INTRODUCTION TO CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 2

INTRODUCTION TO CHINA

China: Her Life and People. By Mildred Cable and Francesca French. (University of London Press.) 9s. The writers of this book have spent the better part of a lifetime in China, and have already a number of fine studies of the country to their joint credit. The purpose of the book is stated to be to help “ those who desire a better understanding of China and her people,” but from various references in the text and from the fact that an appendix of study questions is included it would appear that actually the authors had a somewhat less general intention in view, namely, to provide a suitable introduction to the subject for members of religious discussion circles and missionary students. This is not a criticism of the matter which is provided, except that more space is given to the history of Christianity in China than would be necessary in a purely general work of these dimensions. The book would not have suffered if these limitations in its scope had been made clearer, for it is a useful production containing a surprising amount of diversified information which is pleasingly presented. It should be useful for those who desire something in the way of a guide before approaching more advanced studies. The subject is approached mainly from the geographical and sociological aspects. There is some history, but there is no discussion of the presentday political scene or of the immense difficulties of China’s reconstruction There are sympathetic studies of Dr Sun Yat Sen and of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Mme. Chiang. but this is as far as the authors have gone. There is no mention of Chinese Communism. The book is profusely and well illustrated, and there are also a number of useful maps and diagrams. , D. G. B.