China Books

I bought this not knowing whether it would be appropriate for my daughter, aged 7. It was, however, a perfect resource for her, guiding her gently to explore some of the facts and circumstances of her birth and life in China prior to my adopting her. She giggled at some questions, thought deeply about others, and seemed to really enjoy that she had the option to draw as well as to write (or dictate) her answers. We work on it together, some weeks a lot, and other weeks just a little. Like many things, creating this book is a process -- and a welcome one. I would highly recommend this to parents of children adopted from China.

My daughter and I made her lifebook together when she was 3.5 and we have read it many times since. She sometimes reads it to herself privately. We also talk frequently about all the issues/questions/feelings around her first year of life. Though Beth O'Malley's workbook covered much of the same ground, the fact that my daughter was filling in answers for herself felt different. Also, unlike the lifebook, which is largely a mother-written endeavor, the workbook was written by an adoption expert--and my daughter is getting to the stage where confirmation from a non-parent source matters!

This is an excellent resource in what I think of as a progression of lifebooks--the toddler lifebook (mainly photos), the small child lifebook
(photos plus more text and detail), this workbook, and eventually an
autobiography written by the teen adoptee. None of us ever really finish
writing our story, do we?

Claire McDonald
Mom to Ming age 7.5
President, Families with Children from Asia Winchester

Powell's book covers the period between (1917-1945) and discusses the personalities of the day: Chiang Kai Shek, Yuan Shi Kai and Chang Husiliang as well the intrigues of the Soviets and the Japanese.

The book is a little dry, though the anecdotes are funny don't expect a lot of caricatures or social history. The book talks about politics namely who should rule China and why.

This book is free of the communist revisionism that taints most modern books.

Note: Powell lost both his feet to the Japanese at his stay at the Bridge House.

Very interesting... Powell is an excellent author, superb theme and idea.

This book is an amazingly powerful account of the personal hell that so many "surviving" Vietnam Vets went through. It's not an easy read, in fact it's disturbing. But we should all be disturbed about what went on over there, and what still goes on today "in our name." Get this book and read it. Then share it with as many people as possible.

The generation that experienced and lived the protests, can now experience the reason why. Riveting read about one man's experience in Vietnam, the chaos of war & the chaos of the military mentality.

Book Review by F.N. from the October 13, 2005 issue of City Weekend magazine published in Beijing and Shanghai.

The New Yangzi River Trilogy Volumes 2 & 3
By Eric N. Danielson

The final two installations of the Yangzi trilogy, Nanjing and the Lower Yangzi and The Three Gorges and the Upper Yangzi, present to the reader one of the most accurate accounts of two fascinating regions of a river that has played a pivotal role in China's long history. Continuing from the first volume's description of Shanghai and the Yangzi Delta, Eric Danielson delves into Nanjing's turbulent history as a southern center of power from the Three Kingdoms Period right through to the Taipings, the Guomindang, it's fateful demise during Japanese occupation and Liberation in April 1949. The book contains such detail on almost every aspect of Nanjing, from city gates, architecture, walls, temples, tombs and parks, that it seems remarkable that the chap is still not stuck down some pit trying to find a monument where first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Hong Wu, might have paused to have his shoe laces tied.

This exactitude continues on what is just short of an epic journey up the Yangzi from Nanjing in Jiangsu Province through Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces. Volume 2: Nanjing and the Lower Yangzi concludes with an interesting commentary on the region's imperial past noting many of the major Treaty Ports and relevant characters involved in trade, enterprise and attempts at converting the natives to something resembling Christianity.

After all the temple hopping we continue upriver with Volume 3: The Three Gorges and the Upper Yangzi. This stretch of the river takes us through Hunan and Hubei provinces, The Three Gorges and their ensuing local points of interest and finally to the heart of south-western culture, Chongqing. The first stop is Wuhan. Similar to the other regional capitals dealt with in the previous two volumes, Wuhan is generously described in over 90 pages (most guide-books do this in less than 10), as is Chongqing. The Three Gorges are described in every aspect from Du Fu's former local haunts to the much-talked about Three Gorges Dam project.

This series of books can not be faulted in any way for its lack of detail for Danielson has gone to great lengths to enable the reader to have as much possible information on every aspect of the chosen destinations from Shanghai to Chongqing, leaving absolutely no memorial rock unturned, and includes many remarkable accounts of local history, politics, architecture, art, music, religion and many an anecdote concerning regional personalities of yore. However, sometimes it can be possible to have too much information, leaving little for the inquisitive traveller to discover for him or her self. Perhaps a trifle heavy for a travel book and not quite glossy enough for the coffee table, one wonders as to the exact, intended purpose of the series. Definitive? Absolutely. Travel guide? Try it for yourself.

"The Three Gorges and the Upper Yangzi" actually covers the Yangzi River from Wuhan to Chongqing inclusive. It offers rich historical/cultural background joined with practical travel information, colorful photos, and maps.

This third volume in the New Yangzi series starts with a 96 page chapter on the three Wuhan cities of Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang. This chapter offers the most authoritative history and description of sights in Wuhan currently available in the English language.

After a brief foray into a bend of the Yangzi that passes through Hunan province, including descriptions of Yueyang and Dongting Lake, the book returns to Hubei province by looking at the cities of Shashi, Jingzhou, and Yichang.

The chapter on Jingzhou is especially valuable. This 53-page chapter is the first detailed description of Jingzhou ever published in the English language. Jingzhou has one of the best preserved intact city walls in China, and yet it has been completely overlooked by overseas travelers and all other English guide books.

The bulk of the book, more than 140 pages, covers all three of the famous Three Gorges (San Xia).

After this comes a 37 page chapter on the city of Chongqing.

There are also topical chapters focusing on cultural/historical issues such as Taoism (Dao Jiao), the biography of the Chu statesman Qu Yuan, the Three Kingdoms (San Guo), the history of navigation on the Yangzi River, and a description of the traditional native sailing ships.

In the back of the book can be found a full-length bibliography of English and Chinese sources, an English-Chinese language glossary, and a subject index.

This completion of the three-volume New Yangzi River series by Singapore's Times Media Ltd. clearly makes it an impressive alternative choice to the Odyssey Yangzi Guide, which until now had been the only choice for readers and travelers since it was first published in 1985. No longer can it be said that there is only one choice for those seeking a comprehensive in-depth guide to the Yangzi River.

Arthur Waley does a superb job covering the role of the wu, or shaman, in ancient China. Similar to the traditional shaman of Siberia, Central Asia and the Arctic, the wu enters into a trance state in performing ceremonies. However, unlike his northern counterparts, the Chinese shaman enters into a fleeting love relationship with the God (or Goddess). Although references to shaman abound in China, actual descriptions of the practice and beliefs of the wu are rare. Waley takes what is known about them, comparing it occaisonally to other Asian beliefs, and makes a wonderful introduction to Chinese shamanism.

He then goes on to translate and analyze all nine of the songs in Ch'u Yuan's Nine Songs. Each of these songs is dedicated to a particular deity or spirit, such as T'ai I, Hsiang-chuan, Ta Ssu-ming, Ho-po and the Shan-kuei. In each song, he interperts the meaning, as well as giving a general description of the deity or spirit in question, and even analyzing the meaning of the name. This book is fairly short (there is little material on shaman practices in ancient China, and each of the Nine Songs is fairly short), but it is quite a good book to read nonethelesss, particularly with so little about Chinese shamanism in English. Indeed, this book may be the only English translation of the Nine Songs, as far as I am aware.

Waley closes out the book with three appendices, one on the expansion of the kingdom of Ch'u (where the book is believed to have originated), one on commentaries on the book and another on Japanese scholar Aoki Masaru's interpetation of the book. Ultimately, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in East Asian shamanism, but it can be appreciated by anyone with an interest in shamanism or ancient culture. The only comment I would make is that I am not entirely sure about the transliteration of Chinese words. The systems used may be slightly off or outdated, though I'm sure many of those interested in this book probably already have at least some understanding of Chinese linguistics so that shouldn't be too much of an issue. If not, then don't let that deter you. It is a wonderful book to read.

The first ten pages presents an overview of the history and cultural significance of classic shamanism in Northern China, and a descripotion of the typical forms of the poetry which follows. The Nine Songs are presented as the songs the shaman sings to the spirits that they encounter during their rituals, many taking the form of love songs. Arthur Waley provides commentary on each of the songs, with additional commentary and notes at the end. This is one of my favorite books.

No Foreign Bones In China: Memoirs Of Imperialism And Its Ending is a fascinating narrative of life in China as seen through the eyes of a British colonial family, the Shaws. This was a family who witnessed the Opium Wars, the Boxer Rebellion, two world wars, and the rise of Mao. Yet eventually in a fervent and chaotic climate of fanatical Chinese nationalism, the Shaws were expelled (as were so many other foreigners). This rejection by the Chinese authorities even extended to the bones of westerners in their graves. An eye-opening, personal, and memorable look at a great land and its people, No Foreign Bones In China is compelling, informative, and highly recommended reading for students of 20th Century Chinese history.

"Author Peter Stursberg is a Canadian journalist, writer and war correspondent who has turned his talents to giving us a slice of cultural history through recounting the story of his own family. China fascinates us now just as it did in the Victorian era, and the detail and insight Stursberg provides in this family memoir bring the sights and sounds of pre-Communist China vividly to life. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and it is a pleasure to find a family with such an engrossing history given life again in capable hands." Mary Denis Garrett, The Advocate 

This is one of the most complete sources of information on Noritake I've come across, featuring full-color photos (with enlargements of pattern details) of many, many Noritake patterns as well as an up-to-date price list. Potential buyers should be aware that the focus is on patterns made before 1960. There are specific chapters on the Azalea Pattern, scalloped and multisided patterns, backstamps and a detailed bibliography (for those who want to do more research), glossary, an explanation of how to find specific patterns, etc. The historical info, while not lengthy, is clear and sufficient to satisfy all but the most obsessive collector. I learned quite a bit that I didn't know before and found many, many patterns which I'd seen online and at auctions but hadn't been able to locate elsewhere. It was an extra pleasure looking at the photos of actual ads, including those from Morimura Brothers (a company whose success at matching Japanese production with American designs led directly to the birth of Noritake). This book was an absolute delight to read and one I plan to use again and again.

This is one of the most complete sources of information on Noritake I've come across, featuring full-color photos (with enlargements of pattern details) of many, many Noritake patterns as well as an up-to-date price list. Potential buyers should be aware that the focus is on patterns made before 1960. There are specific chapters on the Azalea Pattern, scalloped and multisided patterns, backstamps and a detailed bibliography (for those who want to do more research), glossary, an explanation of how to find specific patterns, etc. The historical info, while not lengthy, is clear and sufficient to satisfy all but the most obsessive collector. I learned quite a bit that I didn't know before and found many, many patterns which I'd seen online and at auctions but hadn't been able to locate elsewhere. It was an extra pleasure looking at the photos of actual ads, including those from Morimura Brothers (a company whose success at matching Japanese production with American designs led directly to the birth of Noritake). This book was an absolute delight to read and one I plan to use again and again.

In one volume, Spain takes the reader through Noritake's art deco production. That is an important point--this volume is not about the dinnerware lines, but rather concerns itself with the art deco "fancyware" or giftware items. Organized alphabetically, beautiful cake plates, dresser boxes, vases, etc. are illustrated, and chapters start off with excellent introductions. The opening chapter itself is very helpful, outlining the overlapping "Nippon" and "Noritake" collecting periods. Not just a collector book, this book also provides a history of the company, and is well-written, accurate, and the best collector book available on the subject. Highly recommended.

Even if you have absolutely no idea what Noritake is, you'll love this book. Why? The writing is masterful, the photography superb, and the many pictures in brilliant colour which show off the glorious lustre of these precious antiques. A coffee table book not to be missed! :-)

At first, I was cautious, because this book was not something I would normally read. However, the book quickly drew me in, and it has become one of my favorites. Very re-readable.

This book was fast paced and very well written. Numerous characters yet all individual and very real. Really enjoyed learning about Tibet and some of its fables and history. A good story, you won't want to put the book down!! I'm so glad there is a sequel "Last Refuge" so I can continue reading more about this facinating culture!

A very insighful story of author's dad and his travels to find freedom. His determination to keep moving south out of his home in Manchuria. Leaving behind his remaining family and all of what was left of their family lands. A very intense story of his travails and his natural intuition to get around problems when he was faced with some very dangerous situations. Knowing how he met his wife and finally moved on to the USA. A great story.

I was unsure what to make of this book when I first ran across it. The title and colorful cover pulled at me, but the delightful story-telling style kept me reading.

It's a sophisticated story about the adventures of a young Manchurian boy, an Oriental version of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, if you will.

I enjoyed the story, but now that I have a son it takes on a whole new dimension. I'll be reading it to him years before he'll be able to read it for himself. It'll join the stories of Ruyard Kipling and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Highly recommended.