Our country and our people

Author: Lin Yutang Huang Jiade
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: My Country and My People is an English work by Lin Yutang that caused a huge sensation in the United States. In this book, Lin employs a candid and humorous tone, as well as wise and insightful language, to eloquently convey the morals, mental state, and aspirations of the Chinese people, as well as China's society, arts, and cultural interests. This book, like all great works, was destined to be published. It meets all these requirements. It is realistic and unashamed of its truthfulness. It is beautifully written, both serious and joyful, offering a correct understanding and evaluation of both ancient and modern China. I believe it is the most truthful, profound, comprehensive, and important work on China to date. Even more remarkable is that it was written by a Chinese, a modern Chinese. His roots are deeply planted in the past, yet his abundant fruits ripen in the present. Like all great works that have emerged throughout history, My Country and My People appeared unexpectedly. Its prose is so bold, magnificent, towering, and radiant—humorous yet elegant, serious yet joyful. I think this book is one of the most faithful, magnificent, comprehensive, and important works on China ever written. What is particularly precious is that its author is a Chinese, a modern writer, whose foundations are firmly rooted in the past, yet whose rich flowers bloom in the present. —Pearl S. Buck, Nobel Prize laureate Reading Lin's works has greatly inspired me. I am very grateful to him because his books have opened my eyes. Only a great Chinese could discuss his compatriots so candidly, truthfully, and without bias. —The New York Times, Sunday Book Review To understand either ancient or modern China, reading My Country and My People is sufficient. —T.F. Opie, American renowned book critic Although he describes the splendid China of decades ago, his words remain very applicable to every American today. —President George W. Bush My Country and My People (also titled The Chinese People), written during the spring, summer, and autumn of 1934, is Lin Yutang's debut and masterpiece in the Western literary world. Due to its magnificent exposition of the character, spirit, ideals, life, politics, society, and arts of the Chinese people, as well as its extensive and in-depth comparisons with those of the Westerners, the book caused a sensation both at home and abroad, was highly praised by many distinguished figures in the United States, and was translated into multiple languages, spreading widely in the West. Like all great works that have emerged throughout history, My Country and My People appeared unexpectedly. Its prose is so bold, magnificent, towering, and radiant—humorous yet elegant, serious yet joyful. I think this book is one of the most faithful, magnificent, comprehensive, and important works on China ever written. What is particularly precious is that its author is a Chinese, a modern writer, whose foundations are firmly rooted in the past, yet whose rich flowers bloom in the present. —Pearl S. Buck Reading Lin's works has greatly inspired me. I am very grateful to him because his books have opened my eyes. Only a great Chinese could discuss his compatriots so candidly, truthfully, and without bias. —The New York Times, Sunday Book Review To understand either ancient or modern China, reading My Country and My People is sufficient. —T.F. Opie Although he describes the splendid China of decades ago, his words remain very applicable to every American today. —President George W. Bush