For several years now I have dared myself to take on a formidable challenge: Asia. Prior to the 20th century, it is a historical black hole for me. I have caught glimpses of it from time to time, but have never considered it at length, in its own right. Its sheer size -- in geography, abundance of cultures and life -- are daunting. This is the year I'm taking my own dare; and, borrowing from Jawaharlal Nehru's book, The Discovery of India, I've dubbed this personal challenge The Discovery of Asia.
The plan: My minimum target is two books a month, alternating between India and China who will carry Korea and Mongolia in their wake. I took a course in Japanese history while at uni, but it will still appear here. While history will reign, I hope to find a good book on Asia's natural geography and intend on looking for at least one read into Chinese philosophies. Then I will attempt books on modern Asia. While I don't have a fixed list of books, I do have some possibilities posted in a public Worldcat list.
As with the 2014: Year of the Great War, I will review my progress every three or four months to see if I'm short-changing one area or the other.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting starter to Chinese philosophy might be Arthur Waley's _Three Ways of Thought in Ancient China_.
Thank you! My university library has a copy, so I will take a look at it.
DeleteNow there's a REAL challenge! The best of luck with that.
ReplyDeleteYou might find interesting:
The Fishing Fleet – Husband Hunting in the Raj by Anne De Courcy (FP: 2012)
Modern China – A Very Short Introduction by Rana Mitter (FP: 2008)
and...
A Brief History of The Samurai – The Way of Japan’s Elite Warriors by Jonathan Clements.
If I can think of anything else I'll let you know.
Thanks! That first one is definitely unusual. I've read Mitter before, I believe..he wrote "Forgotten Ally" about China's role in WW2. Definitely interested in reading a general history since he has one!
Deletei remember reading about the awesome and fearless exploits of the early Jesuits in China; and also about how the first man to ride a bike around the world(in 1896) was almost murdered by violent chinese villagers... whatever, asian geology has had an immeasurable impact on the culture of China, but i don't know of any books about that... i wish i did...
ReplyDeleteWas that fellow Thomas Stevens?
DeleteStephen: yes, it was; truly an amazing book, riding a penny farthing around the world... mostly, anyway; he had some trouble with some of it...
DeleteOnce I put myself to rights regarding history, I may consider reading a little fiction. For instance, I have a copy of Kokoro that I haven't read since 2008 or so.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommended authors. I don't know anything about Forster, but I rather like his epitaph: "Connect — connect without bitterness until all men are brothers."
Just the other day I was hunting for Asian history books to read, feeling (especially being half-Vietnamese) woefully ignorant on the topic. I might steal some ideas off your list for my TBR pile. Good luck on this challenge!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It should prove an interesting year, to say the least.
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