It is a wartime diaries of Minnie Vautrin and Tsen, Shui-fang. It is also the first time for the Tsen's diary translated in English - 84 day diaries about the Nanking Massacre. The entries of Vautrin and Tsen's diaries are displayed side-by-side from December 8, 1937 to March 1, 1938. It gives the reader a better understanding of what really happened during the Japanese soldiers raped, looted, and destroyed the city of Nanking.
Vautrin was doing missionary work in Nanking during the wartime; Tsen was a professional nurse who served at the Qinling College when the Japanese invaded Nanking.
I only finished the first twenty pages and my heart just dropped. I was speechless. I can feel the fear and sadness of Vautrin and Tsen from from the words, and incomplete sentences ... It took me another day to pick up the book again.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
A humorous series - For Better or For Worse
Lynn Johnston has thirty years of writing the series, For Better or the Worse - it's a comic books about a stay-home mom's life stories. I recently checked the new book titled Something Old, Something New (2010). I really enjoy it. Some of the stories I have read in a single edition; but the stories still make me laugh out loud. The author also adds some notes of the creation of the particular stories.
The stories are humorous and full of life wisdom. It makes you laugh and makes you think.
A must-read book - it is not just a comic books; it is also a life experience sharing story book.
The stories are humorous and full of life wisdom. It makes you laugh and makes you think.
A must-read book - it is not just a comic books; it is also a life experience sharing story book.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A history book on Chinese clothing
It is a must-read book - Antonia Finnane's Changing Clothes in China: Fasion, History, Nation.
This book studies the Chinese fasions from late Imperial China to the modern time. It covers both men and women clothing; but mainly concentrates on women's clothings. It provides many color and black and white photos and as well singl-line illustrations. It is not only a book about fashions, but also a book of culutral history.
Highly recommended.
This book studies the Chinese fasions from late Imperial China to the modern time. It covers both men and women clothing; but mainly concentrates on women's clothings. It provides many color and black and white photos and as well singl-line illustrations. It is not only a book about fashions, but also a book of culutral history.
Highly recommended.
Asian and American Art at the Freer and Sackler Galleries
This book titled, Ideals of Beauty caught my eyes when I browsed and walked around the stacks. Therre are two reasons for me to pick up this book:
(1) The 17th century (Edo era 江戸時代) Japanese painting was on the book cover - Tale of Shuten Doji (酒吞童子), one of the famous Japanese Oni 鬼 tales (heroes and monsters mythology). It was painted by Kano Shoun (1637-1702);
(2) The paperback small sixe of the book - most art books are oversized but not this one. Size is apparently not a main factor for art book.
This "tiny" paperback books contains141 illustrations with 138 in color. All the masterpieces are accompanied with a brief description of its historical significance aspects. The last few pages highlights the museums' conversation and scientific research activities, archives, and libraries. I only wish this part of the book is more comprehensive.
(1) The 17th century (Edo era 江戸時代) Japanese painting was on the book cover - Tale of Shuten Doji (酒吞童子), one of the famous Japanese Oni 鬼 tales (heroes and monsters mythology). It was painted by Kano Shoun (1637-1702);
(2) The paperback small sixe of the book - most art books are oversized but not this one. Size is apparently not a main factor for art book.
This "tiny" paperback books contains141 illustrations with 138 in color. All the masterpieces are accompanied with a brief description of its historical significance aspects. The last few pages highlights the museums' conversation and scientific research activities, archives, and libraries. I only wish this part of the book is more comprehensive.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A very valuable book
I requested the book titled Chinese Books and Documents (Pre-1900) in the Royal Library of Belgium at Brussels via the university library. There are two very valuable documents in the book:
(1) The Pre-1900 Chinese Passport issued by the Qing Dynasty Emperor in 1880. It was written in old/classical Chinese with the Royal stamp on the document.
(2) A Catholic church bochure dated 1682!
Apparently the second documents was brought to Belgium by the missionary. But... I am wondering how did the Passport document end up in Belgium? - it's surely a mystery. I haven't seen a similar doumentation in any Chinese history book.
(1) The Pre-1900 Chinese Passport issued by the Qing Dynasty Emperor in 1880. It was written in old/classical Chinese with the Royal stamp on the document.
(2) A Catholic church bochure dated 1682!
Apparently the second documents was brought to Belgium by the missionary. But... I am wondering how did the Passport document end up in Belgium? - it's surely a mystery. I haven't seen a similar doumentation in any Chinese history book.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
"Tiger Mom" - book by Amy Chua
Before I read this book, I have watched the TV interview of Amy Chua, the author of the book titled Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. I have to say that I am not sure what is her intention of writing this book. I did not get an answer from her book release interview. Thus I decided to read this book.
Publishing Weekly states that "Chua promotes what has traditionally worked very well in raising children." I completely disagree. In spite of my disagreement of the the Chua's way of raising children is absolutely NOT a typical "CHINESE WAY." Yes, most Chinese moms have very strict rules for their children, but not all of them are in an abusive way - CONTROLLING, as depicted in this book.
Please enjoy this book as a memoir BUT not see it as an example of how Chinese moms raise their "superkids." Read this book and make your own judgment.
Publishing Weekly states that "Chua promotes what has traditionally worked very well in raising children." I completely disagree. In spite of my disagreement of the the Chua's way of raising children is absolutely NOT a typical "CHINESE WAY." Yes, most Chinese moms have very strict rules for their children, but not all of them are in an abusive way - CONTROLLING, as depicted in this book.
Please enjoy this book as a memoir BUT not see it as an example of how Chinese moms raise their "superkids." Read this book and make your own judgment.
I like this book! - Remembering Syracuse
I checked out Dick Case's book Remembering Syracuse at the library yesterday. Once I started reading it, I found myself "burying" into the book. I haven't read a good book like this for a long time.
The stories are from the local newspaper's column, reflecting the history of Syracuse and people who lived there - the artist, the musician, the coach, etc. The book is full of ordinary people with extraordinary lives.
Highly recommended.
The stories are from the local newspaper's column, reflecting the history of Syracuse and people who lived there - the artist, the musician, the coach, etc. The book is full of ordinary people with extraordinary lives.
Highly recommended.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Book: The Foremost Food Fortune
Susan Conley moved to China with her husband and two sons from Portland Maine to Beijing when her husband landed a job in Beijing in the year of 2008. Like many foreign families, they have their difficulty in coping with new culture, new language and the lifestyle in a new city. To make the matter complicated, Susan found herself have cancer and moved back to Maine unexpectedly. - This book is not just a "travel journal"; instead it provides many insight story of living in an adopted land as a foreigner.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Too old for Harry Potter?
I checked out the latest Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince at the local library.
I have to admit that the story is not appealing to me anymore. Plus the story has been "twisted" to the relationships among teenagers.
The problem is that the major actors are all "grown" and they have lost their innocence. The magical world with innocent child story is no longer existed. It simply disappeared.
Am I getting too old for Harry Potter? It might be the case. (sigh)
I have to admit that the story is not appealing to me anymore. Plus the story has been "twisted" to the relationships among teenagers.
The problem is that the major actors are all "grown" and they have lost their innocence. The magical world with innocent child story is no longer existed. It simply disappeared.
Am I getting too old for Harry Potter? It might be the case. (sigh)
Book: I Love Yous Are for White People
It is another book about the Vietnamese Boat people. It described how they escaped from Vietnam to their dreamland "America." In order to reach their dreamland, they gained sponsorship from churches by faking their religious belief.
The author was five years old when he and his family arrived California. This book recaptures his family's harrowing escape from the Communists in Vietnam and the difficulties new life in the "promise land," including his own dangerous gang experience during his youth in Los Angeles.
The author was five years old when he and his family arrived California. This book recaptures his family's harrowing escape from the Communists in Vietnam and the difficulties new life in the "promise land," including his own dangerous gang experience during his youth in Los Angeles.
The most typical person in the world?
I seldom watch news. Last night I heard from Nightly News about the most typical human face report. According to the news, the most typical person in the world has the face of a 28-year-old Han Chinese man.
How do we define "the most typical person"? It is simply by appearance?
I have a graduate degree in Journalism. But I have to say that I do not understand what the 21st century journalism anymore. What kinds of news they put on the prime time in nowadays? Oh well, the world has been changed
No kidding.
How do we define "the most typical person"? It is simply by appearance?
I have a graduate degree in Journalism. But I have to say that I do not understand what the 21st century journalism anymore. What kinds of news they put on the prime time in nowadays? Oh well, the world has been changed
No kidding.
Book: Angie Chau's Quiet As They Come
It is a book about the Vietnamese boat people's new lives in San Francisco. They found themselves in between two different cultures. They are also haunted by their memories and customs and at the same time, raised their kids in their new motherland.
The story is honesty and generosity; yet it is hard to follow in some ways if you only have a little knowledge about the Asian culture. Some chapters are written from a child's view of the new country; some chapters depicted the difficulties life of the adults.
Try to read this book and make your own "judgment."
The story is honesty and generosity; yet it is hard to follow in some ways if you only have a little knowledge about the Asian culture. Some chapters are written from a child's view of the new country; some chapters depicted the difficulties life of the adults.
Try to read this book and make your own "judgment."
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