The Wise Man from the West

Rating:
Summary: An utterly charming introduction to Fr. Matteo Ricci, S.J.
Review: If one had the option to read just one book about China, the Catholic Church, Jesuits, missions or anything related, this would be the book. Cronin's style is enchanting and romantic. That is not at all to say that he exagerates or romanticizes his subject, Matteo Ricci. Rather, Cronin tells the facts and the truth of Ricci's life and work better than I've read in ages. It was really a joy to read.

Although it was written many years ago, it is not out of date and still well respected. It is a great book, as said in the headline, to introduce yourself to Ricci.

There are other good books about Ricci and the Jesuit missions in China, including 'The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci' (which is excellent) but it would pay to read Cronin first to set the background for the rest.

After reading "Wise Man Form the West" you will have a much better sense of those first tentative steps of Orient-Occident relations, a deep respect for the old Jesuits Missionaries, the Chinese who welcomed and taught them, and most especially, for Matteo Ricci himself. This is, of course, the purpose of Cronin's book, and he does so magnificently.

Rating:
Summary: An utterly charming introduction to Fr. Matteo Ricci, S.J.
Review: If one had the option to read just one book about China, the Catholic Church, Jesuits, missions or anything related, this would be the book. Cronin's style is enchanting and romantic. That is not at all to say that he exagerates or romanticizes his subject, Matteo Ricci. Rather, Cronin tells the facts and the truth of Ricci's life and work better than I've read in ages. It was really a joy to read.

Although it was written many years ago, it is not out of date and still well respected. It is a great book, as said in the headline, to introduce yourself to Ricci.

There are other good books about Ricci and the Jesuit missions in China, including 'The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci' (which is excellent) but it would pay to read Cronin first to set the background for the rest.

After reading "Wise Man Form the West" you will have a much better sense of those first tentative steps of Orient-Occident relations, a deep respect for the old Jesuits Missionaries, the Chinese who welcomed and taught them, and most especially, for Matteo Ricci himself. This is, of course, the purpose of Cronin's book, and he does so magnificently.