China Books

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.

This is the best short introduction to Taoism currently available for the general reader. It has the great strength of considering Taoism as it is actually practiced in China, rather than constructing a fantasy version, based on what westerners might like Taoism to be about. Palmer is well qualified to discuss the ins and outs of the Taoist quest for immortality and the rites of cosmic renewal, having long been a scholar of Chinese language and religions. After reading Palmer's book, readers will feel more able to cope with the also excellent but more difficult 'Taoism, Growth of a Religion', by Isabelle Robinet, or perhaps J.J. Clarke's 'The Tao of the West'. At any rate, they'll certainly know their Lao Tzu from their Chuang Tzu!

It is not an exaggeration to call this book the best introduction to Taoism, but then the key word is "Taoism" and not "Tao." There is a real difference between the formal religion and its accompanying folk tradition and in philosophical Taoism. Indeed, Lao Tzu was not a Taoist. He did not see himself as the founder of a religion. When it comes right down to it, the term "Tao" had been in use for centuries, if not millennia, before the Tao Te Ching was compiled.

What I found especially satisfying was the connection that is shown between Shamanism (the actual, primordial Siberian Shamanism) and Taoism. You see, the fundamental core essence of Shamanism is belief in two worlds that exist side by side. The spirit world affects our own lesser, material world- and an intermediary is needed to maintain harmony and balance between them. That is also the heart of Taoism- a harmonious union between heaven and earth. Only, in official Taoism, the emperor served as intermediary. Yet the goal of Taoist sage is essentially shamanistic- to obtain union and harmony with the highest, deepest, hidden currents of the universe. When this was achieved, one was in a state of wu-wei, where one's own will and the will of heaven were one and indistinguishable.

The other aspects of traditional Taoism are covered- the moral code, the formal liturgy, the quest for immortality and alchemical path, as well as associated later beliefs in magic and exorcisms. The stories of the great sages and immortals are here. So are the foundation myths of the Three August Ones and the Five August Emperors. The various teachers, schools, and canons that developed over the years are briefly outlined. What jumped out at me was the fact that the original, philosophical core of Taoism should not be confused with the formal religion and folk beliefs that sprang up afterwards.

Of course, the fact that there has been no emperor, no true mediator, on the Altar of Heaven for a century now makes one wonder about the chaos and confusion of our modern world. It was a basic tenet of formal Taoism that if the Mandate of Heaven was not working, then it could not be Heaven's fault- the emperor must not be harmony of the Tao- or an imposter entirely.

I myself await the return of a true Son of Heaven.

Economic conservatives and neoliberal "spinners" from James Fallows and Reed Hundt through Bill Clinton (singled out in one passage) are exposed as frauds, liars and enablers for a China of modern myth in this power-packed new book.

French journalist, politician and philosopher (and why can't we get that combo in America), exposes the lies of both the Chinese Communist Party and its Western apologists, which range from hardcore economic conservative American capitalists to French communists.

There's a few basic lies that underscore the scores of surface lies both the Chinese Party and its western enablers tell.

Sorman says Lie No. 1 is that capitalism will lead to democracy. He has a clear, albeit much smaller, counterexample - Singapore, led by, ironically or not, Chinese.

Lie No. 2 is that there is a "Chinese mindset," "Chinese way of business," or whatever, that is antithetical to democracy. Variants of that include references (usually wrong ones, according to Sorman) to Confucianism, etc. Counterexample? Taiwan. Daoism, repressed in China, flourishes there along with Confucianism, Buddhism and Protestant and Catholic Christianity -- along with traditional Chinese culture.

Lie No. 3 is the lie of Chinese economic statistics. Sorman says that even if you don't discount the costs of environmental degradation, Chinese growth rates are almost surely somewhat overstated, and possibly highly overstated.

Lie No. 4 might be a partial variant of No. 2, and would be the "China isn't all that bad" lie, especially if you compare it to the former Soviet Union. Sorman argues the other way around, that China is arguably more repressive than the Soviets of Khrushchev and beyond, at least in some ways.

As a result of all this, Sorman says, we really don't have that much to fear from China as a foreign power in general or a military adventurer in particular. On the economic side, in fact, he expects the rich-poor gap to be likely to worsen, not improve.

Another "sublie" would be the one that Western countries, through "economic involvement" with China, can moderate its behavior. China isn't going to be moderated by that. And, as a sidebar, Sorman estimates that about half the Western-owned factories in China are money-losers.

Read this book and get an unvarnished view of today's China.

Most TIMELY profound analysis of the Chinese govt, and what can lead China to become a truly great nation. Confirms for me that China's brand of Communism will likely devolve like USSR.

The essential text for Westerners interested in the Pransangika view of emptiness. Covers profound topics while maintaining clarity of prose.Best for those with some familiarity with Buddhist philosophy, but educational for beginners as well.

Although, I had only a beginners understanding of Tibetan Buddhism before I read this book, I felt myself easily acquainted with the analytical methods discussed in "Emptiness Yoga." Hopkins is able to elucidate complex philosophical and experiential topics concerning the meditative practices of Tibetan Buddhism so that anyone with a good philosophical background or an acquaintance with meditation will be able to gain a more profound understanding of emptiness. My only criticism is that I often felt myself being tantalized by what appeared, at least on closer inspection, to be over-simplistic analytical tools. Though, this is perhaps more a problem with the subject matter than the writer. I had always envisioned Tibetan Buddhism to be more experiential and subtle in its understanding of cause and effect and emptiness. Yet, perhaps further complexity is not within the scope of this book. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Buddhism or in attaining a more profound understanding of emptiness.

Yes. Extraordinary. Many years have passed since I read the Autobiography of Xu Yun (Empty Cloud), an experience that proved for me a spiritual awakening. As the initial reviewer has given an excellent, comprehensive overview - including the mind-boggling duration of the Master's life (all the more remarkable when one considers the contexts of the turbulent times in which he lived - 1840-1959), I would like to share my personal, perhaps idiosyncratic, reflections on what makes his life-rendering one of the great and most edifying masterworks, a book which ought to be far more widely read.
Xu Yun regarded the Surangama Sutra as the definitive Buddhist text. I read a bit of the Surangama Sutra and was surprised to find that it involves a radically substantialist metaphysics, demonology - a later Mahayana development - not the sort of down-to-earth empiricism the Buddha teaches directly as recorded in the Tripitaka, at least according to my limited understanding. The interpretation of the Dharma espoused here accounts for Xu Yun's extraordinary vigilance and his severe spiritual practice. To use the term "austerity" seems euphemistic when describing his practice. He recalls the early years of his aspiration when he lived solely on pine needles (not nuts, needles) and water, roaming the mountains of Southern China and meditating. He then entered a monastery and initiated formal practice. He claims that the year he spent studying the Surangama Sutra was more productive than the totality of his previous life and practice. We can see that Xu Yun lived his long life on the razor's edge, and his devotion to the dharma, extreme and transcendent as it was, was tested at every step.
Xu Yun made a number of grueling pilgrimages through the mountains in winter, which defy imagination, barefoot and lightly clad in patched monk's robes. Like John Muir, he was made of the sternest stuff, incredibly tough, with supra-human cold and hunger tolerance, and singular devotion paralleled only in the lives of the highest adepts of any tradition. He would meditate in mountain caves in the dead of winter for months at a time and acquired the ability to transcend the normal life of the senses.
There is some speculation that Xu Yun was motivated in his spiritual quest by the pain of tremendous guilt. He deals with this view in the book, particularly in the appended poem "Song of the Skin Bag". This strange title, a double entendre, refers in part to the fact that he was literally ripped from his mother's womb, which clung to and covered him like a body length caul at birth, causing her death (the assumption is that she suffered a prolapse). This poem he wrote in his 19th year (1858/59) when he fully renounced the world and began his noted pilgrimage. The poem eloquently states in universal terms the reasons we should adhere to the Dharma. "Clearly good and evil karmas are infallible, so why/Rely on falsehood instead of practicing the truth?" "Frustrations of a thousand, nay ten thousand kinds/Harass and make your life yet more unbearable. When you grow old with failing sight and snow-white hair /You will have vainly passed a lifetime ignorant of virtue." "To indulge in ignorance, committing the ten evils, / Exhausts your ingenuity and wins the world's contempt./Wars, epidemics, droughts, and floods are frequent,/Dearth, famine and strife succeed each other and/When weird tales prevail misfortune follows." "Impermance exposed reveals eternity./Path lies in path within your practice." "Lay down your bag of skin, leap on the Vehicle Supreme."
One of the most unforgettable passages recounts the vicious beating he received at the hands and feet of a gang of Red Communist troops in 1953 at the tender age of 113! The beating was brutal and involved violent kicking with combat boots. Xu Yun, however, survived this most unfortunate incident in good health. A number of his attackers were reported to have committed suicide or converted to Buddhism within weeks of their disgraceful actions. Xu Yun literally rebuilt the Ch'an tradition in China during the very years his countryman Mao was busy destroying millions of lives for a stated ideal. There is a comparison we ought to ponder here. Whose life was the more valuable, and why? Which ideally promises the better form of social organization - the better way to live - the State or the Sangha?
Another notable aspect of his autobiography is to be found in its inimitable presentation. Xu Yun will devote pages to what he considers to be the most significant incidents in his development - which sometimes lasted only a few hours in duration, and then, will give but a few lines to years at a time. I have never come across such an approach in my reading of the genre - and really, this would seem to give a more accurate perspective on life.
There are a number of versions of The Autobiography of Xu Yun available. However, I read the Charles Luk translation listed here - and, as I have rather awkwardly attempted to say - it's an essential life - a paradigm for our most reverent study.

In the course of a long-life, spanning almost 120 years, Xu-yun (1840-1959)had become something of a living legend. By the time of his passing in 1959, Xu-yun was the most renowned Zen Buddhist in China. Hence this biography makes fascinating reading. It details the struggles - as well as the rewards, of a life dedicated to the Dharma. Philip Kapleau Roshi used to read portions of this book to his students to inspire them and provide spurs for practice.

Born around the time of the Opium Wars - Xu-yun's life spanned some of the most violent upheavals China had ever witnessed -what with being occupied by several foreign powers, the formation of the Republic, then civil war, leaving China under Communist rule. Few of China's modernisers - communist or otherwise, were sympathetic to Buddhism, leaving the fate of the Sangha uncertain. Unlike the days of yore, when official patronage and funding could be counted on, these were hard times. Hence, Xu-yun's endeavours to restore Chinese Buddhism or bring about a revival seem all that more remarkable. Similar challenges had been encountered by the eminent Ming master Han-shan, so Xu-yun came to be known as "Han-shan come-again."

This book also documents Xu-yun's pilgrimages and travels - for the most part on foot, to neighbouring Buddhist lands - India, Tibet, Burma, Thailand etc. While in Thailand, the King was so impressed by Xu-yun, he became a personal disciple of the master. On a practical note, supplementary material has been added,detailing Xu-yun's instructions on Ch'an/Zen practice, at the Jade Buddha temple, Shanghai. These were highly practical and can be put to use anywhere. Master Xu-yun's inspiring story deserves a place in every Buddhist library.

I've happy to have finally found a definitive reference book on patents. The book is beautifully bound, and the layout is logical and easy to use. It includes essential information on the quality and efficacy of different companies' products, and puts an end to the confusion over patent names with handy cross-references.

The Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines, written by Chongyun Liu, O.M.D., L.Ac. and Yong Deng, O.M.D. is a reference for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term "patent medicine" refers to classic Chinese medicinal formulas passed down through the centuries. Although the formulas were once kept secret, most are now known. Patent medicines are available over the counter. With the spread of TCM, practitioners in countries other than China now use the patent medicines. Liu and Deng note that "the increase in Chinese medicine in the United States has highlighted two significant problems with Chinese-produced patent medicines." The first problem is quality control, and the second involves the ingredients used. Many patent medicines are also now produced in the States, and have been given English names. Liu and Deng wrote their book as "an aid to students and practitioners in figuring out which U.S. product corresponds to which Chinese patent medicine, and how U.S. products correspond with each other." They start with a description of fifty-five medical conditions that practitioners most often encounter. The descriptions include both Western and TCM terminology, and encompass subtypes and symptoms. The descriptions are followed by tables listing the classical patent medicine formulas, and the U.S. equivalents. The second part of the book is a alphabetical cross-reference of Chinese formulas, and U.S. equivalents. The final section presents detailed information about the ingredients of U.S. formulas. All readers wishing information about using U.S.- made Chinese medicines will find the Encyclopedia of Chinese and U.S. Patent Herbal Medicines an invaluable reference. Novices will also find it useful in learning about TCM practices.

Sandra I. Smith, Reviewer

I've been reading and studying about the Korean War recently. I had bought this encyclopedia some months ago in anticipation of this. While I have read only a few entries in the encyclopedia, the ones I have read have all been very informative with good depth. As might be expected given the length of the book, there is a wide range of topics covered.

As to format, there is a very useful listing of all the topic entries at the front of the book, along with a plethora of plain but clear maps. I might mention though, that the map on p. xxviii, intended to be a map of the Inchon landings, is actually a reprint of the initial North Korean invasion map. Also, under the entry for "Orders of Battle", one is directed to Appendix I, which seems to be missing. However, in an undertaking as extensive as this, these anomolies are minor.

In sum, this book is a very important and useful addition to Korean War historiography. I'm certainly glad it exists and that I bought it!

Encyclopedia Of The Korean War: A Political, Social, And Military History is deftly edited by Spencer C. Tucker and presents the reader with a thorough, comprehensive, in-depth, and deeply researched compendium of knowledge over the Korean conflict often referred to as "The Forgotten War." Entries are listed in A to Z format; black-and-white photographs sparsely illustrate the detailed, matter-of fact text. Strongly recommended for school and community library military history collections, the Encyclopedia Of The Korean War is a superbly presented reference for looking up details concerning people, places, weapons, politics, military actions and much more about this pivotal Asian conflict.

This is by far the best and most thorough book ever written (along with it companion texts) on Qigong and Qigong Therapy. This is a must have for any library thats includes Chinese medicine, Qigong or mysticism. There is a lifetime of information contained in these texts.

Ok, back in 1999/2000 I was all about trying to find books in the enlglish language that gave the reader step-by-step working techniques in Taoist Magick/Sorcery. Some unfamiliar with Zheng Yi Taoism pass off Taoism as just a "form of philosophy". They were never exposed to the Zheng Yi magickal side that involves registries of spirits and gods and demons, and techniques on how to command these celestial beings to command millions of spirits under their command. The paranormal side is something that Paul Dong covers in some of his books, but this series is THE best to put it ALL TOGETHER! This is actually one of the best metaphysical systems over all complete with healing, qigong, inner alchemy, yoga, psychic development, magical techniques, metaphysical understanding of the multi-verse, psychology, treatment and diagnosis of the whole spectrum disorders with Qigong medicine, energy work, energy anatomy and physiology, etc, etc, everything, EVERYTHING!!!!!

Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson has done us a favor by being the first to present such powerful information in the English Language at such a level. Before him, you would have had to speak Mandarin to learn such material.

He deserves over 5 stars. I hope that in the future, he will take me in as a personal apprentice!!!

If your into Oriental Medicine, Internal marial arts, qigong/yoga, Eastern Metaphysics and magick, then THIS ONE....THIS SERIES...THIS AUTHOR...IS...THE...RIGHT...ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We bought this book for our 9 year old son and he loved it.

I read the Eric Liddle story (Chariot's of Fire hero) and all the other books in this series this summer. I can't begin to tell you how inspirational the lives of these people are. The one on Gladys Allward is unbelievable. The things these people accomplished were amazing. The books are easy, quick reads and are great for read alouds to children. These authors also have a series of biographies of famous Americans (George Washington, Harriett Tubman, etc that are excellent. Good job Amazon for placing this book up on the web page.

Unless you have studied foreign languages since those college days, don't even try to actually learn Chinese before traveling to China. This concise and well laid-out book is all you need. It gives essential information on basic Chinese grammar and pronunciation and then breaks into various scenarios to provide words and phrases that you might need. For each word or phrase it gives English, pinyin, pronunciation and Chinese characters. The Chinese characters are convenient to have in case your pronunciation or tone (you'll learn about tone in the book) is a bit off. For example, after asking the maid several days in a row to leave three towels instead of two and her shaking her head in agreement but still left only two, I simply copied the Chinese characters from the book and taped the note to the towel rack; we got three towels from then on! The book also includes a brief (60 page) dictionary in the back and it is small in size, so it is easy to carry around with you. When I bought my copy the tape was not part of the package, but I am sure that it can only be an additional asset.

This is a handy reference to 2,000 common words and phrases in Chinese. As of this writing, February 2007, you could go to China Books and Periodicals website and download the audio in MP3 form for free. That's right, $0. I downloaded the MP3, and listen to it at home. It takes a little over an hour to get through the 2,000 words and phrases. The expression is first given in English, then a man speaks the equivalent slowly in Chinese, followed by a woman who repeats the phrase more rapidly in Chinese.

On the China Books and Periodicals website, on the left go to "Browse" > "Language Learning" > "MP3."

Good luck!