price：$21.01
Zojirushi
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (No more burnt or rotten rice!!) 『I used the cheap ricer cooker (Oster brand) for a few months before buying this rice cooker and I got frustrated because I kept getting burnt rice on the next day if I left the cooker on. If I turn the cooker off, the rice get rotten on the next day. I had to eat the rice right away, otherwise, I will have one of those problems. However, after I bought my Zojirushi rice cooker, I NEVER had any of those problems again. The cooker keeps the rice at the right temperature after it was cooked for the next few days! No more burnt or rotten rice!!! Money was very well-spent and I will not buy any other brand but Zojirushi from now on.』
(Excellent Product) 『I have been using a variety of rice cookers almost daily for the past 30 years. This is the most quiet, clean machine yet. It cooks a large batch of perfectly steamed rice in about 15 minutes, has easy to follow directions, and the rice does not stick to the pan like the other cookers I had, requiring an over night soaking. The condensation collector is ingenious. You would be foolish not to buy this if you consume rice on a regular basis.』
(Nice warm rice, perfectly cooked) 『Perfect rice cooker for the dorm or small family. Works as well as their larger models. There are cheaper alternatives, but a Zojirushi will last for the long haul. Our rice cooker is on keeping rice warm 24/7 and our last Zojirushi rice cooker kept cookin' over 10 years! You can't go wrong!』
(started having problems shortly after buying) 『I had grown up with Zojirushi, so, of course, I bought one when I was looking for a new rice cooker. Unfortunately, shortly after buying it, the rice cooker kept shutting off (going to the keep warm mode) even though the rice was not done. At first, we thought maybe the seal was not tight, so we used a water bottle to keep the lid down...that worked for a while. Now I think we're at the point that we will need to replace the rice cooker. Thanks to this experience, I will probably not consider another Zojirushi model.』
(Just after 12 Months of use it stopped working) 『After using a basic rice cooker we felt like we would go for a more upmarket type rice cooker. Out basic aroma rice cooker has lasted over 9 years but this Zojirushi lasted around 12 months - turned out not to be worth the extra cost.』 『Zojirushi Automatic Rice Cooker Warmer NSRNC10』 『This electric rice cooker from Zojirushi provides useful capacity and handy details, not to mention the ability to keep rice moist, warm, and fresh for up to 12 hours after cooking is finished. The cooker is a good size for small families or couples, handling between 1 and 5.5 cups of rice at a time and requiring cooking times ranging from 12 to 24 minutes. Operation is incredibly simple--just add rice and water, depress the power tab, and walk away. The lock-tight lid maximizes cooking conditions, and the cooker automatically switches to keep-warm mode when the rice is finished. Indicator lights help you track what stage your rice is in, and the removable nonstick interior pot is clearly marked in cups and liters to guide you with quantities. The cooker's durable housing has a low-key pastel floral design, and the inner lid and inner pot can both be removed for hand-washing. Clever extras on this model include a retractable power cord, a condensation collector, and a spatula holder. Zojirushi also throws in a measuring cup and spatula.--Emily Bedard』
price：Too low to display
Global
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Perfect paring knife) 『I read reviews before purchasing new chef knives. The online reviews were spot on. A perfect combonation of style, functinality, and price.』
(A little disappointed) 『I got this knife as a gift, and after reading the reviews, I expected to be wowed. Don't get me wrong, this is an excellent knife, by in my opinion, no better than my Henkel knives. It is a very pretty design, very light and very comfortable.』
(My favorite knife) 『Of all my Global knives I have bought recently, this is my favorite - I just love it. It is very light and so easy to use and has so many uses and especially good for peeling vegetables. One of my best buys.』 『This 3.5-in paring knife features a curved handle for a molded grip. Excellent for peeling vegetables and slicing citrus. Loved by professional chefs around the world, Global knives are an excellent choice for the serious home cook. The thin and razor sharp Global blade allows the cook to cleanly slice through foods, preserving the integrity of the ingredient and maximizing its flavor. The majority of Global knives are ground to a straight point rather than the western style of beveling the edge. To balance their knives Global uses a hollow handle that is filled with just the right amount of sand to create the correct balance. The handle has its own unique darkened dimples for a non-slip grip. Because the knives are very light weight they reduce hand fatigue. Global knives have a smooth contour and seamless, all stainless construction that eliminates food and dirt traps. Global knifes are forged in Japan from CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel, a blend of 18 percent chromium for good stain resistance plus molybdenum and vanadium which gives excellent edge retention.』
price：$7.46
Zojirushi
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good - in principle only) 『A very beautiful item with excellent insulation properties. However, take heed of the directions very carefully! This thermos is only good for water, or at the most fluids that can be READILY RINSED out. So, that pretty much excludes most of the things you might wish to put in there, such as coffee, tea, milk, sugary drinks. The reason? The pouring mechanism, while space-age and cool, cannot be dissembled for cleaning, nor can the inside of the thermos be easily accessed. Brushes and other cleaning devises just don't cut it, so the inside ends up getting very stained, and eventually the seal on the pouring mechanism fails after a few months of drinking your favorite drink percolated through whatever old dried up drink/food that has gotten trapped in the pouring mechanism. Mine lasted about three months and is now useless. So, do yourself a favor, forgo style over function, and find a thermos with the tried and tested simple screw cap design.』
(not the best thermos) 『this thermos initially kept my coffee hot for hours but after bringing it to work on my bike a few times (i assume, no visible damage was done) it's lost that ability. the outside of the thermos is now quite hot after filling it with coffee&consequently heat loss is rapid.
additionally, the cap has a lot of space where water can hide so after i wash it it doesn't dry all the way and eventually that leads to a mildew sent. if you live in a dry climate it probably won't be an issue, but it was for me.
spend your money on something else.』
(Absolute best thermos) 『I bought this thermos (vacuum bottle) to put my daily coffee in. I am trying to be environmental in everything I do, and I realized that I was taking a disposable paper cup almost every day from the local Starbucks. Not environmental at all! So I decided I needed a thermos. I chose this model because of its small outer size and good internal capacity. I had seen a similar item by Thermos/Nissan and wasn't as enamoured with its looks. I bought the Zojirushi just from the description and photo on Amazon. I am delighted!! It holds just the right amount of coffee for me for the day, stays piping hot more than 8 hours, looks fantastic and never leaks. I love drinking little cups of coffee out of the cute cap-cup. Even the seal and the spout are of brilliant design. For a "low-tech" item it is so high-tech. It is flawless. I highly recommend.
PS I also researched different reusable water bottles. I tried the Siig bottle and found it to be too unsanitary. I finally got a stainless steel Kleen Kanteen which works great. It's easy to keep clean and I truly can't taste any metallic taste. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles
I recommend both of these products as essential equipment in outfitting your life more environmentally. You'll have them both for a lifetime.』
(Problem with internal coating) 『I bought this thermos for my wife to take her coffee to work. Unfortunately, she said the coffee picked up an unpleasant taste from the coating on the inside of the thermos.』
(Tuff Slim hot liquid keeper!) 『I have used my first purchased Tuff Slim for about seven years and I bought two more with as much satisfaction even with a redesigned bottle (wider, a bit shorter and a new pouring spout top). Great quality, keep my tea or herbal tea perfectly warm all day. I suggest to have one TS only for teas and one TS only for coffee. A good way to save money over time instead of purchasing tea or coffee on a daily basis. 』 『Elegant and compact in design, this highly durable all stainless steel construction vacuum bottle offers superior heat retention. While its unique slim body is designed to occupy minimal space, it features a wide mouth design that can even accommodate standard size ice cubes. Other features include a push button stopper for easy pouring and nonstick interior for easy cleaning.』
price：$16.98
Caravan Music UK
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great percussion album) 『This is a great album. The artists are all extremely good at what they do, and this is fun to listen to. I'm not really into belly dancing, but I like the music, and I found this as I was going through the albums recommended to me for purchasing other albums. The great thing about this one is that since it's composed of a lot of different artists, I can look into their own personal albums. I've already bought other albums by Issam Houshan and Susu Pampanin. My favorites on this album are Drum In, Drum Out by Gamal Goma and Nour Balady by Amir Sofi.』
price：$11.98
Nonesuch
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A Classic Performance of Classical Koto) 『Shinichi Yuize, the musician of this reissue (originally released in 1966), is best known for his collaboration with jazz clarinetist Tony Scott in the extraordinary and wildly popular "Music for Zen Meditation and Other Joys." As in that recording, Yuize here plays koto brilliantly, strong and assured. The pieces are indeed classics, and Midare and Chidori are to be found on nearly all koto collections. Zangetsu, however, is less often heard, as it is complex with three sections, an interlude, and a vocal conclusion, in which the baritone of Yuize floats over the koto, sensitive and introspective. Fuki is noteworthy by requiring the koto player to improvise a vocal melody to a poem. With the digital remastering, the album of koto and voice is as impressionable as I recall over 40 years ago. It was a long wait, and although sound technology has vastly improved over the decades, this performance is a true classic.』 『Contemplative solo recording from Shinichi Yuize, a master of the koto, the elegant stringed instrument that is a Japanese form of the zither.』
price：$19.98
World Village USA
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A good one) 『I believe that this album is great, but don't expect to be impressed first time you hear it. Give it some time... "Silent city" track is 30 minutes long with a VERY slow way of story telling. follow it with patience, and after 30 minutes, you will find the end of this nice story. 』
(Disappointing) 『Kalhor has some excellent albums, but this one (Silent City) is terrible. Try "Ghazal" instead, or better yet, try compilations such as "Masters of Persian Music."』
(A Masterpiece) 『I recently heard a track from this CD on WRUV-FM at the University of Vermont. I had to stop everything I was doing and listen in awe. Iranian Kayhan Kalhor is internationally renowned for his magic with the kamancheh (a Persian spiked fiddle). Brooklyn Rider is a string quartet based in New York City but with an international reputation as well.
This collaboration has it's roots in musical friendships formed at Tanglewood in 2000, where musicians had gathered for Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project. A trip to Iran followed in 2004, and then three of the pieces were developed in 2005-2008. Arrangement of the longest piece, "Silent City" (29:10) was commissioned by the Carnegie Hall Corporation.
The result of the musician's efforts is a work of musical beauty that brings together Persian myths and classical traditions with contemporary Western music of the classical form. The musicians are listed as: Kayhan Kalhor - kamancheh, setar; Colin Jacobsen - violin; Jonathan Gandelsman - violin; Nichilas Cords - viola; Eric Jacobsen - cello; Jeff Beecher - bass; Mark Suter - percussion.
Believe me, I wouldn't take the time to write this if I wasn't simply enthralled with this CD. 』 『Kayhan Kahlor,Silent City』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Excellent Video) 『Yap, as the other reviewer said - it will take a little bit of time to master even this basic video as some exercises are challenging, especially if you're new to this. It will provide months of entertainment and then you'll emerge as a new person able to do what might have seemed almost impossible when you began.』
(Wow! If this is the 'basic' training...) 『Kung Fu means 'Time / Energy'. Literally, something which takes time and energy to achieve.
In this video, Dr. Yang teaches the necessary body conditioning for Shaolin Kung Fu, starting with stretching for the entire body, both standing and sitting. Some of it is very intense, difficult stuff which needs to be patiently trained for 6 months.
During the fundamental stances Master Yang explains some of the applications, and really corrects the posture of his students demonstrating. He teaches with a great sense of humor, with a very humble manner, but offers so much information for each technique.
The Punches are shown in a classroom situation, with corrections and applications, and are also shown by students hitting a heavy bag. There is a great variety of techniques, which give an excellent foundation for further study. Very fun and serious video!』
タイトル『 Magica Tile - Glazed Porcelain Tile Asia Tile: 4 X 12 Natural Stone Tile >
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price：
Magica
『Magica Asia 4 x 12 Listello is a favorite for many applications. This beautiful and versatile tile is also a great value at LuxStores. Think this is the best tile for your needs? Then Choose Magica Asia 4 x 12 Listello from Magica Tile Collection』 タイトル『 La Toscana 7063-162 ASIA Tall Linen Tower with Mirror, Glossy Black >
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price：$882.50
La Toscana
『La Toscana 7063-162 ASIA Tall Linen Tower with Mirror, Glossy BlackLa Toscana 7063-162 ASIA Tall Linen Tower with Mirror, Glossy Black Features:; Overall: 11 - 3 / 4 Inch x 9 Inch x 79 - 1 / 2 Inch; Black&Red - Glossy Lacquered Finish; Wenge - Wenge Wood Veneer; Mirrored Front; 6 Glass Shelves Inside; Wall Mount Installation; Hardwar Included』 タイトル『 La Toscana 724184 ASIA Low Linen Tower, Glossy Black >
price：$2.96
KINO INTERNATIONAL
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review ("TO BOLDLY GO WHERE OTHERS FEAR TO TREAD") 『I owned this film before it was realeased in America, and the copy quality left a great deal to be desired. This new release brings this absolute Masterpiece by Wong Kar Wai (special Kudos to fine performances from Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, and Cinematographer Christopher Doyle)to full, vibrant, and multi-dimensional life!!! Kar Wai is simply at his best here; from the wide variety of musical selections, to the varied usages of film stock.
Long before "Brokeback Mountain" tittilated American imaginations, this film was breaking major-league ground technically and artistically with the international community, and people in the know. Twelve years after it's initial release, it still boldly goes where most Directors fear to tread . . .』
(...I have been in you.) 『My favorite Won Kar Wai film; along with a great soundtrack.
CLASSIC&untouchable.』
(The Many Facets of Relationships) 『"Happy Together," winner of the 1997 Best Director prize at Cannes, examines a relationship in which two partners seem destined to be together, even when they decide to split up. Ho and Lai, a gay young couple from Hong Kong, are passionate lovers but continuously snip at each other and bicker. They relocate to Buenos Aires, hoping to mend their troubled relationship, but ultimately break up. Ho (Leslie Cheung) hustles for a living. Lai (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) takes a job as doorman at a seedy tango club. After Ho is beaten up by a client, Lai nurses him back to health. Yet even during Ho's recuperation, he is demanding, selfish, and thoughtless. The film raises questions as to what constitutes relationships, how fragile they can be, how they are constantly tested, and how even seemingly doomed relationships run deep. There is also an irony throughout. Wong is saying that distance, illness, temporary separation, and recriminations aside, some relationships are destined to be. Bonus extras include three behind-the-scenes featurettes and an interview with Director of Photography Christopher Doyle. The remastered DVD's soundtrack is in Cantonese with optional English subtitles.』
(Loneliness and Alienation) 『"Happy Together"
Loneliness and Alienation
Amos Lassen
Two young Asians, Yiu-Fai and Po-Wing arrive in Argentina from Hong Kong and start their holiday. However, something happens and their relationship turns sour. Yiu-Fai decides that he should return home and starts working in a tango bar so that he can buy a plane ticket. Suddenly Po-Wing appears and he is bruised and beaten. Even though Yiu-Fai shows empathy, he cannot enter into a romantic relationship with his friend. Po-Wing, unlike his friend, is not ready to settle down. After changing jobs, Yiu-Fai meets a young guy from Taiwan, Chang and his life changes again while Po-Wing is shattered. Kar Wai Wong directed this little gem of a film about the nature of loneliness. It is a non-linear film that shows the truth about modern relationships. Here is a story about emotion and love and it challenges the title it was given. It is about those difficulties that surround a relationship on the skids. Alienation both within and outside of the relationship is what dooms it. In the beginning we see that the two young men cannot find equality or balance together and this leads them to despair. When Po-Wing had been ill and had to be cared for, their relationship thrived but as his health improved, Fai drew away from him and refused any attempt at intimacy. Now that Wing was well enough to do for himself, the balance of power between them shifted, Po-Wing slowly slips away from the guy he loved and entered the world of street hustling. Each of the men are devastated by the loss of love. We sense the alienation between them as well as the alienation they feel in society. I am not sure that this is necessarily a gay film--the lead characters just happen to be gay but this is a story that can apply to anyone--loneliness is universal as is the melancholia that comes with it. The actors are wonderful in their roles and we feel what they feel--making this not an easy film to watch. The film is basically a look at a couple falling in and out of love--their sexual identification does not matter. They guys are lost souls who are lonely and longing and lovelorn. Their escape to Argentina proves to be their undoing but it would have happened anywhere. Argentina physically represents their relationship--claustrophobic and oppressive, something that might have been beautiful yet becomes a symbol of escape. What really makes this film so absorbing is the emotional authenticity. The director aimed at the heart and he hit his target. 』 『Studio: Kino International Release Date: 03/31/2009 Run time: 97 minutes』
price：$2.46
FIRST RUN FEATURES
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Losing Contact with Children) 『"Luxury Car"
Losing Contact with Children
Amos Lassen
"Luxury Car" is a great perspective on people in China today. It is a drama that looks at how easy it is to lose contact with one's children in a country where values are changing and people strive for wealth, power and influence. It shows how far one may go in order to own a luxury car. A country schoolteacher, Quiming, who is close to retirement, comes to the town of Wuhan to search for his only son. His wife is dying and wants to see their son for the last time. The teacher is met by Yanhong, his daughter who works in a karaoke bar and she introduces him to a policeman who agrees to help him find his son. Yanhong introduces her father to her boyfriend who is older and drives a luxury car and the four of them meet for dinner one night. The policeman realizes that Yanhong's boyfriend is a man he had arrested years before. The father begins to realize the dangers of city life. We get a good look at Chinese culture and see how people deal with the contrast between the old China and the new. Quiming learns that his daughter is a prostitute and her boyfriend is her pimp. Quiming's son is dead and it appears that Yanhong's boyfriend had something to do with that. This is a tightly written and well balanced drama that is photographed beautifully and acted superbly. Part of First Run Features' Global Lens series, it is a powerful look at the dark side of China. The film seduces the viewer into a multi-layered story that reaches a destination that is not easy to forget. 』 『{WINNER! PRIX UN CERTAIN REGARD, CANNES FILM FESTIVAL}
In this award-winning drama, an old schoolteacher travels from his small village to the city of Wuhan in search of his missing son, who his dying wife wants to see one last time. But instead of finding their son, he discovers his daughter working as a karaoke bar escort, and her mobster boyfriend might be linked to his son's disappearance. Fast-paced and suspenseful, with a beautiful performance by Chinese star Tian Yuan, Luxury Car illustrates the painful reality of parents who have lost contact with their children through rural exodus and political upheaval in China.』
price：$9.99
Miramax
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (much promise, little execution) 『A movie that begins with an intricate promise but pewters out right after the beginning and becomes a love/lust story that's neither very passionate nor very romantic.』
(Not quite film noir BUT...) 『Still an interesting and entertaining bit of filmmaking. B. Monkey (played with a ferocious sensitivity by Asia Argento) is trying to leave the game and live the life of a solid, respectable citizen. 2 large problems stand in her way: Paul and Bruno (Rupert Everett and Jonathan Rhys Meyers), her old standbys and partners from her life as a smash and grab thief.
There's such an involved dynamic between B./Paul/and Bruno. Paul and Bruno are lovers, but they both seem to have this insatiable appetite for all things B. (not sexual, but emotional/psychological). B. unfortunately leaves the gang behind for boring, safe, and totally-in-love-with-her, Alan. They are the essence of yin and yang; he's the water, she's the fire.
The soundtrack is rocking with old Reinhardt jazz tracks, a little Peggy Lee, and some Barry White to boot. Asia Argento is completely believable as a willful, vulnerable and self-confident thief turned right, while Jared Harris is great as her calming boyfriend. I really think Rupert Everett and Jonathan Rhys Meyers almost steal the show with their antics (especially Rupert). These were early films for the both of their careers, and it showcases their talent for camp, high drama and theater all at the same time.
Liked it enough to buy it. 4 stars! 』
(Monkey around!) 『Alan Furnace is a young man with the perfectly proper, quiet life of a London school teacher. But beneath all of that decency lies a burning desire for excitement and he just found it. She's a woman unlike any other: Unruly Irish eyes, Latin lips... her name is Beatrice, but on the streets they call her B. Monkey. She's about to take him on an outrageous, dangerous and sexy ride through the wild side of London. Written by Babalu
Beatrice is a smash-and-grab jewel thief, an Italian in London, robbing with her partner Bruno. She and Bruno live with Paul, who's Bruno's lover and a world-weary cokehead in debt to a local thug. Each of the three loves the others. Beatrice quits the game, Paul and Bruno split, and a primary-school teacher named Alan enters Beatrice's life. He romances her with dinners and a trip to Paris to dance at a jazz club. Paul faces pressure to pay, Bruno wants another score, and Beatrice may not be able to trade the rush of robbery for the quiet life of a teacher's wife. Her entanglements with Paul and Bruno may not be easily cut. And what of Alan: will he fight for love? Written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
』
(Asiamania Argento) 『i see asia argento first time in this moviie , and she stolen my mind with her median attractive performance and natural "italian" beauty . The scene is standard, the other cast either .... but Asia is really hillary tremendeous made her Asiamania......undersound Jazz performance gave the big influences, made a "class&exotic" movie....so keep on movie my Asia』
(VERY GOOD....AND VERY BELIEVABLE) 『I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL DOZEN FOREIGN FILMS SINCE DISCOVERING AMAZON. THE MAJORITY THAT I'VE GOTTEN A HOLD OF STINK FRANKLY. BUT THIS ONE DOES NOT. I LIKE IT SO MUCH I BOUGHT MORE TITLES THAT HAVE THIS ACTRESS ASIA ARGENTO IN THEM. THIS STORY IS VERY BELIEVEABLE, VERY " IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU." IF YOURE THINKING ABOUT IT...DO IT. THE PRICE HAS COME DOWN CONSIDERABLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN DEC 06. THE VERY LEAST I CAN SAY IS, " IF YOU TRY THIS MOVIE AND DONT LIKE IT...YOU PROBABLY WONT LIKE ANY FOREIGN FILM. " TO ME, ITS KINDA COOL LIKE PULP FICTION WAS WHEN IT WAS RELEASED...AND STILL IS. AND EXTRA SPECIAL IS THE FACT THAT ITS IN ENGLISH- SO YOU DONT HAFTA TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE DIALOUGUE AT THE BOTTOM!』 『The story of b. a wild and beautiful young woman and alan the passionate and romantic young schoolteacher who falls head-over heels in love with her. Now known as beatrice to all but the violent bruno and the decadent paul b. Dreams of escaping the criminal world and the rush that comes from living on the edge. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 02/03/2004 Starring: Rupert Everett Jared Harris Run time: 92 minutes Rating: R Director: Michael Radford』 『Director Michael Radford made a surprising about-face from his international hitIl Postinoto this grungy British romantic crime thriller. Asia Argento (Dario's daughter and costar of Abel Ferrara'sNew Rose Hotel) is the title character, a street criminal whose specialty is breaking and entering: "I can get into anywhere." Jared Harris (Richard's son and Andy Warhol inI Shot Andy Warhol) is a bookish, shy schoolteacher with a yen for jazz who becomes smitten with Argento's sexy wildcat. Argento brings a vitality to the supercharged street thief trying to break with her past, but stick-in-the-mud Harris is restrained to a fault and Radford never quite finds the right chemistry to make their union any more than curious. Rupert Everett costars as a smart-mouthed, sleepy-eyed ne'er-do-well whose drug habit puts him deep in debt, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is Argento's volatile partner, a jittery young punk on a hair trigger. Radford has more fun with the villains than his ostensible hero; the film bubbles when they're on screen and the movie's single heist scene is a short, sharp, energized shot in the arm to a slowing story. Only Harris sticks out as an impossibly resolute saint who's dedicated his life to a passionate sinner. The conclusion reverberates with echoes ofStraw Dogs, as remade by a kinder, gentler filmmaker.--Sean Axmaker』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (fast service - great product) 『My family loves the flavor of this seaweed. It is thin, light and buttery. The kids use the seaweed stips to eat their rice instead of a fork. I usually buy 24 (equals one case) at a time and the shipping came to $14, so it's better to buy more and reduce the overall shipping fee.』
(Great snack!) 『This is a great late night snack for me replacing my usual pretzels. I get the crunch and salt without any work yet it is much better for me than pretzels.』 『Korean style seasoned seaweed is for making sushi, maki or roll.Seaweed/algae is low in Cholesterol and is a good source of vitamin B5: beneficial for reducing cholesterol, Rheumatoid arthritis and Acne. Dried or roasted seaweed/laver also contains Magnesium, Vitamin 1 and Iron which are essential for preventing diabetes and heart attacks. Dried or roasted seaweed/laver also contains Riboflavin and Niacin which promote fast tissue repair.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good pick, cute designs) 『They are reallly cute and usefull. The only thing is that I wish they were a little bit bigger. My oversize glasses fit really tight.』
(Beautiful, practical, price is right) 『I ordered several different soft glasses cases one day to see which I liked best. The set of Chinese eyeglass cases is definitely my favorite. The low price was an extra added benefit.』
(Sunglass protective sleeve) 『No color choice but I knew that ordering. They were exactly what I needed to carry my sunglasses. Hard cases that come with the glasses take way too much real estate in my small purses. The cases are silk on the outside, have light cushiony batting and lining. They will only protect from scratches not the possiblity of crushing.』
タイトル『 Decorated Mouse Pad with "black and white", mountain, temple, hill, structure, China, architecture, Asia, Buddhist, building >
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price：$9.95
SHOPZEUS
『Professional "Brite White" fabric mouse pads are among the most versatile and durable, providing brilliant graphic reproduction for spot color or full color imprints. This durable polyester surface is above industry standards and provides a superior product value overall. Designed to reproduce vibrant detailed images. Our mouse pads have white fabric top with the 100% genuine black rubber base (not the cheap foam your seen on other advertisements).』 タイトル『 Decorated Mouse Pad with "black and white", dwelling, agriculture, poppies, farmland, flowers, Asia, Russia, cultivation, farm, architecture, house >
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price：$9.95
SHOPZEUS
『Professional "Brite White" fabric mouse pads are among the most versatile and durable, providing brilliant graphic reproduction for spot color or full color imprints. This durable polyester surface is above industry standards and provides a superior product value overall. Designed to reproduce vibrant detailed images. Our mouse pads have white fabric top with the 100% genuine black rubber base (not the cheap foam your seen on other advertisements).』 タイトル『 Decorated Mouse Pad with "black and white", endangered, tiger, India, animal, "big cat", Asia, feline >
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price：$9.95
SHOPZEUS
『Professional "Brite White" fabric mouse pads are among the most versatile and durable, providing brilliant graphic reproduction for spot color or full color imprints. This durable polyester surface is above industry standards and provides a superior product value overall. Designed to reproduce vibrant detailed images. Our mouse pads have white fabric top with the 100% genuine black rubber base (not the cheap foam your seen on other advertisements).』 タイトル『 Universal International Travel Plug Adapter for all Countries >
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price：$4.95
Generic
『Use your appliances with nearly any type of wall outlet around the world. This adapter modifies the plug only, IT DOES NOT CONVERT VOLTAGE! You will need a separate power converter for that. Features a safety shutter surge protector, a power indicator light, and can accept grounded or ungrounded plugs. Electrical rating: 125V 6A, 250V 13A.』 タイトル『 SLIM&LITE PSP® - PSP-3006 (Lilac Purple) - ASIA VERSION >
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price：$478.99
Sony
『Sound - Built-in stereo speakers
Internal disc drive - Read-only UMDTM drive
Main Input / Out put -Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11b) (Wi-Fi)
Hi-Speed USB (mini-B)
Memory Stick PRO DuoTM / Analog Video Out / Microphone
Main Interface - DC IN 5V connector / DC OUT connector
Video / Earphone / Microphone terminalsUSB Slot / Memory Stick DuoTM Slot
Support Codecs (Memory StickTM)-
Video: Memory Stick Video Format
- MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC LC)
- H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile (AAC LC)
MP4 File Format
- MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC LC)
- H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile - CABAC only - (AAC LC) / Baseline profile (AAC LC) AVI- Motion JPEG (L in ear PCM orµ-Lau)
Music: Memory Stick Sonud Format
- ATRAC3TM
- ATRAC3plusTM
MP3 / MP3 (MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer3) / MP4 (MPEG-4 AAC) / WAVE (Linear PCM) / WMA (Windows Media Audio 9 Standard Only) (*3)
Picture: JPEG / TIFF / BMP / GIF / PNG
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*2 To enjoy Skype on PSP, users will require a Skype account, Memory Stick DuoTM, a wireless Internet connection and a Headphone with Remote Control (PSP-S140) or Skype-compatible headphones. Users are recommended to speak closely to the microphone (approx. 10cm from the microphone).*3 WMA Playback feature needs to be enabled
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Random House Trade Paperbacks
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good Travel Book; Good View of 21st Century China) 『4.5 Stars. Long-time NPR correspondent Rob Gifford writes a very entertaining and educational travelogue of his trip across China. It is an effortless read. Good, plain story-telling obscured by very little if any navel-gazing. I have enjoyed Gifford's reporting on NPR (particularly on China) and I enjoyed this book very much.
Gifford uses his final trip across China before leaving for a new assignment for NPR in London, after 8 years in China, as a vehicle to give his insights into this chaotic and fast-changing nation that will surely be pivotal in the 21st century. This is an effective tactic; the narrative flows nicely. But he is also able to provide much detail about China as it is now and has been. his focus is on the regular people he meets in his travels and he uses their opinions and experiences to generalize effectively about China.
Gifford rarely allows himself to intrude between the reader and the subject. But there is one stretch in the middle of the book, where he's a little too self-confessional, and where he let's his personal religious feelings obscure the story. In particular, he makes a number of excessive claims about Christianity, for instance on page 108, "While the person of Christ had focused so much of Western art upon the human form, Chinese art was always more about the landscape - the mountains, the rivers - with human figures often playing just bit parts in the natural drama and grandeur of the painting." (Seriously, he hasn't studied ancient Greek art, Roman, Etruscan, or Egyptian art? These didn't set the western patterns?) He also spends, in my opinion, an inordinate amount of time describing his visit to a small Christian church. Fortunately, these diversions are fairly brief and mostly isolated to the part of the book where he describes Shaanxi Province.
Overall a good read both as a travel book and a view of 21st century China.』
(From the city to the desert, completely insightful) 『China Road starts with the author reminiscing about his and his wife's first meeting on the banks of the Bund in Shanghai. From there he takes us on a powerful road journey from the intense, highway-circled, skyscraper-capped City of Shanghai to a tiny town in central Asia in what used to be called Turkestan. He takes route 312 the whole way. Route 312 sometimes exists just as a dirt road; out west the Chinese built it into a six lane highway.
Gifford's interactions with locals throughout the journey are fascinating. He rides with truck drivers, visits villages destroyed by HIV, sleeps in the desert with Tibetans fluent in Mandarin wanting to teach Chinese in public schools (at the risk of destroying their own language and culture), and mingles with Chinese tourists and Amway distributors in Urumqi. Throughout the book I was fascinated by China's vast span of land and huge cities: the U.S. has nine cities with over one million people; China has forty-nine!
This was the first book that introduced me to western China and now I'm overcome with curiosity about the region. 9-1-09』
(China Road Reveiw) 『A great read, very informative and an eye-opener for someone who only has a basic knowledge of China. The way that this book is written, there is a feeling that you are on the journey with the author as makes his way across China. The book is littered with interesting anecdotes from the different places he visits and the people he meets.』
(China Road) 『This book above all is the work of a courageous man Rob Gifford. Among the many books on China this well written account transports the reader to the reality of life for many millions of people. I will do my part to encourage many to read it and give China Road my highest recommendation. A timeless human story good for generations to come.』
(Overall a balanced book on China) 『I had lived in China for my first 30 years and has lived last 20 in the states. I enjoy and appreciate every bit of Mr. Gifford's book and his effort. His schizophrenic view of China is nothing but a reflection of the reality of the country.』 『Route 312 is the Chinese Route 66. It flows three thousand miles from east to west, passing through the factory towns of the coastal areas, through the rural heart of China, then up into the Gobi Desert, where it merges with the Old Silk Road. The highway witnesses every part of the social and economic revolution that is turning China upside down.
In this utterly surprising and deeply personal book, acclaimed National Public Radio reporter Rob Gifford, a fluent Mandarin speaker, takes the dramatic journey along Route 312 from its start in the boomtown of Shanghai to its end on the border with Kazakhstan. Gifford reveals the rich mosaic of modern Chinese life in all its contradictions, as he poses the crucial questions that all of us are asking about China: Will it really be the next global superpower? Is it as solid and as powerful as it looks from the outside? And who are the ordinary Chinese people, to whom the twenty-first century is supposed to belong?
Gifford is not alone on his journey. The largest migration in human history is taking place along highways such as Route 312, as tens of millions of people leave their homes in search of work. He sees signs of the booming urban economy everywhere, but he also uncovers many of the countryâs frailties, and some of the deep-seated problems that could derail Chinaâs rise.
The whole compelling adventure is told through the cast of colorful characters Gifford meets: garrulous talk-show hosts and ambitious yuppies, impoverished peasants and tragic prostitutes, cell-phone salesmen, AIDS patients, and Tibetan monks. He rides with members of a Shanghai jeep club, hitchhikes across the Gobi desert, and sings karaoke with migrant workers at truck stops along the way.
As he recounts his travels along Route 312, Rob Gifford gives a face to what has historically, for Westerners, been a faceless country and breathes life into a nation that is so often reduced to economic statistics. Finally, he sounds a warning that all is not well in the Chinese heartlands, that serious problems lie ahead, and that the future of the West has become inextricably linked with the fate of 1.3 billion Chinese people.
âInformative, delightful, and powerfully moving . . . Rob Giffordâs acute powers of observation, his sense of humor and adventure, and his determination to explore the wrenching dilemmas of Chinaâs explosive development open readersâ eyes and reward their minds.â âRobert A. Kapp, president, U.S.-China Business Council, 1994-2004
price：$5.12
Harper Perennial
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Menzies defends his thesis that the Chinese transformed the 14th world) 『Gavin Menzies accounts Chinese voyages beyond the Cape of Good Hope, up to Europe, Italy, etc.
Menzies findings suggest Chinese navigators (not Zheng He) landed with other expeditions at the California coast, Mexico's Pacific coast, South America, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, US north Atlantic coast, Italy, the Mediterranean, discovered Greenland and the Antarctic among other places.
Some of these Chinese navigators were Hong Bao, Zhou Man, Zhou Wen and Yang Qing.
When did Chinese Exploration peak in the 14th century?
1. Chinese Global Exploration occurred in the time frame 1433 to 1435 and again between 1435 to 1449.
2. Zheng He is credited with the first (7) seven voyages that explored most of the Indian Ocean, Sumatra, Malaya, Burma, Ceylon (Sry Lanka), India, Ormuz (Arabic peninsula, Emirates, Yemen), Somalia, Kenya and Mozambique.
3. Zheng He died during his seven voyage. Zheng He adventures spanned from 1405 and 1433. Therefore, Zheng He can not be attributed with circumnavigating the world
4. The year Zheng He died, 1435 is also the year the emperor Zhu Zhanji (Xuande) died.
Questions:
1. What moons of different planets did Galileo discover? Did Chinese astronomical charts assist Galileo in his discoveries? 2. Did the Chinese bring a hybrid cotton, a blend of Indian cotton, to the Americas prior to 1492? 3. Was Chinese rice found in Brazil prior to 1492? 4. What Chinese Junks debrie have been discovered in New Zealand? 5. Did the Croatians migrate to America prior to 1492 and live among the Algonquian Indians? 6. Is there evidence of Chinese Junks in Oregon prior to 1492? 7. What comet struck earth and created a tsunami near New Zealand? 8. How did Galileo theory of falling bodies challenge the Socratic view of falling bodies? 9. What was the Copernicus revolution? 10. Did Galileo verify the works of Copernicus? 11. What are water bellows? Are water bellows a Chinese invention? 12. What the journey's of Marco Polo? Did Columbus have access to Portuguese navigation maps of the world? 13. Who developed the parachute? 14. How does a Waterwheel transfer power from horizontal to vertical power? Did the Chinese spread the Egyptian Waterwheel technology to Italy. 15. Who conceived the idea of the helicopter? Was the helicopter a Chinese toy? 16. Did the Chinese possess knowledge of Longitude navigation by the stars? 17. Was Leonardo Da Vinci's body of work, the work previously done by others? Were the designs in the Nong Shu and the creator of the designs, Chinese? 18. What works did Mariano Taccola plagerize from the Nong Shu? 19. What inventions were published in the contents of Wang Zhen - Nong Shu in 1313? Should Da Vinci give credit to Wang Zhen? 20. What maps showed a connection between China and Europe? Did Columbus have access to Marco Polo's Silk Road maps? 21. What role did Niccolo da Conti play in history? 22. What maps showed a connection between China and Europe? Did Columbus have access to Marco Polo's Silk Road maps? 23. Did Columbus know about the Straits of Magellan? 24. How impressive was Toscanelli's, 1468 gnomon seen in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore? 25. Did Toscanelli observation of the comets match the European technology of the time or the Chinese technology? 26. In the 14th century was Venice the trading capital of the world? 27. What Chinese trade was occurring in the 14th Century with Rome? 28. Does Toscanelli letter too Pope Eugenius about China trade opportunities, suggest China was sparking a Renaissance in Italy? 29. What was the evidence of Mitochondria Chinese DNA in various part of North and South America showing the Chinese were here, before Columbus? 30. How did the Chinese Ignited the Renaissance in Italy prior to 1492? 31. Did Columbus have access to a global map of the world prior to his epic voyage to the Americas? 32. What are the evidences that the Chinese Star Fleet travel beyond the Indian Ocean? 33. Did China circumnavigate the World in 1421? 34. Did Zheng He arrive in the Carribean? 35. How does the 1049 day Star map work? 36. What percent of the population is Chinese in Venice and Tuscany? 37. What innovations, discoveries, or idea from the Chinese helped create a Venice Renaissance? 38. How did trade routes to Rome and the Mediterranean help Venice become a major trade center? 39. Was the Newport Tower created by the Chinese as a Astronomy observatory? 40. How did the Chinese use stars to determine navigation? 41. How does a navigator use Polaris and star maps to determine Latitude and Longitude on the open ocean?』
(It isn't history) 『A line from the confessional prayer from the old Morning Prayer Service, "I have done those things I ought not too have done and left undone those things I ought to have done..." comes to mind in reviewing this book. Menzies includes what supports him claims and excludes what does not. Then he goes on to fill in any inconvenient blanks.
China is one of the world's phenomena, richly cultured long before Europe. Diffusion of Chinese culture and technology doesn't need to be supported by someone like Menzies who tries to link nearly everything to China via solitary sea ventures. Please - diffussion is rarely that simple or that sudden. And certainly not that invisible.
As alternative history, I would have given Menzies previous book a rating of at least 4 stars, and this one at least 2. As history, and that's what he seems to think he's writing, I wish I could give it a zero. Bad history, even if it was well written (which this entry isn't) remains bad.
If you're interested in reading history, try reading the less favorable reviews first. You'll get a better idea of the worth of the book in terms of its place in the library. That's probably true of any non-fiction, but my love happens to be history, and I've found the critical reviews for history books most useful. Sometimes the critics convince me to buy the book!
I didn't buy this book - I borrowed it from the library. If you remain interested despite negative reviews (certainly not just my own), I strongly recommend you do the same thing. If you do read this book, please try checking out the sources yourself. That's even better than reading someone else's conclusions.
』
(And nobody noticed?) 『That pretty well sums it up. A MAGNIFICENT FLEET sails into the Mediterranean Sea, pulls into Venice, etc. and nobody draws any of these very unusual, humongous ships or bothers to write about them? Not even in graffiti?
On the plus side, we do know from various sources that Chinese and Japanese did visit Italy about this time (give / take decades, etc.), but they probably arrived 'normally' and probably did bring some books, etc. as samples / proof of what their countries were like. It don't take no dang fleet to exchange knowledge.
A lot of this read like the old "'GIZMO' of the Gods" from years back where all sorts of developments were attributed to extraterrestrial visitors and the 'proof' of this is a lot of unanswered questions. Essentially, if extraterrestrials didn't build 'GIZMO' ,then who did?
Sorry, asking pointed / pointless questions is not proof. And it soon becomes tiresome and irksome. Oh yes, so does continually reminding readers about one's experiences as a sub commander. OK, this may make a person a traveller and one has to be intelligent, but it does not qualify one to be an expert historian.
The really sad thing about Menzies books is: if there is any real basis in fact for the Chinese having mapped out the globe... they threw all that work and investment away intentionally due to their self-perceived superiority. Usually that's grounds to go conquering the lesser civilizations; not grounds for contemplating one's own, stagnating navel. 』
(Up next: Chinese discover Cleveland! And Weedwackers (tm)!) 『Menzies' followup to his landmark 1421: The Year China Discovered America stretches his circumstantial evidence-gathering approach to its seeming limits in 1434. Working from what he knows and has fairly well proven--China built huge fleets of ships that sailed around the world in the 15th century--he extrapolates to what he thinks can be proven by this circumstantial imperialism. That is, that maps, weapons, canals, silk, rice, printing, astronomy and pretty much every other material, scientific, mechanical, and cultural innovation of the Renaissance was first invented and documented by the Chinese, and dropped off at Venice on the way to Cleveland . . .
. . . Or Asheville, North Carolina, where Menzies believes a 15h-century Chinese medallion proves that the Chinese explored inland on one of their mapping journeys. Well, modern downtown Asheville is a bohemian but sanitized version of Haight-Ashbury, the home of numerous aging-hippy head shops, which come to think of it, do favor generically Asian stylistic trends like silk and bamboo curtains, wise sayings, and various porcelain and pottery Buddhas and hookahs (for decorative purposes only, of course). So I am a bit surprised Menzies hasn't used this evidence as proof in 1434--a silly aside, but one that I hopes illustrates Menzies' style of argument and may raise questions in a reasonable reader's mind as to the veracity of all his claims.
But I digress, and really don't mean to pigeonhole Menzies as an aging hippy and his book as a wasted head trip. But I do think he has a tendency to make large logical leaps with minimal evidentiary material underneath him, carrying this method of historical reasoning to its logical conclusion beyond which lies only self-parody (I haven't read Mad magazine in years--is it still published?--but I can only imagine the fun they'd have with this book and its style of breathless exclamation of great findings based on the barest of threads).
Another problem Menzies has in 1434 is that unlike 1421 where his conclusions could be based primarily on physical evidence, his argument in this book extends to areas where proving a causal relationship is very difficult, if not impossible. Short of a smoking gun letter from Leonardo saying "I got my ideas for helicopters from p. 123 of this crazy Chinese book 'Helicopters for Dummies' that I got from a Chinese sailor in a bar in Venice.", Menzies can only make circumstantial arguments and let the chips fall where they may....
....which is squarely in the laps of you, dear reader, who will judge for yourself the accuracy, completeness, and value of Menzies claims.』
(1434 is a Fact! Don't be without it.) 『I gave this 5 stars without hesitation. But I'll explain why. This is dry factual material with a huge impact on history as we formally knew it. So it does not lend to great excitement in many places. Further, Menzies no doubt anticipated nay-sayers and so developed a very substantial body of evidence to demonstrate fairly convincingly that China visited Italy and delivered the vast amount of technology that began the Renaissance.
So this book introduces many medieval scholars that the well educated might know, but perhaps not many beyond that. He does not forsake the little guy in his presentation. But when one is going to rewrite history as this book does, with good justification, one has to be detailed as Menzies was. The down side is that many might lose interest. Not all reading or research can be fun and exciting. Still, for the subject matter, I thought Menzies did as well as could be done.
But others complain that Menzies did not adequately prove his assertions. I beg to differ. Perhaps the connections Menzies shows, did not sink in for them. Timing fully supports Menzies as well. The sudden explosion of the Renaissance supports him. But if you want someone to come out in ancient print and outright say, the Chinese did it all, well, that is a silly and ridiculous expectation. I can not imagine more evidence adding any more credibility than what Menzies has already delivered. The handwriting truly is on the wall.
But I am sure there are those who will not appreciate their Western Tradition history being re-written. Western society was supposed to be the superior and the best, right? Well, maybe not. But I ask you who might be considering buying and reading this book, to consider the following.
Given that China had a climate and region with more sun, rain and year round conditions than nearly any other region on earth, she is best in a position to grow and feed a very large population which is why she is the most populated nation on earth, even now. And with far more people comes far more of every sort of demographic, including knowledge and academics. It was only natural that China should reach technological heights before Europe. It has nothing to do with superiority or inferiority. By her vast population, China would win by default.
So lets just say it and admit it. China gave us the huge jump start which enabled the West to ascend. We would never have likely done it without their help. If you care about history, you simply can not be without this book. It really truly does completely turn history on its head. To quote "Sherlock," when you remove the impossible, what ever remains, however improbably, is the truth. So it is with this book.
Don't leave yourself in a dark age. Get this book. It also has lots of ramifications for the history of the development of Western culture that will probably take years to fully explore. In fact, I dare say this book would even have thing to please a conspiracy type person. But anyone liking truth would be compelled by this book. Read and enjoy! 』 『
The brilliance of the Renaissance laid the foundation of the modern world. Textbooks tell us that it came about as a result of a rediscovery of the ideas and ideals of classical Greece and Rome. But now bestselling historian Gavin Menzies makes the startling argument that in the year 1434, Chinaâthen the world's most technologically advanced civilizationâprovided the spark that set the European Renaissance ablaze. From that date onward, Europeans embraced Chinese ideas, discoveries, and inventions, all of which form the basis of Western civilization today.
TheNew York Timesbestselling author of1421combines a long-overdue historical reexamination with the excitement of an investigative adventure, bringing the reader aboard the remarkable Chinese fleet as it sails from China to Cairo and Florence, and then back across the world. Erudite and brilliantly reasoned,1434will change the way we see ourselves, our history, and our world.
price：$10.88
Lonely Planet
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Chief Buzzard) 『Have traveled and backpacked in China for 3 weeks for the past 3 years and will be leaving for another adventure with these wonderful people in December. This is the third edition of this book I have used. Wouldn't travel overseas ANYWHERE without a Lonely Planet guide book. This edition with the additional maps is outstanding.』
(Not updated enough!) 『I traveled for 3 month through China and pretty much gave up on this guide (latest edition) after the first 1.5 mth. There is a LOT of outdated information in this book. Granted, china is changing VERY fast, but there were things that were in this guide that I have been told have been shut down over 3 years (and it wasn't just by the touts)!! I encountered some outdated information practically every city I went to in China, from closed down things to see, restaurants that have long moved and hotels that were no longer in operation. Come on lonely planet! If you expect to be the leader in this field, you need to do a better job overhauling your new editions and checking your facts.』
(Great friend!) 『Traveling trough China we had a great friend and translater with us: The Lonely planet!』
(2009 edition gets more wrong than right ... and "ever-changing country" is no excuse.) 『Like many people, I read the mixed reviews for prior editions to this guide, but didn't see a better alternative, so got it, hoping that the kinks had been worked out. They hadn't.
No travel guide to the largest and fastest-changing country in the world can get everything right, but this guide gets a lot more wrong than it has any excuse to. I first encountered this in Macau, when, after wasting a fair bit of time following its maps, I was assured that the official "Tourist Map" had full bus information. It in fact has no bus information, which was not a pleasant thing to learn at night, far from my Hong Kong hotel room. But things only got worse from there.
One problem is that the hours posted in Lonely Planet are very often wrong, but, even more so, misleading. Thus, when the guide indicates that the Forbidden City closes at 5:00, what it doesn't tell you is that the officials close all buildings and start kicking you out at 4:30, which can be a huge disappointment if you waited to see a particular exhibition that has closed. Contrast this with the Old Summer Palace, where no one cares if you stay well after closing, making it the perfect cap to a late afternoon. These two places also illustrate a huge problem with the maps in the book: They don't tell you where the entrances and exits are. Thus, you could walk an extra mile than you need to get to the only listed entrance in the Old Summer Palace, and another extra mile to get to the ruins therein. Or, you could waste lots of time in the Forbidden City because Lonely Planet doesn't deem it important to distinguish doors from walls.
Costs and cost structures are often far off or ill-explained, and I checked with locals who insisted this wasn't because of any recent changes. There are no subway maps, which is especially bad in Beijing, which is famously stingy with having such maps. Scam warnings are far, far too specific; scams warned about for Beijing also take place in Shanghai, so if you go to the latter first, you'll be unprepared. The best warning would be that anyone from anywhere China approaching you in a tourist locale speaking English wants to shake you down, not to practice their English, so be careful if you follow them anywhere, even somewhere official-looking. Sad but true. And the pages of Chinese words in the mini-phrasebook somehow neglect food-related ones like "hot," "cold," "water," or "rice." These basics would be especially useful when being served a spicy, salty meal with warm water in the midst of the summer heat.
It's also clear that this book hasn't really been updated, even on the most important things. One tell-tale sign is talking about "targets" for 2008 rather than actual statistics. A more worrying sign is the lack of knowledge of the fact that the east side of the Bund, the main Shanghai tourist site, is closed due to construction for Expo 2010. This is not a brief closure, but a huge project that will likely take about a year. The biggest tourist site in the biggest city of the country and Lonely Planet makes no mention of this? Sadly, that's what I came to expect of Lonely Planet China. I can't give it fewer stars, because I don't have a better alternative and at least there is some Chinese (albeit inconsistently) on the maps and site lists. But I'd certainly wouldn't recommend it. 』
(Fire the writers and start over.) 『
I have used several LP guides, Ireland, Amsterdam, South Africa, Cambodia and Vietnam etc. All were good and useful to have. I just returned from a two month trip to China. I was frustrated with this book so many times I was ready to throw it in a trash can. There are errors and omissions all over the place. For a book that is only two years old is feels quite out of date. It is better that nothing, almost, but I would buy something else.
』 『China is changing at the speed of light - and now, in this cusp between centuries of tradition and almost time-lapse development, is the time to see it.』
The scallop of large satisfactory ! northern countries and - [ of how much ] botan shrimp are ! tightly.
getting to know the technique of motorbike expensive sale -- Ta -- if -- -
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