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The River at the Center of the World, Revised: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.120459
EAN: 9780312423377
ISBN: 0312423373
Label: Picador
Manufacturer: Picador
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 432
Publication Date: April 01, 2004
Publisher: Picador
Studio: Picador
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Editorial Review:
British born author Simon Winchester lived in Hong Kong before setting off on a journey up the Chang Jiang or Yangtze River as it is most often referred to in the West. In The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze and Back in Chinese Time, he chronicles his adventures across China along the 3,964-mile River. Employing nearly every mode of transportation--including boat, train, jeep and shoe leather--Winchester recalls his passionate exploration of the countryside, while providing important and engaging historical information. His recollections of the Chinese people are often less complimentary, as he exudes an air of disgust at the country's apparent disregard for pollution, its awkward modern architecture and decaying historical monuments.
Rising in the mountains of the Tibetan border, the symbolic heart of China pierces 3,900 miles of rugged country before debouching into the oily swells of the East China Sea. Connecting China's heartland cities with the volatile coastal giant, Shanghai, it has also historically connected China to the outside world through its nearly one thousand miles of navigable waters. To travel those waters is to travel back in history, to sense the soul of China, and Simon Winchester takes us along with him as he encounters the essence of China--its history and politics, its geography and climate as well as engage in its culture, and its people in remote and almost inaccessible places. This is travel writing at its best: lively, informative, and thoroughly enchanting.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - The River at the Center of the World
I read this book just a few days before I departed on a trip to China that was to include a cruise of the Yangtze. The book is a bit dated, but nonetheless I found it to be extremely useful. I especially appreciated the historical side trips that the author associates with stops along the way. The writing is excellent, and reading the book is a pleasure.
Rating: - Winchester on the Yangszi
Simon Winchester's books are all excellent reading with lots of facts, even on related matters. This one is no exception. Although I am only one-quarter through with this book, I am learning a lot.
Rating:  - A Fascinating Collection of Historic Details Traveling Up a River
I had never read Winchester before. On our recent trip down the Yangtze a fellow traveler was reading this book and recommended it. After reading it I would consider it a rich cultural experience through the history of this river.
Rating: - Following the Yangtze and learning about China -- one man's perspective.
This travel essay from the author of "The Professor and the Madman" is subtitled, "A Journey Up the Yangtze and Back in Chinese Time". Here, the author uses all his journalistic and investigative skills to tell the story of his 1996 journey through China. He is an Englishman who has lived for many years in Hong Kong and had taken several trips to China at the time of the writing. His desire, however, was to explore areas where westerners were few and far between as well as learn more about ... Read More
Rating: - Permit for Entry to China
I agree with some of the previous reviews that it would have been an asset to the book to include more images of the trip (especially the Three Gorges Area), and to have more content on the people of the areas he visits. The book is still excellent. To cover every interest for a region like this would make it a three volume, 2,000 page edition. China is a rich subject and this is a one person of a billion view.
The author has done his work and achieved permits to travel the entire ... Read More
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