Lin Yutang

4.41270 learners

Lin Yutang’s *My Country and My People* is a timeless, warm-eyed introduction to Chinese culture that has captivated Western readers for generations. Far from a dry academic treatise, this beloved work uses wit, personal anecdotes, and sharp observation to demystify the Chinese character, social structure, and way of life. Yutang explores the stark divides between northern and southern Chinese identities, the enduring influence of family systems and the civil service exam, and the philosophical underpinnings of Confucianism and Taoism that shape daily choices. He delves into the core traits of resilience, contentment, and quiet humor that define Chinese life, as well as the art of finding beauty in ordinary moments—from tea ceremonies to garden design. More than a cultural guide, it’s a celebration of the “autumn spirit” of Chinese civilization: a mature, pragmatic wisdom that prioritizes harmony, family, and present-moment joy over grand ambition. This book remains an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the depth and complexity of Chinese culture beyond stereotypes.

Wang Ruilai

3.41173 learners

Scholars Moving to the Grassroots dives into the untold stories of Song and Yuan dynasty intellectuals, shifting focus from the glory of imperial exam success to the harsh realities of post-exam bureaucratic struggles. In the Southern Song, cutthroat civil service exams and the brutal 'Selection Sea'—a dead-end maze of low-ranking official posts with near-impossible promotion paths—pushed countless scholars to abandon court ambitions for local life. When the Yuan Dynasty suspended civil exams for decades, this trend accelerated: scholars turned to teaching, business, clerking, art, and grassroots community leadership. The book explores how this migration reshaped China’s social fabric, spurring the rise of local gentry, the spread of Jiangnan Confucianism, and the growth of community-focused governance that laid the groundwork for late imperial China’s grassroots society. Through vivid case studies of figures like Yang Wanli, Luo Dajing, and Huang Gongwang, it reveals how these displaced scholars became catalysts for a profound social transition spanning the Song-Yuan era.