The English Governess at the Siamese Court

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Shocking...

Colonial Bias

The British Women, Anna

The English Governess at the Siamese Court
Anna Harriette Leonowens
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Anna and the King of Siam

The Romance of the Harem (Victorian Literature and Culture Series)

Anna and the King

Anna and the King of Siam

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ASIN: 1419160990

Book Description

Such was Chow Phya Sri Sury Wongse when I was first presented to him: a natural king among the dusky forms that surrounded him, the actual ruler of that semi- barbarous realm, and the prime contriver of its arbitrary policy. Black, but comely, robust, and vigorous, neck short and thick, nose large and nostrils wide, eyes inquisitive and penetrating, his was the massive brain proper to an intellect deliberate and systematic. Well found in the best idioms of his native tongue, he expressed strong, discriminative thoughts in words at once accurate and abundant. His only vanity was his English, with which he so interlarded his native speech, as often to impart the effect of levity to ideas that, in themselves, were grave, judicious, and impressive.

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Customer Reviews:

Shocking..........2003-07-31

Leonowens will never realize how she has condemned an entire nation with her lies. True, Thais do revere their kings and do not see them as being human. However, in the case of King Mongkut you have a truly remarkable man, do your homework before making judgements, and keep in mind that Leonowens was exposed to common Thai people most of the time but instead chose to write about the royalty to make $$$. I am truly saddened that King Mongkut a highly tolerant and far sighted ruler must stand in the shadow of lies. I challenge you to research western sources regarding this man. I agree that Thailand should not ban these films or books because they reveal how the West (whom they have always admired) regards them in the 19th century and even today. The fact that no modern scholar has come forth to introduce King Mongkut to the world has burdened Thais to rightfully defend themselves and in doing so make Leonowen's account seem hilariously "unbiased".

Colonial Bias.......2000-02-08

Probably one of the strangest things about my reading of The English Governess at the Siamese Court, was the location in which I found the book. I was rummaging through the books at the Asia Book Store on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, looking for mindless mysteries to pass the time between tailor fittings. I was astonished to find a copy in Bangkok, knowing the Thai feelings toward Anna Leonowens. All I can say about the book is, now I have a complete understanding of why they would feel that way about her. Mrs. Leonowens view is so ethnocentric as to be bordering blatant racism. She takes no time to understand the culture around her, and fills her writings with the basest stereotypes of Asian culture found so prevalently in Victorian Imperial culture. Even when she does give credit to the Thai people for the beauty of their culture, it is done with an air of surprise, that these "primitives" could develop something of beauty.

BUT, this should not stop anyone from reading the book (thus my rating of four stars). The book should be read if only to gauge the growth that has been achieved in the last one hundred and thirty years. The book is an interesting look back at the accepted viewpoint of the nineteenth century. Mrs. Leonowens is a perfect mirror of the superior attitude of the Anglo-Saxon in his drive to finally control 3/4 of the earth. All in all, this book is a very interesting trip into the past.

The British Women, Anna.......2000-01-21

This is one of a few books which are written by Anna Leonowens herself as a English teacher in Siam. For those of you who wants to know more about Anna herself and her dairy, should read this book. It describes the Siamese court from a historical point of view, bring you back to 19th century.

The English Governess at the Siamese Court: Being Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace at Bangkok (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks)

Average customer rating:

Know What You Want.
Anna's back...
Mostly fiction, euro-centric w/ very little truth or facts
Fact or fiction? We will never know for sure. Worth reading
Fact or fiction?

The English Governess at the Siamese Court: Being Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace at Bangkok (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks)
Anna Harriette Leonowens
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195888979

Book Description

In 1862 King Mongkut of Siam engaged Englishwoman Anna Leonowens to teach his children. Young, adventurous, but rather prone to moralize, Anna was often at loggerheads with the King. So in 1867 she left Siam, but wrote an engaging account of her adventure that inspired the great Hollywood movie `The King and I'. Now reissued in Oxford Paperbacks, it remains a fascinating picture of Siam over a century ago, and in particular of its larger-than-life monarch.

Customer Reviews:

Know What You Want........2007-09-18

Your decision to purchase this book depends mainly on what it is you seek. If you expect an interesting and easy-flowing narrative, such as portrayed in movies and musicals claiming to be based on the book, you will be sorely disappointed (as I was). If, however, you hope to find a long and intricately-detailed account of all things Siamese, -- her history, court protocols, geography, literature, art, culinary offerings, imports, exports, manner of travel, religion as it relates to Roman Catholicism, architecture, precious metals, customs, superstitions, foreign relations, clothing and hair styles, manner of war craft, flora and fauna, "etc.", -- sprinkled with minimal anecdotal vignettes of Mrs. Leonowens' experience in the many-faceted country and not at all mentioning cats, you, my friend, are in for a very special treat.

Anna's back..........2001-10-20

I recently listened to an unabridged version of this book on CD. There was surprisingly little time spent on actual personal happenings between Anna, the king and the court. She really does get into the history, culture, art, customs etc. of Siam in the 1860s. Three quarters of the book is taken up with this very kind of detailed and endless information. Nadia May, with incrediable skill and a voice that is as prim and English as Anna's, adds to the diminsion of this narrative. Her amazing ability at pronounciation helps capture a real sense of time and place. If one is looking for the glamous story from broadway or the movies--be ready for a disappointment. For a person fascinated by the culture and history of this country as well as interested in the English view, then, get your walking shoes on and have a nice listen to Anna's story.

Mostly fiction, euro-centric w/ very little truth or facts.......2001-09-11

I am thai, and I feel that it is my obligation to make a comment about this book. In all fairness, I think it is a 'fun' book to read, providing that the reader is aware that it is mostly fictionalized. Anna wrote a much distorted story of her time as an English tutor in the royal court of Siam, mostly glorifying herself without concerns for any real accuracy. When I was younger I was fascinated because this book was/is banned in Thailand, and so I wanted to find out more and did an extensive research. I learned that Anna's account is mostly ego-centric, euro-centric, and sensationalized. She created many fictional details of her own life to make herself sounding glamorous (for example, she said she was a daughter of a high-ranking British army officer and a genteel lady,when in fact she was a ... child of a petty soldier and an indian prostitute. Her husband was a drunk, etc.) If anyone would bother to do more research, he/she would also find that King Mongkut (Rama iV) was a wise, gentle, highly educated monach with a supreme, long-ranged vision to lay the foundation to modernize Thailand and prevent the country from being colonized by European Imperialism. He was a priest and a scholar,who rather chose/preferred to live within religious confinement for many many years before he had to finally ascend to the throne as an old man after his brother passed away. FYI, With fine, white hair, he was a very thin and fragile-looking man---not at all what all the musicals and movies have portrayed him to be. Because of him Thailand is the only country in Asia that has never been colonized. And King Monkut would have done it with or without Anna being around! Mongkut's son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) indeed carried on his father's legacy. Wise, modern, and highly educated(a result of his father's effort), King Chulalongkorn abolished slavery, created the first public university/public elementary and secondary school system and railroad and telecommunication system, reorganized the government and army infrastructure, etc---that is why he became one of the most beloved king in the Thai history. But all of this could not have happened without King Mongkut's vision in the first place. Anna's portrayal of King Monkut as a temperamental, insensitive tyrant/barbarian/womanizer is therefore downright offensive and insulting to the thais, NOT because we can't stand any criticism of our royal family, but simply because we know that most of her account is not true! About the violence/punishments/the concubine 'harem' of the royal court, please remember that this was a very different time. Such practices were common in many cultures and countries and not just in Thailand.

Fact or fiction? We will never know for sure. Worth reading.......2001-09-04

Anna Leonowens is a controversial figure even now. Her name may not even have really been Leonowen (but the more common Welsh Owens), her husband not dead from heatstroke in a tiger hunt, but from drink, and not a British army officer at all. Nevertheless, her account of her time in Siam as the royal governess is ever popular and fascinating reading.

Anna wrote several books, The Romance of the Harem being another. Both this and the Romance were novelized by Margaret Landon into the more familiar Anna and the King of Siam.

Part of the controversy stems from the fact that any criticism of Thai royalty is not tolerated in that country. The king is held in a religious esteem and is the heart and soul of the country. So Anna's casual remarks on the king's temper and habits are practically heresy to the Thai, hence, she and her writing are targets for criticism. And what's worse, her pupil Chulalongkorn or Rama V, is Thailand's MOST revered king--kind of a Thai saint. His portrait is found in nearly all Thai homes and businesses.

Having that as a background, it's still fun to read Anna's account of her time in Thailand. Though many people feel that Anna distorted or hid the truth about herself in many ways, the book gives a fascinating look into a magical land. Anna's writing is typically Victorian; the prose is a bit ornate and not as direct as the writing of Landon.

Fact or fiction?.......2000-04-23

While this book was extremely helpful in my research on Anna Leonowens I believe the reader does not get a true picture of her life because there are many gaps in the story. She fails to go into depth on the matter of her popularity with slaves when she often paid for their freedom. I recommend this book for people trying to get a sense of the history of Siam and some stories of her life, however, it may be that she never taught the king's children at all and never met the king. I would recommend Anna and the King of Siam for extensive research.

The English governess at the Siamese court; being recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok, by Anna Harriette Leonowens. With illustrations ... presented to the author by the King of Siam.

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The English governess at the Siamese court; being recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok, by Anna Harriette Leonowens. With illustrations ... presented to the author by the King of Siam.
Michigan Historical Reprint Series
Manufacturer: Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1425538312
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Product Description

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The English Governess At The Siamese Court

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The English Governess At The Siamese Court
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English Governess At the Siamese Court
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Manufacturer: The Folio Society
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The English Governess at the Siamese Court : Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace in Bangkok

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The English Governess at the Siamese Court : Recollections of Six Years in the Royal Palace in Bangkok
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Manufacturer: The Folio Society
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The English governess at the Siamese court: Being recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok, with illustrations, from photographs presented to the author by the King of Siam

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The English governess at the Siamese court: Being recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok, with illustrations, from photographs presented to the author by the King of Siam
Anna Harriette Leonowens
Manufacturer: Trubner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The English governess at the Siamese court: Recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok

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The English governess at the Siamese court: Recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok
Anna Harriette Leonowens
Manufacturer: Folio Society
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English Governess at the Siamese Court
Anna Harriette Leonowens
Manufacturer: G K Hall & Co 1985
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Book Description

Microsoft DirectX 7 gives you the APIs you need to create cutting-edge Windows 3D games and simulations using C or C++. With helpful tutorials, plenty of illustrations, and a minimum of math, this unique guide shows you how to master these APIs and take your graphics programming to the next level, whether you're an animation beginner or a veteran game developer.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting book.......2007-02-05

This book is great if you have no knowledge of graphics programmig, it guides you through the topics leaving nothing unexplained or unclear. Of course it is a bit old, so after this book you will probably need another one to get up to date. It is only about directDraw and Direct3D retained mode. I think that advanced readers won't find this book very useful, but again, for beginners it's very good.

Out of date, Garbage book.......2006-07-14

I was very disappointed to read this book, because this book is
talking about DirectX7.
Even in 2000, when the book published, DirectX7 was already out of date. Now we use DirectX9 or 10.
Therefore this book is useless for readers if they want to study 3D Graph programming

Definitely not a "bible", but very good for beginners.......2002-12-22

This book is an excellent introduction to 3D (and a 2D) programming for new comers (who know C++, of course!). If you have some experience in 3D programming, even in other 3D language, you will not learn many new things here. Although many of the fundamental issues of graphics programming are covered, itýs far from covering ýeverything- despite what the name implies.

The first few chapters are an introduction to 2D and 3D programming in theory. Some important issues are covered, and youýre not bothered by too much mathematics, except some basic matrices manipulations. The next 1/3 of the book is devoted to 2D programming with DirectDraw. These parts are an important introduction and good basis for 3D programming.

Only the second half of the book is devoted for 3D programming, using DirectXýs retrained mode. You might think that the retained mode is obsolete - but itýs much more simple and easier to grasp and program than the immediate mode ý and itýs similar to the basic implementations of OpenGL (the book covers this topic as well). So itýs great for beginners, and will be a good basis for your next steps in 3D programming.
Among the issues covered here are textures, lighting, shadows, 3D animation techniques and more...

The book is well written, and most of the explanations and the code are easy to understand, even for the very beginner. It is NOT filled with tones of code which the CD already contains. It does quote some documentation of functions/structs, which are already in the help - but only the really important ones. One problem is that the examples all the way are pretty basic ý The most impressive one is to rotate/zoom a teapotý You can definitely gather all the info you learned and make a big sample application ý but the book should already have included one.

Book a worthy buy.......2001-01-05

Although MS has halted work on D3DRM, and is instead working on Farenheit for the upcoming DX releases, ... It touches everything from history of video graphics, a review of WinAPI programming, 2d and 3d operations via DirectX.

However, if you already have an extensive background on DirectX , Inside DirectX by MS Press would serve a better reference for the newest release of DirectX.

Retained Mode is Dead.......2000-07-29

Why write a book about D3D RM. It's dead, Microsoft dropped it. Makes this book a big pass.

Book Description

In Keepin' It Real, writer, poet, and cultural critic Kevin Powell puts both himself and society under a microscope and creates a searingly honest collection that is at once powerful and disturbing. Within this rich weave of musings, confession, and sometimes painful introspection, he confronts such issues as racism, black self-hatred, gender violence in the '90s, and his own anguished revelations about sex, love, and misogyny. He also explores the meaning and myths of the Million Man March and the influential and threatening presence of rap music. Like that musical movement, Kevin Powell samples the sights and sounds and scenarios of American life, then reshapes them into a provocative soundtrack for our times.

Customer Reviews:

This Book Is Bangin'.......2000-06-17

I think that this book was so hot because it is written by a person from my generation. I have to say that Kevin did "Keep It Real" and that he told us what was on his mind. I also like that Kevin matured in the book as he was able to see what his flaws were. I also have to thank him because after reading his book I realized that I was making some of the same mistakes that he made. Kevin is a great author and I can't wait to read some more of his work.

Real.......1999-01-21

After listening to a lecture that Kevin gave here at Auburn University, I immediately bought his book the same night. After reading the book in two nights, I wanted to call him up and thank him for writing my biography. His stories were real, so real that they brought back memories. His letters were touching, so touching that I cried, laughed and cried again. His words were so vivid, I could close my eyes and see what was going on. This book is a must read for any young urban african american male, and for anyone who wants to understand them.

Excellent.......1998-10-19

I bought Keepin It Real shortly after it was published in 1997. I started to read it but it was just too painful. Last week, I picked it up again and read it within three days. Kevin's letters are so raw and honest. I felt for the brother. There is not a false note anywhere in this book.

Give It A Shot.......1998-01-09

Interesting

Soul baring confessional.......1997-11-18

Kevin Powell a successful young writer (and original cast member MTV's: The Real World) shares his life, his pain and his heart with us via a series of letters to: his cousin, a female friend his father and us. He bares his soul as he sifts through his feelings about his impoverished childhood, his absentee father, his love/hate relationship with his mother, his sexist and sometimes abusive behavior towards women and the inescapable anger caused by the toll of racism.

Critics might say "stop whining! We've all been through it. Get over it!" I too, at points, wanted to ask "how long can we use this as an excuse for destructive behavior?" But, this book is uncannily reminiscent of Nathan Mc Call's 'Makes Me Wanna Holler'. How many of these painful accounts from so-called successful black men do we need before this problem is acknowledged and addressed ?

At times, Kevin may be indulging in a bit of self-pity, but he is at least attempting to get over and beyond the things which he feels affected his life so drastically. Whether you believe him or not, whether you identify with him or not, this book gives us the opportunity to at least listen ... and perhaps understand.

Average customer rating:
Keepin' It Real: Post-Mtv Reflections on Race, Sex, and Politics
Kevin Powell
Manufacturer: One World/Ballantine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVAI8Y

Customer Reviews:

An excellent tool.......2000-06-23

I studied this book religiously as I was preparing for the 1995 College Tournament. It contains a great deal of the "must-have" knowledge that you can expect on Jeopardy!: Presidential trivia, geography, literature, etc. The most notable thing lacking is a section on art/architecture.

It worked for me.......2000-05-04

The book is a great review for anyone going on the show. The knowledge is quite broad and allows work/creator recognition. I used the book to worm my way into the T of C finals.

VERY HELPFUL for the prospective contestant.......1998-06-23

Good review book for a Jeopardy contestant prospect. It is a little outdated, but still useful.

Amazon.com

Unix in a Nutshell is the standard desktop reference, without question. (Manpages come in a close second.) With a clean layout and superior command tables available at a glance, O'Reilly's third edition of Nutshell is an essential to own.

Like a dictionary, Unix in a Nutshell helps you find what you need, even if you're not exactly sure what you're looking for (or how to spell it!). With that in mind, this book is for intermediate to advanced users only--those new to the Unix operating system would be better off with Learning the Unix Operating System or Unix: Visual Quickstart Guide.

The last full revision of the book was in 1992, and the new edition covers Solaris 7 as well as newer versions of shells (ksh, in particular), RCS, and GNU emacs. Topping off at over 500 pages, Unix in a Nutshell contains--literally--everything you could want to know about the various commands, shells, and functions. Fifty new commands have been added to the already sizable lists, and even the most seasoned user is likely to find a discover a new timesaving command. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Book Description

You may have seen Unix quick-reference guides, but you've never seen anything like UNIX in a Nutshell. Not a scaled-down quick reference of common commands, UNIX in a Nutshell is a complete reference containing all commands and options, along with generous descriptions and examples that put the commands in context. For all but the thorniest Unix problems, this one reference should be all the documentation you need. The third edition of UNIX in a Nutshell includes thorough coverage of System V Release 4. To that, author Arnold Robbins has added the latest information about:

Sixty new commands in The Alphabetical Summary of Commands
Solaris 7
Shell syntax (sh, csh, and the 1988 and 1993 versions of ksh)
Regular expression syntax
vi and ex commands, as well as newly updated Emacs information
sed and awk commands
troff and related commands and macros, with a new section on refer
make, RCS (version 5.7), and SCCS commands

In addition, there is a new Unix bibliography to guide the reader to further reading about the Unix environment. If you currently use Unix SVR4, or if you're a Solaris user, you'll want this book. UNIX in a Nutshell is the most comprehensive quick reference on the market, a must for any Unix user.

Customer Reviews:

nice first UNIX book.......2005-07-21

I like easy to read book and I also had assumed that learning UNIX is not necessarily has to be a struggle. This book stood up to my expectations almost perfectly: it is very well written and clearly expressed work. It does not overwhelm with technical details and does not press too much. I also followed an advise in someone review and purchased "UNIX Essentials" DVD that is complete unix course recorded. These two nicely complement one another. You watch it and you read it. If you didn't catch it from the first try you watch it again and read it again. In two months I found myself confident to that extend that gave advises to our system administrator and he accepted them because there were subjects that he wasn't completely sure. What I can say, in three month I passed my first interview and got a job! Sure it is a way to start there much of more advanced reading that will take over you with a time however these two provide you with the BASIS!
I can't overstate how much I have learned from them. Don't be naive, though. You will have to learn and memorize many things. The fact of owning neither book nor DVD will not make you knowledgeable, but if you will work it trough, there is a chance you will surprise many people around!

It nice book, very useful text........2005-05-02

It is nice book! It is well written and it covers many useful subjects. This book offers as much for a beginner as it is possible to convey from the printed page. I pared this book with "UNIX Essentials" DVD that I have found here on Amazon and what is a nice couple they made! I learned in first two weeks that much that consulted our system administrator on some subjects! While the book provides more of conception the DVD course contributed to my workflow, they even have sent diplomas to me!
Try this book and work it through, it is a sure way to get some grip on UNIX.

THE core UNIX book to own.......2005-03-24

If I could only have one UNIX reference book this one would be it. I literally use it all the time.

Without a doubt THE best Solaris reference guide........2003-08-22

Let me just start out by saying that I have taught Solaris in the past to several international companies and highly respectable universities. I always provide each student with a copy of this book because I put that much value into it.

There is no other Solaris book out there that covers the most often-used Solaris commands with such intricate detail and organization as this book does. The only drawback to this book is that the author stopped at Solaris 7. Considering that right now Solaris is up to version 9, I so very much wish that Mr. Robbins continued this book into Solaris 8 and 9.

The beautiful part about Solaris, however, is that even Solaris 8 and 9 contain most if not all of the commands that are listed in this book, so it still becomes an absolute necessity for any Solaris administrator. The complete chapter on vi also will be a welcome sight to many as well the separate chapters on the different operating system shells.

I must warn that this is NOT a book for those who are looking to get started in Solaris. This is purely a reference manual. In effect, this book is Solaris on-line help (man pages) in a beautifully organized compendium of the essential Solaris commands.

If you are a Solaris administrator, regardless of whether you're a novice or an "expert", you need to have this book at your desk at all times. It's completely indispenable.

Excellent reference.......2003-05-01

This is the first book to go to for unix syntax. It contains everything you need on Unix commands. It's the Unix Bible as far as I'm concerned.

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