China Books

John Sung was a man with a mission. He nearly didn't find that mission though. Having seen God move in revival in his home town of Hinghwa, while just a boy of nine, and having experienced God answering prayer in extraordinary ways while still in his minority, he came to America at about the age of 18. In America he studied chemistry at the same time as studying theology.

A brilliant academic, achieving a doctorate in Chemistry, he finally burnt his liberal theological books, as being "demonic", withdrew himself from lectures and waited on God until God met with him. So great was the transformation of the gloomy John Sung, that the principal of Union Theological College had him committed to a sanatorium for 193 days. While there he read the bible over and over again (though it is hard to see how he could have read it 40 times as this book claims - but check out Holman's "Light Speed Bible", which claims you can read the full bible in 24 hours!).

John had seen enough to turn him off of religion altogether, but he was not deterred. Back in China, he got involved in Christian ministry, but at first he said, it comprised largely of "going around in circles in the atmosphere of talk about 'movements' and 'education', 'sacrifice' and 'service'. All my work up to this time had been lacking in direction and purpose. I had been trying to serve God within the framework of liberal Christianity. I did not fit in but I saw no way out!" (page 60).

Of course, at this stage he wasn't really in liberal circles - or was he? Note that phrase: "the framework of liberal Christianity". How many of us feel as he did, when he said, "I did not fit in but I saw no way out!"?

But John Sung found a way out. It was a way of preaching in the power of the transforming Spirit of God. Some men are made for revival times, and John was one such. In the last months of his life and ministry, before tuberculosis took him, he would prop himself up in the pulpit as he preached. He knew that his life and ministry would be short (he was dead at 43) and he knew that the time for China was short: first the Japanese invasion and then the Communist take over. He preached to a lukewarm church and to the lost millions and God worked with him.

Probably your pastor wouldn't invite someone like John Sung to preach in his church. These sorts of men aren't liked by those who just want to keep the ship on an even keel. John Sung was a boat rocker.

John Sung was a man of God. This is his story. More than that, it is part of God's story.

P.S. Good news for anyone who has read John Sung's life and wondered about those missing diarys John gave so much time to writing. Amazon have just posted an advert on this site for "The Journal Once Lost - Extracts From The Diary of John Sung" by Levi Sung. I cannot comment upon it since I have only just ordered it but though not many people in the West have even heard of this man, he is up there with the John Wesleys. Also, Timothy Tow (FEBC) has translated Dr. Sung's sermons; maybe with the release of this latest book Amazon might start selling those too? (PS added 2nd October 2007.)

I just ordered this book after hearing only the name of John Sung. I am picky about my books, and this one I could not put down. I tore through it in 2 days. The man was a true Christian....obeying the call of God to win souls to the very end of his health and life. What God can do through one man is amazing and challenged me all the more to pursue His plan. Get this book and let it challenge you.

Journey To Heavenly Mountain: An American's Pilgrimage To The Heart Of Buddhism In Modern China is the personal story of Jay Martin, an American who personally journeyed through modern-day China in a dedicated search for eternal wisdom and personal enlightenment. Jay's travels took him into the heart of monastic Buddhist territory, where he learned of new ways for seeing with clarity and tranquility. Journey To Heavenly Mountain is highly recommended for Buddhist reference collections and supplemental reading lists as being an insightful, communicative, and broad-minded memoir.

This is one of those books that won't let you put it down until you've finished it. As a piece of travel writing, it's interesting enough; but it is as an account of a spiritual journey that the book especially succeeds. Author Jay Martin's aim was to live in some of the great Buddhist temples in China, and to absorb the wisdom of the spiritual masters who live there. One might expect, in his recounting of his dialogues with these spiritual figures, just more of the rather befuddling Eastern philosophical jargon that many have come to expect. What is refreshing about Martin's account is both the accessibility of the teachings, and the fact that we get to see the teachings APPLIED in the course of Martin's adventures.

This definitive three volume set of 'Journey To The West' by Wu Cheng'en is a must read for anyone interested in fantasy and Chinese mythology. 'Journey To The West' has everything from monkey mayhem to monsters, and magic. The quest for the sacred Buddhist sutras in India makes for an exciting journey filled with danger, demons and damsels. If you love classic Chinese literature or Buddhism, then you have to read 'Journey To The West'. I understand that in 2001, a TV movie entitled, 'The Monkey King' is scheduled for released. The following is a summary of the movie: "American journalist Nick Orton is caught up in the world of Chinese gods and monsters while on a search for the long lost manuscript to 'Hsi Yu Chi' (The Journey to the West) by Wu Ch'eng En. He is accompanied on his journey by a humanoid ape with incredible strength and magical powers, a humanoid pig-man, and his brother-in-arms, an ex-cannibal. Based on one of the greatest stories in Chinese history." (Lawrence De Meza from imdb.com) So what are you waiting for, buy it now and read it before 'Monkey King' mania sweeps the States!

This book is one of the Four Great Novels in China. Everybody in China know this story. Sun WuKong--the monkey, Zhu Bajie--the pig, everybody like them. Though it was written in 1570s, it is still a great book for children.

Written close to 40 years ago (first published in 1961), this book is part of Van Gulik's Judge Dee series which chronicles the cases investigated by the famous magistrate of classical Chinese detective stories.

A staple of the Judge Dee stories are the multi-layered plot and accurate historical details of ancient Chinese culture and practices and this book does not disappoint in both areas. Unique and superbly readable, this series deserves a place on the shelf of every mystery fan. One small note: This new version seems to have omitted the chinese-style illustrations found in the original printing - probably due to the (very low-key) nudity that the publisher found offensive.

I have read all of Van Gulik's murder mysteries and this is has to be my favorite. The characters are intriguing and some sinister. The end is satisfying and bittersweet, challenging integrity vs justice. I would, however, recommend you read the others first (chronological is good, Chinese Gold Murders is first) to get to know the main characters although this book can stand on on its own.

Change to brother-Zack, sister-Carlee, province-Hubei. Everything else is exactly the same as our story. I cried like a baby while I read it. Everyone with a Red Thread connection will love this book.

Love the book. Great story, wonderful pictures. Our adopted 6 year old Chinese daughter is in the process of getting a new sister, and loves this book too.

The book contains therapeutic exercises for different parts
of the body and it helps a lot. It is a good reference when
you want to help yourself.

This book is a marvelous collection of exercises from China that can improve your health. The book starts off with an overview of the history of Chines healing exercises, than goes into who should use these exercises. (Of course, with any exercise program, you should check with your doctor first - that's common sense.)
It covers all sorts of health problems, from heart disease to hepatitis as well as hemmorhoids, constipation and colds - they have a massage to prevent the common cold I intend to use this year and see if it works.
Most of the exercises have some stretching, massages and breathing exercises which most folks could probably do without overly exerting themselves. That helps make the exercise part much easier. There are also various illustrations thru out the book that help explain the process of the exercise. There are a few exercises to "cure" insomnia that are extremely helpful to me - cheaper and easier than taking a drug to help bring sleep and you don't have that nasty foggy feeling the next morning.

I recommend this book highly, if for nothing else, the insomnia prevention exercises tho the other exercises are good, too. So instead of watching QVC all night or tossing and turning, try this book - I think you will be quite happy you did.

Whereas some of the new crop of books on business in China bog down on facts and figures doomed to obsolescence shortly after publishing due to the breakneck pace of economic and cultural change in greater China, "Know China Business" takes a timeless principles based approach. Starting with an exploration of the cultural underpinnings of East and West, it informs the reader with knowledge of the salient social and cultural norms of China regarding building relationships and trust, social hierarchy and "face", and notions of self and other as it pertains to the individual and society at large. With this foundation, the reader has a context to understand the many practical suggestions offered within for how to communicate, lead, negotiate and thrive within the Chinese economy. Concise and readable, this book should come to be known as the quick start primer for anyone doing business in greater China.

Well researched concise and very readable. Gives a clear roadmap on how to enter and succeed in the Middle Kingdom. Provides vivid cultural, philosophical and historical context; and solutions for the challenges you will face

I read this book as a scholar during 1976. I was fit and playing rugby for the schools 1st team. My heart rate was measured at a steady 60 beats per minute (bpm) and during the end of year break before beginning my then compulsory military training, I began performing the basic exercises as described in the book. Within the month, I reported for my stint and was medically examined for health categorisation and was astounded to find my heart rate had dropped to 48 bpm.

Now at age 42, I am desparately looking form a copy, if not new then a used copy of the book that served me so well back then. My original copy has been lost along the way.

You don't need to be a devotee of martial arts to get tremendous benefit from the techniques shown in this book. Simple powerful exercises that will make you stronger and healthier without stressing your joints or risking damage to yourself. I read the book 20 years ago and still do the exercises daily. You can see results in a very short time.

I read Chinese Cinderalla at the start of the year 2002 (when I was 10)
I loved reading and buy then I had read 1,000's of books but when i got hold on to chinese cinderalla I found it hard to stop reading it. Sometimes I secretly stayed awake at night to read it!
When I had finished I found it so inspiring that I read it again twice to be precice.
Nomally I cant read books 2 times because they get to boring but thats when I thought that this book must be good for me to read it twice...

Nicole

the book put accross a lot of feelings. it is very hard hitting

"The view was wondrous. High mountains rose straight up before me, and as I watched, a flock of white birds...winged their way together across the face of the nearest mountain. It was a Chinese painting in motion."

Not everything was idyllic during Pat Linder's years in Taiwan. For this savvy, globe-hopping Admiral's wife, her husband's posting to Taiwan in 1977 proved not to be for the faint of heart. Earthquakes, political upheaval and the language barrier made for a bumpy ride indeed. There are undercurrents of trouble throughout, from the mysterious phone call advising her to unpack before she ever leaves the U.S., to the daunting number of armed guards around their Taiwan residence, to a rare eye disease that increasingly obscures her vision. And she is scathing in her comments about the cruel practice of foot-binding, designed to keep women from running away from their husbands.

Yet the memoir also contains moments of sheer hilarity, as when Pat makes her first attempt at using chopsticks at an official function, or when - desperate to get her air conditioning fixed - Pat speaks into one of the bugged ceiling fans in her home.

Readers will be amazed to learn how, in 1933, the most valuable pieces from a Beijing art museum were packed into crates and then carried on the backs of peasants for 16 years, lest Japanese or Communist Chinese forces find and destroy them.

When the U.S. government breaks off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1978, Pat's sympathies are obviously with the Taiwanese people, whom she has come to admire and love.

Since the Admiral shared only unclassified information with his wife, readers will get little in-depth discussion of actual political events. But Pat writes with warmth, humor and passion that is quite engaging.

The first chapter just jumps right into the dangers and emotions that author Patricia Linder found herself in during a little remembered part of our foreign policy. Her experiences living in Taiwan during a time when the United States was pulling its protection and official recognition to build relations with communist China, is one full of emotion. Her first person account of that period of history is very well told in her newest book "The Lady And The Tiger."

Linder does a masterpiece of reporting from her own heart and soul. She sounds like someone who not only was there physically, but was fully aware of all the political and social issues that surrounded what was happening. She has an intelligent grasp of what happened and why. She writes with great passion and skill to weave the facts and emotions together to give the story lots of energy and movement. This book, at times, reads almost like an action novel. You will get hooked from page one and will have a hard time putting down the book.

She faces riots, mobs and angry people all with great courage. She has to deal with tapped phones, and armed guards that she cannot fully trust and even rooms in her own residence that are bugged with listening devices. The events and culture that she found in Taiwan are not what this wife of a Rear Admiral was expecting. This was a tour of duty that was going to really test her soul!

Great book to read! It has the MWSA's TOP BOOK RATING - FIVE STARS!

MWSA's 2006 Silver Medal Award for Memoirs