books on east asia

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Just wanted to let you know that I found an excellent illustrated hardback of Chinese history/society/culture up to the Tang dyansty - it's full of terrific color photographs of decorated artifacts such as pottery, sculpture, painting, and has great summaries - all for $9.98

It's called ANCIENT CHINA: CHINESE CIVILIZATION FROM ITS ORIGINS TO THE TANG DYNASTY by MAURIZIO SSCARPARI, published by Barnes and Noble (look for a black cover with a picture of one of the terracotta warriors).

Check out the bargain book section of Barnes & Noble - I came across this one at the Burbank store (opposite Ikea).

Cheers!

Ray

[Anonymous]

I stumbled upon this website and wondered if any of you have seen or been here before? The site is askasia.org

There are many lesson plan ideas as well as resources for teachers and students. I have been playing around on the site for about an hour now... excellent pictures, articles, maps and information!

[Anonymous]

I have to give a shout-out to one of our school parents and this terrific book

I was lucky enough to have the author, Beatricde Hohenegger , come into my sixth-grade classroom a couple of years ago, while she was researching the topic. She brought in a 'tea brick' and a wealth of understanding of the subject and of broader South East Asian history and culture.

The book itself is comprehensive - all the way from tea's first appearance in (possibly/probably) China, to the question that has torn Great Britain asunder for generations - MIF or TIF? (Myself I'm a convinced MIF-ster.) It's another of those wonderful books that have been brought into being over tha last few years that explore a wealth of social and cultural history through a single commodity ("Salt" is another good 'un, then there's one on the color red, another on the cod fish - all excellently researched).

It includes an interesting discussion of the role of tea in the creation of Daoism. (Wonder if Laozi would have been more of a TIF-ster or a MIF'nator?)

Anyway, this is what Amazon says:

"In this lively, exhaustive survey of the history and politics of tea, Hohenegger travels from ancient Asia to 15th century Europe to present day concerns about fair trade practices and organic farming. Focusing mainly on the drink's most enthusiastic supporters, the Chinese and the British, Hohenegger uses tea to tell no less than the "the story of the traumatic encounter and clash of cultures between East and West." Trailing tea over continents and centuries as it grows in popularity and becomes a power unto itself-in the form of the East India Tea Company-Hohenegger covers an interesting mix of topics, including Zen Buddhism, the Opium Wars, the first and only "tea spy," and, of course, the rise and fall of the British Empire, each of which were integral in the beverage's journey from storied "elixir of immortality" to simple commodity. The book's third part, a series of brief discussions on topics more typically the purview of purists, such as water quality, the role of the tea tester and the ongoing debate between the opposing MIF (Milk In First) and TIF (Tea In First) camps, is surprisingly engaging. Told with authority and affection, this narrative history is a stimulating treat."

And who am I to argue?

Available at all fine book purveyors...

Ray[Edit by="rrobinson on Apr 2, 11:17:52 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

I was recently in New York and stumbled across a Japanese bookstore...the name of the bookstore was BOOK-OFF which i thought was a great name. Anyway in the dispaly case they had a book entitled An Illustrated History of Japan by Shigeo Nishimura. So I bought it and I as I read it I felt like I was rehearing the lecture that was given to us on Japanese history. It is a great book to get a precise and chronological histroy of Japan. The publishing company is TUTTLE.

[Anonymous]

I also have come across an intersting book. The setting is in the 1949 when the Communists came to power . It is about a family and how it literally comes apart over the political upheaval of the time. The two main characters are sisters and their journey. The author of INHERITANCE heads the University of Iowa Writers Workshop and her parents grew up during this republican era of 1911 to 1949. In fact ,her father's brother did become a Communist while her father left for Taiwan. There is even Readers Discussion Questions at the end of the book. If anyone would like to form a readers' group around this book let me know. It is a book where fiction and non-fiction starts to blur although you would technically place it under the genre of historical fiction.

[Anonymous]

Ray: Commodities such as tea or salt do hold intrigue for a lesson or even a whole unit! I often go to evening lectures by authors of recently published books at the Los Angeles Central Library--Aloud Series. There are so interesting and the interviews are absorbing. Once there was an author who wrote about tulips ---yes, tulips. The author escapes me but it can be researched on http://www.lacl.org ---Aloud Series if interested.
Tulips were very expensive at one time and led to a slide in the whole Dutch economy. During this period you can understand a part of European history through a flower. Often a plant can hold more meaning to students than something abstract while the higher reasoning goals are achieved at the same time, particularly comprehension of the subject matter.
I am not sure of Amazon's review about how inexpensive tea is today. Perhaps compared to yesteryear they are right but I am surprised how I pay 2.15 US$ for a glass of ice tea and $.65 for a refill at the Coffee Bean and Tea. Of course retail plays a big role in this in contrast to a brick of tea at wholesale.
There is a commodity today that is called Gum Arabia that is grown in East Africa---Sudan. It is creating quite a stir in the world according to a report by Nationa Public Radio. Since there are sanctions now on Sudan because of their atrocities perpetrated by the Janjaweed and other gorvernment groups it is hard to obtain this commodity. Gum Arabia is used in Coca Cola for coloring and in print ink for thickness , and tens of other uses. It comes from a plant . What was implied in the report was that the brokers in Europe sell the commodity to American companies with no questions asked due to the sanctions. This would be another good unit to understand Africa and a geopolitical venue seen through a simple commodity. I have just given you an idea for a book. If published by you I will need my 10%. JC[Edit by="jcsmyth on Jun 23, 3:17:14 PM"][/Edit]
[Edit by="jcsmyth on Jun 23, 3:17:51 PM"][/Edit]

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