Chen Guangcheng

This book has confirmed two things that I have always contended. One is the Chinese have no concept of human rights, by Chinese I mean the Chinese government. The Chinese people are like people everywhere, a mix of good and bad. Some will do only what they have to, will take a job that is wrong because they need money, and some will risk everything to do what is right.

From the back: “One morning in April 2012, China’s most famous political activist — a blind, self-taught lawyer — climbed over the wall of his heavily guarded home and escaped.”

Chen Guangcheng relates his childhood, the difficulties growing up poor and blind in rural China. His descriptions around him are vivid, describing the smells and his impressions of the world around him, how he learned so much from being observant, listening and paying attention to everything around him. He also gives us a history lesson of the politics in China, how he got his education and the discrimination he faced as a disabled person.

A very interesting book, although a bit draggy in spots, still an enjoyable memoir that I recommend. One complaint, he does not related much of his life after he escaped from China. I realize that is a spoiler, but if you read the author bio, you would already know that.… (más)

This book is like a major splash of cold water in the face of one who takes for granted the freedom we enjoy here in the U.S. Guangcheng was born in a poor rural village and suffered a disease when very young that left him blind to all but the vaguest splashes of color. He was the fifth son of his family and grew up chasing his brothers and friends around the village learning to rely on his other senses of touch and hearing to get around. Even though his family was desperately poor, they managed to get enough money together to send him to a school for the blind where he learned to read and became aware of the neglect and mistreatment suffered by handicapped people. He went on to higher education and began standing up for his rights and the rights of other blind people. He soon attracted the attention of the Communist Party who leaned on local agencies to harass and otherwise make his life difficult. His main accomplishment was forcing the Beijing MTA accept the state issued handicap cards that allowed people to ride mass transit for free.

His next crusade was against the amazingly violent and cruel steps taken against people who violated the one child program China was trying to set up to control the population. He collected stories from people and made contacts with other activists, and international media. As a result he was thrown into prison on trumped up charges and sentenced to four years. He suffered many beatings and severe malnutrition before being released. However, he returned home and placed under house arrest. This meant constant guards outside his house, frequent home invasions where they searched for radios and cell phones, electronic surveillance, and pressure on his friends and family.

Guancheng finally was able to leave China with his wife and two children but he left behind other family members, friends, and other activists who continue to suffer physical and mental abuse at the hands of the state.

When I read this book, I thought of all the travel programs I have seen where people travel through the country enjoying the scenery and the food and are totally blind to this hidden aspect of life in China. Though many laws exist supposedly to protect the citizens, most are abused and the old ways of bribery and theft are carried out without consequences.

This was a stunning and brutal story of one man's attempts to improve life in China and the consequences. While the style of writing was plain and factual the story carries the reader along with Guangcheng and his battles to live and protect people.… (más)

Those of us who are sighted and live in a free, democratic country will never fully appreciate what Guangchen Chen underwent. "The Barefoot Lawyer" is his story and talks of his fight against injustice, discrimination, and jut plain inhumane treatment. Why was he discriminated against? Because he was blind; and more importantly dared to question his treatment. Guangcheng was determined not to settle for a 'career' as a fortuneteller or storyteller which was the lot of blind people in his village. He stood up for his rights and those of other disabled people and poor villagers and paid an inordinate price. A very well-told, captivating memoir.… (más)

This is a mind blowing story. The author has such resilience and faith that you can't help but get caught up in the emotion of the story, his story. This is not an action packed tale of espionage but an inspiring story of a man against all odds who survived to tell the The United States, the world about human rights violations and crimes, political and otherwise that are unbelievable. This is one of those life changing books, but only if you let it. Highly recommended!

Provided by publisher.… (más)