Details Regarding Books Iron and Silk

Title:Iron and Silk
Author:Mark Salzman
Book Format:Paperback
Book Edition:First Edition
Pages:Pages: 224 pages
Published:October 12th 1987 by Vintage (first published 1986)
Categories:Cultural. China. Nonfiction. Autobiography. Memoir. Travel. Combat. Martial Arts. Asia. Biography
Download Books Online Iron and Silk Free
Iron and Silk Paperback | Pages: 224 pages
Rating: 3.96 | 3228 Users | 232 Reviews

Description Supposing Books Iron and Silk

Salzman is a sweet guy, there's no doubt about it. his tales of his time in china are direct, cleanly written, and rooted in a clear love of the world around him and the people in it. he manages to effortlessly sidestep any potential landmines in terms of race, culture, or class simply by being himself - a warm, unpretentious and rather unsophisticated sweetheart. and Iron & Silk is a great mouthwash after reading the sour musings of the irritable and irritating Paul Theroux. but despite all of this travelogue's intrinsic sweetness, this is a rather forgettable personal narrative; conversely, Theroux's critical, often poisonous commentary linger in the mind far longer and seem rooted in a less idealized version of reality. one is a good man and the other is good writer. i liked Iron & Silk, i've recommended it to others, but the sad truth of the matter is that Salzman seems like the sort of good man that i'd like my daughter to marry rather than an interesting writer whose work i'd continue to read.

Itemize Books Toward Iron and Silk

Original Title: Iron and Silk
ISBN: 0394755111 (ISBN13: 9780394755113)
Edition Language: English

Rating Regarding Books Iron and Silk
Ratings: 3.96 From 3228 Users | 232 Reviews

Weigh Up Regarding Books Iron and Silk
This memoir of the two years Salzman spent teaching English in China quietly wins you over. It's a series of anecdotes introducing you to a wide range of Chinese people, from the powerful to the poor, the obstinate to the kind, the proud to the humble. Many of the tales show Salzman's characteristic ear for humor. What I liked best? I felt like I understood the culture of the Chinese people better after reading it. They are incredibly different from Americans and yet... the ties that bind.

The storytelling was probably closer to a 4 than a 5 for me, as it did get somewhat tedious and repetitive by the end...but the unique look at Chinese culture during that time period made up for it. Really fascinating.

I really like Salzman, ever since The Laughing Sutra, which I think no one but me ever read. He's kind of a goofball, so his travel memoir is very generous toward others, and somewhat self-mocking. He amuses me and seems like someone you'd enjoy hanging out with, because, in fine obsessive form, he's done some really cool things in his life, just because he wanted to.

Good look into a bit of life in China. Worth a read.

"Grass makes mosquitoes," he answered.

I'd been under the impression of already having read this one, along with practically everything else Salzman has written. I picked it up the other day only because all the books now in my queue are in the Kindle, and I have to share that gadget with another avid reader in the family. It turns out I'd only seen the video for Iron and Silk.Since Salzman had a hand in making the movie (and played himself), the two versions of the story of his two years in China are probably equally valid. I think

I actually just re-read this. Read it like 10 years ago (before becoming involved in martial arts or chinese culture, or travelling to china (or anywhere)) but I enjoyed it then. This time, having become sort of ensconsed in those things, I enjoyed very very much.Definitely gets inside the duel-natured chinese character in a light hearted and really cool/informative way (a series of short non-fiction stories). Recommended for anyone interested in how chinese culture is different from american