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The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time | 
 enlarge | Author: Simon Winchester
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  36 reviews
Sales Rank: 388680
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0805055088
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.120459
EAN: 9780805055085
ASIN: 0805055088
Publication Date: October 15, 1997
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Amazon.com 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.
Product Description
A stunning tour of China, its people, and its history. Chosen as one of the best travel books of 1996 by the New York Times Book Review.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 31 more reviews...
 A great Joy November 10, 2008
I can think of few experiences better than traveling up the Yangtse (Changjiang) after reading Simon Winchester's terrific book.
Knowing when to look for a brief glimpse of the Pilutan monument (to one of the few Englishmen to have created something good in China--he charted the river)
That was in 1999, a year later my son and I hiked Tiger Leaping Gorge, further inspired by this amazing book
Like so many of his books, Winchester shares a delightful passion through his writing. If anything his writing, especially this book, is contagious.
River at the Center of World is wonderful book. How many other travel writings still glow after traveling the same path?
The River at the Center of the World October 2, 2008
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.
Winchester on the Yangszi October 1, 2008
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.
A Fascinating Collection of Historic Details Traveling Up a River August 3, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Following the Yangtze and learning about China -- one man's perspective. May 28, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
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 this 3,900 mile river which runs through the entire land mass of China and begins in Tibet. As he is a trained geologist, he includes all the interesting details of the natural wonders of this river, as well as discussing the cultural history and introducing us to the varied ethnic groups who consider themselves Chinese.
Most of the area he explored is off-limits to foreigners because there is just too much red tape involved. But he planned his trip carefully, enrolled a Chinese companion and, starting in Shanghai, used whatever means available to take this journey. He was a passenger on several different kinds of boats and there were also some legs of the trip that included motor vehicles. The result is a lesson in history, geography and culture that is unique in its perspective.
The outside world connected through China through trade in its waterways and the history of this trade is fascinating. I learned about the tea industry and the opium wars and the agreements with the United Kingdom that changed the face of China forever. I also learned about the cultural revolution from a different prospective and started to understand the kind of man Mao was who was able to bring about a change from imperial rule to a communist country in just one generation. Mostly though, I learned about the environmental disasters that China is now bringing on itself, especially in the construction of the Three Gorges Dam project. As the book was written in 1996 I was curious about what was going on with this project my internet research found out it is scheduled for completion in 2009 and cost more than 25 billion dollars.
Simon Winchester is a fine writer. His descriptions made his journey come alive for me. There's a big map in the front of the book and a smaller map at the beginning of every chapter. The big map did not include every place name he talked about and so I had to look at the little maps. This made it a little confusing to follow but I was determined and so I had to put some effort into following these maps.
Armchair traveler that I am, I definitely recommend this book. I especially liked it because it piqued my interest in learning even more.
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