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The sensational twenty-five-year-old Chinese music prodigy tells his heartbreaking, dramatic, and ultimately triumphant story. Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame, few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today. Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable, dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everything - his parents' marriage, financial security, Lang Lang's childhood, and their reputation in China's insular classical music world - for the belief in a young boy's talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father, who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star. An engaging, informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West, Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China, where Lang Lang is a cultural icon, at a time when the world's attention will be on Beijing. Written with David Ritz, the coauthor of many bestselling autobiographies, Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness.

An Excerpt from Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story

LANG LANG was born in 1982 in Shenyang, China. He has played with the leading orchestras in all of the major concert halls throughout the world. He is the #1 selling classical artist in the world, and will serve as musical ambassador to China throughout the Olympic year. He is UNICEF's youngest international Goodwill Ambassador.

DAVID RITZ is a bestselling music writer who has cowritten autobiographies with Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King, among others.

Contact the publisher with any questions or comments about Journey of a Thousand Miles: spiegelandgraumarketing@randomhouse.com

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HE STARTED LEARNING to play the piano when he was three years old in Shenyang, China. Today he is one of the world's most outstanding pianists. In this engrossing life story, adapted by Michael French, Lang Lang not only recounts the difficult, often thrilling, events of his early days, but also shares his perspective on his rapidly changing homeland. He thoughtfully explores the differences between East and West, especially in the realm of classical music and cultural life. Shining through his rags-to-riches story of a child prodigy who came of age as a renowned musician, Lang Lang�s positive spirit, his dynamic personality, and his enduring passion for music will inspire readers of all ages.

An Excerpt from Lang Lang: Playing with Flying Keys

Lang Lang is a renowned classical pianist who has performed with major orchestras all over the world. Although he is on tour most of the time, he has homes in Philadelphia, China, and Berlin.

Michael French has adapted Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley and Ron Powers, and is the author of more than 20 books. He lives in Santa Barbara, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.