Great Books

This book takes a look at Chinese art within a variety of contexts—archeological, cultural, historical, social, and ritual/religious. Organized both chronologically and thematically, it covers a full historical span and includes a wide range of media settings for art—from elite to popular. An emphasis on the dynamic processes that effect the history of Chinese art: social, economic, political competition, urbanization, markets and tastes, and quests for cultural authority, allows specific works of art to be discussed in extensive detail, while setting them within larger explanatory stories. A guide to Chinese art for individuals interested in one of the most abundantly artistic cultures in the history of the world.

At a time when interest in China has never been greater, this revised edition of Mary Tregear's authoritative survey of the Chinese visual arts will be welcomed by art lovers, students and travellers alike. Generously illustrated and eminently readable, it covers not only bronzes, jades, calligraphy and painting, but also Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, lacquer, garden design and architecture. For the revised edition, all Chinese names, places and terms have been romanized to current international usage. Throughout, information has been updated in view of recent finds, and the book contains new illustrations, a revised introduction and a new final chapter on twentieth-century art.

This new masterwork of Chinese cuisine showcases acclaimed chef Eileen Yin-Fei Lo's decades of culinary virtuosity. A series of lessons build skill, knowledge, and confidence as Lo guides the home cook step by step through the techniques, ingredients, and equipment that define Chinese cuisine. With more than 100 classic recipes and technique illustrations throughout, Mastering the Art of Chinese Cooking makes the glories of this ancient cuisine utterly accessible. Stunning color photography reveals the treasures of old and new China, from the zigzagging alleys of historical Guangzhou to the bustle of city centers and faraway Chinatowns, as well as wonderful ingredients and gorgeous finished dishes. Step-by-step brush drawings illustrate Chinese cooking techniques. This lavish volume takes its place as the Chinese cookbook of choice in the cook's library.

This is a newly revised and updated edition of this classic award-winning book, with updated text, additional new colour photographs and fully updated bibliography This is a newly revised and updated edition of this award-winning guide to the arts of China. The book explains why chinese silks and porcelains, unsurpassed for over a thousand years, have been prized around the world for their fine textures and brilliant colours. Paradoxically, the arts valued most in China have been calligraphy, ink painting, jade carving and bronze casting. The authors explain why, describing the origins of these diverse achievements and setting them in their historical context alongside decorative arts such as lacquer, cloisonne and glass. The wealth of illustrations include well-known blue-and-white Ming ceramics as well as less familiar jades of the Neolithic period and rare world-famous paintings on silk from the Buddhist Silk Road caves at Dunhuang.

This classic text on Chinese Cooking Technique, now available in paperback, combines an insider's knowledge of authentic Chinese cooking and culture with more than two hundred recipes.

There are many fine books on Chinese cooking. Among them, Barbara Tropp's the Modern Art of Chinese Cooking stands out for its grounding in the underlying philosophy of this sophisticated cuisine. Tropp explores the yin and yang, the harmony of opposites underlying all aspects of Chinese life. Relating them particularly to cooking, she illustrates how seasoning with both chiles and sugar gives a dish fullness of flavor that is more than just hot and sweet. The author gives much attention to equipment and techniques--this is an in-depth manual as well a recipe book. Ever practical, she is not too shy to advise readers about using a Western-style skillet for stir frying, along with advice on using woks, cleavers, and steamers. The recipe section opens with assorted nibbles. Dishes range from spicy Szechuan Ma-La Cold Chicken to Rice-Coated Pork Pearl Balls, ideal for serving at parties. There are red-cooked stewed meats and juicy Pot Sticker Dumplings. Recipes are as simple as Spinach Stir-Fried with Garlic and Salt, and as complex as Pressed Birthday Duck, which takes up to four days to make and involves three cooking techniques. The dishes come from various regions of China, with an emphasis on those with bold flavors. Tropp adds technique notes to her already detailed instructions, and even recommends what serving dishes to use, whether to heat them, and the best wines to accompany dishes. Ultimately, the wealth of information, Tropp's charming voice, and the creative touches she adds in crunchy Cinnamon Bark Chicken, Ginger-Infused Crème Caramel and other recipes make Barbara Tropp's The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking a necessary book for anyone serious about Chinese food. --Dana Jacobi

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice based on principles from design, ecology, architecture, mysticism, and common sense. In this masterful work, Sarah Rossbach interprets the teachings of feng shui master Lin Yun for contemporary Westerners, offering the classic essentials on achieving harmony with one's environment. They apply not only to the layout of a building, but also to the arrangement of furniture within a room and to the best design of offices and public spaces--in short, to any arrangement of man's environment. Learn the philosophy of this centuries-old art to help you achieve financial prosperity, good health, and happiness in today's complicated world."A fascinating and useful book." --Milton Glaser"The bible of the practice" --The New York Times

Gain a deeper appreciation for Chinese art and architecture by understanding its symbols. The Yin and Yang, dragon, phoenix, five elements, and other symbols are explained in their historical and cultural context. Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs also includes articles on Chinese beliefs, customs, arts and crafts, foods, agriculture and medicine.Originally published in 1941, this is the standard reference book, with over 400 illustrations to help clarify and define this ancient, complex culture.