Shwedagon: Golden Pagoda of Myanmar

From Library Journal
In order to make sense of this book, you must follow these directions: first turn to page 158 and read a short explanation (the first in the book) of what Shwedagon is and where it is located. Next, read the following seven-page explanation of Buddhism and then find the five poor-quality photos (on pages 102 and 103) to get a glimpse of the main shrine and its setting in the heart of Yangon (formerly Rangoon). A clear architectural plan on page 110 and an equally good elevation on page 133, coupled with a 19th-century photo on page six, will complete the background work you'll need to do to understand the main section of the book--which consists of 88 color photos shot on a one-day stroll by an amateur photographer (is that really the camera strap dangling in front of the lens on page 88?). An absurd collection of blurry tourist-quality photos accompanied by a pedantic art-historical text by art history scholar Moore and writer U Win Pe, this book is as disappointing as going to see a friend's awful slides from his vacation in some fabulous spot you have always wanted to visit. Not recommended.-David McClelland, Philadelphia Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
For hundreds of years the golden stupa of the Shwedagon, the pagoda enshrining the sacred hairs of the Buddha, has dominated the landscape of Rangoon. Since the nineteenth century, it has been the spiritual symbol of the entire Burmese nation. Few countries have a shrine such as this, ancient yet with as much relevance today as it had long ago. It is an unforgettable vision to see the pagoda across the Royal Lakes at sunset or as a golden shimmer against the black night sky. Everyone who has been to Myanmar has a memory of their first visit to the Shwedagon; for all born in Myanmar, the monument is a cornerstone of their life and a guardian for their future. Shwedagon provides a multifaceted view of this magnificent Buddhist shrine. The atmosphere of a visit to the site is admirably captured in Hansjorg Mayer's photographs. The texts, by archaeologist and art historian Elizabeth Moore and Burmese scholar U Win Pe, discuss the history and evolution of the stupa, and are illustrated by evocative old pictures and plans.


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In order to make sense of this book, you must follow these directions: first turn to page 158 and read a short explanation (the first in the book) of what Shwedagon is and where it is located. Next, read the following seven-page explanation of Buddhism and then find the five poor-quality photos (on pages 102 and 103) to get a glimpse of the main shrine and its setting in the heart of Yangon (formerly Rangoon). A clear architectural plan on page 110 and an equally good elevation on page 133, coupled with a 19th-century photo on page six, will complete the background work you'll need to do to understand the main section of the book--which consists of 88 color photos shot on a one-day stroll by an amateur photographer (is that really the camera strap dangling in front of the lens on page 88?). An absurd collection of blurry tourist-quality photos accompanied by a pedantic art-historical text by art history scholar Moore and writer U Win Pe, this book is as disappointing as going to see a friend's awful slides from his vacation in some fabulous spot you have always wanted to visit. Not recommended.--David McClelland, Philadelphia Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.


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