Looking for book recommendations; cultures, lifestyle, etc.?

Question

I am starting a personal reading project this year. My parents and mentors have always told me that even when you are not in school, you can school yourself by reading, and I have been an avid book reader for many years. Most of my general education about life, people, places and things have come from reading and watching documentaries.

However, I will admit that I am somewhat ignorant to many different cultures, and would like to educate myself more. I have met many people over the years, and I have always found people of different ethnic backgrounds fascinating and it opens you up to whole other world.

I am looking for book recommendations on different cultures and lifestyles. I am not interested "textbook" reading, but more personal stories. For example, I found a book recently called "The bookseller in Kabul". It was written by a woman and it tells the story of a man who traveled to Afghanistan in search of learning more about the culture and lifestyle in the middle east. The book has gotten very positive reviews, and I am looking forward to reading it.

I am interested in learning more about Asian, African, Latino, Caribbean and European cultures, but from a personal perspective.

Me being an African American does not automatically make me an expert on African culture as so many people sometimes assume. Without books, and taking African history classes, I would not know as much as I do, but there is still more to learn.

Any recommendations you can offer, would be appreciated.

P.S. I just got a recommendation for "Inside the Kingdom", which I purchased.

Thanks

Answer 1

You didn't list Native American but I'm recommending,Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. I think that would be a good book to start with and if your interest is peaked after reading it; you may want to read about various tribes.

Answer 2

You might want to try something by Dervla Murphy. She's one of the best and most observant travel writers of the last several decades. Unlike many travel writers, her books are truly about the cultures and people she meets.



What I've seen of the Culture Shock series is pretty good. They're written primarily for people who are relocating to another country, but are helpful for understanding some of the goes-without-saying quirks that are needed for regional fiction.



Irish cinema is one of the world's best and there are many excellent films about their history.



Mostly I go with what's available and inexpensive, looking through the libraries and charity shops for titles that sound a bit different and foreign authors. That way I can explore without risking much money-wise. I find that the titles which get the most public attention are rarely the best.

Answer 3

A Shining Thread of Hope by Darlene Hine and KAthleen Thompson

Answer 4

Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa' Thiongo, Wole Soyinka are great authors for fiction based in Africa. But if you want to know about tribes of east Africa, you could read "Peoples of Kenya " by Joy Adamson (of Born Free fame)

Answer 5

needless to say it might desire to be many stuff yet one element that's amazingly fairly elementary in women human beings is being anemic. (now i see you stated it) it is so elementary as your physician providing you with iron pills and stool softeners (it irritates some women human beings and makes them constipated). the different decision that grew to become into given to me grew to become into taking Flinstone pills that have iron in them. i for my section stay faraway from them bc of too many undesirable thoughts yet you shouldnt have a topic. My sister is anemic and Im borderline anemic. My bones have been continually aching and interestingly through fact i grew to become into "borderline" anemic, my egghhh (i cant remeber the main suitable suited words) physique grew to become into attempting to change my iron via taking via bone marrow (or something) consequently leaving my bones very nearly brittle. in any case, i've got self assurance plenty extra beneficial now .i think of so you might additionally try exercising somewhat, it basically made me sense extra beneficial to be drained for a actual reason fairly than feeling so lazy. It gave me a effective strengthen of power.

Answer 6

Here is my suggestion: The autobiography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara



He has inspired many people in third world countries.