First published by AMC Publishing, Beavertown, OR
Copyright 1992 by Chin-Ning Chu
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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First eBook Edition: January 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7595-2527-6
THICK FACE, BLACK HEART
FROM THE ANCIENTS TO YOU,
INNER STRENGTH IS THE TRUE PATH
TO ALL REWARDS.
Chin-Ning Chu has written inspiring lessons on building inner strength. Gripping stories and principles reach from the mists of Chinese history to present-day entrepreneurial America. At once mystical and practical, this book will rearrange your brain and recharge your spirit.
Duncan Anderson, editor, Success magazine
Startling 100 strategies for more success in your personal and business life. It is a book to be absorbed, not just read!
Dr. Sonya Friedman, host, Sonya Live, CNN
This is a fabulous book, full of practical tips on turning adversity into victory. Youve got to read this one!
George Sparky Anderson, baseball legend
This is for the housewife and the CEO, the fallen boxer and the victorious commander-in-chief. It is rapacious and tender, physical, mental, and, above all, full of timeless spirit. If you have ever searched for the seeds that sprout passion, compassion, and success in any day and age, you want to read this book.
Thom Calandra, San Francisco Examiner
A provocative book that can affect everything from business decisions to romance. It stimulates considerable thought while providing specific examples.
Seattle Times
There needs to be a sympathetic, realistic, very practical approach [to business and life], and I think Chin-Ning Chus latest book is going to help many people on this side of the Pacific, including many who didnt think they needed the lesson.
John Charlton, managing director, Chase Manhattan Bank
This challenging volume highlights principles worth any thinking managers attentions.
George Von Peterfly, president, North American Holdings, and former deputy assistant secretary of state
The essence of universal wisdom, which serves as the key to success as well as the salvation to the future. It is clearly and methodically written, a brilliant piece of work to be read and reread.
C. Y. Lee, author of Flower Drum Song, China Saga, and Lovers Point
An astonishing revelation of balance. Poignant, revealing, and movinga report card for those willing to change.
Ted R. Winnowski, chairman and CEO, Key Bank of Oregon
A remarkable book from which all of us can learn the winning secrets of Asian philosophies.
Joe Cappo, publishing director, Advertising Age
Brings the timeless wisdom of the East to a level of practical and useful clarity for the Western business mind. Truly a how to guide for the business person worldwide.
Duane L. Bowans, managing director, American Pacific Operations, Tektronix
THICK FACE, BLACK HEART gave me much to think about, new directions to explore, new understanding of the power of potential. Its a remarkable achievement.
March Fong Eu, California secretary of state
Provides the wisdom to build the inner strength necessary to sustain ones self and obtain victory on the battlefields of life. If life had an owners manual it would be THICK FACE, BLACK HEART.
Michael C. Sekora, past director, Project SOCRATES, Defense Intelligence Agency
Its a winner.
Jan Arnet, senior vice president, The Asia Society
Hits the top of the self-help list. Author Chin-Ning Chu is on the road to fame with this challenging and unique motivational essay.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Puts a fresh face on efforts to remove barriers to success.
Orange County Register
Really quite astounding. Chu delved into this black heart and emerged with universal lessons and applications for the rest of the world.
Shambhala Star
Should be used by all students in college regardless of subject to aid them in their development of their careers and their lives.
Milo Shepard, executor, Jack London Estate
It is of great fortune to our time that we are presented with such a remarkable work.Will inspire readers to excel in their performance and enjoy the great satisfaction that accompanies success.
Wun-Yu Chen, innovator of the seedless watermelon
Ancient Asian philosophy presenting an amazingly clear picture of modern Asian effectiveness.This book is very, very impressivea winner.
Warren E. Aut, admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
The book for those who believe that a full life is the sum of success in all its elements, whether personal, social, or economic.
Michael Powell, proprietor, Powells Books
If I were running across the runway with my last books in hand, it would be with the Bible, Sun Tzus Art of War, and THICK FACE, BLACK HEART.
Sam J. Sebastiani, proprietor/winemaker
Filled with important information. For people who wish to learn how to succeed and survive, it offers an unusual perception of life.This book is for everyone.
Earth News
For some, THICK FACE, BLACK HEART will bring needed balance. For others, it will be everything.
NAPRA Trade Journal
To the Supreme Father, to whom I owe everything.
To the eternal warriors,
the entrepreneurs of the world.
They are our hope and our future.
To Curt, my best friend.
My gratitude to all those who have passed through my life, whether in a positive or negative manner. All have contributed in some way to the substance of this book.
My gratitude to:
Karen M. Dibblee, without whose input this book would not have been the same
Gayle Vrla, my friend, who is always there for me
Dottie Walters, for her unfailing spirit and support
J. J. Liu Tsai, my former classmate, for her love and friendship
I give special thanks to the reference departments of the Marin County Library in California and the Multnomah County Library in Oregon.
To all I am indebted. Without their teamwork this book would not have been possible.
Throughout the book the generic businessman and the pronoun he have been used for the sake of brevity. In all instances, it is the authors intention to imply both the male and female gender.
I n 1949, at the age of three, holding tight onto my mothers skirt, I ran with my parents and two younger brothers across a Shanghai airport runway. Amid the sound of bombs blasting, we boarded the last commercial flight out of China.
From a life of affluence and privilege, my family was reduced to the condition of faceless immigrants among millions in Taiwan who had fled the conquering Communists. All the possessions we were able to salvage from the devastation of our lives fit into the suitcases my parents carried.
In 1969, when I was twenty-two, I left Taiwan to begin a new life in America. Once more a faceless immigrant, I arrived in Los Angeles with two suitcases containing the few possessions I was able to bring to my new home: clothes I had made for myself, a few personal effects, and two books.