ldquo;Number Onerdquo; was a phrase my fathermdash;and; for that matter; my mothermdash;repeated time and time again. It was a phrase spoken by my parentsrsquo; friends and by their friendsrsquo; children. Whenever adults discussed the great Chinese painters and sculptors from the ancient dynasties; there was always a single artist named as Number One. There was the Number One leader of a manufacturing plant; the Number One worker; the Number One scientist; the Number One car mechanic. In the culture of my childhood; being best was everything. It was the goal that drove us; the motivation that gave life meaning. And if; by chance or fate or the blessings of the generous universe; you were a child in whom talent was evident; Number One became your mantra. It became mine. I never begged my parents to take off the pressure. I accepted it; I even enjoyed it. It was a game; this contest among aspiring pianists; and although I may have been shy; I was bold; even at age five; when faced with a field of rivals.Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution; Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame; few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable; dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everythingmdash;his parentsrsquo; marriage; financial security; Lang Langrsquo;s childhood; and their reputation in Chinarsquo;s insular classical music worldmdash;for the belief in a young boyrsquo;s talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father; who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star.An engaging; informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West; Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China; where Lang Lang is a cultural icon; at a time when the worldrsquo;s attention will be on Beijing. Written with David Ritz; the coauthor of many bestselling autobiographies; Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness.
#861464 in eBooks 2008-06-10 2008-06-10File Name: B001AWZ1Q0
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A good background for geneology studiesBy steamduck43My wife comes from an Irish family in Boston; and this book has told her a lot about how her ancestors lived. She loves it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Helpful for a family treeBy Janet L. BloomNumerous pictures of old Boston- perfect for family tree
