From: Mary Camper Titsingh
| Book Review: THE MAN WHO KOW-TOWED A biographical novel based on the life of Isaac Titsingh, Holland’s eighteenth-Century merchant scholar in Asia. By Mary Camper-TitsinghIn Asian countries to Kow-Tow was a time-honored ceremony and demonstration of respect before a king an emperor. England’s 18th century ambassador to China, Lord George Macartney, however, refused to kow-tow, to pay his respects by getting down on his knees and placing his forehead on the floor before the Emperor of China. He considered it humiliatingly servile and beneath his dignity.
The Dutch ambassador, Isaac Titsingh, had no problem conforming to this Asian court etiquette. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” had been a successful practice that had opened valuable trade relations in the Far East and brought him exceptional honors and privileges in all of the Asian countries he visited. This fictional account of Titsingh’s ventures is filled with historical detail of the Old World’s first complex steps toward globalization. It takes the reader through an amazing trans cultural adventure with the merchant-scholar known throughout Europe as the man who kow-towed. The author of this novel, the last surviving member of the Titsingh family, is the eldest daughter of Bram and Evelyn Camper-Titsingh who purchased Palomar Ranch on East Grade Road of Palomar Mountain in 1954. Mary began this story of her family history as a labor of love for her granddaughters Meriah and Danielle Druliner. They grew up on Palomar Mountain, the daughters of Bill and Abbey Druliner, who are now the longest full-time residents on Palomar Ranch. |
Palomar Mountain News 
If Mary is unaware of it she should consider entering her book in the San Diego Book Awards. (They have a website.) It is a splendid program for recognizing and promoting local authors. Good luck!
By: Kathy Derengowski on August 6, 2012
at 4:51 am