I have read many articles and opinions about China during my long life and often wondered if the respective writer had ever been to China , or for any length of time? So many writers seem completely unaware of the truths about this country. I say "this country” in that I have now spent five years teaching at a university in Wuhan, a city of about nine million on the mighty Yangtze. I have taken the time during those five years to travel to twenty-three provinces and sixty plus cities to date. I have discovered that I know my way around China very comfortable going almost anywhere and speaking about the particular area culturally or historically and have much knowledge to share. I have become an “old China hand" in terms of understanding this fascinating country and its wonderful people.

I write this in the hope and belief that it will help the reader to understand some basic truths about China and will also inspire a desire to come see this fascinating country first-hand, to learn about China for yourself. I do strongly believe that no one should be waiting or publicly speaking about China, or any country, that has not spent at least a year there, and preferably two or more, getting to know the country and the people. Socrates said the pursuit of knowledge in life’s highest quest. Come spend some time. I'll likely be here to welcome you

I realize, of course, some westerners will not agree with many of my observations or comments.

Some of my Chinese friends may not agree with many of my observation or comments. Such is the nature of human thinking. The observations and comments are mine and mine alone. The "categories they are placed in are mine and mine alone. I claim full responsibility for them. Real names of individuals have, of course. not been used for legal and identity reasons. I have no wish to embarrass anyone and do not believe I have done so. If, by chance, I have, I sincerely apologize.

Finally, these are my thoughts and memories of my years in China . It’s not a "fact-filled” professional journalist report nor is it intended to be. It is simply my observations and experiences along with my feelings and opinions about those observations and experiences. At times it may seem somewhat self-glorifying.

It is not meant to be so. I say certain things and relate stories as I do simply to help the reader understand why I have come to so love this country and the people. Redjade, a young girl in the classic Chinese novel "Moment in Peking" said that writing is the conversation you have with yourself when you are lonely. This is my conversation. I hope it will provide food for your own thought and conversation. My thoughts may or not be 100% accurate in the reality However, they are 100% accurate in the respect that this is China : In My Eyes.