Customer Reviews

Tienkuo: The Heavenly Kingdom

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

 

 

I enjoyed the novel immensely--it's a fun and exciting read. The author gets the big things right--the terrible violence and corruption of the Taipings in their late stages, the disgust of many Westerners for Chinese customs, and the unusual determination and stubbornness it took for those Chinese and Westerners alike who stuck with the Taipings, or in the case of Westerners, those who stayed to pursue a career in China. I trust the typos and minor grammatical problems get corrected for the digital edition--it certainly deserves a really clean copy.

John Rapp, Beloit College, author of "Clashing Dilemmas: Hong Rengan Issachar Roberts, and a Taiping 'Murder' Mystery," Journal of Historical Biography 4 (Autumn 2008): 27-58, online at www.ufv.ca/jhb

"Exciting Book...I like it very much. The characters are believable and the cultural details about customs accurate."
Dr. Alice Murong Pu Lin,author of _Grandmother Had No Name_
..
I like the book...it really held my interest...I am truly impressed."
Micki S. Nevitt, Children's Literature Librarian, Guilderland School District, NY
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"A rare treat. An engaging and historically accurate way to introduce young adults to a myriad of topics about China, including family, Confucianism, class differences, women's roles etc.
Mel Horowitz, Catskill High School, Former President, U.S. China People's Friendship Association

I must admit that I have avoided reading books with an Asian theme, merely because there is too much western culture and history that I have not yet caught up with. I picked up "Tienkuo: The Heavenly Kingdom" almost reluctantly. My hesitation lasted one page before I was swept away with the compelling and engaging story. I was captivated with this adventure from beginning to end. To add to my delight, I came away realizing that I had been given insight into an historical event, so not only was I richly entertained, but I was cleverly educated as well. What more could I ask from a book? My only regret is that Li Bo has not written more. I am certain there are more great tales to tell lurking in the guise of dry historical facts.

"Exciting Book...I like it very much. The characters are believable and the cultural details about customs accurate."
Dr. Alice Murong Pu Lin,author of _Grandmother Had No Name_
..
I like the book...it really held my interest...I am truly impressed."
Micki S. Nevitt, Children's Literature Librarian, Guilderland School District, NY
..
"A rare treat. An engaging and historically accurate way to introduce young adults to a myriad of topics about China, including family, Confucianism, class differences, women's roles etc.
Mel Horowitz, Catskill High School, Former President, U.S. China People's Friendship Association

Masterfully interweaving history, culture, and characters, TIENKUO takes readers on a fascinating journey through 19th century China. It was a time of imperialism, trade, drug, and feudal wars. We are introduced to a variety of people caught in the vice of history. The adventures and love of an American missionary's son and an alluring woman named Black Jade are the focal points, but along the way we meet soldiers and mercenaries, warlords and rogues, merchants and nobles. And we are escorted through a little-known, exotic, and compelling time and place.

This book can be read by teenagers, young adults or adults for either entertainment or educational purposes. Students and teachers of Asian studies or Asian-American relations can especially benefit from it. History truly is made of the lives of the many small people caught in its great movements. TIENKUO gives us a delicious taste of a little known time and place and makes history come to life.