China Books

We enjoyed eating and making the recipes in this book.

A warning though, the food is very much like what you would find in the homes of those in China. Do not expect it to taste like the food found in an American Chinese restaurant.

The tastes and influence of the Hunan region of China are fully explored in Fuchsia Dunlop's Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook, which provides over a hundred dishes easy to make and accompanied by color photos and stories from the province. Dishes come with historical introduction, many a cultural insight, and the author's own experiences discovering and cooking the dish: all these factors make for a fine and well-rounded cookbook which goes far beyond the usual light Hunan coverage to probe the depth of Chinese culture and cuisine, making it a 'must' for any serious collection offering Chinese cookbooks beyond one or two basics.

This is one of the best cookbooks I own. I received the book as a gift and I use it everyday.

I am originally from Hunan and loved its food when I was there. The recipes here are (brace for cliche) AUTHENTIC, insofar as reading these pages brings me to these very dishes experientially.

Ms. Dunlop continues to amaze and delight with her second book. The current tome educates the reader in the disciplines of cooking (as well as) ancient Chinese history (Appendix: the Main Chinese Dynasties), language (Appendix: Glossary of Chinese Characters) and contemporary history (revolutionarily centric). Echos of David, Grigson and Fisher resonate. [Not unsurprising considering her Cantabrixian education! (superb bibliography)] I haven't yet tried any of the recipes, so cannot vouch for their efficacy - but, they have a good feel about them. Will become a classic by aficionados.

Sawyer knows his subject. He is a master of Chinese warfare and culture. He even teaches you how to pronounce some common Chinese words that we in the west always mispronounce.

The book is great. It covers a lot --- not just The Art of War, though that's included. It is a complete study of the Chinese strategies of war and I recommend it to those interested in this topic.

Ralph D. Sawyer's translations is a must have for anyone studying military thought and theory or martial arts. This translation brings to the Western reader the ideas set down by these wise men of the past. My friends who do read Chinese say this translations is one of the best English versions. Many business professionals like to say how "Business is war" and use these warriors' thought, but here the Saywers show that the ideas set down in these classics are for the warrior and especially for peace. A lost business deal pales in comparison to what a warrior faces when he/she looses in combat. These seven classics are a wonderful guide to one who wishes to live a martial and peaceful life.

The works in this book are:

1) T'ai Kung's Six Secret Teachings
2) The Methods of Ssu-ma
3) Sun-tzu's Art of War
4) Wu-tzu
5) Wei Liao-tzu
6) Three Strategies of Huang Shih-kung
7) Questions and Replies between T'ang T'ai-tsung and Li Wei-kung

Hope that helps.

My one complaint about this book is that it uses the Wade-Giles transliteration rather than Pinyin, which is what everyone, including China, is using. Wade-Giles is now over 35 years outmoded, and can be very confusing for the uninitiated. Compare Ssu-ma I (Wade-Giles) with Sima Yi (Pinyin). Would you know that they're the same bloke? (If you do, bravo.) I assume this speaks to the age of the translation rather than an editorial choice, but it's pretty annoying that they didn't update it.

If you think you might like this book, but want more of a story than essays/discourses, I recommend 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.' It's very long, but well-loved in most regions of Asia, and with good reason. Also, search for Zhuge Liang's commentary on 'The Art of War.' It's all on Amazon.

I first saw this book at my public library, and loved it. (Evidentally someone else loved it too, 'cause it wandered off and left a few years later.) It holds a great list of books.

Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is in there, but I especially like Tao Tai Kung (or "The secret teachings of the Tai Kung") The most entertaining thing about this work is that it is a beautiful example of a different world view. It was an excellent introduction to an entire philosophy.
(look for surprising parallels twixt this and Adam Smith's "...Wealth of Nations", with an eastern perspective.)

In considering Ralph Sawyer's translation of "The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China" one must look at the work from two angles. First, one must consider the quality of the translation, and how well the author has set the historical stage for the piece. Second, one must consider the pieces themselves, and their pertinence to modern strategic thinking.

Regarding the first issue, Sawyer has done a superb job in both his translation, and in his historical research. The prose is easy to read and understand, but the essential, almost poetic, essence of the original language has not been sacrificed. Furthermore, each piece is prefaced by a brief, but detailed, overview of the work including a biography of the author, or possible authors, and a synopsis of the historical context in which the work was created. In addition, the book is heavily footnoted, which allows the reader to fully comprehend each piece, without the primary texts being chopped up.

Regarding the second angle, I was genuinely astonished by how pertinent theses works are to modern military thinking. For such primitive (chronologically, not intellectually) works, they do a superb job of capturing the key elements of strategic thinking: maneuver, logistics, terrain, combined arms and command hierarchy. Moreover, they are extremely sophisticated in their consideration of Grand Strategy and the mobilization of the population. While these works are by no means a blue print for a modern army (the codes of conduct are draconian, to say the least), they undoubtedly provide a framework for the analysis/planning of modern operations.

This is truly a superb work that captures both the philosophical and the practical aspects of some of the most ancient books on the planet. Furthermore, it is a fascinating look at ancient Chinese history. It is truly a must read for anyone interested in military theory or international relations, particularly with China once again ascendant on the world stage.

Tibetan Portrait is really what the name says - As a photographer myself I was touched by the beautiful and subtle imagens on the book. It also teaches us about the present situation of Tibet, a land which has been dominated by the Chinese since its invasion in 1949, under Mao-Tse Tung's force. It's interesting and very easy to read and understand history. The pictures are as if you were transported into time and it's hard to believe they've been shot ( sort of )recently. And it also has a quick information about the equipment the author Phil Borges used to take them. It's the sort of information a photographer is always glad to see! Finishing is great, beautiful paper with a hardcover and jacket. Great work!

I love the work Borges has givne us. It is a great display of some people in Tibet that are special in their character, soul, and appearance. His rendition of the photos in a combined B&W and slight color tint really works. His description and obvious connection with each of the subjects is strong and it comes through in his work. I liked the children especially, for despite their most difficult of circumstances, they appear hopeful and dignified. Wonderful job.

This book was sent to me by a friend overseas, and I fell in love with it the moment I opened it.
Borges' photographs capture the very essence of these proud, wonderful people, and every person I have shared it with has falled in love with it as well.

Namaste.

Phil Borges amazing photography, accompanied by words from the Dalai Lama make this book not only beautiful to look at, but inspiring as well.

Each of these faces is pure incarnation of a human feeling...from joy to worriness, from amazement to pride.Some of these people will haunt you for long after you turn the last page (See little 4 year old Pemba's eyes...) Sent the book to friends overseas...just the kind of work you want to share with your closest ones.

Many books have been written about the Cultural Revolution, but this one is the best I've read. It's hard to imagine all that this woman endured and still prevailed. Was in tears after the last page.

This book was extremely compelling. I could not put it down! It told an amazing story of what it was like to live in China during the Communist regime and to experience such turmoil. It is a wonderful story of survival. It was a very interesting way to learn a little Chinese history. I salute the author for her command of the English language to be able to write such a compelling memoir.

I have read many memoirs about life in China during the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward, but I found this one to be among the very best I've read. The author writes from the heart, and includes so many fascinating and sometimes horrifying details. I found most interesting watching her own inner transformation, from a model child who believed all she was told about Mao and the Chinese government, to an adult who had the courage to defy her unjust accusers without fear. I pray for her continued happiness in England.

This is an amazing story of human courage,love and devotion in the face of inhumanity. I picked up the book and couldn't stop reading until it was finished. The story of China and her life is being told through the eyes of a child right to her adult life. I also leart alot about Chinese history and the people reponsible for it and mistakes that sometimes only human can make. In short AnHua has captured the mood and feelings of the Chinese people through a totally human perspective. Great Book.

This is an amazing storey of one person's courage and determination to survive in a world where everything is upside down. The book is perfect for people who enjoy a powerful emotional experience, and also for those with an interest in the turmoil of the recent history of China. I'm a 32 year old male student of Asian studies, and I have to admit that this storey and the way it is told turned me into a little boy, falling for its author and sometimes on the verge of tears. A great read for all!

Every American should read this book; the author gives a broader view about the world economy, and how we got to this point, where we have been losing jobs to the Asian countries: the causes, the consequences and what we can do to revert it.

Among the fairly simple, but politically difficult recommendations is to eliminate income based taxes and instead tax consumption. The US policy of taxing income of individuals and, especially corporations, effectively makes US products gives importers a free ride and makes US exports uncompetitive internationally. Taxing sales not only levels the playing field for US producers domestically and internationally, but also greatly reduces tax fraud and black market free riders.

Eliminate the tax on savings and capital gains and odds are people would save and invest more.

I love books, and I seem to find a new one to like every week. And yet, I can honestly say, this is the best book I've read in years. Few books have the power to encapsulate the meteoric economic and political changes that face the United States--and the world--right now. Gabor Steingart, a German journalist working in Washington, DC, for "Der Spiegel," has managed to come at just the right time with just the right book, "The War for Wealth."

What makes this book so pertinent? First, it approaches the question of whether globalization truly benefits all. Unlike those who favor the open market who make the assumption that free trade helpa all, Steingart posits that globalization instead is leading to a redistribution of resources. Not all countries benefit equally. In this new world order, Americans are needed largely as consumers, not workers, who are financing their purchases on a mountain of debt.

The expansion of the labor market as a result of globalization, in fact, has led to a decline in the value of workers. This has hurt Western nations the most. In the US industrial base alone, there has been a 50 percent decline in jobs in a single generation. Americans and Europeans are overpriced for the global market, not because of their wages (although this is a factor) but largely because of the cost of their social safety net.

Who are the winners? Those in India and China, obviously. In China, those growth rates are even being understated by the Communist government so that the West does not even see the full extent of this unfettered development. Moreover, China has chosen a different, more insidious tactic in this economic war. As Steingart notes, "the Asians are attacking with economic weapons and avoiding ideological conflict. They do not conduct debates with the West over equality and justice, nor do they level any accusations or issue threats. The rising global powers are not interested in a battle of cultures. They are ignoring issues of religion and ideology. They are quiet adversaries who are placing their bets on economic efficiency. The West, they reason, can be defeated with its own weapons."

Unlike many who see these problems, however, Steingart is not a protectionist, nor does he see globalization as something to be halted in its steps. He is not a fear monger. As an economist and journalist, Steingart knows that this is a trend that is not likely to be reversed. It can, however, be managed by savvy leadership and a willingness on the part of Western nations to work together. Steingart basically lays out three options: global chaos (the shock scenario), the rise of Asia (the Asia-above-all scenario, in which American dreams bite the dust), or remaking history (the American Renaissance scenario).

How America and the West manage globalization, international trade, and the development of rules and regulations to even the playing field are critical to the continuance of the good life. If I could have one wish, it would be that both presidential candidates and their camps would read Steingart's book. This critical overview of the world and economic development today is something that every American should be thinking about as they approach the future.

I congratulate Gabor Steingart for writing a book that clearly defines the problems for the West brought about by globalization. He suggests realistic ideas for mitigating the worst aspects of this process. His historical context of India and China and analysis of their current direction and strategies makes it very clear that the West better act quickly to protect our culture and institutions. America's foolish self-subjugation to corporate self interest is the wrong path. We're empowering China without regard to our long-term needs. My only criticism is that he's much too lenient with the Bush administration's many failures. This is a great book and Pulitzer Prize quality writing.

Steingart believes we spend too much time worrying about places like Kabul and Baghdad, and not enough thinking about places like Shanghai. "The War for Wealth" then details that case. Steingart also contends that the true tale of globalization is not being told - it is anything but a win-win situation. By 2025 China and India will likely dominate the world market with their purchasing power. It took both the U.S. and Japan about 40 years to double their per capita GDP; China took only twelve years.

Harvard historian David Landes believes that their success (and others) is determined by culture - moral values and behaviors. Unfortunately, per Steingart, we currently are paving the road to our demise with self-deception and self-affirmation.

Premier Deng Xiaoping was underestimated by Western leaders when he took over after Mao's death - partly because capitalism was seen as incompatible with a lack of democracy. Deng began by gradually liberalizing restraints on China's collectivized farmers, and in five years 98% of farmland was back in their hands. Deng also put off the military demands for resources, telling them the economy needed to grow first. Subsidies for government businesses decreased, then stopped, in exchange for the state no longer claiming all their revenues. Deng also opened China to foreign investment - $7 million in 1980, $250 billion now. Deng's changes were much more successful than those in resource-rich Russia which underwent a U.S. consultant-led crash immersion.

Brazil, Russia, China, and India together comprise about 45% of the world's labor supply. This will increase further - by 2050 another 1.2 billion are expected to live in Asia.

Those waiting for Chinese wages to equal those in the U.S., thereby eliminating its competitive advantage, have a long wait - Steingart estimates it will take another 30 years before Asian incomes are half as high as those in the U.S., if wage growth in Asia remains constant.

Eighty percent of Wal-Mart's suppliers are in China; until 2004 the U.S. was the largest exporter of IT products - now it is China.

Chinese innovation is accelerated by partnership requirements placed on Westerners building in China, piracy, espionage, R&D spending about 1/3 that of the U.S. (not adjusted for currency differences), extensive training in U.S. universities, higher IQs (about 10 points, on average, per research elsewhere; nine of Microsoft's ten most promising employees are Asian), and buying Western companies and resources. (Hitachi bought RCA and found it could sell its products at a higher price using the RCA label.)

Not only is Chinese labor much cheaper than that in the U.S., it doesn't have the social overhead costs of the U.S. - eg. health care and pensions.

Potential Flashpoints in the Future: North Korea (supported by China) vs. South Korea, India (backed by Russia) vs. Pakistan (backed by China), and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China continue their strange economic relationship.

"The War for Wealth's" one weakness lies in its recommendations - eg. more R&D in the U.S. That cannot overcome a dramatic cost difference held by a nation that is rapidly moving from production to also provide capable design and invention as well.

Will the Boat Sink the Water? is a series of stories that show the problems of peasant life in the villages and farming counties. The farmers are held down by unchecked greed among the village leaders, heavy taxes demanded by the layers of government, barriers between them and those who could help them in the National Government. The book gives you a vivid picture about how helpless the 900 million people are under the crushing weight of Communist China. They live the same as they did before the Revolution and, in some way, their life is worse. Millions are out of work, millions pour into the cities but don't have the proper papers or the contacts needed to get good jobs.
The rural poor make up most of China and yet rarely do they have a voice in either the government or in the press.
Has a time line of important events, with a focus on those important to the peasants, and an introduction by John Pomfret, author of Chinese Lessons. A must for anybody interested in Asia or in China.

This is not a fun book to read, it is bloody, sad, lawless, power vs non power, poor is poor. most of people think China is developing so fast in recent years, but people don't realize that they are still about 800 million people live in rural area in China, they are still struggle with their daily life, and voiceless.

Chen and Wu are a voice for millions of farmers throughout China. Great insights into what life is like for the peasants and farmers in the countryside of China. It is hard to find many stories and reports about the hardships and persecutions which the farmers in China face and the political and economic system that they have to deal with. These are the people who make up the majority of China's population and yet you normally only hear about the urban areas and economic progress in China. As an American many of these incidents were hard for me to imagine happening within the last ten to fifteen years. I read this book while studying in China and when traveling in the countryside it gave me a better understanding of the places and people I encountered.

Forget the title, this is an interesting expose on the Chinese peasant. These 900 million people toil in the backwaters of rural China, and were instrumental in getting their country industrialized. They also helped the country sustain itself following the Great Leap Forward (or backward in reality) and the Cultural Revolution. These people spend countless hours in backbreaking labor only to have party cadres unfairly tax them beyond their means. This book by a husband and wife team examines stories about their home province and show the corruption of village and party administration. China may be a coming superpower, but it better solve these problems before the people throw the rascals out.

I found this a very informative read. It starts out slow, but this is an intensely interesting book about the unfair lives led by millions of Chinese peasants and the people that are supposed to protect them-the party and village government hacks.

John Pomfret writes in his introduction to this book that when he was in college in the late 1970s, professors taught that the Chinese Communist Party "truly represented the wishes of China's dispossessed" and one quoted Mao's saying that "A revolution is not a dinner party." Chinese reporters Chen Guidi and Wu Chuntao document the plight of the peasants in their country, showing Pomfret and anyone else who dares to read their expose how corruption, excessive taxation, miscarriages of justice, too many layers of bureaucracy, and unchecked industrial pollution oppress and threaten the very existence of China's poorest.

China is no worker's paradise. The rural population is basically an unprivileged underclass -- a class of serfs -- that the government squeezes mercilessly. Despite declarations from the top Chinese Communist rulers that peasants should not be pay more than 5% of their annual income in taxes, 19% is closer to the truth. For a subsistence population, such heavy taxation (often in the form of ill-defined, sometimes illegal, fees and fines) is more than they can bear. Yet, their appeals for relief to various levels of their government generally result only in the status quo retained.

A sizable portion of the book relates journalistic investigations into specific several cases of murder of peasants by village or township officials. The petty officials became enraged to the point of doing or ordering bodily violence against peasants because the fed-up farmers were taking public steps to expose their (the officials') corruption.

Then, the authors cite some of the recent policies of the Chinese central government that have increased the sufferings of the peasants. Examples include increasing the layers of local governance, commanding villages to invest in industrial enterprises that are not sustainable and that force them into mountains of debt, and permitting giant gobs of industrial pollutants to turn black rivers peasants must use for bathing and drinking water.

"Will the Boat Sink the Water? The Life of China's Peasants" does feature portraits of good, conscientious officials who put the welfare of their villages or regions ahead of their own advancement. But the Chinese Communist system does not ordinarily promote such people. The Party is more interested in keeping the peasants in their place, and it promotes those officials who inflate the agricultural yields and other economic "successes" of their locality and who deliver their assessed taxes in full.

This revealing look at China at the grassroots level should be read by everyone who has read glowing reports of the progressive, sweeping economic and social strides allegedly remaking the most populous nation on earth. There *is* a dinner party going on: the Chinese peasants are being feasted upon by their cadres, village heads, and Party watchdogs.

This English translation of the book now banned in China is very highly recommended.

I highly recommend this book, especially for pre-teen children who are just beginning to think more deeply about issues raised by international adoption. The watercolors are beautiful, the concept is excellent and the narrative well written and very strong. At Home in This World will help older children think about the issues surrounding their abandonment and adoption and may help many of them articulate their own ideas and feelings. I especially like that this story is told through the voice of an older child rather than an omniscient narrator or parent. It invites the reading child to identify with the narrator and leaves room for the child to spin the story as she wishes. An important contribution to the emerging literature written for internationally-adopted children.

This book is such a provocative, sobering, thoughtful, and well-written look at abandonment and adoption from the perspective of a nine-year-old girl. The prologue really gave this newly-adoptive mother something to think about, and the story even more. I've read the story several times and think of it often as I consider my daughter and her experience and how we'll give her the space, support and love she needs to integrate her journey into her life here. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone adopting a child of any age.

There are at least two things that make this book stand out from the growing field of literature about adoption from China: it is told from the perspective of a child, rather than an adult, and it takes into account the sad feelings, as well as the happy ones that we parents remember so well.

In her introduction, the author (a mother of two girls from China) describes how she first put together an adoption story that emphasized all the wonderful things about adoption including a "...baby-book heavy on adoption-day photographs." Then she realized that "The relentlessly positive spin I chose to put on my girls' pre-adoption birth story was confusing to my daughters, who recognized buried feelings that didn't always parallel mine." She found that she needed to address and legitimize these feelings.

This is not to say that the book is sad. The young narrator tries to make sense of why her birthparents would leave her, she wonders what they look like, she notes that she looks like a "confused little baby" in her adoption video, and she talks about early dreams she had of being lost after she went to sleep at night. She says "I understand all of these things in my head, but it is so much harder to understand in my heart." She concludes her story by saying that she is bringing her sides together ..."One girl from two places who is growing up to be at home in this big, wide world."

After the story, the author includes some information at questions that parents and children can discuss after they read the book.

The book is illustrated with charming watercolors by Qin Su, a native of China. They have a fresh, direct quality to them.

This belongs on adoptive parents' bookshelf along with Mommy Far, Mommy Near by Carol Antoinette Peacock and Kids Like Me in China by Yin Ying Fry.

I think the best way to share the impact of this book is to relate the following--after I read the book to my daughter, Jaclyn, who was adopted at the age of 4 from China, she silently cluctched the book to her chest and then placed it in the pile of "treasures" she has. Needless to say the book had a powerful impact. This book was very needed as there was truly a void in books that help the slightly older girls express "their" story. Jean did a fabulous job in doing this and in conveying, as part of the education guide, the importance of helping our kids relate and understand their stories. The book also has captivating photos and is truly a treasure!!! I can't recommend it highly enough.

International adoption can be complex, adoption from China can be even more so due to current population restrictions enforced by the Chinese government. Explaining to our children how they came to be a part of our family can be a delicate topic to navigate given that there are so many unknowns leading to questions that quite possibly may go unanswered. I ordered this book upon our return from China with our daughter. In the course of our adoption journey I've read many books from the perspective of the parent - understanding the challenges that lie ahead, what life is like in the orphanages and the Chinese culture. Aside from the book by Ying Ying Fry, this is a rare book written for and from the the child's perspective and heart. As our daughter grows she will learn more of her life story and she will have questions. Some answers will lead to more questions, okay pretty much all of them will. This book will be one of the tools to enable her to know that she isn't the only one who has wondered these same things and that it's okay to want to find answers to her questions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is already the parent, grand-parent, aunt or uncle to a child born in China who is now home in their world, and to all the children who have found their Forever Families. As much as our children are a gift to us, this book could bring peace of mind and heart to our children, a treasured gift.

This is a great book. Very witty and the pictures are fab. My 18 mo old daughter and I love to read it together, we never tire of it!!

I can't recommend this book enough. It is, without a doubt one of the best books for children that I've ever come across. My kids love it, and so do I. The story is cute, the artwork is great and the verse is written in rhyme. Rhyming books can be difficult to write. The words have to be appropriate and make sense without bogging down the plot and characters. This book is almost genius.

The clever rhymes make this story a true delight to read. My 4 year old daughter loved reading this story multiple times.

This book is so cute ! I am a librarian and use it as a read aloud at our tea party every year! I just love it

Bill is not your average bull, for instead of being rough and tumble, Bill is a sensitive soul who has a marvelous collection of china cups. However, Bill doesn't do well when he's around fragile items, so when he begins browsing antique and china shops, searching for one more perfect cup, he is plagued by one very big problem: getting in the front door. For most china shops don't allow bulls entry. But then Bill comes across a china shop that permits entry to bulls, and suddenly all bets are off.

BILL IN A CHINA SHOP is an adorable new children's book that will be loved by the whole family. Bill is a cute character, who is plagued by prejudice just because of his size. However, his wonderful outlook on life, and the people and things surrounding him is admirable, and will teach children that they should be happy in their own skin, whether big or small, black or white. A wonderful addition to the children's picture book genre!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Mei Mei has the happiest hens in China: she pampers them. But hen Daisy is not happy: she faces bullying from the others and when she finds herself lost and away from home, she must remember the attitudes of her fellow hens in order to survive. Brett's warm drawings are a beautiful embellishment.

Daisy Comes Home was a really good book. I would give this book five stars. There is alot of chinese calligraphy in this book. If you can read the calligraphy, this would be a good book for you. The story was about a runaway hen who is found by the nine year old girl owner. To find out more read this book.

Jan Brett�s latest book, Daisy Comes Home is a charming book for young children. The story takes place in a rural village in China along the Li River. A young girl named Mei Mei is known for having the healthiest and happiest hens in the village. She carries the eggs from the hens in a basket that says �Happy Hens� into the village to sell. The story begins by looking back to the time when not all of Mei Mei�s chickens were happy. Even though Mei Mei fed them treats, gave them fresh hay for their beds, and bathed them, the one called Daisy was not happy. The reason being that all the other hens always picked on her and were very mean to her. They always pushed her off of the perch so she had to sleep on the cold, hard ground.
One night, she had had enough of this and found a market basket near the river bank to sleep in. She fell right to sleep and did not notice the river creeping up the bank. The basket floated away, with Daisy in it. She woke up when the basket started tipping and realized that she was had floated away from home. As she traveled down the river, Daisy had to defend herself against a dog, a water buffalo, and red-tailed monkeys. Her �Happy Hens� basket ran into a fisherman claimed her and took her into the village to sell.
By this time, Mei Mei had looked all day for her lost hen and decided that she must go into town to sell the eggs from the other hens. She carried the �Happy Hens� baskets into town and arranged her place to sell the eggs. A friend told Mei Mei that a fisherman had carried one of her baskets into town with one of the hens. She rushed off to find her missing hen and told the fisherman that Daisy belonged to her. The fisherman said that he found the hen so he got to keep her. Mei Mei called to her hen and Daisy ran to her upon hearing the familiar call. The girl ran home with the hen as fast as she could.
One would assume that the other hens would be glad to have the missing Daisy back home, but they tried to treat her as they always had. Daisy had learned a lot on her adventure and could now defend herself. She flapped her wings, pecked, and pushed the other hens back; they could no longer push her around. So, she was given a place to perch alongside the rest of them. Now, all six of the hens are healthy and happy.
The beautiful pictures in this book also tell the story. The full spread beautifully depicts the main idea on each page. Not only is the main idea told, but the audience is allowed to peek into something else that is occurring or is about to occur through small windows in two corners of the page. For example, on the page where the Daisy bumps into the fisherman, a small picture of Mei Mei getting ready to go to the market is in the left corner of the page and a picture of the fisherman holding up the hen to sell is in the opposite corner. This cleverly gives the reader something more to think about and he or she follows the main storyline.

This wonderful story would make an excellent addition to a classroom of young students. The gorgeous pictures and charming tale would captivate the minds of young children as they learn about the importance of standing up for one�s self, the need to be kind to one another, and the importance of looking after those one cares about.

Jan Brett has woven together intricate illustrations with an exciting story as we float with Daisy the hen down the Li River on an unexpected trip. Daisy's encounters with a dog, a water buffalo, a pack of monkeys and a fisherman are interesting and life-like - no talking animals here! As Daisy and Daisy's owner Mei Mei make their way to the marketplace, the mountainous scenery changes often. Look carefully and you will see the mountains become dragons and snakes, chickens and monkeys. The marketplace illustrations feel authentic and up-to-date and the wonderful colors and hustle-and-bustle feel adds to the story's tension for an exciting reunion! Brett's illustrations are wonderfully layered with Chinese textures and materials from china pattern designs to bamboo screens. Beautifully illustrated and skillfully told, Daisy Comes Home is sure to be one of those favorites that asks to be read over and over again.

My 5-year-old daughter and I read this with a great deal of delight. The story is exciting, and what makes it very special is its authenticity. Daisy isn't a human-like character, she does only real hen things; Mei Mei isn't a super-clever, cutesy ethnic character, she's a young Chinese girl who loves her hens. Together, they overcome the scary, vulnerable situations they find themselves in just by doing hen and little girl things. All of this with fascinating, rich illustrations of the Li River region of southern China that are also very true to life. A tale for the heart and a treat for the eyes.

a beautifully detailed book with amazing reproductions of these important paintings. highly recommended to anyone one interested in tibetan buddhism, art, tantra, or history.

This book is a valuable asset to anyone desiring an illustrated view of tantic Buddhism. With gorgeous pictures of the walls of the Lukhang Palace, and plenty of supporting documentation, the reader can truly appreciate the spiritual value of this book.

In addition to being a meticulously executed illustrated art book, The Dalai Lama's Secret Temple: Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet by Ian A. Baker, et al. guides the reader through some lesser known biographical details of Tibet's greatest Dalai Lamas and of the history of Tibetan Buddhist culture as a whole. The amazing drawings, many of which painted in an almost feverish surrealistic style, are accompanied by insights into the lore of the Dalai Lamas, with thoughtful excerpts from their writings. I am also much obliged as a book shopper to show my appreciation to the book's publisher, Thames & Hudson, for the excellent printing quality and overall layout and binding of this book, details which for me always work to enhance the message of a book and to demonstrate the seriousness and loving care with which the authors themselves have treated their creation.

A really beautiful book: pictures are magnificents, thanks to the anonymous ancient painter and to the modern photographer, with many pictures of the details of the paintings. But the book is worthy not only to see. The first chapter tells a short but interesting history of the temple and of the Dalai Lamas, and at the beginning of each of the three main sections (as there are three walls painted in the temple, corresponding to the three pillars of Dzogchen teaching: base, path and fruit) a short but careful explanation of the principles of Dzogchen, in connection with the painted teachings of the secret temple. I do loved this book, and reccomend it to anyone interested in Dzogchen and Tibetan culture and Buddhism.

The Dala Lama's Secret Temple is a wonderful and insightful look into one of the most spectacular temples in Lhasa. Having just visited the Lukhang, I had the pleasure to personally view the murals. Many of which are unique to Tibetan paintings. And still very preserved. Better than I could have photographed myself, this book presents each of the walls paintings in the highest quality plates. Descriptions of the historical significance of the temple mirror the detail works of the painting. A nice addition to a library of Tibetan Art and Buddhism.