The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci

This is a book of simple genius. I've reviewed several books on Amazon, and seldom given a five star rating. This wonderful book rates a five.


Graceful, dazzling multicultural history   February 8, 1999
Ian Westray (ianwestray@macol.net (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
32 out of 33 found this review helpful

Jonathan Spence's approach here is so effortlessly engaging, so like a work of historically informed fiction, that you can easily lose sight of just how responsible and convincing it is at the same time. Framing the book with Ricci's own mnemonic imagery gives Spence a complex but perfectly coherent lens through which to write. Spence deftly allows Ricci's own images to define the scope of the narrative as well, so he isn't burdened with scholarly asides attempting to fill in the gaps with a general history.

This is a book of simple genius. I've reviewed several books on Amazon, and never given a five star rating before. This wonderful book rates a five.


A fascinating book!   December 13, 1999
25 out of 26 found this review helpful

I loved this book. The mixture of history, mneumonic device, theology, missionary activity, and social and political thought is entrancing. Dr. Spence has displayed the cultural and spiritual ethos, not only of the title character, but of an era, place and time. The breadth of scholarship is impressive, as are the language and imagery used to present it. I cannot speak to the accuracy of the material presented, but am so intrigued, now, by the period, that I soon will be able to. I highly recommend this book.


A Cross Cultural Gem   July 6, 2000
Dan King
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Having used this book in an upper division undergraduate history class, I recommend it to any reader interested in China's relations with Europe and the West or Western perception and understanding of China. An excellent account of cultural encounter and mutual exploration.


Matters of great moment   October 21, 2001
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Spence's masterfully written book, a touching story of one man's devotion to a cause greater than himself, is a must read for all historians, especially those who want to learn more about the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, and their missions around the world. "The Memory Palace" is engaging--it reads like a mystery novel. I was unable to put it down until I was done for the book was an excellent read.