Reviews

Reputedly the most popular American author in Asia, Chin-Ning (Thick Face, Black Heart; Asian Mind Game) brings together her background as a Chinese-American, the writings of Carl Jung and current trends in time management and quantum theory in this unique self-help treatise. She refers frequently to the parable of the rainmaker, made famous by Jung, in which a man ends a five-year drought through inner "harmony with the Divine." Claiming that "[l]ife was meant to be easy," and "there is no need for suffering and struggle," Chin-Ning takes readers through the rainmaker's "three secrets‘fine tuning your actions, putting your mind at ease, and tapping into the Divine power." Following these examples, according to the author, results in "creating an environment within yourself that attracts the elements of synchronicity and hidden coherence." But far from promising a life free of difficulty, stress or pain, she suggests learning to accept the "game" of life as a "fun" chance for your soul to "show off your skills" at coping with adversity. Using unusual metaphors and personal stories, Chin-Ning provides a brief, simple, clear path toward living our destiny and "returning to our Divine nature." Author tour. (Oct.)

"A brief, simple, clear path toward living our destiny."--"Publishers Weekly"We fail to achieve our goals because we are trying too hard to succeed. The secret, as Chin-Ning reveals, is finding that balance effort and ease."--"Success

Chu (Thick Face, Black Heart, AMC, 1992; Asian Mind Game, Rawson, 1991), president of Asian Marketing Consultants, has written a book that strives to teach people how to become more successful and satisfied with their lives. Though the publisher describes Chu as "the most successful American author in Asia," the book is slightly removed from reality. Chu uses Jung's story of the rainmaker, a myth in which a man who does nothing accomplishes much because he puts himself "in harmony with the Divine," as the foundation of the book. Unfortunately, she also uses bad science, bad history, and bad psychology to prove her points. Although some good advice is offered, it is well hidden in this mishmash of magic, psychology, and business advice. Not recommended.‘Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman