Scratches on Our Minds

The author is a research associate at the Center for International Studies, M.I.T. and this effort is a report of what Americans think of the Chinese and Indians and what they think of relationships between East and West. The Scrathes refer to images, feelings - annoyance, anger, fear, wonder, frustration, passion or panic. And as such tells us, of course, more about the American mentality and attitude than about that of the Orient. The report is not offered as a statistical sample; it is based on the author's conception of representative American leadership types from the academic world, mass media, government, business, public opinion and education and the churches, from an informed group of interviewees. Parts of the findings are: that more than one-half of those interviewed have negative feelings about India (because of the figure created by Nehru, Krishna Mennon, Indian caste and foreign policy differences between India and the U.S.), whereas the Chinese are generally admired. But then most people know more about the Chinese, which accounts for the impression, still, of India as exotically fabulous. The value of this book, for those seriously interested in the East, probably lies in the areas it exposes for propagandizing. (Kirkus Reviews)