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Rating: 
Summary: A philosopher's guide to the world's oldest civilization
Review: "Watching the Tree" is a meditation on the philosophies that have shaped Chinese thought over the millenia. The West has its Judeo-Christian traditions and Puritan work ethic: China has Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. There's a saying that only the fish doesn't know water: we have to leave our surroundings to understand them. Adeline Yen Mah left French-occupied Shanghai and British-administered Hong Kong to earn a medical degree in England from Oxford University, and then worked in the US as a doctor for thirty years. Now she's on a mission to explain to us what makes the other one fourth of the world's population 'tick'.This isn't a textbook, and it isn't an autobiography, although the author draws heavily from her experience of living with her adored Buddhist grandfather. It's a meandering walk through Chinese history (all 8,000 or more years of it) and Chinese foods, medicine, language and writing. We learn how Confucius (Kong Fu Zi) strove to rid China of its cruel mandarin ruling class and replace it with an educated meritocracy -- and left a long-term legacy of a stultifying bureaucracy and contempt for feminine intellect. We learn how Taoism was subverted into a set of kitschy superstitions. And how Buddhism merged with Chinese thought to become Zen. The book is beautifully presented. The paper is fine quality and the text clear and well laid out. Dr Yen often gives the traditional Chinese ideograms for Chinese words and explains their derivation. What we write and what we say is what we think. No wonder the Chinese government has difficulty with the concepts of 'human rights' and 'privacy' when they have no words for them. And we have no words for tao or li or qi. We have a lot to learn.
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Summary: DESTINED TO BE A CLASSIC
Review: Adeline Yen Mah writes with sometimes painful honesty about her life in general, her personal relationships as well as her family, community and country. I don't recall having read a book that could be so moving and yet so intellectually enriching. Anyone doing business in China, Japan, Korea or Malaysia should read this book and carry it in their briefcase. Beyond the poignant stories of her personal life, the book offers an enormous scope of information and insights. If you have ever wondered about Feng Shui, the I Ching, the Tao, Buddha and Confucius, you will find this book very interesting. If you have some scientific background you will be fascinated by her discussion about Hiesenberg's "Uncertainty Principle", Quantum Physics, String Theory as well as references to Carl Jung, Galileo, Spinoza, the Dalai Lama, the Julian Calendar vs. the Chinese Calendar, Laplace, Leibniz and the list goes on! She is a Physician and writer with a keen sense about philosophy, the history of science and mathematics. There is no word or concept for "human rights" in Chinese and her explanation is a real eye opener. The profound influence of Confucius for over 2500 years and the late adoption of the zero (1247 AD) explain a lot about the history of China. She writes with respect towards the reader and has an obvious reverence for her subject matter. I have only one disappointment. There is no index to help the reader to return to the many points of interest in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Been there, done that
Review: Despite that Adeline has since written many novels, examples used to illustrate her points are all derived from her personal life, which is depicted in her first outing, Falling Leaves. Therefore, it's tiring to read through the same old stories again & again. Having said that, credit goes to Adeline for bringing up issues such as Tao-ism, Zen, Confucianism & discussing about old Chinese proverbs. It certainly broadens horizons of the Western readers & affirming Eastern readers's knowledge towards their culture. The book is patchy as it juggles with this issue & that. The book is devoid of humour & it doesn't have beautiful prose that Amy Tan uses to her full advantage. One can say that this novel is rather rigid in its expression & should readers want to find out more about issues discussed in this novel, they can read other books recommended by Adeline at the end of the novel. Please do read it as a matter of interest. In terms of reading it for reading's sake, there are better novels around.
Rating:
Summary: Been there, done that
Review: Despite that Adeline has since written many novels, examples used to illustrate her points are all derived from her personal life, which is depicted in her first outing, Falling Leaves. Therefore, it's tiring to read through the same old stories again & again. Having said that, credit goes to Adeline for bringing up issues such as Tao-ism, Zen, Confucianism & discussing about old Chinese proverbs. It certainly broadens horizons of the Western readers & affirming Eastern readers's knowledge towards their culture. The book is patchy as it juggles with this issue & that. The book is devoid of humour & it doesn't have beautiful prose that Amy Tan uses to her full advantage. One can say that this novel is rather rigid in its expression & should readers want to find out more about issues discussed in this novel, they can read other books recommended by Adeline at the end of the novel. Please do read it as a matter of interest. In terms of reading it for reading's sake, there are better novels around.
Rating:
Summary: Must Read for Beginner's and Experts
Review: This book covers the essentials of Chinese culture in a very cohesive, antidotal way, and its enjoyable to read. The author brings together elements of the written language, history, legend, food, medicine and more in the best example that I've seen of explaining the Chinese culture to the non-chinese. It's the single best source for understanding the Chinese culture. If you're going to China - whether a novice or china expert - you'll get a lot out of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Watching The Tree
Review: When I was looking for a new book in my favorite book store, I glance at this book. Without hesitation, I grabbed the book adding into my shopping cart because of the author's name. I read her Falling Leave and love it so much. But I am quite disappointed on Watching The Tree. The story is not continuously smoothing and not curiously interesting compared to Falling Leave. The good point in reading this book is to winden the horizon of universal wisdom
Rating:
Summary: A Refreshing Approach....
Review: [...]
As I became politically aware in the early 1970's, China became and has remained a part of my personal world view. From Richard Nixon's visit in 1972 to the return of Hong Kong by the British, I have been fascinated by how a country with roughly a third of the world population could have fallen into the moral turpitude of state worship and female infanticide. Adeline Yen Mah has written eleven interwoven essays on the great gifts that China has given the world through the ages and has written them from the unique perspective of a Chinese daughter educated in the West. She brings to us in language that is meaningful for our society the mysteries of the I Ching, the Tao, and Confucianism as well as the philosophies of harmony in our space, our bodies, and our spirits. Mah traces the history and the gaps (such as the lack of a zero in Chinese numbers) that contributed to the erosion of the world power of the great dynasties. The writing reflects her personal perspective and her research. Mah writes for the layman without insulting our intelligence, rather she assumes our intelligence. A refreshing approach.
Mah begins each essay with a brief story from her own life experience with Chinese philosophies and traditions. The stories are unapologetic and uncomplaining. Mah shares her personal revelations as examples of how we may consider broadening our horizons while offering us an opportunity to bridge the cultural gap and examine a new way of approaching and resolving life's challenges. The breadth and depth of Mah's knowledge is evident as she weaves the influence the East has had in the development of Western science, psychology, and metaphysics throughout her essays.
The occupation of China by the French and then the British in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries created a caste system that threatened to destroy all that was good and beautiful in the belief of the Chinese in the equality of harmony available to everyone. In a description of the household Mah grew up in, she comments on the second class treatment of she and her siblings by her father and stepmother. Her father and stepmother struggled everyday to prove to themselves and their children that they were above "ordinary" Chinese such as she and her siblings. Her father because he felt elevated by his marriage to his Eurasian wife always introduced as his French wife and her stepmother because she considered herself French rather than Eurasian. It was left to Mah's grandfather and aunt to teach her the traditional ideas of karma and self-responsibility for one's own personal evolution. Few opportunities were afforded for Mah to be in the nurturing embrace of her extended family, yet it was their influence that ultimately shaped her understanding of the value of harmony in all relationships -- one to another, one to one's body, one to the environment.
Watching the Tree is a must have for everyone interested in a primer on Chinese scholarship and philosophy. Mah has woven the beauty of Chinese calligraphy within the pages where Chinese words are translated. Rather than a great treatise on the Chinese classics, Mah gives us just enough to leave us wanting to know more. This slim volume is a rich tapestry of history, philosophy, and personal experience that will prove invaluable on your journey toward greater understanding of east and west, self awareness, and harmony in the great silence of reflection.
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Kathryn Lanier lives in Colorado with her nine year old twins. She is a freelance writer, editor, and review columnist educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the College of Charleston. She is an internationally published author and works world wide with clients from four continents! She can be contacted for services and workshop information through Innerchange Magazine online.
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