Buy used:

$9.30

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 6 hrs 4 mins

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Jenson Books Inc

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (71) from $5.35 & FREE Shipping

Follow the author

Simon Winchester

+ Follow

More books from this author

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time Paperback – April 1, 2004

by Simon Winchester (Author)

4.4 178 ratings

See all formats and editions

A stunning tour of China, its people, and its history. Chosen as one of the best travel books of 1996 by the New York Times Book Review.

Rising in the mountains of the Tibetan border, the Yangtze River, the symbolic heart of China pierces 3,900 miles of rugged country before debouching into the oily swells of the East China Sea. Connecting China's heartland cities with the volatile coastal giant, Shanghai, it has also historically connected China to the outside world through its nearly one thousand miles of navigable waters. To travel those waters is to travel back in history, to sense the soul of China, and Simon Winchester takes us along with him as he encounters the essence of China--its history and politics, its geography and climate as well as engage in its culture, and its people in remote and almost inaccessible places.

The River at the Center of the World is travel writing at its best: lively, informative, and thoroughly enchanting.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Winchester is a storyteller...romantic enough to make us yearn to be there with him.” ―The Washington Post

“Winchester is an exceptionally engaging guide...at home everywhere, ready for anything, full of gusto, and seemingly omnivorous curiosity.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“Another home run.” ―Los Angeles Times

“At one time or another, many of us, I suspect, have wanted to be Simon Winchester, to lead a life that was equal parts Jan Morris and James Bond.” ―San Francisco Chronicle

“Winchester is an exquisite writer and a deft anecdoteur.” ―Christopher Buckley

From the Back Cover

It is the symbolic heart of China. Rising in the mountains of the Tibetan border, it pierces 3,900 miles of rugged country before debouching into the oily swells of the East China Sea. Its path embraces every geographic feature and almost every ethnic group, and its banks are home to both scenic splendor and foul industrial pollution. Connecting China's heartland cities with that volatile coastal giant Shanghai, it has also historically connected China to the outside world through its nearly one thousand miles of navigable waters. And to travel up those waters is to travel back in history, to sense the soul of China. Long off-limits to foreigners, the far reaches of the Yangtze are still off-limits to most tourists and travelers simply by dint of the difficulty in traversing the terrain. But, for Simon Winchester, traveling the length of this mighty river was a lifelong dream and, together with a Chinese companion, he set out to do just that. The result is this unforgettable portrait of China. Endlessly curious, urbane, witty, and knowledgeable, Winchester introduces us to a world we might otherwise have missed. To follow him on his adventures up the Yangtze is to experience the essence of China - to absorb its flavors as well as learn its history and politics, to feel its geography and climate as well as engage in its culture, and to meet up en route with uncommon people in remote and almost inaccessible places. This is travel writing at its best: lively and informative, amusing and thoroughly engaging.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador; Second Edition, Revised (April 1, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312423373
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312423377
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.96 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #530,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #116 in General China Travel Guides
- #943 in Travel Writing Reference
- #1,609 in Travelogues & Travel Essays

Customer Reviews:
4.4 178 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Simon Winchester

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Simon Winchester studied geology at Oxford and has written for Condé Nast Traveler, Smithsonian, and National Geographic. Simon Winchester's many books include The Professor and the Madman ; The Map that Changed the World ; Krakatoa; and A Crack in the Edge of the World. Each of these have both been New York Times bestsellers and appeared on numerous best and notable lists. Mr. Winchester was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by HM The Queen in 2006. He lives in Massachusetts and in the Western Isles of Scotland.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

178 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

A. Patico

The Wild, Wild East

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2020

Verified Purchase

Easily one of the most interesting non-fiction books I have read, The River at the Center of the World is well-written, carefully-organized and completely fascinating from page one to its end (which comes all too soon). The author takes us to places that few have the privilege of visiting, from the bustling metropolis of Shanghai to the “foothills” of the Himalayas. His account also roams from the 21st century to the earliest presence of our human species in Asia. The River is, at turns, a work of contemplation and adventure, social commentary and ecotourism.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

C. J. Thompson

A diverting and enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2010

Verified Purchase

A number of people have criticized this book because Mr Winchester did not adequately introduce them to what life is like along the Yangtze, or else otherwise cover some interest they have in the subject. I must, though, question the expectations these critics have had as perhaps being a bit unreasonable. Mr Winchester wanted to travel up the Yangtze from its mouth to its source. He did this and then he told us about it, interspersing descriptions of his experiences with some interesting historical information. I think it is a little unfair to criticize him for not doing more than this when nothing more was promised.

I liked this book. I have read Paul Theroux's books on traveling in China and it was interesting to read a contrasting account from someone who I, for one, would probably regard as a more congenial travel companion. Winchester's prose can occasionally get a bit too overblown, even a bit long-winded (as some have complained) but I did not personally find that it unduly detracted from my enjoyment. My only complaint is less about the substance or quality of the work than the fact that it is now somewhat dated. I very much enjoyed reading Mr Winchester's discussion about the (then) impending Three-Gorges Dam project. Now, of course, the project has been completed for a couple of years and much of what Winchester had to say back in 1996, when my edition was published, is now obsolete speculation. Still, that won't prevent me from reading the book again sometime.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

jo

Lovely travelogue

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

The writer makes the journey from the sea, all the way to the source of the Yangtze, describing the peoples and their land. It is easy to read, with entertaining anecdotes that make it clear just how the Chinese have changed in the last century. If you have ever been to a repressed country, you will be riveted by the authenticity of any and all dialogs this man had through his gutsy interpreter and other guides.

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

The Three Gorges Dam has opened and is functioning. This book, although written before its opening, has a valuable amount of information regarding Yangtze tributaries and the maritime technical achievements that were accomplished to allow the Yangtze to continue to nourish the country's spiritual economic pride. The sacrifice of the riverside cities and the loss of cultural landmarks makes this as meaningful as the political struggles that preceded construction.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Joe Borich

China is huge and diverse

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

Winchester is a talented and erudite writer and certainly knows China. As one who lived in China for 12 years, though, I found some of his commentary more than a trifle condescending.

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

Winchester tells another tale of his interest in China. This tells a rather good story of his journey tracing the flow of the Yangtze river though China. A long and varied trip is told starting out in the South China sea and going up-river to the Yangtze's starting place, actually places, in Tibet.
While the authors story is rather dated , he ames his trip in the 90's, the historical references are still valid. His political references are dated and not true of today's China.
Still a worthwhile read. I would also suggest Winchesters " The man who Loved China"

Helpful

Baffled in Palatine

Another great Simon Winchester book

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Like a river, although not necessarily typical of the Yangtze itself, Mr. WInchester meanders and covers far more than the topic of the book itself. I love the way his books touch on so much more and give me things to think about or, as in this case, things to read about in other books. I have at least 10 of his books already and, with the exception of one, enjoyed them all immensely.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ninepipe

What a writer! What a story! What a fabulous journey!

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

I didn't want the book to end. The writing was that good. I have read two of his books and WILL read another. I cast my murder mysteries aside just to get in another chapter of his journey up that mighty river to its source.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Vivian

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

A good book recommonded by a friend.

Mrs Hilary Hill

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2015

Verified Purchase

Really enjoyed reading this prior to a trip on Yangtze. Good mixture of facts and narrative

Dunromin

Excellent preparation for a trip to China

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this as an introduction to China before my own trip from Shanghai and through the 3 gorges. I found it really helpful and interesting. En-route I was talking to someone whose family had been rehoused in a new city because of the development, I was surprised how happy he was to share his grumbles, in particular the inadequate compensation about all of which he was quite sanguine. It gave the book that ring of reality. The hotels have got a lot better since the book was written but the taste for ostentatious lobbies remains.

Amazon Customer

Very happy reading, has an eye (and ear) for the ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very happy reading, has an eye (and ear) for the quirky and comedy that goes with travelling in china. Recommended.

Colonel R. Cochrane-Dyet

an excellent read, fascinating

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2015

Verified Purchase

Very desciptive , an excellent read , fascinating .