The first full–length monograph on the history of the Ryukyu Islands in any Western language…a standard work.—Pacific AffairsThis book is the definitive work on Okinawan History and an important scholarly work in the fields of Japanese studies and Japanese history.Few people can point to Okinawa on a map; yet this tiny island sitting between China and Japan was and continues to be one of the most crucial Asian nerve centers in all U.S. strategic defense. Ninety percent of all U.S. military forces in Japan are located on Okinawa; one of the Ryukyu Islands; and it was through these troops that the martial art of karate was exported to the United States. In Okinawa: History of an Island People; noted Eastern affairs specialist George Kerr recounts the fascinating history of the island and its environs; from 1314 A.D. to the late twentieth century. The histories of Japan; Okinawa and the entire Pacific region are crucially intertwined so the study of this fascinating chain of islands is crucial to understanding all of East Asia. First published in 1958; this edition features a new introduction and appendix by Okinawa history scholar Mitsugu Sakihara; making this the most comprehensive resource on the small; vital; and intriguing island of Okinawa.
#534303 in Books Asef Bayat 2007-05-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; .87 #File Name: 0804755957320 pagesMaking Islam Democratic Social Movements and the Post Islamist Turn
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good Comparative StudyBy Stephen ListThe book is readily accessible for those with little or no knowledge on either nations or Islam in general. Bayat covers Iran and Egypt and their own perspective democratic movements. His main inquiry throughout the book is how could Iran have an Islamic Revolution with out an Islamic movement while Egypt could not have an Islamic Revolution with an Islamic Movement. Bayat spends a majority of the time focusing on Iran after the revolution and Egypt from the early 70's to late 90's. If you are looking for a brief contemporary history on Iran and Egypt I would recommend it. It's a quick read and can keep your attention. For those with a little more experience with both nations I would still recommend the book due the nature of exploring deeper questions as to whether Islam is inherently authoritarian.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Making Islam DemocraticBy Vladimir Pilar" Making Islam Democratic " It is interesting but incomplete as it covers only 2 countries.A negative is also that it is very dry reading which seems to be directed to a prfessorialreader/audience.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A key acquisition for any college-level collectionBy Midwest Book ReviewMAKING ISLAM DEMOCRATIC: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE POST-ISLAMIC TURN is a key acquisition for any college-level collection strong in Middle East studies. It offers a focus on events from Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution to modern times; considering religion; politics and everyday life in the Middle East and providing a fine analysis of the contemporary Iranian revolution and its evolution. Asef Bayat is Academic Director of the International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World; and lends authority and insight to his review of the modern Middle East world.Diane C. DonovanCalifornia Bookwatch
