The only handbook on Vietnam that combines colorful, discursive chapters and supporting reference materials. Beginning with a lengthy introduction to Vietnam's past, this book traces the historical context that serves as a foundation for the present-day society and culture of this Southeast Asian nation. Intended for nonspecialists and other Asian enthusiasts, this work gives readers a thorough understanding of this diverse, richly storied land. From Vietnam's indigenous dynasties to outside influences including Buddhism, Confucianism, Western imperialism, and the Chinese bureaucracy system, the long path to a Vietnamese identity is traced-one that showcases a people's resilience, creativity, and intense love of freedom. This volume includes translations of numerous primary documents. From the narrative sections on Vietnamese history and society to the A-Z format of significant people and events, Vietnam: A Global Studies Handbook brings Vietnam to life. Narrative sections detail the geography, history, politics, and contemporary society of Vietnam Provides an annotated bibliography of essential print and nonprint resources as well as cultural, educational, and tourist organizations

Governor of the Cordillera tells the story of an American colonial official in the Philippines who took the unpopular position of defending the rights of the Igorots, was fired in disgrace, and made a triumphal return. During the first fifteen years of colonial rule (1898–1913), a small group of Americans controlled the headhunting tribes who were wards of the nascent colonial government. These officials ignored laws, carved out fiefdoms, and brutalized (or killed) those who challenged their rule. John Early was cut from a different cloth. Battling colleagues and supervisors over their treatment of the mountain people, Early also had run-ins with lowland Filipino leaders like Manuel Quezon. Early's return as governor of the entire Cordillera was celebrated by all the tribes. In Governor of the Cordillera Shelton Woods combines biography with colonial history. He includes a discussion on the exhibition of the Igorots at the various fairs in the US and Europe, which Early tried to stop. The life of John Early is a testament to navigating political and racial divides with integrity.

Complemented by more than 50 illustrations, this volume offers a panoramic view of Vietnam and its people. Its recounting of the story of Vietnam begins more than two thousand years ago, and progresses onward to the twenty-first century. Examining the major political, military, and social developments that have shaped Vietnam, it represents the perfect introduction to this vital country. Tragic and heroic-these two words capture the essence of Vietnam's history. These terms are consciously placed in sequence because no matter what difficulties Vietnam faces, there is a triumph in its people that transcends immediate troubles. The Vietnamese, a people historically dominated at various points by imperialist nations including China, Japan, France, and the United States, have never lost their identity. That alone is a remarkable feat, and a testament to the rich and deep culture that pervades Vietnamese society.

How did the inhabitants of several small islands in the Pacific become the world's first non-Western industrialised nation? The answer is found in the fascinating story of Japan's political and social history. This narrative chronicles Japanese history from earliest settlement to the present. It details the establishment of imperial rule under the Yamato clan, the transfer of power from emperor to shogun (supreme military leader), and the Edo period of Japanese isolationism. It also relates the industrial development of the Meiji Restoration, the devastating results of World War II, and Japan's remarkable recovery to become a democracy as well as an economic superpower. The book is the perfect introduction to this nation for students, travellers, businesspeople, and all curious readers.

Governor of the Cordillera tells the story of an American colonial official in the Philippines who took the unpopular position of defending the rights of the Igorots, was fired in disgrace, and made a triumphal return. During the first fifteen years of colonial rule (1898–1913), a small group of Americans controlled the headhunting tribes who were wards of the nascent colonial government. These officials ignored laws, carved out fiefdoms, and brutalized (or killed) those who challenged their rule. John Early was cut from a different cloth. Battling colleagues and supervisors over their treatment of the mountain people, Early also had run-ins with lowland Filipino leaders like Manuel Quezon. Early's return as governor of the entire Cordillera was celebrated by all the tribes. In Governor of the Cordillera Shelton Woods combines biography with colonial history. He includes a discussion on the exhibition of the Igorots at the various fairs in the US and Europe, which Early tried to stop. The life of John Early is a testament to navigating political and racial divides with integrity.