Countries & Cultures of the World, Then & Now, Volume I: Ancient Civilizations, Religions, Africa, Asia, World Problems & Solutions

This volume will help the reader to understand the ancient civilizations built by our ancestors all over the world. It outlines the origins of the major religions, and how religions are practiced today. 1

The author takes us through many countries in Africa, first telling us something about their history. We begin in Egypt, then move west across North Africa, as the Moslems did more than 12 centuries ago. Then, we follow the author on an expedition in West Africa. We go on several safaris in Eastern and Southern Africa, sleeping in pup tents. We visit many villages and cities to learn how the people live today. We finish our African journey in South Africa, looking at Apartheid as it was and guess at South Africa's future. The author analyzes the economies of Africa and compares them with Asian countries.

The author then takes us for a long trip across Asia. We begin in Japan, cross over to Korea, and look at much of China's fascinating culture, old and new. We then explore Vietnam and Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat where the guns of Khymer Rouge guerrillas can be heard. We go into the hill country of Laos, visiting fascinating villages along the Mekong River. We learn more about huge Indonesia and then go up the Malay Peninsula to Thailand. Then we visit India and its surrounding countries: Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Next, we go to the Persian Gulf and then to Israel. The author has travelled in much of Israel, Gaza, and the Golan Heights, plus nearby Jordan, Labanon, and Syria. We examine many cultures and learn how they differ so much from cultures in North American and Europe. The author describes many anecdotes with a sense of humor.

The author shares numerous travel hints with the reader, based upon his experiences in some 130 countries and four extensive trips around the world. This volume ends with the author's observations of major problems in the world and in the U.S.A., and what we can do to help solve them. We learn how the population explosion in this century has caused many problems as well as magnifying others.

This work is not a guidebook of the world. There is no attempt to analyze hotels or restaurants, or particular excursions that are available. Each of us has preferences. Others may want to see other aspects of a city or country that the author missed. However, anyone planning a trip to a particular country should find it helpful to first read what the author has written here about that country.

More people are traveling and trading abroad than ever before. Our homes are full of merchandise from all over the world. Our newspapers and TV news programs tell us what is going on in far away places. But we need an in-depth knowledge about a country to interpret those events and happenings. You can acquire knowledge about the details of many countries without taking the time and spending money to go there. Simply read this series!