Mark Salzman came to speak at my high school and I was enraptured by his engaging speaking style and positive view of life. I immediately got this book and devoured it. It is a memoir of Salzman traveling to China to teach English and study martial arts. There is a lot of great insight about cultural differences and it is a funny and heartwarming story. Salzman has since become one of my favorite authors. ( )

Interesting story about teaching abroad, and learning martial arts. Author mixes humor and frustration. Very down to earth and enjoyable. ( )

This was a true book about an American who goes to China to teach English for 2 years in the early 80's. Very good book, very quick read and I highly recommend. It gives you a few clues on culture differences and is just a really good story. Not sure I'd buy it - a library read if you can find it. ( )

I was introduced to Mark Salzman's book by picking up the movie version during a random night at the video store. I'm very happy to say that the book is much better than the movie. I enjoyed reading about the people Mark met and his experiences in China. It was a nice reminder that no matter what our respective governments to we are all people trying to make our way all over the world. ( )

A book I bought after months of seeing it prominently displayed on the travel shelf of my local bookstore. As a martial arts student and English teacher in China just after the Cultural Revolution, Mark Salzman has a unique perspective on China. Each of the 3 stories he tells -- of his students, his martial arts master, and the local fishmerman he befriended -- might have made an intriguing book on its own. Unfortunately, Salzman rushes through each element of his journey, depriving the book of the emotional resonance it might have had. It was easy to read and slipped out of my mind almost as soon as I put it down. ( )