This book introduces the styles and characteristics of each Cloud Gate dance by visiting their workplace, conducting an exclusive interview with Mr. Lin Hwai-min and reviewing the history of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. The chapter that impresses me the most is "Cloud Gate 40, Greater Encouragement, Trust and Expectations." It is about the long-term support given from the Cloud Gate Culture & Arts Foundation to assist dancers' continuous performance for the public.

The biggest reward I gained from this book, is to have a heart that never gives up. In 2008, a dreadful fire burned down the rehearsal space of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Without the place, dancers could not practice which was impossible for them. Everyone in the team volunteered and started fund raising and used the money to build a new home, with even better facilities than before. This was what became the well-known Cloud Gate Dance Theatre today!

"From here we start and hope to travel far. Even if we are not able to go very far, at least we have tried." said Mr. Lin Hwai-min without hesitation. It was a speech Mr. Lin said in 1973 at the Taipei Art Center on modern dance before the first public performance of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. To this generation, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is still a legend talked among people. To me, the fact that I did not get to grow and develop with Cloud Gate is such a loss in some terms. I feel that Cloud Gate is like a child standing on the wasteland of modern dance, marching forward over time. The society was greatly affected with the power, strength and beauty of their dances.

Each performance relies on the collaboration of dancers in the spotlight, as well as stage and costume designers, and musicians. For example, the thousands of details of the costume materials and stage set decorations create the suffering scene for Requiem, the clouds of ink and brushes in Water Stains on the Wall and the bamboo forest in Bamboo Dream. From the beginning, most people weren't optimistic about the outlook of Cloud Gate. However, there hard work eventually received recognition worldwide. They continue to progress and bring back the history of Taiwan by creating more pieces. It takes the cooperation, training and rehearsals form the busy schedule of the Cloud Gate team to make this all happen. We should learn from them, their commitment, team spirits, tenacity and original intention of being.

The book The Making of the Cloud Gate features the story of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre from the inception and describes every step of the way to becoming the best-known dance troupe in Taiwan. In addition to the introduction and background story of each Cloud Gate performance, the author also interviews with Mr. Lin Hwai-min who talks about his life philosophy. The readers can get to know how his friends view him and how dancers and backstage personnel accomplish their demanding journey together. This book condenses the 40-year history of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre into a 312-page book and touches the heart of every reader.

The chapter that I like the most is "Mr. Lin Hwai-min: Dance and Life". It contains his comments and values, his personal growth and accomplishments in this 41-year journey. The "Cloud Gate's purpose was not to set out to make money. We perform for those who do not have the opportunity to go to the theater." I was so touched and impressed with this statement. Mr. Lin established the dance troupe not for his personal gains, but out of the desire to dance for all the people. He did it for his passion and love of dance. After finishing the book, I have gained greater respect and admiration for Mr. Lin Hwai-min of Cloud Gate.

The book The Making of Cloud Gate contains many findings from interviews and onsite visits. It is like a documentary made of words. I read about the difficulties Mr. Lin experienced when he started Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, the challenge in the early days and the interpretation they had about Taiwan. In my opinion, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is a representative troupe of Taiwan. After reading about how each individual develops themselves into a team, I wonder whether I have done anything for Taiwan. What can I do for them?

What impressed me the most is the interviews with the founding members of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. They talked about how Cloud Gate helped them grow and how dancers supported each other on this long and winding road. How demanding the training process was towards them. They had to be dynamic and still at different times. There were a variety of elements involved, but some dancers previously had no exposure to it. In such instances, Mr. Lin Hwai-min would arrange art classes for them. They also signed up for programs on their own. I admire their dedication to the team.

A chapter in the book describes the mission statement of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, the journey of the founder Mr. Lin Hwai-min and the challenges he experienced along the way. I am amazed by the everlasting enthusiasm Mr. Lin Hwai-min has for dance. In the beginning, he felt that Taiwan needed a professional dance troupe, so he took the plunge without thinking much. After they started to perform, he found that a systematic approach was needed for planning and scheduling new dances. In the end, he realized the functioning of a professional dance group involves a lot of hard work and complexity. I really look up to Mr. Lin's courage at that time by establishing Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. He hanged in there no matter what happened.

The book mentions their troubles with funding in the early days. After all, not everybody appreciates art and dancing, it's not a lucrative business. However, Mr. Lin Hwai-min persisted and hoped that the young people who had never seen theater performances could enjoy their dance. This is what heritage is about. In the end, Mr. Lin's efforts won corporate sponsorships and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre was able to continue. I praise Mr. Lin Hwai-min's perseverance, fearlessness and dedication.

The book The Making of Cloud Gate is a detailed account of the life of the world-class team and the offstage life of dancers. It is a collection of stories about dancers and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Their performances are unforgettable because they dance with their lives. It is on stage that Cloud Gate Dance Theatre writes important chapters in history. This book takes the readers to appreciate dance in an artistic perspective, it reaches out to the world by opening the Cloud Gate.

Dancers create the history of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre with perspiration, talents and youth. Their images are a testimony of contemporary life and generation. What touches me the most is the mask of God from Cloud Gate that survived the fire. The intact mask was like a symbol of revival and it was a miracle for the team. They felt that the gods from Nine Tunes were protecting Cloud Gate. It gave them great faith and confidence to rebuild. It was a story about rising from the ashes. We witness the efforts they put in the construction and the heartening moments they bring to people.

You will become an expert if you do simple things persistently. Moreover, you will make legends by doing not so simple things persistently as well. This is what happened with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. They constantly practice and improve to achieve perfection. The first chapter of the book talks about "Rice" and "Legacy" that relate to Taiwan and allow us to reflect the history and development of Taiwan. In fact, many of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's performances over the past 40-plus years is about Taiwan.

I noticed that Mr. Lin Hwai-min's choreographing process was not always smooth. Sometimes it was due to a lack of inspirations. Surprisingly most works are collective creations by Mr. Lin Hwai-min and other dancers. This was how their brilliant performances came into life, with efforts from the team together. Often times, there are barriers and difficulties dancers engage in the practicing process. My takeaway is that life is not an easy sail, but life always finds it way. The only thing we can do is to face it.

How does Cloud Gate Dance Theatre create its performances? Perhaps Mr. Lin Hwai-min comes up with the theme and storyline, designs the set, completes the choreography and leaves dancers to interpret. The answer lies in this book! In fact, the dances are created by all dancers. Mr. Lin does not sit at home and think. Rather, he gives leeway to dancers during rehearsals and modifies the choreography along the way. It is like a relay. In other words, Mr. Lin Hwai-min's dance take on life of their own. Different dancers, music, costumes, lights and set designs are all variable. They cooperate and conflict with each other in the dialogue with the audiences. This is the reason why their dances have souls and emotions.

In the chapter "Dance and Life", Mr. Lin Hwai-min spoke about a dedicated female dancer in Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. She was keen to catch up after she was on maternity leave for a few months. All she wanted was to go back on stage with everybody. Her professionalism demonstrates the sense of pride and solidarity unique to Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Even Mr. Lin asked those who just gave birth to take their time and rest. However, they insisted on their beliefs and passion for dancing. They worked as a team to continue the quality of Cloud Gate. This spirit is so admirable.

The instant I finished reading The Making of Cloud Gate, it dawned on me: Only with rounds of strenuous practices can each player outdo himself/herself on stage with his/her sharp eyes, the strength of gestures and different angles of the movements. Moreover, not only did I have more understanding about the founder of Cloud Gate, Lin Hwai-min but I was also deeply touched by the innermost thoughts, ideals and feelings of all the members of Cloud Gate. A key to an exceptional performance all depends on resolution and persistence---that's how Cloud Gate Theatre makes it!

The Making of Cloud Gate illustrates the stories and ideals of Cloud Gate Theatre. This book is beautifully printed on quality paper, with many photos telling the amazing happenings of Cloud Gate. Cloud Gate has enjoyed fame and glory for such a long time but it isn't basking in the glory of various prize nominations or admiration from a sea of audiences. "stay humble & stay hungry"---such team spirit solidifies a team identity and strengthens its primary ideal "Love for Taiwan" as well. Indeed, all the member's enthusiasm for art and their love for Taiwan permeate the whole book and their enthusiasm and love are contagious!

The detailed descriptions in the book The Making of Cloud Gate look a bit profound at the beginning. From site visits, performance introductions, the chronicle for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's 40 years in history and team member profiles, this book really helps me to understand Cloud Gate Dance Theatre a lot better. As their works integrate oriental elements and local cultures of Taiwan, we can often relate to and enjoy. They constantly create new dances to bring the novelty and beautiful feast of sight to the audience. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is Taiwan's pride.

"Pollens. Group Dance" is my favorite chapter in the book. I want to know how and why Cloud Gate Dance Theatre dances. Many dancers shared the stories of how they relate to their bodies. Somebody said that you can read a person's life from his body. Another person mentioned how she enjoys the oneness of body and breathing on stage. "Cloud Gate opens a door so that I can absorb the nutrients left by our ancestors." Each dancer has a different interpretation of the same performance. All the perfection on stage is the result of countless practices and rehearsals.