After living in China almost 10 years, there is nothing that scares me more then another China book written by a laowai who thinks he/she knows the secret to this land. Language Empowerment is anything but this. It is ridiculously funny, uncomfortably accurate and totally memorable!

Grant Horsfield

This book should be required reading for every foreigner before getting on the plane to China.

Miao Jun

Fun and creative way to learn the essentials of Chinese culture and its language! A must read for anyone going to China and/or Asia for the first time. They teach you useful lessons you won’t find in traditional language books.

Viki Ng

I suddenly feel as if the scales have been lifted from my eyes. You truly demonstrate how understanding the language can unveil so much about the culture. And in China, one’s need to understand both is so critical and will be even more so as Chinese culture begins to affect the world.

Carol Potter

China Simplified is funny, informative and provides insights on a diverse range of topics on the Chinese language, history, culture and much more! It’s a refreshing and authentic approach to skilling up people who are interested in doing business or living in China.

Ashley Ng

After more than a decade of studying, China Simplified reminds me of what I love about the language, and has brought me new insights on the beauty of Chinese. All while giving me some good laughs.

Elizabeth de Gramont

Language Empowerment delivers an insightful account of Chinese language learning and immersion in a delightfully witty and honest way. It is approachable to anyone from any cultural background, and will resonate with different intentions of understanding the Chinese language.

Li Wen

Language Empowerment is a great primer to understand the Chinese through their language. You get the fascinating things, while sideswiping the rote tedium. An ideal entry point for the student or foreigner coming to terms with China and the Chinese.

William Hund

When you learn Mandarin, you realise there is a lot more going on than memorising words and grammar. You are also learning to understand a culture and get exposed to new way of thinking and expressing yourself. Stewart Lee Beck and Katie Lu help you understand why this is, and why it's so much fun.

Fiona Cameron

Finally, a book I can recommend to my clients thanks to the amazing CS team. The cultural insights and creative examples are so memorable that I laughed today when I found myself in a similar situation.They've cracked the code -- China Simplified demystified Mandarin for me and now, many of my clients. Thank you!

Mary Rezek

Language Empowerment is a well-written and entertaining guide to Chinese language and culture, revealing insights that many teachers and textbooks overlook. It should be recommended reading not only for language students, but also for anyone else who wants to understand how Chinese people think, act and talk.

Olle Linge

Highly entertaining and useful to navigate the challenges of China! If you ever have spent any time in the middle kingdom you have to read this book!

Peter Chiang

I haven't read their book yet, but I'm sure it's great.

Bryan Marsh

A lively and original approach to navigating the bottomless mysteries of Chinese language and culture. Stewart Lee Beck is a knowledgeable guide on how to understand China better, and how to have fun along the way.

David Brooks

I am encouraging my local Chinese friends to read it to understand how to more effectively relate to non-Chinese speakers. The personalisation and empathy of the writing really helps deliver some heavy learnings without the reader feeling laborious. The combination of perspectives from Katie, a local linguist in a cross-cultural marriage, and Stewart, an American who has immersed himself in the Chinese culture for over two decades, is what sets this book apart from others. Totally authentic.

Christine Ng

I've interacted with the Chinese all my life albeit the Malaysian ones. This book captures the subtle nuances and complexity of the Chinese language and culture- but the examples and humor help trancend any barrier or fear one might have of experiencing China. A definite must-read!

Sita Subramony

Language Empowerment is a lot of fun to read, and flows really well with the mix of information and humour. Your tone makes it feel like we are all world speakers who can mix languages, something I wish I felt back when I was learning Japanese in the olden days. Can't wait to reread and read more!

Douglas Shanefield

Implementation is still one of the more difficult things in China, ask any of the multinationals who spend millions on marketing plans. You have done it, awesome! Your book shows how language does indeed offer a key to the gates of China. It will make people feel like an Old China Hand in a flash!

Rudi Messner

A great preliminary read for non-Chinese speakers to break into the culture and language! I can comfortably carry this around China in lieu of a phrasebook. The authors’ wit and banter certainly carried me through until the very last page of the book.

Amanda Tedjamulja

Having lived in China for nearly 20 years, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. The authors grasp very well that their audience varies from expert Mandarin speakers to total newbies - well done!

Mark Secchia

Insightful, comprehensive & witty. This work explains the mysteries and nuances of the Chinese language and culture. Written in an easy to understand conversational tone, it should be required reading for any Westerner planning a visit or a move to China.

Michael Colozzi

An entertaining and simple insight into Chinese culture and language! A great introduction for anyone interested in deepening their understanding in a fun and amusing way.

Patrick Donnelly

An entertaining and easy read with a twist of humor. I've learned quite an interesting and enlightening cache of information about the country, its people and its language from a non-native speaker. Good job!

Paul Chin

A book filled with wit, insight, and joy regarding the Chinese language. Stewart’s deep appreciation for the Chinese culture, history, and people shines brilliantly forth from each page as he affectionately and with great self-deprecation takes us on a stirring journey into the mysteries, wonders, and intricacies of the Chinese language and the people it reflects.

Richard C. Lin