Asian Books

As the title promises Professor Dan Tretiak does two things marvellously well in this book. It is a fascinating account of the author's search for the details of Maki's life and a superb and comprehensive collection of images of his not so major works, even if the original aim of a complete collection proved to be not possible. Moreover, with his background as a China scholar and teacher, Tretiak has made this book accessible to all: it is a book for both the cognoscente and the novice.

Probably no one could have given us a better modern view of the life and work of the distinctive Japanese sosaku hanga artist, Haku Maki, than Daniel Tretiak. An American academic stationed in Beijing, Tretiak has given most of his recent years to the study of the artist who challenged most of the formulas of late 20th century Japanese art on paper.
Tretiak's The Life and Works of Haku Maki, is not a catalogue raisonné. Maki was too unsystematic and immensely productive to accurately collect all his works, as Tretiak once hoped to do. But it is by far the best book since Festive Wine - and perhaps better - in presenting color images of the diversity of Maki's work and a compendium of others' views of the artist and his unique work.
Maki, the ultimate modernist, is not for everyone. His art has little of the classic Japanese scene, the American's fairyland imagery of the other side of the world. But a simple bowl, a single stylized Chinese kanji character, a single persimmon captivates a Maki-lover. Like a martini, Tretiak writes - it is an acquired taste "but once acquired: unforgettable."
For anyone with that wonderfully acquired taste, this book is a must.

I have long appreciated the subtlety and beauty of Japanese art. It was only recently though, through Dr. Tretiak's excellent book, that I became acquainted with the work of Haku Maki. As with the best of Shinto art and architecture, Haku Maki's magnificient body of work uses simple combinations of color, shape and proportion to create art which is both beautiful and welcoming to the eye. As good as Haku Maki's work is, it is Professor Tretiak who will be giving the lecture today. Dr. Tretiak has brought this important artist to a larger audience, and for that, we should all be grateful.

Review submitted for William I. Elliott, co-author of "Festive Wine: Ancient Japanese Poems from the Kinkafu". Prof. Tretiak's very readable book combines biography, aspects of modern art history and technical explanations in representing the work of Haku Maki. The illustrations are plentiful and Tretiak's own text is clear. It could be merely a 'coffee table' book, but it is more than that. It is an indispensable book for a proper appreciation of Haku Maki. Techniques painstaking, tedious and even injurious lie in and behind the prints, typically kanji sieved through the artist's imagination. The prints strike me as visually eloquent. Haku Maki was not 'just another artist.' Tretiak's is not 'just another book.' It is THE book and one to be grateful for.

I have collected art through out my life. About 20 years ago, I found my first woodblock print. since then, Woodblocks have become my world. A few years ago, I found my first Haku Maki print. His art has become a major focus in my collecting. His work is so timeless and dramatic. there has always been questions about who he was and what changes he went through to create such works. What kinds of different art did he do? where does my taste in his art fit in his life. Who IS this artist? After reading Dr. Dan Tretiak's book-- The life and Works of Haku Maki -- most of my questions have been answered! It is a pleasure to get such a overview of Haku Maki's life and art. I am so thankful Dan was able to research and connect with people who knew Maki. Dr Tretiak's use of giving an overview of a part of Maki's life and then diagramming that part in more depth is an encouraging way to learn. This book is a great help in understanding Haku maki and the woodblock world of the last fifty years. I give it my highest recommendation.

This book is great for encouraging students to ask questions and infer meaning! Try it out in the classroom!

The lotus seed is about someone's grandmother who gets a lotus seed to remember her emperor. It takes place in Vietnam. It has lots of information obout what they used to flee from the Vietnam war. I think Tatsuro Kiuchi did a good job with the illustrations. I think every one from 5-8 should read this book.

This book is touching. The grandma passes on the lotus seed to her grandson. One day, she sees a lotus flower in her backyard and it made her remember her ruler.

This has to be one of my favorite children's books and being a soon to be teacher I have read a lot of children's books. One of the reasons it's my favorite is that it touches a subject that is close to my heart, the Vietnamese culture. My mom came to America after the Vietnam war with my sister who was 5 and brother who was 1. I never knew how important the lotus seed could be, but growing up I enjoyed eating the fruit and peeling it off the seed. This book is truely one of a kind and as I read it I learned more about my mom's culutre and just how special it is.

This is one book that I'll keep for many, many years even when I retire from teaching.

This book helps me remember more about Vietnam and why I appreciate my culture so much. The significant symbolism of the lotus seed is the culture Vietnam and what the woman endurance in her past. Ba picked out a lotus seed from the imperial garden because of its beautiful and fresh scent. The lotus seed has never left her side as she carries it with her through the tragedy times and moved to a new country after the Vietnam War. One of her grandchildren planted the lotus seed in the backyard and it grew into a beautiful lotus flower. The beauty of it reminds Ba of her country.

This is definitely one of the best children's book I have ever read. The images are beautifully drawn as they describe Vietnam and the story. The symbolism of the lotus seed reminds me of my culture and I should never forget it. I really like how the author added a Vietnamese poem at the back. A must read for all young and old!

From the very begining of this story you'll feel like your're right there with Donahue, George and the rest of the Bodes from the Third Herd of the Mobile Guerilla Force. Donahue explains everything with great detail from starting an IV to infiltrating a VC camp. I really liked this one. I felt like I was on the mission with them. Thanks Mr. Donahue, looking forward to your other work! Highly recommended reading to anyone interested in Special Forces during Vietnam.

This author takes the readers into a VERY REAL jungle in which the Mobile Guerrila Forces operate as a unique, "special forces" type of unit, including non-English speaking Cambodians that are very dedicated to the mission of the U.S. personnel. At one point, the reality of the jungle is brought into the forefront when a big Tiger picks up their trail, and they have to protect themselves from it as well as from the enemy------a very good and unusual read.

I read this book, although under a different title, the one that I read was called 'No Greater Love' but it is the same story. This book is very exciting and riveting, and it also tells of the unquestionable heroic actions of the men who foght for this force, both U.S. and foreign. One reviewer made the mistake of saying that this was the only force to use guerilla tactics in Vietnam, this is not true. The LRRPs (long range recon patrols) used gurilla tactics and went out with only usually a six man team. Although their main goal was recon, they very often ended up ambushing the enemy, and usually came out on top. I think though that anyone who reads this book will agree that these men deserve our highest respect and that we thank them for their brave service. If you havent read this book, I wouls suggest buying it.

Mr Donahue writes an excellent first-person account of his experiences with the MGF, and after reading all 3 of his books (MGF, Blackjack-33, Blackjack-34), he left me wanting to read much more of his accounts and experiences in Vietnam. I hope that Mr Donahue may someday write an account of the MGF's POW rescue attempt mission, as well as other MGF accounts.

I like the style of his writing in all 3 books; the first-person style moves fast and leaves the reader breathless. These are very hard to put down once you start. Mr Donahue gives only sparse background information and jumps right into the action. Mr Donahue makes you feel as if you are looking at everything right through his eyes.

If you have military experience (especially combat arms), you will truly enjoy this book, as well as Mr Donahue's others. The sounds, smells, stresses and fatigue will all come flooding back through his writing. If you are not familiar with military culture, terminology or methodology, you might struggle a little bit BUT there is a glossary in the back of the book.

I highly recommend ALL of Mr Donahue's publications; they give a good overall perspective of what was done right and what was done wrong in this war, and are great examples of how good of a job our fighting men & women did in Vietnam (contrary to what mainstream media & film try to portray).

Mobile Guerilla Force is a very good book about the only American unit to use guerrilla style hit and run tactics during the Vietnam war. This book chronicles a mission called Blackjack 31 that lasted nearly a month in VC territory. The light company of 13 Americans and Cambodians successfully navigate this enemy sanctuary, the infamous War Zone D. During this mission they called in 27 airstrikes, raided 15 base camps, & fought 51 engagements in some of the harshest terrain in the world. The vivid and dark jungles are brought to life with amazing clarity. The strength of this book is that you feel the danger of moving through the jungle and at any time may face a violent sudden death. I enjoyed learning about the Bodes and was impressed with how they can fight and keep up with the highly trained Americans. This book is highly reccomended to those interested about Special Forces, the war in Vietnam, or Guerrilla Warfare. It is a fast read and you will be impressed with this story.

The shopping experience was great with Amazon. The book that I ordered was shipped and had gotten delivered in the amount of time that I had expected and what I needed it for.

My Brother-in-law was on the Roberts when she hit the mine. The story was well written and is a fascinating example of what men can do when properly trained, motivated and well led.

I believe the author does a good job of relaying the type of atmosphere that persisted on this ship from it's construction through deployment. My only critical point would be he doesn't spend enough time with the common sailors' point of view.

I also found it interesting that he covers Operation Praying Mantis. I was unaware that this was declassified.

All in all, nicely done and an informative and gripping account of one of the forgotten chapters of our continued presence in the gulf.

I am very impressed by No Higher Honor. It is interesting, well written, and an engaging read. No Higher Honor is an overdue tribute to a group of heroes that deserves to be remembered.

Anyone interested in naval history should read this book. I heartily recommend it.

I am a librarian at a Navy library and a patron recommended this book for purchase as a management book. It is the most exciting, well written and gripping management book you will ever read. It is a tale of heroism, competence and pride.

The first management lesson you will learn is that instilling pride in your workers will get you very far. Captain Paul Rinn worked on this from the day he learned the not yet built guided missile frigate was to be named the Samuel B. Roberts. He researched the first two ships with the same name and the sailor it was named after. He made sure the pre-commissioning crew knew all the history instilling pride in their ship as she was being built.

The second is even non-glamorous jobs are important, sometimes the most important. I suspect that not too many people go into the Navy with the idea of being the best damage control officer in the service. Rinn knew the importance of damage control and had his men trained, drilled and equipped to the best of his and his officer's abilities. He wanted them to be good at all tasks on the ship and gave them the appropriate training and encouragement.

Above being a book about leadership, it is also a gripping tale. The first lines of the book describing the initial spotting of the mines that were to damage the frigate are as gripping as any in any novel about the sea. It also brings into remembrance a dangerous time in our planet's history with Iran, Iraq and the US face to face in the Persian Gulf.

The author's style is both journalistic and literary, making the book a good read.

I was there and this book captured the entire ordeal as well as it could be captured. Bradley did a wonderful and thorough job collecting data and memories. I now know far more about the whole incident than I knew when it happened. I'm grateful that our story got told, but more grateful that it was told so well.

After reading Jaffer Ali's "Palestine and the Middle East", I realized that there is no `other side of the story'. Mr. Ali goes beyond propaganda and spin and shows us that the conflict raging between Israel and Palestinians is a matter of basic human rights denied to an indigenous people by a military occupying power. In dozens of short essays, we are shown that the desperation created by Israeli oppression has pushed an unarmed population of Palestinian civilians to stand in the street and futilely throw rocks at the tanks and armored assault vehicles of the Israeli army. I repeated the same question to myself as I read every different form of abuse carried out by Israel: "What would I do if I had to live under these conditions?" I commend Dandelion Books for having the courage to publish this book in today's climate.

Tom Zegar

This thoughtful, provocative book is a must-read for anyone wanting to know the truth behind the turmoil of the Mid-East. Ali is not a radical, he offers the point of view not seen in American media. As with all conflict there is another side - Ali offers this to us, as well as a more believable reason for the invasion of Iraq. Our current leadership has an agenda - one that does not set well with the rest of the world, and might not set well with the American people if they KNEW what it was. Read this book - it's a real eye opener.

Jaffir Ali takes us on both a very personal journey of what it means to be Palestinian in both the land of plenty and the land of desolation and humiliation and offers succinctly explanations for the conflict, explanations not redily offered in the mainstream media, media that is complicit in the web of obfuscation and silence. This is an eminently easy read, far from the thickly layered writings of Noam Chomsky or the intellectual depth of Edward Said's "Orientalism" , Jaffir Ali's quick fire essays are a perfect introduction to the Middle East/Palestinian crisis for readers who are only now beginning to realise that "there's something wrong with this picture" and is an excellent springboard for any wishing to learn more about the machinations of post WW2 colonial aspirations. Jaffir Ali's "Palestine and the Middle East: A Chronicle of Passion and Politics" should be required reading in at least Political Studies 101. Reccomended further readings: "The Fateful Triangle" by Noam Chomsky Black Rose Books...ISBN: 0920057-21-7. "Orientalism" by Edward Said available from this website. For continued updates on the Israel/Palestine situation subscribe to the excellent internet newsletter Viewpoint edited by Jaffir Ali.viewpoint@gophercentral.com

As an American of Palestinian decent Mr. Ali guides the reader through the passion that motivates and inflames the political issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is clearly anti-violence and committed to peace---a peace that is only possible through empathy and accountability. Mr. Ali illuminates the reasoning of desperation without validating it. He demands a worldwide even application of standards concerning occupation, in particular in Israel.

Mr. Ali's essays swing from erudite political treatises to gut-wrenching, emotional, and deeply personal testimonies. Whether he is analytical or impassioned he is always, and consistently, honest to the information and to the reader. After reading "Palestine and the Middle East" you will never be able to hear "the news" without hearing the bias.

Must reading for anyone who wants to understand failures and create the dialogue that will bring peace in the region.

I was born in 1945, so I do not remember the creation of the state of Israel and all that went into that. I do know that I was raised only hearing one side of this issue and I do know this. One side is NEVER the WHOLE story. What the author does is CLEARLY give the other side to this contentious issue. Is there a solution to the problem of the Middle East? It will take someone FAR smarter than I to answer that question - but I will say this. A START to the solution is for the world to see both sides of the issue - presented in a thoughtful intelligent manner. This book does this - who knows? When history looks back on what happens over the next century, this book may be responsible in great part for something we never thought to see. When I was a teenager - and much older than that - we never thought to see the Iron Curtain fall. Maybe Mr. Ali has contributed to a happy solution to a vexing - and world threatening - problem. As a devoted reader - maybe 2000 books at home, most of whom I have read - this is one of the most seminal books I will EVER read

This flowing book of poetry is so enjoyable that you might want to read it in one sitting. The beginning has the beautiful language of pomegrantes, figs, and nature. At "Bach's Concerto No. 1 in C Minor" (210) the true feeling that this is great poetry dawned on me. And the poetic craft became better, too, through "The Bees" (217), "Straw-Blond" (243), and "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" (261). These poems progress through decades of his life and reach their peak in his maturity.

I was introduced to Hikmet through his poem, "Things I didn't know I loved". On the strength of this poem, I picked up this collection. I was tremendously suprised to find that there are many, many more poems that beautifully and powerfully express Hikmet's relishment of life, of love and the constant frustration he experienced as an exile.

His politics are a constant thread throughout many of his poems, as is his optimism in the future - in spite of being imprisioned and separated from his wife, his son and eventually his country. It is his passion for living, however, that struck me most powerfully. "Because of You", "On the Matter of Romeo and Juliet" and "This Journey" are among my favorites (and are among my favorites of ANY poet.)

If you own only two books of poetry, this should be one of them. (The other, in my opinion, should be anything by Rilke, but that is my taste.) Hikmet's words are exquisite and sublime. Highly recommended.

A poet of great humanity, great compasion, a believer in the human race in spite of having been in jail from many years, as well as been exiled by the Turkish leaders. refreshing and immediate, poetry for everyone, simple and strong.

It's hard to express in words just how wonderful and beautiful Hikmet's poetry is - intimate, honest, uncompromising, gently humorous, filled with longing and hope and refusing to let despair triumph in spite of outward circumstances. In other words, profoundly human.

I don't think he'd mind if I quoted his poem "Hello":

HELLO

Nazim, what happiness
that, open and confident, you can say "Hello"
from the bottom of your heart!

The year is 1940.
The month, July.
The day is the first Thursday of the month.
The hour: 9.

Date your letters in detail this way.
We live in such a world
that the month, day, and hour
speak volumes.

Hello, everybody.

To say a big
fat "Hello"
and then, without finishing my sentence,
to look at you with a smile
- sly and gleeful -
and wink. . .

We're such perfect friends
that we understand each other
without words or writing. . .

Hello, everybody,
hello to all of you. . .


(translated from the Turkish by Randy Blasing & Mutlu Konuk; published by Persea books)

Thank you, translators, for bringing this wonderful poet to English readers. From the bottom of my heart - thank you and hello!

Does not matter how good the translation is, it is not comparable to the original work. Nazim Hikmet is world's one of the great poets, but what makes him special really is the way he uses Turkish.

I am a first generation Nepali-American who grew up eating Nepali food in upstate New York. I received this book as a gift in May 2007. Now I am in college and started cooking on my own. I tried several recipes from this book, which has made me an expert in Nepali cuisine. The book offers practical instruction, very helpful glossary, Nepali-English name for every recipe and serving suggestions. I highly recommend this book to any one who wants to learn about Nepali food, culture and traditions. This book is a wonderful resource, as well as a wonderful gift.

This is the most comprehensive English-language Nepali cookbook available. It contains almost 500 pages and 300 recipes. If you want to know how to make a particular dish, the recipe will most likely be in this book. I am incredibly happy this book was published because I no longer have to bother my mom for her recipes. Most recipes also have a brief, but helpful commentary.

For those unfamiliar with Nepali cooking, there is also an ingredients/equipment section and a brief glossary.

Allowing for variations in cooking styles and tastes between individuals, I do have serious issues with the quantities listed in the recipes. Having made about a dozen dishes from this book, I am convinced that many of the recipes were not tested. I am an experienced cook and grew up on this food, so I was able to make the necessary adjustments. For instance, a dal recipe requires twice as much water as listed; some dishes are woefully undersalted; the maalpuwa requires more enrichment from milk and clarified butter, and the sel completely falls apart in the oil if the batter is made to the consistency of "heavy cream" as directed. Someone unfamiliar with the cuisine might require a few tries to get it right, or might end up with the wrong impression of how the dish is supposed to be.

Nepali cuisine is almost exclusively home cooking, and even the mistakes in the recipes exemplify this notion. The only measuring devices used are the eyes and the hands, and perhaps that is why some of the quantified amounts seem to be off. Still, I have to take off a star for this, as well for the lack of photos.

In the end, I still highly recommend this book, both to Nepalis and others interested in this cuisine. I am confident that you will find pleasure in one of the least known and healthiest cuisines in the world.

A must nepali cook book for any kind of nepali food. I am now able to cook all those nepali foods that I would have never been able to. It's a magnificent piece of cookbook for all.

"Taste of Nepal" is truly an encyclopedia of Nepali cuisine with a wealth of popular and specialty Nepali dishes from "momos" to "Raajkhaani Taareko"! It is a great book for young Nepalese like me studying in the US. I used to have to call up my aunts living in the US and ask, "How do I make tama-aloo tarkari like Ma used to make in Kathmandu OR What masala aren't you supposed to put in eggplant?" Now, I've got a reference book right in my kitchen. I would highly recommend the book to anyone delving into Nepali cuisine for the first time or to those like me who wished they had paid more attention to their mothers/grandmothers in the kitchen.

Finally, a cookbook devoted entirely to Nepalese cooking which offers a range of classic dishes adapted for American kitchens and equipment. History, discussions of Nepalese cuisine, and introductions to each dish which offer serving tips and insights - as in a Spicy Stuffed Eggs, compared to Deviled Eggs and advised to serve at room temperature by itself - makes for a cookbook clear in instruction and approach. No color photos - but the easy recipes don't need them. Access to a spices shouldn't be a problem either, as most - ground cumin, chopped cilantro, ground coriander and fresh ginger, for example, are readily available in American markets. Highly recommended: a 'must' for any serious international cookbook collection: there's simply nothing like it on the American market.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Joan Criddle has woven a gripping account of the personal experience of one young woman, Teeda Butt Mam, and her family under the oppression of the Khymer Rouge. Although I knew a little about Cambodia's killing fields, this book reveals in considerable detail the brutality and horror of Pol Pot's regime. Yet, it's an inspiring tale of survival, courage, and family loyalty under the most extreme conditions of deprivation, fear and suffering. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have had the strength, ingenuity and willpower to survive such horror. The book also includes many interesting details about traditional Cambodian life and culture.
I highly recommend this book. It's an amazing story!

Joan Criddle has woven a gripping account of the personal experience of one young woman, Teeda Butt Mam, and her family under the oppression of the Khymer Rouge. Although I knew a little about Cambodia's killing fields, this book reveals in considerable detail the brutality and horror of Pol Pot's regime. Yet, it's an inspiring tale of survival, courage, and family loyalty under the most extreme conditions of deprivation, fear and suffering. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have had the strength, ingenuity and willpower to survive such horror. The book also includes many interesting details about traditional Cambodian life and culture.
I highly recommend this book. It's an amazing story!

Joan Criddle has woven a gripping account of the personal experience of one young woman, Teeda Butt Mam, and her family under the oppression of the Khymer Rouge. Although I knew a little about Cambodia's killing fields, this book reveals in considerable detail the brutality and horror of Pol Pot's regime. Yet, it's an inspiring tale of survival, courage, and family loyalty under the most extreme conditions of deprivation, fear and suffering. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have had the strength, ingenuity and willpower to survive such horror. The book also includes many interesting details about traditional Cambodian life and culture.
I highly recommend this book. It's an amazing story!

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH VITOU AND I HAD THE FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF HIS STORY. HE NEVER STOP TO AMAZE ME FOR THEIR WELL TO SURVIVE.THIS STORY SHOW THE TERMENDOUS COURAGE AND STRONG WELL TO SURVIVE AMONG MONSTERS WHO HAVE NO REGARDS TO FELLOW HUMANS, YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD AND RISK YOUR LIFE EVEN FOR THE BASIC NECESITY OF LIFE JUST TO SURVIVE. THIS IS AN EPIC OF FORGOTTEN HOLOCUST AND THE STORY OF A CAMBODIAN FAMILY GOING THROUGH HELL AN BACK. A SUCCESS STORY OF A FAMILY MOVING TO A COUNTRY WITH A DIFFERNT CULTURE AND LANGAUGE AND MAKING SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES. I AM PROUD TO BE A FRIEND OF VITOU AND I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING HIM. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK, IT WOULD MAKE YOU APPRECIATE MORE OF WHAT YOU HAVE IN LIFE.

When I was younger I heard bits and pieces about Cambodia and Pol Pot in the news, but didn't really know what it was about. Through "Destroy You" I finally know about the horrendous and evil history that was being made in that country during the 70's and 80's. This biography follows the story of one particular educated Cambodian family who was exiled from Phnom Penh, along with the entire city full of inhabitants. The Khmer Rouge was doing its job of "cleansing" the city of anything of western influence. Most of the educated populace, including doctors, teachers, lawyers, etc., were murdered, leaving a population of mostly uneducated slaves whose job was to work in the rice fields all day long. Music, laughter, and play were not allowed. The people were taught that everyone was of equal value and equally dispensable, and everyone should work hard to contribute to the good of all with the meekness, acceptance, and fortitude of the water buffalo.

Meanwhile, entire villages were massacred if complaint about the government was overheard. Life was incredibly miserable, especially knowing of friends and relatives that had been killed or had disappeared. When Viet Nam invaded Cambodia tens of thousands of Cambodians attempted escape to Thailand, but Thailand did not want them all, and forced many back at gunpoint, killing anyone, including children, who refused to climb down the treacherous, land mine-studded cliff back into Cambodia. Throughout this book I was grieving about the incredible evil that humans can perpetrate against other humans, and amazed at the endurance and determination of this family and others that managed to survive all this horror.

A story like this can yank us out of any tendency towards self-pity or complaining about the minor difficulties in our lives. I have also read the follow-up book, "Bamboos and Butterflies", about this family after they immigrated to the U.S. Their will to survive is carried on as they integrate into a new culture, and reminds us of why so many seek refuge in the U.S.

My four-year-old loves this book. She has asked me to read it many, many times, enough that I'm very glad that we have the hard cover! We have a vegetable garden at home, and this has been great way to talk about what we're growing and why. Cute story.

I was drawn to this book for several reasons. First off, I have a child born in and adopted from China and am naturally drawn to books relating to Chinese people. As much as I want her to understand her birth culture I am also learning at the same time. We have several Grace Lin books in our library at home and have loved everyone of them. What I love about this book is that it illustrates how we all have something to teach one another and that through our sharing and teaching we actually become comfortable with ourselves. This isn't just a book about some unusual vegetables, it's a story about people and what we each have to offer the world.

One of my two year olds favorite books. Beautiful illustrations and a fun story, especially if coming from a gardening background. My daughter also loves trying to say the Chinese words for the vegetables at the end of the book.

I bought this book for my 3 year old, but I think it's a bit too complicated for her. The story is lovely, and I bought this based on our enjoyment together of several other books illustrated and/or written by Ms. Lin. However, her attention span at 3 is too short to get through all of the narrative, so we just looked at the pictures while I summarized. The pictures, as usual, were colorful and intriguing, but we put this book aside for next Summer, when she'll be closer to 4, and we can read it together as we plan our own "ugly" vegetable garden.

Each Grace Lin book I get, I am just so impressed by her talent! Every child loves to get their hands into dirt and growing flowers or vegetables is always fun and gives the child great pride to show everyone their hard work and or beautiful flowers!

Every child wants to be just the same as their friends, especially those in the neighborhood. Mom and daughter start in the spring to plant their garden and while everyone else in the neighborhood each have their own way of tending their gardens totally different from how her and her mom garden. When their plants appear they look like grass, where other neighbors' appear they look like normal plants.

The little girl constantly asks questions as all children do, why mommy, why mommy and her mommy patiently answers each of her daughters questions. When others in the neighborhood have beautiful flowersthat smell so good, the little girls garden has what she sees as ugly plants with no beautiful scents. Once the vegetables are ready to be harvested the little girl and mother gather their wheelbarrow with their vegetables. Later that afternoon the daughter is out playing in the yard and smells a wonderful smell and it's coming from her house! Her mom has made soup using their harvest and her mom gives her a bowl..... it tastes so good! Then there comes knocking at their door and it's the little girls neighbors wanting to trade their beautiful flowers for a bowl of soup. The Mom tells the neighbors about each vegetables and the next spring the little girl notices her neighbors growing " Ugly Vegetables" too!

I love that Lin includes a receipe to make using these so called "ugly vegetables" and that she included their names and even sounded them out. Keep up the good work Mrs. Lin and I'll keep on buying your books and singing praises to anyone who'll read my reviews!

Great service. Condition of book was stellar and it was delivered in a very timely manner.

This is a mandatory read for my class but I enjoyed it. Once I started it, I could not put it down.

I read this book in two days, which is quite a record for me. It is a fascinating book, and John Bester is a very good translator.

Upon finishing this beautifully written novel, you may experience chills down your spine from the overwhelming power you feel in the words of Fumiko Enchi. Unforgettable in its subtlety and grace, "The Waiting Years," will haunt you with its portrayal of Japanese culture. I firmly believe that Enchi is the leading female literary figure of Japan. A TIMELESS PIECE OF WORK.

Not a word is wasted in this short and powerful novel covering decades in the life of the Shirakawas, a Japanese family from a century ago, and offering an intense and fascinating look into intimate relationships and suppressed emotions. .

The story begins with Yukitomo asking his wife Tomo to choose a concubine for him, someone young and inexperienced who will also serve as a maid for her. Though Tomo is not yet 30 he has already tired of her and she has become used to his appetite for many affairs, while choosing a mistress for her husband can be perceived as an insult she considers herself fortunate to have control over what woman will be brought into her home and family life. As the years go on a second concubine is acquired, geishas visit frequently, and eventually the aging Yukitomo even takes his own daughter-in-law as his mistress. Through it all Tomo is left with the management of the estate and the care of the family.

Recommended for those who are interested in marriages involving concubines.