Wisdom's Way: 101 Tales of Chinese Wit [Paperback]

Walton Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 1997

A collection of stories from China's dynasties. An amusing and insightful anthology for Western readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This well-produced volume is by no means the typical wit-and-wisdom sampler that skates lightly over another culture, culling a handful of when-can-I-use-them maxims or aphorisms. Instead, under four heads and 12 sections, Walton C. Lee gives us 101 brief, tersely narrated short-story situations arising in war, intelligence, and military strategy; in diplomacy, politics, and governance in religion and expected observance; in business and finance, and in a broad variety of other situations involving the four traditional Chinese classes of scholar, merchant, farmer and peasant. The majority begin with a succinct statement of a challenge or a problem which, though rooted in the Chinese history or lore, is engagingly relevant and frequently projects a surprising contemporaneity. The situations are then skillfully amplified; right and wrong; obtuse and intelligent, and timid or courageous actions are variously suggested before resolution (plus a moral principle) concludes them. The range of characters, the quality of story-telling and the victories over danger or defeat won by intelligent analysis and decisive action make the collection a delight. What adds value and validity is that these sharply pointed tales are drawn form over two millennia of Chinese history, from the Western Chou Dynasty (1100 BC to 770 BC) to the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD to 1644 AD). To aid the general reader, Walton Lee provides a useful preface. In it he touches upon the Chinese tradition of compiling anecdotes on successful leadership and problem-solving and describes his source, the lowly but perceptive clerk Feng Mon-Lon (1574-1646), laboriously culling over 1,200 anecdotal tales from the archives as the corrupt Ming Dynasty drifted into collapse. To gladden the Sinologist, Lee provides source notes with names in English and in Chinese characters. Wisdom's Way is a small delight of large reward! -- From Independent Publisher

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (March 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886969361
• ISBN-13: 978-1886969360
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,448,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wise Choice:Very readable, educational & entertaining, January 29, 2000

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M. Sallai (Auckland, Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wisdom's Way: 101 Tales of Chinese Wit (Paperback)

No disappointment here! This book is a pleasure to read, with stories that can be applied to all areas of life - business and personal growth. Useful chapter headings, conversational style of writing and very interesting tales. More tales of chinese wit, please..