Suggested Reading List
Some reading in advance to our visit to China is recommended in order to begin to understand China’s history, geography, culture and dynamics of the current and future role of China in the world.
History
I recommend two standard books often used as texts for courses. Understanding China is a quick read; Search for Modern China is more comprehensive. Genghis Khan challenges western historical perspective and helps one to reflect on historical evidence when visiting China. The Great Wall reflects on conflicting, converging and confusing western and China perspectives on the role of the "wall" in China's past and present.
Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence, Norton, 1999, ISBN: 0393973514. Understanding China: A Guide to China’s Economy, History and Political Culture by John Bryan Starr, Hill and Wang, 2001, ISBN: 0809094894. Genghis Khan by Jack Weatherford, Crown, 2005, ISBN: 0609809644. The Great Wall by Julia Lovell, Grove/Atlantic,Inc., 2006, ISBN: 0802118143
Guide Books for Reference
I prefer Lonely Planet but any guide and language reference can provide a quick overview for basic survival. China by Damian Harper, et al, Lonely Planet, 2005, ISBN: 1740596870 Mandarin Phrasebook, Justin Ben-Adam Rudelson, Charles Qin, 2000, ISBN: 0864426526.
Education and Society
I have not read The Diary of Ma Yan but I find the reviews compelling in reading about education culture in China. We will have briefings on the education system and education reform in our seminars and in presentations in China. Oracle Bones is a view of contemporary China exploring the lives of people drawing on history, economy, education, political and social life.
The Diary of Ma Yen: The Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl by Ma Yan, HarperCollins, 2005, ISBN: 0060764961. Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler, HarperCollins, 2006, ISBN-13: 9780060826581, ISBN-10: 0060826584.
Business and Economy
The hottest books in the market are in this category and new titles frequently appear. China plays a major role in The World is Flat, one of the most talked about books in the media today. China Shakes the World is an insightful book on Chinese economics and business. It compares China's recent development to economic development in the United States in the late 19th century. It is also an eye opener to Chinese political, economic and social culture. Other books worth giving consideration are: The Changing Face of China, One Billion Customers and Power Shift. The State of China Atlas also appears to be a good reference for understanding the scale of China’s economy. The Chinese Negotiator is an insightful book that offers case studies and information to access Chinese culture. As one begins to understand the central role of quanxi, trust and relationships take on a whole new meaning.
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005, ISBN: 0374292884. China Shakes the World by James Kynge, Houghton Mifflin, 2006, ISBN-10: 0618705643 and ISBN-13: 9780618705641. The Changing Face of China: From Mao to Market by John Gittings, Oxford, 2005, ISBN: 0192806122. One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China by James McGregor, Free Press, 2005, ISBN: 0743258398. Power Shift: China and Asia’s New Dynamics by David Shambaugh, University of California, 2006, ISBN: 0520245709. The State of China Atlas: Mapping the World’s Fastest Growing Economy by Stephanie Hemelryk Donald and Robert Benewick, University of California, 2005, ISBN: 0520246276. The Chinese Negotiator, Robert M. March and Su-Hua Wu, Kodansha International, Ltd., 2007, ISBN: 978-4-770-3028-3.
History
I recommend two standard books often used as texts for courses. Understanding China is a quick read; Search for Modern China is more comprehensive. Genghis Khan challenges western historical perspective and helps one to reflect on historical evidence when visiting China. The Great Wall reflects on conflicting, converging and confusing western and China perspectives on the role of the "wall" in China's past and present.
Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence, Norton, 1999, ISBN: 0393973514. Understanding China: A Guide to China’s Economy, History and Political Culture by John Bryan Starr, Hill and Wang, 2001, ISBN: 0809094894. Genghis Khan by Jack Weatherford, Crown, 2005, ISBN: 0609809644. The Great Wall by Julia Lovell, Grove/Atlantic,Inc., 2006, ISBN: 0802118143
Guide Books for Reference
I prefer Lonely Planet but any guide and language reference can provide a quick overview for basic survival. China by Damian Harper, et al, Lonely Planet, 2005, ISBN: 1740596870 Mandarin Phrasebook, Justin Ben-Adam Rudelson, Charles Qin, 2000, ISBN: 0864426526.
Education and Society
I have not read The Diary of Ma Yan but I find the reviews compelling in reading about education culture in China. We will have briefings on the education system and education reform in our seminars and in presentations in China. Oracle Bones is a view of contemporary China exploring the lives of people drawing on history, economy, education, political and social life.
The Diary of Ma Yen: The Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl by Ma Yan, HarperCollins, 2005, ISBN: 0060764961. Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler, HarperCollins, 2006, ISBN-13: 9780060826581, ISBN-10: 0060826584.
Business and Economy
The hottest books in the market are in this category and new titles frequently appear. China plays a major role in The World is Flat, one of the most talked about books in the media today. China Shakes the World is an insightful book on Chinese economics and business. It compares China's recent development to economic development in the United States in the late 19th century. It is also an eye opener to Chinese political, economic and social culture. Other books worth giving consideration are: The Changing Face of China, One Billion Customers and Power Shift. The State of China Atlas also appears to be a good reference for understanding the scale of China’s economy. The Chinese Negotiator is an insightful book that offers case studies and information to access Chinese culture. As one begins to understand the central role of quanxi, trust and relationships take on a whole new meaning.
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005, ISBN: 0374292884. China Shakes the World by James Kynge, Houghton Mifflin, 2006, ISBN-10: 0618705643 and ISBN-13: 9780618705641. The Changing Face of China: From Mao to Market by John Gittings, Oxford, 2005, ISBN: 0192806122. One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China by James McGregor, Free Press, 2005, ISBN: 0743258398. Power Shift: China and Asia’s New Dynamics by David Shambaugh, University of California, 2006, ISBN: 0520245709. The State of China Atlas: Mapping the World’s Fastest Growing Economy by Stephanie Hemelryk Donald and Robert Benewick, University of California, 2005, ISBN: 0520246276. The Chinese Negotiator, Robert M. March and Su-Hua Wu, Kodansha International, Ltd., 2007, ISBN: 978-4-770-3028-3.
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