China Books - Page 3

Beijing (City Guide)

Damian Harper

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very Good, But Then You'd Hope So, Wouldn't You? 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I saw this book in a book store the other day and sat down to take a peek through it. Two hours later and I realized that, well, it was two hours later. This is a very good guide, but for a city as culturally interesting as Beijing, one wouldn't really expect anything less. Beijing is easy to get around (it's essentially a giant grid enveloped by a handful of ring roads) and the transportation system is a breeze, if not a little dingy. Also, there are plenty of engaging sites and areas to take in (the hutong are fascinating) and it is quite obvious which places you should see and which you may want to forego. The Lonely Planet doesn't always come through in the way you expect it to, but it does here. Moreover, it doesn't prattle on in flowery, over-generous language like it does it some volumes. I give this book a bouyant four stars.

Editorial Review:

Ever wondered what Peking duck tastes like on its home turf? Always wanted to climb the Great Wall? Or perhaps you'd like something a little more obscure. A ride around town in Madame Mao's old Red Flag stretch limousine, perhaps? Whatever tickles you, one thing's for sure: Beijing is one impressive city. This up-to-the-minute guidebook uncovers all the marvellous secrets - and makes sure you have a great time.

Pull-out Sheet Map in Chinese and English

Beijing Resident Author - over 500 places visited and reviewed; dozens of new bars and restaurants added

Language Help - all places listed in Chinese and English for easy navigation

Ancient Beijing Explored in walking and cycling tours throughout the hutong

Olympics Coverage shows off the city's remarkable transformation

Lonely Planet Taiwan

Andrew Bender, Julie Grundvig, Robert Kelly

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

2007 Edition significantly improved 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

All the other reviews for this book are for the previous edition. I'm very happy with this updated Taiwan 7th edition which came out a month ago. The two writers live in Taiwan and have added an extra focus and assembled detailed information on a range of Taiwan's attractions like hot springs, mountaineering, river rafting as well as the more well-known things like eating out, temples, museums etc. that bring people to Taiwan. At the same time, the urban attractions of Taipei and more established destinations like AliShan, Taroko Gorge, Kenting beach and other areas have been updated and more obscure areas have been added since the last edition. Despite its small size and reputation as a junkyard, Taiwan has a wealth of things to see and do and this Guide, for my money, has been successful in showing how to get the most out of it.

Editorial Review:

Ilha Formosa, the 'beautiful isle', is a modern society steeped in Chinese heritage, a land of tropical islands and mountain retreats, neon-lit noodle bars and teeming night markets. Whatever you crave - a soak at a hot spring, a temple-hopping itinerary - this is the only guide that puts it all in one book. From the practical to the inspirational, let us connect you with Taiwan.

• BE INSPIRED by itineraries through old Taiwan, new Taipei and the East Coast • ESCAPE to idyllic mountains, tropical islands and coastal strips with our excursion ideas • FEAST LIKE AN EMPEROR - our expert-written Food & Drink chapter is at your service • CROSS THE LANGUAGE BARRIER - with our extensive Language chapter and loads of Chinese script • GET AROUND - with the help of 78 detailed maps

Hong Kong & Macau (City Guide)

Andrew Stone

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

1* for accuracy, 3* for walking tours. 4* for background reading, THUMBS DOWN. 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I just went to Hong Kong and Macau for 5 days. The book (Feb 2008 edition, so brand new)had some good background reading and has a pull out map in the back which was nice, until we realized it was inaccurate.

Our basic itinerary was: Day 1: travel/explore kowloon (where we stayed). Day 2, Disneyland AM, Hong Kong peak tram PM. Day 3: Explore hong kong island (AM and early afternoon), Ferry to Macau (afternoon-PM). Day 4: walking tour of Macau, Day 5, Ferry to hong kong airport and fly home. As you can see, we didn't have a lot of time and needed to just hit the highlights.

In general, I thought the walking tours we did were pretty good, though in the future, I'd photocopy those sections. It was hard to walk and look at the book. We only made it halfway through the kowloon walk but it was nice.
After going to disneyland (that section is inaccurate in the book as well), we took the MTR to central and attempted to go to the Peak. There were a few signs on street corners but we followed the map. Seeing that the base of the tram was still halfway up the hill, we opted to take a taxi instead of following signs. We hopped in one, asked for the peak tram, pointed on the map, and the driver, not speaking english or recognizing the location, wouldn't take us. This happened again with the next driver. So we started walking up the hill. But we found a taxi along the way- and to our surprise he took us down the hill and about 6 blocks! OH YES, the #1 tourist attraction in HK is NOT in the right place on the lonely planet map. We also discovered that there's a tourist bus that will take you there from the star ferry. Would have been nice to know that. There seems to be room for improvement in this department- they tell you how to use all the forms of public transport, but not a lot on how to get from one to the other (the ferry terminal is not near the subway, for example)

Day 3- after exploring the city, we wanted to try one of the "highly recommended" restaurants in the book. Arriving at the location after a fair walk, it wasn't there. The security guard at the building informed us that it HAD been there, but there was another restaurant now. Our time wasted, we ended up eating in a mall at about 3pm.

I did enjoy the walking tour of Macau and for that reason I'm not giving it 1*. But even it had basic flaws. For example, it tells you to stop at the fort "before climbing the hill". Actually, as with most forts, it is at the TOP of the hill.

In terms of accomodations reviews in Macau, don't bother, the construction is evolving so fast, no book could keep up.

To sum up, we didn't have a lot of time and we lost a fair amount of it (and general satisfaction) because of this book. NOT RECOMMENDED. We kept wishing we had the Groovy Map to Hong Kong (love the Bangkok one- should have ordered one!).

Groov HONG KONG Map 'N' Guide

Editorial Review:

Discover Hong Kong & Macau

Have your fortune told, Chinese Taoist style

Discover the site of a maze-like walled village, where prostitution and gambling (and illegal dentists) once thrived

Savor the finest Portuguese egg-custard tarts in Macau

Spot your hotel room from the twinkling heights of the Peak

In This Guide:

Two local Cantonese authors, one food critic, endless bowls of fortifying noodles

Fully revamped Macau coverage

Interviews with a political activist, property developer, seminal club owner, and one chef extraordinaire

Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler insights

Tibet (Country Guide)

Bradley Mayhew

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good Practical But Poor Background Information 2 out of 5 stars.
16 of 19 people found this review helpful.

I look for two things in guide book: narratives that enhance my understanding of the place I am visiting and accurate practical information. This review focuses on the shortcomings of the narrative and ends with comments on the practical aspects of the Lonely Planet Tibet (7th Edition).

The historical discussion of Liberation on pages 38-9 illustrates narrative problems which continue throughout the book. (The liberation section should be accessible on the amazon.com main web page for the Lonely Planet Tibet book.)

GENOCIDE: In the first paragraph of the section the author states that " `liberation' led to 1.2 million Tibetans deaths". This information first appeared in the early 1980s along with accusations of genocide. Although the 1.2 million has often been repeated on websites, in movies, print and even in the "prestigious" British War Museum in London, it has never been supported by credible evidence. No demographers, for example, have ever provided support in a peer reviewed journals. On the contrary, the census data on ethnic Tibetans in Tibet indicate an increase of 53.9% from 2.3 to 3.8 million between 1964 and 1982. This is a much higher rate of population growth and absolute numbers than the preceding 50 years. (Yan Hao, Asian Ethnicity, Volume 1, Number 1, March 2000; accessible at the Case Western University Website http://www.case.edu/affil/tibet/booksAndPapers/tibetan.population.in.china.pdf ).

CHINESE INVASION: The second paragraph of the section perpetuates the notion that Chinese military encounter with the Lhasa Tibetan Government forces was "an onslaught." While a very popular belief in the West this is does not appear to be accurate and seems to unfairly demonize the Han Chinese . The only confrontation of forces occurred at Chamdo and saw fewer than 200 casualties on the Tibetan side before surrender. The PLA treated captured Tibetan forces well, took away their weapons, made sure they had food and clothing and gave all soldiers and their families money and sent them home. ( See for example Lee Feigon, Demystifying Tibet (Ivan R. Dee, Chicago, 1996), p. 144. ; Prof. A. Tom Grunfled, The Making of Modern Tibet (An East Gate Book, London, 1996), p108)

EL SALVADOR: The third paragraph contains the narrowly true but misleading story about El Salvador being the only country with courage enough to introduce a UN resolution condemning Chinese aggression against Tibet. The story is misleading because El Salvador had just completed its own very effective genocide--called La Matanza --against its Mayan citizens and was behaving as a dutiful puppet of the McCarthy era US government . La Matanza was so effective that the remaining Maya gave up their language dress and customs overnight. El Salvador was hardly a bastion of human rights courage. See the US Library of Congress Country Study on El Salvador at http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+sv0017) for a discussion of La Matanza.

SINO-TIBETAN NEGOTIATIONS: The representation of the Tibetan and Chinese negotiations in the fourth paragraph is very misleading. The narrative trots out the old lie about the Chinese preparing "forged seals" to sign the agreement. The Chinese made personal seals for each of the Tibetan negotiators and no personal coercion was applied based on the testimony of the negotiators themselves. See Goldstein`s recently published, A History of Modern Tibet (University of California Press, 2008) . Goldstein's recently published History of Modern Tibet Volume 2 (2008) which has the most complete and very well documented exposition of how the negotiations went and why on pages pp 106-7.

FOOD SHORTAGE AND INFLATION: The sixth paragraph perpetuates one of the biggest myths about the "occupation" of Tibet, namely how the Chinese troops caused a food shortage and massive inflation. Actually, there were more than ample supplies of food for many times the number of PLA soldiers in Lhasa. The food market was manipulated by Tibetan aristocrats and monasteries who were the large corporate landowners and holders of grain surplus. The intent was to cause tremendous hardship for commoner Tibetans and thereby build public sentiment against the Chinese who had promised improved conditions. . The de facto Tibetan regent/prime minister Lukhangwa engineered the fake shortages strategy and reaped great personal gain. He was eventually removed from office when the Dalai Lama assumed office as the head of state. Again, Goldstein (2008) cited above has the best exposition of this whole affairs; see Chapter 9, The Food Crisis.

Note also that the author of Lonely Planet Tibet inaccurately cites Goldstein's Volume 1 of the History of Modern Tibet in the margin of this Liberation section stating that it covers the period 1913 to 1959. Actually Volume 1 covers the period up to 1951 and doesn`t deal with the Liberation period. Goldstein's Volume 2 (not cited in Lonely Planet Tibet) covers the Liberation period. I doubt the Lonely Planet author read either book.

THE CIA: The final paragraph of the Liberation narrative makes passing mention that the revolts in the late 1950s had CIA covert assistance. The truth is that US covert operations began in the 1940s through to the 1970s including funding of the Tibetan Government in Exile. This is quite common knowledge discussed in many books but again Goldstein's works are the best place to start if you are interested. Keep in mind that this is the same CIA that was overthrowing the democratically elected governments of Guatemala and Iran at this time.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECPOMMENDATIONS: The above criticisms are important for two reasons as one is about to make a large expenditure of time and money on a trip to Tibet. Tibetan culture, history and society are among the most fascinating on the planet with many unique features. It is important to look beyond the polemical perspectives and misinformation that is contained in the narrative throughout this book so that you can begin to see the richness and complexities that are there. I consider Goldstein to be the best source of information in English I have found so far because his works are based on meticulously documented source materials and interviews with all the key players. He is fluent in Tibetan (and I believe Chinese also) and more importantly has been doing field research in Tibet and among Tibetans and Han Chinese since the early 1960s. His short book, The Snow Lion and the Dragon (1997), is probably the best introductory overview. The Case Western Reserve Center for Research on Tibet is a great source of on line materials, references and links: http://www.case.edu/affil/tibet/. Goldstein is the head of the Center.

Second, in the US (and Europe) we are flooded with misinformation about Tibet and China, as the above examples illustrate. The misinformation is highly emotional and appeals to our best instincts but comes from sources with their own (often hidden) agendas. The sources which I have cited here are valuable because I think they rise above self-serving controversy with quality scholarship and analysis. If you are going to step into this very controversial part of the world, you owe it to Tibetans, to Han Chinese and to yourself to become more informed. Another US military adventure will, as in Iraq, only benefit the Haliburtons and Lukhangwas of this world and hurt a lot of innocent people.

Based on my reading and traveling I have concluded that there are cogent and credible arguments for Tibetan independence as well as for Tibet's inclusion in a multi-ethnic/multi-national China. I prefer the China "option" because I think we need a more multi-polar world with more examples of multi-ethnic states. We all have to live together. The West should be seeking ways for constructive reconciliation rather than encouraging confrontation by formally supporting China and informally supporting Tibetan Independence.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: With respect to the practical information in the Lonely Planet Tibet, I plan to spend the next 2 and a half months traveling around Tibet and may submit another review later on the practical information later. It has been my experience that Lonely Planet guides provide good information on lodging and transportation and are generally good on food choices, shopping, entry tickets and hours of operation. Their maps are the best I have seen in guide books: practical, accurate and useable. The maps are the reason why I continue to use Lonely Planet. I have been to Tibetan areas of Gansu and Qinghai. I found the practical information contained in the Lonely Plant China book to be as useful as can be expected for places undergoing rapid change.

Editorial Review:

Discover Tibet

Be caught in the slipstream of wafting incense as you navigate past prostrating pilgrims to Lhasa's Jokhang Temple

Gaze at clear views of Everest's north face framed in the windows of the world's highest monastery

Slurp the rich, salty goodness of yak-butter tea...and learn the pitfalls of finishing your cup

In This Guide:

Three authors, 119 days on the road, 356 protector chapels

Includes Tibetan and Chinese characters, so you can easily communicate and find where you want to go

Informed coverage of permits, the China-Tibet train line and gateway cities Chengdu and Kathmandu

Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler suggestions

My China: A Feast for All the Senses

Kylie Kwong

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

An extraordinary, intimate tour through the rich food and culture of China and Tibet, told through lavish photography, stories, and recipes.

My China is a sweeping culinary travelogue through modern-day China and Tibet. Here, Kylie Kwong, renowned chef and author of Simple Chinese Cooking, journeys to ten cities and provinces, beginning in the Toishan district, the home of her own ancestors. Along the way, she meets and cooks with an array of spirited locals and samples a range of wonderful regional meals and tastes—from the haute cuisine of glamorous Shanghai restaurants to the simple bowls of noodles and pickles at the wooden stalls of Lhasa, and the altogether different and intense spicy heat of traditional Sichuan dishes. With a chef’s passion for new flavors, Kwong discovers authentic recipes and traditional techniques and adapts them to eighty new recipes that readers can make simply at home.

A rich collection of stories, recipes, and beautiful photographs, My China will transport readers to the sights, smells, and flavors of a world that inspires. It is an intimate, captivating look at modern China and all its treasures, and the perfect gift for the holidays for any armchair traveler.

The Complete Guide to Chinese Astrology: The Most Comprehensive Study of the Subject Ever Published in the English Language

Derek Walters

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Wow! It definitely ain't no 12 animal signs! 4 out of 5 stars.
16 of 18 people found this review helpful.

There's a lot of information in this book (a little bit too much at times). It's definitely not for beginners but for those die-hard Chinese astrologers.

Awesome read and still getting my head around it.

The only change that could be applied is the format... Their could be more illustrations for those who more visually oriented.

Editorial Review:

Chinese astrology predates its Western cousin by millennia. In this comprehensive text, Derek Walters traces the history of the tradition from its earliest records to the present and clearly explains the principles on which the art is founded. Through in-depth analysis Walters offers insight on the essential aspects of Chinese astrology: its foundation in astronomical observation, its development in historical context, and the methods used in interpreting the portents. Walters also provides comprehensive studies of popular concepts such as Feng Shui, the Chinese calendar, and divination plates. The inclusion of actual Chinese horoscopes from different periods offers an intimate, unmediated look into ancient Chinese astrology, and provides the reader with the opportunity to draw her own conclusions.

National Geographic Atlas of China

National Geographic

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Boasting more than 300 full-color maps and illustrations, this essential new atlas dramatically highlights the tremendous changes occurring within China—the world's fastest growing economy and most populous place—as well as their global implications. National Geographic maps the entire country with sections covering all provinces—including towns, cities, and transportation networks—to provide rich, comprehensive, and meticulously researched coverage of China's dynamic landscape.

Ten major cities receive an entire spread with detailed maps and fact boxes. Coverage of Beijing, the capital, pinpoints sites of the 2008 Summer Olympics. And as Shanghai prepares to host the 2010 World's Fair—China's first, expected to draw 70 million visitors—this important destination is charted extensively as well.

Fascinating thematic maps accurately post the latest information on trade, energy, natural resources, population, military strength, religion, languages, tourism, transportation, and more. A substantial place-name index helps the reader navigate to thousands of specific locations. New satellite imagery—at the highest resolution ever published by National Geographic—reveals amazing details of China's diversified physical landscape. A historical timeline, commentaries, graphs, travel info, and photos complete the thorough yet succinct coverage of today's China.

For the millions of spectators planning to visit or view China's upcoming events... the many vacationers who tour the country each year... companies doing business with China... students of history and geography... and others interested in world events, this timely reference will prove indispensable.

Frommer's China (Frommer's Complete)

Simon Foster, Jen Lin-Liu, Sharon Owyang, Sherisse Pham, Beth Reiber, Lee Wing-sze, Christoper Winnan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Over 800 pages, but still too thin! 2 out of 5 stars.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Frommer's "China Complete" tries hard to include a lot of information, but there's just not enough room in "only" 800 pages to pack it all in. Let's face it, China is too big a country to be covered adequately by an all-in-one guidebook. I'd definitely go for more specialized, regional and city, guidebooks whenever you can find them.

For something more inclusive, though, I can suggest two possibilities, especially for first-timers: (1) "Frommer's China: The 50 Most Memorable Trips" and (2) "The Eyewitness Travel Guide to China." The Eyewitness Guide is very attractive and informative visually, while "50 Trips" has excellent descriptive text and not a single photograph! You could decide which one to buy, depending on your own preferred orientation (visual or text). Both do a fine job of describing China's many cultural sights: temples, palaces, gardens, and more. They are cultural guides, rather than "Frommer's Complete" all-things-to-all-people approach, but I prefer them for that very reason. In trying to do too much, "Frommer's Complete" doesn't really fit the bill.

Editorial Review:

Frommer's. The best trips start here.

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.

• Insider tips on China's top attractions, plus extensive coverage of unique and off-the-tourist-track regions and villages.

• Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.

• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.

• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

Shanghai (City Guide)

Damien Harper

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Insightful 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I recently returned from a trip to Shanghai and thought this was a great guide to the city. Although I love to explore most places on my own, I found Shanghai to be slightly intimidating (especially with all the ongoing construction), so I was definitely thankful I had this book with me.
Pros:
* Up-to-date information
* Offers a lot of good insight into Shanghai and the Shanghainese. I found the sections like identity, cuisine, economy, and architecture to be quite readable and interesting.
* Good maps
Cons:
* I was surprised by the other reviews, as my edition has Chinese for each address mentioned in the book. I agree that you initially expect the Chinese to be in the text (next to the romanization), but it's actually on the map keys. This is a minor flaw but did not affect me, as I often looked at the maps when I decided where to go. I guess if you never consult this section however, you might not realize that it's there.
Bottom line:
This was the most up-to-date guide I saw, and (as far as I know)is the only one with comprehensive listings in Chinese--they got me where I wanted to go every single time I took a cab. Good job.

Editorial Review:

Discover Shanghai

Spot MagLevs gliding around the futuristic neon of the Pudong as you stroll the historic Bund

Escape the skyscrapers in the tree-lined French Concession, exploring hip eateries for the best guiyu (steamed Mandarin fish)

Try for a couple of yuan discount on a must-have cheongsam or handmade silk slippers

Name-check big name DJs storming the hot club scene

In This Guide:

Over 130 filling restaurants, 80 bargain-hunter's shops, 100 select accommodation options and two exhausted local authors

Language and cultural help, from deciphering menus to doing business

Meet some of the 17 million inhabitants through interviews with a film producer, an artist, a rock star and a writer

Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler insights

Riding the Iron Rooster: By Train Through China

Paul Theroux

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Along for the ride 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

The book, like a long train trip, gets tiring after a while, but Theroux loves traveling this way. His observations of the people, land and culture are well worth reading.

Riding the Iron Rooster 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an often hilarious and extremely informative look into Chinese culture and geography from a travel standpoint. Very enjoyable for anyone who likes Chinese culture, as well as those who know little to nothing about it (which was once me). It was on a college class list of mine, but now I buy it for people. A good read, tho he does get slightly vulgar from time to time.

Editorial Review:

Paul Theroux, the author of the train travel classics The Great Railway Bazaar and The Old Patagonian Express, takes to the rails once again in this account of his epic journey through China. He hops aboard as part of a tour group in London and sets out for China's border. He then spends a year traversing the country, where he pieces together a fascinating snapshot of a unique moment in history. From the barren deserts of Xinjiang to the ice forests of Manchuria, from the dense metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing, and Canton to the dry hills of Tibet, Theroux offers an unforgettable portrait of a magnificent land and an extraordinary people.