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Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story | 
| Authors: Lang Lang, David Ritz
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $12.50
You Save: $12.45 (50%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 15151
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 2
ISBN: 0385524560
Dewey Decimal Number: 786.2092
EAN: 9780385524568
ASIN: 0385524560
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: May have small remainder mark on bottom. 100% money back guarantee. All books shipped from Strand Bookstore, New York City, USA.
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Product Description
“Number One” was a phrase my father—and, for that matter, my mother—repeated time and time again. It was a phrase spoken by my parents’ friends and by their friends’ children. Whenever adults discussed the great Chinese painters and sculptors from the ancient dynasties, there was always a single artist named as Number One. There was the Number One leader of a manufacturing plant, the Number One worker, the Number One scientist, the Number One car mechanic. In the culture of my childhood, being best was everything. It was the goal that drove us, the motivation that gave life meaning. And if, by chance or fate or the blessings of the generous universe, you were a child in whom talent was evident, Number One became your mantra. It became mine. I never begged my parents to take off the pressure. I accepted it; I even enjoyed it. It was a game, this contest among aspiring pianists, and although I may have been shy, I was bold, even at age five, when faced with a field of rivals. Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame, few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.
Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable, dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everything—his parents’ marriage, financial security, Lang Lang’s childhood, and their reputation in China’s insular classical music world—for the belief in a young boy’s talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father, who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star.
An engaging, informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West, Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China, where Lang Lang is a cultural icon, at a time when the world’s attention will be on Beijing. Written with David Ritz, the coauthor of many bestselling autobiographies, Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 A deserved victory. August 31, 2008
From a avid classical music advocate's point of view, I never understood the Lang Lang's aberrant interpretation of pieces and his motivation behind his acclaimed success. This all changed when I learned where he came from. Reading his stories was truly inspirational. Lang Lang never had a normal childhood. He was surrounded my competitiveness and was pushed to become best. He was destitute but his passion for music was unparalleled. His father was so ambitious that Lang Lang was forced to practice 6-8 hours/day from early age. He thought of life as maze of competition. Winning piano competition was the only yard stick for musician's success in China. And he competed against tremendous odds to become who he is today.
I recommend reading this book for couple of reasons. It answers many questions regarding the competitiveness of piano playing and what it takes live your passion as a musician. Lang Lang was raised by a very strict father who's authority was never questioned. Nevertheless, Lang Lang is who he is today by his choice. He is the product of his will, not his father's. It also shows that if you don't complain and just work harder, the opportunity will find you.
It was a genuine pleasure reading this biography.
A Fuller Picture of Lang Lang August 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When he burst into the classical music world as a seventeen-year old pianist from China, it was more than his piano playing versatility, and repertoire that caused a sensation; it was also Lang Lang's personal history and background. That a seventeen year old student at the Curtis Institute of Music, alone with his father in America, and away from his mother, etc, etc. This book is Lang's answer to the thousands of times he has been asked the same questions. He did a credible and honest job of describing his life and hardship in China. However, his telling of his growth and maturation in America in the last quarter of the book is superficial and shallow, as what one would expect from a 26-year old.
However, as a Chinese-American reader I am also struck by several aspects of Lang's book. First, it must have been a catharsis for him to retell the relationship with his father, the conflicts and mental and physical abuse (in American eyes, but not necessarily to the Chinese) he suffered. He has violated one of the most important Chinese canons, that is: "don't publicize family dirt." It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage and maybe some American rebelliousness to write a tell-all book about his father. Second, he appears to be challenging the musical, maybe even the artistic hierarchy of China, that winning competitions, especially international competitions is not the measurement of musical or artistic achievement. Third, Lang Lang's fierce personal drive and desire to succeed is not often evidenced in Chinese-American artists. This book explains his love of fashion, hairstyles as well his flamboyance and showmanship (good or bad) and, in turn, his success in America.
I highly recommend this book, especially to Chinese-Americans and readers who wish to better understand and appreciate Lang Lang.
Journey of a Thousand Miles... August 12, 2008
Overall this book was an easy and good read... This is Lang Lang's autobiography, in it he talks about his parents' sacrifice and what it took for him to get to where he is today. Lang Lang started off by giving a brief history of his family background, his parents' survival through the Cultural Revolution and the impact it had on his parents, and how it shaped their determination to push him to become Number One. This book touched me in so many ways... as he described his parents' drive and fortitude and their willingness to sacrifice anything and everything to guide his career was absolutely touching. His parents' missed opportunities because of the Cultural Revolution and how they put all of their hopes and dreams on him. Lang Lang's tumultuous relationship with his father and his love for his mother also touched me deeply.
I read half the book through tears... tears because I can feel his pain as my parents are survivors of the Cultural Revolution, and I've seen how much they've sacrificed for my brother and me. Tears because he battled through obstacles and through his tenacity he was able to achieve his goals and dreams. Tears because I am a fan of classical music and as he described his approach to each piece of music he played... I can hear it as though the piano keyboard was under my finger tips and I was the one that was pouring out my heart and soul trying to interpret Mozart's sonatas and Bach's concertos as if they told me themselves how they were feeling when they composed each piece and exactly how I should play it so that I can convey what's in their hearts to the audience.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending... I was hoping for a little bit more punch at the end... what happened with his mother?
Most Outstanding Autobiography I've Ever Read August 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book absolute blew me away by the powerful experiences related by this equally brilliant musician. I read it 3 x times within the first 3 weeks after release. I will cherish and read this book over and over again. It feels to me as if Lang Lang is standing or sitting next to me telling me his life story personally.
I believe reviewer "G. Hansman "jakebc" (Vancouver, Canada)" was reviewing an altogether different book when he wrote his review of this same phenominal title. I hope to have Lang Lang sign my book in the near future to cherish even more for years and decades to come. I have and will continue to recommend this outstanding book to any possible real reader of good books. Not only is the content extremely moving and moved me to tears on every reading whether Lang Lang achieved success or whether he failed, but the presentation style is extremely accessible and of a deeply personal nature.
Lang Lang absolutely bared his soul to readers and lovers of his brilliant music CDs & performances. I will also forever in future when I see, watch or hear any other talented person - not only in music - remember that the artist I'm enjoying may have gone through an often brutal training and preparation phase to produce that which I'm enjoying now.
To every person who loves reading good Non-Fiction: Buy this book immediately - I can hardly imagine anyone not getting his/her value for their money and time reading this amazing book!!
 commerce vs. art July 29, 2008
2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Okay... Lang Lang is a phenomenon; Young, talented and entertaining. Be that as it may, wanting to be "Number One" is a reasonable pursuit for an athlete---NOT for an artist. It's a shallow aim, and speaks nary a word about vision, individual expression, or artistic integrity.
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