ISBN: 9780439139571

Grade 4-20cm writing this biography, Freedman faced two obstacles: a distorted popular idea of Confucius, and a paucity of data about the real man. In a final chapter, Freedman points to … More...

Grade 4-20cm writing this biography, Freedman faced two obstacles: a distorted popular idea of Confucius, and a paucity of data about the real man. In a final chapter, Freedman points to the impact of Confucius's ideas, seeing in them sources for Western democratic concepts, as well as Eastern respect for family and education. Grade 4-20cm writing this biography, Freedman faced two obstacles: a distorted popular idea of Confucius, and a paucity of data about the real man. He directly addresses the first, and his engaging book beautifully compensates for the second. He sets his subject in the context of strife-torn China, since Confucius was a radical reformer whose ideas had political applications. Politics, education, spirituality: the philosopher has something to say in all these areas, and Freedman compellingly conveys the profundity of his thoughts. Frequent brief quotations from The Analects lend immediacy to the story and help obscure the biographical lacunae. In a final chapter, Freedman points to the impact of Confucius's ideas, seeing in them sources for Western democratic concepts, as well as Eastern respect for family and education. Parenthetical pronunciation guides make the pinyin names accessible, and a note on sources and suggestions for further reading aid those whose curiosity is sure to be whetted by this fine book. Clement's illustrations are superb. His "portrait" of Confucius is unidealized, based on written descriptions of him. Each full-page piece of art does homage to Chinese-style painting, simulating old pictures, some damaged, others bearing the seals of many owners. Crumbling frames add colour and geometric design to these pale figural and landscape depictions, onto which photographed petals, fruits, buds, or leaves have been superimposed, creating timeless notes of natural colour and local flavour. The world today could hardly do to ponder the wisdom of this sage.Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RICopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc., Neu, Festpreisangebot, [LT: FixedPrice], Artikelzustand: Neu, EAN: 9780439139571, UPC: 9780439139571, Recommended Age Range: 0-12 months, Item Height: 1.1 cm, Item Length: 26.1 cm, Item Weight: 0.39 kg, Item Width: 21.2 cm, Format: Hardback, Language: English, Subject: Children's & Young Adult Non-Fiction, Titles Supplied/Distributed by Scholastic Australi, Scholastic AU<