Columbia Books

This is volume III of Morison's fifteen volumes on U.S. naval operations in WWII, and his first of nine on the Pacific theater. It covers the rise of the Japanese empire during the decades leading up to Pearl Harbor and specifically the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the events which propelled them toward war such as the Manchuria incident and the sinking of the Panay.

At the conclusion of the section on the rise of the IJN, Morison states a theme of sorts that informs much of the remaining volumes on the Pacific war. He writes that never since 1814 has the United States faced such a "tough, well-trained or powerful fighting force." But that "Stupidity characterized the strategy by which the Japanese navy was directed, and the supporting industrial base was fatally weak."

Thorough coverage is given of the Pearl Harbor attack, and the subsequent rescue and salvage efforts. Then, the plight of the Philippines is chronicled, from the first attacks through the capitulation of Bataan and Corregidor. Next, the ordeal of the gallant but doomed Wake island garrison. In the final section, Morison details how the Japanese tightened the noose on the Dutch East Indies and the Malay peninsula, with the eventual disintegration of ABDA, the combined American-British-Dutch-Australian forces in the southwest Pacific.

Morison ends the volume with the Doolittle force striking the mostly psychological blow against Tokyo. The long saga of Japanese triumphs and Allied setbacks concludes with a demonstration of the essential vulnerability of the Japanese empire, foreshadowing the reversals of fortune at Coral Sea and Midway, which are covered in volume IV.

Although this is #3 in a set of 15, this is my first book read out of the group. Mr Morrison does a wonderful job piecing together accurate accounts of the early stages of the Pacific theater, along with the well written chapters regarding the prelude to war with Japan. How he achieved this was by actually writing about the war during the conflict. So much more is gained by writing in contact with events, while the participants are still alive. This book is much more detailed with events than other similar books, and the writing gives a feeling of almost being there.

This is the third volume in a fifteen volume series. Volume III is a very thorough history of the rise of Japan militarily between World War I and World War II. The book ends with the Halsey-Doolittle raid over Tokyo launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet on April 18, 1942.

Morison's writing style is highly entertaining and his attention to detail unsurpassed. It is important to note that the author wrote this history right after the war's conclusion and from the perspective of one who had served on eleven different U.S. ships during the conflict.

Selected by president Roosevelt to help document the war Mr. Morison found himself on a ship in the Pacific with the rank of LCDR (reserve). From this vantage point he delivers the most accurate and well researched accounts of the Japanese military build-up and their subsequent naval accomplisments. The socio-political aspects of Japan's conversion to an almost Asian Sparta are also covered. Excellent, descriptive accounts of all events both military and political including the discusions between Japan and America prior to Pearl Harbor. Also, the various attacks and invasions on Dec.7th thru the 26th 1941 by the Japanese are again well covered. As this book brings out the seldom known (yet important) events as well as an in depth perspective to the more often defined events the authors style and canter keep the reader always interested.

I love this book.After sending it to the wrong address, Amazon mailed a new copy to me very fast and free of charge ! I did appreciate this and I will look at Amazon.com first when I will be looking for a book.Thanks!

I gave this book to my Dad as a gift and he loves it, as do I. It's a trip down memory lane with lots of nice historic pictures and descriptive writing. I especially am interested in the Celilo Falls and saddened to see what a treasure was destroyed by dams.

The Columbia is by no means the biggest, the longest or just any other 'est of the rivers in North America. Well maybe it's the roughest. At the bar where the Columbia enters the Pacific Ocean is quite possibly the consistently roughest water in the country. It's called the 'Graveyard of the Pacific,' having claimed over two thousand ships. That's why the Coast Guard located their small boat school in Astoria, Oregon, just inland from the bar.

Anyway, now the Columbia is tamed to a great extent by a series of dams that regulate the flow of water. No longer are there the hundred-foot waves breaking along the bar. This book, though is composed of pre-dam pictures of the river that remain only as memories.

The book is organized in an interesting manner. Just inside the front is a map of the first 200.5 miles of the river. Along the track of the river are a series of numbers. These reflect the page numbers of the pictures that follow. The first number is 5, and the picture on page 5 shows the bar, along with a note that it's 1,243 miles to the source of the river. The pictures range from the mid 1800's to current.

Further into the book are more maps, more pictures. To the old-timer of the area, here will be a collection of memories. To the rest of us, here is simply a spectacular set of photographs of a place that is no more.

The River is a bueaty today but yesterday - WOW! This is a beautiful work on a great river!

I read this book with some anxiety being a college junior and not a psychologist or psychiatrist. I learned of it from my dad, a philosophy professor. I thought it was really superb and answered many question I had about homosexuality. For example, I am not gay and ever since the Matthew Shepard incident, I have been trying to understand why gay and lesbian people are the targets of hate crimes. It didn't seem to me that the motivation for hatred of gays is exactly the same as hatred for other minority groups. "Sexual Orientation and Psychoanalysis" explains the way that the homophobia-particularly in men has its roots in childhood- particularly the last part of childhood. One point it stresses is that it often seems to be traced back to middle school years and is a special type of bullying. Going back to my own experience with schoolyard bullies when I was in 6th grade-this made a lot of sense. I also learned a lot about the different pathways for sexual development in men and women. I now understand why "homosexuality" is not just one "thing" and how different gay and lesbian people are from each other. I was surprised to learn how similar the sexuality of lesbian is to heterosexual women, and gay men- to heterosexual men (even though there are also differences of course). Not all the material discussed in this book had equal interest for me. For example, I wasn't all that interested in the last chapter which is about the way psychoanalysts have thought about homosexuality over the years, but it was enlightening to better understand why they used to think that homosexuality was a mental illness. I did read some Freud and some of my teachers hated him and some admired him. At least with respect to sex-I appreciated knowing which of his theories are simply out of date. Friedman and Downey think that some of Freud's views are still helpful as well. All in all I give this book an "A" grade- and -even though it is demanding-it is worth the effort to read it. One good thing about it is that it is very clearly written and without psychobabble or jargon.

This brilliant work by 2 practicing Manhattan psychoanalysts provides a comprehensive and integrative viewpoint on the controversial area of study. In a spirit of empathy, understanding and acceptance, the authors provide a scholarly piece on the biological and psychological perspective of homosexuality.
Professors Friedman and Downey paint a historical picture of psychoanalytic thinking, Freud's ambivalence and the ultimate pathologization of homosexuality. Set against the backdrop of a changing society, they bring a refreshing knowledge, sensitivity and integrity to this controversial field of study.
This major work lays the groundwork for an increasing literature of contemporary psychoanalytic thinking. It brings together in one place the newest scholarship towards contemporary understanding of human sexuality and gender identity.
The book is a scholarly work for professionals in mental health and child development as well as parents, teachers and friends who seek understanding.

Friedman and Downey bring an extraordinary level of scholarship combined with accessible gems of clinical wisdom to the critical field of sexual development and sexual identity. Theoretical revisions, integration of material across fields, and clinical case material make this an essential book for therapists of all disciplines. As a therapist and educator with expertise in family therapy I believe clinicians will find the material on internalized homophobia riveting, and the chapter on intervention with homophobic parents especially valuable.

A comprehensive and scientifically responsible, yet highly readable examination of the origins and development of sexuality and sexual identity. This book is both theoretically 'cutting-edge' and pragmatically useful for all (researchers, clinicians, teachers, clergy, etc.). It is, as well, an absolute requirement for an informed general readership that wishes to be educated about an important subject in an evenhanded and unjaundiced way. There is nothing else like it in the field...scholarly AND approachable.

Bollas is a beautiful writer. This early book introduces the main themes of his writing, while avoiding the postmodern obtuseness of his some his more recent writings. A compassionate and wise observer of the human soul, he here relates his knowledge, as it has been won through the mystery and misery he has encountered.

It would prove very difficult to over-praise this wonderful book. Bollas writes with such lucidity and wit about every topic he touches that I find myself returning to these pages just to re-experience his prose. If you value psychoanalysis performed in the Winnicottian mode, then you owe it to yourself to read this book.

At once amusing and heartbreakingly honest, Christopher Bollas has the ability to cut completely through the fog of ego and object attachment and promote understanding, awareness, acceptance and curiosity. This book is on my list of Life-Changing Must Haves.

Bollas is one of the most important figures in contemporary psychoanalysis and this book is the place to start. The book teems with new discoveries and striking ideas. Most important, it functions as only the best psychoanaltyic books do: it opens the reader to the discovery of their own psyche.

Shapiro's book is extremely well-documented and follows the recent trend of scholarship on nationalism and its effects on the "Other." It is a fascinating read that never gets weighed down by its own research. I suspect this may have something to do with Shapiro's buoyant narrative, which exudes a sense of wonder of what's being conveyed. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in English history, Jewish history, or simply history in general. It's truly a great study.

Professor Shapiro has since become known as a more popular Shakespearean critic. This book shows his depth as a historical scholar. The book's title understates the breadth of its scholarship. Its subject is important not only to the Shakespearean scholar but to anyone interested in religious history and the history of Jews in the Christian world up to the Renaissance.
Gregory T. Lombardo MD, PhD

The information in this book will astonish one regarding how deeply the English were obsessed with Jews. Because Jews were absent from England for three centuries the English had only the bible and their imagination to inform them about Jews. The Christian bible promoted negative attitudes and the belief that the messiah would come when all Jews became Christians brought up interesting complications that to this day disturb the Vatican! Christianity, the religion of love certainly produced plenty of hate. The analysis of Shylock is extremely interesting and contrary to what we learned in school. The author supplies verses from the original which are usually excluded from present day performances. I now have new insights into Shakespeare and English history.

I learned a great deal from this book. It is well written, serious cultural history. I would recommend it strongly to anyone interested in the period, the Merchant of Venice,and English attitudes toward Jews.

This book examines the influence of a typical grammar school education on the word power and appreciation of the likes of Shakespeare. It is presumed that Shakespeare enjoyed a reasonable degree of schooling and in the last section of this wonderful book, the author outlines the typical course in language and its uses that a student would cover.

Firstly it certainly puts to shame the watered down nonsense that passes for English grammar and clear thinking in schools today. Secondly, it helps us to understand just where some of the theoretical genius of Shakepeare developed from.

A wonderful work. It has thrown me further into the study of language..

The best thing this reprint needs is a Glossary.

As our current custom in education through college ignores rhetoric, and logic, altogether, those terms and concepts once second hand to everyone with a high school education are now completely unknown to us, and so a supplemental glossary is sought.

We are now not taught rhetoric nor logic in order the more easily to control us, and to keep us as happy consumers of waste products. Read the transcript of the recent Vice Presidential "debates" and compare them with The Complete Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.

What is a debate? What is logic? What is Rhetoric?

Get thee to a glossary, go!

As this book reveals, in Shakespeare's day select small boys arose from before sunrise until after sunset to study rhetoric, and logic, if they were not serfs out in the fields for those same hours.

This present work was originally published over sixty years ago, written by a Catholic nun at a time any woman was rare in higher education, yet who spent the war years carefully researching this comprehensive work.

In Shakespeare's day those small boys fortunate enough for schooling studied rhetorical forms using Biblical citations. This work demonstrates rhetorical forms using Shakespearean citations, which are marvelous and impel us to further Shakespearean studies.

How often have you read Timon of Athens (Arden Shakespeare) or The Oxford Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Coriolanus (The Oxford Shakespeare: Oxford World's Classics), or delved into the delights of the comic characters as in the comedies like Love's Labour's Lost (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series) or the Histories? Here we find with Sister Miriam Joseph a compelling introduction to all his plays and poems.

As if apologetic of her formidable and nearly insurmountable scholarship regarding the history of rhetoric which informs the first Part of this tome, Sister Miriam repeatedly explains her purpose. In the Preface she writes: "The contribution of this present work is to present in organized detail essentially complete the general theory of composition current during the Renaissance (as contrasted with special theories for particular forms of composition) and the illustration of Shakespeare's use of it (p. viii)."

In her first chapter on the General Theory of Composition she writes: "This study undertakes to establish four points: first, that the general theory of composition and of reading current in Shakespeare's England is to be found in one form in the contemporary works on logic and rhetoric combined; second, that it is to be found in another form in the work of the figurists which, surprisingly, treats of approximately the same matter as do the logic and rhetoric texts combined; third, that these two forms, though outwardly different, are fundamentally alike; fourth, that the theory in its entire scope, whether in the one form or in the other, is, with two or three negligible exceptions, illustrated in Shakespeare's plays and poems, where it contributes to the power and richness of his language and even of his thought, while it accounts for certain peculiar differences between the characteristic mode of expression of his time and of ours. Included also in this study are the vices of language, treated by the figurists in connection with the figures of grammar, and the fallacies and captious arguments, treated by the logicians in connection with correct forms of reasoning. Shakespeare makes capital use of them to create humor and to depict villainy and low life (p. 4)."

That selection might at least give you a taste of her style of writing in this opening section. Readers are encouraged to skip to the section of Shakespearean selections, which are more engaging for the modern (or post-literate) reader, as they are more brief sound-bites than this marvelously elaborate syntax.

On page thirteen Sister Miriam Joseph stresses in the midst of a meticulous presentation, as if to urge our continued reading: "To show how Shakespeare used the whole body of logical-rhetorical knowledge of his time is essentially the undertaking of the present study."

The Introductory Part One, consisting really of the one chapter on the General Theory of Composition, very carefully and minutely therefore examines the history and development of rhetoric and logic derived from Aristotle (for whom we and Saint Thomas Aquinas must forever thank the Muslim Averroes: His Life, Works, and Influence (Great Islamic Writings)). This may be of lesser interest to the casual reader, who may do well to skip to part two. In fact, Sister Miriam politely provides this same suggestion:

"The essential general theory of composition and of reading current in Shakespeare's England, as expressed in the definitions, illustrations, and comments of the Tudor logicians and rhetoricians, is presented at the end of this volume in an eclectic handbook constructed by selecting each item form the author who seems to have treated it best and by arranging the whole in a pattern outlined above. The entire theory, with a few negligible exceptions, is illustrated from Shakespeare's plays and poems in the following chapters (p. 37)."

In a footnote on that same page 37, Sister Miriam Joseph provides this gentle and most merciful suggestion to her hardworking readers: "The reader may study the theory in Part Three (Chapters VI-IX) either a section at a time or a chapter at a time before he reads the illustration from Shakespeare in Part Two (Chapters II-V). He may even want to read all of Part Three before beginning Chapter II. The headings of sections and the order of topics within sections in Parts Two and Three are identical to facilitate reference. The reader who is not interested in the theory either for proof or for flavor may disregard Part III entirely, since the chapters on Shakespeare are intelligible without it (p. 37b)."

I take the liberty of such liberal citations as no one can explain her monumental work here better than Sister Miriam Joseph herself. I add my estimation to hers that the suggestion most capable of holding the interest of myself and my contemporaries in this brave new millennium will be Part Two, which, like the Bard, is a delight beyond measure. Hopefully it will inspire the serious and advanced student to enter what for us now in our fallen times are unknown waters: Logic and her sweet sister Rhetoric, and to read more seriously and with greater appreciation Shakespeare himself.

Read this book when free for months, for the rest of your life, like Ulysses (Gabler Edition). Better study it in a decent class of some several semesters' time, with a kindly professor who neither bullies nor intimidates graduate students, but guides and instructs them. Certainly that awe-inspiring opening chapter has proved the bane of several generations of students confronted with quick quizzes of convolutions of names and dates and schools of Rhetoric (I like the Ramists myself, or Fraunce). Stick to Part Two, and go on to a better reading of the Bard, to better self-expression, and to more efficient thought and the evaluation of that which is said.

Get thee to a Glossary! Go!

(and perceive the rhetorical and logical substance of that which is currently broadcast and published for our dubious benefit)

Paul Dry publishers should be commended for bringing this classic book back into print. I believe it had been out of print for decades and the fortunate few who had a copy or who were lucky enough to uncover a used copy, cherished this book as if it were a treasure. Sister Miriam Joseph displays an encyclopedic knowledge of Shakepeare's entire works including all the plays, the Sonnets & the narrative poems. She demonstrates Shakespeare's use of a wide variety of rhetorical terms as well as showing his use of the forms of argument, logic, and persuasion. Shakespeare's use of the rhetorical terms and the other "arts of language" is often the best example of anyone, ever! I really believe this book is of great value to a wide variety of readers and needs to be on more college and high school book lists; it is that good. Specifically, it will be of value to any writers; serious students of Shakespeare; or anyone interested in improving their communication skills. Close and careful study of this book will be time well spent.

Two years ago I paid $145 for this unabridged version, which had gone out of print. At that time, the only version in print had been eviscerated of several hundred pages highlighting Shakespeare's own examples of rhetorical craft. Now the the unabridged version is back at an amazingly affordable price and remains the best work yet for those who want to use or teach this invaluable science of style.

Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops is a captivating blend of history, biography, and religion told through the lives of four charismatic B.C. Anglican bishops; men who fought (and are still fighting) for change not only within the church, but in society. As someone without a religious background, I found Julie Ferguson's story of the Anglican church, and those who've made a difference, an easy-to-follow, compelling read. This book changed my perception of religion as an institution permanently stuck in the past and oblivious to current social concerns. It was encouraging to learn that there are clergy who welcome all people to the Anglican church, and who want to make the world a better place without attaching blame or judgement in their quest. Thanks to Julie Ferguson's knowledge and passion for this topic, I enjoyed an informative and thought-provoking read.

Julie's book is everything one might think church history shouldn't be: exciting, thought-provoking, invigorating, heart-wrenching, beautiful, and true. One needn't be Anglican or even religious to come to a deep understanding and appreciation of the fight for human rights represented between the covers of this book.

Julie Ferguson's Sing a New Song is a great read. It is carefully researched and written in an entertaining and fast-paced style that pulls you along. For anyone interested in Canadian history, this book is a must. The issues tackled head-on by the four bishops are among the central social issues of our time, and the way they were handled by the bishops and their church helps to define us as Canadians. Ferguson has handled some controversial material with care and consideration for her readers, while remaining rigorous to the history. Strongly recommended!

As readable as it is exhaustively researched, Julie Ferguson's Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops gives us intimate portraits of four courageous church leaders who faced dissent and open opposition, even risking their careers, as they fought for equal rights and social justice. These are four men who were prepared to push the envelope, within their own Anglican faith, and in the wider society of their time. Sing a New Song is a book not just for Anglicans, but for people of all faiths, or for anyone who enjoys a lively and absorbing biography.

This work, aside from all useful insight into inner city culture, is able to offer the perspective qualitative research a good example of how to construct observation and insider knowledge into one. When writing-up qualitative research it is often hard to determine what balance between observation and insider language must be presented to convince the reader. This book, by its example, provides a very successful model that can be used by almost anyone. Simply stated, you must get this book in order to improve your qualitative research. Good luck!!!

This study of Black streetcorner men by noted anthropologist, Dr. Elliot Liebow, was his doctoral dissertation. It became recognized as one of the more important sociological treatises, at the time it was written; a time during which Blacks or African Americans were still referred to as Negroes. Dr. Liebow's year and a half long study of a group of disaffected Black males, who routinely frequented a streetcorner in Washington, D.C.'s inner city, provided the basis for the dissertation that gave rise to this book. His analysis of this particular societal subculture, in the context of the overall social milieu in which it exists, is still relevant today. While scholarly, the book is written in an engaging conversational tone, which makes for easy reading. This book should be read by all those with an interest in the social sciences.

This book was assigned as part of a course taken on Oppression and Poverty in America. An excellent book for anyone interested in learning about life in the inner-city. Written in 1967 as a field study by the late Elliot Liebow, it offers a view of life that is not seen by most college students. I have assigned it to my Intro to Sociology class as a stepping off point for discussion about American culture, poverty, and family life. Very easy reading and truly a book that should be read by anyone who wants to begin to understand and accept diversity among people.

Admittedly, I first read Tally's Corner almost three decades ago -- and it still has a hold over me. In those 30 years, I went from studying sociology to making films to doing start-ups in Silicon Valley. I am now in the process of ordering more copies to distribute to friends. Tally's Corner is an exceptional work. It had its origins in a doctoral thesis and yet it reads like a novel. Its powerful message aside, Tally's Corner is marvelous reading. Anyone who wants to write something important and lasting should look to Liebow to see how it is done. Tally's Corner defies the contrary logic which says "no pain, no gain" -- that all things profound must to be impossible for everyman to understand.

There are many of us who would like to improve our writing skills or even write for a living. Good writing is power, and it is one of the most valuable skills a person can develop. Most books about writing are really about style or structure or grammar or about writer's block or someone's personal experiences as a writer or how to develp a novel. This book is the best in its class to address basic writing, sheer and simple. I have been a copywriter for more than 20 years, and currently teach writing at a major university. This book is gold. Some examples of student writing will bring tears to your eyes, but more than anything, the book gets to the absolute heart of what makes good writing. Buy it and you won't regret it. (P.S., I am not related to the author.)

There are misconceptions everywhere about everything. Writing is no different. We think we need to outline and plan. The most formal proper language must be used. Oh yes, we think editing is boring and not needed.

Uniquely, through writing, Ken Macrorie exposes the heart and soul inside the act of writing. He does this by offering practical encouragement to any one who thinks they can't write. His encouragement led me to understand that the ideas live in my mind, only to be revealed when I attempt to write freely.

Try this yourself. Write a sentence, making an observation of your surroundings. Write it quickly without regard for spelling, grammar, or punctuation. The instant before you write there is an abstraction some place in your mind. It is a mystery until the words are on the page.

Looking for rules, a mechanical way to be a writer? This book is not for you. Seeking the freedom to communicate thoughts living within? Macrorie opens the door. Yes, there are rules, but he teaches their spirit rather than their letter.

This book steps outside the confines of a text book and beyond the structure of a manual for assembling words. Telling Writing opens the door to a writer's heart. Through it Ken Macrorie becomes a friend.

This book should be required reading for every college bound highschool senior and college freshman. It is invaluable in developing ideas, and writing discipline. More importantly, when I first came on it as a college freshman, it was the first text book I read that provided a step-by-step method on thought organization and composition, and did so in an amusing and light narrative style. I was impressed and highly recommend it.

I have taught writing for 33 years, and whenever anybody asks me to suggest a book that will help them become a stronger, better writer, this is the book I recommend. Macrorie has a personal, open teaching style that welcomes you in and makes his lessons about writing easy to take. And this is true whether you're a novice in a freshman writing class or some one who has been writing for 20 years. Macrorie stresses the absolute basics of human communication, the essentials that too often get forgotten or shunted aside in high school or college classrooms. Reading his remarks about writing is tremendously empowering. You sense that he has found out the truth of good writing and he's willing and happy to share it with you.

I can't recommend this book enough.

This book succeeds on many levels. It is at its most basic level a love story. The book also offers many fascinating insights into the life a traditional Taiwanese family in the 1970s. Finally it is about the spirit of Zen.

The translation is exceptionally good as many of the idioms and stories would not translate directly into English.

"A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers" is worth reading both as a great piece of literature and for its many insights into Taiwanese culture.

The platonic relationship between Zhenguan (female) and Daxin (male) occupies the center spot of the story. But it is really the thoughtfulness of Zhenguan's extended family members that touches one the most. Hidden behind seasonal festivities, articulation of rich food culture, and classic Chinese poetry etc, lay anecdotes of the traditional way of caring for others so warm that almost feels as if it glows. It is little wonder then, that this novel had struck a chord of nostalgia amongst the Taiwanese for the old ways of life.

Grandpa (of Zhenguan) sees a neighbor -- a poor salt merchant -- stealing snake melons from his garden but let's him go. Grandpa considers the action of this neighbor justified as the neighbor has a hard time feeding his ten-member household. Grandma (of Zhenguan) cuts out a lung of a toad to cure her grandson's disease but remembers to stitch back and release the toad. Toads can regenerate their lungs. The wife of Zhenguan's first uncle never changes her hairstyle, knowing that one day her mother-in-law (Zhenguan's grandmother) might need some straight hair to use as extension when arranging her hair in the traditional way. She only has her hair cut after her mother-in-law passes away.

With its frequent references to Buddhist sutras and classical Chinese poetry, one can only imagine how lyrical the novel could have been in its original language. The warmth of the characters nevertheless transpires.

In "A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers" translator Michelle Wu delivers competently and faithfully the daunting task of translating Chinese (a visually stunning but grammatically simplistic language) into English (a language that is descriptive but mostly through explanation).

The story reads like a soft breeze in midsummer; Hsiao is a master at communicating complex traditional Chinese ideas through descriptive and humorous prose. The understated (and sometimes overstated!) emotions of the story reflect an essential aspect of the Taiwanese culture.

This book is in no doubt remarkably enjoying and fascinating to read. When I first encountered the title, I was a little set-back due to the idea that it has been translated from Chinese Literature, but oh how I wish I had started tasting the pleasures of the book earlier.
A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers kick starts with a slow paced scene in the first few chapters but it doesn't take very long at all to realize how the pages get sticky and how mind-grasping the book really is. As soon as the author, Hsiao Li-Hung is done introducing the main characters, the pace of the storyline starts rolling in ways none can imagine. The language implemented to express emotions in every sentence is unique and every word is spiced.
Li-Hung does a great job coloring the book with the life of Zhenguan from when she is in the swollen belly of her mother till she is fully grown and experienced in cultivating the meaning of love with her partner, Daxin. The platonic love they share is so unbelievable in today's societies but yet, their relationship is tremendously moving and heart-taking as they exchange feelings for one another simply through rhythmic language. Daxin comes to thought as a man who is ideal to many women. He is very cultured, talented and ambitious, skilled to the fact he could be labeled as "perfect". Zhenguan on the other hand is presented as an average person who is motivated by her love for Daxin. Throughout the book, Li- Hung constantly keeps the reader at the edge of their seat, eager to know what will happen next to their long lasting, long-distance relationship.
If you enjoy reading romance stories that sway your heart with poetry and metaphoric language, I am positive that you will take pleasure in reading A Thousand Moons on a Thousand Rivers. I have fallen in love with this book over and over again. Most people think all romance novels have the same storyline but anyone who has read this book would tell you how different this experience will be. I highly recommend this book to anyone who finds pleasure in reading novels that squeezes their heart eager to keep reading.