Don Quixote in China: The Search for Peach Blossom Spring [Paperback]

Dean Barrett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

T'ao Yuan Ming, a 4th century poet, wrote about a mysterious utopia in the remote mountains of China. In this utopia, generations of Chinese had isolated themselves from China's wars and rebellions and knew nothing of the outside world. Sixteen centuries later, after sifting through clues leading him to believe it actually exists, Dean Barrett journeyed into China in search of this pastoral paradise; and neither travel literature nor the Middle Kingdom will ever be the same again."Dean Barrett's book is as unusual as it is thought-provoking and Mr. Barrett makes a fascinating modern-day Don Quixote as he doggedly searches for an elusive jewel of Chinese literature in the remote mountains and secluded valleys of China,"-Harold Stephens, author of Take China"With his empathy, keen eye for the absurd and knowledge of China, Dean Barrett will entertain many, many readers,"-Mia Yun, author of House of the Winds

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Barrett is insightful, knowledgeable, compassionate, spontaneous, humorous, entertaining, perceptive. recommended for all libraries with Asian studies or travel collections." -- Library Journal

"Enjoyable...A lighthearted read that any fan of travel literature will enjoy." -- The Asian Review of Books

Barrett's ability to speak Mandarin, self-described immaturity and pervasive sense of humor leads to laugh-out-loud scenes. -- Curled up with A Good Book

Dean Barrett is insightful, knowledgeable, compassionate, spontaneous, and humorous. Recommended for all libraries with Asian studies or travel collections. -- Library Journal

Don Quixote in China is a travel book I won't hesitate to advise you to read. -- Bangkok Post 21 November 2003

Filled with hilarious episodes. I recommend this book to anyone having an interest in China. -- RoundtableReviews.com

Here's a book you're sure to enjoy. An enjoyable stumble through the less visited reaches of China's tourist industry. -- The Asian Review of Books

About the Author

Dean Barrett has lived in Asia for nearly a quarter of a century. He has written several books on China, Hong Kong and Thailand. He was a Chinese linguist with the American Army Security Agency and lived in Hong Kong for 17 years. He now lives in Bangkok, Thailand.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Village East Books (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966189973
• ISBN-13: 978-0966189971
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,773,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dean Barrett first came to Asia as a Chinese linguist with the American Army Security Agency specializing in Intelligence Operations. He later did graduate work in Asian Studies at San Francisco State College and received his M.A. from the University of Hawaii.

Originally from Groton, Connecticut, Dean was a playwright in New York City for 14 years and a librettist/lyricist at BMI and a member of Dramatist Guild. Almost all of his books - fiction and nonfiction - are set in Asia or have a close connection with China or Thailand.

His detective series set in Bangkok includes Skytrain to Murder and Permanent Damage. His erotic novel set in China - A Love Story: The China Memoirs of Thomas Rowley - is available on Kindle.

His websites are: www.deanbarrettmystery.com and www.deanbarrettthailand.com.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=548784102

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and entertaining travels through China, March 24, 2004

By 

Robert Lynch (Brooklyn, NY, SA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don Quixote in China: The Search for Peach Blossom Spring (Paperback)

The author of this book sets out to locate a Chinese arcadia in the mountains of China based on clues in a fourth century poem written by a Chinese poet who was always pretty high on Chinese wine, anyway. So he heads off into China to try to locate this remote community called Peach Blossom Spring. The book is interesting, sometimes very funny, and sometimes hilarious. Although he is not afraid to criticize the Chinese it is clear he has a great love for them as well as quite a thorough knowledge of Chinese history and culture. He spends some time describing his encounters with Chinese women such as "Miss Pong" but that is part of the fun of his style.

I can highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read and wants to learn about China at the same time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Far Out!, April 6, 2004

By 

James Ackers (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don Quixote in China: The Search for Peach Blossom Spring (Paperback)

A really great book on China and a great way to learn about a Chinese poet. The writer searches the hills of China for a utopia which it is quite clear never existed in the first place (except maybe in his weird mind) and in that way we learn about China in a way textbooks can't teach us. Far out! I cracked up laughing in places, something I seldom do with travel books. I like the writer's weird way of looking at things. No bull, just lots of insight. A great read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny & interesting, March 3, 2004

By 

John Norton (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don Quixote in China: The Search for Peach Blossom Spring (Paperback)

Don Quixote in China is one of those travel books that is as entertaining as it is informative. I learned a lot about Chinese people and culture while I laughed out loud. The author has a lot of fun in his search for a kind of utopia that in all probability doesn't exist anyway. But the fun and the learning experience is in his search. Well written and informative.