Frontiers of Fear: Tigers and People in the Malay World, 1600-1950 [Hardcover]

Mr. Peter Boomgaard (Author), Peter Boomgaard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001 | Series: Yale Agrarian Studies Series

For centuries, reports of man-eating tigers in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have circulated, shrouded in myth and anecdote. This fascinating book documents the relationship between the 'big cat' and humans in this area during the 350-year colonial period, recreating a world in which people feared tigers but often came into contact with them, because these fierce predators prefer habitats created by human interference. Peter Boomgaard shows how people and tigers adapted to each other's behaviour, each transmitting this learning from one generation to the next. He discusses the origins of stories and rituals about tigers and explains how cultural biases of Europeans and class differences among indigenous populations affected attitudes toward the tigers. He provides figures on their populations in different eras and analyses the factors contributing to their present status as an endangered species. Interweaving stories about Malay kings, colonial rulers, tiger charmers, and bounty hunters, with facts about tigers and their way of life, the book is an engrossing combination of environmental and micro history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating and uniquely valuable account of the historical relationships and entangled destinies between tigers and people in the region." -- George B. Schaller, Wildlife Conservation Society

"An important book about a fascinating topic. Nothing like it exists." -- Paul Greenough, University of Iowa

From the Publisher

Agrarian Studies Series

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; First Edition, First Printing edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300085397
• ISBN-13: 978-0300085396
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,206,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > History > Asia > Singapore

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Customer Reviews

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting anecdotes, January 21, 2006

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Enjolras (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Frontiers of Fear: Tigers and People in the Malay World, 1600-1950 (Hardcover)

This is a really interesting book and the author has found invaluable sources to paint a picture of tigers in the Malay world during this time period (1600-1950). I appreciate the fact that the book crosses the boundaries between anthropology and zoology at time, looking at indigenous beliefs and differences between different locations in the Malay world.

At times, I felt the book went into too much detail to make it a light read. I would only recommend this book for serious students of Insular Southeast Asia or tigers. However, if you fit that category, I highly recommend this book.