Sacred Sites, Sacred Places explores the concept of 'sacred' and what it means to people in differing cultures. Archaeologists, legislators and those involved in heritage management sometimes come into conflict with local populations over sites which these communities consider to be sacred. This volume is unique in attempting to describe the belief systems surrounding such sites, and in relating these beliefs and practices to the practical problems of heritage management. The book demonstrates the need to accommodate those beliefs which are a vital part of ongoing cultural identity.
The geographical coverage of this collection is exceptionally wide and its range of contributors, including indigenous peoples, archaeologists, anthropologists and heritage professionals, is unrivalled in any other publication.

"Sacred Sites, Sacred Places" explores the concept of "sacred" and what it means and implies to people in differing cultures. The book focuses especially on the sacred nature of certain places. It looks at why people regard some parts of the land as special and why this ascription remains constant in some cultures and changes in others. Archaeologists, legislators and those involved in heritage management sometimes encounter conflict with local populations over sacred sites. With the aid of over 70 illustrations the book examines the extreme importance of such sacred places in all cultures and the necessity of accommodating those intimate beliefs which are such a vital part of ongoing cultural identity. "Sacred Sites, Sacred Places" therefore aims to be of help to those who wish to be non-destructive in their conservation and excavation practices. This book attempts to describe the belief systems surrounding the existence of sacred sites, and at the same time bringing such beliefs and practices into relationship with the practical problems of everyday heritage management. The geographical coverage of the book is wide.

In 1890, the thirty-year-old Chekhov, already knowing that he was ill with tuberculosis, undertook an arduous eleven-week journey from Moscow across Siberia to the penal colony on the island of Sakhalin. Now collected here in one volume are the fully annotated translations of his impressions of his trip through Siberia and the account of his three-month sojourn on Sakhalin Island, together with his notes and extracts from his letters to relatives and associates. Highly valuable both as a detailed depiction of the Tsarist system of penal servitude and as an insight into Chekhov's motivations and objectives for visiting the colony and writing the expose, Sakhalin Island is a haunting work which had a huge impact both on Chekhov's career and on Russian society.

Fear strikes the corridors of power in South Africa's houses of parliament. An assassin is killing government cabinet ministers and the president is being blackmailed - but no one knows why. Martial arts expert James Steiner is again thrown into a world of post-apartheid political intrigue, betrayal and terror. Steiner's cool independence makes him perfect for the job of tracking down the killer. A complex plot soon reveals that trust can be misplaced. In a race against time, Steiner must save the lives of innocent men. But a name from his past comes back to haunt him - and to claim his life. Will his mental strength be enough to bring him out on top and save the life of the woman he loves? ******* Brian Reeve was born and brought up in South Africa. He studied karate and aikido in Japan, achieving black-belt grades in each discipline, and lives in London. Books published by the author are: The Scorpions' Tail (2010) Zen Mind, No Mind (2011) The Spirit of the Samurai (2012) A Dangerous Game (2013) Dark Intent (2013)

In this sequel to A Dangerous Game, karate expert James Steiner is again drawn into a world of political intrigue, betrayal and death. Set in post-apartheid South Africa and Japan, Dark Intent sees a deadly game played out between blacks and whites who still seek supremacy for their own race, and revenge for past crimes. Others pursue justice and the rule of law. Key to their goal are two vital dossiers, the black and white files, wanted for political or personal gain, which name names and list crimes. In a world of hatred and ruthless killing, will the files end up in the wrong hands? ************ Brian Reeve was born and brought up in South Africa. He studied karate and aikido in Japan, achieving black-belt grades in each discipline, and lives in London. Books published by the author are: A Dangerous Game (2005) Dark Intent (2008) Deadly Instinct (2009) The Scorpions' Tail (2010) Zen Mind, No Mind (2011) The Spirit of the Samurai (2012)

In post-apartheid South Africa, those of the old regime cling to the past, dreaming of regaining supremacy. With the threat of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ever present, they are prepared to kill to prevent exposure of their crimes. Into this dark world two men appear - the ex-policeman Krige and the martial arts expert Steiner. Both become protagonists in a deadly game when a dossier containing information about abuses committed under apartheid goes missing. Moving from South Africa to London and on to Japan, a series of deadly scenes are played out as men use their ancient skills to find and kill. As Steiner and Krige move through events, morality and loyalty are ignored, and when the two men finally come face to face they must decide who should ultimately be brought to account. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian Reeve was born and brought up in South Africa. He studied karate and aikido in Japan, achieving black-belt grades in each discipline, and lives in London. Books published by the author are: A Dangerous Game (2005) Dark Intent (2008) Deadly Instinct (2009) The Scorpions' Tail (2010) Zen Mind, No Mind (2011) The Spirit of the Samurai (2012)

Shingen Kitamura, a clever and prominent Japanese cabinet minister, is suspected by New Scotland Yard of knifing a Swedish girl to death in London's opulent West End. Kitamura leaves London for Tokyo soon after the girl's murder and James Steiner, a highly-ranked martial arts exponent, is sent to bring him in. Andrew Rohm, a friend of Kitamura's and doing life for the murder of four South African government ministers, escapes from Pollsmoor high-security prison near Cape Town and flees to London. He is seen by Steiner's girlfriend and Steiner was the one responsible for Rohm being jailed. Brian Reeve uses his extensive experience in martial arts and Japanese culture to paint a powerfully descriptive narrative, instinctively penetrating the dark mind. Other books published by the author include: A Dangerous Game (2005) Dark Intent (2008) Deadly Instinct (2009) The Scorpions' Tail (2010) Zen Mind, No Mind (2011)

The book is in two parts: The first, Body Mechanics, describes our body type, structure, systems, organs and canals, physical conditioning, and stress. The second, Concept, Principle and Technique, describes meditations and breathing, mind and body coordination, mental calm and strength, physical relaxation with power, extending energy of the mind, physical conditioning, mindset, self-defence, and massage. The techniques presented are equally suitable for men and women.A section concentrates on physical training. Detailed attention is given to dynamic and static contractions for strength and endurance, cardiovascular techniques for endurance and strength, and exercises for flexibility and strength. Physical training has the dual function of strengthening the body and strengthening the mind. An important section is on mindset; working on mindset is not only to learn the techniques for conditioning your intuition and develop desirables, such as confidence and awareness, but to feel complete within yourself and realize your value in society.The section on self-defence is not a reiteration of physical techniques frequently taught in self-defence classes or martial arts schools. It relates self-defence to mindset, and the power of mind and body coordination. Attention to these areas, the principles of which are described in other sections, comprises the essence of effective self-defence. Principles to which you should adhere when facing potentially dangerous conflict, and techniques you can use during physical engagement, are also discussed. The final section is on massage. The methods described are an effective way of treating someone who has an ailment and feels low on energy, or simply enjoys being massaged. Fundamental to the technique is the concentration of your intrinsic energy to regenerate or revitalize someone's life power.It is apparent from what can be seen of human effort, mental, physical, and of whatever form, that the motivating driver and the real source of power is the mind. It is also obvious to anyone who has had experience of western and eastern culture that the East is, from its own rich past, ahead of the West in giving concept, method and rationale to an understanding of the relationship between mind and body, mental strength, and the power of mind and body coordination. At the heart of this thinking is zen and it is best seen as the foundation of the Oriental spiritual disciplines, such as the budo, the martial arts of Japan.Intuition, the unconscious mind, or the state of no-mind is the zen mind, the mind that is the focus of the zen method. Intuition cannot be learned, but it can be conditioned, and the techniques for conditioning it can be learned. Zen has been, and is, to budo, an attempt to apply the accumulated knowledge of Confucius, Laotzu, and Buddha to the conditioning of intuition. In the case of budo, zen has been the unifying and driving force. Intuition penetrates the very soul of those who rely on it. It brings a general simplicity that appears to have an unrefined aspect but which is not unrefined. It has been said: The intellect can play with the concept; only the intuition can understand.