Chang Books

When I married my American Chinese husband (I am not ethnically Chinese), my mother in law searched all over for a book that had authentic homestyle (e.i. not restaurant style) dishes with instructions in English. She went to several different stores in Manhattan Chinatown and finally ended up with this one. My husband is very happy with the results, and loves the noodle dishes, dumplings etc. (i guess standard comfort food) and his mom is an excellent cook (according to many other people who know her) so I guess it's authentic enough. :)


The instructions are easy to follow and the author offers a lot of good introductory explanations about what different ingredients are. One thing that would've been helpful was a list of ingredients in Chinese characters next to the English. Sometimes it was difficult to explain what I wanted in the store or market. My husband went with me to interpret, but he doesn't know a lot of cooking ingredients, since he doesn't really cook.

If I had to be picky, one negative is she uses a lot of oil sometimes. The dish is guaranteed to come out pretty well if you use the stated amount, but I usually try to cut back on it a little for health reasons (and use grape seed oil.) It's not a health food book, try "A Spoonful of Ginger," for that.

One of the best things about the book, is it kind of trains you how to cook Chinese style, so I've been able to make up a few things on my own now that I have an idea of what to do.

A few of the recipes are missing an instruction, but after you've cooked from enough of them, you can kind of figure it out and just notate the recipe for next time.

Angela Chang's book is truly impressive. Though I grew up with Asian cooking, I was always intimated to cook Chinese food myself. It seemed something that should be left to experts. After following Angela Chang's book, I found that I could cook as authentically as any pro. The book is easy to understand and to follow; the ingredients could be found in my local Chinese market. My meals turned out delicious, tender and even more savory than in any restaurant. This is Chinese home cooking at its best. After surveying many Chinese cookbooks out there that listed millions of ingredients with very little return, this book was different. I savored every meal and the reward is that I made it myself with the guidance of a true teacher. I recommend this book to the highest degree. After trying it, I felt like I was in a another country but I was right at home.

This books provides an excellent and balanced portrait of Israel, but because it was published in 2000, its description of the peace process is somewhat out of date. Since the political issues take a back seat to culture and history in this book, this is still a very worthwhile purchase.

This book gives the reader an excellent picture of Israel today including previous wars (except over the past year). It is written relatively simply so intermediate children can understand. Also included are a few important people with a paragraph or two about them. Excellent photos enhance the book. It is a great book to have in home, school and synagogue libraries. I plan to use it in the coming year teaching 4th-6th graders a unit on Israel in Hebrew school.

If you are at all interested in Jack Nicklaus and can't, by time or distance, visit his museum in Columbus, Ohio (on the campus of Ohio State University), then this book will be a nice visual replacement. Well organized, this book follows Jack's entire career as well as his relationships with his teacher, Jack Grout, his parents Charlie and Helen Nicklaus and his wife Barbara. Especially nice are several pages of reproduced "mementos" in cellophaned envelopes for easy retrival and review.

I would recommend this book highly to all golfers who have any admiration for the Golden Bear.

It sounds "trite" and simple to say it, but this book is a "must" for those who love golf and admire the qualities Jack Nicklaus brought to the game, talent, work ethic, competitiveness, success, and class. The epitome of what the game is meant to be.

There are other, more indepth, books on Jack Nicklaus, but this one has it all, enough to appreciate the man, who is, what he stands for and his journey, a journey that has been a credit to the game of golf and has inspired many of us who have followed his career and the values and principles he has demonstrated so effectivly.

There are many replica mementos, a letter from Tiger Woods, copies of his scorecards, Masters invitations and such that give this book a nice touch, a nice feel. Overall it is a comprehensive keepsake album of Jack, his career and the game of golf in his day.

Simply put: "A must" for those who love golf and admire the Golden Bear.

For me, this one would be a red hot candidate!
Very well written in clear, concise language, not too hard to understand (I think) for anybody, with exquisite drawings and photographs of many of the fossilised early life forms, including vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. With a particular interest in ornithology, the reason I settled on this book is that it features the feathered dinosaur fossils.

If you are just a tiny bit interested in fossils and early life, this book is pretty well guaranteed to fire up that interest. The more you read of this book, the more you are dragged into this revelation of life past.
The authors are mostly Chinese (and one Swedish) scientists, and their enthusiasm and delight in sharing their findings and knowledge permeate every chapter.
And at $56, - money very well spent! (Might even get your mind off the present (Oct '08) stock market disasters).

The dust jacket of this book states: "This is a first class scientific and pictorial compendium of the most important fossil locality to be found in generations - supassing the Mongolian Flaming Cliffs and rivaling Messel and Solnhofen." This is not excessive hyperbole for the thousands of fossils in excellent preservation have revealed this area to be probably the most notable and famous discovery since Archaeopteryx in 1861. The discoveries include not only birds just a little more derived than Archaeopteryx and the very earliest birds with beaks, but also a variety of dinosaurs with an array of feathers not used for flight but probably for display and thermal regulation. This is the first finding of true feathers in animals other than birds. In addition there are fossils of several early flowering plants that show some advanced characters of specialization seen in later evolved families. This book covers these varied findings giving some historical background, brief description and characterization and an indication of its importance in relation to other discoveries in the same taxonomic group. The value of the book is further enhanced by lavish color illustrations, drawings, diagrams and paintings.
"Jehol" is an old Wade-Giles romanization of what now in Pinyon romanization would be "Rehe". However since the American geologist A.W. Grabau published the name Jehol Fauna in 1926 the name Jehol remains as the area name. The book is about the spectacular discoveries made from 1996 onward in one small part of the "Jehol" region. The whole area is almost the size of continental Europe and covers northeastern China (Manchuria), parts of Mongolia, Korea, Russia and the Sea of Japan. Most of the recent discoveries are concentrated in western Liaoning, Hebei, Jilin in China and some adjacent areas. The time of formation is somewhere in Early Cretaceous, the area was near the Tethys Ocean and had a warm, wet equable climate. The dating of the Jehol biota has been debated for many years (an still is) but most workers accept Early Cretaceous - about 139 Mya for some beds and 125 Mya for many others. The beds are gray lacustrine layers intercalated with volcanic tuffa. A picture emerges of large lakes teeming with fish and other animals surrounded by lush forests filled with birds, animals and feathered dinosaurs of all sizes and hordes of insects and other invertebrates. This lasts until all is covered in volcanic ash and the whole thing starts all over again.
The several chapters take each biologic group separately so that among the animals are chapters on Gastropods, Bivalves, Conchostrachians, Ostracods, Shrimps, Insects and Spiders, Fishes, Amphibians, Turtles, Squamates, Pterosaurs, Dinosaurs, Birds, Mammals etc. and plant groups Charophytes, Land Plants, Angiosperms, Spores and Pollen. The findings of greatest general interest is in the many types of dinosaurs adorned with feathers. The first of these was Sinosauropteryx in 1996. It had many tufts of thin hair-like structures all over it's body. Some said they were primitive feathers and others disagreed. About a thousand specimens have been discovered. The following year two dinosaurs with indisputable feathers were found: Protoarchaeopteryx and Caudipteryx. Both were unable to fly. This finding was followed by many other feathered species including the smallest known dinosaur, Microrapter(about 16 inches in length). A secong species, Microrapter gui, discovered in 2003 had long feathers on it's arms and also on it's legs so that it had "four wings" but was probably a glider and a tree dweller.
By now about a dozen "feathered" dinosaurs have been found; some with several individual specimens and some with hundreds. Among the fossil birds, Confuciusornis, is notable as it appears to be the oldest beaked bird known to date. It is built to fly and the male had a bird-like tail with long feathers for display. A contemporary was Jeholornis with teeth, long wings and a long, feathered, reptilian bony tail and was little advanced from Archaeopteryx. Among the mammals are several Trichodonts, a few Multituberculates, Symmetrodonts and one Eutherian, Eomia; the earliest placental animal so far known. It is also the first such with specialized limbs for a scansorial habit.
The plant life was abundant and is well representedin in the fossil lake bottoms. Bryophtes, Lycopods, Shenopsids, Filicopsids, Ginkos, Czekanowskialeans (early seed plants), Conifers, Bennettites, Gnetales, and Angiosperms. Some of the latter were specialized aquatics such as Archefructus, and the advanced Sinocarpus with features of eudicots.
This is a grand book, grandly written and illustrated; a true gem that will be read and reread often.

Jin Jin the Dragon is a delightful children's picturebook written by Beijing-born Grace Chang and illustrated by her brother Chong Chang. Jin Jin is a scaly golden creature who hatches and wonders what type of animal he is. He befriends a fish, an eagle, a lion, and many more animals, each of which has something in common with him - but he isn't quite like any of them. On his journey to meet the wise old turtle and crane, he discovers a terrible drought is afflicting the land, and saves the people with his wondrous ability to breathe water; proof that he is really a dragon! A gentle story grounded in ancient Chinese dragon myths, but presented in warm, contemporary terms and sure to be a hit with young dragon lovers everywhere.

THis is a fabulous book; as entertaining for the parents as the kids. It's a charming story, but the best thing about it is that it teaches you all about Chinese culture and the Chinese attitude toward dragons. As the father of a 3-year-old and 6-year-old, I couldn't recommend it more.

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.

This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?

An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.

Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.

This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.

Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.

As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.

This is one of the most delightful Christmas books I've ever read, a mix of facts, fiction, and absurdity. Why the heck is it out of print?

An Italian guy walking his dog comes across the text for the life of Saint Nicholas -- hunting for truffles, of all things. It starts with a little Roman baby, born during the Christian rule of Constantine; it is rapidly found that Nicholas can bend cutlery (spoons, knives), transform wine into vinegar and vice versa, and eventually is able to make miracles: to simply will things into existance (sometimes with comedic results). He uses these talents for good; but is arrested when Constantine dies and a pagan emperor comes into power. Sounds dire? Believe me, it isn't.

Blechman does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction: Saint Nick could not create stuff magically; the lifespans of his parents; the three virgins; the giving away of his possessions to the poor, etc.

This is relentlessly tongue-in-cheek. I thought the transformation of the pagan statues into Christian statues was hilarious (especially the Jesus and the moneylenders one); the idea of how Saint Nick got his red suit, hat, bag and chubbiness; the dog named "Piano"; the rare intervals of dialogue are usually a hoot.

Blechman's cartoon style is sort of wavery and cute without being cutesy. He also manages to keep the story from descending into cutesiness, especially at the end, in which certain actions take a bizarre but somehow logical twist.

As the Christmas market is often populated by either feel-good fluff, sob stories, or cynically saccharine fables, this is refreshingly minimalist in its storytelling and illustration. It also, unlike many stories, addresses Saint Nick AS a saint; at the same time, it isn't a religious story, but simply a cute little semi-fictional retelling. A delightful holiday read, one that I will treasure.

Its the little things we do with out thought... they are happening around us. This simple book is beautifully composed and the illustrations are even better. I fell in love with this book when I first read it. Its a must have for anyone with children, friends, partner, loved one, family or just for yourself.

in the dark moments of our lives, we need a guide for beauty and happiness. here is it.

My 10 month old loves this book. With the combination of hispicture and the different cars, trucks etc. he loves to cuddle with meas we read this book before bed, and I enjoy showing him his picture on each page!

I loved this book for my 9 month old son. The pictures and drawings are really cute, from a lion, to a puppy, to a bear. However, I didn't realize how girly this book was until I saw all the pages. The pictures also have the "Look at Me" picture as a flower, and what looks to be a feminine person at the end (with pink mittens and a hood). Still, it's a cute concept, but I would recommend this book more for girls than boys.

"Celebrate" is the perfect word to describe the content of this wonderful testament to creativity inspired by love. Poems, stories, artwork, and photographs testify to the perennial energy we call love. It's a bargain at the price, especially for those who want to give a gift slightly off the beaten path of crystal, china, and siverware. The book itself is a large, impressive hardback ("art book"), with a beautiful cover. Enjoy!

I just found this book at a book sale. It is like I have received a windfall apple. I didn't know what I was missing until I saw this. It is full of stories, quotes and fabulous art reproductions focusing on Love. The feeling you get when you look at and read this book is a profound longing for your loved one. It is really overwhelming. I was hooked from the author's introduction (and I rarely read the introductions). This book is a celebration of love between man and woman. Some of the stories are humorous sketches from authors such as Mark Twain, or poems from e e cummings or an excerpt from Hawthorn's Lady Chatterly's Lover. Overall, This book is a rare and powerful approach to such an awesome subject. (This would make an AWESOME wedding gift).