prince Chula who inherited the house after the sudden death of his father in 1920 never lived here full time. Educated in England, the prince's plans to spend more time in Bangkok were foiled by the Second World War. Instead he lived in Cornwall, while the house in Bangkok was well maintained but somewhat unloved. It was only when Narisa, who inherited the house on the death of her parents, that creating a home full of antiques, paintings and memories began. \u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA House by the River\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Narisa takes the reader through her home, pointing out some important features and the precious items it contains. She also recounts the stories, happy and sad, of the people who stayed here - Prince Chakrabongse, Prince Chula, Lisba and now Narisa and Gee. She also explains why she started her publishing company and opened the boutique hotel, Chakrabongse Villas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57510279774581,"sku":"9786164511125","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164511125.jpg?v=1787130628"},{"product_id":"tai","title":"Tai","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This book serves as a celebration of the textiles made by various Tai subgroups and non-Tai minority groups encountered during the authors' journey.\"\u003c\/em\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eHali Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis lavish, large format art project is the culmination of 20 years research of Tai culture throughout Southeast Asia, beginning with Napajaree Suandduenchai's vast 1,500 piece silk collection which has remained private until now. All 230 photographs were shot on sheet film to bring out the most intricate details of the textiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver the last 20 years, Mrs. Suanduenchai and photographer Hans Roels visited all the major Tai subgroups in their towns and villages to document their weaving traditions, culture and individual stories - their belief of who they are and where they came from. Roels' photography captures both the intricacy of the Tai weaving arts as well as the people behind the textiles. As of 2022 at least 75% of the villages that Suanduenchai and Roels visited no longer produce traditional Tai textiles, leaving the reader as the last eye-witnesses to a spectacular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57613180010869,"sku":"9786164510746","price":80.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9786164510746.jpg?v=1790607831"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/publisher-river-books.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}