Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse [Paperback]

George Peknik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2004

The Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse interprets the art, architecture, and gardens of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse, an architectural gem and a unique gift from the people of Tajikistan to their "sister city," Boulder, Colorado. In addition, it explores the cultural context of the teahouse and how the unique gift bridges an ever-widening east-west culture gap and brings the people of two sister cities closer together.

The books will interest and serve as a resource for people involved in grass-roots efforts to build peace and international understanding, for members of sister cities organizations, and for students of Islamic. Persian, and Central Asian art, architecture, and cultures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"..a clear and detailed history of one of the city's most distinctive landmarks... lots of color photographs..." --Clay Evans, Boulder Daily Camera, October 14, 2004

About the Author

Americans George Peknik and his wife Sabina lived and worked in education in the Middle East for 16 years: five in Iran (2 in the Peace Corps); seven in Saudi Arabia, and four in the United Arab Emirates. He is a senior instructional designer for Intellinex in Golden, Colorado, and has been a student of Persian art and architecture for 30 years. He speaks Farsi, Tajiki, and some Arabic. He has lived in Boulder for eight years and is a member and former director of the Boulder-Dushanbe Sister Cities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: George Peknik; First edition. edition (June 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963259113
• ISBN-13: 978-0963259110
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,716,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Peknik focuses on the sense of place and how cultures interact. He is a retired international educator and instructional designer. His published books are The Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse and The Cheyenne Canon and Broadmoor Guidebook & Almanac. He taught ESL for 16 years in the Middle East, is a former director of the Boulder Dushanbe (Tajikistan) Sister Cities, and a former writer at the United Nations Population Fund.

He lives in Albuquerque with his wife Sabina and writes about wellness for Examiner.com.
George Peknik: Providing a unique written perspective on health
http://www.examiner.com/wellness-in-albuquerque/george-peknik
And on the fate of our wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
http://www.examiner.com/wounded-warriors-2-in-albuquerque/george-peknik

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse, December 14, 2011

By 

Living Life - "GMAC" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse (Paperback)

Having read this "little gem" of a book several times I keep gaining more and more knowledge of the sister communities. The commonalities and connectivity between two cultures reveals an East meets West... but which is which? Insights that the author places onto the pages express extensive knowledge of Dushanbe, Tajikistan (and the Tea house) which literally jump out of the pages. Thus revealing how our cultures are literally a hairs breadth of difference. Both the visual captivation of the photos and written story about two little tea houses in separate corners of our world help to gain insight into our planet. The "Teahouse" in Boulder has captured the essence. Between the lines; a world community and love shine. The author brings all of this altogether in such a succinct fashion.

I highly recommend this book! Once you read it you will 1) book a trip to Boulder, Co and 2) place Dushanbe, Tajikistan on your "bucket list" of places to go.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book beautifully written, November 29, 2011

By 

Race Cowgill (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meaning of the Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse (Paperback)

I ate at the Teahouse several times before I read this book, and I was captivated by its intricate, almost magical, design, ornamentation, and atmosphere. Mr. Peknik's book took my wonderment to a deeper level.

I find the writing style to be clear, direct, and wonderfully professional and engaging. In my view, Mr. Peknik is an excellent writer, and did a marvelous job of presenting his extensive research in a style that is both easy and fun to read, but also sophisticated enough to be interesting.

There a full description of how this architectural gem came to live in the middle of Boulder. He gives plenty of detail in how people from very different cultures worked together, thousands of miles apart in cases, to bring this about.

I walk into the Teahouse now with a deeper sense of understanding for what the Teahouse means, how it truly represents a bridge of cultures. It is a wonderful example of the magnificent and beautiful things that can come into existence when differences are great, respected, and built upon. Mr. Peknik brings all this to life in his fantastic book.