For the information that was presented, this was an excellent source. This was my first time reading on this subject. The I Ching (pronounced ee is anFor the information that was presented, this was an excellent source. This was my first time reading on this subject. The I Ching (pronounced ee is an divination tool, an oracle. It is a divination system with 3000 year old roots in the traditions of magic and shamanism. Nearly all that was significant in traditional China—philosophy, science, politics, and popular culture—was found on interpretations and adaptations of the I. The core of the book is the oldest and most complex divinatory system to survive into modern times. (p 8)
The authors gave the history of the system, it's use throughout China's history, questioning the oracle and getting an answer, interpreting responses, interpretation of the 64 hexagram combinations, words and images, and more. Each hexagram was dissected to include its image of the situation, inner and outer aspects, counter indications, sequence, contrasted definitions, attached evidence, symbol tradition, transformation lines, and image tradition.
Overall this was a great explanation on the I Ching. At first I was overwhelmed with the information and this is not something you'll memorize by any means. Once I started reading it from an explanatory view point the book made sense. I would recommend this to anyone interested in this subject or in Asian cultural studies. Thanks! ...more
I had difficulty attempting to understand this text. I wouldn't describe it as a text but a philosophical-centered narrative. There were stanzas that I had difficulty attempting to understand this text. I wouldn't describe it as a text but a philosophical-centered narrative. There were stanzas that were elaborated upon that related to the inner teachings. The second part of the book I had trouble following to he honest. Taoism is something I know nothing about so maybe I should do more research if I choose to explore this book again. I could grasp the Yin and Yang ☯ concept the hexagrams of earth ☷, heaven ☰, fire ☲, and water ☵. But others like jade furnace and crimson chamber and gold elixir went over my head.
A lot of the verbiage and narrative would require the novice reader to do more research. I would only recommend this to someone who is familiar with Taoism and it's principles. Thanks!...more
This is good follow-up after reading Deng Xiaoping by Ezra Vogel. The book seamlessly ties in the continuation of China's modernization under Jiang ZeThis is good follow-up after reading Deng Xiaoping by Ezra Vogel. The book seamlessly ties in the continuation of China's modernization under Jiang Zemin's leadership. The book references the Fifteenth Party Congress of September 1997 marking Deng Xiaoping's official end and the ushering in of the Jiang Zemin era. Overall this book focuses on the politics of power consolidation and the political economy of market-oriented reform in the 1990s. Jiang continued to build on Deng's forte of "building socialism with Chinese characteristics" pg. 17.
Each chapter is written by a different professor, author, economist, and/or political analyst. Subjects include modernizing the military, systematic changes of political personnel, restructuring of state-owned enterprises, and other topics.
I found Chapter 10 (pg. 165-82) interesting as it was about making/keeping the PRC a global economic power and influence, building strategic partnerships, and addressed the uniqueness of China's nationalism vs. national identity.
I thought all the material and data presented was great but dated. I feel this would be excellent for someone looking for a consolidated snapshot of the 1990s Peoples' Republic of China political and economic climate. The book was published in 2000 but is still relevant in China's modern history....more
This was a very extensive and lengthy account of Deng Xiaoping's transformation of the Peoples' Republic of China. It was full of details and well resThis was a very extensive and lengthy account of Deng Xiaoping's transformation of the Peoples' Republic of China. It was full of details and well researched yet was very readable and not boring. This typical biography follows the Paramount Leader from his humble beginnings to his death at 92 years old. The author outlines how his policies (both domestic and international) set the stage for China's success. Under Deng the country outgrew its backwardness and transformed into a major player on the world market.
An interesting subchapter explains the Chinese and Soviet Reforms: A Comparison from pages 473-76 and helps demonstrate why Deng was instrumental in keeping China alive while the USSR and communist Eastern Europe crumbled.
Another very interesting chapter ( pages 477-522) for me was Chapter 17: "One Country, Two Systems: Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet". This chapter focused on the diplomatic, political, and economic interactions with the three aforementioned geopolitical entities under Deng in the 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s.
I really enjoyed this not-boring book and learned quite a good deal. I would recommend it to anyone interested in modern Chinese politics. Thanks!...more
This is my first Mao Zedong biography so I am unbiased towards other authors. From the get-go the authors explain "A recent biography of Mao by Jung CThis is my first Mao Zedong biography so I am unbiased towards other authors. From the get-go the authors explain "A recent biography of Mao by Jung Chang and Jon Holliday, Mao: The Unknown Story, was criticized in the academic community on grounds of reliability and distorted judgments. We tried to avoid these shortcomings by making careful and discriminating use of a wider array of sources than any other biographer, weighing evidence carefully, and presenting sound and forceful judgments unmarred by political considerations." pg. 5
I found this account very heavy and detailed with a lot of people and places throughout the entire book. It's not a bad thing but for me it felt bogged down. Some parts of the book cover lengthy parts of China's history and how they tie into modern China's story.
The last third of the book titled "The Dictator" is where things really take off. It covers the Korean conflict, socialist industrialization, the Great Leap Forward, the famine, other tragic events. The great fall-out between the USSR and Peoples' Republic of China is discussed and foreshadowed with "Stalin also said that there was a danger that a 'Chinese Tito' might emerge." pg. 372
A unique study on the cultural, political, and societal differences that make the North Koreans unique to their southern counterparts. A pretty cool bA unique study on the cultural, political, and societal differences that make the North Koreans unique to their southern counterparts. A pretty cool book that made me learn several things....more
This was a well-documented and well-researched biography on one of the most prominent figures from the Peoples' Republic of China. Chou En-lai (as I wThis was a well-documented and well-researched biography on one of the most prominent figures from the Peoples' Republic of China. Chou En-lai (as I was taught in school) did many things to keep afloat the country as the Mao regime came to its end. I was captivated throughout this book....more
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