Jade is the most romantic and blood-drenched stone on earth. To ancient peoples all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it, wars were fought over it and fifteen cities were once offered in exchange for a piece of it. The Aztecs of Central America treasured it more than gold. The Maori in New Zealand loved it so much...
An Englishman's love affair with China's national treasure.
Andrew’s book, Jade Life, was featured in both the Guardian and the South China Morning Post. It received excellent reviews. The East Asia Book Review wrote: Jade Life is a great read – a big-hearted, highly accessible, informative, and likeable account. It will appeal to any reader interested in China, regardless of one’s interest in jade. The...
The West looted millions of priceless relics from China during the colonial era. It’s time to give them back. This book tells the story of when they were stolen, who stole them and where they are now. It also offers a way to give China back its treasures which should be acceptable to everyone. Available as a paperback, eBook and audiobook. Click...
Andrew Shaw worked as a reporter for the BBC General News Service before moving to China to learn the art of jade carving in 2008. He is now a gold medal-winning master carver. He lives with his wife in the city of Wuhan. Andrew writes best selling fiction and non fiction. He has just published the first of a critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese mythology.
Andrew Shaw worked as a reporter for the BBC General News Service before moving to China to learn the art of jade carving in 2008. He is now a gold medal-winning master carver. He lives with his wife in the city of Wuhan. Andrew writes best selling fiction and non fiction. He has just published the first of a critically acclaimed fantasy trilogy based on ancient Chinese mythology.
One of the most delightful trilogies to hit the bookshops in the last few years has been the Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne. Grim, dark, and bloody, it borrows from Norse mythology and the author adds his own brand of magic and mystery to create an unforgettable series, The Shadow of the Gods, The Hunger of the Gods and The Fury of the Gods.
Probably the finest fantasy book inspired by ancient Chinese history and mythology written by a Western author is Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay. Learn more here
And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and cities were offered in exchange for...
This week we look at the work of Gene Wolfe. His series The Book of the New Sun is widely admired by authors of the fantasy genre. Each volume is carefully crafted with not a word out of place. But it is not for the faint hearted....
And while you are here, have a look at A Jade Treasury. One of my own books about the legends and myths surrounding Jade, the Stone of Heaven. To ancient cultures all over the world it was sacred. In China, Confucius raved about it; wars were fought over it and...
