Areca
Books
120 Armenian Street
10200 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4 2620123
Fax: +60 4 2633970
Email: arecabooks@gmail.com
Website: www.arecabooks.com
Areca
catechu - the Latin
name for the betel-palm
or pinang tree.
Penang or 'Pulau Pinang'
means betel-nut island.
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| Areca Books is a rapidly-growing niche publisher based in Penang, Malaysia. A number of our publications are pioneering works in trans-local history, cultural heritage and environment. Our books are well-researched and richly-illustrated, appealing to popular readers as well as academic researchers of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. | |
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New
Book! ‘You can help shoulder the responsibility of saving our country by donating your money, while our comrades in our country are sacrificing their lives.’ — Dr. Sun Yat Sen in Penang, 1910 The Second Guangzhou Uprising (also called the Canton March 29 Uprising), a turning point of the 1911 Chinese Revolution, was planned from a place 2,400 km away — in Penang in present-day Malaysia. As a young revolutionary, Dr. Sun Yat Sen travelled widely and lived amongst the Chinese communities abroad, including Japan, North America and Southeast Asia. He mobilized the overseas Chinese with the dream of saving the Chinese nation. In 1910, when success seemed most remote, Dr. Sun turned to his followers in Penang. The Penang Philomatic Union became the Tongmenghui party's Nanyang Headquarters, raising funds and fighters for the Second Guangzhou Uprising and acting decisively to help consolidate the Xinhai Revolution. |
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New
Book! Freelance
writer and food reviewer Helen Ong has come up with a book to show
that the island has many more culinary delights to offer apart from
hawker food. … ‘nicely illustrated and attractive…’ |
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New
Book! Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple was founded in 1844 for the worship of Toa Pek Kong, patron saint of the Kian Teik Tong. The latter is the Hokkien Secret Society which challenged the Ghee Hin secret society in the Penang Riots of 1867. The commemorative publication celebrates the completion of the restoration of the temple. It contains a brief historical essay by Tan Kim Hong, and an essay on the architectural significance by Tan Yeow Wooi, who is also responsible for the wonderful photography. The timeline of the temple is researched from land titles and other historical documents. The lists of festivals, trustees, and affiliated associations provide insight into 19th century Hokkien socio-religious organisations in Penang. The book is extensively illustrated with photos of the archaeology and restoration process, building plans, temple architecture, calligraphic plaques, altars and ceremonies. A meticulous piece of documentation, it is essential reading for anyone interested in Chinese religions, Overseas Chinese traditions and Penang history. – Khoo Salma |
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New
Book! …an
important contribution to Malaysian history… should be incorporated
in history lessons taught in schools. ...offers
interesting insight to the growth of the Chinese community in Penang. |
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New
Book! A
patriarch makes a fortune in tin-mining and the next two generations
squander it.... This classic Malaysian Chinese family saga makes
a compelling biography. …lively
anecdotal style …first-hand perspective… |
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NEW! PLUS Special gift pack! RM40 |
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Streets
of George Town, Penang: Fourth print, 15,000 copies sold! To
really understand this fascinating port, buy a copy of Khoo Su Nin's
guide... …made
Khoo a local celebrity and helped rekindle civic interest in documenting
and preserving the island's rich architectural heritage. …an
eye-opening guide, particularly for children of Penang who know
little, or nothing, about its lively history. …sets
the gold standard for history-freighted local guide books… using
it on a recent stay on the island, I found my walks about the place
positively enriched. |
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Penang
Postcards Collection: 1899-1930s Khoo Salma Nasution & Malcolm Wade Price: RM120 ISBN: 983-2885-00-0 Every
once in a while, a book comes along that surpasses expectations…
Serious collectors or scholars of postcards (deltiologists, as they
are called), as well as casual readers, are sure to delight in this
richly illustrated and beautifully designed volume. …one
that you would read again and again [for] its captivating and rare
images. …important
for schools and history studies in Malaysia… |
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Penang,
Through Gilded Doors …gorgeous
and lavishly illustrated book. …offers
not only a magical 'tour' of Penang's famed sights, but gives detailed
insights into the life of the island's people… superb
photographs… a guide-book for the more discerning tourist and for
the more constricted Penangite. French
edition! |
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…a
'must read' for fans of public transport in the colonial era. The
pivotal role played by the transport network in the growth of the
island's economy, social and cultural life is showcased by the authors
with great detail and painstaking research. …excellent
book…truly amazing… |
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More
Than Merchants A History of the German-speaking Community in Penang 1800s-1940s Khoo Salma Nasution Price: RM 60 Price in Germany: Euro 29 Out of Stock! The
book serves more than simply serving tribute to the close-knit German-speaking
mercantile community… Khoo has also successfully conveyed their
courage and fortitude as merchants in facing the fate that befell
them and their enterprises caused by the international repercussions
of European politics. |
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Kinta
Valley: Pioneering Malaysia’s Modern Development A
local history that brings a region alive again and, for me, one
that makes you re-live what you have left behind, has done its job.
This is such a book. Kinta's
story is central to that of modern Malaysia, and this "local
history" is thus a contribution to national history as well. This
handsomely produced book provides the fullest account ever written,
or likely to be written, on the history of the Kinta Valley. Lucky
the district to have its history so comprehensively and excellently
catalogued as has been done for Kinta. In
all, an excellent book to read from cover to cover… |
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Raja
Bilah and the Mandailings in Perak: 1875-1911 …
an important watershed in the local and national historiography
of Malaysia … It has undoubtedly set a high standard for scholarship
on the writing of Malaysian local histories that is deserving of
emulation. This
fact-stuffed, quickly paced biography… goes considerably beyond
a simple narration of a life. Therein lies the volume's value to
scholars of both Indonesia and Malaysia-nations… …an
unexpectedly rich and interesting account of an important period
in Malay history …a rare indigenous viewpoint of events… …a
welcome and perhaps overdue study …[an] excellent monograph. |
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New
Book! Buku Baru! TULILA: MUZIK BUJUKAN MANDAILING Author/Pengarang: Edi Nasution Price/Harga: RM40 / Rupiah70,000. ISBN: 978-983-42834-4-5 The story of the tulila and its impending demise as an art form and a cultural practice is a reminder to all Malaysians of how fragile and precious the cultural treasures we still have are. Himanshu Bhatt, New Straits Times, February 3, 2008 |
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Water
Watch - A Community Action Guide Lubis
compiles water facts which everyone should know. ….a
source-book aimed at raising popular awareness of water problems
and at empowering communities and individuals with simple ways of
conserving and managing their water. ….
presents a step-by-step guide on how to map out our watershed and
how to adopt a stream. …
highlights simple projects that can be undertaken by community-based
organizations and school groups, and includes practical hints on
how to make best use of water resources. |
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Our
Malaysia: Multi-Cultural Activity Book for Young Malaysians Yazdi Jehangir Bankwala & Dr. M. Nadarajah Price: RM18 ISBN: 983-42472-0-6 2005.
Published by Arpitha Associates (M) |
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The
house of lIzards - Natu the Chichak ...a
delightful read for children in Malaysia… In the same way that
Beatrix Potter brings to life little animals in a very English
atmosphere, Natu The Chichak … easily plunge readers into a world
of jungles, lush foliage, and colourful creepy crawlies lurking
everywhere. One can almost hear lizards calling and insects buzzing. Batik
meets folk art in this book about a house lizard, or cicak, called
Natu. For orders, please email areca@streamyx.com
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One
Man's Will: A Portrait of Dato’ Sir Onn bin Ja’afar |
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Learn
to Speak... Penang Hokkien Dialect |
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Loghat
Hokkien Pulau Pinang |
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Penang
Hokkien Dailect for Tourists & Penangites Tan Choon Hoe Price: RM23 ISBN: 978-983-40774-3-3 |
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A
Tapestry of Baba Poetry (CD Attached) |
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