Download the Book for Free

Here's the entire text of the book -- free to download! -- in a whole bunch of different formats. Well, as long as you consider a whole bunch to be "two." As mentioned elsewhere, I've put the book out under a Creative Commons license, so feel free to print, share, and send this book around to every single one of your friends, relatives, coworkers, casual acquaintances, and elected officials. Seriously. They'll thank you for it later, trust me.

Anyway, the book is available as either a PDF or an HTML document below. Feel free to convert these files into any other format you want -- please just send me the final version so I can post it up here with all the rest. (I'll give you full credit, of course, which I'm sure is quite an inducement.) Just be sure to include the entire text of the book -- license, notes, and all. Note that the versions all have the full text of the printed version, but formatting changes have been made as needed to work with the format. (For what it's worth, the first file is the exact same as the printed copy.)

All that being said, here's the book. Enjoy.

Me and Chairman Mao

PDF File, 1,471k (158 8.5 x 11 pages)

PDF file (print-friendly) - landscape view, 388k (69 8.5 x 11 pages, no cover)

HTML file, 392.5k (no cover)

Made the book into another format? Send it to me.

Comments

[Annie Ayerst]

Jason,
I'm already on page 10 and loving it! I am half Chinese but understand more about my Vietnamese roots. Your book is bringing me closer to my Chinese heritage and making me want to go over for a visit. Thanks...Annie Ayerst

[Steve Cummings]

Barbarino,

You may be one serious corksmoker, but you sure know your way around yarn spinning. Bitchin' read, and by writing a book, you can now officially smoke a pipe and wear a bathrobe during the day time! Sweet...Anyways, nice choice on the title (I told you "Me and Pol Pot" just wouldn't work...it's too soon). Give my best to Holly and Smokey and the Bandit.

Love,

Steve

[Jason]

Steve:

Thanks. Coincidentally, I am smoking a pipe in my bathrobe right now. Also, I have on some fur-lined slippers and a nice silk scarf. (Some might call it a sash, but that's just not fashion-forward thinking in my book.) Sure, I'm at work, and some people have been looking at me funny--and complaining about the smoke--but who cares? I mean, what have they done? Resolved a support ticket? Big deal--I put a free book out on the Internet, dammit!

Also, "Me and Pol Pot"? No. But "Me and Brother Number One"? Possibly. If they can put a song about Pol Pot into Guitar Hero III ("Holiday in Cambodia"), the time may be right. I'll get right on that ...

[Jason]

Annie:

Thanks, although I do find the possibility that anyone is using my book to find out anything about Chinese culture is a little scary. :) But I would definitely recommend a visit, if you haven't been there. Also, you should swing by Vietnam on your way back if you haven't been there yet.

On our way out of Saigon/HCMC Holly and I were talking about the possibility of living there. I'm not sure if it will ever happen, but if it does, you should start mentally preparing right now for "Me and Uncle Ho." The possibilities are endless.

Jason

[Dena]

I have not gotten past the introductory E-mail, but it as interesting enough for me to put your book on my bathroom reading list. :-) Best of Luck!

[Erik Alvar]

Jason,

Good stuff man! Thanks for sharing.

I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past few years and will enjoy the book as well!

Peas,

Erik