August is almost here, and summer is beginning to wind down.
We have recommended a lot of reading and listening options for this summer and even invited you to explore the many options available on our website for keeping your China information sharp through our ChinaSource Summer School series.
We have another suggestion for you—don’t just read, listen, and learn on your own—join others who love China to discuss an older but fascinating China-related book in the online Book Club being put on by our partner ERRChina.
ChinaSource Vice President Joann Pittman will lead the discussion of Beyond East and West by John C.H. Wu on August 9 at 7pm CDT.
Here’s a bit about the book from the ERRChina website:
When Beyond East and West was first published in 1951, it became an instant Catholic best seller and was compared to Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain, which had appeared four years earlier. It was also hailed as the new Confession of St. Augustine for its moving description of Wu’s conversion in 1937 and early years as a Catholic.
Wu recounts his early life in Ningpo, China, his family and friendships, education, and law career, drafting of the constitution of the Republic of China, translation of the Bible into classical Chinese in collaboration with President Chiang Kai-Shek, and his role as China’s delegate to the Holy See.
In Beyond East and West, Wu develops a synthesis between Catholicism and the ancient culture of the Orient.
In passages of arresting beauty, the book reveals the development of his thought and the progress of his growth toward love of God, arriving through experience at the conclusion that the wisdom in all of China’s traditions, especially Confucian thought, Taoism, and Buddhism, point to universal truths that come from, and are fulfilled in, Christ.
You’ll find information on the ERRC website about where you can get the book as well as previous book discussions. As they note—even if you can’t finish the book in time, join the group, share what you can, and enjoy the conversation.
Hope to see you there!
Image credit: Yuheng Chen on Unsplash.
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