Praise for "From Tea to Coffee"
"From Tea to Coffee is a captivating account of a complex chapter in Chinese history."
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Kirkus Review
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“Cheng Wang’s transformative evolution from young Communist ideologue to astute western observer is a must-read cultural travelogue. His deeply personal story provides remarkable insight into the unique diversity of Chinese and American attitudes and divisions.”
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Don Vaughan, founder, Triangle Association of Freelancers, North Carolina
“From Tea to Coffee is a life journey of powerful personal transformation. Author, Cheng Wang, shares a glimpse into the cultural drama of struggle and triumph from Mao’s time in China to the present-day U.S.A. From an “educated youth” with almost no education in the Mao era to becoming a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Cincinnati and with no English writing education to becoming a published author, Cheng proves that anyone can persevere and overcome whatever obstacles that may stand in your way.”
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Michelle Prince, Best-Selling Author, Performance Publishing Group
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“From Tea to Coffee is a wonderful exploration of history and a life that has extended across half a century and two continents. For those who believe that East and West can never meet or can only stand in opposition to each other, this memoir offers a beautiful counterpoint. In it, we see a clear example of how the two cultures can complement each other perfectly.”
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Bennett R. Coles, award-winning author of six published books, including Dark Star Rising
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“From working in the field to published author, Cheng Wang shares how he developed his sense of self.
He reshaped himself as he broke through barrier after barrier, driving himself to personal improvement and success.”
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Deanna Martinez-Bey, Social media manager, copy editor, and ten-time author
Editorial Reviews
This is a highly compelling story of a real person who has been a citizen of two very different cultures in their life. What was most interesting about the writing was that there was a lack of confrontation when discussing the two cultures, which is unusual considering how they are usually depicted in the media as opposing forces in the world. Perhaps it takes the perspective of someone who has actually lived a life in both cultures to notice the similarities and areas of compatibility between the two forces, a perspective that Cheng Wang brings to the table in this thoughtful discussion on his own life and accomplishments.
Throughout this book, real credence is given to the idea that these two different nations could have enough common ground to form a powerful friendship. As such, I recommend From Tea to Coffee to any reader with an interest in exploring cultural ideas.
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K.C. Finn - author, journalist, educator.
This quietly potent line from Cheng Wang's quietly potent memoir, From Tea to Coffee, expresses something quite true about human life. An autobiography is better sipped quietly in later years than drunk boastfully when young. The challenge, however, is to recover that peculiar intensity felt within each prior moment, and to recapture the essence of one's personal perspective at the time. Cheng Wang - a Chinese youth during Mao's Cultural Revolution, yet a profoundly insightful observer of his own conditioning, later an accomplished participant in American culture - excels at both. The result is a fascinating piece of literature exploring the vast similarities and differences between people divided by more than just an ocean.
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JOEL R. DENNSTEDT, AUTHOR.
About the Author
Born and raised in China, Cheng moved to America several years after finishing college. His life has undergone many dramatic changes: from a Maoist soldier indoctrinated by ideology to a Western economist by education, and then to a Principal Member of the Tech Staff by profession. Yet, at heart, Cheng is a writer, having published an award-winning memoir, From Tea to Coffee: The Journey of an “Educated Youth,” along with numerous articles in prestigious magazines over the years.
If he can make such bold changes and prevail each time, almost anyone can—if you dare to dream and put in the effort. As a mentor for Notre Dame MBA students and a Creative Writing Expert Console Member for NC State, Cheng has enthused many to believe in themselves and pursue their life goals.
Cheng’s Interests: Traveling is his greatest passion, as he loves writing about the experiences of different cultures and diverse people. When he isn’t on the road, he feels truly alive through reading, writing, and conversing with linguaphiles. Strolling through the woods provides the happiest mental escape, while playing tennis rejuvenates his physical and emotional vigor.
