INDONESIA

In the ""Cultures of the World"" series, a competent, inclusive look at the country of land and water. First covering the history, religions, life-styles, art, food, economics, geography, etc. of the archipelago known as Indonesia, this also attempts to delineate the manner, characteristics, habits, psychology, attitudes, and sensitivities of its various peoples. Readers learn, for example, that news of tragedy may be delivered with a nervous smile or giggle because an outward calm is imperative to being a good ""Javanese"" (one of the country's largest ethnic groups, aspects of whose culture have been associated with Indonesians in general). Tenuous as such generalizations may sound, they are depicted here in a social context or against a religious background, and thus convey real knowledge of the human element of another country's culture: motivations, aspirations, behavior, goals. Including such material also makes this book less dry than others of its ilk, while still conveying well-organized (and more quantifiable) information. Color photos; maps; index; glossary; bibliography.