The Bazi 60 Pillars 一柱论命法 - Dato Joey Yap

 By: ryan    3:25 PM  Books, Joey Yap   No comments

Dato Joey Yap has came out a new set of Bazi's books series. This series are more personalize in term of zooming into your Day Pillar. In case you're new to Bazi, here's how you can plot your Bazi chart by only using your date, month and year of birth. 

You can plot your chart here: Plot 

After you had enter the required details, a chart will be generated look similar like the image below. 

As you may notice, there are 4 columns in the chart. Notice the highlighted column stating Day日. This is the column where represent you. Now you need two info in order to refer the correct book with the correct chapter. 

1) The upper box of the column is called Day Master and in the example is 癸 Gui Yin Water.  So you can refer to the book The BaZi 60 Pillars - 癸 Gui Yin Water

2) Now we refer to the box below the Day Master where this is called Earthly Branch. The Earthly Branch for the chart above is 巳 Si (Snake) Yin Fire. The info here is to get you to the right chapter of the book representing you. 

Combining both info on the Day Pillar for the chart above, therefore the correct book to refer will be The BaZi 60 Pillars - 癸 Gui Yin Water under chapter 癸巳 (Water Snake).

 Easy right? 

From the book what you can learn are (excerpt from Joey Yap website): 

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

What are The BaZi 60 Pillars? 

The Life Analysis Method Revealed

Learn to attune your mind's eye to read a BaZi Chart through the Pictorial Method of BaZi analysis. There are sixty possible combinations of the Five Elements and their different polarities which made up the 60 Pillars. Joey Yap's 60 Pillars Life Analysis Method is a refined and enhanced technique that are based on the fundamentals set by the true masters of olden times, and modified to fit to the sophistication of current times. Each Pillar is explained through a guide on its personality, character, abilities, work approach and its affinity to others in terms of love, acquaintance and family. This book will help you visualize BaZi in a whole new light and elevate your proficiency in BaZi Chart analysis.

Chapter Highlights

Section One: General Descriptions of the Stems
This part gives an overview of each Stem, and provides you with a general impression before you delve deeper into the following sections.

Section Two: Classic Extraction from Di Tian Sui
The classical texts of Di Tian Sui provide a solid platform for any learner of BaZi of any experience level to begin and advance their knowledge in the field. This section is extracted from the works by Joey Yap's most esteemed student, Mr Hung Hin Cheong.

Section Three: General Observation of the Pillar
Matters of marriage, career, wealth, and family are expanded upon in this section. This section is mercifully written in a simple way, free from jargon and technical lingo.

Section Four: Technical Analysis
This section contains some technical aspects pertaining to this BaZi Pillar.

Section Five: The 60 Pillars Unique Combination
Assess the likely outcome of different Pillars combinations; good or bad. You can also learn the specific structure name and advance your skills by understanding the analysis behind each combination.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are all the 10 books in the series (excerpt from the back of the book): 

The Bazi 60 Pillars Life Analysis Method
A BaZi Chart can be vastly sophisticated with many different layers of information, requiring different techniques of analysis and formats of interpretation. The "The Bazi 60 Pillars Life Analysis Method" is one of the many safely guarded, traditional formats of BaZi reading that was only taught to indoor disciples in ancient days.

With this BaZi 60 Pillars series, Joey Yap shares with you how to attune your mind's eye to read a chart through the Pictorial Method of BaZi analysis. Learn to visualize each of the 60 Pillars and read a chart through the understanding of what each Pillar means in terms of general character observations, work life and relationship. Joey Yap's 60 Pillar Life Analysis Method is a refined and enhanced technique that are based on the fundamentals set by the true masters of olden times, and modified to fit to the sophistication of current times. Each Pillar is explained through a guide on it personality, character, abilities, work approach, and its affinity to others in terms of love, acquaintance and family. There is also a section on Technical Analysis to quench the thirst of advanced BaZi practitioners wishing to dwell deeper into the subject.

The BaZi 60 Pillars series feature ten volumes concentrating on each of the Pillars or Jia Zi in BaZi Astrology.   

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Jia  甲 Yang Wood

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Jia 甲 Wood.
ISBN: 9789670310749

• Jia Zi  甲子 (Wood Rat)
• Jia Xu 甲戌 (Wood Dog)
• Jia Shen 甲申 (Wood Monkey)
• Jia Wu 甲午 (Wood Horse)
• Jia Chen 甲辰 (Wood Dragon)
• Jia Yin 甲寅 (Wood Tiger)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Jia Wood Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Jia Wood Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Jia Wood Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Yi  乙 Wood

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Yi  乙 Wood.

ISBN: 9789670310756

• Yi Chou  乙丑 (Wood Ox)
• Yi Hai 乙亥 (Wood Pig)
• Yi You 乙酉 (Wood Rooster)
• Yi Wei 乙未 (Wood Goat)
• Yi Si 乙巳 (Wood Snake)
• Yi Mao 乙卯 (Wood Rabbit)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Yi Wood Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Yi Wood Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Yi Wood Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Bing  丙 Yang Fire

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Bing 丙 Fire.

ISBN: 9789670310763

• Bing Zi  丙子 (Fire Rat)
• Bing Xu 丙戌 (Fire Dog)
• Bing Shen 丙申 (Fire Monkey)
• Bing Wu 丙午 (Fire Horse)
• Bing Chen 丙辰 (Fire Dragon)
• Bing Yin 丙寅 (Fire Tiger)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Bing Fire Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Bing Fire Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Bing Fire Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Ding  丁 Yin Fire

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Ding 丁 Fire.

ISBN: 9789670310770

• Ding Chou  丁丑 (Fire Ox)
• Ding Hai 丁亥 (Fire Pig)
• Ding You 丁酉 (Fire Rooster)
• Ding Wei 丁未 (Fire Goat)
• Ding Si 丁巳 (Fire Snake)
• Ding Mao 丁卯 (Fire Rabbit)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Ding Fire Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Ding Fire Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Ding Fire Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Wu  戊 Yang Earth

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Wu 戊 Earth.

ISBN: 9789670310787

• Wu Zi  戊子 (Earth Rat)
• Wu Xu 戊戌 (Earth Dog)
• Wu Shen 戊申 (Earth Monkey)
• Wu Wu 戊午 (Earth Horse)
• Wu Chen 戊辰 (Earth Dragon)
• Wu Yin 戊寅 (Earth Tiger)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Wu Earth Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Wu Earth Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Wu Earth Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Ji  己 Yin Earth

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Ji 己 Earth.

ISBN: 9789670310794

• Ji Chou  己丑 (Earth Ox)
• Ji Hai 己亥 (Earth Pig)
• Ji You 己酉 (Earth Rooster)
• Ji Wei 己未 (Earth Goat)
• Ji Si 己巳 (Earth Snake)
• Ji Mao 己卯 (Earth Rabbit)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Ji Earth Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Ji Earth Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Ji Earth Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Geng  庚 Yang Metal

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Geng 庚 Metal.

ISBN: 9789670310800

• Geng Zi  庚子 (Metal Rat)
• Geng Xu 庚戌 (Metal Dog)
• Geng Shen 庚申 (Metal Monkey)
• Geng Wu 庚午 (Metal Horse)
• Geng Chen 庚辰 (Metal Dragon)
• Geng Yin 庚寅 (Metal Tiger)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Geng Metal Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Geng Metal Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Geng Metal Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Xin  辛 Yin Metal

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Xin 辛 Metal.

ISBN: 9789670310817

• Xin Chou  辛丑 (Metal Ox)
• Xin Hai 辛亥 (Metal Pig)
• Xin You 辛酉 (Metal Rooster)
• Xin Wei 辛未 (Metal Goat)
• Xin Si 辛巳 (Metal Snake)
• Xin Mao 辛卯 (Metal Rabbit)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Xin Metal Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Xin Metal Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Xin Metal Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Ren  壬 Yang Water

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Ren 壬 Water.

ISBN: 9789670310824

• Ren Zi  壬子 (Water Rat)
• Ren Xu 壬戌 (Water Dog)
• Ren Shen 壬申 (Water Monkey)
• Ren Wu 壬午 (Water Horse)
• Ren Chen 壬辰 (Water Dragon)
• Ren Yin 壬寅 (Water Tiger)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Ren Water Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Ren Water Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Ren Water Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

The Bazi 60 Pillars - Gui 癸 Yin Water

This book focuses on the six Day Pillars under Gui  癸 Water.

ISBN: 9789670310831

• Gui Chou  癸丑 (Water Ox)
• Gui Hai 癸亥 (Water Pig)
• Gui You 癸酉 (Water Rooster)
• Gui Wei 癸未 (Waterl Goat)
• Gui Si 癸巳 (Water Snake)
• Gui Mao 癸卯 (Water Rabbit)

Learn to 'see' BaZi in a whole new light, as you analyse each of the six Gui Water Day Pillars with precision and proficiency. 

In this book, you will learn:

• An introduction to the BaZi 60 Pillars
• The Pictorial Analysis Method, an effective technique in interpreting and analyzing BaZi Charts
• The traits of each Gui Water Pillar in terms of general characteristics and behavior in work and relationships
• The technical analysis of BaZi Chart based on the Day Pillar
• The compatibility analysis between each Gui Water Pillar with other Pillars of the 60 Jia Zi cycle

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are interested in these books, you can get them here: 

Joey Yap Online Store 

DeBook Room 

Retail price in Malaysia stores are RM 137, in DeBook Room we're giving 18% off original price. You can contact us for the books. 

Read More

The First Phone Call From Heaven - Mitch Albom

 By: ryan    3:23 PM  Books, Mitch Albom   No comments

One autumn day, in the small northern town of Coldwater, Michigan, the phones begin ringing. The people calling are all deceased. They talk about heaven. They say they are safe and happy. Each call is greeted differently—some with relief, some with love, some with religious zeal, some with fear.

On that same day, Sully Harding is released from jail for a crime he may not have committed. During his time behind bars, his wife, Giselle, passed away, leaving him a single father filled with heartbreak and regret. He returns to his hometown of Coldwater, hoping to rebuild his life. Instead, he finds a community increasingly gripped by miracle fever. As the mysterious phone calls become more frequent, outsiders begin flocking from all over the world to be part of the blessing, changing the small town indelibly, and turning local citizens into worshiped heroes.

When his own son begins to carry a toy cell phone awaiting word from his mother, Sully has had enough. He sets out to prove that the Coldwater phenomenon is a hoax. But is it? Or could this be the world's greatest miracle? Do the calls give people hope or do they imprison the receivers in a never-ending cycle of grief?

The story follows several Coldwater residents whose lives are irrevocably touched when they are confronted with evidence that heaven exists. This remarkable novel takes us on a journey both of individual healing and society's response to the question of life after life.

Albom's work has never been so moving and unexpected. Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time.

I read an review on this book before it release and just so happened almost a year after my grandfather passed away. Therefore I found this could really related to me. As always, the stories in the end was quite relevant and very moving. In Albom's books, everything is possible.

So I bought this book and read it in just two days. I never read a book in two days. It was well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it as he weaves a wonderful story plus a great concept where receiving phones calls from loved ones that have passed away. This one definitely better than The Timekeeper. 

Whenever Mitch release a book, many will said they expect more, his ideas and plot was unrealistic and his works are toward religious thingy. To me a good book or a good read doesn't need to be up to someone's else standard but to deeply touched and connected to one. What I love about Mitch Albom is he always has the ability to really make you stop and think of what is really important in life.

Mitch Albom is one of my favourite authors. Everything he's written I loved to read and collect them. If you like Mitch Albom's previous works, Tuesday With Morrie and The Five People You Meet In Heaven then you will like this book.

Hear what Mitch said about this book: 

Read More

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

 By: ryan    2:22 PM  Books, E L James   1 comment

Book Description

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My points of view: 

You can either LOVE or HATE this book! 

I was looking for a good read and by all of the reviews this seemed to be an excellent read. The first three chapters made me to choose to read this book but what kept me putting it off because most of the reviews said that this book are meant mainly for female readers only. Moreover, Fifty Shades of Grey was an introduction to BDSM literature (a very detailed one). I cannot begin to explain how this book sucked me in. The story line went downhill after the first few chapters. I skipped through most of the middle chapters and went to the last just so I knew how it was ending.

This is my first book under the category of erotic romance where pleasantly surprised by the witty relationship between Ana and Christian. The characters are almost similar to Twilight saga where Ananstasia vs Bella Swan and Christian Grey vs Edward Cullen. Their interactions, especially their conversations, are teasing, funny and sexy. But what I don't like was Ana's subconscious and her inner thoughts, especially before and after each making love moments. It's simply annoying. Some might be hysterical but it just makes the book drag along. 

So far I think you can guess that this book is very kinky, hot, crazy but sexy. Definitely not for the faint heart or naive type. It contains loads of graphic sex language especially the particular bathroom scene that still makes me keep rethinking about it. DAMN!! 

The reason I am only giving this book 3 stars instead of 5 is because I grew tired of the constant lip biting (I think the author does this all the time) and references to Grey's "adonis-perfect-god" attractiveness. One word, BORING!! If at the beginning of the book where we pumped with these impressions that Grey's is freaking hot well that is OK but under a 21 years-old descriptions of the perfect man perfect-physical just enough to makes people grew sick of it.

Overall good read, and I'm currently half-way finished with the sequel. Not to say love it but overall enjoying it (skipping the unnecessarily scenes of sex, sex, sex and sex!!!)   

 You can't help and can't put down the book once you start reading it! 

Read More

The Power of X: Enter the 10 Gods

 By: ryan    11:21 AM  Books, Joey Yap   No comments

Title: The Power of X: Enter the 10 Gods (Bazi Series Book 3)
Author: Joey Yap
Publisher: JY Books Sdn. Bhd
ISBN: 9789675395918 
Retail Price: RM48

Back Cover text

The Third Book In The Bazi Destiny Code Series

The Power of X - Enter The 10 Gods

Bazi - is all begins and ends with the 10 Gods. In this first book in the Power of X series, internationally renown BaZi consultant Joey Yap introduces you to the cornerstone of Four Pillars destiny analysis: the 10 Gods, Bear in mind, the word "Gods" here does not relate to anything religious but rather, refering to the 10 Stars in Chinee Astrology. Character and Destiny are innately entwined when it comes to the study of Bazi and thus, any understanding of a person's Destiny necessarily involves understanding the person's character. This introductory book on the 10 Gods will begin by showing you how to understand a person's character through the 10 Gods. Find out how the 10 Gods present in a BaZi chart influence and shape a person's Character, which is a composite of attitude, mindset, perceptions, actions and choices. See how differences between a person's External and Internal Characters can affect their interactions with those around them and their capacity for success. Understanding how to translate awareness of yourself into positive action. Empower yourself and achieve your goals through deeper understanding of yourself and those around you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this book, you will learn:

• Technical foundation required to derive the 10 Gods for each of the ten Day Masters
• The essential characteristics and traits represented by each of the 10 Gods
• Simple but effective methods in which to analyse and understand a person's Character through their BaZi
• Introductory techniques for analysing a Wealth, Career and Relationships matters using the 10 Gods
• A practical walk-through section to analysing your own BaZi chart using the 10 Gods and the techniques explained in this book
• How to translate Bazi analysis into Bazi-centric action for success and achievement in all facets of life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of Contents
Chapter One: A New Beginning An introduction to the 10 Gods and its concept.	1
Chapter Two: Deriving the Ten Gods The basics of Five Elements and Five Factors, and understanding the Strength of the Day Master and Element on a BaZi chart.	19
Chapter Three: The 10 Gods Essentials A detailed exploration into the positive and negative attributes of each of the 10 Gods.	85
Chapter Four: Analysing Character through the 10 Gods Understanding the basic 10 Gods character analysis techniques and interpretation.	147
Chapter Five: Getting to know YOU (and Others) A practical walk-through on the process of character analysis of a BaZi chart.	211
Chapter Six: To Know is To Do - Turning Analysis into Action Understanding the importance of taking the information derived from chart analysis to the next level with realistic action.	233
Chapter Seven: Using the 10 Gods and Character for Relationship, Wealth and Career Matters Analysis techniques according to the relationship, wealth and career aspects in life.	267
Piecing Together the Destiny Code Puzzle A word of advice on putting everything together.	349

Who Should Buy This Book 
This is a follow-up to theearlier BaZi Destiny Code book series, BaZi - The Destiny Code and BaZi - The Destiny Code Revealed. It is suitable for those who wish to expand their knowledge based on the said books. It is the perfect book to deepen one's knowledge in regards to seeking insights into the subject of the 10 Gods in BaZi analysis.

See inside the book here
For more info. please visit MasteryAcademy

Read More

How to be a ‘Tiger Mother’

 By: ryan    2:14 PM  Amy Chua, Books   No comments

BEIJING, Jan 19 – A book by a Chinese-American woman about her no-nonsense child-rearing has sparked an online flurry of criticism and debate over strict “Chinese” parenting methods versus more relaxed Western ways.
 
In “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” Yale University law professor Amy Chua recounts the ultra-strict regime of piano lessons and homework favoured by some Asian immigrant families in the US as the key to future success.

Links to an excerpt published this month in the Wall Street Journal have been shared countless times on Facebook and Twitter, triggering a debate over cultural values at a time of concern in the West about falling behind China.
Chua, who says she has received death threats via email, has defended herself in subsequent media interviews, saying the excerpt did not include later passages on how she learned to strike a softer balance in her parenting.

“There are death threats. And, ‘Go back to China, you abusive monster.’ It’s much more overwhelming than I thought it would be,” Chua told Newsweek magazine.

In the book, Chua tells how she and her husband elected to raise their two daughters the “Chinese” way.
That meant heavy pressure for nothing less than top school marks, no sleepovers or watching television, and mandatory piano or violin study.

In one incident, she makes one of her daughters stand out in the cold for falling short on piano practice, while in another she tells guests at a dinner party how she once called her daughter “garbage” – shocking the room.
In the book excerpt published by the Wall Street Journal, Chua says for “Chinese” parents, “the solution to substandard performance is always to excoriate, punish and shame the child”.

“All decent parents want to do what’s best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that,” she writes.

Reactions have been vicious, with Chua being called a “monster” and “Mommie Dearest” – a reference to late movie star and accused child-abuser Joan Crawford.

There has been comparatively little comment so far in China, where children study intensely for make-or-break exams to enter high school and college. A Mandarin version of the book has only just been released in China.

Those Chinese online users already aware of Chua’s book both lauded her commitment to pushing her children – and criticised her for going too far.

“It is incorrect to call these ‘Chinese’ parenting methods,” said tangshihuang, a user of the micro-blog service of top portal Sina.com.

“I am a parent. You must ensure a good future for your children but throughout Chinese history the concept of balance has also been important. China is evolving and it may no longer be accurate to apply the “Chinese” tag as before.” – AFP/Relaxnews

Read More

‘Three Cups of Tea’ in Hot Water

 By: ryan    12:11 PM  Books, Greg Mortenson   No comments

“60 Minutes” has reported that parts of author Greg Mortenson’s account are untrue. — charlestoncitypaper.com pic

NEW YORK, April 19 — The publisher of US author Greg Mortenson’s memoir, “Three Cups of Tea,” said yesterday it was reviewing the bestseller following claims that parts of the inspirational book were fabricated. Television news program “60 Minutes” said in a Sunday broadcast that parts of Mortenson’s account of a failed attempt in 1993 to climb the world’s second-highest peak, K2, and being kidnapped in Pakistan in 1996, were untrue, citing several people interviewed.

“60 Minutes” also reported that Mortenson was using his charitable institute, Central Asia Institute, to promote his books.

“Greg Mortenson’s work as a humanitarian in Afghanistan and Pakistan has provided tens of thousands of children with an education. ‘60 Minutes’ is a serious news organization and in the wake of their report, Viking plans to carefully review the materials with the author,” Viking spokeswoman Carolyn Coleburn said in a statement.
“Three Cups of Tea,” was first published in 2006 and has since been a popular paperback.
It may be the latest embarrassment for the publishing industry over partly-fabricated memoirs in recent years, notably James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces.”

The “60 Minutes” report claimed that Mortenson did not get lost and stumble into a remote mountain village on his way down from K2, and that he did not visit the village until a year later, according to expedition porters.

Mortenson told “60 Minutes” in a statement that he first visited the village in 1993, and went back each of the following three years. He suggested the discrepancy could be because the “Balti people have a completely different notion about time.”

“The concept of past and future is rarely of concern,” he said. “Often tenses are left out of discussion, although everyone knows what is implied.”

“60 Minutes” also disputed Mortenson’s account in “Three Cups of Tea,” of being kidnapped in the Waziristan region of Pakistan in 1996. His second book, “Stones into Schools,” publishes a photograph of his alleged captors.

The program located four of the men who were there when the photo of Mortenson was taken and two of whom were actually in the picture. All denied that they had kidnapped Mortenson.
Mortenson’s stood by his story, saying he was detained in Waziristan for eight days in 1996. “It was against my will, and my passports and money were taken from me,” he said.

Mortenson’s charity, the Central Asia Institute, founded in 1996, has built schools, mostly for girls, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

But “60 Minutes” said about roughly half of 30 schools listed on the charity’s tax forms were empty, built by someone else or not receiving any support. - Reuters

Read More

Little Princess

 By: ryan    12:10 PM  Books, Conor Grennan   No comments

Title: Little Princess: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal
Author: Conor Grennan
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780062049858

Side Cover Text
One Person Can Make A Difference 
In search of adventure, twenty-nine-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princess Children's Home, an orpganage in war-torn Nepal.

Conor was initially reluctant to volunteer, unsure whether he had the proper skill, or enough passion, to get involved in a developing country in the middle of a civil war. But he was soon overcome by the herd of rambunctious, resilient children who would challenge ad reward him in a way that he had never imagined, When Conor learned the unthinkable truth about their situation, he was stunned: The children were not orphans at all. Child traffickers were promising families in remote villagers to protect their children from the civil war, for huge fee, by taking them to safety. They would then abandon the children far from home, in the chaos of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

For Conor, what began as a footloose adventure becomes a commitment to reunite the children he had grown to love with their families, but this would be no small task. He would risk his life on a journey through the legendary mountains of Nepal, facing the dangers of bloody civil war and a debilitating injury. Waiting for Conor back in Kathmandu, and hopeful he would make it out before being trapped in by snow, was the woman who would eventually become his wife and share his life's work.

Little Princess is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious. Little Princess is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations.

Back Cover text
In was well after nightfall when I realized we had gone the wrong way.

The village I had been looking for was somewhere up the mountain....if we could even find the trail in the pitch-dark. My two porters and I had been walking for thirteen hours straight. Winter at night in the mountains of northwestern Nepal is bitterly cold, and we had no shelter. Two of our three flashlights had burned out. Worse, we were deep in a Moaist rebel stronghold, not far from where a colleague had been kidnapped almost exactly one year before...I wondered how things would have been different if I hadn't gotten hurt. Or if I hadn't split from my team, or if I hadn't decided to wait on that mountain for a helicopter that never came. It didn't matter now. What did matter was figuring out how we would get through the night. - from Little Princess

 Conor Grennan

Conor Grennan volunteered in Nepal at the Little Princess Children's Home in the village of Godawari in 2004. He would eventually return to Nepal to launch Next Generation Nepal (NGN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to reconnecting trafficked children with their families in postwar Nepal.

Conor is graduate of the University of Virginia and the NYU Stern School of Business. He currently resides in Connecticut with his wife and son.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why I Like The Book

This memoir about Conor Grennan's experiences in working with victims of child trafficking in Nepal is truly an wonderful read not only did finished it in about 3 days.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. The author's love, passion, and commitment to the children of Nepal is very inspiring. He doesn't give up when things gets tough, but does what needs to be done. He is living proof that one person can truly make a difference, one child at a time. That is how the world is changed. This is a very inspirational and uplifting book.

Another point why I like this book is not simply a normal tale of someone who is out in the world doing volunteer work. In fact it's so well written full with honesty, funny, and a heart-wrenching stories. A tale that needs to be told and that allows you to look into your own surroundings and see what small changes you can make right here at home to help make the world a better place.

This is a horrible story but with a happy ending. The war in Nepal has ended, many of the children have been reunited with their parents, and young man in question has found love. This is an inspiring book especially since the good work being done is still going on.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conor sets up a home called "Next Generation Nepal" and did fundraising back in the United States to buy the home, furnish it with furniture, stoves, beds, blankets, and pillows for the children he hoped to house there. He figured he could accept approximately 26 children and all these children came to love Conor dearly. With a total of $6,000.00 raised he began to build the home. Just visit nextgenerationnepal for more information.

Read More