Confucius: The Golden Rule
Newbery Medal winner Freedman (Lincoln: A Photobiography)  delves deep into Chinese history in his intelligent,  comprehensive biography of the 5th-century B.C. philosopher  Confucius, whose teachings have influenced the development of  modern government and education in both China and the West.  Freedman draws on stories, legends and collected dialogues from  The Analects of Confucius, written by his students, to reveal a  man of deep perceptions as well as great humor. The author  reports that, when a disciple told the scholar that he did not  know how to describe his teacher to a local governor, Confucius  said, "Why didn't you tell him that I'm a man driven by such  passion for learning that in my enthusiasm I often forget to  eat, in my joy I forget to worry, and I don't even notice the  approach of old age." Skillfully and smoothly weaving Chinese  history, culture and language into the narrative, Freedman also  explains Confucian philosophy succinctly, without dumbing it  down ("The first task of a true statesman, Confucius said, is to  face the truth, to use words honestly"). Cl ment's moody,  ethereal illustrations complement the thoughtful text yet play  up the mystery of Confucius's life. Like worn pages ripped from  an ancient tome, the rubbed, faded images strewn with  photorealistic fruits, petals and berries plunge readers into  otherworldly scenes. For today's students, this portrait is a  comprehensible introduction to Eastern thought. Just as  Confucius "prodded [his students] to think in new ways," it will  open new doors for young readers. Ages 8-12.- to think in new ways," it will  open new doors for young readers. Ages 8-12.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.