Book excerpt: Though perhaps less well-known here than its Western counterpart, Chinese astrology is every bit as illuminating and provides an equally valuable shortcut to self-knowledge. Jonathan Dee, the well-respected author of several books on astrology, tarot, and fortune-telling, reveals all the mysteries of the art in this informative volume. Filled with legends, charts, and history, it contains all of the essentials for working out your Chinese horoscope including the animal signs for each birthday year, month, and hour. Each sign receives a richly detailed and enlightening explanation. Among the amusing and informative tidbits here: The rat is considered to be the sign of charm and is noted for its shrewdness, enterprise, and wealth. Rats are also prosperous, entrepreneurial, obsessive, anxious, bossy, and mean. The ox is the sign of tenacity and prosperity and a symbol of fertility and muscular strength. People born under the ox are patient, contemplative, eloquent, chauvinistic, petty, and grumpy. The monkey is lively, complex, charming, diplomatic, and agile. Monkeys are also dishonest, sarcastic, lacking respect, and restless. Chinese Astrology, Plain and Simple is an accessible introduction that enlightens, entertains, and informs.