Book Jacket

 

rank 5472
word count 13547
date submitted 24.03.2010
date updated 22.03.2012
genres: Non-fiction, Business, Travel, Harp...
classification: moderate
incomplete

Kingdom of Sharks

Andrew Johnston

On the business of education in the world's next superpower.

 

It's a bad start to one's career: Alone in a foreign country, broke, homeless, living on borrowed time with an expired visa. That was just the start of one teacher's sojourn through the education system of the People's Republic of China. KINGDOM OF SHARKS is the account of a year in the life of a foreign teacher - from his first days with a "respected" private firm, to his teaching assignments in the local farming villages, his escape from a company intent on robbing its own teachers, and one last hurrah in Shanghai. Along the way, he highlights the corruption, abuse and illegal activity that is tragically common in these industries. Mixed in are descriptions of Chinese cultural and business practices, an attempt to explain the increasingly bizarre happenings.

 
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tags

business, china, corruption, culture, education, esl, ex-pat, journey, memoir, non-fiction

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9 comments

 

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strachan gordon wrote 62 days ago

Hello Andrew , I read your account with great interest , having been a teacher for twenty five years. it is extremely well written and the exposition is very well presented and explained . Iread the three chapters available straight off - which is the ultimate good sign. Would you be able to look at the first chapter of my novel 'A Buccaneer' which is set amongst Pirates in the 17th century , with best wishes from Strachan Gordon

lynn clayton wrote 778 days ago

It's as compelling as a thriller and totally unexpected - not the events, but that you've actually experienced and documented them. A cautionary and brilliant tale. Backed. Lynn

Helena wrote 778 days ago

Hi Andrew, I like the premise and the fact that it is a true story makes this all the more compelling. An insiders look at China always fascinates me as it is such a secretive place and the teaching angle is good, I have often thought about doing it, good way to travel but I never got round to organising it, I think after this story I possibly won't. The opening is good and you do ad a sense of intrigue by hinting at a lot bu telling very little, really had me wonder what could be so bad as to cause you to write this story. I think there is a little too much author intrusion though and I often found myself being pulled from the story and I'd also take out the paragraph where you say this is not the most interesting story ever written, you will put people off going further into your work. I think you have a god story to tell, have confidence in it. On the shelf. Helena (A Load of Rubbish)

Ransom Heart wrote 779 days ago

Great hook at the end of Chapter 4. I would probably put it at the end of Chapter 1, after a few revisions, but that's just a suggestion. This is a unique story, and one that should be told. I've always wondered about those glowing testimonials . . . Backed earlier today. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

Burgio wrote 779 days ago

I like stories that carry me away from my everyday world and transport me to a new and different one. So I liked this story a lot. It didn't carry me to the China I expected, tho. Instead of an exotic country China here is portrayed as a bureaucracy with bullies as co-workers. Because this view of China was new to me, it made an unexpected good read. I'm adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

soutexmex wrote 779 days ago

This is my kinda book. I really wanna read this. Just break up that long into two segments. Being Authonomy's #1 commentator and amateur pitch doctor, trust me, spend some time on your pitches; I cannot overemphasize how you need to master this basic sales technique to grab the casual reader. That's how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. SHELVED!

I can use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key
Authonomy's #1 rated commentator

lizjrnm wrote 780 days ago

You are a very talented writer and the subject you chose to write about reads like fiction. Amazing stuff you have here. BACKED 100%

Liz
The Cheech Room

SusieGulick wrote 782 days ago

Dear Andrew, I love that you are telling of your life in China. Who would have known all of that stuff happening? I hope you let us know soon what will happen. I like that you ask questions to hook us in. Your introduction is really informative to prepare me for your story. It is a good read because you create interest by having short paragraphs (you might want to cut some in 2 or 3 so as to not lose the reader), which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing/commenting on your book to help it advance. Could you please return the favor by taking a moment to back/comment on my TWO books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & the unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories." Thanks, Susie :)

Tope Apoola wrote 791 days ago

Not bad at all.

Tope Apoola
Times of the supermen

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