July 2023 MBR The International Studies Shelf

The International Studies Shelf

Splendors of Quanzhou, Past and Present
William N. Brown
Springer
www.springer.com
9789811980350, $58.50 Hardcover, $49.99 Paper

https://www.amazon.com/Splendors-Quanzhou-Present-William-Brown/dp/9811980357

Quanzhou (Zayton) was Marco Polo's departure port and Columbus' goal in China. It fostered the Maritime Silk Road and, perhaps more importantly, was centuries ahead of its time in fostering tolerance and diversity among its populace, housing Muslims alongside Christian, Hindu, Taoist, and Jewish spiritual centers. Splendors of Quanzhou, Past and Present surveys this city (now a World Heritage site) and its culture, from early to contemporary times. Why should modern readers care about this place? Because it's not just a singular piece of Chinese history or a world wonder, but a representation of architectural, cultural, and social ideals that can serve as a mirror of achievement and possibility for developing nations around the world.

William N. Brown spent three decades in China, traveling the country and speaking with citizens and exploring every aspect of the city's history and culture. His visits there, which began in 1989, documented the city's balanced approach to preserving its heritage while becoming a forceful example of success for the 21st century and beyond. Readers who anticipate the tone of this survey will limit its audience to scholars alone will be delighted to discover these travels lend to a lively observational style which juxtaposes Chinese historical and cultural insights with personal experiences, from shopping to Quanzhou's world-famous puppets.

Color photos of travel experiences, personal reflections, and sidebars of additional information create a rare combination of travelogue and cultural study which will prove accessible to a large audience, from readers interested in studying China's culture in general and Quanzhou in particular to travelers who will find these encounters perfect armchair reading.

Splendors of Quanzhou, Past and Present's multifaceted approach and depth lends to its consideration by a variety of library collections, from college-level holdings seeking in-depth explorations of China's history and cities to general-interest libraries that will discover the scholarly-looking cover masks an appealing survey filled with not just information, but lively personal encounters. These will educate and attract general-interest readers - especially those attracted to cities that practice diversity and tolerance.

Quanzou's special attraction is that it has done so for centuries, long before the concept of inclusion become contemporary and widely supported.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review