Bernstein, Richard

Portrays life and national characteristics in Parisian France as well as in the deep countryside.

Traces the life and journey of Zhongmei Lei, whose name means Faithful Plum, from her life as a poor country girl to the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy to founding her own dance company. Includes full-color and black-and-white photographs.

Examines the reasons that America and China seem to be on a collision course including China's portrayal of America as the enemy; the boon to China that the takeover of Hong Kong represents; China's increase in military strength; and its sale of weapons to U.S. adversaries.

Narrates the story of how a young dancer from rural China was admitted to the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy and through hard work and perserverance went on to become one of the most famous dancers in China.

Tells the story of the people, forces, and events that led to the terrorist attack on the U.S. on September 11, 2001, looking at the life of Osama bin Laden, the evolution and activities of Al Qaeda, and the training of terrorists, detailing the attacks themselves, and describing some of the human dramas that took place in the midst of the tragedy.

Tells the true story of Zhongmei Lei, an eleven-year-old girl in 1977 who won one of twelve spots at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, and whose determination to remain in the school impressed teachers and students alike; and discusses how Zhongmei, whose name means Faithful Plum, went on to form her own dance company which debuted in New York when she was in her late twenties.