The Constant and Changing Faces of the Goddess: Goddess Traditions of Asia contains essays written by established scholars in the field that trace the multiplicity of Asian goddesses: their continuities; discontinuities; and importance as symbols of wisdom; power; transformation; compassion; destruction; and creation. The essays demonstrate that while treatments of the goddess may vary regionally; culturally; and historically; it is possible to note some consistencies in the overall picture of the goddess in Asia. The book provides a comprehensive treatment of the goddess; culminating in the selections that draw from research on Indian; Nepali; Chinese; Japanese; and Vietnamese traditions; seldom found in other works of similar subject. The volume will be useful for students in religious studies; gender studies; Asian studies; and women's studies. With the intent of making the volume truly broad in scope; an effort has been made to include works written by art historians; sociologists; anthropologists; and religious studies scholars. Culture cannot be separated from religion; they are intertwined as an organic whole; and variations manifest themselves in the rituals and daily lives of the people. In this sense; all the essays are interconnected: the goddess manifests in many forms and appeals to differing aspects of a particular culture as a paradigm of the divine feminine.
#1678283 in Books Nichols; Steve 2008-09-23 2008-09-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 245.87 x .18 x 7.21l; .70 #File Name: 184603305596 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Malta Spitfire AcesBy Henry J PetersThis book highlights forty Spitfire aces and their aircraft in the hardest fighting ever faced by the Spitfire. The author has achieved an ideal balance between the exploits of the individual pilots and their place in the critical battle for the resupply and survival of Malta in 1942. The aircraft are depicted in the paint schemes adopted on Malta that were better suited to the bright Mediterranean sea and sky; for those aircraft that survived the incessant enemy bombing. The bibliography listed on page 95 is excellent; and the first entry in the list should be sought out and read - the testimony of Spitfire pilot Denis Barnham (One Man's Window; 1956). Two Spitfires flown by him are depicted in colour plates 7 and 8.Harry Peters; Ph.D; Sydney0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent work.By Steven TestVery well researched; noted more informative regarding paint schemes used by Malta Spitfires vs other works in the series. Excellent work.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great info on the aircraft which fought to keep Malta aliveBy James D. CrabtreeMalta's strategic location almost made it inevitable that the island would become the site of conflict once again in WWII. This time; however; it would be a combined Italian-German air campaign to pound the island into submission.Initially; the defense of the island was up to several hurricanes and other aircraft which were quickly becoming obsolete. These were supplemented; and later replaced; by spitfires. The effort to get spitfires to Malta and to keep them operational in the face of daunting odds is told in this book. While illustrated with photos and original artwork; I can't help wishing that a map of the airfields and principal targets was included. Still; a great book!
