Like the other Sasek classics, this is a facsimile edition of the original book. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later. Facts have been updated for the 21st-century, appearing on a "This is . . . Today" page at the back of the book. These charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, make for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember the series from their own childhoods. This is Hong Kong, first published in 1965, captures the enchantment and the contrasts of Hong Kong in the sixties. Roaring jets bring in the tourists; bamboo rickshaws taxi them through exotic streets fragrant with incense, roasting chestnuts, and honey-glazed Peking duck. Sasek shows you the sweeping panorama of gleaming Kowloon Bay framed by misty mountain ridges, then moves in for close-ups of laborers and hawkers, refugees from the mainland, and sailors of flame-red junks, and the strange "water people" who, it is said, never set foot on dry land.
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About the Author
M. Sasek was born in 1916 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. An author and illustrator, he is best remembered for his classic stories on the great cities of the world. He died in 1980.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is about old Hong Kong in the Seventies with great illustrations. It talks about many things that you could see back then and some things you can see today! It describes trams, rickshaws, street restaurants and also the newspapers. There are a lot of things in the book that I did not know, so the book was very exciting for me. For example, I did not know that there were 32 different newspapers in Hong Kong.
Everyone will like this book because it is funny, it uses simple words, and there is even a list of differences between now and the 70s. Today, some of the old things are still around such as bamboo and fried hot chestnuts.
However, I think that the government of Hong Kong should have protected landmarks such as Queen's Pier. Also, I would have liked to go to Tiger Balm Gardens even though the new library is great. This book may make grownups sad to see how many landmarks have been lost.
Everyone will like this book because it is funny, it uses simple words, and there is even a list of differences between now and the 70s. Today, some of the old things are still around such as bamboo and fried hot chestnuts.
However, I think that the government of Hong Kong should have protected landmarks such as Queen's Pier. Also, I would have liked to go to Tiger Balm Gardens even though the new library is great. This book may make grownups sad to see how many landmarks have been lost.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Hiker Girl
Format:Hardcover
The drab and fuzzy color photo copies of this recent reprint mute the charm of Miroslav Sasek's original bright and detailed paintings. While it's wonderful that all of the "This is. . ." books are now easily available, it's too bad they're redone in a manner that dulls Miroslav Sasek's artistic magic - and the reader's delight.
By cici
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is one of the best choices for people who have never been to Hong Kong because this is a very good introductory book for beginners.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
sasek's books are all visually lovely, no doubt about it, however they are also incredibly informative, which i quite appreciate. this book is littered with amazing images and interesting facts.
and as with all the updated printings of sasek's books, there is a welcome list of "this is the country...today!" at the end of the book with changes listed since the original printing. it is great to see both the way the country WAS as well as the present day differences.
i highly recommend this book if you are interested in either hong kong, or simply in wonderful illustration.
and as with all the updated printings of sasek's books, there is a welcome list of "this is the country...today!" at the end of the book with changes listed since the original printing. it is great to see both the way the country WAS as well as the present day differences.
i highly recommend this book if you are interested in either hong kong, or simply in wonderful illustration.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Every time we go on a trip, i always get my daughter one of Sasek's "This Is" books, if available in that country we are at. She loves them all. They are the perfect souvenirs for a child!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Carrie Yu
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of my favorite kids books- the pictures are gorgeous, and are a wonderful history of what life was like in Hong Kong 30 years ago.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By L. Tong
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The graphics are very nice and there are a lot of accurate description of the culture in Hong Kong. However, most of the contents are about Hong Kong in the 50's. I would really recommend an update to this version. If kids read this book and travel to Hong Kong later, they will be totally shocked.
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