For more than 1500 years; from the Indian subcontinent to the islands of the Indonesian archipelago; the temple has embodied and symbolized the Hindu worldview at its deepest level and inspired the greatest architectural and artistic achievements in Hindu Asia. In The Hindu Temple; considered the standard introduction to the subject; George Michell explains the cultural; religious; and architectural significance of the temple. He illustrates his points with a profusion of photographs; building plans; and drawings of architectural details; making the book a useful guide for travelers to Asia as well as an illuminating text for students of architecture; religion; and Asian civilizations.Michell's discussion of the meaning and forms of the temple in Hindu society encompasses the awe-inspiring rock-cut temples at Ellora and Elephanta; the soaring superstructures and extraordinary sexual exhibitionism of the sculptures at Khajuraho; and the colossal mortuary temple of Angkor Vat; as well as the tiny iconic shrines that many Hindus wear around their necks and the simple shrines found under trees or near ponds.
#234236 in Books 2009-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.20 x 5.50l; 1.05 #File Name: 0226391183472 pages
Review
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Highly relevant decades after publicationBy J. GrattanThis book is a most profound examination of the thinking of both Sen. Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln concerning all of the issues associated with slavery up to the Civil War. Jaffa wants to set the record straight as far as any number of contentions by well-known historians of his era; known as revisionists. Most importantly; he flatly disputes the notion that the thinking and actions of Douglas (the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854) endorsing popular sovereignty were essentially equivalent to the principled stand of Lincoln based on the equality of all men in their long-term ramifications for slavery. Those revisionist historians contend that Lincoln and the Republicans should have accepted Douglas' solution to the slavery crisis; thus not precipitating the Civil War.Another claim against Lincoln that Jaffa thoroughly discredits is that Lincoln; in fact; did not hold Negroes as equals; and simply used the issue for personal political gain regardless of the consequences for the Union. But Lincoln understood that politics is the art of the possible. The author makes clear that Lincoln held an intense respect for the principles of the Declaration of Independence; including the rights of Life; Liberty; and the Pursuit of Happiness for all; including Negroes. It was one thing for the Union to be formed with the taint of slavery; but the contention that Southerners came to that slavery was a "positive good" was felt by Lincoln to have the potential to completely undermine the basis of the US. Perhaps it could even be justified to enslave a group of "inferior" whites. Lincoln felt compelled to move the nation back to its core principles without alienating those who did not have the same clarity as to what was at stake.The book is a challenging read. The issue of permitting slavery in territories became and remained contentious from 1820 on. The arguments for and against slavery in territories are quite subtle involving constitutionality; Congressional acts; territorial legislative bodies; and court decisions. The Dred Scott decision in 1857 disallowing restrictions on taking property (slaves) into territories is examined. Lincoln and the Republicans; rightfully so; were very apprehensive as to the long term ramifications of that decision. It was hardly a stretch to see where free states could become a thing of the past.The book is only indirectly concerned with the Lincoln-Douglas debates. They are randomly referred to throughout the text; but earlier writings and speeches receive far more attention. Douglas' words concerning the Mexican territories and the Kansas-Nebraska Act are well covered. The author devotes a large segment to examining Lincoln's speech to the Young Men's Lyceum in 1938; where his thinking on major issues had already crystallized. Lincoln's address on temperance receives much attention.The author is a disciple of Leo Strauss; the natural rights theorist. He does regard Lincoln as a preeminent natural rights thinker. There is some discussion of pre-civil society versus civil society. But the overall import of the book does not turn on acceptance of natural rights in a purist sense.This book; decades after its publication; cannot be ignored for understanding Lincoln.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy J. W. Henry WatsonAn incredible work of scholarship.17 of 19 people found the following review helpful. The one to readBy Daniel LowensteinIf you want to read one book about Lincoln's thought; this is the one to read. The first part of the book; which takes Douglas seriously and states the strongest case for him; is historically dense and may be difficult for most readers. But keep going; because the payoff will be great. There follow chapters on two of Lincoln's early speeches. Jaffa's analysis here is brilliant; though perhaps a bit far-fetched. In the final part of the book; Jaffa states the case for Lincoln against Douglas. This part is rich in its ideas; rigorous in its reasoning; and eloquent to the point of being inspirational. (By the way; if you want to read one biography of Lincoln; I'd recommend the one by Lord Charnwood. Though written almost a century ago and therefore not up to date on all the details of historical scholarship; it is judicious throughout and beautifully written.)
