One has to marvel at the tremendous material progress of China under the New China concept. The sweeping skyscrapers, the architectural creations of the Olympics and space successes are a wonder to behold! But there are other criteria by which a nation should be judged. Shouldnt the spiritual and political advancement of the people also have equal importance? If the people are kept in a gilded cage, can that be good even though you fill their bellys and clothe them beautifully? This book is dedicated to stripping away the glitzy exterior and taking a hard look at the sinister interior. President Reagan used the blunt but realistic term Evil Empire which is closer to the truth! In this case it is the evil dragon, the Chinese Communist Party, that towers above the law and the Chinese Constitution that is the terrible truth! It has no limits and no purpose in life other than its survival regardless of human cost. In its wake it destroys all human dignity of individual expression in exchange for material wealth. It demands unthinking obedience for the material rewards. But like all Chinese empires in its thousands of years history, a day of retribution will come! When, is anyones guess, but some factors that foretell its eventual demise is suggested in this book.

The book is a factual exposition of the authors experiences in China for about one and a half years, beginning in 2005. The words are augmented by color photographs, which sometimes communicate better than words. The books facts and opinions are about the southern part of China, especially the Chongqing Province. The author did, however, visit Guangzhou, Zhenzhen, Hongkong, and Hainan Island. Besides facts, however, the author did talk to many people about their feelings and their life, dreams, and hopes. Oftentimes, this was colored by their unsolicited criticism of the Communist Party. The author also points out some of the developing concerns about pollution, corruption, and especially, their feelings of helplessness to address any issues. On the surface, the people appeared placid, but they had strong underlying opinions, which had to be held back to avoid conflict with authorities. They were well aware that the Communists would deal harshly with public criticism. The author will expand on the underlying consequences of New China in a following book. This book deals mainly with obvious details of Chinese society in New China.

These wise and funny stories have been an inspiration to spiritual practice for more than twelve centuries, particularly for all those who follow the Buddhist path as laypeople. Layman P’ang (740–808) was a merchant and family man who one day put all his money and possessions in a boat and sunk it in a river, so that he could devote his life to the study of the dharma. His wife, son, and daughter joined him enthusiastically on his new path, taking up a joyfully itinerant life together as they traveled from temple to monastery across southern China. This collection of anecdotes and verses about the enlightened layman and his family has become an enduring Zen classic.

These wise and funny stories have been an inspiration to spiritual practice for more than twelve centuries, particularly for all those who follow the Buddhist path as laypeople. Layman P’ang (740–808) was a merchant and family man who one day put all his money and possessions in a boat and sunk it in a river, so that he could devote his life to the study of the dharma. His wife, son, and daughter joined him enthusiastically on his new path, taking up a joyfully itinerant life together as they traveled from temple to monastery across southern China. This collection of anecdotes and verses about the enlightened layman and his family has become an enduring Zen classic.

A one-volume narrative history of China, from the earliest inhabitants to the twentieth century, for a popular readership China is a country with an ancient and highly sophisticated civilization of which the Chinese have been justly proud.When the countries of Europe were struggling to move beyond mud huts and stone tools the Chinese already had a highly complex society and were creating works of great beauty. Yet, although it has for many years been a source of great fascination to the West, the history of China remains a mystery to the layman. In this highly accessible narrative written for the general reader, Rayne Kruger produces a synthesis of Chinese history for the non-specialist reader. Rayne Kruger was born in South Africa and began his working life in a Johannesburg goldmine before becoming in succession a lawyer, broadcaster and actor. He emigrated to England in 1947 where he joined the BBC. He wrote a number of successful novels, followed by a history of South Africa (1959) Goodbye Dolly Gray, which has remained in print ever since. An astute business man, he then founded a property group. He subsequently went into partnership with his wife, the successful restauranteur and cookery school entrepreneur Prue Leith (business woman of the year 1990). He died on 21 December 2002.