This book invites you to examine yourself from the viewpoint of being an alien in a new culture. The subject of the books the tensioning conflicts people experience when they try to work with people from a different cultural and social backgrounds. While the intended audience of this book is for those doing Christian missionary work in foreign countries, the principles discussed can be universally applied by anyone assigned to work abroad. The authors Lingenfelter and Mayers use a model of basic values that explores and points to personal and cross cultural roots of tension in interpersonal relationships and helps the person master and resolve those tensions by gaining personal insight into their behavior. There are 48 statements that are used to develop a personal profile. Then elements of that profile are chartered. The rest of the book explores those profiles for someone doing business in a far east asian cultural context. The chapters follow a pattern. The chapter discusses the cultural tension regarding time. The contrasting views are highlighted, followed by how those tensions manifest themselves in a real world issue.Then a proposed biblical response to that situation is examined.Finally the cultural implications of that solution is dissected. I found this systematic approach helpful . I gained insights into my own behaviors that both encouraged and challenged me. This is a book I would recommend for anyone traveling abroad for either secular or religious work purposes. ( )

Excellent