In his book, Stefan Schomann follows the world’s great rivers. The focus is on Yunnan’s three parallel rivers as well as the Yangtze, whose transformation he documents over the course of two journeys. A reading full of fascinating insights into China’s nature, culture, and transformation, accompanied by photographs from his river journeys.
Every stream has a story, every river a novel, every watercourse an epic: Stefan Schomann traces about twenty of them in his new book, from the mighty Amazon to the slender Spree.
The longest chapter is devoted to the three parallel rivers of Yunnan: the Nu Jiang (Saluen), the Lancang Jiang (Mekong), and the Jinsha Jiang (Yangtze). This rugged region boasts the highest biodiversity outside of tropical regions, along with enormous cultural diversity. Following in the footsteps of botanist Joseph Rock, who roamed the area in the 1920s, the author explores today’s China—and witnesses a rapidly changing world along the great rivers.
Another story recounts two voyages down the Yangtze from Chongqing to Shanghai—one before the Three Gorges Dam was built, and one after its completion.
Hessischer Rundfunk recommended the new release as “an enchanting book in which you can truly lose yourself. Full of a love of storytelling, with wonderful language and great curiosity.” And Bayerisches Fernsehen praised the author for “a keen eye for observation, a charming dose of self-deprecating humor—and mastery of description.”
Alongside the reading, Stefan Schomann will also show photos from his river journeys in China.
