Chinese Mathematical Astrology: Reaching Out to the Stars
Though there are a number of well-written works on Chinese divination, there are none that deal with the three sophisticated devices that were employed by the Chinese Astronomical Bureau in the eleventh century and for hundreds of years thereafter. Chinese experts applied the methods associated with these devices to both weather forecasting and to the interpretation of human affairs.
This book made headlines in America when it came out in the 1930's. For perhaps the first time a Chinese wrote a book in English about China and the Chinese, and the sympathetic reaction of many Americans to China's plight in the struggle against Japan made this book a bestseller. I still think it is a good book. It sets out in language that is still easy to read the Chinese mind, their history, philosophy, characteristics, etc. A good deal of the descriptions are the author's own opinions, inevitably, but it is a testament to the author's brilliant mind and perceptive eyes that much of the book is still valid today.
Cate Bramble has devoted her career to highlighting the differences between 'feng shui-lite' as a fashionable pursuit in contrast to the original intentions of the Chinese masters. Here she presents the authentic principles in a technical, no-nonsense pocket book specifically for architects. As clients become more demanding and the competition for projects heats up, the architect is well advised to have many strings to their bow. This practical guide includes line illustrations that present the principles of feng shui, the Chinese art or practice in which a structure or site is chosen or configured so as to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it.
China's Culture gives a brief insight into Chinese culture covering topics such as China's ideology, ethics, morality, political and religious ideas, economic thought, ideas on obtaining material wealth, customs, science and technology, education, and literature and arts. China has a glorious history of civilization that spans thousands of years. Its culture is rich in content and heritage. Of the four ancient civilizations in the world, only the Chinese civilization has witnessed cultural continuity. The long-term continuation of the Chinese civilization has benefited from the three great processes of openness and integration.
Erwin Brecher and Mike Gerrard's compilation makes it fun to think about how the world really works. Simple observations of everyday life yield puzzles dealing with light, sound, evaporation, evolution, and the entire range of physical mechanics. Included are puzzles based on humorous applications of scientific theories--or are they pseudoscientific theories? You figure it out. For example, how much damage could the Chinese really inflict on the U.S. with a shock wave created by having the entire population jump off chairs simultaneously? Some problems are easy but some solutions are surprisingly counterintuitive. You'll have to be quite the physicist to ace this.
