Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2015 - Humanities — Philosophy — Asian and Asian American Studies

Part 1 of this book, Confucius Becomes Confucius, includes chapters on Confucius as man, sage, king, and oppressor.  Part 2, Confucius at Home but Not at Ease, presents him as father, teacher, and chauvinist.  And in part 3, "The Comeback of Confucius," Confucius returns as businessman, politician, and communist.  The section titles, and the content of the chapters, reflect the judicious, balanced views of the author.  Combining serious, thoughtful scholarship with a lively style, Schuman (a Beijing-based journalist) is respectful of Confucius but never uncritical (Schuman refers to his subject as a fuddy-duddy).  The result is a depiction of multiple Confuciuses created by the world.  Schuman leaves room for disagreement and even for additional Confuciuses (e.g., Confucius the historian).  This stimulating book can help frame and inform both public and academic discourse on where China has been, where it is now, and where it may go.  Concluding with a brief epilogue titled "Seeking the Real Confucius," this timely, perceptive examination of Confucius should be short-listed by everyone who is interested in China.Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.