http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_City_and_the_Stars

My review of A NEW KIND OF SCIENCE appeared in the print edition of National Review in 2002. It's archived here http://www.olimu.com/Journalism/2002/Texts/NewKindOfScience.htm 
 
--JD

"...with the partial exception of Taoism." Hm. Though philosophical Taoism is generally thought to be eremitic and humanistic, in fact it forms one of the intellectual pillars of Legalism. In very brief: If the laws are sufficiently fierce & strictly enforced, there is nothing for the ruler to do--he can sit back & practice wu-wei (contemplative inaction). See my review of the Tao Te Ching here http://www.olimu.com/Journalism/2002/Texts/DaoDeJing.htm

A great favorite of mine--I have J.J.L. Duyvendak's translation. Lord Shang makes Lenin look like a humanitarian. At one point (I.iv) he lists ten evils. They include music, virtue, and integrity. 
 
It should be noted, however, that while "The Book of Lord Shang" probably reflects Shang Yang's views fairly well, the book is generally agreed to be a Han dynasty forgery. It is, as it has come down to us, "very corrupt" says Duyvendak.

Hey Razib: I have been reading Paul Scott's THE RAJ QUARTET for Roger Kimball at The New Criterion--it's just been reissued in 2 vols. I dimly remember the TV series ca. 1980 (whi you can get on 4 dvds from Netflix). 
 
Scott is really good, a 1st-rate novelist, way better than the pop-fic stuff I'd expected. I don't know whether he really knows India & Hinduism, but if not, he has a terrific imagination--has created a whole world. That's what serious novelists try to do; that's what he did. There's a full array of Indian types, pre- and post-independence. Beautifully done. The TV adaptation is pretty faithful narrative-wise, but for real depth get the books (or read my forthcoming review....) 
 
Best, 
 
JD

Morris's book "The Naked Ape" was a milestone in pop anthropology. It still reads very well after 40 years, which is amazing in itself. I still have it on my shelf (the 1969 Dell paperback) and just dipped into it--really good, literate, informative stuff. Read the chapter on "Fighting" and tell me you didn't learn something--something you'll find yourself thinking about in some life situation. ...JD