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Journey into China
by National Geographic Society (U. S.)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Univ of Washington Pr (1982-10)
ISBN: 0870444379
EAN: 9780870444371
Dewy Decimal #: 915.10457
Hardcover: 518 pages
Edition: 1st
SKU: 09352
Condition: Used: Good
Comments: No dust jacket, but pretty gold dragon printed on leather looking red cover. Small wear on cover.
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Customer Reviews
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An excellent book at an excellent deal
Rating  (4)
Date: 2007-09-12
I bought this at Half-Price Books and have been very pleased with the level of depth. No only historically informative and accurate, the inclusion of important-events are chronologically included at the very beginning and will be used from time to time throughout the text once it covers some key elements of China’s history. The tendency for National Geographic to establish a good understanding along with respect to the ethnic diversity is well grounded through their talent and experience with professionalism. Very few books may give you as in depth understanding, such as provided through picture and good information.
Several of the writers may differ dramatically from one to another, and I suspect they were given different projects according to certain talents. Some of the writers give a genuine feel for the process of traveling, such as Robert M. Poole. The journey he undertakes through a canal stretching south to north of the country is nearly as realistic and vivid as watching a video documentary. Some of the other writers are somewhat vapid though not limited accordingly because of it, rather more directed towards facts and less visual description.
In spite of the book being visual in many respects, it does as thorough and effective a job as any book that disregards photographs. However, National Geographic is known for their outstanding photographic talent, and the writers are equally as exceptional, so you will not be surprised to find many outstanding pictures. The pages of nothing but text aren’t always keying in directly to the photographs (which use descriptions of their own,) and rather they act as supplement to the scenery and events. As I mentioned earlier, some points are much more historical than others.
In spite of over 20 years going by since originally published, I find this book is as equally preferable as any modern book. Many old National Geographic books are as suited as any modern day book given the information they cover is as pertinent to the subject matter from historical perspective. Documenting trends and ethnic diversity, the many things that change over time can be easily summarized by outside sources available, and should not be expected differently from the text, any more than follow-up after reading. However as I was mentioning, these books are exceptionally well covered with the subject matter and can give you a very realistic feel for China as has always been known. The book does not carry any bias and undoubtedly steers clear from the many controversial elements of China. They cover the subject from a cultural perspective and not a tourist perspective, though you will get a feel for the country the same as if you were searching through it up close. The kind of depth however is something you will probably never encounter with a short visit to the country (even a month’s stay,) and irregardless of your plan to do so, you will uncover much of the country that will have been inaccessible to a typical English speaker, on any level.
Many of the individuals covering this large book are not speakers of the language, and neither could they be confused for Asian. They see the country through unexposed eyes, and a new perspective, and they give as clear a view of the country as could be expected. Sit down and look through this book, and read its content. You will be pleased, however old you may be (it isn't just a picture book.) :)
The book originally should come with a map (full scale and simplified "The Peoples of China," along with a book mark which exists with a Pinyin dialect pronunciation guide printed on it (not particularly necessary, though it may help with prouncin some of the names for places.) The dustjacket is really uncessary, and I threw mine away because it was riped. The red hardbound cover looks very nice (and more modern than the dust jacket,) with gold gilt-lettering along the spine and a gold dragon the full scale length of the front-cover. Very nice, actually.
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