Chinese Books

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. Many of my favorite Oriental dishes are included, with large full-color photos. Cooking and preparation technique is also covered at the beginning of the book, and many recipes have very few steps outside of shredding vegetables or cubing meat or bean curd.
I own a couple of other books by this author and she is one of the best authors of Chinese cooking. Her recipes are consistant, easy-to-follow, and her instructions are completely clear. Anyone from the beginner to the well-advanced cook should try this book!

Many of my favorite recipes are contained in this book. I own several books by the author and have found all recipes to be authentically yummy and different. I would be hard-pressed to find similar dishes in your every-day Chinese restaurant unless it specialized in authentic food.
The only downfall is that many supermarkets do not stock the key ingredients for many recipes and so I only get to make them with poor substitutes or wait until I have the chance to go to a Chinese Supermarket.

It's really a pity that it's out of print because it's an excellent cookbook with lots of photos and clear instructions. Many recipes have very few steps in them and would take a skilled cook 40 minutes at the most to prepare from food preparation to dinner table.

The author Su-Huei Huang published another book based on recipes of this out-of-print Chinese One Dish Meals. The new book is called "Chinese Rice and Noodles: With Appetizers, Soups and Sweets." She cowrote this book with another popular Wei-Chuan cook Mu-Tsun Lee. I would say the new book is more "modernized," because it also contains popular or "in" dishes you can find in the restaurants today (like Taiwanese sticky rice, pan-fried noodles, boba tea and assortment of taro/tapioca desserts). In the preface of the new book, she even mentioned that most of the recipes from this Chinese One Dish Meals were included in the new book. I have both books, and she is right. Most of the noodle recipes and about 1/3 of the rice dishes in Chinese One Dish Meals are in the new book Chinese Rice and Noodles. So if you can't find a copy of the out-of-print Chinese One Dish Meals, try Chinese Rice and Noodles; I think you will be equally pleased. You can still get Chinese Rice and Noodles if you already have Chinese One Dish Meals, as they are not identical.

Onto the book... Like the previous reviewers, I love the recipes listed here. They are easy to cook and most of them do not require fancy sauces. It is ideal for singles or working couples, who just don't have time to whip up a traditional 4-course meal. It is kind of like having your own Chinese "lunch specials" for dinner at home.

If you are familiar with Wei-Chuan cookbook, you will know that the ingredients are usually simple, the recipes often involve 2 or 3 steps, and each recipe includes at least one large color photo of the final product. It gives you a pretty good idea of what your food should look like.

Needless to say, they are all tasty. I have yet to find a recipe from this book (and the new one too) that my family doesn't like.

I lucked out... i don't know where I got this book from... either my mom or my aunt- but i sure am glad I got a copy! I think it's funny in the fact that each of the recipes is like ordering Chinese "fast food" - in a restaurant these would be called- chicken bowl, beef bowl, pork bowl. Honestly I've never made the recipes in the small portions that it gives you- which is generally enough for 2 people. I've always doubled the recipes and used them in family style meals- because I don't believe in eating one thing on top of rice! The rice is the bulk of the food you eat- with all the other dishes being condiments to your rice!
I also like the noodle soups in the back of the book- one of them is similiar to hong kong style egg noodles with beef brisket.

For someone who lives alone and buys food everyday to prepare- opposed to a well stocked pantry- these one dish meals are pretty expensive to make. These recipes seem best prepared by people who stock their refrigerators and need a quick fix dinner made out of stuff you already have.

This book has almost 50 delicious Chinese dishes to make and a color photo of every dish to entice you with. The directions (written in English and Chinese) are easy to read, brief, and the ingredients are organized well. The author also offers ingredient alternatives for those who don't have easy access to an Asian market. I haven't been disappointed by a recipe in this book yet.

I knew nothing about the Chinese language before I got this book. I thought it would be near impossible to even begin to try to learn it by myself. But I was very wrong. I love this book! Hippocrene did a first-rate job. The quality of the paper, the printing, the color, etc. are all top-notch. I also liked the font, layout, and design very much. The pages are crisp, clean, easy to read, and very inviting. I especially liked the back matter, the cumulative review, color index, the English word index, etc. Those are essential components, and they're very well done. They're comprehensive, and I actually understood them.

But most of all, I was impressed by Nathan Dummitt's writing. The technique he presents of teaching Chinese through tone and color is brilliant, innovative, and imaginative. And easy to understand. Even I understood everything Dummitt wrote. And the CDs included with the book are perfect. Listening to them is like having an expensive private tutor without the expense. This book accomplishes the impossible: it makes learning Chinese easy and fun. Thank you, Nathan Dummitt.

I recently gave this book to a friend and really found myself wishing I had had it when I started learning Chinese!

Basically, the book works uses a synesthetic concept to remembering characters and their tones. This is much more important than it sounds, as it is all too easy to forget the tones to Chinese characters, even after years of studying them. Since English and Indo-European languages lack tones, non-Chinese speakers tend to forget them. The method in this book not only provides reinforcement for memorizing tones, but does so in an easy, enjoyable way. If you give this book a hour a day for a whole week, I believe that any beginner can master not only the four tones and 100 characters in the book, but also the basics of the whole language.

As Chinese becomes more and more popular in the U.S. in coming years, I expect this system to really take hold in universities and high schools as a simple way to help overcome one Chinese language's greatest learning obstacles.

Before reading this book, all I knew about Chinese was that it's a tonal language and therefore very difficult to learn if you don't speak a tonal language already. After reading this book, I have a better grasp of what exactly the different tones are and how they change the meaning of the word. The CDs are extremely useful for the demonstration of the different tones. In a language where meaning depends largely on pronunciation, the CDs are crucial to the learning process. In the beginning, I was constantly looking back at the useful "Note on Pinyin" on pages 8 and 9. The "Note" explains the differences in pronunciation between our alphabet and the phonetically transcribed Chinese alphabet. If you are struggling with your study of Chinese or are just curious about what exactly learning a tonal language entails, this is the perfect book for you!

As someone without any real prior background in Chinese, I can safely say that this book introduces the Chinese tonal system in a way that anyone can understand. It's exceedingly clear, succinct, and well put together. I was able to load the character images onto my iPod without a problem, and it's really convenient to be able to study at any time, without bringing the book with me. I'd recommend this system to any new learner of Chinese, particularly if you're intimidated by the complexity of the language.

In the pronunciation of any human language, risings and fallings of pitch, called "intonation," can be used to convey meaning. If someone asks you to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, you might say "What?!" in a rising tone to express your shock at the suggestion. Then, after absorbing the message and deciding to reject it emphatically, you might say "No!", using a falling tone.
Chinese does this as well, but in addition uses the same kinds of differences in pitch in the same way it uses vowels and consonants--to tell which word you are using. Just as, in English, the difference between i and e makes all the difference between bit and bet, so in Chinese a rising or falling tone makes all the difference between tú `chart' and tù `vomit'.
Infants in China absorb these tonal patterns without noticing that they are doing so. Second-language learners of Chinese cannot do that. If you assume that all you have to do in learning Chinese is to get the vowels and consonants right and let the tones "come naturally," you will cripple your oral Chinese for life. Decades of experience in Chinese language teaching have shown that students who make this assumption form bad habits from the start and often never recover.
The cost of bad tones is usually not that you are misunderstood literally. Chinese people are smart enough to figure out from context whether you mean "chart" or "vomit". The cost is that your voice sounds extremely abnormal--almost if you had a severe birth defect or were on drugs. It is certainly not the voice you would want to use if you were trying to negotiate a business deal, discuss human rights, or make a personal friend.
To get a sense for how bad tone-free Chinese sounds, you can compare it to vowel-free English. Try this experiment: Choose any simple English sentence. Then choose any vowel, at random. Decide whether you want it to be a "short" or "long" vowel. Now, say your chosen sentence using only that vowel sound, for every single syllable. How weird do you sound? Would your listener understand your meaning? (Probably.) Would that person be inclined to like you or trust you? (No way.)
It is extremely important, therefore, that a second-language learner of Chinese consciously master tones. Once good habits are formed, it becomes no longer necessary to pay conscious attention, but the beginning stages are crucial. In Chinese Through Tone and Color, Nathan Dummitt presents the radically innovative suggestion that beginners might associate Chinese tones with specific colors--red for one tone, orange for another, and so on. For the psychology of the beginning learner, this approach has the important advantage of making the tone seem part of the very nature of a word--not something added optionally, as intonation can be added in any languages. The method also makes tones impossible to ignore. Every time you see a word, or even think it, the color will remind you of the proper tone.
American grade schools and high schools have been adding Chinese-language programs at a record pace in recent years. Many of these programs, although based in the best of intentions, do not teach tones well. I look forward to seeing the results that Chinese Through Tone and Color might make. It could be that this book will make a major contribution to the second-language learning of Chinese.


Perry Link
Princeton University

What sets this book apart from other books on Chinese herbal medicine is its philosophy of using "superior tonic herbs" to improve the quality of one's life and health. This book is not about treating disease, but rather about achieving radiant health from a Taoist perspective.

This is Ron Teeguarden's first of several books on the subject of Chinese Medicine and in my opinion is a classic. (Note, I have not read his latest book The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs.)

Having formally studied Traditional Chinese Medicine for two years and Ayurvedic medicine for two years I can unequivocally state this is the book to start learning practical do it yourself Chinese herbalism for increased energy, creativity, spiritual growth and happiness. It contains many useful and effective herbal formulas that would not be otherwise accessible to the non-professional. If you want to learn Chinese medicine for the treatment of disease this is not the book to get, rather the focus is on tonic herbs and their correct application. (While tonic herbs are widely used for deficiency diseases in Chinese Medicine, not enough herbs, formulas and theory are given in this book for treating complex deficiency conditions/diseases.) This book shows one how to gradually work towards radiant health through the application of Superior Tonic Herbalism. All the practical and theoretical knowledge needed is covered.

The cost of the herbs involved ranges from $.50 / ounce to $200 / ounce (retail). To seriously put to use the knowledge contained in this book would require having a selection of about 20-35 herbs. Though one could start out with as few as one to three herbs. The primary emphasis is on learning how to mix and cook the bulk tonic herbs into teas (decoctions). These teas range in taste from sweet, sour, and pungent to bitter. (There is one chapter devoted to the use of commercially prepared tonics, but it is not the major focus of the book.) The companies listed to order herbs from are now out of date, but a search of the Internet will reveal more current sources.

Traditionally the tonic herbs are divided into four categories: 1) chi (qi) tonics, 2) yang tonics, 3) yin tonics and 4) blood tonics. Ron Teeguardian covers three additional categories: 1) chi moving/regulating herbs, 2) blood moving/regulating herbs and 3) organ-meridian tonics. The book covers 35 herbs in detail, including buying tips and a black and white photo of each herb.

The section on ginseng (a chi tonic) is very informative and contains insights and perspectives not readily found elsewhere. Also covered in detail is dang shen (Codonopsis pilosula) a safe and low cost ginseng substitute. The coverage of some the "minor" tonic herbs is unique as the longevity properties of these "minor" tonic herbs are usually overlooked or ignored by most texts on the subject.

The theory section is kept simple, but detailed enough to be practically useful. While Chinese Tonic Herbs discusses modern scientific research on Chinese herbs, the formulas and theory is geared toward building up the three Taoist treasures: shen (spirit), jing (essence, refined reproductive energy) and chi (life-force/energy). When these three treasures are built up a person will have a strong reserve of adaptogenic energy to effectively deal with stress and changing life conditions.

The book has a few flaws. The taxonomy is a little weak as some of the scientific names used are outdated. Perhaps not enough information is given on how to correctly distinguish between yin, yang, chi and blood deficiency conditions. Also, not enough contraindications are given for each of the herbs discussed. While superior tonic herbs are generally very safe and non toxic, it is possible to use them incorrectly and put one's body into a deeper state of imbalance. Dosage information is somewhat weak, but sufficiently covered if one studies the book carefully. Usually only relative proportions for each herb are given for a formula.

Ron Teeguarden was personally trained by a Taoist master visiting from Korea in the 1970s. His book is part of a real living tradition of Superior Tonic Herbalism.

While several volumes would be needed to do Superior Tonic Herbalism justice this book is an excellent beginning.

(A useful adjunct book is "Yoga of Herbs" by Frawley and Lad, which covers Western, Ayurvedic and some Chinese herbs from an Ayurvedic perspective. Yoga of Herbs focuses both on the treatment of disease and tonification and rejuvenation. It covers some of the spiritual aspects of herbs according to the Ayurvedic perspective. Both Yoga of Herbs and Chinese Tonic Herbs embrace the life energy model of herbalism as opposed to the more modern pharmacological model.)

The real secret of tonic herbalism is doing it carefully (e.g., don't over do it) and steadily every day -- this book will definitely help one get started on this path, by both the knowledge contained within, and the truly inspiring stories and passion of the author. Superior Tonic Herbalism is Ron Teeguardian's passion and mission in life and this book follows from this.

I have several good books on Chinese herbs, but Teeguarden's book is the only one with full, complete explanations. He includes:

1. Section on the five elements (water-wood-fire-metal-earth), what "cool" and "warm" and "yin" and "yang" mean.

2. Section describing the most-used and important herbs like Ginseng and Dong Kwai, Ma Huang and many others. This section includes photos of the herb shown as they are sold in herb shops, tips on getting the best herbs, the Chinese name (and Korean, sometimes) The names are both Romanized and in Chinese characters, with the Latin name, and the active chemical components and their effects.

3. Formulae for herb tonics, because Chinese herbs are not used alone but in combination (and the reasoning behind the combination.)

4. Philosophy of Chinese medicine for health (prevention versus cure) and much more.

The book is very readable, too. While I very much like other books I own, this one is such a classic, I consider it a MUST-HAVE if you are interested at all in Chinese medicine and definitely the first one you should own.

I found this gem in a used bookstore around fifteen years ago, and learned
enough about Chinese tonic herbs to change my life, energy levels and how I think about health completely.
This book is written in a comfortable, accessible style, yet is concise and informative as well. It is also perfect as a herbal reference.
For me, the section on prepared tonics has been invaluable.
A previous reviewer is correct about the supplier list being out of date, but a company called East Earth Tradewinds has everything you will require to concoct Mr. Teeguarden's formulas, as well as most of the patent medicines and
prepared tonics listed in the book.If you are interested in looking into the wonderful and amazing herbs of China, buy this book. It is truly excellent, and one you will be referring to for the rest of your life.

I found Ron Teeguarden's new book "Radiant Health" to be the most easily understood and comprehensive book on the subject that I've ever read. Many Westerners, during the last several decades, have become aware of the benefits of Chinese Medicine, specifically acupuncture. This book brings to light the extremely effective system of Chinese Herbal Tonics, which is an ancient tradition of promoting and maintaining a state of radiant health rather than treating disease once it has developed. Considering the cost of health care to both individuals and society at large, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in maintaining their own personal health or providing for the health of society. Not only does Ron Teeguarden explain in detail the properties and uses of each of the tonic herbs but he has a rare talent of making very complex and profound concepts easily understandable to the layman. One suggestion that I would make is not to miss the last chapter called "Six Lessons The Tonic Herbs Have Taught Me." Some readers might get bogged down in the middle of the book where each of the herbs is described. If that happens to you, just skip to the last chapter and then pick up the book, from time to time, to read about an herb or two. The last chapter was my favorite because it beautifully expresses the degree to which the tonic herbs can transform life and raise it to a pinacle that is the birthright of every human being.

Ron has certainly opened the eyes of those of us who wish to avoid the chemicals of modern day medicine. This book will guide you to the Chinese herb that is right for you and your health. While he makes no claims of cures, I can attest to the renewed energy and vitality I have attained from his advice and knowledge

I own this book, and my friend keeps trying to steal it away!

I was desperately trying to get her a copy for herself, but to no avail...

Bring it back!!

please- a friend has it and I am tired of borrowing

We purchased this cookbook several years ago and liked it so much we purchased 5 or 6 more for friends! Ingredients are easy to find and recipes are quick, simple, and DELICIOUS!

I have a friend who would like a copy, and I have been searching for her, but now find the book is out of print...

PLEASE reprint. This is a GREAT cookbook!

I saw a friends and what a great cookbook. It has fantastic recipes and are easy to follow. Even a beginner could not go wrong with the recipes The author Jillian Stewart did a great job. Unfortunatly I tried to purchase it and the publisher is out of stock. I would love for them to make it available again. I would like a copy for myself and to purchase as gifts.

This is an excellent cookbook with detailed instructions and beautiful full color pictures for every recipe. Highly recommended for any cook from the novice to the advanced!

As the editor who commissioned this book and originally worked with the author on it, I am delighted that readers are so glowing about it. It is certainly deserved. Angus has written a truly accessible book and the commissioned photographs, using time-lapse photography as well as sequential shots, give the reader ample opportunity to really understand what they are doing.

This book is one of the best "guide" books, I've ever read, if this book does not make the reader absolutely go out and want to learn tai chi, than no other book will. It certainly was a pick-me-upper, and it inspires good health and well-being within each and every one of us. The author should definitely follow it up with a sequel, something similar to better living, cannot come close.

I searched long and hard for a good book on Tai Chi. This is it. This book has it all. If you are interested in the Cheng Man-Ch'ing style of Tai Chi, I recommend you start with this book.

This is my favorite tai chi book. It has helped me re-learn tai chi and then go beyond. As an exercise that seems so non-strenuous, tai chi has significantly improved my muscle tone and control.

I agree with another reviewer in that I don't think tai chi can be learned entirely through a book, but I had taken tai chi lessons for over a year. I stopped practicing and quickly forgot most of what I had learned. The book has helped to bring it back to me.

My first reason for chosing this book is that it matched the form I learned in class - the Chen Man Ching version of the Yang Short Form. There is a recommended variation part way through the book, but it also provides the original postures.

Even better, the book's instructions include a visualization/ meditation to go with many of the postures. For example, with the first movements of the single whip, you are asked to imagine your hands casting a small fishing net and "surrounding yourself with a spray of silver light."

I have found the warm-up exercises in this book to be helpful too. Some are deceptively simple yet powerful. Finally, the end provides some suggestions on how to incorporate tai chi practice into daily home and work life. You don't have to go through the whole form. If you have only a few minutes or a small space, you can practice one or two movements and concentrate on those.

This book is worth seeking out.

If you wish to learn Tai Chi, any book alone is probably insufficient. That said, an introductory reference and overview is equally likely essential. Angus Clark has drawn from his broad experience and deep understanding of the history, forms, and practical benefits of this art in crafting this lovely book.

The book begins with a very helpful historical perspective of Tai Chi and articulates well its relationship to other Chinese martial arts. The presentation of the Short Form (a variation of the Cheng Man-Ch'ing short form) is quite well done with additional material on useful variations.

Throughout the book the breadth of Tai Chi's value is constantly reinforced. From relaxation and exercise, through general health and fitness, to defense and martial forms, Clark nicely opens the door to the cosmos of Tai Chi.

Of particular value are a collection of short notes from Westerners who have taken up this art for a variety of reason and for varying lengths of time. I found these particularly encouraging.

As a newcomer to Tai Chi, I will be supplementing this book with videos and probably local courses. Clark's work is superbly supported with that of the numerous talented illustrators. The result is a lovely book to enjoy, share, and reread often.

My daughter just received this book as a gift for her 3rd birthday. She loves the book. My husband and I also enjoy the book.

A good book to add to your 'international' book collection.

D Is For Dragon Dance is an alphabet picturebook about the theme of Chinese New Year's festivities, from the importance of connecting with family ("G is for Grandma and Grandpa") to New Year's customs ("O is for Oranges" - they are given as a sign of good fortune) to protections against evil spirits ("X is for Xylograph", a wood carving on the door meant to keep evil spirits out). Full-color illustrations by Yongsheng Xuan blend a feel for traditional Chinese art with vibrancy and energy bursting off of the page. A fun way for young readers to learn about Chinese culture and their ABC's at the same time.

From Acrobats to Zodiac, this is a book that uses the alphabet to introduce many different aspects of Chinese New Year to preK-K-aged kids (though my 8-year-old liked this one, too). Instructional for adults is the last page which contains notes from the author, such as "tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year," information about the Chinese characters that appear in the book, and a recipe for dumplings. A fun read!

D is for Dragon Dance is an absolutley beautiful book that has information on the Chinese New Year done so in an A to Z fashion.

Each page is a work of art because if you look at it you will notice that underneath each drawing is Chinese Characters, some represent a single word and others a saying. The characters where done in 4 different calligraphy styles 3 from the dynasty they where from and 1 in the cursive or grass style. On the last page of the book in the author's note, under the artist note you will see the word Dragon and how it looks in each of the 4 styles. With the characters underneath each painting, it give each page a textured look that makes fools your eyes and makes your hands go to feel each page, only to be disappointed that it feels paper smooth and not textured as you see. I love the way the artist draws, his children are beautiful!

Here is the break down of what each letter stands for.
A - Acrobats
B - Balls (shows a acrobat in a 2 person Fu dog / lion dancers balanced on a ball)
C - Calligraphy
D - Dragon Dance
E _ Evil Spirits
F - Firecrackers
G - Grandma & Grandpa
H - Haircut ( the author probablty didn't have the space to mention it, but one should only get their hair cut before the New Year and not during the New Year Celebrations because you'll be cutting off all of your good luck)
I - Incense
J - Jade
K - Kites
L - Lanterns
M - Moon
N - Noodles
O - Oranges
P - Peking Duck
Q - Quiz
R - Red Envelopes
S - Steamed Dumplings ( Yum!!)
T - Tradition
U - Unity
V - Veneration
W - Wish
X - Xylograph
Y - Yo - Yos
Z - Zodiac ( 12 year cycle) This one starts in the year 1981 the year od the rooster and ends in 2016 in the year of the monkey.

On the last page is both the author's and artists notes on the book as well as a receipe for New Year's Dumplings Delight and Soy-Garlic Dipping Sauce, which I can't wait to try.

It's a given that we can learn a great deal from other cultures, other customs, and there's not a better time to start than when we're young. "D Is For Dragon Dance" is both entertaining and educational as it tells about the Chinese New Year with all its color and unique traditions (my favorite is how youngsters greet the New Year by honoring their parents!)

An alphabet book, it begins with "A is for Acrobats," takes us through to K and L for Kites and Lanterns, then concludes with "Z is for Zodiac," explaining that the Chinese calendar is a 12 year cycle with each year represented by a different animal.

Yongsheng Xuan has created boldly colored full page illustrations in watercolor, acrylic and latex. They're all eye-poppers.

Also included is an author's note with tips to ensure good fortune in the New Year (clean the house before the New Year starts and light firecrackers to scare off evil spirits, etc.) Plus, there's a recipe for dumplings called "New Year's Dumpling Delight."

"D is for Dragon Dance" is a sure kid pleaser bound to elicit lots of interesting dinner table conversations.

- Gail Cooke

I like the way Stephens includes enough information about Ryokan to help understand the poetry. As Ryokan notes himself, outside his Zen, he has no Poetry to offer.

Ryokan refusing to take a position of a Zen Abbot, instead goes back to the place of his youth and takes hermitage. "The cold wind gathers enough fallen leaves to build my fire."

His code of living avoids flattery as much as objuragation, he teaches with a tear, plays with children, and falls in love with a young nun. All of this brings forward our own starkling humanity!

Stephens does a master presentation in bringing this material together in such an artful way as to illuminate all sides of Ryokan with that of the reader themselves. And with that the poetry comes alive.

These are fresh and spare and unforgettable poems, reproduced by John Stevens with directness and fidelity to the original (or so I have been told by my multilingual friends.)

Ryokan was a nature poet but fully in touch with humanity and he had this touch in his poems such that each poem has many levels and can be appreciated through any or all.

"At night I got drunk on peach blossoms by the river.
I never cared about returning home,..."

How can you not love it? I can taste the dewdrops already...

"Go as deep as you can into life and you can give up blossoms" - that is Ryokan. He is eccentric, wise, simple and profound. The associated calligraphies are beautiful - such as the compassionate, eager monk seated near the little pine-tree in the rain - telling it - "I will gladly give you my straw hat and thatched coat to ward off the rain". And some of the poems have a meditative quality - you can read them casually, often and flip over - and one day you just realize them ... it is hard to explain. However, I am not an expert on zen or buddhism and do not know Japanese, so I cannot comment on the technicalities. I came across this accidentally and I liked it !

This book is an extremely well balanced collection of poetry and drawings by Ryokan. I know no Japanese to assess the "accuracy" of the translation, but the poems all stand as poetry in their own right in English. Many poems are similar to the Chinese Zen (Chan) poetry - drawing on keen observation rather than metaphor. Others are delightful pieces in which the poet gently laughs at himself. A few poems have a didactic intent but Ryokan's understanding of Buddhism leaves little room for the Buddhist scholastics. This small book should be on the "must read" list for anyone interested in religious poetry.

This third edition(Tokyo, 1954)is created of folded rice? paper and bound by a fine green ribbon - this volume fascinates me each time I read it. Ryokwan-sama speaks through his poetry of gentle musings, of wisdom found by not searching for it, and of both happiness & despair. This translation has been made from the Chinese text by Jakob Fischer. This is certainly a labor of love which honors Ryokwan and the culture of the Orient. These contemplations and astute observations of this eccentric priest's life reach towards the zen of living. "I longed on that warm spring day, to stop the enchanted hours in their flight."

I am delighted that these diaries have at last been published and thus made easily accessible to the scholarly world and all interested readers. They transport us back to a little-known time and place, China just after the turn of the 20th century.

Volume One includes great detail of the acrimonious diplomatic negotiations after the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 which led to the signing of the final protocol between the powers and China on September 7, 1901. Volume Two of the two-volume set includes Satow's observations on and of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) and much about the development of railways, the Imperial Maritime Customs Service run by Sir Robert Hart (the Inspector General) and so on.

There is much more to come from the Satow Papers (PRO 30/33 1-23) in the National Archives of the UK at Kew, West London but these diaries have never been published before and will repay careful study.

Ian Ruxton, editor of Sir Ernest Satow's Private Letters to W.G. Aston and F.V. Dickins: The Correspondence of a Pioneer Japanologist from 1870 to 1918 (Paperback), also available on amazon.

Ian Ruxton has come upon a rich vein of East Asian history, in the form of writings of British diplomat Sir Ernest Satow (1843-1929), and is exploiting it methodically and with due care. I had previously come across Ruxton's "The Diaries and Letters of Sir Ernest Mason Satow" and am very pleased he has now given us Satow's Peking diaries from 1900-1906, in two volumes, complete with an excellent introduction by J.F.Hoare.

That these diaries have had to wait one hundred years for this sort of attention is regrettable, but then they date from a period of Chinese history that itself has been relatively neglected by Western scholars. Given China's relentless rise today as a political, economic and military power, it is all the more necessary that the historical air be cleared, and this is one work that will contribute to that end, all the more so in that they are available in paperback and so should be accessible to students.

The particular value of this work arises from the great astuteness of Satow and the immediacy with which he presents a period that was among the most dramatic in Europe's engagement with the Middle Kingdom (remember this is the time of the Boxer Rebellion). Like it or not, the reader observes first-hand just how voracious European nations were in getting their share of the Chinese pie. Not that the diaries are only about China. Satow perforce keeps a wary eye on all international doings and has much to say on Japan in particular, which he knew so well. Students of the Russo-Japanese War will find here much of interest.

In short, this is history in the making. The history we normally read is frozen in time, the possibility among all others that finally prevailed. Diaries such as these remind us of the open-endedness of each day and each decision, and hence of the imposing responsibility of the diplomat. Satow was a remarkable diplomat and deserves our praise for recording so much of interest and preserving it so carefully for posterity. Likewise, author Ruxton deserves our praise and gratitude for making these diaries available to a wider readership. This may not be one for your Aunty Molly's Christmas stocking, but it is an academic book of much value.

Ian Ruxton, having published the Japan diaries of Ernest Mason Satow, continues his scholarly work with his two-volume collection of Satow's diaries as British envoy to China. Volume 1 begins with Satow's leaving Japan in May 1900 and continues through 1903. While Satow never became the scholar of China that he was of Japan, his keen mind offers acute observations of both the international political situation of the time (e.g. Satow's pre-arrival ruminations on reports of the Boxer Rebellion) and of daily life in early 20th century China.

In going through Volume One of Ernest Satow's Diaries when he was a British Envoy in Peking, I was struck by how progressive Satow was in opposing his former chief in Tokyo, Sir Harry Parkes who believed that force was the best way of dealing with the "Orientals." Satow also favored a polite and less blustering response in punishing China for the Imperial support of the Boxer rebellion. The author, Ian Ruxton, does a excellent job at providing the needed details for understanding this rare and progressive figure; one that most of today's politicians could learn from, no doubt. Also we get a rare glimpse of how his colleagues jockeyed for power in the court of Peking, and how Satow was involved with the Russian-Japanese war. Keeping in mind that this was a incredible time of change, industrialization,and a time in which borders were changed, and new countries and new forms of government were established, we can see that this was a time for great diplomacy! This book has, in short, shown what a great figure Ernest Satow was and how complex the issues truly were.

This latest instalment from the studious mind and prolific pen of Ian Ruxton, brings Sir Ernest Satow, British Diplomat and sometime Minister in a number of important Far East postings, to life ( yet again ) in a way which the unprivileged observer from the great man's own time could never be privy to - but, courtesy of Mr Ruxton's diligence and application, we most certainly are. These (later) extracts from Sir Ernest Satow's diary mainly centering on his later Chinese postings, are a fascinating combination of both the musings on proposed and pivotal official policy and decisions, and their effects during and after the fact - and the more mundane matters such as 'met with..' 'had dinner...' 'cab to...' 'dinner at hotel..' and so on. Sometimes the mostly secretly held opinions recorded in the diaries gradually changed, such as was the case with Satow's opinion on the extreme use of force by British and allied forces during the Boxer Rebellion, which he initally agreed with at the time and in early retrospect; but much later, after settling in to his new and albeit initially vague tenure, ( was he really the Minister or was he an overseeing High Commissioner? ), came to the conclusion that the allies and their gunboats blasting away was entirely the wrong stategy to have adopted. Via assimilation of both the original recorded musings of Satow, and his digital reanimation courtesy of the highly accomplished specialist biographer Ian Ruxton, ( who is also a graduate in both Law and Modern Languages ) I feel as if I or any other reader could easily be on par with the brightest Oxbridge graduates who come out with honours degrees in Oriental Studies. Another great work of preservation and presentation by the aforesaid scribe. Well done.

I really enjoyed the pictures in this book. My mother speaks Cantonese and I found the translations very accurate. I enjoyed reading the short intro in the beginning giving non-Chinese eaters what to expect when they eat dim sum. There were some dishes that I don't usually see during in restaurants and some that I wish were in the book. Overall, I'm pleasantly satisfied.

Though it isn't an all-inclusive encycolpedia of all things dim sum, It's a great portable primer, with many common favorites featured. It doesn't have my favorite custard bun in it (someday I'll find out what they're called...), but it pictures many of the items you usually find on the carts. It's great to have both a photo, a description, the characters and a shot at a pronunciation when you want to try something. A great help when broadening your cuisine horizons!

I bought this book at the check out counter as I was leaving the bookstore. I took it with me to China when I went to adopt my son two weeks later. I loved it and had so much fun with it. I was able to order all sorts of things. I was able to attempt Cantonese pronunciations and if all else failed I could point to the picture and characters. I loved the little book and it was so easy to tuck in my purse.

If you've never eaten China's famed tea lunch, dim sum, this is a great guide; if you're a fan of dim sum (touch the heart) this is a great guide! Pocket size with excellent brief descriptions and good pictures, this little book covers virtually all aspects of eating and enjoying dim sum and identifies the major types of food. This is a guide to understanding, eating and enjoying dim sum and is not a cook book.

This little book packs so much information to help non-Chinese speaking dim sum lovers-- descriptions and photos of common ingredients and dishes along w/ both the Chinese names & pronunciations. It even covers the customs/etiquette of dim sum dining. I've seen it help even the most experienced dim sum enthusiasts. This probably goes without saying, but dim sum is a totally different experience when you can actually ask for things by name. And the book is small enough that you can hide it in your lap or under your leg, if you don't want to be completely obvious. Or, you can hold it out in full view and point to what you want.

Chinese firms have a cost advantage. That is not news. However, this may be the first book to point out that emerging Chinese competitors - companies as powerful as the "dragon" metaphor of the book's title - also have a managerial advantage: Cost innovation, which involves much more than simply manufacturing products cheaply. Ming Zeng and Peter J. Williamson show how some of China's leading manufacturers combine cheap labor, competitive domestic markets and technological innovation to forge a very powerful edge. The authors contend that Western firms may have to relocate high-value activities to China to counter its cost innovation advantage. We suggest that all companies can benefit from this suggestion to march forward instead of retreating in the face of Chinese cost-innovation competition.

DRAGONS AT YOUR DOOR: HOW CHINESE COST INNOVATION IS DISRUPTING GLOBAL COMPETITION discusses China's rapid integration into the global economy and its wide-ranging ramifications for world competition and strategy. College-level business courses will find this an excellent survey of how the emergence of China as a business force will fundamentally change the global economy and its alliances over the next decade. Business owners and any interested in global politics and economics must have this analysis.

It seems as if there have been a rash of books on China's increasing dominance in the global markets, and for good reason. Dragons at Your Door: How Chinese Cost Innovation Is Disrupting Global Competition by Ming Zeng and Peter J. Williamson lays out how China uses their cost advantage to get their foot in the door of a market, and then dominate it. This is a book well worth reading to understand what you may be facing in a few years (if not already)...

Contents:
Introduction - Dragons at Your Door; Disrupting Global Competition - How Did They Get Here So Fast?; Cost Innovation - The Chinese Dragons' Secret Weapon; Loose Bricks - Rethinking Your Vulnerabilities; The Weak Link - Limitations of the Chinese Dragon; Your Response - Winning in the New Global Game; Conclusion - Charting the Future; Notes; Index; About the Authors

Zeng and Williamson show, through numerous examples, how Chinese companies have exploited their cost advantage to become leading global players in markets. Generally speaking, they get into a field and start with lower pricing due to their lower wage structure. They then look for a "loose brick" in their competition. This is a market segment that they can attack and force a competitor to retreat or abandon. Once that occurs, they are then able to start offering both low cost and high innovation/value solutions to the market. Often, the competition will give up these lower-margin segments to concentrate on the higher-margin businesses, thinking that the Chinese can't compete in that area. But more often than not, those high-margin niches will also succumb to the dragons, leaving a company struggling for survival. It's not a pretty picture... But rather than just paint a "gloom and despair" picture, the authors also outline where the weaknesses lie in China's capabilities. Using this information, companies can both protect their established turf as well as compete against Chinese companies in their own markets. It's not an inevitable conclusion that a company will have to fold under the cost advantages offered by a Chinese competitor.

I see this book being valuable on a couple of levels. First off, it raises awareness of an overall plan that is often overlooked when viewed through the daily competitive battles. Giving up a market segment might not seem like a bad idea, but that's usually not the end of the story. Second, it can help guide partnerships and access to the Chinese market. When faced with the potential market share of China, companies are often willing to give up more control than normal just to gain access. But that short-term view can lead to long-term loss as the Chinese learn from the more established partner, start innovating on cost, and then eventually become direct competition with major advantages.

The effect of China on your company's survival can not be underestimated. Time spent reading this book might make all the difference in the world...

Having read countless books on the topics surrounding the Chinese economy and the rise of Chinese companies, I believe that this is certainly one of the best.

As suggested in the heading of my review, this is finally a book that deals with the business issues of China (and the greater issue of outsourcing) critically and comprehensively.

I too have spent some time in China speaking with a number of different businesses and managers, and this book comes closest to describing the way in which Chinese managers think. In fact, this book can be read in the context of Porter's "Competitive Advantage of Nations", in order to shed light on the ways in which market space and the business environments have and will continue to change.

Based on the difficulties associated with the Chinese business environment, Chinese companies have managed to develop strategies to overcome a number of basic disadvantages, and to turn these into inherent advantages.

My tip, be aware of your strategic position and your competitive scope and do not sacrifice the long term future of your company on the alter of short term gains.

great book I ever read about the new wave from China , becomes a global leader with the powerful weapon that breaks our conventional rules in strategy. How can they afford high technology, variety & customization, and specialty products without increasing costs? This book can answer every your questions. forget the past that they are producers of cheap, low -quality products.

Everyone who believes the world is flat must read this book..