Module 12: Confucius: The Golden Rule

Module 12 focused on biographies and autobiographies.  I read Confucius: The Golden Rule.  I've never learned much about Confucius, so I was very interested to read this book and see how he was described.  The book gave a good overview of his life, from birth through death.  I liked that the book included some of his famous quotations, as well as outlining some of the misconceptions about Confucius as well as Confucianism.  The illustrations also helped to enhance the story of his life.

Image credit: http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/book.asp?bookid=6

Confucius: The Golden Rule is a brief biography of the life of Confucius.  It tells us the important details about his life, including where he was born, what he believed in, and what he did as he became a man, scholar, and teacher.  The book also helps to dispel some of the myths or inaccuracies that surround the life and person of Confucius, which I think is an important thing for any biography to do.

Kirkus Reviews said about Confucius: "This is Freedman's (In the Days of the Vaqueros, 2001, etc.) first Asian subject and his work set furthest back in history, and it is a tribute to his writing that he can make the ideas of an ancient philosopher seem so modern and fascinating to young readers. His writing is fluent, clear, lively, and specific... Clément's ancient-looking paintings are a beautiful match for the text in this handsome volume. Not a topic that will naturally draw readers, Confucius will fascinate readers who give him a try, and they may end up wiser for the effort. A must for all collections."

Librarians could incorporate this book into a display highlighting different world religious leaders.  Confucius did not set out to start a religion, but his wisdom was recognized by his students and evolved into Confucianism.  This can be compared and contrasted to stories about the life and religion of Jesus, Mohammad, Joseph Smith, and even Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa.

References:
Freedman, R.  (2002).  Confucius: The Golden Rule.  New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
(2002).  Confucius (Book).  Kirkus Reviews, 70(14), 1031.