1 comments about Chinese National Cinema (National Cinemas Series.).

1. Read the review by Sabrina Q. Yu, University of Nottingham, UK in
   http://www.scope.nottingham.ac.uk/bookreview.php?issue=6&id=162
   
   Three excerpts:
   
   "The book is divided into eight chapters according to historical periodization. Fully aware of the influence of an ideological viewpoint on Chinese film historiography, Zhang tries to give Chinese cinema a less politicized, but broader periodization. Starting with early cinema (1896-1929) in Chapter Two and the 'golden age' of Chinese cinema (1930-1949) in Chapter Three, the author moves to separately address the cinema of Taiwan, Hong Kong and the PRC before 1978 in Chapters Four, Five, Six, and then investigates new waves in the three Chinas (1979-1989), and concludes with a discussion of transnational imaginary in the three Chinas from 1990 to 2002. This scheme clearly shows Zhang's aim to balance complicated Chinese film history in different temporal and geopolitical locales. On the one hand, the films of the three Chinas are given similar attention, avoiding any priority. On the other hand, a roughly identical periodization is applied to the films in the PRC, Taiwan and Hong Kong."
   
   "As a mainland Chinese critic, it is heartening to see that Zhang, a film scholar from mainland China, pursues an ideological neutrality in his writing of Chinese film history."
   
   and
   
   "The significance of Zhang's Chinese National Cinema results from its groundbreaking endeavour to establish a less biased history of Chinese cinema, and to "conduct primary research and complete the constructive phase of film historiography before we can proceed with deconstruction and reconstruction in any confident, meaningful way" (12)."

No comments about New York City's Chinese Community (Images of America: New York).

1 comments about The Talented Women of the Zhang Family (Philip E. Lilienthal Books in Asian Studies).

1. If you enjoy Chinese history, this is a book you are sure to treasure. The writer takes a slightly novelistic approach [which is carefully explained and justified] to create good history and an amazingly good read. I was sad when I came to the end.

5 comments about Double Luck: Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan.

1. Double Luck was an outstanding book that describes the troubles and dangers on the childhood of Lu Chi Fa as he tries to be free and escape from Communist China. Double Luck clearly describes the terrible childhood he had as he was a slave to Communists, beaten constantly from guardian to guardian,and face almost certain death. The true beauty of this book is that after all this happened and how little kindness he was shown he still looked back on his life and thanked every person he had met because it had taught him bravery and determination. Double Luck is truly a must read!



2. Chi Fa is orphaned as a very young boy. Throughout his childhood, he goes from family to family many different times. He is abused and often goes hungry. He is not unkind, though, and is respectful of others. His problems do not affect how he treats others or lives his life. In the end, his dream comes true and he makes a good life for himself. This is a story of determination. It inspired me and made me realize that one can rise above tragic circumstances; dreams can come true. I recommend this book to anyone who needs some inspiration.



3. I could not put this book down.
   It is written so well that you are literally transported to China.
   A survival story not to be missed.



4. Growing up in Communist China was not easy, especially for Lu Chi Fa. "Double Luck" is a memoir throughout his days as an orphan in Communist China, moving around all his life. Chi Fa's parents died when he was very small, and he never had a real home when he was in China. Chi Fa's sister was the one of the two adults in his family who cared for him and his safety, but she could not have him stay at her house, and tried to give him to other family members. He would leave his temporary house after his temporary guardians were bored with him and was tossed around the family until he was sold to communists. His life was hard and grueling with guardians who beat him, harsh living conditions, near death moments, begging on the streets, and many more tearful stories. This is a remarkable story; every one should hear the tale of Lu Chi Fa.
   
   Thinking that he would never have a real home to live in forever, he first learns of "America," the place where you "Eat three meals a day" and "are too full to complain." After hearing of this wondrous land, he envisions such a place and tries to find ways to get him closer to it. When he was living with his brother, he worked at a station for US soldiers to rest and retire. This gave him an understanding for the language and a happy feeling that he would soon live in this "amazing country." After back breaking and heart stopping moments, he finally sees his dream come true many years later. On each page the author would give, in great detail, a small portion of the story that put you right into the book. Each chapter was either one year or one day of his life, all teaching him methods on how to survive. And with each chapter came a sad ending as well. The way the author kept each story alive is remarkable, like he was there at each time and whispering what was happening while you were hiding in the shadows. This book is like no other.
   
   I loved reading this memoir, it is above many other books I have read. "Double Luck" is a story that can not only entertain, but teach. This book must be the best story that anyone can read no matter how old you are. After you read each chapter, I cannot begin to tell you how thankful you feel. Thankful for the house you live in, the bed you sleep on, the food you eat, and the family who cares for you. I truly loved this book with each passing page and couldn't wait for what would happen next. I admired the way that the book described his stories in a way that put you right in the book. I also feel that it is necessary to tell about the plot itself. This book could never have a look alike, it is to unique and personal to copy. This is a book that gets you hooked in and is hard to put down. After all, growing up in Communist China could never be easy.



5. I assigned this book to all of my 9th and 10th grade English students. I have never before seen students so eager and motivated to read a novel. All of my students are energized about reading and are excited to read their next novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone- student or adult.

5 comments about The Rice Room: Growing Up Chinese-American from Number Two Son to Rock 'n' Roll.

1. This was a wonderful story and one I would recommend to anybody, especially children of 1st generation immigrants. Being the child of 1st generation immigrant parents, I could also relate to Mr. Fong-Torres search for identity and acceptance. I was moved by his perseverance and determination at getting ahead in life. The fact that he didn't fit the typical Asian mold of becoming a stereotypical doctor or lawyer, but rather the head editor of a musical writing empire (Rolling Stone Magazine) impressed me even more, because he showed a very souful spirit, one that went after his passion of music rather than trying to pursue an obligation at attaining a status symbol job in order to prove success as an Asian-American. In addition, I also thought his stories were fun and entertaining. He grew up in a very colorful time (particularly the 60's) so it was enjoyable to read about all his experiences from that era, which helped make him who he is today.



2. It would have been tempting for Ben Fong Torres to write one of those "rockstars I've met" memoirs, replete with purple prose about purple people. Ben Fong Torres takes a different tack in this autobiography, telling us about two disparate worlds. One is the world of being the child of Chinese immigrants, living without a great deal of money. The other is the story of a man who seemed born to be a journalist, coming of age in 1960s San Francisco.
   
   Many novels chronicle the Asian American experience in California with a magical realism. The author instead uses a conversational, simple style.
   
   The book is not free from flaws. One section of the book tries to communicate the 60s "free love" experience, but comes off a bit like "hippie chicks I've conquered". It's as though the social failure from high school must show his belated prowess even after all these years. But it's a quibble, overall.
   
   But overall, this book feels more "real" than many more "visionary" works. Mr. Fong Torres' description of how a family tragedy indirectly helps him connect the disparate pieces of his bicultural world really works well.
   
   I thought this book would be flamboyant. It is anything but. It's a simple, solid read by a good writer. It's worth taking in.



3. Ben Fong Torres has lived a life that many of us dream about! Meeting some of the most famous rock stars the world has ever known and getting a chance to do what he loves to do! What a great country we live in! Reading Ben's tome about growing up in California was so interesting..Ben writes with such honesty and wonderful detail that you can imagine yourself propelled back in time sharing those experiences with him! I admire Ben for his straightforward account of growing up asian american in this country and as an asian american I really identified a lot with what Ben went through! Fantastic book!



4. Ben Fong-Torres has a way of painting great pictures with words. Having grown up in Oakland, and attended the same high school. His book brought back vivid memories for me. I just ordered one of his newest books cnd can't wait to read it. He has such a passion for writing and for music, that clearly jump out at the reader.



5. To those who are not fervent fans of "Rolling Stone" magazine, Ben Fong-Torres is probably most memorably known as the editor of "Rolling Stone" portrayed in the rock movie "Almost Famous." This book is the story of his and his family's life in the San Francisco Bay Area, and how a guy like Ben ended up as a founding editor of the world's most famous rock magazine. Hint: he was a college DJ.
   
   The story chronicles the inauspicious beginnings of the magazine, with details about early life at the magazine and Jann Wenner's vision. It is also the story of Ben Fong-Torres's attempt to balance the lure of rock and roll with his parents' more traditional view of what a good Chinese- American boy should do with his life.
   
   Fong-Torres describes well the counterculture atmosphere of the 1960s that gave way to the founding of the magazine. However, the part of this autobiography that is most compelling is the description of the Chinese-American community in the Bay Area and the story of Fong-Torres's own brother's death. This is a great book for rock history junkies, but more than that, it is a sincere tale of growing up Asian in America.

5 comments about Operation Yao Ming: The Chinese Sports Empire, American Big Business, and the Making of an NBA Superstar.

1. This book is full of unsubtantiated racist drivel. The premise is that the Chinese can't play basketball. Lamaar does not source his claims - it's just like that he's making up stuffs from thin air.
   
   Regarding his claim that Yao was somehow bred. An Sports Illustrated (SI) article asked why is there only one Yao Ming.
   Why didn't they "created" more Yao Ming's if what Lamaar claimed is really factual? In case people don't know. Yao is the only child.
   
   If you look at other NBA caliber Chinese basketball players such Sun Yue, Yi Jianlian, Tang Zhengdon, Xue Yuyang (drafted by Denver), and even Wang Zhizhi. Their parents were not basketball players.
   
   There is no logic to Lamaar's unsubstantiated drivel.



2. This book is a very readable biography of Yao Ming.
   But I had been led to hope that it would inform me about China's future. I'm disappointed at how little it tells me about that subject. It provides some moderately interesting tidbits of information about China's recent history, but the book doesn't attempt to provide the kind of understanding of China that would tell us whether those tidbits are a glimpse of a past that is being abandoned or whether they contain useful indications of China's future.



3. I am NOT a huge sports nut...you know the kind who rattles off stats and knows all the players, but I really enjoyed this book. The story of Yao Ming was very interesting especially as it interlaces with China's history. I think it gives a very interesting look into the evolution of Chinese sports, politics and government. It kept me interested and I really looked forward to picking it up again every evening to read.



4. I first saw Yao Ming in a Marriott Courtyard lobby during an AAU tour in '98. I was wowed by the secrecy around the guy at the hotel. Since then, I've been waiting for the real story...No fluff. Well, Larmer captures the story of Yao Ming and the rise of basketball in China with his research. Even better, he coorelates the rise of basketball to the development of the Chinese economic boom. Major props...
   
   Now, will critics of Yao please read this book about the environment that surrounded Yao and Shanghai during his development? Will they please realize that Yao would be better suited for a team concept? It's just unfortunate that he started off his NBA career by landing into a thug party in Houston.
   
   Critics have been killing Yao for becoming too soft or for not stepping up to the mantle. Yet, what they don't realize is that Yao is from entirely different culture that professes team not the "I" like the majority of today's NBA superstars. He's a team player and a product of Soviet Training who places the group's interests above personal accolades...Does anyone remember the late '80s version of Arvydas Sabonis?
   
   Larmer touches on all of the subjects surrounding the development of Yao Ming by detailing politics, the reign of Mao, alternative health and herbs, Soviet training methods, Nike, academies, agents, the NBA and sports marketing. Tie this in with 'World is Flat', and you'll see a glimpse of sports in the 21st century.



5. The story of Yao Ming--the NBA's tallest-ever player who stands 7'6''--is necessarily the tale of the "sports machine," of politics, and of international business deals. Caught up in the forces of history, Shanghai's own homeboy has emerged as a symbol of the love-hate, push-pull relationship between China and the West. In Operation Yao Ming, award-winning journalist Brook Larmer has penned an enlightening and somewhat controversial account of the factors that shaped Yao's life, paved his way to the NBA, and rendered him a bridge to and eventually a symbol of East-West relations.
   
   Tension is the key operative word in this story. There is tension between Yao's life as a basketball player and what it might be otherwise, between Yao's life as the star on a Chinese basketball team and as 2002's number one draft for the American NBA, between American basketball training methods and the Chinese sports training system, between communism and capitalism, between the concept of sports as a way to glorify a nation and sports for their own sake. As a pawn in the center of all of this, Yao served as the key to unlock the treasure chest in many high stakes games--sports and otherwise.
   
   While the book is intriguing for its presentation of research on the Chinese basketball system and how its star player winds up in the NBA, a few faults must be mentioned. Operation Yao Ming was derived from a series of articles written for Newsweek between 2000 and 2003. While that means that the book displays the merit of much research, it also unfortunately succumbs to the hazards of allowing all that information to be hastily thrown together. The result is that the reader faces some abrupt topic changes and must suffer egregious repetitions--at times Larmer even uses the exact same adjectives, metaphors, and phrases. It is surprising that a seasoned journalist would not have done a more thorough job editing his material or hired someone to do it for him.
   
   The book also gives nearly equal billing to Yao's idol and rival, Wang ZhiZhi. Though some people may find this annoying, others--especially basketball fans--will enjoy the way Wang and Yao's paths to and experiences with the CBA and the NBA are compared and contrasted, with the tension of one man's successes measured against the other's hard luck and occasional role reversals. I, however, found myself distracted by the extra plotline.
   
   Overall, Operation Yao Ming is both entertaining and interesting. Those who find the inner workings of the Chinese sports machine, international politics, basketball training, the business of basketball, international business, or above all Yao Ming, appealing will enjoy this book.

3 comments about Zen's Chinese Heritage -- The Masters & Their Teachings.

1. Zen's Chinese Heritage - The masters and their teachings, by Andrew Ferguson, is a long awaited reference for those wishing to appreciate the origins of the Zen tradition. As a long time practioner of Zen, the many illustrious and noteworthy ancestors of my tradition, have often been nothing more than a confusing collection of names, difficult to pronounce and even more difficult to appreciate as once real and living men and women. Andrew Ferguson's painstaking efforts at bringing to life these practioners of old, and providing us with history and anecdotes from their allusive lives, has enlivened my practice and given new meaning to the many wonderful and amazing persons I encounter in my koan study. This book is a wonderful guide and reference, especially with its accompanying lineage chart, for anyone who is either a practioner of this wonderful tradition or is solely interested in furthering their appreciation for the history of Zen.



2. I took months to read this book and only ever reached the stage of being an open-mouthed, lightning-struck bystander. Such a treasure is not often found in one life. I congratulate the authors on feeding us such juicy and tangy fruit.



3. I read this book back when I was living in a monastery. I found it to be extraordinary, the other monk that I was living with at the time was also amazed that such a book had been written and he was the one that order one for the monks and one for the nuns.
   
   The book goes through the very beginnings of Chan (Chinese word for Zen) up through the "Golden Age" and beyond. I found very intriguing particularly to see that at one point in the Chan history that there was this point when so many enlightened masters had arose at once. Probably something we may never see again. You will find all Five Schools in here plus other schools that were not so prominent but had an impact as well.
   
   Definitely a book worthy of your dollar.

5 comments about Chinese Playground : A Memoir.

1. Yeah-- so forget about some of the editing problems-- this book is a must read! There are so many similarities between this and cultish groups. It doesn't matter if you're a poor kid in Chinatown or a rich kid in a brainwashing group-the lessons remain the same:One's inner voice--thinking for onesself and then of course--running away when you can --are universal stories. We have seen it in Nazi Germany, with Waco, in Chinatown and in Jonestown. KIDS of all ages should read this truly eye-opening account of how easy it is to get pulled in to an ideology that then kills its own....



2. this is a very well-written book for a non-fiction plot. It was recommended to me by a friend and I have to say the plot was not boring, the author was very descriptive in his writing. Don't miss out on this.



3. I was born in San Francisco. It isn't like that anymore as you can see, I didn't live in Chinatown but regularly go to my Grandma or grandpa after school in chinatown. I lived in Japantown til I was six years old. I moved to Oakland ever since.

   When I brought this book, I didn't know what to expect, but when I read about his life, I could really relate to his childhood. Not as extreme as his was, but I can really relate, and how I would turn out if I was still in San Francisco. Would probably be the same as him with those family issues like that. Can turn a kid to look at their enviroment for support. I too am Toishanese, does that mean most toishanese parents are stubborn and ignorant? I don't know.

   And the Enviroment in Oakland is no different. Kids want to be goo wak jais and hard ghetto punks.




4. I've seen this in Chinatown Toishan parents and the kinds of effects that their nastiness has on their kids and the conflicted confused ideas of Confucian obedience that prevent intelligent kids from healing as fast as they could especially when in other Chinese families, Confucianism does work and families are peaceful and happy or if the kids aren't targeted by their nasty parents, they grow up smug and snug and sly. I can't even imagine what it is like to grow up with such parenting in parts of Asia where Western psychobabble isn't pervasive and there are no clues at all for kids to suss out why their parents behave terribly.
   
   When the author was four years old, he required medical appointments once a month and his mother would not speak to him during this once a month escort but she would sigh throughout the bus ride and sometimes not sit next to him to indicate that he was an imposition. I've seen this happen. I've also seen parents threaten to leave toddlers and sometimes actually walk away from children and stay hidden watching their child's distress. It looks like the parents who do this imply to their kids that this can't be held against the parents since it not a regular occurence and will soon vanish in their infant memory. I know exactly what the author means (because I have seen it) when he writes that his mother was "unpredictable," intensified abuse when her child "cried harder," "perceived [her children] as her enemies ...[and] was a master at making [her children] feel repulsive." It's not a secret and he's not exaggerating or demonizing his parents. Other people see but why don't things change? I think that things don't change within a closed community and there has to be certain conditions in place with regard to subgroup's historical attitude towards entitlement, money, education and subgroup dogmatism for the problem to exist. This is not an entirely Chinese problem. It is at least specific subgroup's problem as far as I am aware. I know that irrational injust parenting had to have had something to do with later judgement. These parents are so socially insulated even within the larger Chinese hierarchy of provenance nevermind in American society that there's unlikely to be any occasion when someone holds a mirror up to them or lets them know just how they appear to others which means their kids are really isolated in processing the abuse. This is another good book for examples of narcissistic personality disorder both covert and overt. I don't respect more fortunate Chinese American kids who think Chinatown is glamorous and lap up all the exploitive media products while living an otherwise boring but at least safe existence in suburbia. This is another person's misfortune that is being used as entertainment. I guess this is a good book for those kids who have no sympathy only voyeuristic interest for Chinatown. I'm not sure that it would be effective for an at-risk child though.
   
   Born to Lose is a better book by the same author. It has greater depth. For some one with birth defects, he's a much better writer than many others I've read.



5. I just finished reading Bill Lee's book "Chinese Playground," it was a book that I could not put down. It is a must read. I found I had a lot in common with the author of the book, we both have had our own experiences in our lifetime, but it comes down to getting through the problems. It's a matter of SURVIVAL and learning something from our experiences. I admire the author for what he has been thru and what he has made of his life inspite of the obstacles.
   
   I would recommend that everyone read this book!

4 comments about Struggling in the US? Move to China!.

1. This is an informative and entertaining first-hand account of the author's move to China. I found the story interesting and enjoyable to read. While some parts may not be politically correct, I agree with one of the main premises of the book - that for some people trying to build a career or life in the U.S., there may be many opportunities and experiences to be found in China (whether professional, cultural, personal or otherwise). The author felt dissatisfied with his life, and may a bold decision to change it. It's encouraging to read about his story and the challenges and rewards he encountered. Along the way, the author provides a lot of his insight and information about China, including food, holidays, cost of living, making friends, and learning Chinese.



2. If you want a good real-world book that'll also entertain you, then get this. I stayed up till 3 o'clock in the morning reading my copy the day I got it.
   I'd been living in China longer than the author when he wrote this, but the book helped me discover that I'd overlooked alot of obvious opportunities and good times. Whether you're an expert in Chinese ways or have no interest in China, I would still recommend this book. Williams has a very unique perspective, so everybody can learn something from his experiences. It is as entertaining as it is informative, reading like a good novel, and then there's the added bonus of learning useful information.
   This book could be enjoyed by just about anyone. Williams is like a modern Indiana Jones and and also happens to be a fine writer. I have nothing negative to say. Just read it.
   
   Garth K. USA-China



3. May 2008, was my first visit to China. Read the book June 2008. Wrong, I did it backwards. Now as I read this great book I realize all the funny things that happened was actually me not knowing the customs. I'm lucky I did smile all the time at everyone, as he recommended, as I could see or feel them become friendlier when they saw it. I didn't realize the problems I caused by leaving a restraunt with the chop sticks sticking up from the rice bowl, My Chinese friend ran back and took them down, Now I understand why. Great Book, Great reviews on Beijing and Shanghi. I will re-read before I go again to this great country. Good writer, well written and funny. Hard to put it down. Good job!



4. This might be the most honest and simultaneously most unreflective book I have read about life in China. It is the author's story of coming to China in March of 2006 with little money in his pocket and a failed life as an actor in LA, and how, within a year, he spoke `fluent' Chinese, had plenty of money and women and, well, a great material life. He explains how great life in `China' is (he actually only speaks of Beijing): cops are friendly, streets are safe, all Chinese are nice and warm, there are no taxes, and everyone apparently loves him. He gushes over making 18,000 RMB a month through a combination of being a part-time restaurant host, ESL teacher, sometime actor, and white office prop, and how he can live on 9,000 a month, which leaves him $1,200 a month in savings to buy a home and a car. What else? Other foreigners are rude and mean and pushy and act superior to Chinese, while he gets along with everyone. He lives in Wudaokou with most of the other foreigners, dances at the Sanlitun clubs, and has a great time trying to score Han girls. Though he assures his readers that he magically `knows' China, he does not appear to have a clue that having four different girl friends in a year will not make him cool in the eyes of Chinese people, especially guys.
   
   As stupid as this book is, it is also profoundly accurate. If at one time `failed in London, try Hong Kong' was the mantra for Englishmen, while Americans gravitated to first Japan and Korea and later Taiwan, China today, or more accurately Beijing and Shanghai, are the promised lands for a new generation of white men who for various reasons have failed in their own societies. They of course do not think they have failed, but instead that society has failed them. Urban life in China is cheap, white guys, no matter how ugly or obnoxious they may be, can have passive and younger women, and the cops and authorities do not generally interrupt the party. So, in regard to foreigners - who are overwhelmingly male in a place like Beijing - Williams' account is more or less accurate. Cops do not bother them, some Han girls will sleep with them, most Chinese people will never speak critically to their faces, and life is, compared to North America, very cheap. The fundamental fact that life in `China' is clearly not a paradise for most Chinese doesn't really matter to the author. Then again, this is how colonialism has worked for centuries.
   
   If only the title were, `Failed in America, try China', then Williams would be spot on. The United States does not just export its crappy beer these days (lan dai, AKA Pabst Blue Ribbon, remains in business in China for some mysterious reason), but also its second-rate citizens.
   
   Oh, I know in advance that many people will complain how mean this review is. Whatever; as a Chinese guy in Beijing said to me, "the book sounds like something from the `Arabian Knights'".

1 comments about The Lost Garden.

1. I had to read this book for Language Arts. I didn't like it at all. It's good read, don't get me wrong, but unfortunently it just doesn't have that...um...spark that I'm looking for. It's a good book for a memior, but I wouldn't suggest it. In short, you shouldn't read this book.