Books About China

waiguoren

July 06, 2014, 03:07 PM posted in General Discussion

I'm currently inbetween semesters, so have a bit of downtime to do some good-old-fashioned reading, in addition to getting back into some ChinesePod lessons.

As are most people here, I have a keen interest in all things China and am currently reading 'Lost on Planet China' by J. Maarten Troost and 'Unsavory Elements' by Tom Carter (Ed).

Come to think of it, I've read quite a few (English) books to do with China, especially the 'expat in China/foreiger in China experience', including:

- Iron & Silk, Mark Salzman

- Coming Home Crazy, Bill Holm

- Behind the Red Door, Richard Burger

- River Town, Peter Hessler

- Foreign Babes in Beijing, Rachel De Woskin

- Fried Eggs With Chopsticks, Polly Evans

- Oracle Bones, Peter Hessler

- A Season in Red, Kirsty Needham

- Mao, Michael Lynch (really accessible, interesting and well-written read about the great helmsman)

- The Rise of Modern China, Immanuel Hsu (I found this a really accessible, but comprehensive look at 'modern' Chinese history).

- Red Star Over China, Edgar Snow

So what's everyone's thoughts? Any recommendations? What are your favourite books about China?