Atlas of the Diasporas, The Penguin [Hardcover]

Gerard Chaliand (Author), Jean-Pierre Rageau (Author), A. M. Berrett (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995

This atlas includes extended coverage of Jewish diaspora patterns; the history and nature of the African, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Greek, Armenian, Gypsy, Lebanese, Palestinian, Vietnamese and Korean diasporas; contributions of early diasporas to globalization; and the changing and contradictory attitudes of host states and populations. Its text is complemented by full colour maps and an iconography of synagogues, churches, and other cultural markers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The diaspora or dispersion of a people from their native land has been a phenomenon since the beginning of recorded history. In their introduction to this beautifully illustrated survey of major dispersions, two French historians establish their criteria for a diaspora: the forced dispersion of a religious and/or ethnic group, the memory of the group in transmitting historical facts and cultural heritage, the will to survive through transmission of this heritage, and dispersion over a long time period.

The diasporas described in separate chapters are Jewish (one-third of the book), Armenian, Gypsy, African, Chinese, Indian, Irish, Greek, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Vietnamese and Korean. Each dispersion is described objectively from the beginnings of the group's movement to the situation today. Clearly drawn colored and coded maps trace each group's movement across continents and over oceans and show the areas where they settled. Scale is not noted on maps, but this is unnecessary in conveying the sense of the dispersion. When appropriate, chronologically arranged tables, population charts, pictorial illustrations, or pertinent quotations are included. Some of the chapters have only one to two pages of text, but the maps and illustrations complete our understanding. Some facts are footnoted, and sources of quotations are cited.

The Penguin Atlas of Diasporas will be a welcome addition to school, public, and undergraduate libraries. More detailed information on each group is available in other works, but this attractive atlas will provide a clear and accurate overview for students and general users.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st AmericanEd edition (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670854395
• ISBN-13: 978-0670854394
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,817,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Moving On!, January 28, 2000

By 

Eric H. Roth "English teacher/conversationali... (Venice Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Penguin Atlas of Diasporas (Paperback)

A beautifully illustrated pioneering reference guide examining the forced exile and voluntary migration of ethnic communities across political borders in search of safety, sanity, and freedom. This fascinating work expands the original definition of "diaspora" beyond the Jews to study the nature and history of minority groups in new lands. Detailed, color historical maps accompany this ambitious, informative survey of the Jewish, Armenian, Gypsy, Black, and Chinese Diasporas across centuries and under many oppressive governments. While diasporas spread ideas, expand trade, and make significant contributions to cultures, these minority groups frequently have faced brutal persecution as outsiders without basic rights in host countries. The American and French revolutions established new principles of tolerance, but the Armenian genocide and Nazi Holocaust prove that evil was still alive in the 20th century. Far shorter sections also outline other ethnic diaspora communities including the Indian, Irish, Vietnamese and Korean while placing the current global refugee crisis within a larger context.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Should be called "Atlas of Jewish Diaspora and a Few Others", January 25, 2001

By 

A. Hamilton (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Penguin Atlas of Diasporas (Paperback)

I read this book last year and wound up returning it due to what I thought was missing content (and a misleading title that caused me to buy it in the first place). Although this book gave an in depth look at the Jewish diaspora (covering nearly half the book) and a good discussion on the definition and introduction on diasporas, it gave less coverage to many of the other diasporas. The Armenian and African diasporas were worth a look, but other nationalities were glossed over (i.e. Greek, Kurdish, etc...).