Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, Zionism has claimed Jerusalem as its own. Home to three major religions, this holy city has long been an intensely contested site where each faith has strived to preserve its vital interests— its shrines, sanctuaries and the presence of its adherents. But it is obvious today that neither Islam nor Christianity will allow Israeli domination of…
Ceylon in Picture presents a visual portrayal of early 20th-century Ceylon through a collection of photographs accompanied by descriptive notes. The book highlights the island’s landscapes, cultural traditions, and daily life, offering readers an impression of its natural beauty and social diversity. Egan’s images document important landmarks, rural villages, and colonial-era developments. …
This book explores the formation and transformation of collective identities in modern Sri Lanka, focusing on the interplay between ethnicity, nationalism, and political mobilization. Roberts analyzes historical and contemporary movements to show how cultural narratives and social structures shape public protest. Through detailed case studies, he illustrates the tensions and interactions among …
This book commemorates 2,500 years of the land, race, and faith of the Sinhalese Buddhist people, weaving together their history, philosophy, and nationhood. The author explores the deep ethical and spiritual teachings of Buddhism as a foundation for both individual and societal integrity. He argues that Buddhist ideals can inform practical political and social reforms in the modern world. Ulti…
Of course, they will tell you about the sun and the golden beaches fringed with foam, the refreshing and fragrant breeze known locally as the “alizé,” and the coves filled with birds and flowers, where adventurers and poets alike can find their sweet spot. What they don't tell you is that there is above all plenty of sunshine in the hearts of the women and men of this country, which is s…
J. R. Jayewardene of Sri Lanka: A Political Biography, Volume 1 (1906–1956) by K. M. de Silva explores the early life and political formation of one of Sri Lanka’s most influential leaders. The book traces Jayewardene’s rise from his education and legal background to his emergence as a prominent figure in the independence movement. It examines his evolving political ideology, key policy p…
A political fiction novel written between 1976 and 1980, which tells the story of a constitutional coup in Senegal where French-speaking Africans clash with staunch nationalists.
Senegal occupies a special place in African history. Longstanding relations with Europe, an early modern political life, independence marked by the stability of the regime and the personality of Léopold Sédar Senghor, a multiparty system that is quite rare on the continent... all these factors explain the appeal, even fascination, that Senegal exerts. Gerti Hesseling's book describes the co…
Senegal and Gambia by Hubert Deschamps is a comprehensive study of the history, geography, society, and political dynamics that shape two neighboring countries in West Africa: Senegal and Gambia. Using a historical and ethnographic approach, Deschamps traces the development of this region from pre-colonial times, through the period of European exploration and French-British colonization, to the…
This is a regional history conceived within a global vision of Senegambia, without taking into account either the borders of pre-colonial kingdoms or those of the current states inherited from colonial division. It is only within this framework that we can understand the dynamics of regional and interregional trade, the impact of Atlantic trade, the contradiction between Ceddo and Muslim power,…