Mekong Grass Roots Awareness, cooperation and fundraiser initiative |
Mekong Photo Book ‘Past Present and Future’
Authored by Mick O’Shea and Dr Milton Osborne
Dr Milton Osborne is a highly respected Mekong focused academic and Author who has published 8 books on the Mekong region including ‘Mekong, Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future’. Mick O’Shea is a Mekong focused author, film maker and eco-tourism consultant and the first and only person in history to have seen the Mekong’s full length at ground level. Between them, Milton and Mick bring over 4o years of experience in the greater Mekong sub region to the table and a data base of some 30,000 photos with which to develop this compelling photo book.
Description: Mekong, Past, Present and Future’ will utilize the power of imagery and the fascinating insights of two highly respected Mekong experts to expose the natural, cultural and historical wonder that is the Mekong valley to the reader while simultaneously exposing some of the compelling issues that threaten it’s future making this book a powerful awareness building tool.
The Mekong Basin represents one of the most diverse ecological, cultural and historical environments on earth. With a natural diversity surpassed only by the Amazon basin and a cultural diversity surpassed by no other region on our planet. Technically the Mekong’s drainage area covers parts of Tibet, Yunnan and a significant proportion of mainland South East Asia yet historically the river system has played a leading role in shaping the natural, cultural and historical environments to be found throughout it’s realm and will continue to do so well into the future.
Proposed Chapter Breakdown:
Introduction: Inspiration and the Mekong
Length: 2 pages
Authors: Mick O’Shea and Dr Milton Osborne
Chapter 1: ‘A river is Born’ Geographic and pictorial analysis outlining the most accepted theories on the creation of the Mekong Valley starting some 55 million years ago when the Indian subcontinent collided with Asia creating the Himalaya and culminating in the incredibly wide array of environments and landscapes currently found throughout the basin.
Chapter Length: 12 pages.
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 2: ‘Biodiversity’ Focussing in more detail on the existing diversity of flora and fauna of the region and several specific flag ship species.
Chapter length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 3: ‘Human Migrations’ An outline of the more accepted theories of human migration into and throughout the valley, where the people came from and what defines their cultures today.
Chapter length: 8 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Milton Osborne and Mick O’Shea
Chapter 4: ‘Civilizations’ Focus on the rise and decline of some of the main civilizations to influence the basin and what is left of them today. Chenla, Lanexang, Cham, Thai etc.
Chapter length: 8 pages.
Proposed to be authored by: Milton
Chapter 6: ‘Exploration’ How the world came to know of the Mekong basin (and not to know) and a brief account of it’s exploration.
Chapter Length: 12 pages.
Proposed to be authored by: Milton
Chapter 7: ‘Colonization’ The French colonial era and a summary of how things evolved in their part of the basin, start of the revolution.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Milton
Chapter 8: ‘The Indochina Wars’ The war people knew about and the ones they didn’t plus a focus on the existing legacy of the first and second Indochina wars in the basin (UXO and Landmines)
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Milton and Mick.
Chapter 9: ‘China / Tibet Today’ Cultural and population demographics, political outlook, practical and spiritual links to the Mekong of local population, major environmental issues.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 10: ‘Laos Today’ Demographics, political outlook, practical and spiritual links to the Mekong of local population, major environmental issues.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 11: ‘Burma and North Eastern Thailand Today’ Demographics, political outlook, practical and spiritual links to the Mekong of local population, major environmental issues.
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter Length: 10 pages
Chapter 12: ‘Cambodia Today’: Demographics, political situations, practical and spiritual links to the Mekong of local population, major environmental issues.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 13: ‘Vietnam Delta Today’ Demographics, political situations, practical and spiritual links to the Mekong of local population, major environmental issues.
Chapter Length: 10 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 14: ‘The Basins Bounty’ Importance of the basin in survival terms to those people who live within it. Fisheries, farming.
Chapter Length:12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 15: ‘Ecological status of the basin’ General overview, health of the basin major issues facing it.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 16: The Mekong Cascade: China’s Mekong Mega Dams and their anticipated effects on the region.
Chapter Length:10 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick
Chapter 17: Outlook: What Does the future hold for the Mekong Basin.
Chapter Length: 12 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick / Milton.
Prologue:
Length: 2 pages
Proposed to be authored by: Mick / Milton.
Commissioning Fee for Authors to Write Book: $20,000.00
Budget for Formatting and publishing book: $8,000.00
Total: $28,000.00
Note: All rights to the book will belong to the Mekong Descent Foundation and revenues from sales will help to sustain-ably fund the work of the foundation.
