The “meticulously researched, elegantly argued and deeply humane” sequel to the landmark volume of social history, The Making of the English Working Class (The New York Times Book Review). This remarkable study investigates the gradual disappearance of a range of cultural customs against the backdrop of the great upheavals of the eighteenth century. As villagers were subjected to a legal system increasingly hostile to custom, they tried both to resist and to preserve tradition, becoming, as E. P. Thompson explains, “rebellious, but rebellious in defense of custom.” Although some historians have written of riotous peasants of England and Wales as if they were mainly a problem for magistrates and governments, for Thompson it is the rulers, landowners, and governments who were a problem for the people, whose exuberant culture preceded the formation of working-class institutions and consciousness. Essential reading for all those intrigued by English history, Customs in Common has a special relevance today, as traditional economies are being replaced by market economies throughout the world. The rich scholarship and depth of insight in Thompson’s work offer many clues to understanding contemporary changes around the globe. “[This] long-awaited collection . . . is a signal contribution . . . [from] the person most responsible for inspiring the revival of American labor history during the past thirty years.” —The Nation “This book signals the return to historical writing of one of the most eloquent, powerful and independent voices of our time. At his best he is capable of a passionate, sardonic eloquence which is unequalled.” —The Observer

From 1854 to 1952, the Chinese Maritime Customs Service delivered one-third to one-half of all revenue available to China’s central authorities. Much more than a tax collector, the institution managed China’s harbors and surveyed the Chinese coast. It oversaw a college training Chinese diplomats; translated legal, philosophical, economic, and scientific documents; organized contributions to international exhibitions; and pioneered China’s modern postal system. After the 1911 Revolution, the agency began managing China’s international loans and domestic bond issues, and in the 1930s, it created a coast guard to combat smuggling. The Customs Service was central to China’s post-Taiping entrance into the world of modern nation-states and twentieth-century trade and finance, and this is the first comprehensive history of the Customs Service’s activities and truly cosmopolitan nature. At times, the Service kept China together when little else did.

SIKKIM, the tiny Himalayan Kingdom came in existence in 1642 A.D. with a much larger area than it was in 1975 A.D. before it s integration in the Kingdom was the whole of Limbuwan, now the eastern most part of Nepal, southern parts of Tibet Autonomous region of China from Nathu La and Jelep La to the Tang La beyond Phari Jong, western Bhutan up to the watershed range between the Ammo Chu Valley and Har Chu Valley, and the northern plains of West Bengal as far south as Titalaiya and Purnea of Bihar. The Kingdom disintegrated in eight phases in different period of time when it s considerable areas were annexed by Bhutan, Nepal, China and British India of those days, and was finally integrated as one of the States of Indian Union in 1975 A.D. thereby loosing it s identity as a Himalayan Kingdom. The book provides insight into the history of its existence as the Himalayan Kingdom and it s disintegration in various phases, ethnicity, culture and customs of the people of Sikkim. About The Author: - Mr. Jash Subba, a post graduate in agricultural science from IARI. New Delhi, is a prolific writer and critic. Born in 1949 at Hee, one of the villages of Sikkim joined Agriculture service and has retired from Government Service in 2007 after 32 years as Principal Director Agriculture. During his long period of service he held a number of posts in the State Government and has contributed a lot for the development of agriculture and horticulture. He has also worked as consultant to FAO, SARD-M project, and is an expert on sustainable mountain farming systems. Besides, he has eighteen books in his credit on diverse subjects ranging from agriculture, horticulture, biodiversity, culture, anthropology, religion and philosophy. He has also contributed a number of articles and participated in seminars in the country and abroad. Contents: - Foreword Acknowledgement Acronyms Chronology History and Culture Land, People and Livelihood Landscape, Agricultural Ecosystems and Sac

The Roman Empire was based on law, and it was vital for rulers and ruled that laws should be understood. They were often given permanent form in stone or bronze. This book transcribes, translates, and fully illustrates with photographs, the inscription (more than 155 lines, in its damaged state) that carries the regulations drawn up over nearly two centuries for the customs dues of the rich province of Asia (western Turkey). The regulations, taken from Roman archives, were set up in Greek in Ephesus, and the book provides a rendering of the text back into Latin. The damaged text is hard to restore and to interpret. Six scholars offer line-by-line commentary, and five essays bring out its significance, from the Gracchi to Nero, for Rome's government and changing attitudes towards provincial subjects, for the historical geography of the Empire, for its economic history, and for the social life of Roman officials.