An excellent book in terms of the text and photographic material, this book is small in size and makes it easy to carry around in the field. The text is written in simple English, making the information both precise and concise.Technical terms are kept to the minimum, making it user friendly for both beginners and experienced ornithologists. The description of the identificatory features are brief,focusing only on the important field characteristics. The bird calls and songs are also described fairly accurately, judging from my own personal experience as an experienced amateur field ornithologist here in Peninsular Malaysia. This book compliments the existing field guides in the region. The photographs are excellent in terms of quality and certainly help in the identification of birds since photographs show colour and jizz of the bird accurately, which in some cases may be difficult with line drawings and paintings. It is indeed comendable to note that the majority of the photographs were taken under natural conditions in the wild as the surrounding habitat is also shown. Though some of the birds were photographed in captivity (e.g. the hornbills,partridges and some pheasants), this still serves its purpose for accurate identification. It is a very handy book to have for visiting birdwatchers to Malaysia and Singapore who will find the descriptions and the photographs good. Some of your identification problems may be solved instantly.

This book is a wonderful introduction people who are interested in the culture and history of Sarawak. It is also a great reference to those who are passionate about Sarawak art, wood carvings, weavings, etc. It contains extraordinary photos that are not easily found. I love this book; it makes me feel closer to my roots.

This book provides a systematic description and analysis of the factors that shaped Malaysia, bringing together studies on the country's geological origins and mineral resources, flora, fauna, peoples and cultures, political change, economy and society, environment and eco-tourism. It explicates Malaysia's current economic and political development by considering it in the light of these natural and human resources. Besides taking a comparative view of such changes in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, it highlights Malaysia's incorporation into the wider global economy.

Offering an integrated perspective on Malaysia by focusing on its natural and human resource endowments, it also goes on to explore how they have changed over time. This book makes an important contribution to a greater understanding of present-day Malaysia by providing the background to essential elements in the evolution of the country's modern economy and society.

A collection of papers from those presented at a colloquium on 'Research on Malaysia-Recent Advances' at the University of New England, Australia on October 1995, this book is therefore not exhaustive and some issues are dealt with more fully than others. For example, the chapter on fauna is devoted mostly to the orang utan, neglecting other endangered species such as the Sumatran rhinoceros and tiger.

Formerly associate professor in the History Department of the University of Malaya, Amarjit Kaur is now associate professor and head of the Department of Economic History at the University of New England, New South Wales, Australia. Formerly lecturer and senior lecturer in the Geology Departments of the University of Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Ian Metcalfe is currently associate professor in the Division of Earth Sciences, School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, University of New England.

I am just sixteen years old,but a big fish and marine life entusiast. I think this is one of the best books on tropical reef fishes ever written. When I received this book on the holidays,I was incredibly happy. Even though I recognized many of the species,there was some new and many new views of species I`d already knew. It covers all kinds of fish,from sharks to anemonfishes. And the colour of them are the most striking I`ve ever seen on animals. My favorite chapter is probably the first one,about sharks & rays. In second to it,there are the Scorpionfish and the Moray Eel chapter,although the angelfishes are the most beautifull fishes,the sharks are the coolest and most fascinating. At all,I will give it an high rate and I am a great fan of the author,Helmut Debelius,who has made many other great fish books which I also own,but this one is the best! But I would like if it was a little bit longer (a book of 450 pages would have been good)and have covered a little more about the behaviour of the fishes,and their reaction to divers,showing additional photos.

This volume on culture and politics in Southeast Asia contests the essentialist argument that culture is something derived from the past and hence unchanging.

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This book was written by the son of J K L Ross the owner of Sir Barton. The book is filled with lots of photos and reproductions of F Voss 's paintings. It is rich in history of the horses, owners, trainers and thoes who were to ride in history

In this widely-praised study, Carol Laderman provides a vivid picture of the daily life of rural Malays as she focuses on their dietary practices and the ritual and medical aspects of childbirth procedures. Apprenticed to a village midwife and a local shaman, she was able to observe a traditional culture adapting to modern practices.

"Carol Laderman's book is not only a contribution to the study of birth customs, it also raises broader questions of the relationship of belief systems and behavior.... We need more studies like this one - detailed, empathic, and thoroughly grounded both in observing behavior an in understanding traditional belief systems." E. N. Anderson, Jr., Medical Anthropology Quarterly

"Wives and Midwives offers a good balance between general theoretical argument and rich ethnographic description. For many women readers, the book will strike a personal chord as the fieldworker recalls her experiences in the field situation. ...Ideal for Southeast Asian area courses and medical or nutritional anthropology courses." Penelope Van Esterik, Journal of Asian Studies

"Laderman's study of birth and nutrition in a rural Malaysian village is based on a unique combination of ethnographic and nutritional data.... Worth reading by those not only concerned with Southeast Asia but also medical anthropology, nutritional anthropology, and women's studies." Sheila Cosminsky, American Anthropologist

An Indonesian myself, I've been living in Malaysia for 5 years. I consider myself know much about Malaysian and the country itself. Now I've been one and half years away from my move back to Indonesia, and reading this book refreshes my mind and soul very much about what I experienced and realize about the country. It's great for me to see that a neighbouring country is full of visionaries...

First in my native tongue.. beribuan terima kasih Puan Marina Mahathir/Millions thxs Madam Marina Mahathir, and it's such a delight for someone to be bold in her approaches when it comes to "truth", I truly enjoyed reading Ms. Mahathir contribution to our country as well to the whole world, and what our country is all about, again I highly recommend to world wide audience to give a shot at this wonderful master piece. Bravo.. Ms. Mahathir..

This collection of essays on the social values, traditions and norms of Malaysia left me anxious to visit this dynamic country. Marini Mahathir shows how this young country blends the cultures of the Chinese, Indians, Malays and Moslems harmoniously into the Malaysian way of life. Marina gives an intelligent and independent view of Malaysia as it is today. It is not a boring historical treatise but a lively look at what it means to be Malaysian with all the outside pressures to conform to Western values. One gets the feeling that the Malysians are sensitive, spiritual people who care for both their neighbors and their country. Malaysia appears to have cohesion between cultures and races not common in many countries. We in the US could learn a lesson from our Malaysian friends. Yes, Hillary, it does take a village!

First, if you're going to rely on this guide, spend some cash on a couple of decent maps, especially for Kuala Lumpur. This guide has by far some of the most off-the-mark maps I've ever experienced with Lonely Planet. DO NOT rely on the book! As well, some amazing hotels are missing, and they're literally next door to some pretty grotty places the authors here rave about.
Also, I found the author's attitude to Singapore to be rather tiresome. Much is made of the fact that the city-state is cleaner than other congested and polluted cities in South East Asia, and that 'color' has been wiped out of Singapore.
But it seemed to me that authors had an underlying motive when writing about Singapore, to slyly convince travellers from visiting the place, or at least, from staying too long.
Of course, Singapore's not a place where anyone stays on for more than a week. But the author's mightier-than-thou point of view (that only cities with disgusting toilets, $5 hotel rooms and edgey red light districts are worth visiting) was annoying. Also, it was continually noted that Singapore is a "repressive" country. I think one only has to travel to countries like China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and even Morocco before they can whine about Singapore being repressive.
But I digress.
Finally, precious space is wasted in the guide with the inclusion of Brunei. I think LP should give Brunei it's own slim little guide (look at Maldives or Bhutan if you want to see tiny countries with their own books). First, Brunei is culturally and politically different from Malaysia to warrant its own book.
And it would give the Malaysia authors precious space in which to include some decent maps.
Yes, I'm griping here, but when you bring a guide for a longish trip, you tend to notice these things!
Anyway, you could do worse... but Lonely Planet could have done better.

Lile most Lonely Planet guidebooks, this travel guide won't come as a disappointment to any of its readers. The unmistakable excellent standards we can expect from LP, combined with the fact that this particular guidebook is in its 8th edition already, makes of this book a masterpiece no traveller to the region should leave behind. The information about hotels and restaurants, things to see and do, etc, is dense, well-written, excellently ordered, and up-to-date. Likewise, the maps, the various tips on do's and dont's, are invaluable. As always, the sections on history, politics, culture etc, are excellently written and well condensed, ensuring pleasant reading for the traveller and the prospective traveller alike. Without exaggerating nor diminishing the fascination of this wonderful part of the world, this guidebook does great service to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. It is the ultimate travel tool for those intending to visit these countries, enabling them to make the most out of their stay, as well as ensuring moments of fascinating reading.

We ended up calling it "the Bible". Why? Because all the answers are in it.!! Several times we said to our selves that this information should have been in LP. And looking one more time - it was usually there. LP helps you plan and avoid vasting time. Of course you shold try to do things which is not mentioned in LP but this can be a major challanges. The guide goes every where and the information is incredibly reliable. So if you go - bring LP or bring no guide book at all - alternatives are poor sustitutions. We also brought a Footprint - but the reality is that nobody is above or besides LP. 22-08-2001