Berkshire Encyclopedia of China (5-volume set, 2,800 pages) Library Binding – May 1, 2009

Ordered used -good condition, saved 400 bucks. Turns out these books arrive, looks like they'd never been read or opened. Brand spanking new.And yes, its a vast, deep resource of information. Maybe a bit overboard, but I'm taking Mandarin in college and hoping to spend two semesters in China next year, so I bought this in the hopes I can plow through a good bit of it before I head over there so I'll be at least knowledgeable about the culture I'm visiting, especially since, even now, information on China is so sparse in general American culture.So anyway. Fantastic looking set of books, can't complain at all, and if you are looking to get them but that 700 dollar price tag is terrifying you, get the used copies, anecdotally there's not a lick of difference between new and used.

This first multi-volume multi-authored encyclopedia about China ever published outside of China offers exceptional complexity and outstanding content. It has super inclusions, some eight hundred articles, and is written by more than three hundred well-known Chinese and Western scholars. The content is such that it discusses China years back, more than five thousand, and sometimes even more ancient than that.Every one of these articles is titled in English, in Chinese characters, with a pinyin transliteration, and with tone marks. Every one of them ends with a section titled Further Reading. Accompanying them are more than twelve hundred photographs, all black and white, many maps, lots of tables, timetables, side bars, and so much more.This invaluable five-volume reference set covers topics in the arts, belief systems, business, cuisine, and so much more. This is an important first, and accepting that, they plan to do one or more revisions over time. So do suggest items and ideas to them for future inclusion.Knowing the paucity of information about China, the publisher will allow ten copies of up to three articles for use in a single course or classroom. Furthermore, they have every article beginning on its own page, each one has adequate margins and can be copied on a standard-size page making it easy to copy and valuable as handouts.The Chinese consider odd numbers male, and though this is the last item and an odd number in this issue of items reviewed, it is a strong choice for you to consider as a wonderful holiday gift to yourself and to others. It is not intended as the tale that wags the dog, rather as the dog barking out saying `purchase me!' If I did not have a copy, thanks to the generosity of the publisher, it would be first on my gift to me on my holiday list. I know of no better present to enjoy, use, and pour over for the holidays and every day thereafter.- Jacqueline M Newman, editor-in chief of Flavor & Fortune, On Our Bookshelves review in the Winter 2009 Issue of Flavor & Fortune --Flavor & Fortune