KB at his best! The Mordecai Books could only give a reader the slightest inclination of the delights of ATTIC (All The Tea In China) - a fantastic romp (no other word will do) round the globe and human conditions!

A must read for any sporting young man!

Bonfiglioli is at his best in ALL THE TEA IN CHINA . It is a satire of the English which employs an historical perspective in a unique way. The narration employs social history using the form of a patriarch's memoir to his descendants. Full of admonitions and asides about inheritance, or the lack thereof, Bonfiglioli raises the non sequitor to an art form and re-creates the world of 19th century England and its mercantile destiny. His sense of character, the pacing of his narrative, all make for wonderful reading. In fact, one can read him too fast- it is necessary to re read to fully appreciate his humour and insights. And re-reading is perhaps more rewarding than one's first impression of this original writer. This is a book which proves hard bindings aren't obsolete .

Unscrupulous wastrel (and moma's boy), trysts with the wrong maidens and consequently must flee mid 19th century Holland for the wonder and wealth of the Far East. Author has a wonderful sense of place, invoking the taste and smells of the period, delighting in plot twists, daring escapes, flim flams and danger while providing an insightful travelogue. Not simply a ribald send up of the genre, but an affectionate tribute worthy of Stevenson, Defoe and Dumas. In flavor, comparable to Flashman saga

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He has a great writing style and his accomplishment was remarkable. His courage and persistance is amazing.

As an aside, I met William in China and spent a few days walking with him on the "wild wall". It is just as amazing as he details in his book. He is a very nice chap and is now quite an authority on the Great Wall of China. I hope he continues to write!

I really, really enjoyed this book. Lindesay is, in the words of one of the many who made enteries in his diary during his incredible journey, "a great man". That is an understatement. This man and his story are an inspiration to anybody. Regardless of whether you are a runner, and whether you have any particular interest in China or the Great Wall, you will find this book hard to put down. It is a fantastic story of a man's triumph over obstacles of the magnitude and multitude that would discourage most people many times over. It is a well-written book too, told in a friendly, informal, and entertaining fashion. Having read it I feel that I know "Mr. Will" relatively well, and he earned my utmost respect!

"If at first you don't succeed , try, try again" is an old adage we frequently laugh at, but in Will's case, it lead to success. Will, a long-distance runner from Britain, wanted to be the first person to run the length of the Great Wall of China. It took him several years, but he finally accomplished this, but not without encountering serious illness, traveling through areas closed to foreigners and winding up in jail (which he subsequently broke out of) and eventual deportation from China. This is a good read about a heartwarming experiernce, espescially about hardships some people must go through to reach their dreams. The hardbound copy, which I don't think is available in the United States, contains some photos (Chinese authorities confiscated most of his film); the paperback book does not. Will has a strong interest in the Great Wall, and since he moved to Beijing permanently, spends many weekends camping out on the Wall. This has lead to another book on the Great Wall, this one on camping out on it. That book should be out in the fall of 1998. I first met Will in the fall of 1994 when I moved to Beijing to work as a copy editor for China Daily; Will already was working there. But even if Will weren't a friend, I would still recommend this book for anyone with a spirit of adventure or who just wants to share in this marvelous, inspirational adventure.

If you are looking for a easy , comprehensive and worth value chinese herbal medicine guide you should own it. Fulfilled with nice pictures, it provides you a fast acess to many herbs and herbal formulas If you are stiding Chinese herbal medicine it's a bible

There is no question that today there is a proliferation of self-help books particularlyon various aspects of alternative medicine. The public's interest in learning how they can now treat themselves, seems to be turning them away from the care of Western "traditional" medicine and toward the world of western herbology, homeopathy, and Chinese medicine to name a few.I have practiced the use of alternative methods of prevention for myself andfamily, especially Chinese medicine. Yet over and beyond my diligence to use what I have been told to use by my Chinese practitioner, I have wanted to seek a deeper yet simpler understanding on my own about the whole picture of Chinese medicine. After a long search through the "healing" bookshelves of many a store, I have at last found a book that is thorough yet not overwhelming in its approach and content. COMPLETE GUIDE is set up as a responsible handbook for the layman. After a concise historical survey of Chinese medicine, from its roots to today, Molony places Chinese medicine realistically in the context of its place in today's arena of preventativealternative medicine. He explains how the "Ying and Yang" principles of balanceare at the root of the treatments both with acupuncture and herbs. Furthermore, thebiggest difference, as Molony describes it, between Chinese and Westernmedicines is that in the former practice, the emotional and the physical statesof a patient are always treated together. The goal is internal harmony both in ill andwell health.Molony structures his book to allow total clarity and visual reinforcement ofexplanations and definitions all along. His use of charts, and gray sections ofpages of definitions are easy to flip to in a hurry, and to use at a glance: for instance, "Common Symptoms of 5 Major Organs, " and "ABCS of Oriental Medicine." He goes on to describe primary Chinese herbs, with sketches, common uses, and cautionary warnings when appropriate. He also talks about the most renowned herb combinations, and going into detail with each singular herb in the combination, how it addresses a particular weakness, moistness, heat imbalance, etc. His final chapter allows us, to peruse some common ailments or allergy responses, and what has worked in Chinese treatment for these. This is a book for someone like myself who wants to go deeper into the knowledgeof Chinese medicine, or it is for someone who is perhaps sheepish about delvinginto the perceived mysteries of this newly popular medicine. This book is evidence that it is the wisdom of 4,000 years of Chinese medical philosophy, researchand practice that enhances the attraction that it has for us. Its legitimacy is indeedtime-tested and honors the uniqueness of the mysteries of the human body, andspirit. Therefore, Chinese medicine becomes much less a mystery as it is so well laid out for us in this guide.Sabrina Wrebe (alias S.B.B.)

It accesses the strengths of our melting pot. A reference that enables you to help yourself. Useful for every home. Bernice Mattes

Minnie Vautrin was a lady with compassion. She devoted her life in bringing education to Chinese women and girls in 1920s to 30s. She was well remembered not only by the people of Nanking but also by all Chinese people. During the Rape of Nanking committed by the invading of Japansese military in 1937, she personally protected over ten thousand women and girls in her campus. This book showed her courage. It was a remarkable story of the female over the male, the weak over the strong, the peace over violence. However, over the past sixty years, not many Americans know of this woman of humanity. Last year, I had the good fortune to attend her memorial at Shephard, Michigan with a small group of friends and her relatives. I delivered a brief paper on behalf of the citizens of Nanking for their respect and love to her. Dr Bates, another international team members son of 1937 delivered the grave site prayer.
As Americans, you should not miss this woman of the greatest generation. In December 13 2002, a statue will be set up in Naking to honor this American to China.

I first heard of the Rape of Nanking back in the year 1998 when I came across Iris Chang's _Rape of Nanking_ Since then I have read every book that I came across on the subject. Dr. Hu's book tells us of Minnie Vautrin an extraordinary woman who spent most of her life in China trying to help the Chinese people through education in religion. The book goes on to tell how Miss Vautrin risked her life day after day protecting thousands of Chinese women who seeked sanctuary at Miss Vautrin's college, Ginling.
Dr. Hu does a wonderful job giving the reader a backdrop of information, so the reader knows Japan and China's relationship with each other and the circumstances that led up to the Rape of Nanking. Dr. Hu also gives very detailed information in a short section about the history of American missionaries going to China. Wonderful book and an extraordinary woman.

Author Hua-ling Hu presents the deeply moving biography of an American educator/missionary who remained in Nanking to help thousands of women and children facing death. I could not set down the book until I finished it, then I started again in order to gain a keen appreciation for the thorough historical scholarship using sources that have not been available until Hu brought them to our eyes. This book should be read by historians, by missionaries, by anyone interested in fascinating biographies -- it is a compelling story with exceptional historical scholarship as the backdrop.

Ancient China was the best book dealing with China that I have so far read. It was intriguing how I learned, saw, and discovered many things in only about 65 pages. The beautiful photography gave the words life. This book proves excellence truly exists and gives the word perfection an even greater new meaning.

DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other nonfiction picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful museum-quality photos of all things related to Ancient China, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about Ancient China, its rulers, and its people. SEE the objects common to everyday life in Ancient China. If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by Ancient China, then you must introduce them to this book!

This book and all Eyewitness books for that matter, are excellent for the classroom, child care centre, and home. Filled with real photographs and valuable information, this book is highly recomended!

The title of this book, 'Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart' is, in essence, the core topic of this book. This book is entirely dedicated on teaching us how to awaken our minds and lighten our hearts.

His Holiness's eloquence and understanding of compassion are great and vast as an ocean. I realized this while reading the book. It took me over two months' time to get to page 30, because I was determined on completely understanding and grasping the meanings of each page before I moved onto the next. I was also determined to apply each page's teachings into my life before I'd move onto the next. How wrong I was to think I would finish this book in a timely fashion.

I would read a few pages, then set the book aside and contemplate on the teachings. I'd carry His Holiness's words in my heart and my mind as I went about my day's events. I'd go back to read the book, thinking I'd pick up where I left off. While skimming through the pages I had already read, I'd stop and notice that I realized something about a paragraph. How curious, I had already read it, but suddenly it was as if I were reading it again with fresh eyes, and I'd learn yet something else. Doing this again and again, it took me two months before finishing page 30. Then I'd look back on the past few months and realize I had basically changed into a much more patient and caring person.

I started on this book a long while back, and I'm still discovering and rediscovering truths and revelations in His Holiness's simple words.

The reason I provided the small anecdote is because this book can last you a lifetime if you apply His Holiness's teachings into your life. There is a lifetime's worth of lessons to be learned from the seemingly simple exterior of his teachings.

This book basically starts us at the basics and teaches us the fundamentals of Buddhism. What is suffering? What is the cause of suffering? How do we overcome suffering? The Dalai Lama goes over the Four Noble Truths and the Three Poisons (ignorance, greed, hatred) in such a friendly, warm, simple and engaging manner that we can't help but sit there and listen. I felt as if I were a preschooler listening to my favorite teacher while reading this book, and truly, when reading this book with an open, receptive mind, you'll feel as if you're re-learning all the basics about everything. It's as if we've walked all our lives in a manner that has caused us to trip and fall constantly, and here His Holiness is giving us a guide that teaches us why we were walking incorrectly, why our previous way of walking would cause us to fall, and finally, how to practice walking correctly in a manner that won't cause us to fall and hurt ourselves.

Usually, I review books and items pretty harshly. I'll point out descrepancies, things I didn't like, etc. I'm at a loss with this book. I've been a Buddhist for my entire life and after reading this book, I realized just how far from understanding I was. Don't be fooled by the deceptive simplicity of this book. It's one thing to read something and understand it, but in trying to apply it, this book will provide a lifetime's worth of lessons, knowledge, and understanding. It's as if the closer you come to accepting what the Dalai Lama always teaches -- compassion -- the more understanding you gain from the book that perhaps you never saw there before.

This is a book, I feel, that anybody can read. All it does is offer insight into suffering, what causes us to suffer, and how we overcome suffering. It's not about His Holiness preaching on and on about the Dharma. It's about him taking the best of the Dharma and bringing it to you in a very reader-friendly format, coupled with his own explanations.

I couldn't think of anything better.

I have been reading the book each day,it has become so well worn I decided to buy another.The concise step-by-step information appealed to me. The book is well written, illustrating a clear path to enlightenment through wisdom and compassion. The simple steps guide the reader to an easy understanding of the peace and beauty of a compassionate life. I was drawn to discovering more about Tibetan Buddhism after reading "some of the dharma" by Jack Kerouac. In contrast, this book by the Dalai Lama compelling in its advice about the importance of disciplining the mind. Kerouac struggled with these issues, and may have found some measure of comfort had he had this book available to him.

The teachings and the wisdom written by His Holiness is incredible. I regret not knowing his teachings during childhood. The book is an easy read and quite powerful. I shall meditate each day in hopes of following His teachings. I have passed it along to a good friend and am looking forward to reading it again.

Cameron has achieved somthing remarkable here. He has produced a superb scholarly work, and infused it with a warmth and humanity which beggars description. He evokes the sense of awe, of wonder, of sheer disbelief felt by these European visitors. He revels in their confusion, laughs as they grope their way through a world of which they have no comprehension. And is completely sympathetic. That is not to say this is a lighthearted book. He can be savage in his critique, and his description of the Opium Wars will anger many. Still, for a balanced, lively and superbly scholary book, you can not find better. I recomend it wholeheartedly.

If you are not interested in China you should read this book, to understand more of your own country. If you are, then you will find it insightful, erudite, empathic, and comfortably delivers the quality you would want when reviewing the scope of 13 centuries of western engagement with traveller. Based on my reading of innumerable other books on the subject, one of the best informed. Except maybe about the Last Empress.....such a small point. This writer has lived for decades in the region, and it shows. Highly recommend.

I have made China, its history and future, a dedicated hobby. It also helps that my work requires me to covers Greater China. As such I have read 100's books, and visited many times, and published - although nowhere near the scholarly work of this. It is a great work, very well researched, sympathetic, and empathic - rare in the case of a western writer in my experience. He has spent decades in the region, and it shows. A project on a broad scale, 13 centuries of China's engagement with western travellers is readable, insightful, human, and even if you do not have an interest in China - it will change the way you think about your own country[men] and the geopolitical landscape. However, you should know about China, it is now a major player on the world stage. Highly recommend.

I love sharing this book with my daughters because of the beautiful artwork, the portrayal of female strength and the message that inner resolve coupled with practice are the keys to achieving one's goals. We often quote Wu Mei's admonition to the bean curd seller: "No problem can be solved by a drunken monkey!" The reminder to remain calm, make up one's own mind, and engage with the world from a firm sense of self is valuable for people of both sexes and all ages.

I love both the artwork and the story content of this book. It is rare and wonderful to find a book in which two female martial artists are the main characters! This book is a true gift to martial artists enthusiasts everywhere. The story's lessons (soft overcomes hard, calm overcomes strong) come from authentic martial arts teachings at their finest. Brava!

This book is an awesome experience. Adults and children in our martial arts school enjoyed the story of Wu Mei. The illustrations are breath taking. The story is well told and easily read.

This book encompasses the history of the Yangtze, as a history major I enjoyed learning about the history pertaining the Yangtze. Moreover, it discusses the political motives behind the construction of the dam. Also, this book addresses the social as well as environmental costs of TGD. It is a great book for students, travelers, environmentalists, historians, and those who have an interest in China.

A superb book. Drawing from her life experience, the author gives vivid picture of people's life along China's Yangtze River. The construction of the super-dam will greatly alter people's life there. We should thank the author for recording, thus preserving the past that will be gone forever. Scholars, especially scholars of China Studies would get detailed description of the daily life of Chinese people. Travellers would also find the book useful. The author was among the first group of foreigners who worked and travelled in China after 1976. Thus, her story is really invaluable since not many foreigners had the chance to witness China around 1980. Overall, the book is informative and insightful. Wonderful work.

December, 2, 2002. I just returned from my first trip to China which included 4 days cruising through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. My good fortune was having this wonderfully and scholarly written book by Ms Chetham.

This book was invaluable to me because it gave me a full perspective of China, it's people, it's culture, and it's economic development. With this book as my traveling companion along with 43 good friends from San Francisco our group visited Beijing, Xian, Chongching,350 miles of the Yangtze River, Wuhan, Shanghai, & Souzhou. In each locale we had english speaking guides who were born and raised in the area. The combination of the local input, our observations, and readings from this book created a "trip of a lifetime" for me.

If you plan to visit China this book is a must.

This is a wonderfully written account of a missionary's life in early 20th century China. Both educational and entertaining. Well worth the reader's time. Ed Bliss does the subject exquisite justice.

From what I've read of reviews and from what I know of the content of this beautifully written biography of a father by his son.

"Beyond the Stone Arches" is the gripping story of a pioneer missionary doctor who served for four decades in a mission station deep in the interior of Fujian province. Each chapter could stand alone, for the scene changes from Imperial China to the shaky, new Republic in 1911, to civil wars, banditry, floods, plague and cholera epidemics - but through it all, Edward Bliss, Jr. tells the story of his father's daily work, his love for China and its people, his ventures such as raising milk cows so children could have milk, and his courage in the face of danger from Communist guerrillas, bandit gangs and rampant warlords. The book reads like an autobiography, for the author draws heavily on his own extensive interviews with his father and his father's letters, plus the author's own memories of childhood in pre-modern China. This is not a stereotype "missionary book!"