Ping Fu and I believe that irrational, angry, and personal attacks are not constructive. We stand on positive ground, with the support of people who know us and of reporters, reviewers, and bloggers who have actually read the book.

Bend, Not Break is not a book about "poor Ping Fu." It is not my attempt at garnering sympathy. Nor is it an attempt to bash China. I intend the book to give people hope.

Chinese blogger Fang Zhouzi posted a story in which he questioned my credibility, and John Kennedy reacted to that blog in the South China Morning Post. I would like to respond to their comments, as well as those of other critics who have attacked the authenticity of my story.

Bend, Not Break centers around eight of Ping Fu's life lessons, from her childhood in Mao's China, to finding her way as a poor American immigrant, to becoming a widely respected female executive and mother.