219
is a typical example of 'chaos'.
For the reader interested in finding out something about 'chaos' the book by J. Gleick, Chaos: Making a New Science is a better introduction. For the reader interested in getting a thought-provoking and deeply insightful exposition of the subject, this book by a Professor of Meteorology is a must.
CHARLES K. KAO
James Hayes, Tsuen Wan: Growth of a 'New Town' and Its People. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press, 1993. xx + 227 pp. Notes. Glossary. Index.
One of the long traditions of British colonial government has been the existence of a small band of administrator/scholars who have seen their role as extending far beyond the mere paper-shuffling of local bureaucratic processes, into developing a long and deep understanding of the cultural diversities of the societies with which they have become involved. This involvement has been not only to better understand the societies themselves, but also as much to explain to the wider world. There is therefore a long history of erudite and carefully-researched study of colonial cultures and societies written by such officers, and it is well known that Hong Kong has also had its share over the years.
This tradition still continues, and as a visiting academic also writing on Hong Kong over the years the reviewer has often been reminded of the recent work of two contemporary members of that illustrious band — James Hayes and Ted Pryor. Both continue to uphold the tradition of careful scholarship, and when something new comes from either, one knows that it will be interesting, that scholarship will have been applied, and that because of the unique official position of both within government (until recently) some new and authoritative insight will be given into contemporary British colonial administration. James Hayes' new book on Tsuen Wan and its development one of Hong Kong's nine new towns is no exception.
James Hayes is well-known in Hong Kong for his interests and
219
is a typical example of 'chaos'.
For the reader interested in finding out something about 'chaos' the book by J. Gleick, Chaos: Making a New Science is a better introduction. For the reader interested in getting a thought-provoking and deeply insightful exposition of the subject, this book by a Professor of Meteorology is a must.
CHARLES K. KAO
James Hayes, Tsuen Wan: Growth of a 'New Town' and Its People. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press, 1993. xx + 227 pp. Notes. Glossary. Index.
One of the long traditions of British colonial government has been the existence of a small band of administrator/scholars who have seen their role as extending far beyond the mere paper-shuffling of local bureaucratic processes, into developing a long and deep understanding of the cultural diversities of the societies with which they have become involved. This involvement has been not only to better understand the societies themselves, but also as much to explain to the wider world. There is therefore a long history of erudite and carefully-researched study of colonial cultures and societies written by such officers, and it is well known that Hong Kong has also had its share over the years.
This tradition still continues, and as a visiting academic also writing on Hong Kong over the years the reviewer has often been reminded of the recent work of two contemporary members of that illustrious band — James Hayes and Ted Pryor. Both continue to uphold the tradition of careful scholarship, and when something new comes from either, one knows that it will be interesting, that scholarship will have been applied, and that because of the unique official position of both within government (until recently) some new and authoritive insight will be given into contemporary British colonial administration. James Hayes' new book on Tsuen Wan and its development one of Hong Kong's nine new
towns is no exception.
James Hayes is well-known in Hong Kong for his interests and
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