• Journey of a Thousand Miles

  • My Story
  • By: David Ritz, Lang Lang
  • Narrated by: uncredited
  • Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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Journey of a Thousand Miles  By  cover art

Journey of a Thousand Miles

By: David Ritz,Lang Lang
Narrated by: uncredited
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Publisher's summary

Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame, few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.

Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable, dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everything - his parents' marriage, financial security, Lang Lang's childhood, and their reputation in China's insular classical music world - for the belief in a young boy's talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father, who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star.

An engaging, informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West, Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China, where Lang Lang is a cultural icon. Written with David Ritz, the coauthor of many best-selling autobiographies, Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness.

©2008 Lang Lang and David Ritz (P)2008 Books on Tape

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Amazing and Surprisingly Sad

Lang Lang is one of my favorite classical artists. I really enjoy watching him perform on YouTube and listening to his music. I had no idea that behind his masterful playing was such a deeply sad childhood. Reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder - is that the price of fame? Lang Lang’s story touched me and moved me to tears. There is no question that he is an amazing pianist, but his life story is amazing as well. I’m astonished by the sacrifices he and his family were willing to make for his art- especially his mother.

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our journey of a thousand miles starts here

A journey of self discovery from a self that is worth to be discovered.
Hien-Anh Nguyen
March 16, 2019@ 3:14 AM, Chicago.

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  • TonyM
  • 06-08-19

Music from the human heart

Lang Lang gained his musical inspiration from his parents own heritage which in the context of China,s cultural revolution was harshly suppressed. His talent arose from watching Tom and Jerry cartoons one of which was depicting Tomas a co n cert pianist. At this time also a huge wave of enthusiasm for Western Classical music drove parents to involve their single offspring in very competitive striving to succeed in the big businesses of musical competition. Lang father by sheer willpower drove his very young son to become number one and the whole family effort was focussed upon achieving this supremacy. It happened and we see the results in practice in the outstanding quality of Lang Lang today. A truly inspirational story of single mind n redness a k n own feature of Asian cultures

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