China Books

Journey To Heavenly Mountain: An American's Pilgrimage To The Heart Of Buddhism In Modern China is the personal story of Jay Martin, an American who personally journeyed through modern-day China in a dedicated search for eternal wisdom and personal enlightenment. Jay's travels took him into the heart of monastic Buddhist territory, where he learned of new ways for seeing with clarity and tranquility. Journey To Heavenly Mountain is highly recommended for Buddhist reference collections and supplemental reading lists as being an insightful, communicative, and broad-minded memoir.

This is one of those books that won't let you put it down until you've finished it. As a piece of travel writing, it's interesting enough; but it is as an account of a spiritual journey that the book especially succeeds. Author Jay Martin's aim was to live in some of the great Buddhist temples in China, and to absorb the wisdom of the spiritual masters who live there. One might expect, in his recounting of his dialogues with these spiritual figures, just more of the rather befuddling Eastern philosophical jargon that many have come to expect. What is refreshing about Martin's account is both the accessibility of the teachings, and the fact that we get to see the teachings APPLIED in the course of Martin's adventures.

This definitive three volume set of 'Journey To The West' by Wu Cheng'en is a must read for anyone interested in fantasy and Chinese mythology. 'Journey To The West' has everything from monkey mayhem to monsters, and magic. The quest for the sacred Buddhist sutras in India makes for an exciting journey filled with danger, demons and damsels. If you love classic Chinese literature or Buddhism, then you have to read 'Journey To The West'. I understand that in 2001, a TV movie entitled, 'The Monkey King' is scheduled for released. The following is a summary of the movie: "American journalist Nick Orton is caught up in the world of Chinese gods and monsters while on a search for the long lost manuscript to 'Hsi Yu Chi' (The Journey to the West) by Wu Ch'eng En. He is accompanied on his journey by a humanoid ape with incredible strength and magical powers, a humanoid pig-man, and his brother-in-arms, an ex-cannibal. Based on one of the greatest stories in Chinese history." (Lawrence De Meza from imdb.com) So what are you waiting for, buy it now and read it before 'Monkey King' mania sweeps the States!

This book is one of the Four Great Novels in China. Everybody in China know this story. Sun WuKong--the monkey, Zhu Bajie--the pig, everybody like them. Though it was written in 1570s, it is still a great book for children.

Written close to 40 years ago (first published in 1961), this book is part of Van Gulik's Judge Dee series which chronicles the cases investigated by the famous magistrate of classical Chinese detective stories.

A staple of the Judge Dee stories are the multi-layered plot and accurate historical details of ancient Chinese culture and practices and this book does not disappoint in both areas. Unique and superbly readable, this series deserves a place on the shelf of every mystery fan. One small note: This new version seems to have omitted the chinese-style illustrations found in the original printing - probably due to the (very low-key) nudity that the publisher found offensive.

I have read all of Van Gulik's murder mysteries and this is has to be my favorite. The characters are intriguing and some sinister. The end is satisfying and bittersweet, challenging integrity vs justice. I would, however, recommend you read the others first (chronological is good, Chinese Gold Murders is first) to get to know the main characters although this book can stand on on its own.

Change to brother-Zack, sister-Carlee, province-Hubei. Everything else is exactly the same as our story. I cried like a baby while I read it. Everyone with a Red Thread connection will love this book.

Love the book. Great story, wonderful pictures. Our adopted 6 year old Chinese daughter is in the process of getting a new sister, and loves this book too.

Whereas some of the new crop of books on business in China bog down on facts and figures doomed to obsolescence shortly after publishing due to the breakneck pace of economic and cultural change in greater China, "Know China Business" takes a timeless principles based approach. Starting with an exploration of the cultural underpinnings of East and West, it informs the reader with knowledge of the salient social and cultural norms of China regarding building relationships and trust, social hierarchy and "face", and notions of self and other as it pertains to the individual and society at large. With this foundation, the reader has a context to understand the many practical suggestions offered within for how to communicate, lead, negotiate and thrive within the Chinese economy. Concise and readable, this book should come to be known as the quick start primer for anyone doing business in greater China.

Well researched concise and very readable. Gives a clear roadmap on how to enter and succeed in the Middle Kingdom. Provides vivid cultural, philosophical and historical context; and solutions for the challenges you will face

Having worked in Korea, and visiting Seoul many times while I was there, I have developed a keen interest in Korean history, particularly in the colonial era as Korea began to open its kingdom to the West for the first time. This book helps me visualise what the people, and the places, were like as Korea moved into the modern age.

A number of photographs were taken by Herbert Ponting, who later accompanied Captain Scott to the Antarctic, and by Felice Beato, who is the first known photographer to have worked in Korea, having being part of the American Trading expedition in 1871. Other early western photgraphers have their images reproduced here. A number of Japanese photographers also worked in Korea, during the time of the Japanese colonial occupation, and a sampling of their work is included.

There are images taken from the first significant foray by the Western world into Korea by America, American ships making their presence felt on the Korean penisular in 1871 and capturing, probably for the first time ever, photographic images of Korean people.

There are samplings of the initial contact with the outside world, and of some of the minor ensuing conflicts. Farming and industries are depicted as is daily Korean life in the cities such as weddings and funerals, and general street scenes such as cobblers plying their trade. There are a number of formal portraits of members of the aristocracy and government officals. There are also hand coloured photgraphs of members of Korean embassy staff in Japan, which are interesting for the ceremonial costumes they are wearing.

I can highly recommend "Korea Caught in Time" if you have an interest in Korean history, as it will supplement any history books you may have on Korea.

This book presents rare pictures form a country that had sealed itself off from the rest of the world and tried to keep out the west. Not until the latter part of the last century was Korea forced to open up. The pictures not only present first impressions of Korea by western photographers, but also show an early show of western force against the desire of Korea to keep itself free of western influence. The early documentation of imperial force gives thought to how much or how little things have changed from just a century ago. Native Koreans themselves would perhaps enjoy the early photography of their country. With Korea so much in the news today this book can teach a great deal.

I read this book as a scholar during 1976. I was fit and playing rugby for the schools 1st team. My heart rate was measured at a steady 60 beats per minute (bpm) and during the end of year break before beginning my then compulsory military training, I began performing the basic exercises as described in the book. Within the month, I reported for my stint and was medically examined for health categorisation and was astounded to find my heart rate had dropped to 48 bpm.

Now at age 42, I am desparately looking form a copy, if not new then a used copy of the book that served me so well back then. My original copy has been lost along the way.

You don't need to be a devotee of martial arts to get tremendous benefit from the techniques shown in this book. Simple powerful exercises that will make you stronger and healthier without stressing your joints or risking damage to yourself. I read the book 20 years ago and still do the exercises daily. You can see results in a very short time.

I read Chinese Cinderalla at the start of the year 2002 (when I was 10)
I loved reading and buy then I had read 1,000's of books but when i got hold on to chinese cinderalla I found it hard to stop reading it. Sometimes I secretly stayed awake at night to read it!
When I had finished I found it so inspiring that I read it again twice to be precice.
Nomally I cant read books 2 times because they get to boring but thats when I thought that this book must be good for me to read it twice...

Nicole

the book put accross a lot of feelings. it is very hard hitting

"The view was wondrous. High mountains rose straight up before me, and as I watched, a flock of white birds...winged their way together across the face of the nearest mountain. It was a Chinese painting in motion."

Not everything was idyllic during Pat Linder's years in Taiwan. For this savvy, globe-hopping Admiral's wife, her husband's posting to Taiwan in 1977 proved not to be for the faint of heart. Earthquakes, political upheaval and the language barrier made for a bumpy ride indeed. There are undercurrents of trouble throughout, from the mysterious phone call advising her to unpack before she ever leaves the U.S., to the daunting number of armed guards around their Taiwan residence, to a rare eye disease that increasingly obscures her vision. And she is scathing in her comments about the cruel practice of foot-binding, designed to keep women from running away from their husbands.

Yet the memoir also contains moments of sheer hilarity, as when Pat makes her first attempt at using chopsticks at an official function, or when - desperate to get her air conditioning fixed - Pat speaks into one of the bugged ceiling fans in her home.

Readers will be amazed to learn how, in 1933, the most valuable pieces from a Beijing art museum were packed into crates and then carried on the backs of peasants for 16 years, lest Japanese or Communist Chinese forces find and destroy them.

When the U.S. government breaks off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1978, Pat's sympathies are obviously with the Taiwanese people, whom she has come to admire and love.

Since the Admiral shared only unclassified information with his wife, readers will get little in-depth discussion of actual political events. But Pat writes with warmth, humor and passion that is quite engaging.

The first chapter just jumps right into the dangers and emotions that author Patricia Linder found herself in during a little remembered part of our foreign policy. Her experiences living in Taiwan during a time when the United States was pulling its protection and official recognition to build relations with communist China, is one full of emotion. Her first person account of that period of history is very well told in her newest book "The Lady And The Tiger."

Linder does a masterpiece of reporting from her own heart and soul. She sounds like someone who not only was there physically, but was fully aware of all the political and social issues that surrounded what was happening. She has an intelligent grasp of what happened and why. She writes with great passion and skill to weave the facts and emotions together to give the story lots of energy and movement. This book, at times, reads almost like an action novel. You will get hooked from page one and will have a hard time putting down the book.

She faces riots, mobs and angry people all with great courage. She has to deal with tapped phones, and armed guards that she cannot fully trust and even rooms in her own residence that are bugged with listening devices. The events and culture that she found in Taiwan are not what this wife of a Rear Admiral was expecting. This was a tour of duty that was going to really test her soul!

Great book to read! It has the MWSA's TOP BOOK RATING - FIVE STARS!

MWSA's 2006 Silver Medal Award for Memoirs

Yeshe Tsogyal, or White Tara, was a rare example of a female buddha. She has walked the earth many times but her 200+ years here with Padmasambhava left a legacy for all mankind that we are still learning from. She left behind many treasures and teachings for us to use as we grow. Some treasures are still to be found.

To understand Yeshe Tsogyal is to understand the true meaning of compassion and detached giving. These are lessons for all time.

it seems the tradition of retelling life-stories in tibet was largely for teaching purposes. this book does that part well. a valuable support for the depressed yogini.