A retelling of the lives and legends of two of China's early heroes. One, Kumarajiva, was a Buddhist monk who became one of the most highly respected monks of his time in the early fifth century A.D. The other, Helian Bobo, was a Hun warrior who led his people from the nomadic life of the plains warriors to a kingdom comprising a vast territory centered on the newly created city of Tongwan. The city was BoBo's vision of a home for his thousands of nomadic people. It was a final resting place for thousands of laborers who were killed during it's construction. Kumarajiva was largely responsible for bringing the teachings of Buddhism to the common people of China through his teachings and translations of hundreds of Buddhist sutras into the Chinese language for his thousands of followers. The two stories relate great striving, one for religion and understanding, the other for glory and riches. The translation is rough in spots. The syntax needs work. The story does convey the authors love for the history of his country and it's legends. Book provided for review by CN Times Books. ( )