Oxford in Asia Hardback Reprints

Account of relations between France and Thailand during reign of Narai, King of Siam, 1632.

Before the early 20th century Central Asia, the Silk Road, Outer Mongolia, and mysterious Tibet were little know to Western minds and mostly 'terra incognita' on a Western map. However, over three decades, Swedish explorer/traveler, Sven Hedin, did more than anyone to bring light to the mystery and splendors of the unknown East. His book 'My Life As An Explorer' describes five major and many minor expeditions he mounted into the Eastern 'terra incognita'. His book is everything you'd hope for in an adventure memoir. Exotic locales and strange peoples, lost expeditions in the desert, death in the mountains, gun battles with brigands and robber bands, and of course, incredible scenery. 'My Life As An Explorer' was a runaway bestseller around the world in the 1920s. His adventures, his lecture tours, his books all brought Hedin world wide acclaim and recognition. Strangely, one hundred years later and he is barely remembered despite his incredible book.

Chapter I Geography of Borneo 1 Chapter II History of Borneo 8 Chapter III General Sketch of the Peoples of Borneo 28 Chapter IV Material Conditions of the Pagan Tribes of Borneo 43 Chapter V The Social System 63 Chapter VI Agriculture 97 Chapter VII The Daily Life of a Kayan Long House 116 Chapter VIII Life on the Rivers 131 Chapter IX Life in the Jungle 143 Chapter X War 158 Chapter XI Handicrafts 193 Chapter XII Decorative Art 224 Chapter XIII Ideas of Spiritual Existences and the Practices Arising from Them 1 Chapter XIV Ideas of the Soul Illustrated by Burial Customs, Soul-Catching, and Exorcism 28 Chapter XV Animistic Beliefs Connected with Animals and Plants 51 Chapter XVI Magic, Spells, and Charms 115 Chapter XVII Myths, Legends, and Stories 136 Chapter XVIII Childhood and Youth of a Kayan 153 Chapter XIX The Nomad Hunters 177 Chapter XX Moral and Intellectual Peculiarities 194 Chapter XXI Ethnology of Borneo 223 Chapter XXII Government 257 Appendix The Physical Characters of the Races of Borneo. By A. C. Haddon 311 Index

The Abbe de Choisy was one of the most extraordinary characters of the late seventeenth century: libertine, transvestite, courtier, diplomat, priest, and academician. His career nevertheless ended respectably as Dean of the Academic Francaise. Prior to this appointment, his connections had secured him - in 1685 - the novel post of co-ambassador to King Narai of Siam. Choisy's account of the embassy, in the form of a daily journal addressed to a friend, is an acknowledged classic of French travel writing. It is by far the most lively of all the records of the mission which had the astonishing aim of converting King Narai to Catholicism. This is the first translation to appear in English of Choisy's record of the embassy. Written with fluent pen and subtle humour, the original text is presented here by Michael Smithies who provides a comprehensive Introduction, placing Choisy and his account in its period. The translation appears with a number of illustrations from other contemporary texts, Choisy's account being unillustrated.