Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox [Paperback]

Eun Y. Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1877864854 | ISBN-13: 978-1877864858

According to the principles of yin and yang, life is governed by the coexistence of two opposites that complete each other in order to create harmony. In many ways, this concept can help us understand the advantages and drawbacks of American customs and values as perceived by Asians. Dr. Eun Kim's The Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox takes an Eastern view of America and discusses various facets of its culture by exploring the yang (virtue) and yin (vice) of these various traits.Drawing upon decades of history, general wisdom, proverbs, personal experiences, anecdotes and quotes from Asians and Americans, Kim presents a highly personal and readable book that candidly addresses American traits when compared to Asian customs and values. Intended for both American and Asian audiences, The Yin and Yang of American Culture will dispel any misconceptions with its grounded analysis of American culture, helping to build mutual understanding among Asians and Americans alike.In her book The Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox, Dr. Eun Young Kim has presented a crisp composite picture of American cultural traits and values. For people who think it is not possible to make cultural generalizations about Americans, this book will be an eye-opener. Dr. Kim has demonstrated the value of stepping outside of one's own culture in order to view it from the perspective of another cultural group. By seeing themselves as many Asians see them, Americans can begin to understand both the positive and more problematic aspects of their image globally. Rich with examples, personal stories and cross-cultural insight, this book is a significant contribution to the cross-cultural field at a time when global cross-cultural understanding is no longer a luxury. For those Americans who wish to follow the adage, 'Know thyself, this straightforward book can be a guide.-Deena Levine & Associates Since September 11, we've read a lot of articles that analyze 'Why They Hate Us. But, even though there's no denying many people around the world do hate America, a 'love-hate' attitude actually is more prevalent, argues Eun Y. Kim. There are plenty of practical reasons to read this book. Americans do business around the world and welcome millions of visitors and immigrants each year. But it's also just plain fun to see ourselves through the eyes of others.-Mike Revzin, Journal ConstitutionContentsPrefaceIntroductionPart 1 The Yang of American Culture: Celebration of American VirtuesPart 2 The Yin of American Culture: Liberation of American VicesPart 3 Invitation to Global Virtues

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Eun Y. Kim is president of CEO International, an international management consulting firm based in Austin, Texas. Kim has worked in the U.S. and Asia as a management and communications consultant for many years and is the author of seven books and numerous articles on business and cross-cultural communication.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877864854
• ISBN-13: 978-1877864858
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging, August 14, 2001

By 

Kevin (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox (Paperback)

Eun Kim gives a fascinating insight into the differences between American and Asian Cultures and in so doing highlights the potential of a superior system which integrates the positives of both. The book is challenging, brave and thoughful. Her Global Virtues at the end of the book is a wonderful contribution towards affecting positive change in todays world.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENLIGHTENING, September 17, 2001

By 

Ahmed Diab (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox (Paperback)

A book that will broaden the perspective of all. Truly an elucidating experience, one that brings the conscience into a peace of sorts, realizing the eternal balance in life (Yin and Yang). This book is full of real-life and down to Earth experiences that anyone can relate to and learn from. A definite recommend to anyone who would like to possibly gain a different outlook on life, one that is of more positively directed. A must read.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book for some uses, just avoid any cultural-marxism., January 24, 2002

By 

Mike Sims. (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox (Paperback)

I have decided to update and modify my own response of Eun Kim's book not at all because my review received only 2 out of 7 "helpful" votes, but because I think I need to provide more depth.
Eun Kim's writing style is eloquent, and sensing from her speech pattern she is congenial, respectable, amiable, and seems to possess alot of charisma. However I read the book with much ambiguity as it seemed to dance around the edges of judgementalism and it seemed she frequently made the error of pushing Asian ideals onto American culture.

Yes it can be helpful to say, "let's all take a big step backwards and take a look at ourselves here and see how we Americans are driving ourselves a little crazy," which is what Ms. Kim did very well in her book. That being said, I think that if one considers her book in the "Self Help/Cultural Psychology" segment of literature I concur the book did a good job of earning 4 Stars and the writing is splendid.

However I thought her views on Americans were generalized and theoretical, and I couldn't help but have a problem with the fact that she didn't seperate races, white behavior from black or other, or geographical regions.

Where the book loses substantial worth is when trying to propose her ideas as political or sociological. If a reader uses the book as a way of taking a light-hearted and even slightly comical view of the ironies in America then it seems fine and it is filled with many well read examples, but to take it any further and use the book's numerous explanations as reasoning for advocating political and social change the book unfortunately is not appropriate for such intentions. In that regard I couldn't help but call back to the phrase, "you're not in Kansas anymore." It frequently seemed, especially in the yin (dark) section of the book that she was wishing that America was alot more like the Far East, of which it isn't designed as so and cannot be. Her pattern repetitively was to mention a somewhat farcical or more rare example of culture in the U.S. and then mistakenly lapse into, "but in Asia..." mentioning how things are done with more uniformity and productivity -- her statements are valid in opinion, but also easily refutable, and such opinion can have a tone of disrespect for indigenious Americans.

For the purposes of self-discovery and cultural-awareness Eun Kim has done a fine job in her writing. The reader is simply advised not to employ the book if their search is to somehow prove America as 'disfunctional' or inferior, and to also keep in mind that America operates differently from Asia with many fine qualities.