Dorje Yudon Yuthok’s House of the Turquoise Roof (published in 1990) is a fascinating account of life in upper-class Lhasa before the Chinese occupation of…
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Month: July 2025
The Butterfly Lovers
The Butterfly Lovers is the name given to a famous tale of the tragic love of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. According to the book…
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Shanxi tour and sworn brotherhood—Part 13
In my recent tour, I was pleasantly surprised when two fellow tour members told me they are sworn brothers and sisters. I thought this didn’t…
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The Chinese Civil War 1946-1950—Part 1
Decisive Encounters by Odd Arne Westad, published in 2003, is the only English book on the entire span of the Chinese Civil War, from post-WWII…
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Handbook of Early China
The Oxford Handbook of Early China is the most recent survey (2020 HC, 2025 paperback) for those needing a detailed focus on early Chinese civilisation.…
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The Return of Religion After Mao—Part 1
This book by Ian Johnson, published in 2017, Mao thought religions were full of superstition. This has given rise to the belief that religions had…
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Reincarnation and Salvation—Part 1: Reformation
The Dalai Lama, according to Tibetan Buddhist belief, can influence or choose his next rebirth. It is believed he can consciously choose the circumstances, location,…
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Reflections on Rebirth at Datai Langkawi
Datai and Tibetan Buddhism, Reincarnation, and the Dalai Lama Datai at Langkawi is a paradise for nature lovers. On the grounds, one can see the…
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The Golden Urn – Part 3
Professor Max Oidtmann wrote his book after he discovered two copybooks originally kept by the Qing ambans stationed in Lhasa between 1875 and 1900. Amban…
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The Golden Urn – Part 2
In this deeply researched book by Max Oidtmann, a German professor of Chinese history, we learn that the Golden Urn was used by the Qing…
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