The Burman: His Life and Notions

by Shway Yoe, John K. Musgrave (Introduction)

Only one Western writer has ever been able to capture fully the spirit of the delightful inhabitants of Burma. Whether describing the childbirth rates, the function of the astrologers in Burmese society, or the Buddhist precepts by which the good Burman lives, "Shway Yoe" ―the pseudonym of Sir J. George Scott, K.C.I.E., a British civil servant who spent more than thirty years in Burma―fills his book of observations with affection, keen insight and a broad sympathy for the Burmese society he knew. The Burman, His Life and Notions is an extraordinarily warm and human book, the validity and usefulness of which remains amazingly high even eighty years after its first appearance in 1882.

Genres: Nonfiction

609 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1882

Reviews

[Nita Hutapea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book when I travel to Myanmar in May 2013. I gave 1 start for this book not because of the book is not good. It’s just not my interest. The book is about how the Burman lives. I prefer the book about how the culture, religion and law affect their life and how they response to it.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone seriously interested in Burma.