Austin Coates (1922–1997)

Missing dust cover

Written after Austin Coates had completed his tour as a 'mandarin', this is an interesting insight into a young mind coping with a culture almost unknown to him. The ways in which he addresses the needs of the people focused on really listening to the individuals coming before him for resolution of their cases and being constantly aware of his staff and their reactions. A unique individual in today's world.

In this study of the world as we know it not stands the prehistoric Austronesian civilization. To a long-time observer of this general region, familiar with its people, their character and culture, what is salient in the evident relationship between Asia and the Pacific is, directionally speaking, the opposite to that commonly held, namely, Oceania's influence on the Orient. -- Introduction.

Account by a British journalist (and former solsdier) of traveling through Asia 7 years after World Wr II (presmably 1952). Very vivid descriptions of people and placces --Japan, Hoing Kiong, Manila, Burma,Turkey etc. I liked the comparison of Japanese and (preCommunist) Chinese Buddhist monasteries.