Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K


Not only deals with infertility issues, 12 Apr 2007
Bought this book for my wife as a 'last' throw of the dice.From what I have gathered, it not only deals with infertility issues but also with general health that I find interesting. I used to suffer from hot feet and I found it that it may be due to liver problems in regulating body heat.
I will extend on this review which unlike the other dozens of reviews will be more in the form of a blog.

the cure for infertility, 27 Jul 2005
Having gone through the frustrations of unexplained infertility this book gives a sensible and logical insight into possible causes and solutions. It gives you, thanks to the very comprehensive explanations, a way forward. Nothing new age - just some dedication in terms of diet, lifestyle and some help with accupuncture and herbs could save a lot of expense and heartache. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and this is the first review I have submitted! Thanks to Dr Lewis in being so generous in sharing her valuable experience.

Essential reading for any couple considering pregnancy, 26 Mar 2005
Dr Lewis presents a holistic and well researched book that may bring hope to infertile couples that western medicine has given up on. Drawing on the Chinese Traditional Medicine paradigm she shows sensible (and correctable) reasons why women may not get pregnant - even though western medicine can find no reason. She gives details of treatments available for a multitude of conditions affecting fertility, from endometriosis, through PCOS and advanced maternal age, and sperm count problems and even including physical damage to fallopian tubes. She has helped many couples to have the babies they longed for and brought them better health along the way. A friend of mine had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and after doing the questionnaires in the book discovered that her very short period may be to blame. Dr Lewis suggests any woman having a period shorter then 3 days will find it difficult to get pregnant. My friends gynaecologist said a 36 hour period was perfectly normal. She is now following the recommendations in the book herself as she has no access to a Chinese Doctor as she's not in the UK. Please, if you are trying to get pregnant and are having problems, investigate this book - it could be the answer to your problems.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K


Not only deals with infertility issues, 12 Apr 2007
Bought this book for my wife as a 'last' throw of the dice.From what I have gathered, it not only deals with infertility issues but also with general health that I find interesting. I used to suffer from hot feet and I found it that it may be due to liver problems in regulating body heat.
I will extend on this review which unlike the other dozens of reviews will be more in the form of a blog.

the cure for infertility, 27 Jul 2005
Having gone through the frustrations of unexplained infertility this book gives a sensible and logical insight into possible causes and solutions. It gives you, thanks to the very comprehensive explanations, a way forward. Nothing new age - just some dedication in terms of diet, lifestyle and some help with accupuncture and herbs could save a lot of expense and heartache. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and this is the first review I have submitted! Thanks to Dr Lewis in being so generous in sharing her valuable experience.

Essential reading for any couple considering pregnancy, 26 Mar 2005
Dr Lewis presents a holistic and well researched book that may bring hope to infertile couples that western medicine has given up on. Drawing on the Chinese Traditional Medicine paradigm she shows sensible (and correctable) reasons why women may not get pregnant - even though western medicine can find no reason. She gives details of treatments available for a multitude of conditions affecting fertility, from endometriosis, through PCOS and advanced maternal age, and sperm count problems and even including physical damage to fallopian tubes. She has helped many couples to have the babies they longed for and brought them better health along the way. A friend of mine had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and after doing the questionnaires in the book discovered that her very short period may be to blame. Dr Lewis suggests any woman having a period shorter then 3 days will find it difficult to get pregnant. My friends gynaecologist said a 36 hour period was perfectly normal. She is now following the recommendations in the book herself as she has no access to a Chinese Doctor as she's not in the UK. Please, if you are trying to get pregnant and are having problems, investigate this book - it could be the answer to your problems.

A Classic, 27 Jan 2004
I bought this book to supplement other books on Chinese history. It really brings the whole thing to life. Spence is such a good writer; I was so impressed I ended up buying other books by him.
He made a source book which accompanies this book, which has extra documents and pictures.

So good, 28 May 2003
Wow! Ever so big, yet so very readable. An exhaustive history of China from then till now, it covers every aspect of chinese civilization. Spence uses an incredible amount of detail to make four centuries+ of chinese history come alive and draw the reader ever deeper, rather than bore him to tears as so many authors seem to do with this kind of work. Need I say more? Get it.

Spence takes you there, 13 Nov 1998
Older readers may recall those Walter Kronkite-narrated documentaries where Kronkite kept saying "And you were there!", even though the documentaries themselves were stripped-down butcherings. This book does take you there. Spence accomplishes what so few historians do--he approaches his subject on its own terms, and within the narrative seeks to immerse the reader in the temporal and geographic subject matter. This is one of the few--perhaps the only--narrative surveys where readers might root for protagonists and feel anger toward villains. In reading this book, you feel as if you _are_ China; the turmoils of the late 1800s and 1900s strike you physically, at the gut. Each chapter conveys not only the happenings, but also the mood of the period--you feel tranquil and arrogant as you read about the Qing Dynasty at the height of its power, you begin to feel anxious as the Western world arrives, and you feel helpless as internal strife and Western demands eat away at the Empire. If you have near-zero interest in history books and will read only ten in your lifetime, this should be one of them. (PS--If you are ever in New Haven during school terms, make sure to sit in on a Spence lecture.)

A magnet for the eyes, 29 Mar 1997
War, revolution, drama, triumphs and defeats: It's all here in this 800+ page book. Spence, a scholar with unquestionable competence, does a great job detailing the struggle of a nation trying to claim its place in the modern world. From the conquest of the Manchus to the dominance of Western powers, from the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the birth of a republic, and from the tragedy of Tiananmen to the promise of a better future, the reader gets a sense of history unfolding before his own eyes. The beautiful photographs and illustrations included brings the reader even closer to being a witness of history.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K


Not only deals with infertility issues, 12 Apr 2007
Bought this book for my wife as a 'last' throw of the dice.From what I have gathered, it not only deals with infertility issues but also with general health that I find interesting. I used to suffer from hot feet and I found it that it may be due to liver problems in regulating body heat.
I will extend on this review which unlike the other dozens of reviews will be more in the form of a blog.

the cure for infertility, 27 Jul 2005
Having gone through the frustrations of unexplained infertility this book gives a sensible and logical insight into possible causes and solutions. It gives you, thanks to the very comprehensive explanations, a way forward. Nothing new age - just some dedication in terms of diet, lifestyle and some help with accupuncture and herbs could save a lot of expense and heartache. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and this is the first review I have submitted! Thanks to Dr Lewis in being so generous in sharing her valuable experience.

Essential reading for any couple considering pregnancy, 26 Mar 2005
Dr Lewis presents a holistic and well researched book that may bring hope to infertile couples that western medicine has given up on. Drawing on the Chinese Traditional Medicine paradigm she shows sensible (and correctable) reasons why women may not get pregnant - even though western medicine can find no reason. She gives details of treatments available for a multitude of conditions affecting fertility, from endometriosis, through PCOS and advanced maternal age, and sperm count problems and even including physical damage to fallopian tubes. She has helped many couples to have the babies they longed for and brought them better health along the way. A friend of mine had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and after doing the questionnaires in the book discovered that her very short period may be to blame. Dr Lewis suggests any woman having a period shorter then 3 days will find it difficult to get pregnant. My friends gynaecologist said a 36 hour period was perfectly normal. She is now following the recommendations in the book herself as she has no access to a Chinese Doctor as she's not in the UK. Please, if you are trying to get pregnant and are having problems, investigate this book - it could be the answer to your problems.

A Classic, 27 Jan 2004
I bought this book to supplement other books on Chinese history. It really brings the whole thing to life. Spence is such a good writer; I was so impressed I ended up buying other books by him.
He made a source book which accompanies this book, which has extra documents and pictures.

So good, 28 May 2003
Wow! Ever so big, yet so very readable. An exhaustive history of China from then till now, it covers every aspect of chinese civilization. Spence uses an incredible amount of detail to make four centuries+ of chinese history come alive and draw the reader ever deeper, rather than bore him to tears as so many authors seem to do with this kind of work. Need I say more? Get it.

Spence takes you there, 13 Nov 1998
Older readers may recall those Walter Kronkite-narrated documentaries where Kronkite kept saying "And you were there!", even though the documentaries themselves were stripped-down butcherings. This book does take you there. Spence accomplishes what so few historians do--he approaches his subject on its own terms, and within the narrative seeks to immerse the reader in the temporal and geographic subject matter. This is one of the few--perhaps the only--narrative surveys where readers might root for protagonists and feel anger toward villains. In reading this book, you feel as if you _are_ China; the turmoils of the late 1800s and 1900s strike you physically, at the gut. Each chapter conveys not only the happenings, but also the mood of the period--you feel tranquil and arrogant as you read about the Qing Dynasty at the height of its power, you begin to feel anxious as the Western world arrives, and you feel helpless as internal strife and Western demands eat away at the Empire. If you have near-zero interest in history books and will read only ten in your lifetime, this should be one of them. (PS--If you are ever in New Haven during school terms, make sure to sit in on a Spence lecture.)

A magnet for the eyes, 29 Mar 1997
War, revolution, drama, triumphs and defeats: It's all here in this 800+ page book. Spence, a scholar with unquestionable competence, does a great job detailing the struggle of a nation trying to claim its place in the modern world. From the conquest of the Manchus to the dominance of Western powers, from the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the birth of a republic, and from the tragedy of Tiananmen to the promise of a better future, the reader gets a sense of history unfolding before his own eyes. The beautiful photographs and illustrations included brings the reader even closer to being a witness of history.

The title is very misleading!, 14 Aug 2008
There are excellent books on Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and one on Tamerlane, but this is the only book I know of that takes the 200 years of Mongol expansion and warfare and puts them in one book.

Well that's what I thought until I read it and realised that what the book ACTUALLY does is spend virtually all its time on Genghis down to Kublai and then summarises the next 100 years of Mongol history in...3 pages. Tamerlane is basically swept under the carpet and excused from the book as being Turkic rather than Mongol- a dubious excuse as most of the invading "Mongols" against Japan were either Chinese or Korean. So had I known that it's actually the Mongols 1190 to 1300 I probably wouldn't have bought it because plenty of books cover the Genghis Khan dynasty.

The book opens with a simple example of a tomb in Poland and a drawing in Japan both showing Mongol invaders and that pretty much sums things up. Some people who don't know their history say that Russia has never been conquered and that Afghanistan has withstood all invasions, the Mongols were able to achieve both and so much more.

The book itself is well written and has lots of maps- vital considering the sheer scale of conquests being described here. There are also lots of photos (although some aren't professionally taken- which you can tell- and others are black and white for no explicable reason) which make the whole read more lively.

Baring in mind the title it has been published under it's a very thin book and could have easily been double the length and it still would have only been about 200 pages. This would have given the second half (less well known half) of Mongol/nomad battling history the same coverage as the first half. Overall it's a well written introduction to the devil's horsemen.


Indelible Impressions, 04 Aug 2008
Regardless of why you happen to be interested in Mongol warriors, Stephen Turnbull's two books, Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests and Mongol Warrior, truly supply the essentials. Written with skill and enthusiasm, both volumes give you the sensation of viewing warrior's lives from several critical perspectives, including the all-important Mongol perspective. Though necessary overlap makes these two books read like fraternal twins, to read one without reading the other will be missing something tangible and important. For example, photographs in Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests give a realistic sense of geography and history. Yet Reynold's greater than life drawings of the Mongol Warrior's logical support system leaves a valuable and indelible impression. Finally, the amount of information contained in volumes under a hundred pages is indeed remarkable.

William S. Dockens III


a super book, 11 Nov 2007
a book wich explaining about a boy of the mongol tribe
whou by uniting all the mongol tribes with his generals such as subodai'badur
and sartaq and his sons provoked a world war.starting with the chinese
and ending with the persian campaigne it is the best book about genghis
khan i have seen. by all means if you are interested in the subject
i recomend you to bye it.


a perfect source for background knowledge, 28 Jul 2006
This book does not overwhelm. It puts things plainly but in a way that is interesting and provides enough depth to keep you reading without the need to look at other books for reference, for an introduction to this subject look no further

Good summary of the main Mongol conquest, 19 Dec 2003
This book is like most Osprey Essential histories book; it covers the main ideas very well, in this case the Mongol conquest. The book is more of a summary rather than an in depth looks at the subject, which would require a massive book. The conquest by the Mongols, of certain areas are not covered as much as other areas. For instance the Mongol conquest of Persia is briefly covered while the conquest of China/Korea is more detailed.

The problem with books concerning the Mongols is that, most of the sources are from people who were terrorized by the Mongols; therefore the books written about them reflect this point.

I'd recommend the book if you want a concise but succinct look on the Mongol conquest.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K


Not only deals with infertility issues, 12 Apr 2007
Bought this book for my wife as a 'last' throw of the dice.From what I have gathered, it not only deals with infertility issues but also with general health that I find interesting. I used to suffer from hot feet and I found it that it may be due to liver problems in regulating body heat.
I will extend on this review which unlike the other dozens of reviews will be more in the form of a blog.

the cure for infertility, 27 Jul 2005
Having gone through the frustrations of unexplained infertility this book gives a sensible and logical insight into possible causes and solutions. It gives you, thanks to the very comprehensive explanations, a way forward. Nothing new age - just some dedication in terms of diet, lifestyle and some help with accupuncture and herbs could save a lot of expense and heartache. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and this is the first review I have submitted! Thanks to Dr Lewis in being so generous in sharing her valuable experience.

Essential reading for any couple considering pregnancy, 26 Mar 2005
Dr Lewis presents a holistic and well researched book that may bring hope to infertile couples that western medicine has given up on. Drawing on the Chinese Traditional Medicine paradigm she shows sensible (and correctable) reasons why women may not get pregnant - even though western medicine can find no reason. She gives details of treatments available for a multitude of conditions affecting fertility, from endometriosis, through PCOS and advanced maternal age, and sperm count problems and even including physical damage to fallopian tubes. She has helped many couples to have the babies they longed for and brought them better health along the way. A friend of mine had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and after doing the questionnaires in the book discovered that her very short period may be to blame. Dr Lewis suggests any woman having a period shorter then 3 days will find it difficult to get pregnant. My friends gynaecologist said a 36 hour period was perfectly normal. She is now following the recommendations in the book herself as she has no access to a Chinese Doctor as she's not in the UK. Please, if you are trying to get pregnant and are having problems, investigate this book - it could be the answer to your problems.

A Classic, 27 Jan 2004
I bought this book to supplement other books on Chinese history. It really brings the whole thing to life. Spence is such a good writer; I was so impressed I ended up buying other books by him.
He made a source book which accompanies this book, which has extra documents and pictures.

So good, 28 May 2003
Wow! Ever so big, yet so very readable. An exhaustive history of China from then till now, it covers every aspect of chinese civilization. Spence uses an incredible amount of detail to make four centuries+ of chinese history come alive and draw the reader ever deeper, rather than bore him to tears as so many authors seem to do with this kind of work. Need I say more? Get it.

Spence takes you there, 13 Nov 1998
Older readers may recall those Walter Kronkite-narrated documentaries where Kronkite kept saying "And you were there!", even though the documentaries themselves were stripped-down butcherings. This book does take you there. Spence accomplishes what so few historians do--he approaches his subject on its own terms, and within the narrative seeks to immerse the reader in the temporal and geographic subject matter. This is one of the few--perhaps the only--narrative surveys where readers might root for protagonists and feel anger toward villains. In reading this book, you feel as if you _are_ China; the turmoils of the late 1800s and 1900s strike you physically, at the gut. Each chapter conveys not only the happenings, but also the mood of the period--you feel tranquil and arrogant as you read about the Qing Dynasty at the height of its power, you begin to feel anxious as the Western world arrives, and you feel helpless as internal strife and Western demands eat away at the Empire. If you have near-zero interest in history books and will read only ten in your lifetime, this should be one of them. (PS--If you are ever in New Haven during school terms, make sure to sit in on a Spence lecture.)

A magnet for the eyes, 29 Mar 1997
War, revolution, drama, triumphs and defeats: It's all here in this 800+ page book. Spence, a scholar with unquestionable competence, does a great job detailing the struggle of a nation trying to claim its place in the modern world. From the conquest of the Manchus to the dominance of Western powers, from the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the birth of a republic, and from the tragedy of Tiananmen to the promise of a better future, the reader gets a sense of history unfolding before his own eyes. The beautiful photographs and illustrations included brings the reader even closer to being a witness of history.

The title is very misleading!, 14 Aug 2008
There are excellent books on Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and one on Tamerlane, but this is the only book I know of that takes the 200 years of Mongol expansion and warfare and puts them in one book.

Well that's what I thought until I read it and realised that what the book ACTUALLY does is spend virtually all its time on Genghis down to Kublai and then summarises the next 100 years of Mongol history in...3 pages. Tamerlane is basically swept under the carpet and excused from the book as being Turkic rather than Mongol- a dubious excuse as most of the invading "Mongols" against Japan were either Chinese or Korean. So had I known that it's actually the Mongols 1190 to 1300 I probably wouldn't have bought it because plenty of books cover the Genghis Khan dynasty.

The book opens with a simple example of a tomb in Poland and a drawing in Japan both showing Mongol invaders and that pretty much sums things up. Some people who don't know their history say that Russia has never been conquered and that Afghanistan has withstood all invasions, the Mongols were able to achieve both and so much more.

The book itself is well written and has lots of maps- vital considering the sheer scale of conquests being described here. There are also lots of photos (although some aren't professionally taken- which you can tell- and others are black and white for no explicable reason) which make the whole read more lively.

Baring in mind the title it has been published under it's a very thin book and could have easily been double the length and it still would have only been about 200 pages. This would have given the second half (less well known half) of Mongol/nomad battling history the same coverage as the first half. Overall it's a well written introduction to the devil's horsemen.


Indelible Impressions, 04 Aug 2008
Regardless of why you happen to be interested in Mongol warriors, Stephen Turnbull's two books, Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests and Mongol Warrior, truly supply the essentials. Written with skill and enthusiasm, both volumes give you the sensation of viewing warrior's lives from several critical perspectives, including the all-important Mongol perspective. Though necessary overlap makes these two books read like fraternal twins, to read one without reading the other will be missing something tangible and important. For example, photographs in Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests give a realistic sense of geography and history. Yet Reynold's greater than life drawings of the Mongol Warrior's logical support system leaves a valuable and indelible impression. Finally, the amount of information contained in volumes under a hundred pages is indeed remarkable.

William S. Dockens III


a super book, 11 Nov 2007
a book wich explaining about a boy of the mongol tribe
whou by uniting all the mongol tribes with his generals such as subodai'badur
and sartaq and his sons provoked a world war.starting with the chinese
and ending with the persian campaigne it is the best book about genghis
khan i have seen. by all means if you are interested in the subject
i recomend you to bye it.


a perfect source for background knowledge, 28 Jul 2006
This book does not overwhelm. It puts things plainly but in a way that is interesting and provides enough depth to keep you reading without the need to look at other books for reference, for an introduction to this subject look no further

Good summary of the main Mongol conquest, 19 Dec 2003
This book is like most Osprey Essential histories book; it covers the main ideas very well, in this case the Mongol conquest. The book is more of a summary rather than an in depth looks at the subject, which would require a massive book. The conquest by the Mongols, of certain areas are not covered as much as other areas. For instance the Mongol conquest of Persia is briefly covered while the conquest of China/Korea is more detailed.

The problem with books concerning the Mongols is that, most of the sources are from people who were terrorized by the Mongols; therefore the books written about them reflect this point.

I'd recommend the book if you want a concise but succinct look on the Mongol conquest.

Great exercises to unblock stuck energy! , 17 Feb 2007
This book is fantastic and has just captivated me. I found it searching for simple and effective body-mind-spirit techniques to increase my healing power, stamina and body wisdom. Illness and emotional problems happen when our energy is blocked, but we all have inside the power to heal ourselves, and I have verified that these exercises are excellent to unblock stuck energy.

Most of the times we are so absorbed in what we are doing that we forget to move or even to breathe, with serious consequences to our health until we realize we need to change our habits.

The book explains through clear and easy to follow drawings and instructions 58 simple and effective exercises of breathing and movements, which now I know are essential for the free flow of energy through the body, producing immediate balance, health and well-being; of course that you need to be constant and follow the program given by the author.

I'm so happy to have discovered it! The practices have worked very good for me, proving once again that living a positive lifestyle can make a difference. Besides, the author has a corky sense of humor that really made me laugh.

I've become vital and healthy through these simple but powerful exercises, and they have absolutely given me a boost. An incredible energy practice!

A unique, well-written and amaizing book!!!!!!!, 03 Dec 2006
Today there are many martial arts that claim to be authentic and it might be difficult for one to evaluate and choose from all these available groups. I think that the best way is to feel for your-self weather the goal of the teaching is pure and if mentors bring a feeling of inner peace. I would also recommend trusting the intuition.

I read the "Secret Art of Seamm-Jasani" in just a few hours as soon as I received it in October 2004. While I was reading the book my intuition insisted that this Art is something real and worthy of trying out. I already was envisioning many possibilities that could open up if I start practicing this Art. And so the very next day I started my first Seamm-Jasani class. Currently, one year later, I continue to advance in Seamm-Jasani and I am learning two other Arts from within the Arts of Boabom as well. Uniqueness and authenticity of these Arts, the teachers and the wisdom that seems to manifest through them as well as the book, and the atmosphere at the Boston School of Boabom (BSB) still amaze me every day. Like true spiritual leaders, teachers often remind the students at BSB not to believe anything they read or hear but to look within to find the true expert.

I can honestly say that that practicing these Arts gives me endless benefits. First of all, they accelerate balance and therefore, as I believe it, a healthy and authentic psychological and physical development. With every class I feel that I am taking a step forward mentally and physically, whereas after, for example, Pilates classes or gym I used to felt like I am taking a step backwards when my muscles hurt terribly and I felt like falling on the couch and refraining from thinking by watching TV. After an hour of Seamm-Jasani or Boabom I am sweaty and tired, but at the same time incredibly happy, motivated, full of mental energy and irreplaceable feeling that anything is possible. The meditation parts of the Art in conjunction with other meditation techniques that I practice on my own help me try to maintain awareness in everything I do. In addition, I feel I have gained motivation, confidence, positivism, balance, realization of potential, better physical shape, less anger development, desire to improve relationships, creativity, ability to see the bright side of everything first, etc., etc...

Like teachers of the Art I strongly believe that mind and body inter-connected and like Transpersonal Psychologists I also think that optimum health or "wholeness requires the integration of body and mind and subsequently of egoic and transpersonal states" (Vaughan, 1983, p. 25). Practicing the Art has also motivated me to actually apply for and begin a graduate study program on Transpersonal Psychology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychology).

I absolutely love this Art and everything about it. If you are the kind of person who is willing to grow and/or simply wants to feel better, I highly recommend getting this book regardless of weather you plan to attend classes or practice on your own. I am sure that anyone who is willing to try it with an open mind (alone or at one of the schools) will see the benefits very very soon. I dare to assume that the Art might benefic any person at any stage of development.

In conjunction with this book, I highly recommend "The Secret Art of Boabom" also written by Asanaro and "The Self-Aware Universe: how consciousness creates the material world" by Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

One of the best books ever written , 19 Oct 2006
This is one the best books that I have come across for using energy for health. It is a book that conatins a series of taoist movements and exercises that also combine specialised breathing techniques, vocal sounds, visualisations. These exercises are suited to any age as they start of easy and progressively build up....

This book can serve as a good introducion as to how energy flows through your body and how it can be used to heal yourself and develop a regime that is conducive to have more vitality and less stress in life.

Now be prepared these exercises will benefit you very quickly so be prepared to be surprised.(Now if only they had a boabom centre specialising in seam jasani in the UK)

This is a unique book., 10 Jan 2005
I like reading, and I like reading a lot, especially when it comes to subjects that are related to the East. Thus, I always look for new things, and this Seamm Jasani stuff has enchanted me.

It is a magic experience, feeling the energy flowing through my body. The techniques taught are revitalizing, without requiring too much effort, and the breathing system is invigorating: I can really feel the positive energies and the purified air coming inside my lungs.

This book has three things that I look for in any book that I buy: a wonderful reading which kept me thrilled all the time, a unique message that I could feel had to be read between the lines, and exercises for the body, the mind, and the spirit.

I want to recommend everyone to read it and practice it, for it will enlighten you all, while making you enjoy something new

A wonderful book., 28 Jul 2003
I am recommending this book because of all of the wonderful changes I’ve experienced as I’ve learned these techniques. I’ve felt a noticeable change physically, as well as a great mental movement. I’ve changed the way I face the conflicts I need to solve, with friends, family, and my job. Instead of feeling them dominate me, I feel stronger and more resolute.
I’m able to harmonize my body and mind so I don’t feel broken hearted or anxious anymore. Instead, feel calm and lead my life step by step.
This is really a wonderful book!

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding but the maps are wishy washy. Two subsections of the book deal with the emperors mausoleum and the terracotta army which was created to protect the emperor after death.(asmall book by the same author deals only with the terracotta army) Thisbook is very expensive but worth it































K


Not only deals with infertility issues, 12 Apr 2007
Bought this book for my wife as a 'last' throw of the dice.From what I have gathered, it not only deals with infertility issues but also with general health that I find interesting. I used to suffer from hot feet and I found it that it may be due to liver problems in regulating body heat.
I will extend on this review which unlike the other dozens of reviews will be more in the form of a blog.

the cure for infertility, 27 Jul 2005
Having gone through the frustrations of unexplained infertility this book gives a sensible and logical insight into possible causes and solutions. It gives you, thanks to the very comprehensive explanations, a way forward. Nothing new age - just some dedication in terms of diet, lifestyle and some help with accupuncture and herbs could save a lot of expense and heartache. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - and this is the first review I have submitted! Thanks to Dr Lewis in being so generous in sharing her valuable experience.

Essential reading for any couple considering pregnancy, 26 Mar 2005
Dr Lewis presents a holistic and well researched book that may bring hope to infertile couples that western medicine has given up on. Drawing on the Chinese Traditional Medicine paradigm she shows sensible (and correctable) reasons why women may not get pregnant - even though western medicine can find no reason. She gives details of treatments available for a multitude of conditions affecting fertility, from endometriosis, through PCOS and advanced maternal age, and sperm count problems and even including physical damage to fallopian tubes. She has helped many couples to have the babies they longed for and brought them better health along the way. A friend of mine had been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and after doing the questionnaires in the book discovered that her very short period may be to blame. Dr Lewis suggests any woman having a period shorter then 3 days will find it difficult to get pregnant. My friends gynaecologist said a 36 hour period was perfectly normal. She is now following the recommendations in the book herself as she has no access to a Chinese Doctor as she's not in the UK. Please, if you are trying to get pregnant and are having problems, investigate this book - it could be the answer to your problems.

A Classic, 27 Jan 2004
I bought this book to supplement other books on Chinese history. It really brings the whole thing to life. Spence is such a good writer; I was so impressed I ended up buying other books by him.
He made a source book which accompanies this book, which has extra documents and pictures.

So good, 28 May 2003
Wow! Ever so big, yet so very readable. An exhaustive history of China from then till now, it covers every aspect of chinese civilization. Spence uses an incredible amount of detail to make four centuries+ of chinese history come alive and draw the reader ever deeper, rather than bore him to tears as so many authors seem to do with this kind of work. Need I say more? Get it.

Spence takes you there, 13 Nov 1998
Older readers may recall those Walter Kronkite-narrated documentaries where Kronkite kept saying "And you were there!", even though the documentaries themselves were stripped-down butcherings. This book does take you there. Spence accomplishes what so few historians do--he approaches his subject on its own terms, and within the narrative seeks to immerse the reader in the temporal and geographic subject matter. This is one of the few--perhaps the only--narrative surveys where readers might root for protagonists and feel anger toward villains. In reading this book, you feel as if you _are_ China; the turmoils of the late 1800s and 1900s strike you physically, at the gut. Each chapter conveys not only the happenings, but also the mood of the period--you feel tranquil and arrogant as you read about the Qing Dynasty at the height of its power, you begin to feel anxious as the Western world arrives, and you feel helpless as internal strife and Western demands eat away at the Empire. If you have near-zero interest in history books and will read only ten in your lifetime, this should be one of them. (PS--If you are ever in New Haven during school terms, make sure to sit in on a Spence lecture.)

A magnet for the eyes, 29 Mar 1997
War, revolution, drama, triumphs and defeats: It's all here in this 800+ page book. Spence, a scholar with unquestionable competence, does a great job detailing the struggle of a nation trying to claim its place in the modern world. From the conquest of the Manchus to the dominance of Western powers, from the fall of the last imperial dynasty to the birth of a republic, and from the tragedy of Tiananmen to the promise of a better future, the reader gets a sense of history unfolding before his own eyes. The beautiful photographs and illustrations included brings the reader even closer to being a witness of history.

The title is very misleading!, 14 Aug 2008
There are excellent books on Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan and one on Tamerlane, but this is the only book I know of that takes the 200 years of Mongol expansion and warfare and puts them in one book.

Well that's what I thought until I read it and realised that what the book ACTUALLY does is spend virtually all its time on Genghis down to Kublai and then summarises the next 100 years of Mongol history in...3 pages. Tamerlane is basically swept under the carpet and excused from the book as being Turkic rather than Mongol- a dubious excuse as most of the invading "Mongols" against Japan were either Chinese or Korean. So had I known that it's actually the Mongols 1190 to 1300 I probably wouldn't have bought it because plenty of books cover the Genghis Khan dynasty.

The book opens with a simple example of a tomb in Poland and a drawing in Japan both showing Mongol invaders and that pretty much sums things up. Some people who don't know their history say that Russia has never been conquered and that Afghanistan has withstood all invasions, the Mongols were able to achieve both and so much more.

The book itself is well written and has lots of maps- vital considering the sheer scale of conquests being described here. There are also lots of photos (although some aren't professionally taken- which you can tell- and others are black and white for no explicable reason) which make the whole read more lively.

Baring in mind the title it has been published under it's a very thin book and could have easily been double the length and it still would have only been about 200 pages. This would have given the second half (less well known half) of Mongol/nomad battling history the same coverage as the first half. Overall it's a well written introduction to the devil's horsemen.


Indelible Impressions, 04 Aug 2008
Regardless of why you happen to be interested in Mongol warriors, Stephen Turnbull's two books, Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests and Mongol Warrior, truly supply the essentials. Written with skill and enthusiasm, both volumes give you the sensation of viewing warrior's lives from several critical perspectives, including the all-important Mongol perspective. Though necessary overlap makes these two books read like fraternal twins, to read one without reading the other will be missing something tangible and important. For example, photographs in Genghis Kahn & the Mongol Conquests give a realistic sense of geography and history. Yet Reynold's greater than life drawings of the Mongol Warrior's logical support system leaves a valuable and indelible impression. Finally, the amount of information contained in volumes under a hundred pages is indeed remarkable.

William S. Dockens III


a super book, 11 Nov 2007
a book wich explaining about a boy of the mongol tribe
whou by uniting all the mongol tribes with his generals such as subodai'badur
and sartaq and his sons provoked a world war.starting with the chinese
and ending with the persian campaigne it is the best book about genghis
khan i have seen. by all means if you are interested in the subject
i recomend you to bye it.


a perfect source for background knowledge, 28 Jul 2006
This book does not overwhelm. It puts things plainly but in a way that is interesting and provides enough depth to keep you reading without the need to look at other books for reference, for an introduction to this subject look no further

Good summary of the main Mongol conquest, 19 Dec 2003
This book is like most Osprey Essential histories book; it covers the main ideas very well, in this case the Mongol conquest. The book is more of a summary rather than an in depth looks at the subject, which would require a massive book. The conquest by the Mongols, of certain areas are not covered as much as other areas. For instance the Mongol conquest of Persia is briefly covered while the conquest of China/Korea is more detailed.

The problem with books concerning the Mongols is that, most of the sources are from people who were terrorized by the Mongols; therefore the books written about them reflect this point.

I'd recommend the book if you want a concise but succinct look on the Mongol conquest.

Great exercises to unblock stuck energy! , 17 Feb 2007
This book is fantastic and has just captivated me. I found it searching for simple and effective body-mind-spirit techniques to increase my healing power, stamina and body wisdom. Illness and emotional problems happen when our energy is blocked, but we all have inside the power to heal ourselves, and I have verified that these exercises are excellent to unblock stuck energy.

Most of the times we are so absorbed in what we are doing that we forget to move or even to breathe, with serious consequences to our health until we realize we need to change our habits.

The book explains through clear and easy to follow drawings and instructions 58 simple and effective exercises of breathing and movements, which now I know are essential for the free flow of energy through the body, producing immediate balance, health and well-being; of course that you need to be constant and follow the program given by the author.

I'm so happy to have discovered it! The practices have worked very good for me, proving once again that living a positive lifestyle can make a difference. Besides, the author has a corky sense of humor that really made me laugh.

I've become vital and healthy through these simple but powerful exercises, and they have absolutely given me a boost. An incredible energy practice!

A unique, well-written and amaizing book!!!!!!!, 03 Dec 2006
Today there are many martial arts that claim to be authentic and it might be difficult for one to evaluate and choose from all these available groups. I think that the best way is to feel for your-self weather the goal of the teaching is pure and if mentors bring a feeling of inner peace. I would also recommend trusting the intuition.

I read the "Secret Art of Seamm-Jasani" in just a few hours as soon as I received it in October 2004. While I was reading the book my intuition insisted that this Art is something real and worthy of trying out. I already was envisioning many possibilities that could open up if I start practicing this Art. And so the very next day I started my first Seamm-Jasani class. Currently, one year later, I continue to advance in Seamm-Jasani and I am learning two other Arts from within the Arts of Boabom as well. Uniqueness and authenticity of these Arts, the teachers and the wisdom that seems to manifest through them as well as the book, and the atmosphere at the Boston School of Boabom (BSB) still amaze me every day. Like true spiritual leaders, teachers often remind the students at BSB not to believe anything they read or hear but to look within to find the true expert.

I can honestly say that that practicing these Arts gives me endless benefits. First of all, they accelerate balance and therefore, as I believe it, a healthy and authentic psychological and physical development. With every class I feel that I am taking a step forward mentally and physically, whereas after, for example, Pilates classes or gym I used to felt like I am taking a step backwards when my muscles hurt terribly and I felt like falling on the couch and refraining from thinking by watching TV. After an hour of Seamm-Jasani or Boabom I am sweaty and tired, but at the same time incredibly happy, motivated, full of mental energy and irreplaceable feeling that anything is possible. The meditation parts of the Art in conjunction with other meditation techniques that I practice on my own help me try to maintain awareness in everything I do. In addition, I feel I have gained motivation, confidence, positivism, balance, realization of potential, better physical shape, less anger development, desire to improve relationships, creativity, ability to see the bright side of everything first, etc., etc...

Like teachers of the Art I strongly believe that mind and body inter-connected and like Transpersonal Psychologists I also think that optimum health or "wholeness requires the integration of body and mind and subsequently of egoic and transpersonal states" (Vaughan, 1983, p. 25). Practicing the Art has also motivated me to actually apply for and begin a graduate study program on Transpersonal Psychology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transpersonal_psychology).

I absolutely love this Art and everything about it. If you are the kind of person who is willing to grow and/or simply wants to feel better, I highly recommend getting this book regardless of weather you plan to attend classes or practice on your own. I am sure that anyone who is willing to try it with an open mind (alone or at one of the schools) will see the benefits very very soon. I dare to assume that the Art might benefic any person at any stage of development.

In conjunction with this book, I highly recommend "The Secret Art of Boabom" also written by Asanaro and "The Self-Aware Universe: how consciousness creates the material world" by Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

One of the best books ever written , 19 Oct 2006
This is one the best books that I have come across for using energy for health. It is a book that conatins a series of taoist movements and exercises that also combine specialised breathing techniques, vocal sounds, visualisations. These exercises are suited to any age as they start of easy and progressively build up....

This book can serve as a good introducion as to how energy flows through your body and how it can be used to heal yourself and develop a regime that is conducive to have more vitality and less stress in life.

Now be prepared these exercises will benefit you very quickly so be prepared to be surprised.(Now if only they had a boabom centre specialising in seam jasani in the UK)

This is a unique book., 10 Jan 2005
I like reading, and I like reading a lot, especially when it comes to subjects that are related to the East. Thus, I always look for new things, and this Seamm Jasani stuff has enchanted me.

It is a magic experience, feeling the energy flowing through my body. The techniques taught are revitalizing, without requiring too much effort, and the breathing system is invigorating: I can really feel the positive energies and the purified air coming inside my lungs.

This book has three things that I look for in any book that I buy: a wonderful reading which kept me thrilled all the time, a unique message that I could feel had to be read between the lines, and exercises for the body, the mind, and the spirit.

I want to recommend everyone to read it and practice it, for it will enlighten you all, while making you enjoy something new

A wonderful book., 28 Jul 2003
I am recommending this book because of all of the wonderful changes I’ve experienced as I’ve learned these techniques. I’ve felt a noticeable change physically, as well as a great mental movement. I’ve changed the way I face the conflicts I need to solve, with friends, family, and my job. Instead of feeling them dominate me, I feel stronger and more resolute.
I’m able to harmonize my body and mind so I don’t feel broken hearted or anxious anymore. Instead, feel calm and lead my life step by step.
This is really a wonderful book!

Good Read, 25 Aug 2007
This book is full of history and an honest and well researched account of the first Emperor of China. For Jonathan Clements this project must have been very difficult. To find and research on a topic where there are not many entries or much written about he has done well and wrote a informative book about the life of the very first Emperor of China.

After hard work the first emperor decided to be called an 'Emperor' rather then a king. Giving himself the name of the ruler of the world. It was his passion to rule the world and to capture as many countries as he could. He died young and was beginning to achieve his success. He wanted to hand over his reins to his son and after his closest associate changed the will of the first emperor, the wrong son was made Emperor. The son has predicted to loose all his father has achieved. The son that was supposed to be emperor was forced to commit suicide as he thought this was what his father wanted. The First emperor's dynasty lasted only a decade.

Worth the read and a true account of the Chinese history.

The rise and fall of Ying Zheng, 04 Nov 2006
I came to this book having seen a couple of documentaries on the First Emperor and so knew something of his history but this book goes into much greater detail about his life, the wider empire of China and the important figures in his life. Also detailing the events that led to the First Emperors birth and those following his death the book is not only a great source of information on the person of the First Emperor but also on the China of the period in general. The book also includes appendices on the portrayals of the First Emperor on film and TV, as well as family trees for the first Emperor and notes on names and titles of the period. Jonathan Clements does well to present the information in a well informed and easy to read manner that is accessible.

Excellent and easy to read book, 19 Mar 2006
Only half way through this book at the minute but will update review when finished.
Firstly the only real criticism I can come up with for this book and that is the photography’s of the emperor's works and wall hangings are in black and white. In this day photographs in hardback books should be in colour considering how much extra we pay for the hardback edition.
The pluses are many so far, the book is very well written, a lot of information is contained within an easy to read format. The author makes great judgements on his sources and isn’t afraid to let the read make up his own mind on his opinion. There is an almost stay to the next page feeling from this book, a feeling that going to bed without reading the next page will leave you with a bad nights sleep.
I can’t help but advise this book to anyone, have already advised my Grandmother on a purchase.

Now all the movies make sense!, 01 Oct 2007
Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Yuan, Ming, Qing - they are all names that crop up in Chinese movies. Of course these are really the names of the great Chinese dynasties so the choice of names is no accident.

This remarkably accessible work takes you through the Chinese dynasties. At the end of it you have a much broader view of the world and an understanding of how Chinese history sits alongside that of the West.

Brilliant!, 26 May 2006
Wonderful read... full of interesting facts & observations, yet leaves you feeling like you've just relaxed to a novel rather than waded through a history textbook. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight into the history and culture of China, 05 Feb 2006
This is a gripping and excellently written introduction to the history of imperial China. It gives a very good insight into each of the dynasties without being at all dry. As a student of Chinese I particularly appreciated Gascoigne's thoughts on the language. He is really insightful and it was he obviously has a very good understanding of the development of the language and its richness. The book quoted many interesting and varied sources, letters between officials, Tang dynasty poems etc. I'd say this book is one of the best introductions to Chinese history I've seen, and anyone with any interest at all in this fascinating country would really enjoy it.

good book, 02 Jun 2001
A brilliant book sums this up. For those interested in learning about non-western philosophy it is a perfect introduction. Full of Confucius' sayings it will teach you about the morality of the world from the view of Confucius. Not only this but it will also teach you about human nature, people 24 centuries ago aren't that different from people today. More importantly it will teach you how to live. It was a most enjoyable read and it taught me a lot.

Non-Western wisdom, 01 Jun 2001
I think most people interested in philosophy have heard of Confucius but not many have read about him. I've always had an interest in philosophy but it is the Greek philosophers who dominate all the books. I decided that I should read some non-Western philosophy and where better than Confucius? I wasn't disappointed. This is a collection of Confucius' sayings which are very interesting and also apply to modern life. This book will not only introduce you to some non-Western philosophy, it will help you become a little bit wiser.

first emperor, 17 Jan 2008
This is a 5 star production but that is only to be expected from the British Museum. The book deals with the life and times of Ying Zheng (born 259BC died 210BC)who first became King of Qin and later Emperor of Qin uniting China as a single country concuering the Warring states. The text is excellent and lucid.The pictures are outstanding b