Life

Book briefs

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-14 07:59

Journey through an ancient civilization

China: Images of a Civilization is a research project of a group of historians from the National Museum of Chinese History that aims to track the story of Chinese civilization from primitive to contemporary times.

Using pictures, it unfolds the intricate tapestry of Chinese history, describing its cultural, artistic, technological, philosophical and political contributions and challenges.

Howard Aster, editor of the book and professor at McMaster University, Canada, says four themes dominate the 1.7 million years of continuous historical evolution and change: its cyclical nature, its ongoing struggle for territorial integrity, the constitution of Chinese life, and the manner in which China has historically understood and related to the outside world.

Michael J. Walsh, professor of arts, culture and global media at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, calls this book "a publishing landmark", saying "for the first time it tells China's story with the Western reader being its primary audience".

Peek into mind of a pioneering scientist

A year after the death of rocket scientist Qian Xuesen (1911-2009), People's Liberation Army Publishing House has published Stories of Qian Xuesen, in memory of the "father of Chinese space technology".

Co-authored by Tu Yuanji, Qian's secretary for 26 years, and science and technology editor Liu Ying, the biography presents 121 stories about Qian, integrating the scientist's work notes, newly released archival materials, interviews with national defense industry insiders, and recollections of family and colleagues.

Story of women who mean business

The China Dream: The Unique Success-stories of Twelve Western Business Women in China, by Linda Xinrong Kausch, (Zhejiang People's Publishing House), features seven entrepreneurs and five senior executives from six different countries, running businesses in China.

China's ever-changing business landscape and its evolving traditional values provide the rich background for the gripping stories of 12 Western women, who have traveled the rocky road from the depths of hardship to the peaks of success. Whether they prepared diligently for their China dream or ended up in China by pure chance, these 12 women demonstrate how the ability to skillfully merge two cultures and courageously pursue innovative business ideas not only leads to a successful career but also to a fulfilling life. In a way, the book is each woman's China biography.

Unveiling the secrets of Chinese

Seal design and carving is one major Chinese art form that has not received much attention in the West. The History and Art of Chinese Seals, by Sun Weizu (Foreign Languages Press) aims to set this right.

Sun, research fellow with Shanghai Museum, interprets the special character of Chinese seals, by studying the evolution of script in Chinese seals and the seal system through 3,000 years of social and cultural change.