Good books and movies

[Peter Arnold]

Dear fellow travelers, I could not find a similar thread regarding good books and movies which address Chinese history and life. I occasionally go to my local video store to search out Chinese movies.
I am hoping that some of you guys  would contribute the names of books and movies you have seen that have impressed you.
I recently read 'Wild Swans', by Jung Chang. It is an amazing story of three generations that lived through The Japanese invasion of Manchuria, the Kuomintang, Communist rule under Chairman Mao and the  Tienanmen Square demonstrations. It's the sort of book that you are hoping for light at the end of the tunnel, but it never seems to come. It gives a great insight into what parents of our lady friends endured, and the history that has shaped China and its people. I would describe it as a devastatingly beautiful book of endurance, courage and idealism.
The only film I have seen and enjoyed was 'The Joy Luck Club'.
If there is another thread on this subject, let me know.

 

[Vince G]

There was a trend with movies titles that has been seen by members. It was a while ago so it's prob. buried. Here's a list I had when I get around to them

The Road Home

How Far Do Leaves Fall?

Shanghai Kiss - (seen)

House of Flying Daggers

Red Cliff

Mongol

Lost in Translation

Raise the Red Lantern

Lost in Beijing

Farewell, My Concubine

Electric Shadows

Jasmine Women

The Children of Huang Shi

City of Life and Death (Nanjing! Nanjing! original title)

[Philip]

I have just finished reading 'The Soong Dynasty' by Sterling Seagrave, an amazing account of a family, 'whose wealth and power dominated China and American policy towards Asia in the 20th Century'. Without them, China would be very different today.
Now I am reading Mao, The Unknown Story', by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday, which is already an incredible account of the real Mao, rather than the Mao we have been allowed to see.
With these two books, I feel I will have a richer understanding of the politics that have shaped China over the past century.

[Willy The Londoner]

I hope that they give a good account of Mao . He was from Hunan.  I have his picture in brass attached to my comp speakers. So he looks down on me all the day.  Present from my wife another person from Hunan.

Willy

[maxx]

Phillip I would like to read the book about Mao.That has got to be real interesting

[daghoi]

I hear good things about: "Mongol: The Rise To Power Of Genghis Khan". Strictly not chinese, but close enough imho

There is also the documentary "Wild china", it is a nature documentary produced by BBC. Goes from time to time on different cable channels. Should be available to a fair price on places like play.com and amazon in US and amazon in UK. Both dvd and blueray. Great technical quality. Give's perspective on how diverse the continent is. Quite sure it has been discussed at the site earlier, if you search for the title you I'm sure you will get some other peoples view on it.