The Emperor Far Away Travels at the Edge of China (Audible Audio Edition) David Eimer Corey Snow Audible Studios for Bloomsbury Books
Download As PDF : The Emperor Far Away Travels at the Edge of China (Audible Audio Edition) David Eimer Corey Snow Audible Studios for Bloomsbury Books
Far from the glittering cities of Beijing and Shaghai, China's borderlands are populated by around one hundred million people who are not Han Chinese. For many of these restive minorities, the old Chinese adage "the mountains are high and the Emperor far away", meaning Beijing's grip on power is tenuous and its influence unwelcome, continues to resonate. Travelling through China's most distant and unknown reaches, David Eimer explores the increasingly tense relationship between the Han Chinese and the ethnic minorities. Deconstructing the myths represented by Beijing, Eimer reveals a shocking and fascinating picture of a China that is more of an empire than a country.
The Emperor Far Away Travels at the Edge of China (Audible Audio Edition) David Eimer Corey Snow Audible Studios for Bloomsbury Books
David Eimer's book "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China" discusses the issue of China's minorities in their various respective regions. Careful not to make any sweeping generalizations, Eimer traveled personally to each region to interview the respective members of the individual groups. Through a careful process of one-on-one interviews, shared travel experiences, and active listening; Eimer was able to get these people, typically reserved toward foreigners, to open up with their true feelings.The book is in four major sections; the people in Northwestern China known as the Uighurs, the Tibetan struggle, the massive conglomeration of identities in Southern China and the Golden Triangle, and finally the ethnic Koreans and Russians in the cold and bitter North.
In section one, Eimer describes the absolute uniqueness of this part of the world. The landscape, people, culture, and languages have existed in essentially the same forms for thousands of years, largely untouched by the outside world. The spread of Buddhism from India and Islam from Afghanistan into pre-dynastic China occurred in these remote and desolate deserts. This is a region of the world that resisted the might of China's most powerful dynasties (and even then the Yuan had to grant them a semi-independent state). Now, this region is undergoing rapid change as the might of modernization and sinicization combine. Some of these cities are already converted to majority Han population, and that spread is all but guaranteed to continue as the CCP suppresses traditional Uighur culture and language.
In section two, Eimer travels to Tibet. Here the book takes on a different tone. As Eimer discusses similar issues to the Uighurs, one cannot help but feel that the Tibetans have already been beaten, a possible warning to other minorities. While their identity persists, they seem a broken people who are rapidly losing their will to continue the struggle.
In section three, Eimer goes to the deep South of China. Here the border is very porous and the minorities travel largely as they please. Their relationship with the CCP is an unusual one. They play the role of the "happy dancing minorities" for the government and numerous tourists, but still live their private lives, largely unaffected by big government. They could be described as wearing a mask when the big brother is in town, but as soon as he turns his back, they let loose. This had led them to preserve much of their identity and culture, albeit it secretly.
Finally in section four, Eimer travels to the remote and cold North of China along the border with N. Korea. His discussion of the 'third Korea' and China's fears are unparalleled and alone make the book a worthy read, especially for any student of international policy in the region. His justifications for China's support of N. Korea are unique and shine new light on an unconsidered reason for China's motivations.
It is worth noting that Eimer only intended to get the often censored minority viewpoint present in this book. He makes no effort to challenge their challenges to the central government, and one is left angry at the 'bully' CCP. While these may be justified feelings, one should always strive to see the other side, and while this book presents the complexity of minority issues wonderfully, it does little to defend the CCP's actions. Therefore, I believe one should strive to understand the CCP's motivations after reading this book.
5/5 - read immediately
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The Emperor Far Away Travels at the Edge of China (Audible Audio Edition) David Eimer Corey Snow Audible Studios for Bloomsbury Books Reviews
Good book overall
I have a feeling I'm typical of Americans in our view of China. We see it as a big homogeneous country ruled by the Communist party that controls everything. As usual, a closer look reveals things aren't quite as settled or homogeneous as we thought.
In this great (sort of) travel book, the author does a great job of describing each region or province and the natives therein, and then describes events that are causing upheavals.
From the far west near the Kazakh border to the far south to the far north; each region is unique. Each adventure is different.
After reading this book, one has to wonder for how long the central government will be able to maintain control. Will it be for just a few more decades or will it be for hundreds of years? Will the Han wipe out (or assimilate fully) the Uighers and the Tibetans and others, or will there be an accommodation?
This book is an eye-opener and enjoyable too.
God bless the emperor and...
This book focuses on the minority populations of China that are not Han Chinese. The Uighurs in western China, the vast area of Tibet. the Korean Chinese that live in the northeast across from North Korea and the region in southern China are explored.
Very good read. This book accurately describes the ongoing drive by the PRC to marginalize minority populations, and to suppress dissent. The Emperor Far Away is well supported by recent works by several other authors, both in news media and in published books.
This is a book that teaches and entertains, stimulates thought and reverberates in the mind.
Unlike any other book that I’ve encountered about China, it focuses on the ‘uncooked’ groups living on the ‘edges’ of the Han empire. The Uighur, Tibetans, Koreans, Mongolians and the various Yunnan tribes including the wild Wa- who have made their own country in the Shan States of Burma (Myanmar) based on drug exports.
A chance encounter with the author inspired me to read the book- and it was well worth it. As Kurt Vonnegut wrote in Cat’s Cradle, “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.”
This is an account of the "official" minority nationalities of China, many of whom live in far-flung regions such as Tibet and the former Manchuria. The author visits those he can and speaks to those he can, but the results are often disappointing. I am not sure this is the author's fault given political realities. It does not paint the dominant Han Chinese in a very good light (surprise). On the plus side the author writes well and realistically. Three stars for its sameness; with a little editing it would earn four.
David Eimer's book "The Emperor Far Away Travels at the Edge of China" discusses the issue of China's minorities in their various respective regions. Careful not to make any sweeping generalizations, Eimer traveled personally to each region to interview the respective members of the individual groups. Through a careful process of one-on-one interviews, shared travel experiences, and active listening; Eimer was able to get these people, typically reserved toward foreigners, to open up with their true feelings.
The book is in four major sections; the people in Northwestern China known as the Uighurs, the Tibetan struggle, the massive conglomeration of identities in Southern China and the Golden Triangle, and finally the ethnic Koreans and Russians in the cold and bitter North.
In section one, Eimer describes the absolute uniqueness of this part of the world. The landscape, people, culture, and languages have existed in essentially the same forms for thousands of years, largely untouched by the outside world. The spread of Buddhism from India and Islam from Afghanistan into pre-dynastic China occurred in these remote and desolate deserts. This is a region of the world that resisted the might of China's most powerful dynasties (and even then the Yuan had to grant them a semi-independent state). Now, this region is undergoing rapid change as the might of modernization and sinicization combine. Some of these cities are already converted to majority Han population, and that spread is all but guaranteed to continue as the CCP suppresses traditional Uighur culture and language.
In section two, Eimer travels to Tibet. Here the book takes on a different tone. As Eimer discusses similar issues to the Uighurs, one cannot help but feel that the Tibetans have already been beaten, a possible warning to other minorities. While their identity persists, they seem a broken people who are rapidly losing their will to continue the struggle.
In section three, Eimer goes to the deep South of China. Here the border is very porous and the minorities travel largely as they please. Their relationship with the CCP is an unusual one. They play the role of the "happy dancing minorities" for the government and numerous tourists, but still live their private lives, largely unaffected by big government. They could be described as wearing a mask when the big brother is in town, but as soon as he turns his back, they let loose. This had led them to preserve much of their identity and culture, albeit it secretly.
Finally in section four, Eimer travels to the remote and cold North of China along the border with N. Korea. His discussion of the 'third Korea' and China's fears are unparalleled and alone make the book a worthy read, especially for any student of international policy in the region. His justifications for China's support of N. Korea are unique and shine new light on an unconsidered reason for China's motivations.
It is worth noting that Eimer only intended to get the often censored minority viewpoint present in this book. He makes no effort to challenge their challenges to the central government, and one is left angry at the 'bully' CCP. While these may be justified feelings, one should always strive to see the other side, and while this book presents the complexity of minority issues wonderfully, it does little to defend the CCP's actions. Therefore, I believe one should strive to understand the CCP's motivations after reading this book.
5/5 - read immediately
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