In The Eater's Guide to Chinese Characters, James D. McCawley offers readers a guide to deciphering the mysteries of Chinese menus and the opportunity to enjoy new eating experiences. An accessible primer as well as a handy reference, the book shows how Chinese characters are written and referred to, both in script and in type. McCawley provides a guide to pronunciation and includes helpful exercises so users can practice ordering. His novel system of arranging the extensive glossary - which ranges from basics such as rice and fish to exotica like Buddha Jumps Wall - enables even the beginner to find characters quickly and surely. He also includes the nonstandard forms of characters that often turn up on menus. With this guide in hand, then, English speakers hold the key to a world of tantalizing - and otherwise unavailable - Chinese dishes.