China, the Lion and the Dragon: A Personal Interpretation

Readers expecting an overview of Chinese life and customs will feel cheated by this homespun diary of an American who spent a year in China in 1984-85 as an English teacher. Evans certainly admitted the truth when she told her Chinese students that she ""spoke from a limited viewpoint.'' Indeed, born-again Christian fundamentalism colors her entire outlook. Readers learn far more about Evans's views on morality and rock music (homosexuality spreads in America ``almost like a disease,'' and the Beatles were evidence of ``demonic'' activity) than about China and the Chinese. A map of China, pinyin pronunciation guide, chart of ``Political Power'' and capsule historyall of which could be gleaned from any current encyclopediaare meant to provide the depth that the poorly edited, disorganized and repetitive narrative lacks. Among the gems of misinformation she taught students: that the principles of democracy came from the Bible (with no mention of the ancient Greeks). Photos. (March)