Robert E. Lee offers both a succinct biography and "the" definitive collection of photographs; important paintings; original engravings; artifacts; and significant documents pertaining to the Confederate general. Although the Civil War years are emphasized; Lee's early years; the Mexican War; and the postwar years in Lexington are amply explored.
#2570735 in Books Northern Illinois University Press 1997-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .80 x 6.00l; .88 #File Name: 0875805744254 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I was the wrong audience for this book.By frumiousbI bought this book because I was looking for background information about the religious condition of Malaysian Hindus in the context of Malaysia today. This book; while interesting reading; does not provide that information.Actually; I found that to be a strange lack-- I would think that looking at how Malaysian Hinduism had developed would be hard to completely disconnect from the nature of Malaysian religious life in the larger context; but Fuller doesn't really mention that element at all.I also; I have to say; found the book to be disjointed reading. I wasn't sure where she was going or what her central points really were. But this may well be because I brought the wrong questions to the table-- I wasn't looking for High Anthropology and High Anthropology is absolutely what this book is all about. And I think that it is fair to say that for all that the book felt disjointed; it also felt interesting. I liked the way she thought through the issues of possession; her descriptions of the festival; and her efforts to place the experience in the larger Tamil religious experience.I did find some useful pointers to reading that will probably answer the questions that I brought to it. The book comes with a very impressive set of notes and bibliography.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. interpreting rituals from a multi-dimensional perspectivesBy Palanisamy RamasamyRituals associated with religious festivals (case of Thaipusam among Hindus in Penang; Malaysia) must be understood in the larger macro context of the society. For Collins; rituals associated with Thaipusam reflects the enduring tensions within the Hindu society in Malaysia. More specifically; she argues the class and caste contradictions play a significant role in how the different sections of the society interpret rituals. The author by solely focussing on the internal contradictions of the Hindu society in Malaysia fails to take into account the impact of the role state in Malaysia on the Hindu society. The revitalization of Islam and the pro-Malay policy of the Malaysian state equally play a significant role in influencing the Hindu society.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Disappointing text on a very interesting topicBy Newton OoiEvery year in the city of Penang; Malaysia and in several other cities there occurs a festival known as Thaipusam. This strange festival is unknown in most of India; and was brought to Malaysia by Indian laborers who followed their English masters from India to S.E. Asia. Thaipusam is one of the most astounding religious rituals that exist in the modern world; with human adults undergoing body piercings that would make many surgeouns cringe.This festival is the topic of the book; and Murugan's Lance refers to a weapon used by the hero Murugan in his duel with an evil god in Hindu mythology. The author explores the practicalities of the festival itself; its timing; organization; the participants; preparation and effects it has on the participants and the village as a whole. The author also tries to place this festival within the context of caste society; Malaysia; and race relations. The book is accompanied by a few pictures of improvable quality. The subject itself is quite interesting; though the text could be better written. The author rambles a lot; and the style could be more concise and precise. In all; this book is worth reading because it is one of the few English-language texts on a nearly-unknown but quite impressive festival.
