Rating: 
Summary: By Train Through China--A Mid Eighties Travelogue
Review: Train after train after train! A most fascinating, thorough narrative of travel through China in the mid-eighties, which, by the way, is the only reason I did not give this book five stars. It is old-more time has past since Paul Theroux took this trip than the time that had passed since the cultural revolution when Theroux wrote this book. But I still recommend this book. There is really nothing else like it available, and it does give a wealth of information about the lay of the land. The physical geography of China has not changed that much since the mid-eighties. But I would not have you think that this books only value is its descriptions of scenery. There is plenty to learn about China, and the Chinese mindset, as long as you are able to transpose it a bit to the present time. For example, I don't think you would be followed around quite so much as Paul Theroux was on this trip. Theroux is a novelist by profession, and a good storyteller. This book contains a lot of interesting anecdotes, such as a delightful description of the few days he spent in the city of Dalian with a travel guide who was obsessed with American idioms. Kipling said, "East is east and west is west, and never the twain shall meet." In the years since World War II, several countries in the Pacific Rim, starting with Japan, have seemed to defy this adage, and have really become western democracies. What is the future of China? Will this proud culture become more western? Will it become more democratic? Although this book is not a political tretise by any means, it is very useful as a post Cultural Revolution look at China. Nobody can predict what China will become, but surely the most casual observer would have to take note of the major paradigm shift represented by recent changes. This book was written before Tiananmen, hence its weakness. However, I still think the book would be very useful for anyone who has at least a modicum of understanding of the events surrounding the Cultural Revolution. I found it to be a very useful addition to the body of literature I have been reading over the past few years to gain a better understanding of the tremendous changes that have taken place in China since I first saw the pictures of the Red Guards on the cover of my Weekly Reader when I was in elementary school. Get a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A travel into Chinesse culture and life
Review: When I first started reading this book it seemed to me as boring. As i went passing pages I found what was the author's objective: to really get us into the chinesse way of life. Throug the book we do not see only part of China,we can see ALL China, And that means all: from rice fields to mountains, from government offcials to comun people in steets And that is why this book is very good. It show us one really: China has dominated nature in order to achieve developmen but, how ever, the chinesse culture can be affected by occidentalization. A very good book no really know a culture: China in modern times
Rating: 
Summary: Theroux's book an enthralling read through China
Review: While a little slow in getting up a head of steam, "Riding the Iron Rooster" makes for a captivating read. The wonderful places that Mr. Theroux visits and the diverse characters of the people he encounters and details in the pages of this twelve-month odyssey places the reader in a virtual world - right upon the train with him. China has certainly changed immensely since the mid 1980s when this account was authored, but Theroux's writings lends great insight into the national psyche that prevailed during the decade following Mao's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution. With especially the latter, Theroux seems obsessed - be it Shaoshan where Mao was born, mighty Shanghai or isolated Tibet, he relates the present-day to events from the mid-1960s, usually via the often ghoulish memories of local citizens. He offers criticisms and praises where he feels they are due. For me though the highlight comes through rich descriptions of the places to where he travels. Theroux visits dozens of localities which will remain but mere place-names on a map for the vast majority of his readers. However, through his writings one is privileged to share such sights as the isolated grandeur of the Xinjiang desert as he coasts along by steam-drawn train. The rugged mountain scenery of Sichuan is also memorable but with the unforgettable account of his journey across the Tibetan Plateau in a dilapidated old taxi (with an even worse for wear driver), he saves his best for last. In an instant I would recommend this book to any traveler contemplating a trip to China. Mr. Theroux touches upon almost every place of interest in this fascinating land and lends a unique perspective into the Chinese persona. While an obvious allowance is needed for the political, social and economic changes that have occurred over the past 15 years, "Riding the Iron Rooster" remains a useful if not valuable travel companion.
Rating:
Summary: Theroux's book an enthralling read through China
Review: While a little slow in getting up a head of steam, "Riding the Iron Rooster" makes for a captivating read. The wonderful places that Mr. Theroux visits and the diverse characters of the people he encounters and details in the pages of this twelve-month odyssey places the reader in a virtual world - right upon the train with him. China has certainly changed immensely since the mid 1980s when this account was authored, but Theroux's writings lends great insight into the national psyche that prevailed during the decade following Mao's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution. With especially the latter, Theroux seems obsessed - be it Shaoshan where Mao was born, mighty Shanghai or isolated Tibet, he relates the present-day to events from the mid-1960s, usually via the often ghoulish memories of local citizens. He offers criticisms and praises where he feels they are due. For me though the highlight comes through rich descriptions of the places to where he travels. Theroux visits dozens of localities which will remain but mere place-names on a map for the vast majority of his readers. However, through his writings one is privileged to share such sights as the isolated grandeur of the Xinjiang desert as he coasts along by steam-drawn train. The rugged mountain scenery of Sichuan is also memorable but with the unforgettable account of his journey across the Tibetan Plateau in a dilapidated old taxi (with an even worse for wear driver), he saves his best for last. In an instant I would recommend this book to any traveler contemplating a trip to China. Mr. Theroux touches upon almost every place of interest in this fascinating land and lends a unique perspective into the Chinese persona. While an obvious allowance is needed for the political, social and economic changes that have occurred over the past 15 years, "Riding the Iron Rooster" remains a useful if not valuable travel companion.
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