China Books

This book is a great read and everything a memoir should be -- loving, warm, and often hilarious -- and Dennis Rea offers a unique perspective on an important moment in time. This will appeal to anybody looking for a great travel book or a book about music. Tiananmen Square is a touchstone in history and sets the tone of this book, as it is very much about the tension between the youth culture of China and Taiwan, learning and yearning to express itself, and the oppressive forces of the oppressive Chinese government. Rea is a great storyteller, and he tells his story with much compassion. You won't regreat picking up this book, and you won't be able to put it down!

With a total of 185 pages the book "Live at the Forbidden City" is promising a brief, yet intense contact with the underground rock scene of the 80s and 90s in China. It is keeping the promise, maybe not in the full possible intense, but with a good sense of narratorship by Dennis Rea. Giving account to his travels, studies and teaching in China (Chengdu and Taiwan), he is introducing us to the as-is situation, giving us a first step into the mentality and cultural behaviours that form the China of his time.

In a second step he opens the varient world of Chinese faces and minorities, giving account to the directions that traditional music has taken. After about 40 pages though the direction of the book is changing and turning to modern rock music after having introduced the reader to both the as-is situation and the cultural diversity.

Quick and dirty, hard and fast, Dennis Rea is noting the experiences he made during his sole concerts in Chengdu, his tour with "Identity Crisis", his tour with "The Vagaries" and his "Land" tour. He thereby concentrates on the facts and gives brief (and correct) explanations to the relationships and importance of single players and figures in the music scene. E.g. his relationship to Tang Lei and her involvement in the Chengdu music scene. Or his friends in Taiwan's jazz circles.

As he got in contact with Cui Jian the further annotation about the Chinese music scene circles around him, as Dennis Rea interwove his own tours with those of Cui Jian (sometimes by chance). Dennis Rea gives his own thoughts and explanations to certain scenes and situations and leads the reader through a country of misunderstanding, troublesome concerts and euphoric audiences.

In short: Dennis Rea is a good beginners book for those so far not involved in Chinese music, an interesting musicians autobiography (for a specific part of time, 80s to 90s) with a focus on China. If you never have had any contact with Chinese modern music and how it developed be prepared to read a well-written book that empowers you with the basics (and more) without turning into a scientic encyclopedia.

For students involved in China studies it gives a new point of view by a foreign musician into the music scene of China and of Chengdu, mixed with new facts and stories about Cui Jian and other musicians. A delightful music tour book packed with interesting experiences by jazz musician Dennis Rea. Definitely a must-read.

This book is a marvelous adventure story recounting the years that author Dennis Rea spent in China and Taiwan during the 1990s, initially and ostensibly as a teacher of English, but soon thereafter as a highly regarded musician who performed throughout China and Taiwan and became the first Westerner to record an album in China during its communist era. At the same time, it is
a firsthand account of a time of great political and social upheaval in China written from Rea's's unique vantage point. Rea writes in a highly engaging, witty style that adds to the exploits he recounts. At times gripping, such as his recounting of the uprising in Chengdu during the time of the inflamous Tiannamen Square stand-off between protesters and the Chinese military, and at other times hilarious, such as Rea's trek to an isolated region in western China, this is a book that will thoroughly satsify any armchair adventurer, as well as anyone interested in learning more about China's robust underground music scene. I highly recommend it.

This beautiful translation is in keeping with the care and character of the very best in Chinese Wisdom Literature. That it was done over time with deep conviction to render the essence of Taoist Spiritual Integrity is evident on every page.Deng Ming Dao reaches across centuries to convey the eternal with beauty and living Spirit.I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I have always had trouble understanding the I Ching but this book made it so much easier to understand it.

As with all of Deng Ming Dao's books, this one is very well written and beautifully designed. He has written as clear of an explanation of the I Ching as I have ever read and if you've ever read any other books about it you know what I mean. I highly recommend this book if you have any interest in learning about the I Ching or if you'd like to learn more about it.

Ming-dao does a marvellous job of conveying the essential mystery and poeticism of the I-Ching, capturing its exotic flavor, while at the same time, in the second double-page, explaining the gist of the message for the western reader. Still, it is good to own several versions, because each author provides a valuable slant on the material. I rate this a bit higher than Wu wei's, although his is more straightforward.

Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche (1904-1989) compares human life to a fork in the road: "one route ascends to higher realms and freedom; the other descends to lower realms. We have the choice of taking the high road or the low road. To use this precious human life as a support to Dharma practice and liberation is to give it its true meaning" (p. 86). In the Foreward to this 318-page compilation of essential oral and written teachings delivered between 1968 and 1989, The Dalai Lama calls Kalu Rinpoche "a beacon of inspiration" (p. xiii). After becoming an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk at age thirteen, Kalu Rinpoche completed a three-year lama retreat when he was sixteen (p. xv). He then became a wandering yogi when he was twenty-five, and practiced meditation in Himalayan retreats as a solitary hermit for twelve years (p. xv) before delivering his teachings to the Western world. "We must firmly resolve to use this life well," he observes, "by practicing Dharma enthusiastically during the time that remains in this life, this quick, bright moment, like the sun piercing through the clouds" (p. 88).

What HEART OF THE BUDDHA is to Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, LUMINOUS MIND is to Kalu Rinpoche. That is, LUMINIOUS MIND may be read not only as the essential teachings of Kalu Rinpoche, but as a comprehensive, yet practical introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Kalu Rinpoche demonstrates that "it is experiential knowledge that teaches us to recognize our fundamental nature and liberates us from falling prey to illusions, passions, and thoughts. This awareness grants real happiness in this life, at the time of death, and in future lives up to spiritual enlightenment" (p. 7). He not only encourages us to understand our mind through daily meditation practice, but he teaches us how, because "mind is what we are. It is what experiences happiness and suffering. Mind is what experiences different thoughts and sensations; it is what is subject to pleasant and unpleasant emotions, what experiences desire, aversion, and so forth. A real understanding of the nature of mind is liberating because it disengages us from all illusions and consequently from the source of the suffering, fears and difficulties that make up our daily life" (p. 17).

G. Merritt

There are now several books out there which present the teachings of His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche, and many of them are quite good. However, when people ask me to recommend one book, this is the one I tell them to get. This book is very well-organized, and provides a wealth of information about Tibetan Buddhism in general, and Kalu Rinpoche's lineages (Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu) in particular. The information about the Shangpa lineage is unparalleled. the book is organized so that a beginning student will not be overwhelmed, while long-time practitioners will be rewarded with a wealth of practical instructions. This book was organized by one of Rinpoche's foremost western disciples, Lama Denis Tondrup, and the notes and glossary, which I think he is resonsible for, are invaluable. If you wish to know about the different stages of the Tibetan Buddhist path, or if you feel a connection to Kalu Rinpoche but don't know much about his tradition, I cannot think of a better book to read. This is a book I return to again and again, and I always find just the right advice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written, in the forward to this book, that Rinpoche ws a "beacon of inspiration." Reading this book, you will come to see just how radiant that beacon continues to be!

This book is a wonderful, authoritative and comprehensive account of the path of Vajrayana Buddhism, as expounded by one of the greatest teachers of the last (20th) century.

I would only add that this book is perhaps not ideal for the complete novice. The teachings are presented in a rather dry, traditional style. People without some previous exposure to Tibetan Buddhist teachings might find the material somewhat confusing. Those interested in a more easily readable introduction to this topic might first try Sogyal Rinpoche's "The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying" or Lama Surya Das' "Awakening The Buddha Within" before returning to this volume.

A very informative description of Chinese contributions, mostly in the area of science. Well written and well illustrated. Purchased for my 9 year old grand-daughter, who I hope someday will become an engineer (preferably electrical).

I read sections from Made in China to my kids as a bedtime story - they like to listen to this as much as fictional stories. Great illustrations too.

A fantastic book that shows the contributions which the Chinese over centuries have given to the world. Highly recommended! Its illustrations are culturally relevant and sensitive! Rennie Mau President, MPEC Multicultural Publishing and Education Council

With its unique combination of cartoons, photos, newspaper clippings, this is everything a graphic novel should be. It's entertaining, informative and a page turner of sorts. As the memoir progresses, you get drawn into Long Tack Sam's life and you root for him. I felt myself wishing that I had been around to catch his act.

I read this in one sitting! This was done in a journal/comic book format that was informative, fun, and made me feel that when I ended the book, I left with something special. Sam was a pioneer, and all the amazing people he met and worked with (Orson Wells, Laurel and Hardy to name a few), it's like the back of the book said, how come no one knows who this famous man is? His rufasal to compromise to the Chinese steriotype in order to enter Hollywood, and that his daughters were considered too pretty to be filmed as Asians for any Hollywood pictures , really reminds you that the 20th century really changed our views of the world and culture. This man went all over the world, married an Austrian lady, and go figure, had competition from white magicians dressing in Asian motifs and taking similar names to him! I can go on ad infinitium about how great this was, and how I came upon this by accident. I strongly recommend this book to not only magicians, but also to anyone looking for a fun and entertaining read.

I had seen Ann Marie Fleming's documentary film about her great-grandfather, Long Tack Sam, and was thrilled to see that she had also written a book about him. I was expecting the usual sort of biography, text with a couple of photo inserts. Instead, the book is a mix of text, cartoons, and photos, much in the same style as the movie. It's absolutely beautiful, and the period images (ads and posters, photos, etc) convey the style and feel of the vaudeville era which was Sam's heyday. I love to read about vaudeville but it's the images that bring those times to life for me, and this book does it wonderfully.

Being a first cousin to the author of this book, I know this story front and back. As I read the book, I could hear our grandmother singing this folk song to us. It is an ingenious way to incorporate a folksong into storybook form. It is a must have for any family. It is entertainment and education in one book. It teaches us to be thankful for what we have. "Mama, Buy Me a China Doll", is a great addition to any library.

I loved this book so much as a kid, and now that I have children of my own, I am trying to find a copy to have and read to them. I am disappointed that it is out of print. I looked at my local library, and can't find it there. This is definitely one that should be brought back. I think it would be as famous as Green Eggs and Ham, with the proper publicity.

My 6 year old daughter has brought this book home several times. Reading it gives her a great sense of accomplishment, and it's a bit different than the standard repetitive books used for emerging readers. I enjoy the lovely illustrations and don't mind hearing it over (and over...) again. I plan on purchasing a copy and keeping it with some of my very favorite children's books.

I ended up reading the book, Manchurian Legacy, in one sitting even though I had a lot of other things to do. That is rare for me. The story mesmerized me as I felt like I was learning something about my roots, my mother.

My Japanese mother, to get away from the merciless firebombing of her city, at the age of 19 volunteered as a member of a repatriation team assigned to travel to Manchuria and to help in the repatriation of Japanese colonials there. After training for about a month, she flew to a city in the center of Manchuria on what happened to be the same day that the Russians invaded. She had quite an adventure hiding, being captured, incarcerated, starving, transported by rail in box cars and then force marched thru Korea, to be saved ironically by the enemy American soldiers that she was trying to escape. I am amazed at what she had to go through to get back to Japan.

Not only did this book gave me an insight to what life was like in Manchuria for the Japanese during the end of World War II, it also gave me a glimpse of post-war Japan where both my father and father-in-law were stationed as part of the occupation forces. The stories about the period during the Russian invasion and how they and the local Chinese treated the Japanese colonials was very revealing. Even though Mrs. Kuramoto's experience was not so harrowing as my mother's adventure, the description of the area and the everyday life of the colonials helped me to understand this period of history in this part of the world.

Even though the second part of the book about post-war Japan did not relate to my mother since she had a support system in place when she returned to Japan, the description of Mrs. Kuramoto's experiences with members of the American occupation force helped me to understand the situation that my father lived through during his term of duty in Japan.

Enough of how the book impacted me. Here is a synopsis of the book: The Manchurian Legacy is a story about the life of a young woman born in Manchuria to Japanese parents living there during World War II. Her father is a minor Japanese government official which gave the family trappings of luxury which were not enjoyed by the local occupied Chinese residents. Kazuko was a patriotic 17 year old and to her parent's dismay, volunteered to join the Red Cross to aid in the war effort against the corrupt capitalists and communists. When Japan surrendered, the Russians invaded and the Chinese revolted, sending the Japanese colonialists into hiding. How the colonialists fared over the next year is a testament to their entrepreneurship and tenacious desire to survive in a culture hostile to their former oppressors. The post-war portion of the book focused on how Kazuko coped in Japan after being shipped there on U.S. transport ship and after being rejected by other relatives. This is also a story of her relationship with soldiers and contractors with the American occupation forces, and her struggles in a country not so accepting of the returning colonialists.

A great read and highly recommended.

Recently I was given this book to read by a friend who is preparing to teach a university course on Japanese culture and women's narrative. I am voraciously reading the books that she is considering for her course and giving her feedback. I couldn't put this book down and cried at the end. What more can one say? I sit here now as a foreigner living in Japan and find this book offers me a window into Japanese history, culture and the voice of women that is not normally acknowledged. Everyone should read this book.

Manchurian Legacy is the book,I wished that I could have read when I was in the sixth grade.Readers of that age group could easily identify with the character of Kazuko as a young woman. It is rare to find a book that can appeal to both young and old readers. The author, Kazuko Kuramoto apologizes for her writing, as English is her third language. I believe, this is what makes the book so readable. She does not bog the reader down with flowery language. What Kazuko does give the reader is a feeling of what it was like to have lived in Manchuria as a colonialist before and doing WW II.The real charm of the book is that it does not assume the reader has any knowledge of the historical events that shaped the narrative.A brief explanation that doesn't bog down the story gives you a context to understand and enjoy her memoir. The immense popularity of a book, "Angela's Ashes" shows that readers have a desire for personal stories of the ordinary man. Kazuko's story deserves to be read by as wide a audience as "Angela's Ashes"

Lee Ao did it again! Another great yet enthralling work by Lee Ao, the best Chinese critique writer. Lee Ao does it in a serious cum humorous way, from poems to elite phrases. There isn't a boring page. If possible, get the Chinese version (for those Chinese literate). A highly recommended piece of work.

Based on the history of reform movement of 1898 in China, the great thinker, historian, and writer of China, Ao Li( who lives in Taiwan) created this fiction. In the story, through the conversations and actions of the elits of Chinese intellecturalists, the author discussed the true thought and spirit of budhhism and Chinese thought of loyalty, patriatism, etc.; and expressed his idealist's thought. This is more a philosophy book and history than a novel. Six months ago when I finished reading this book in Chinese, I said it ought to have an English translation for people who don't read in Chinese. I am glad there is an English translation now.

I've read the original of this book about ten times, and the more I read this book, the more thoughts and after-thoughts occur in my mind. As a Chinese born in Taiwan, This book really inspired me. Not only its depth of historical records and eloqunce of critique are unprecedented in the history of Chinese literature, but the passions, the intellectual's hope for salvation and revolutionaries' struggle to improve China expressed between the lines are set on a trageic stage in a way that is both dramatic and calm, violent and peaceful. You can see the flow of time and the continuation and history when reading this book. And that feeling, is what makes Chinese people and Chinese civilization distinctive. Li Ao is one of the most talented, humorous, arrogant, witty, insightful, and controversial liberal intellctual in the modern China. He has been imprisoned for treason(the accusation was totally groundless). He has been supressed by the maintream media in Taiwan because of his humiliating disclosure of government official's scandals.But he has won the heart of the contemporary readers through his stylish, if not flirting and combative, writings(over 15 million ords and still mounting). The Martyr'sShrine is by far his greatest achievement. He was even nominated to compete for the Nobel Prize for literature. In my opinion he absolutely deserves the prize. To understand this book requires a solid background knowledge in Chinese history and culture. I don't know if the ordinary Western readers are up to the task. However, if you really want to understand China and its struggle of modernization in the 19-20 century, this book is a good start.

Here is a book that can appeal to a variety of ages and stages. There is much intellectual treasure to be mined from this source as well as some great nuggets of entertainment and wisdom. Concepts of Eastern philosophy (such as awareness, inner nature, observation, humility, patience, balance, respect, honor, trust, mastership, the virtue of the small) and universal themes (such as hunger, poverty, hard work, greed, ambition, power, hero's journey, failure, success, magic, art, fight, flight) are woven into a fine tapestry of adventure and intrigue.

The book contains two stories: "The Master Swordsman" and "The Magic Doorway." Each independent story celebrates (and teaches) the uses of intellect, preparation, and ingenuity over rash acts, cruelty, and violence. The main characters persevere in their individual challenges because they follow paths to peaceable resolutions to their problems.

The rich illustrations are beautifully wrought and reminiscent of Chinese landscape paintings / art; several of them include Chinese characters. It's quite amusing to see an exclamation mark after these as well!

This book would make a great addition to any study of Chinese culture, thought, art, language, legends, and folklore. It is an appropriate product for reading circles and discussion related to personal / family values.

Light and magical book bringing eternal human values in a way accessible to children.

The stories are imbued with magic that engages the imagination of children and adults alike.

This is the kind of book I enjoyed as a child and still find delightful as an adult. Two simple stories, funny yet with a message, great for kids. The drawings splash across the pages in full color, with animals, bandits, and landscapes that make the text come to life.

How do we deal with the challenges of life--with moments of anger, grasping or sheer indifference? In this remarkable book, the greatest Tibetan yogi of all times, Milarepa, gives clear, profound advice on managing everyday challenges with an open heart and a lucid mind. At the same time, thanks to a poetic translation by Nicole Riggs, Milarepa's songs touch beautifully on the ultimate nature of reality. Very accessible and at the same time extremely profound.

The life of Milarepa is a classic for Tibetans and for Buddhists worldwide. But with this new translation (the latest Milarepa translation to date), the book becomes meaningful for students of all backgrounds and all religions. It's the most inspiring Milarepa I've read - the best.

For me, this review of these famous Buddhist stories reads much better than the Chang translation of "The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa." This is pretty amazing considering the Chang translation is considered the "classic." But after 40 years, the English language has changed and frankly, the vocabulary needs refreshing. When I read Nicole Riggs's new translation, it seems like Milarepa is speaking directly to me! That shows what a wonderful translator she is. Her book makes these terrific stories more accessible to a new generation of readers, and that's worth a lot.