No comments about Sketches of Central Asia: Additional Chapters on My Travels, Adventures, and on the Ethnology of Central Asia.

No comments about Experiencing China.

No comments about Lonely Planet Hong Kong MacAu and Canton (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit).

No comments about Narrative of a Journey through the Province of Khorassan, and on the N.W. Frontier of Afghanistan in 1875: Volume 2.

No comments about Travellers' Tales of Old Hong Kong and the South China Coast.

No comments about Mountains of the Middle Kingdom.

2 comments about Scaling the Dragon.

1. I loved this true adventure story, written by two impossibly inquisitive academics who encounter China during an extended sojourn as teachers there. Janice (Moulton) and Robin (Robinson) move through this adventure like a contemporary Mr. and Mrs.Marco Polo. They know how to tell a story, well-paced, richly detailed, weaving their characters in and out of the exciting narrative. And what characters! Golden Zhou, Little Lin, Adjective Boy, and an interesting supporting cast of Westerners trying to deal with China and each other. As a long-ago Peace Corps Volunteer, I can say that Moulton and Robinson really reveal the drama and adventure of a deep cross-cultural encounter. "Scaling The Dragon" should be on a short-list of books to be read by Peace Corps Volunteers and other Americans preparing for an extended stay in another culture. Better yet, this book could be made into a great movie!



2. Scaling the Dragon is a wonderful narrative about teaching and living in China. Moulton and Robinson have a colorful writing style that is fully of energy and personality. Their engaging story is informed with their astute observations. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to go on a delightful literary journey with these two wonderful authors.

No comments about The Short Cut to India; the Record of a Journey along the Route of the Baghdad Railway.

1 comments about The Chinese.

1. John Fraser's book is an easily accesibly, non-scholarly overview of the terrible events that occurred during China's arguably darkest period in it's 3,000 years of history. He avoids the objective by-stander point of view and is able to draw the reader to the story and the Chinese people. Simply must-read for anyone interested in understanding China.

1 comments about Passport China: Your Pocket Guide to Chinese Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World).

1. An informative, concise introduction to the culture and customs of the People's Republic of China. The book begins with a brief overview of the country, climate, language, and major cultural influences. It continues with a section on the business environment, which includes: basic attitudes of the Chinese government toward business; the work environment; Chinese attitudes about time, meetings and negotiating; and some strategies for success. There follows a section on Chinese customs and etiquette which includes: Chinese names, titles and greetings; communication styles; dress and appearance; entertaining and socializing. The final section contains additional information about basic Chinese phrases (not helpful since Chinese is a tonal language), how to address correspondence, some useful numbers, and some Internet address and additional books on China.

   Having lived and taught in China for a few years, I can attest to the accuracy of the content. I even learned a few things myself. This is a good book for someone who needs a quick introduction to the subject of doing business in China. However, for anyone having a position of responsibility in a business venture in China, I would definitely recommend further reading on the subject.