BOOK REVIEWS
203
about migration routes. It is perhaps just as well, therefore, to remember that there are many aspects of migration which can only be studied by visual observations, and Dr. Hemmingsen's studies remind us forcibly of this,
In general, the volume is well produced, although the numerous black and white photographs are not of high enough quality to be of much practical use.
practical use. Because of its high standards of accuracy, this book will remain a necessary work of reference, in its rather limited field, for many years to come.
Hong Kong, 1970,
M. A. WEBSTER
HONG KONG STUDIES: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. Compiled by M. I. Berkowitz and Eddie K. K. Poon. Hong Kong, Department of Extramural Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1969, pp. xvi, 137. HK$10.
Bibliographies are indispensable adjuncts to research and to increasing knowledge but they are not generally subjects that appeal to the student looking for useful work to do. Most of us would rather use them than compile them, especially when their nature renders them so vulnerable to criticism, fair or otherwise: it is much easier to be destructive than constructive in reviewing bibliographies.
I welcome this new bibliography since it provides a handy reference to a variety of items on Hong Kong affairs. Its usefulness is immediately apparent to this reviewer in that it has brought items to his attention of which he was not hitherto aware, though working for years on the Hong Kong background. It is more ambitious and ranges more widely, though less deeply, than the bibliography (28 pages in 1963) which until that year used to be included in the Hong Kong Government's Colony Annual Report, and its less useful successor, J. M. Braga's short (17 pages) Hong Kong book list, A Hong Kong Bibliography 1965 published by the Government Press. It also lists articles as well as books.
However, this new bibliography is still in no way comprehensive: there is a good deal of material that could have been included. Because of this I feel that the title promises too much. It might, say, have been better to stick to post-war publications
Page 210
Page 211
BOOK REVIEWS
203
about migration routes. It is perhaps just as well, therefore, to remember that there are many aspects of migration which can only be studied by visual observations, and Dr. Hemmingsen's studies remind us forcibly of this,
In general, the volume is well produced, although the numerous black and white photographs are not of high enough quality to be of much practical use.
practical use. Because of its high standards of accuracy, this book will remain a necessary work of reference, in its rather limited field, for many years to come.
Hong Kong, 1970,
M. A. WEBSTER
HONG KONG STUDIES: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. Compiled by M. I. Berkowitz and Eddie K. K. Poon. Hong Kong, Department of Extramural Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1969, pp. xvi, 137. HK$10.
Bibliographies are indispensable adjuncts to research and to increasing knowledge but they are not generally subjects that appeal to the student looking for useful work to do. Most of us would rather use them than compile them, especially when their nature renders them so vulnerable to criticism, fair or otherwise : it is much easier to be destructive than constructive in reviewing bibliographies.
I welcome this new bibliography since it provides a handy reference to a variety of items on Hong Kong affairs. Its useful- ness is immediately apparent to this reviewer in that it has brought items to his attention of which he was not hitherto aware, though working for years on the Hong Kong background. It is more ambitious and ranges more widely, though less deeply, than the bibliography (28 pages in 1963) which until that year used to be included in the Hong Kong Government's Colony Annual Report, and its less useful successor, J. M. Braga's short (17 pages) Hong Kong book list, A Hong Kong Bibliography 1965 published by the Government Press. It also lists articles as well as books.
However, this new bibliography is still in no way comprehen- sive: there is a good deal of material that could have been included. Because of this I feel that the title promises too much. It might, say, have been better to stick to post-war publications
Page 210Page 211
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