THE BEST OF AN OLD FRIEND

by Lin Yutang ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 1975

Born in 1895, Dr. Lin has attained the status of venerable octogenarian. In the words of A. J. Anderson who minted this ""wisdom"" from his myriad books, Lin is ""an interpreter of the spirit and mind of China to the West."" Pre-Maoist China to be sure, since Dr. Lin speaks so blithely of ""the farce of revolution."" As pundits go, he's a Chinese Harry Golden specializing in middlebrow uplift. His debt to Confucius is large--and acknowledged. ""Reasonableness"" is his keynote in all things: not to be ""a showcase of virtue, but just to be a likable and reasonable human being."" Some will find this a tepid ideal for these extravagant and contentious times. Passion and fire are alien to Dr. Lin's brand of humanism; if you want moral or intellectual excitement, you'll have to look elsewhere. But humanism it is, though perhaps a bit frayed, a bit superannuated.

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1975

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Mason/Charter

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1975

Categories: NONFICTION