<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>-Biography of a widely popular author, as well as highly respected Asian scholar; available previously in Dutch and French and now for the first time in English -Based on primary sources such as the personal diary of Van Gulik, as well as recollections of immediate family, colleagues and friends -A must-read for Asian scholars, as well as the many fans of the Judge Dee mystery series Diplomat, Asian scholar, author, polyglot, polymath, and a passionate lover of life in all its forms, Robert van Gulik researched and wrote prolifically on a wide range of Asian subects, such as Chinese scroll mounting, sexual life in China, and the Chinese lute: an instrument that he also mastered as a musician. In addition to his more esoteric writings, van Gulik achieved wide popular fame as the author of a series of mystery novels based on the life of semi-fictional Judge Dee in ancient China. Two former colleagues and close acquaintances of Van Gulik have combined their own experiences with recollections of family and other contemporaries, as well as detailed entries in the diaries of the man himself to provide us with an entertaining and highly readable portrait of a remarkable life. A must-read for the Asian specialist as well as Van Gulik's many admirers among the general public. Contents: Forward and Acknowledgements; 1. The Beginning; 2. Primary School in Java; 3. Gymnasium Years in Nijmegen; 4. Student in Leiden; 5. First Japanese Period; 6. Secret Agent in Africa; 7. Chungking; 8. First Period in the Netherlands; 9. Washington D.C.; 10. Second Japanese Period; 11. India; 12. Second Period in the Netherlands; 13. Minister in the Middle East; 14. Ambassador in Malaysia; 15. Third Period in the Netherlands; 16. Third Period in Japan; 17. Illness and Death; Bibliography, Index<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>'The authors, Barkman and De Vries-van der Hoeven, both knew</p><p>[Van Gulik] personally... their book contains a wealth of previously</p><p>unknown material...' <strong>I. Sitniakowsky</strong>, De Telegraaf, January 29, </p><p>1994.</p><p>'...that Van Gulik was a bewilderingly versatile and creative</p><p>personality becomes clear when one reads this biography...(which)</p><p>is perhaps even more compelling than the detective novels that he</p><p>wrote.' <strong>Kees van Kempen</strong>, Dagblad Tubantia, April 1, 1994.</p><p>'Sinologists and former diplomats Barkman and De Vries-van der</p><p>Hoeven have provided an excellent portrait of an extraordinary</p><p>man.' <strong>Margreet Hirs</strong>, De Volkskrant, Jan. 12, 1994.</p><p>'A restless genius... Robert van Gulik was, as the expression in English</p><p>goes, "larger than life"...' <strong>Dick van der Pol</strong>, NRC Handelsblad, </p><p>December 11, 1993.</p><p>'This biography is as exciting and abundant as the life of its subject.'</p><p><strong>Christine Nguyen Thi</strong>, Revue Bibliographique de Sinologie, Vol. 15, </p><p>1997.</p><p>'...this polyglot, this great lover of women, this collector of drawings</p><p>and erotic prints... curious about everything... leaves behind a rich</p><p>and complex work, respected by scholars and specialists of Eastern</p><p>cultures and languages, adored by lovers of police literature...'</p><p><strong>Daniel Walther</strong>, Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, March 7, 1997.</p><p>'...a beautiful biography...the man was no doubt a genius; he wanted</p><p>to see everything, to learn everything, to meet everybody...' <strong>Marc</strong></p><p><strong>Henry</strong>, Le Soir, February 19, 1997.</p><p>'...if mental precocity and a multiplicity of gifts are the signs of genius, </p><p>then Robert Hans van Gulik (1910-1967) was one of them...' <strong>Isabelle</strong></p><p><strong>Martin</strong>, Journal de Genève et Gazette de Lausanne, February 9, 1997.</p><br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br>C.D. Barkman was a sinologist and a retired diplomat. He knew Van Gulik well and, like him, was also ambassador in Korea and Japan. Mrs H. De Vries-Van der Hoeven, M.A., is also a sinologist, also served in the diplomatic service and married a Dutch diplomat. She and her husband were friends of Van Gulik and served under him in Tokyo.
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