Books on Chinese Culture/Way of Life

[chef4u]

Question: Can anybody recommend a good book(s) to read about Chinese culture and maybe their way of life, their thinking and maybe even describing some of the differences between western and eastern thoughts? I guess any kind of book that may help us to better understand our SO's even better.

Edited January 14, 2006 by chef4u (see edit history)

[Trigg]

Question:  Can anybody recommend a good book(s) to read about Chinese culture and maybe their way of life, their thinking and maybe even describing some of the differences between western and eastern thoughts?  I guess any kind of book that may help us to better understand our SO's even better.

182523[/snapback]

Me thinks it would be very difficult to learn from a book. there are many differences in culture form city to city and age group to age group. I suggest you learn the same way I did-the Mop Ling Mop slapping school of behaviour. if ya get mop slapped--you were wrong. If you don't get mop slapped--you were probably wrong again but she took pity on you!

[david_dawei]

I agree that there is no substitute for being among the people and interacting with them. I have had discussions with numerous chinese people on every topic they were willing to be patient enough to talk with me about.

 

I can next recommend a cheap alternative of the internet and library... you'll find plenty to read.

 

Finally, I'll pass along a few links and books... although they are more on the history of philosophy, I think it gives some helpful background to their origins...

 

 

 

History of China:

http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/toc.html

 

http://www-chaos.umd.edu/history/time_line.html

 

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/history/

 

 

 

Eastern Philosophy (tracing back to Hinduism)

http://www.kheper.net/topics/eastern/easternphilosophy.htm

 

 

Chad Hansen's Chinese Philosophy Pages

http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch/

 

 

Books:

 

A Short History of Chinese Philosophy

by Yu-lan Fung (Author), Derk Bodde (Editor)

 

Buddhism Plain and Simple

by Steve Hagen

 

Chinese Thought, from Confucius to Mao Tse-Tung

by Herrlee Glessner Creel

 

The Chinese Have a Word for It : The Complete Guide to Chinese Thought and Culture

by Boye Lafayette De Mente

 

The Chinese Mind:Essentials of Chinese Philosophy and Culture

Edited by: Charles A. Moore

Edited April 7, 2007 by DavidZixuan (see edit history)

[sylinchinastill]

I also think you should read some books on the Cultural Revolution and what life is like for Chinese today. Although many Chinese have kept parts of their old culture- there have been many changes to their lives and points of view in the past 50 or so years.

 

If you like fiction Anchee Min is great, as well as Ha Jin.

 

If you like non-fiction and just want to get some fast history then China Wakes, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067976393...5Fencoding=UTF8, is a really great one.

 

Those Culture Shock books aren't bad for fast info on current culture either.

[philb]

I have hit some of the staples...Wild Swans; Red China Blues; 1421;

 

I'm taking two with me next week to break up that wonderful 16 hour flight:

 

Mao and The Rape of Nanking.

 

While my first trip was fiction: The Bear and the Dragon...there were some underlying messages coming through.

 

I agree with the old timers...it's kind of like some of the kids I see coming out of college....lot of book learnin' - not much ability in ducking a mop! At this point in my career, they are paying for those gray hairs...and paying handsomely!

 

Phil

[adambchildress]

The Goodluck Life

 

its has indepth explination oon chinese culture and hlidays and rituals it is a great book and my wife was very suprised how much i knew of her traditions.

[chef4u]

Really appreciate the info. I just feel that every bit of info I can read and learn, may help be avoid the Mop Slapping...hehe. But, seriously I appreciate and truly want to learn as much as I can. Also, how about we candle members write a book on the art of avoiding the dreaded mop slaps. Maybe call it the "Mop Slap Survivor(sp) Manual".

Edited January 15, 2006 by chef4u (see edit history)