Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Sunday, June 05, 2011

Studying China

Dan Harris, lawyer and experienced expert on things Chinese, writes a blog (China Law Blog) with his law partner Steve Dickinson. They offer legal and other advice to clients who do business in China.

Recently, Dan Harris offered some advice for people wanting to understand China. If you're about to begin teaching about China or if you want to refresh your frame of reference, these books are great.

The Five+ Best Books For Understanding China.

Just got the following email from one of my best friends from college: … what are 3-5 good books to read to understand China (contemporary but also something providing some historical perspective to current doings)...

Start with Jeffrey Wasserstrom's book, China in the 21st Century, which is accurately subtitled "What Everyone Needs to Know." It is 192 pages and it can (and should be) easily read on the plane between meals. It is meant to be basic and it is, but it is a good a first book as can be found and it is not in any way simplistic.

He should then read the following, all of which will give him a good feel for where China was and where it is:

Out of Mao's Shadow: The Struggle for the Soul of a New China, by Phillip Pan

One from the following by Peter Hessler: Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory

Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China, by John Pomfret

Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China, by James Fallows…