Non-Fiction book discussion forum

This is a forum for book discussions on nonfiction books. If one book becomes very popular it will be relegated out into it's own topic.


Posted Nov 23rd 2007 12:22p.m. by dan
filed under Book Club

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jennwong

I picked up a copy in Hong Kong a few months ago, although I believe you can also buy this at the Bookworm, despite it being banned on the mainland. I'm not as up on Mao history as I should be (or should I be?!), and I am definately not any kind of patriot when it comes to Mao ZeDong, but even I found this book to be a bit to sensationalist to be truly taken as definitive. Though I know that Jung Chang and her husband have faced serious critiscism for some aspects of the book not being entirely factual (or at least there are claims that manyof the facts presented in this book are questionable at best), the book is still an absolute must read for anyone interested in this period of Chinese history.

I found Wild Swans to be far more interesting!

10 months, 3 weeks ago

dan

I agree with Jenn that the Mao book by Jung Chang is a bit too biased to be taken without a liberal grain of salt.

I'm attempting to get through 1421 but I'm having so much trouble. I think I'm just terrible at reading anything that's academic and non-fiction...

10 months, 2 weeks ago

maobaiyang

I agree with you,but I think Chairman Mao's poems are more profound and enlightening ,non-fiction is a little bit boring.I like fiction and bought some at Beijing Garden Books, Jodi's novels are my favorite.

6 months ago

sophia93

I have got one book:1434,the same author of 1421:Gavin Menzies from GARDEN BOOKS.The book is worth a read as it is chock full of little tid bits about Chinese navigation methods, Arab spice and perfume trade, 15th Itallian culture, and a host of other subjects.some one who are interested in chinese culture should read this book,i think.

1 month, 2 weeks ago

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