New history book...

Alam Shah · 14th February 2007, 05:04 AM

Not a keris book, but one which describes the era where keris and other weapons are being carried and used. Within the cultural context, perhaps we could appreciate our pieces better.

Title: Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula.
http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38583681.html

Publisher: Singapore : Editions Didier Millet (Oct 2006),
Author: Paul Michel Munoz,
ISBN-10: 9814155675,
ISBN-13: 978-9814155670,
392 pages.

Synopsis: The book provides an extensive overview of the history of the Malay Peninsula and South East Asia from the earliest of times up to the 16th century. It also includes an in-depth analysis of the international context of the political, economic, and social evolution of these kingdoms - providing essential background knowledge to the region's turbulent modern history. This informative and accessible volume also features an impressive collection of reproductions of major stone inscriptions, as well as an extensive glossary of Sanskrit, old Malay, Javanese, and Tamil words, names, and phrases.

Comment: A must read reference.

David · 14th February 2007, 03:05 PM

Thanks Shahrial, i just ordered this book this morning from Amazon for $16.50.

It can't be stressed too often that it is impossible to understand the keris (or any ethnographic weapon) in a vacuum and books like these that don't necessarily discuss the keris directly are essential to our study of the blade.

Alam Shah · 15th February 2007, 02:16 AM

You're welcomed, David.

Title: Bintan: Phoenix of the Malay Archipelago
http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38624679.html

Author: Massot, Gilles,
Publisher [Singapore]: Editions Gunung Bintan, c2003.
ISBN: 9810485670

[ Available here ]

Synopsis: This beautiful 136-page coffee-table book offers an exceptional insight into Bintan Island. Developed from over three years of extensive research, the book gathers historical and contemporary information and is the perfect travel companion to Bintan and the Riau Archipelago.

Comments: The book has a lot of nice pictures and maps of Bintan, Penyengat and Batam islands south of Singapore, lots of information about the people, the culture and the history of the islands. I found it a good reference guide in understanding the dynamics of the Malay-Bugis relationship and how this had ultimately affects the dispersal of keris in the area (Riau-Lingga Archipelago). An interesting part, in pages 102-103, under the heading, "Mystical Blades and Legendary Warriors" which talks about keris and famous warriors, with illustration of blades from the collection of Paul de Souza.

Alam Shah · 15th February 2007, 03:12 AM

Not a keris book, more of an insight into the Javanese cultural, lifestyle.

Title: The Centhini Story: The Javanese Journey of Life
http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38625808.html

Author: Soewito Santoso
ISBN: 9812329757
EAN: 9789812329752
400 Pages
Publisher: Times Editions,Singapore
Binding: Hardcover

Synopsis: The Centhini Story tells the tale of two princes and a princess who fled their palace in Giri kingdom when it was attacked by Sultan Agung of Mataram kingdom in 1635. In the confusion, Prince Jayengresmi is separated from his younger siblings and embarks on a quest to find them. Seeking to be reunited with each other, they travel across the length and breadth of the island of Java. It is a quest that spans more than a decade. At every stage of their journey, the people they encounter whether a wise recluse on a mountain peak or a learned guru of a pesantren (Islamic school) introduce ideas that give a lively insight into the Javanese way of life and their beliefs. By the time the three siblings finally meet, each of them as well as the people they have forged close relationships with has overcome trials and tribulations and developed emotionally and spiritually. For them, it is not only a journey over hill and vale but a journey of life.

Comments: The Centhini Story takes the reader on an unforgettable tour of the magical island of Java and gives an incredible insight into the traditions and customs of the Javanese. In this first-ever English translation of the 19th-century epic Serat Centhini , the author has stayed true to the essence of the original work, making a much-loved but almost forgotten literary heritage accessible once again.

14th February 2007, 05:04 AM	#1
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	New history book... Not a keris book, but one which describes the era where keris and other weapons are being carried and used. Within the cultural context, perhaps we could appreciate our pieces better. Title: Early Kingdoms of the Indonesian Archipelago and the Malay Peninsula. http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38583681.html Publisher: Singapore : Editions Didier Millet (Oct 2006), Author: Paul Michel Munoz, ISBN-10: 9814155675, ISBN-13: 978-9814155670, 392 pages. Synopsis: The book provides an extensive overview of the history of the Malay Peninsula and South East Asia from the earliest of times up to the 16th century. It also includes an in-depth analysis of the international context of the political, economic, and social evolution of these kingdoms - providing essential background knowledge to the region's turbulent modern history. This informative and accessible volume also features an impressive collection of reproductions of major stone inscriptions, as well as an extensive glossary of Sanskrit, old Malay, Javanese, and Tamil words, names, and phrases. Comment: A must read reference. Last edited by Alam Shah; 14th February 2007 at 10:37 AM.

15th February 2007, 02:16 AM	#3
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Another good book You're welcomed, David. Title: Bintan: Phoenix of the Malay Archipelago http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38624679.html Author: Massot, Gilles, Publisher [Singapore]: Editions Gunung Bintan, c2003. ISBN: 9810485670 [ Available here ] Synopsis: This beautiful 136-page coffee-table book offers an exceptional insight into Bintan Island. Developed from over three years of extensive research, the book gathers historical and contemporary information and is the perfect travel companion to Bintan and the Riau Archipelago. Comments: The book has a lot of nice pictures and maps of Bintan, Penyengat and Batam islands south of Singapore, lots of information about the people, the culture and the history of the islands. I found it a good reference guide in understanding the dynamics of the Malay-Bugis relationship and how this had ultimately affects the dispersal of keris in the area (Riau-Lingga Archipelago). An interesting part, in pages 102-103, under the heading, "Mystical Blades and Legendary Warriors" which talks about keris and famous warriors, with illustration of blades from the collection of Paul de Souza. Last edited by Alam Shah; 16th February 2007 at 12:53 AM.

15th February 2007, 03:12 AM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Another book, on Javanese Not a keris book, more of an insight into the Javanese cultural, lifestyle. Title: The Centhini Story: The Javanese Journey of Life http://alamshah.fotopic.net/p38625808.html Author: Soewito Santoso ISBN: 9812329757 EAN: 9789812329752 400 Pages Publisher: Times Editions,Singapore Binding: Hardcover Synopsis: The Centhini Story tells the tale of two princes and a princess who fled their palace in Giri kingdom when it was attacked by Sultan Agung of Mataram kingdom in 1635. In the confusion, Prince Jayengresmi is separated from his younger siblings and embarks on a quest to find them. Seeking to be reunited with each other, they travel across the length and breadth of the island of Java. It is a quest that spans more than a decade. At every stage of their journey, the people they encounter whether a wise recluse on a mountain peak or a learned guru of a pesantren (Islamic school) introduce ideas that give a lively insight into the Javanese way of life and their beliefs. By the time the three siblings finally meet, each of them as well as the people they have forged close relationships with has overcome trials and tribulations and developed emotionally and spiritually. For them, it is not only a journey over hill and vale but a journey of life. Comments: The Centhini Story takes the reader on an unforgettable tour of the magical island of Java and gives an incredible insight into the traditions and customs of the Javanese. In this first-ever English translation of the 19th-century epic Serat Centhini , the author has stayed true to the essence of the original work, making a much-loved but almost forgotten literary heritage accessible once again.

14th February 2007, 03:05 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	Thanks Shahrial, i just ordered this book this morning from Amazon for $16.50. It can't be stressed too often that it is impossible to understand the keris (or any ethnographic weapon) in a vacuum and books like these that don't necessarily discuss the keris directly are essential to our study of the blade.