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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 915.120459
EAN: 9780312423377
ISBN: 0312423373
Label: Picador
Manufacturer: Picador
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 432
Publication Date: April 01, 2004
Publisher: Picador
Sales Rank: 87812
Studio: Picador
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Rising in the mountains of the Tibetan border, the symbolic heart of China pierces 3,900 miles of rugged country before debouching into the oily swells of the East China Sea. Connecting China's heartland cities with the volatile coastal giant, Shanghai, it has also historically connected China to the outside world through its nearly one thousand miles of navigable waters. To travel those waters is to travel back in history, to sense the soul of China, and Simon Winchester takes us along with him as he encounters the essence of China--its history and politics, its geography and climate as well as engage in its culture, and its people in remote and almost inaccessible places. This is travel writing at its best: lively, informative, and thoroughly enchanting.
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.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
As a great fan of travel writing and of Simon Winchester I've got to give a thumbs down for this book. Not very engaging writing. The concept is great - up a river, back in time, but Winchester doesn't really stick to this method - he does go up a river (although sometimes by boat, sometimes by car, sometimes by short flight), but he doesn't go back in time in a very methodical way. He's all over the place in time and brushes on huge events, like Mao coming to power, in the breadth of a single sentence. ... Read More
Rating:  -
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 ... Read More
Rating: -
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.
Rating: -
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.
Rating: -
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.
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