Now available in a gorgeous hardcover slipcase edition; this "object d'art" will be sure to add grace and elegance to tea shelves; coffee tables and bookshelves. A keepsake enjoyed by tea lovers for over a hundred years; The Book of Tea Classic Edition will enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the seemingly simple act of making and drinking tea.In 1906 in turn-of-the century Boston; a small; esoteric book about tea was written with the intention of being read aloud in the famous salon of Isabella Gardner; Boston's most famous socialite. It was authored by Okakura Kakuzo; a Japanese philosopher; art expert; and curator. Little known at the time; Kakuzo would emerge as one of the great thinkers of the early 20th century; a genius who was insightful; witty—and greatly responsible for bridging Western and Eastern cultures. Okakura had been taught at a young age to speak English and was more than capable of expressing to Westerners the nuances of tea and the Japanese Tea Ceremony.In The Book of Tea Classic Edition he discusses such topics as Zen and Taoism; but also the secular aspects of tea and Japanese life. The book emphasizes how Teaism taught the Japanese many things; most importantly; simplicity. Kakuzo argues that tea-induced simplicity affected the culture; art and architecture of Japan.Nearly a century later; Kakuzo's The Book of Tea Classic Edition is still beloved the world over; making it an essential part of any tea enthusiast's collection. Interwoven with a rich history of Japanese tea and its place in Japanese society is poignant commentary on Asian culture and our ongoing fascination with it; as well as illuminating essays on art; spirituality; poetry; and more. The Book of Tea Classic Edition is a delightful cup of enlightenment from a man far ahead of his time.
#1420267 in Books Stanford General Books 2006-02-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 1.00 x 7.00l; 1.59 #File Name: 0804752230416 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Anne F. BealsIt would make a great movie!5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Scientist's Take on an Extrordinary SurveyorBy Rowland W. TaborI really enjoyed King of the 40th Parallel by James Moore. Much has been written about the extraordinary Clarence King; the leader of the 40th Parallel Expedition and the first director of the United States Geological Survey. And no wonder;-King is fascinating; not only for his contributions to the exploration of the West; but for his superstar personality. I have known the author as a friend and colleague for many years and as a geologist; I appreciate Jim's details of King's geographical and geological explorations. Jim Moore brings to King's biography his own expertise in geology and geography; having spent many years studying the geology of the Sierra. Moore's varied geological adventures; from mapping Sierra granites to seabottom explorations off Hawaii; give him an explorer kinship with King. Jim has enriched King's story with background material of the procedures and instrumentation of that early cartography. He expands on the lives of King's significant colleagues; and he has noted the many firsts in geologic and geographic discoveries. The meticulous observations and recordings of King's surveys became baseline standard for the U.S. Geological Survey when it was established in 1879. Jim has not dramatized some of the stranger twists in King's life; but presented them in a straight forward manner. Jim's book is rich in material from original letters; especially newly-discovered letters of King's colleague; James Gardner; to his mother during the explorations. Gardner was a life-long friend of King and chief topographer on his expeditions. In addition; the book is rich in pictures and drawings; bringing a feeling of the times. Extensive appendixes include original letters. Some; accounting for government equipment; seem a bit superfluous; but they do flavor the history and at least show that government bureaucrats have not changed much in the last 140 years.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A Captivating Account of Science and Adventure in the Early WestBy Louis A. RichardsonWho ever said that history was dry? Moore has interwoven first rate field science history with a series of captivating adventures in which American geologist Clarence King and his best friend; James Gardner are repeatedly thrown into life-threatening situations; including being spread-eagled by Indians with the makings of a fire set upon their stomachs in order to effect the most slow and unbearable death; another adventure finds King galloping ahead of bandits intent on taking his life.Moore's account of the life and accomplishments of Clarence King; whom Henry Adams (the prominent Harvard professor and descendant of two presidents) called the greatest American of his age; is based partly on letters and other primary historical materials that Moore himself unearthed. In the 1850's; Yale-trained prodigy King; at age 25; organized and led a precurser to the U.S. Geological Survey called the "United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel"; hence the book's title: "King of the 40th Parallel". Such a lofty appointment of one so young certifies to the inordinate esteem in which the young King was held by those in power in Washington. King's fortieth parallel survey was so brilliantly conceived and cornucopian in its accomplishments; that three competing federal surveys; formed shortly afterward to map other regions of the nation; patterened themselves after his model. His singular performance in leading the survey for twelve years and writing and editing a landmark series of volumes and atlases propelled him at the age of 37 into the directorship of the U.S. Geological Survey at its founding in 1879. And the astonishing; secret details of King's private life -- unknown to all until his death -- will make the reader yearn for a full length sequel.Who better than to have written this history? In the preface to this excellent and fascinating book; science historian William Glen notes that James Moore is uniquely equipped for the job. That claim seems justified as the thoughts; activities; and scientific products of Clarence King are voluably unfolded; revealing significant overlap with much of Moore's own distinguished geologic career. Both men earned their exceptional reputations in Earth science mainly through years of pioneering field work in the American West.
