Watching the Tree: A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition and Spritual Wisdom
Amazon Description:
Adeline Yen Mah scored a big hit with her autobiography Falling Leaves. Now she follows up by filling in some of the details of Chinese thought and culture that have been important in her life. Commenting on the language, philosophies, customs, and food of China, Mah fleshes out the Chinese mind. Short essays are arranged around chapter themes and incorporate episodes from Mah's life as well as colorful sayings and historical information. She is at her best when speaking from personal experience and expertise, as in her piece on Chinese food and nutrition. But she can also come off as didactic, and she tends to wander aimlessly from topic to topic. The reader often feels that in order to justify the value of Chinese culture to herself and others she has tried to pack in every interesting thing she knows, or has read, about Chinese civilization, but without a guiding narrative. For these tidbits, the wading is often worth it, though much of her historical information can be found in the same books where she found them. One wishes she had the style of a Jonathan Spence or the humor of a Lin Yutang to make the reading about such a fascinating culture an uncommon pleasure. --Brian Bruya
Added on: Thursday, August 03 2006
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Mon Sep 17 13:14:11 UTC 2007
Source: Watching the Tree: A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition and Spritual Wisdom, Page: 3
Contributed by: Michael Grove.
Adeline Yen Mah said
Source: Watching the Tree: A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition and Spritual Wisdom, Page: 3
Contributed by: Michael Grove.
The way I see it [ Aunt Baba said ], the nineteenth century was a British century. The twentieth century is an American century. I predict that the twenty-first century will be a Chinese century. The pendulum of history will swing from the YIN ashes brought by the Cultural Revolution to the YANG phoenix arising from its wreckage.
Thu Aug 03 12:53:52 UTC 2006
Source: Watching the Tree: A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition and Spritual Wisdom
Contributed by: Michael Grove.
Adeline Yen Mah said
Source: Watching the Tree: A Chinese Daughter Reflects on Happiness, Tradition and Spritual Wisdom
Contributed by: Michael Grove.
” I wish to thank my Ye Ye and honour him in Watching the Tree. His memory continues to give me strength. I hope his teaching will be of help to some who are also searching for spiritual tranquility and solace. ”
confucius
A superb little book - which provides a real bridge of understanding between the diverse cultures of East & West.
Despite what Brian Bruya has to say this book conveys a wealth of insight and experience and illuminates major aspects of chinese customs & culture while weaving in stories of personal struggle and triumphs throughout the author's life - with gems of calligraphy throughout and a bibliography of her 15 most important books.