The Wise Man From the West : Matteo Ricci and his Mission to China [Paperback]

Vincent Cronin (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Fount/harpercollins (January 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0006267491
• ISBN-13: 978-0006267492
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,355,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the simplest history of Ricci in China, November 8, 2010

By 

jdwomi - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wise Man From the West : Matteo Ricci and his Mission to China (Paperback)

Of all the books written about Matteo Ricci in China, Vincent Cronin's "Wise Man From the West" is still the easiest to read.

Cronin's father was A.J. Cronin, author of "The Keys of the Kingdom". Love for China is in the family's veins.

As is good English. Vincent's book is a pleasure to read just for its beautiful English.

"Wise Man" traces Ricci's path from birth in Italy, to study in India, to arrival in Macau, to stays in Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Nanchang, Nanging and finally Beijing where died in 1610.

The book shows how Ricci was a Renaissance scholar in the best sense, open to and respectful of other people's ideas and beliefs, becoming the first bridge person between Chinese and Western culture.

Cronin describes how as a missionary Ricci was centuries ahead of his time, promoting the genuine culturalization of Christianity in China.

A timeless book, in timeless English, most relevant for our time when contact between China and the rest of the world continues to grow.