China Books

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and came across it as I was looking for more information on the Dawn Redwood, which is the focus of the book. This book tells the story of a man that was also on a search for information on the tree and where his search eventually leads him-back to the home of the Dawn Redwood-China! I highly recommend this book and the author is held as an authority on the history of the Dawn Redwood-because if you surf the web you will find many accounts that are nowhere near being true! Discover this book!

The redwoods of the world, so few remain today. Gittlen's travel was personal and touched a core inside of me because I am a redwood lover too. Chances had it arranged that the Chinese Redwood to be saved and propagated throughout the world, and Gittlen further did redwoods favor by documenting the people, places and events which led to today's preservation efforts on any redwood species. A great read for amateur botanists. Hope that one day I can repeat or expand Gittlen's journey myself.

Like many other good books, I'm puzzled why this is currently out of print. Kodera's work makes fascinating reading for anyone curious about Dogen's background in Sung China. A sterling translation of Dogen's Hokyo-Ki, supported by careful annotations and historical background material, this work formed the basis for Kodera's Ph.D. thesis at Columbia. Happily,it has the merit of being informative without ever being stuffy - not always the case with academic studies offered to the general market.

Rather more than what the title suggests, Kodera's work actually begins with an analysis of Dogen's background in the Buddhist centres of his native Japan, culminating in his search for the 'authentic teacher'in the temples of Sung China. The background of Ch'an or Zen in Sung China also comes in for assessment, and in fact, the translation of the Hokyo-Ki per se (a relatively short document), comprises a mere twenty-four pages, followed by copious annotations, an extensive glossary, bibliography - with the original kanji text. Minus Kodera's careful annotations, much about this text would remain obscure and the author's work helps to put it in proper context.

In this age of jet travel, we tend to forget the perils facing Buddhist monks who ventured across the sea in flimsy wooden boats - if needs be, vowing to 'bury their bones' in far-off lands - or risk being lost at sea, in order to acquire experience of the Dharma - and transmit it to their fellow men. Such, also, was Dogen's journey. Needless to say, the high point of Dogen's trip and mission, was his encounter with Master Tendo Nyojo (Tien Tung Ju Ching) on Mount T'ien-Tung. Depicted in highly moving terms, it was, of course, the defining moment in Dogen's career. Curiously, it seems that the crucial idiom - 'shinjin datsuraku' 'casting off mind and body' was in fact Dogen's homophonous reconstruction of his Chinese master's words, meaning to 'drop dust from the mind.' Be that as it may, this was the decisive encounter - for Dogen. Still, Dogen's earlier encounter with the Chinese 'Tenzo' or cook-monk, while still aboard the boat, was also crucial in its own way, the discovery that drying mushrooms for the community of monks, was no less Dharma-work, something re-stated by Dogen, when stressing the need for Zen-ki or 'total exertion' with the practice.

My only reservation about this text, concerns Dogen's rather jaundiced view of Rinzai Zen, in the person of Ta-hui Tsung Kao. Kodera acknowledges the infidelities in Dogen's account (i.e. the claim that Ta-hui advocated a 'dissolution of consciousness') but left it at that. Oddly, Hee Jin Kim (cf. Dogen; Mystical Realist) also raised the issue, only to drop it, leaving it unresolved. Prof. Yanagida Seizan - usually reliable, also ducked the issue (virtually in 'denial' over it) - attributing it to 'early senility.' Here, we must understand Dogen as a man of flesh and blood, rather than a flawless 'patriarch.' There is great beauty in Dogen's spiritual writings and poetry.We might also learn to understand him as a person, with his own hopes and fears. Hokyo-ki is part of that.

I was lucky enough to run across this book in a used bookstore, having only read brief synopses of Dogen's life in other Zen books. I had not even realized such a biographical document in Dogen's own hand existed! So many touching details of the master/student spiritual relationship are revealed here; both stories that are timeless in their humanity, as well as stories that reveal the unique character of the Zen culture of 13th century China. Though, the famous story of 'body-mind drop-off' is not recounted by Dogen himself, as I was surprised to learn, other revealing anecdotes are - such as Dogen involuntarily weeping whenever he sees his teacher, and the teacher himself commenting on the auspiciousness of that sign. It is a true love story, in a way.

We enjoyed this retelling of an ancient folk tale by Demi. The illustrations throughout are rich with color and capture the beauty of the Tibetan culture and country. The clever king comes up with an interesting solution to the central problem in the story and this led into a good discussion with my daughter about his decision/reasoning.

This story is rather simple, and yet it conveys a rather universal message that will touch adults as well as children. I not only reccomend it to those who want to expose children to stories from cultures other than their own, but also to anyone that appreciates great stories in general.

It is interesting to know how to massage your head and get rid of certain aches and pains. I have found it useful and look forward to learning more.
Excellent book to add to your library - health section.

This book is amazing. It really illustrates the massage well. It was a really good balance of hands on, and Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. Very informative.

If you're like me, and probably most "Eagles" (a.k.a. Americans), you don't have the time or inclination to spend years studying up on the Chinese and what makes their culture "tick". This book is like a "for dummies" book. It gives you an easy overview of the differences between our cultures and how we can learn from those differences. Frankly, it whet my appetite for more information. I really enjoyed knowing that this wasn't just a book for Americans. It's written simultaneously in Chinese, so these words of wisdom can be shared with that culture as well. This book is excellent for someone thinking of expanding their business in China or wanting to understand the Chinese culture better!

Since the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, I have become increasingly intrigued with the Chinese culture. This book is an enlightening look at the differences and similarities of the U.S. and China from a philisophical, social, and economic perspective. Plus, having the Chinese language right there on the opposite page made me feel that this book could provide insight to both cultures on the other. A great read!

This is a great book. I also have a copy of Plushow's own book, called My Escape from Donington Hall, and this is what Mr Whittaker used to base his book. It tells of Captain Plushow's adventures in China, fighting the Japanese single handed in a Rumpler Pigeon (Taube). I would advise everyone who likes flying stories to read this one. It's a great story, written by an excellent author (Mr Whittaker) based on Pluschow's own account, which is fascinating. So, if you're into flying and adventure then buy it now.

Besides the unusual and little publicised facts facts of this 1914 siege, 10 military firsts, six of which were aviation firsts were discovered never previously documented intoto. This was the military laboratory that tested every known state-of-the-art weapon (except chemical) and awakened Japan's militarism. Given the name Dragon Master because of the dragon tatoo on his left arm Lt. G.Plueschow flew his Rumpler Taube against nine Japanese Army and Navy aircraft. He was credited (Unofficially) with shooting down a Maurice Farman. Plueschow escaped (under orders) before Tsingtau fell under 13-1 odds. He again escaped Chinese internment and later English internment and fled to Germany 1915. Woven within this literary tapestry are the sights, smells, sounds and suffering of China 80 years ago as it was occupied by "Foreign Devils" from three warring nations, Germany, Japan and Great Britian.

Very interesting book but it is not a "light" book for beginners. The reader needs to master first the philosophy of the 5 Elements and their subtleties and then enjoy Dr. Hammer journey through psycho and soma.

"Dragon Rises, Red Bird Flies" demystifies the Chinese Five Element Theory and other Eastern energy medicine basics in a readable format. As a practitioner of one of the Oriental modalities, I'm finding my understanding and teaching enhanced, as I enjoy Leon Hammer's expressive style.

Russell Young's Dragonsong requires good reading skills but provides an involving story of a young dragon who must find a gift that will last a thousand years. A search for the prize leads to prosperity for the entire village.

Once every thousand years the four Imperial dragons choose one dragon to be "Keeper of the Mountain". Now, little Chiang-An, being the youngest dragon, must find a gift that will last a thousand years to win the honor of the title. Ching-An searches around the world for the prize, coming into contact with dragons from the West. Each shares his wisdom and gives Chiang-An a meaningful gift. When he finally heads home, he transforms all he has discovered into the gift that will provide prosperity for his beloved village. Dragonsong unfolds a fascinating, original, enthusiastically recommended and memorable picturebook story that is superbly illustrated in full color by Taiwanese artist Civi Cheng.

This would ideally be the first book one would read when beginning to research 18th century Chinese/Manchu robes. The book is divided into categories which include many examples, Qing dragon and court robes, construction, and symbolism. This overview is greatly enhanced by plates of a wide range of robes; each one representing a specific style, rank, gender, or group. The beauty of the colors is the main feature of this robes. Excellent photos make this small but excellent catalogue a 5 stars book. It was also an easy and enjoyable book to read. I began to skim the "construction" section, expecting it to be boring (I have no desire to make one!), but found so many areas of interest, that I read it in its entirety. I recommend this book for anyone who appreciates the grandeur of Chinese art. The robes are among the most important treasures to be found. Congratulations.

Among its aristocracy, Chinese clothing is an art form distinctively traceable down through the centuries. In Dressed To Rule: 18th Century Court Attire In The Mactaggart Art Collection, John E. Vollmer (an internationally known curator and well regarded scholar in Asian art, textiles, costumes, decorative arts and design) focuses upon Chinese court dress dating from the Quin dynasty (1644-1911) back through the 13th century Jin dynasty. The examples are taken from the renowned Mactaggart Art Collection housed at the University of Alberta. Enhanced with more than fifty color photographs showcasing the garments provided as examples, period portraits, and details from a rare hand scroll illustrating the Chinese emperor's tour of cities along the Grand Canal, "Dressed To Rule" provides interested readers with an informed and informative overview of the importance, relevance, and utilization of clothing to represent imperial status, prestige, and position. A seminal contribution, "Dressed To Rule" is a strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic library Chinese Culture, Chinese History, and Textile History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

At first i did not look forward to reading this book. But i was at work, and that was the only one i had in my pack so i started reading it. I could not put it down, it was interesting and well written. If anyone has an interest in the Gulag system's, i'd recomend reading this one along with the Russian Gulag books to get an idea of how diffent cultures treat their prisoners.

I have to say that this is a truly fantastic book!

When I first bought it I have to admit I thought It was by the `other' Kate Saunders (the not quite so famous romantic author)-I have to admit I thought it was a funny title for a romance!!- but despite my usual preference for the softer side of life I loved every beautifully crafted word of this.

All I can say is, if this Kate Saunders wrote romantic fiction as well, I would be first in line to buy it.