No comments about Shanghai Mini Map.

No comments about Account of Tibet: Travels of Ippolito Desideri of Pistoia, S.J.1717-27.

No comments about Strolling The Streets Of Beijing (The Charm of Beijing).

No comments about TRAVELS IN CHINA 1966-71..

3 comments about Talking to High Monks in the Snow: An Asian American Odyssey.

1. I was reading "Growing Up Asian American" and had it for over a year. Recently I have been wanting to hear more from other Asian Americans and so, resumed reading the excerpts authors shared. I read Ms. Minatoya's story and was disappointed that there wasn't more! So the next day I went and bought Talking to High Monks in the Snow. And I have just finished reading it. It's one of those books that I come across infrequently, the kind that I absolutely MUST get to the last page before I go to sleep. Because of school I longed for the moments when I could sit and enjoy my newfound treasure, on trains, breaks, at home. Ms. Minatoya is subtle in her writing but it sure hits you when you're through with the sentence. I felt the pangs of pain and embarassment and degradation when she did. It brought back sad memories. The great thing though is that she isn't sappy and she doesn't want my pity just because I relate to her. Ms. Minatoya is eloquently matter-of-fact. With each section of her book, I was amazed more and more. I wished I went to all the places she has been to, Boston, Japan, China, Nepal, and done the things she has. Actually, I admire her because she was and probably still is BOLD and DETERMINED. She has gone to all these countries and actually lived and worked there, not just visit as a tourist. She has taught and communicated deeply with people in these countries. Thanks to Ms. Minatoya, I have this urge to start a club at my college. A reading and discussional group for Asian Americans and non-Asians. I feel that many in my school and city do not appreciate our rich heritage as much as I wish they did. A club that will teach and show through discussions, reading, and debate, the sincere, talented, proud people such as Ms. Minatoya. Talking to High Monks in the Snow is a truly wonderful book for Asians and non-Asians alike. Before I read it for the second time...Thanks Amazon for letting me share my thoughts!

   Debbie Yeung




2. I would suggest that you read this only after reading The Strangeness of Beauty, which is a wonderfully written novel.



3. Traveling always brings a new dimension to yourself. This is an odyssey of a Sansei(the third generation of Japanese-American) woman, who has been wondering about who she is and where she belongs.
   Like Amy Tan's "The Opposite of Fate", she wrotes about her background (her immigrant grandparents, Nisei-Kibei parents, sister and herself) and her identity crisis.
   After growing up, she went on a trip to Asia (Japan, China, and Nepal) and met nice local people, and found some family secrets and her new Asian identity. Eventually, she comes to feel more comfortable to be Asian-American.
   I recently happened to take this book while traveling in Seattle. I'm so glad to find such an amazing book.

2 comments about Namma: A Tibetan Love Story.

1. Kate is a brave English girl and has a heart to learn, understand to a complete new world, so far away. In Tibet the life is so tough, but you will learn lots things, not the life style or the custom, but the view to our life, to understand the meaning of our life. This is a great book to read.



2. A wonderful tale. I could not put this book down. I cant wait to hear more of Kate, Tsedups lives.

No comments about Shanghai.

5 comments about Among Warriors: A Woman Martial Artist in Tibet.

1. This is a great book. As a female karateka with an interest in Tibet and international travel I was impressed with the author's frankness, curiosity and determination. There was never a dull page or unnecessary word, much like the movements of the kata. She takes us all on the journey, and how fortunate are we to be along for the ride.



2. In "Among Warriors - A Martial Artist in Tibet", Pamela Logan frankly relates her travel experiences, documenting the emotional and physical challenges she faced. She courageously reveals the beginning steps of her growing understanding and appreciation for the Buddhist faith as she searches for the elusive warriors of Kham; none of the typical travel writer's pretence at omnipotence here - Logan is open to what the experience brings her and we are fortunate to share vicariously in her journey. In addition, she faithfully and vividly describes a relatively unknown part of the world - very useful on my recent trip there!



3. Pam Logan disappointed me because she never manages to deliver her book's promises. She bikes through China and Tibet, but offers few details about this type of travel; indeed, she spends half of the book on foot. She becomes obsessed by the Kham warrior people, but never actually enters their territory.

   She is admired by at least two local men, but circumspectly never reveals the outcome of those relationships. She is stopped by police at the Tibetan border, and never reveals the subterfuge by which she successfully crosses.

   And then, of course, there's all that claptrap about how travel is like performing karate exercises.

   Real travel books reveal their author's strategy for surviving the awful and the exotic. Logan reveals only her longing to be back in California, kicking and slashing ghosts.




4. A friend of mine passed this book along to me and I am so glad she did!

   The author did a wonderful job describing her journey; I felt as if I was right there with her through the entire trip!

   Her determination and courage were so inspiring!

   Thanks, Pam!




5. I really liked this book but refused it five stars because Pamela never spoke to the warriors which was the reason for the grant money in the first place and the title of the book.Very well written and being a serious mountain biker my self I could picture eveything that went on. All the side trips and very little complaining about the conditions in Tibet. Pamela describes the people with great affection and learns to put up with the endless red tape. Visits to local monasteries are well recorded along with the rebuilding of a Buddha statue wrecked by the Chinese. When Pamela started talking about her training in the martial arts I skipped it - it didn't really add to the story and besides I want to hear about Tibet and Warriors not someone droning on about martial arts, please Pamela stick to the story as you make the reader very hungry for it. I strongly suggest you buy this book. I got one through Amazon.com that had a Tibetan beer bottle label glued to one of the pages which is the reason I bought that copy! Very good read and Pamela has a new book out too that I haven't read but will soon it deals with the saving of Tibetan Art teasures and the rebuilding of an old monastery. Enjoy!

No comments about Travels in Kamtchatka and Siberia: With a Narrative of a Residence in China. Volume 1.

No comments about Don't Africa Me: "Their" geo-branding war, "Our" trade, tourism wounds, and Winning like China.