A review by ben_smitty
Great Minds of the Eastern Intellectual Tradition by Grant Hardy

5.0

Grant Hardy is super knowledgeable and respectful towards the Eastern intellectual tradition. His pronunciation of Chinese words is spot on, and his understanding of the cultural background of this topic is so vast that I wondered at times whether he was a Buddha incarnate or not.

Hardy divides the vastness of the Eastern intellectual tradition into three hotels: intellectuals from China, India, and Japan. He covers Lao Tzu, Confucius, Buddha, Sima Qian, Sei Shonagon, Tokugawa, Al Biruni, Gandhi, Mao Zedong, and so much more! Their ideas interrelate at certain points in history (especially through the evolution of Buddhism throughout China and Japan). He covers scientists, novelists, philosophers, religious figures, and oh my lanta I just couldn't get enough of this series.

I will definitely be reading more of Hardy (and of course, many eastern intellectuals). 5 stars all around.