The economy was in a shambles, there was no stable or unified currency, inflation was out of control, and communications networks were in disarray, with rail tracks destroyed and rivers and harbors clogged with sunken ships. (Mao by Jonathan Spence)
經濟變得不堪聞問，穩定甚或統一的貨幣不復存在，物價上漲徹底失控，通訊網路陷入混亂，鐵軌遭到破壞，河道與港口因沉船而阻塞。（毛/史景遷）
箇中奧妙
如同電影一般，作者巧妙運用文字的蒙太奇，精準地勾勒出一幅幅國共內戰進入尾聲，國府即將棄守大陸的末世景象。在其快速剪接的畫面中，有抽象的成分（經濟、貨幣、物價），更有具象的元素（鐵軌、河道、港口、沉船），足以輕易在讀者的腦海中喚起鮮明清晰的圖像。
關鍵字詞
1. shambles: 這是一個相當特殊、有其典故的單字，從原先血腥髒亂的屠宰場(slaughterhouse)，如今轉而用來泛指任何失序混亂的場面或情況。更特別的是，這個以複數形式出現的名詞其實必須視為單數，其前總要加上不定冠詞a。同樣值得一提的是a shambles之前加不加介詞in均可接受。另外，shamble用作不及物動詞時意為步履蹣跚地行走。
The auditorium was a shambles after the graduation party.
The beggar shambled to the next man for a possible gesture of compassion.
2. stable:意指穩定的形容詞stable，動詞形態是stabilize（及物或不及物），反義字則分別是unstable與destabilize（及物）。在stable的同義字當中，steady也常用來表達固定的或缺少變化的意思。
The plan was cancelled due to the country’s unstable political situation.
Officials believe the latest measures will help stabilize the currency.
Hopefully the situation will stabilize within days.
There are new uncertainties that threaten to destabilize the economy.
Hold steady for just a few more minutes.
The steady increase in oil prices makes it increasingly difficult for the airlines to make money.
3. currency:意指一個國家的貨幣，cash是現金，coin是硬幣，banknote和bill是紙鈔。另外，currency也有流通、散播之意。
We take cash only. In fact, we prefer dollar bills as coins are considered an inconvenience.
The man was seen taking a banknote from the counter when the teller was serving another customer.
His theory has gained currency far and wide.
4. inflation: 簡言之，通貨膨脹指的是物價持續上漲，也就是一般人的實質購買力不斷下滑。deflation恰恰相反，意為通貨緊縮，disinflation則指的是通膨的速度放緩，而這其實往往並非壞事。
Many tend to confuse disinflation with deflation. Disinflation is often used to describe situations of slowing inflation, while deflation refers to a general decline in prices.
5. communications: 以複數形式出現、意為通訊時，communications也可以telecommunications替換，telecom與telecoms二種簡寫都有人用。單數形式的communication意為溝通、傳播，大眾傳播就是mass communication。
The legislation is meant to end monopolistic behavior by big companies, including those in the telecommunications industry.
Chunghwa Telecom is Taiwan’s largest phone operator.
Spain’s largest telecoms operator is ready to cut its workforce in its home market by 20 percent.
Customer communication is crucial to customer satisfaction.
He is interested only in the top 10 mass communication colleges in the U.S.
6. disarray: 作為名詞、（及物）動詞均可，前者的同義字包括confusion, mess, chaos, untidiness，後者則有upset。相對地，array也是作為名詞、（及物）動詞均可，最主要的同義字分別是arrangement與arrange。
Classroom confusion is a daily routine for the teachers here.
His room is always a mess.
"Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our minds." (Dominations and Powers by George Santayana)
Untidiness seems to be taken for granted in that household.
All we found in the attic is a disarrayed pile of old magazines.
His lack of manners is quite upsetting.
The agency offers a full array of services for job seekers.
We are awed by the meticulously arrayed antique furniture in the house.
7. destroyed: 在這個句子裏，destroyed, clogged, sunken都是以被動式過去分詞當形容詞用，各自修飾其前或其後的名詞︰tracks, rivers and harbors, ships。更進一步說，此乃所謂分詞構句的應用，換言之，也就是從完整的子句轉換而來，我們可以試著將其還原即可一目瞭然。
Rail tracks were destroyed. =
(Someone or some people) destroyed rail tracks.
Rivers and harbors were clogged with sunken ships. =
Sunken ships clogged rivers and harbors.
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