Beyond East and West by John C.H. Wu (PDF)

Description

When John C. H. Wu’s spiritual autobiography Beyond East and West was published in 1951, it became an instant Catholic best seller and was compared to Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain, which had appeared four years earlier. It was also hailed as the new Confession of St. Augustine for its moving description of Wu’s conversion in 1937 and early years as a Catholic. This new edition, including a foreward written by Wu’s son John Wu, Jr., makes this profoundly beautiful book by one of the most influential Chinese lay Catholic intellectuals of the twentieth century available for a new generation of readers hungry for spiritual sustenance. Beyond East and West recounts the story of Wu’s early life in Ningpo, China, his family and friendships, education and law career, drafting of the constitution of the Republic of China, translation of the Bible into classical Chinese in collaboration with Chinese president Chiang Kai-Shek, and his role as China’s delegate to the Holy See. In passages of arresting beauty, the book reveals the development of his thought and the progress of his growth toward love of God, arriving through experience at the conclusion that the wisdom in all of China’s traditions, especially Confucian thought, Taoism, and Buddhism, point to universal truths that come from, and are fulfilled in, Christ. In Beyond East and West, Wu develops a synthesis between Catholicism and the ancient culture of the Orient. A sublime expression of faith, here is a book for anyone who seeks the peace of the spirit, a memorable book whose ideas will linger long after its pages are closed.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐John C.H. Wu was born in turn-of-the-century China into a moderately prosperous family. Losing his mother at a young age, he was raised by his father and step-mother to be a forthright and honest man. In his late teens, he converted to Christianity and embarked upon a legal career. It was apparent that he was exceptionally gifted and he received a scholarship to study at the University of Michigan. Around this same time, he began a correspondence with Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. and later was appointed to serve on a court himself in Shanghai. He eventually resigned his position to return to the United States. Over the years, he continued to write and research, but eventually he also converted to Catholicism. With the communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, John was exiled from his home and eventually settled in Hawaii and then Taiwan, where he ultimately died.I originally purchased this memoir because of my interest in Justice Holmes. I had read some of his correspondence with John and found it interesting, but that volume did not include John’s replies. Curious about him, I researched and read a few of his academic articles, and eventually my search brought me to this book. Although I myself am not a Catholic and cannot imagine circumstances under which I would convert, John C.H. Wu achieved the considerable feat of crafting a spiritual memoir that touched me emotionally. While I was interested to read of his accomplishments in this world, he frequently pairs it with a reminder that the benefices of our station in life are temporary, so it is vital to develop good moral character. John lived in a unique time. His homeland was shedding the decrepit vestiges of empire, but not yet a revitalized world power. He writes of incorporating the best of both East and West (something he seems to have had little trouble accomplishing), but the title itself is an allusion to his spiritual faith, which transcends any particular language or nationality.I could only find a few minor complaints. Occasionally the book quotes a length from other writings of the author; while these flesh out his character, some selective editing might have been appropriate. Also, because English was his second language, while he writes exceptionally well, his sentence structure is occasionally odd and requires you to read slowly. Finally, there are times his humility comes close to aggravating; you want to shake the fellow and say, “Come on, man! Be proud of your accomplishments!”These are only trifles, however. It is apparent John C.H. Wu was a gifted writer and, if his spiritual portrait of himself is correct, also that very rare thing of being a fundamentally decent man. His legal observations are an added bonus. I only regret that this book has not seen a recent reprint and is so expensive, but I believe that it is well worth the purchase price for anyone looking to improve themselves as a person.

⭐This is a fascinating story of a 20th century Chinese man and his encounter with LOVE. The book is humorously engaging and deeply nourishing for everyone. This book is much more than an autobiography of Wu. It offers a glimpse of Chinese religious heritage before the Communist takeover, memory of God in the Chinese soul, and a synthesis of Chinese and Western civilizations in the Christ and his Church. The key is to go deeper into Christian revelation until one finds the East and the West in the bosom of Christ. As a living tradition, Christianity can always be enriched by the ancient cultures of mankind.

⭐John C.H. Wu’s “spiritual journey” is an important catalyst to accelerate the situation of spiritual repression today in China. The timing for the reprint of Dr Wu’s journey is not a coincidence. He was a prophet with a complete understanding of why communism was not the right path for China. God is Love. The time is right for China to be saved and this great story articulates why.

⭐The classic of the book was carefully wrapped and the seller sent a note of gratitude. I find the book historically fascinating on John Wu.Thank you.

⭐I am so happy to see this book in print again! I was introduced to John C.H. Wu some years ago by a Catholic blogger and managed to get my hands on a copy of this long out-of-print autobiography. As a Catholic of Chinese heritage it spoke to me very deeply. I gave my copy to my mother who is Taiwanese and a Christian convert, and she enjoyed it as well. Wu is an humble, honest, gifted writer who writes very movingly of his roots in Chinese civilization and his conversion, first to Protestantism, then to intellectual agnosticism, and finally to Catholic Christianity. I recommend this book to all Catholics and Christians who wish to understand that Christ is not of the West or East, but for all humans.

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