Confucius Lives Next Door: What Living in the East Teaches Us About Living in the West
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.64 (755 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0679456244 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 288 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-02-28 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Matsuda, who personified ancient Confucian values that are still dominant in Japan. But over time Reid came to appreciate the deep cultural differences, helped largely by his courtly white-haired neighbor Mr. In Confucius Lives Next Door he brings all these attributes to the fore as he examines why Japan, China, Taiwan, and other East Asian countries enjoy the low crime rates, stable families, excellent education, and civil harmony that remain so elusive in the West. Not until we understand the differences between Eastern and Western perceptions of what constitutes success and personal happiness will we be able to engage successfully, politically and economically, with those whose moral center is governed by Confucian doctrine. In Japan, streets don't have names, pizza comes with seaweed sprinkled on top, and businesswomen in designer suits and Ferragamo shoes go home to small concrete houses whose washing machines are outdoors because there's no room inside. Much Western ink has been spilled trying to figure out the East, but few journalists approach the subject with T. Respect, responsibility, hard work--these and other principles are evident in Reid's witty, perfectly captured portraits, from that of the school his young daughters attend, in which the students maintain order and scrub the floors, to his depiction of the corporate ceremony that welcomes new employees and re
This entertaining and thoughtful book invites the reader to consider East Asia's other miracle: its dramatically low rates of crime, divorce, drug abuse, and other social ills. Despite setbacks, the economic "miracles" achieved by many Asian countries in the latter 20th century have been impressive. Reid credits Asia's success to the ethical values of Chinese philosopher Confucius, born in 551 B.C., who taught the value of harmony and the importance of treating others decently. T.R. Citing Malaysia's ideas of a "reverse Peace Corps," Reid sees a case for Asians coming to teach the West in the same way that Westerners have evangelized in Asia for over four centuries. Public messages constantly remind Asian citizens of their responsibilities to society. Reid, an NPR commentator and former Tokyo bureau chief for t
Louise O. Standish said An excellent read, engaging in the common thread that binds. An excellent read, engaging in the common thread that binds all Asians and lessons in how to be for the rest of the world - especially forAmericans.. "I Couldn't Put it Down!" according to Mike Dowling. T.R. Reid manages to explain a topic as vast as the Far East in a serious but entertaining book. Reid describes his experiences in Japan as he navagates Tokoyo, and eventually enrolls his young daughters in a Japanese elementary school. Reid became enchanted with Confucius, and my guess is that he had to have missed other factors that contribute to the Asian mind. He glosses over Taoism and Shinto in a few short paragrahs while spending and entire chapter on the history of Confucian thought. Nonetheless, the book managed to be a page turner. T. R. Reid is a reporter for the Wa. Bill Tsai said A Must-Read for Asian-Americans. I spent half of my life in Taiwan, and half in the US (15-years each). I've always been glad to be exposed to both Eastern and Western cultures. Mr. Reid's book was not only entertaining, it had inspired me search deeply within myself to identify my origin. I feel that I have become a better Chinese-American after reading this book, and it should be a must-read for people like me.With a baby on the way, my wife and I will try our best to educate her and her siblings with the best combination of Confucius teachings and Western values. Thanks, Reido-san. BTW, I am a big fan of M