Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

Berkshire Encyclopedia of China, edited by Linsun Cheng and Kerry Brown. 5 vols. 2,754p. Great Barrington, MA: Berkshire Publishing Group, 2009. 978-0-9770159-4-8; 2009-7589. $675.

With more than one fifth of the world’s inhabitants and a rapidly expanding economy, China is expected to assume a leadership position during the twenty-first century. Despite its long period of internal turmoil and international isolation, this is not a new role for Chinese culture. Throughout much of human history, China has possessed the richest, most populous and most advanced civilization on earth. Silk fabric, the compass, paper, printing and gunpowder are just a few of the innovations that China bestowed on mankind. This groundbreaking encyclopedia examines this rich cultural heritage and surveys the state of China today. Many of its 795 entries explore the major geographical features and political divisions of this vast country. The region’s 4,000 year history is described in articles on historic dynasties, emperors and periods of change. Readers are introduced to traditional culture through entries on art, crafts, literature, Daoism, festivals and Confucian philosophy. The tour includes both historic and modern monuments, from the Great Wall to Three Gorges Bridge. Visits also are made to Uygurs, Tibetans, Yi and other ethnic minorities. Entries on marriage, families and friendship illustrate social structures. Historically, China developed many innovative governing practices, including the tribute, canton and examination systems. These are explained along with the Cultural Revolution and many communist initiatives. China’s economic success in explored in entries on banking, business patterns, taxation and the Wenzhou economic model. Articles on cinema, folk dance, Yuan drama and video games explore changes in popular culture. Numerous biographies introduce philosophers, scholars, warriors, government officials, authors, poets, artists, scientists and athletes. Hundreds of illustrations, substantial bibliographies and a subject index support the text. The articles were prepared by an international team of experts on China and the Far East. The result is an excellent introduction to the history, traditions, modern institutions and people that make up China today. The set is highly recommended for students and general readers in both academic and public libraries.