Customer Reviews

All Things Considered: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese.

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Chinese language text is appropriate for intermediate to advanced students. It contains 32 passages divided into two sections. The first part is a series of dialogues while the second part is a collection of newspaper articles. Each lesson is followed by grammar points used in the text, with additional examples, and by exercises based on grammar and vocabulary. Both vocabulary and passages are given in simplified and traditional characters. Chinese (pinyin) and English indexes with page references are also provided.

This book has many strengths and, as a student, it's one of the better Chinese language textbooks I've come across. The dialogue and article format exposes students to both spoken and written Chinese. Also, passages are long enough to familiarize one with vocabulary and grammar but not so long as to become repetitive. Occasionally subjects are recycled but in a way that reinforces vocabulary and/or demonstrates variations within the language. Probably the most refreshing asset is the scope of topics. Everything from food, travel, and etiquette to Chinese culture to social and political issues (and yes, even sex) are covered. This is one of the few books that provide relevant vocabulary and discussion for students and does not feel vocab force feeding.

This book progresses from traditional speech lessons to more difficult newspaper readings that have been edited to better suit the level of students. The vocabulary/crib sheets are extremely helpful as well as the exercises. The only slight drawback is that while the text is written in both traditional and simplified characters,the exercises are written only in simplified characters.

I really enjoy the layout of this book. Other textbooks are too complicated and confusing. This one provides an article or other form of text, a couple of vocab pages, and then explains new grammar. You can tell this book is really designed for intermediate learners wishing to transition to the advanced level. The articles seem to be taken from real newspapers and do not have the make-up of a cheesy dialogue concocted by a language teacher. I recommend this.

This textbook is really great - I working through it right now. It was delivered swiftly (even with International standart shipping) and in good shape. However,the paperback nature of this book requires gentle handling. Already two pages came out of the bound....

This is a very well-produced text, containing dialogs and extensive reading selections adapted from Chinese sources, with comprehensive vocabularies and notes. As someone who studied modern Chinese years ago, I find it a very good review--probably not suitable for a self-learner without previous background. It's not truly for advanced students, but middle-advanced intermediate ones. Some quibbles: it came out in 2001, reading selections from a few years before, so it's already way out of date as far as the incredibly dynamic developments in Chinese society and culture. Selections are given in both traditional and simplified characters on facing pages, which is great, as one should be familiar with both--but for some reason the simplified character texts are in a lighter typeface, making it a bit less legible. Grammar notes are informative--glossaries at the back are not complete, but by this point the student should be able to use a dictionary. Audio would really help with this book, but it doesn't seem available. Hope that it will be updated soon, with online audio files!

This seller was extremely helpful and cooperative in shipping the book as quickly as possible...and the book was in great condition!

The book is really like new and it was delivered way faster than I expected. Great!

Many Chinese textbooks try to be all things to all people. This book, however, is written by for American students. The articles will be of interest to them, the explanations will be easy to understand, and best of all, the book includes both simplified and traditional characters.

I also like how each chapter is relatively short. If you find it uninteresting for some reason, you don't have to suffer too long; there's another one coming up behind.

This book was used in our 3rd year Chinese class and was one of the best books for intermediate/advanced Chinese students I've seen. I've traveled and studied extensively in China and the books there are horribly boring (probably due to censureship) This books range of topics kept the class engaged the entire semester. I really enjoyed reading it.

The one downside of the book, as another critic mentioned, is that the binding is pretty horrible and was starting to come apart by semester's end.

many students in my class newly perchased this book less than 5 months ago, and within 2 months of barly any use, many students were complaining that the book's bindings were falling apart! almost all of the class's books were falling apart. also, many of the chapters have hundreds of vocab words, but many of the vocab words are repeated and repeated! it is nice that the book gives both simplified and traditional characters, but the grammar examples and the homework exercises are only done in simplified...which is a real pain if you only know traditional.