This book is extraordinary. As Mumon has observed in the _Gateless Gate_, "Joshu's tongue has no bone, so he can speak freely." That freedom is exactly what is communicated by these aphorism. Admittedly, some are hard too understand, but other strike the soul like lightning. These are the words of a man who underwent the shattering experience of enlightenment, and the book conveys that sense of power and transcendence.

Green's translation seems to capture the frustrating, obvious, mocking, simple character of the lessons of the great Chinese Zen masters. Some of the prose is beautiful. Some is poetic. Some of it is deep like a pond with brilliant light reflected on its surface. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward.

The Romantics redefined english literature, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge was one of the leaders. Between he and William Wordsworth, they WERE the movement. His vision, and glorified writing style still tantalize me to this day.

James Chan's book has been an inspiration and has helped me put into perspective my personal values as they relate to work and life. It also provided me with a sense of spiritual fulfillment and affirmation of my personal thoughts regarding business and relationships developed in our daily work. James Chan's personal story is profound while the stories of the other Spare Room Tycoons he interviews give insight into the "nuts and bolts" of being an independent. The book has also facilitated my becoming more self-reflective as I begin on the journey to becoming a Spare Room Tycoon.

While many business publications purport to help independent enterprises, James Chan's unique book goes several steps further by probing the challenges, frustrations, elations and especially motivations behind successful entrepreneurship. It's almost as if Chan had read my mind, telegraphing very specific (and what I had assumed to be unique!) impressions of running an enterprise. Evidently we entrepreneurs may feel isolated, but our experiences are univeral--and have been captured

succinctly in this work. Readers who are making the crucial transition from conventional employment to self-employment should consider Spare Room Tycoon their business Baedecker: it will make the journey far more pleasant and successful. Established entrepreneurs will immediately recognize many familiar situations. Finally, I urge you to buy this book and give it to your family--so THEY'LL FINALLY UNDERSTAND what motivates you to be YOU!

"Tycoon" is about throwing off the shackles of working for someone else, and finding (or creating) a livelihood of your own, based upon your talents, values and passions. The book has captured the essence of the self-employment experience, with its dreams and aspirations, nightmares and setbacks, and small and major victories. This is a book about making a personal declaration of independence, and all of the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that follow. Chan candidly tells his own story and the stories of others who have chosen the independent path. From these experiences he distills the hard lessons learned, offering useful counsel about the nuts and bolts of starting up and sustaining a successful business; and welcome inspiration for sustaining one's spirit throughout the journey. James Chan's book achieves a wonderful balance between head and heart. "Tycoon" is a thoughtful, helpful and buoyant companion for both the aspiring and the experienced self-employed.

Harrison's "Long March to Power" is an excellent intro to the history of China's communist party. Out of the fractured and humiliated China of the 20's in spite of the "universal" appeal of marxism, Chinese communists retained a strong nationalistic bent throughout.

Especially good is the period covering the war with Japan. The KMD of Chiang Kei Shek is given little leeway by Harrison. Chiang was corrupt and so was the KMD. When the KMD could have rallied Chinese- it failed to leaving the CCP to recruit among the population. When the KMD might have fought the Japanese, it spent it's time with warlord struggles or against the CCP.

Harrison doesn't relent and shows the interparty rivalries and sometime viciousness of CCP politics. This is a densely written and fact filled book for those with an interest in the period.