Customer Reviews

China: A Journey into Its Musical Art (Chinese Music Monograph Series)

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The author describes himself as "one of the world's greatest minds" and his book as "a profound personal account" (rear cover). He may be one of the greatest minds of all time, but it is clear that this book is poorly written, haphazard in its range and content, and, in places, insufficiently researched and so inaccurate. Worst of all, the author puts forward his quite personal speculations about Chinese music as if these were proven facts. This could mislead the first-time reader.

There is a lot of scope for an enthusiastic and inexpensive book about Chinese music, one that will help the non-specialist approach this fascinating subject. There is also a place for speculation in opening up new research areas, but a good author needs to exercise self-criticism, check facts through careful research (including reading the work of others), and avoid bombast. Mr Shen fails on all three counts. The cover is a very nice shade of vermillion, however.