The books I talked about in this video: * Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret: amzn.to/3rrFgSt * Fried Eggs with Chopsticks: amzn.to/3w0lPnr * The Search for Modern China: amzn.to/3u1Vfsg * When a Billion Chinese Jump: amzn.to/39nMzo5 * The Rape of Nanking: amzn.to/39o3uXB * Travel to China: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go amzn.to/2O4f7f0 Vinnie's book! Escape from America: amzn.to/3dB0ysa
I have read many great books on Chinese history, but for me the most absorbing has to be Stephen Platt's book 'Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom'. The narrative draws you in and makes you feel like you are witnessing the events of the Taiping Rebellion alongside the key figures in the conflict, and the book really helps the reader understand all the intricacies of the period. It is highly recommended!
To anyone taking today's China for granted, this event is a sobering reminder how quickly things can go south on an unimaginable scale. While everybody recognizes that the ruling party is having a hard time fighting corruption, one needs to give it credit where it's due. It is moving a huge country ahead. "No CCP and there wouldn't be a new China." (沒有共產黨，就沒有新中國。) is not just a silly piece of propaganda.
@@lucytanss4787 Depending on whom you ask. Chiang Kai-shek was US's puppet. US most certainly put its money on him. But unfortunately for Chiang and his US master, the people's choice was Mao. Granted Mao had to be Soviet Union's little brother up till 1960's, but still beats being US's puppet. Under Mao, China endured 30 years' hardship, but did keep her national dignity despite being dirt poor. Most importantly, Mao united the country, redistributed the land, curbed the rampant corruption. All of which were monumental accomplishments that Chiang had no chance of achieving. In a sense, Mao vs Chiang is like today's North Korea vs South Korea. You can make a pretty good argument that S. Korea is a resounding success while N. Korea is a piece of dirt given that S. Korea's economy is 20 times the size of N. Korea's. But does that mean S. Korea is superior to N. Korea? Not necessarily. For one thing, N. Korea can say no to US or even China, but S. Korea can't. For another, the reason N. Korea's economy is so minuscule is that is the very definition of war time economy. Because it's already dirt poor, it has a better chance of sustaining a major war while S. Korea's economy will collapse like a house of cards. Without US's assistance, the South stands no chance against the North in a military confrontation.
Thanks for the mention here, Austin! Great list of books here, too. There are a number of great books that could have made this list as well - there's been a lot written about China over the past decade.
For sure!! I think I'm going to make a book club or something on this channel, because yeah, you're right - there's SO much great stuff to get into, and I don't think anyone else is doing it!
Cutting up my fried eggs from the hotel buffet with a fork and knife and then eating them with chopsticks helped me build my chopstick skill when I first visited China.
Ah, yes - I came across him during my Survey of World Civilizations class and Traditional China class! The Qin Dynasty was not a fan of him! Haha it's a shame, because we probably lost a lot of Mohist works during the Qin and Han that we'll never be able to recover :(
China 2049 Economic Challenges of a Rising Global Power Edited by David Dollar, Yiping Huang, and Yang Yao June 9, 2020 It’s clear that China is the world’s next economic superpower. But what isn’t so clear is how China will get there by the middle of this century. 11:00 This book provides unique insights into independent analyses and policy recommendations by a group of top Chinese and American scholars. Whether China succeeds or fails in economic reform will have a large impact, not just on China’s development, but also on stability and prosperity for the whole world. Source: Brookings
yeah, he's teaching non-fiction writing at SCUPI, which is a sort of university within Sichuan University. It's in the building next to mine. Never seen him, though
The books I talked about in this video:
* Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret: amzn.to/3rrFgSt
* Fried Eggs with Chopsticks: amzn.to/3w0lPnr
* The Search for Modern China: amzn.to/3u1Vfsg
* When a Billion Chinese Jump: amzn.to/39nMzo5
* The Rape of Nanking: amzn.to/39o3uXB
* Travel to China: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go amzn.to/2O4f7f0
Vinnie's book! Escape from America: amzn.to/3dB0ysa
Thank you this is a handy list, and thank you for your reviews.
For "Travel To China" you say "what I like about this book... He did send it to me for free..." haha. Is that all you liked about it?
I have read many great books on Chinese history, but for me the most absorbing has to be Stephen Platt's book 'Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom'. The narrative draws you in and makes you feel like you are witnessing the events of the Taiping Rebellion alongside the key figures in the conflict, and the book really helps the reader understand all the intricacies of the period. It is highly recommended!
To anyone taking today's China for granted, this event is a sobering reminder how quickly things can go south on an unimaginable scale. While everybody recognizes that the ruling party is having a hard time fighting corruption, one needs to give it credit where it's due. It is moving a huge country ahead. "No CCP and there wouldn't be a new China." (沒有共產黨，就沒有新中國。) is not just a silly piece of propaganda.
@@lipincheng mei you etc Indeed. Could Chiang Kai sek have done same had he won the war? Lol!
@@lucytanss4787 Depending on whom you ask. Chiang Kai-shek was US's puppet. US most certainly put its money on him. But unfortunately for Chiang and his US master, the people's choice was Mao. Granted Mao had to be Soviet Union's little brother up till 1960's, but still beats being US's puppet. Under Mao, China endured 30 years' hardship, but did keep her national dignity despite being dirt poor. Most importantly, Mao united the country, redistributed the land, curbed the rampant corruption. All of which were monumental accomplishments that Chiang had no chance of achieving. In a sense, Mao vs Chiang is like today's North Korea vs South Korea. You can make a pretty good argument that S. Korea is a resounding success while N. Korea is a piece of dirt given that S. Korea's economy is 20 times the size of N. Korea's. But does that mean S. Korea is superior to N. Korea? Not necessarily. For one thing, N. Korea can say no to US or even China, but S. Korea can't. For another, the reason N. Korea's economy is so minuscule is that is the very definition of war time economy. Because it's already dirt poor, it has a better chance of sustaining a major war while S. Korea's economy will collapse like a house of cards. Without US's assistance, the South stands no chance against the North in a military confrontation.
@@lucytanss4787 there is no if in history.😂😂
I wanted to read something to relax, so i will check out your second reccomendation.
Thank you for introducing good books.
Thanks for the mention here, Austin! Great list of books here, too. There are a number of great books that could have made this list as well - there's been a lot written about China over the past decade.
For sure!! I think I'm going to make a book club or something on this channel, because yeah, you're right - there's SO much great stuff to get into, and I don't think anyone else is doing it!
Cutting up my fried eggs from the hotel buffet with a fork and knife and then eating them with chopsticks helped me build my chopstick skill when I first visited China.
Thank you Austin for your book recommendations.
thank you so much. plz say more about Japan n China
Thank you! It's very useful
I'm currently reading "The Essential Mozi" by Oxford press. Pretty sure that could interest you too!
Ah, yes - I came across him during my Survey of World Civilizations class and Traditional China class! The Qin Dynasty was not a fan of him! Haha it's a shame, because we probably lost a lot of Mohist works during the Qin and Han that we'll never be able to recover :(
Have you read the man who loves China? By Simon Winchester?
I think I've heard of it, but haven't read it - I'll add it to the list!
@@austinguidry2 it’s about John Needham n his almost lifelong love for China
I would add:
John Keay China A History
Thanks🇨🇦
Good books
China 2049
Economic Challenges of a Rising Global Power
Edited by David Dollar, Yiping Huang, and Yang Yao June 9, 2020
It’s clear that China is the world’s next economic superpower. But what isn’t so clear is how China will get there by the middle of this century. 11:00
This book provides unique insights into independent analyses and policy recommendations by a group of top Chinese and American scholars. Whether China succeeds or fails in economic reform will have a large impact, not just on China’s development, but also on stability and prosperity for the whole world.
Source: Brookings
I wonder that if it is true that Peter Hessler is currently in Sichuan University there since 2019. Did you managed to meet him ?
yeah, he's teaching non-fiction writing at SCUPI, which is a sort of university within Sichuan University. It's in the building next to mine. Never seen him, though
@@austinguidry2 wow!! that's awesome.. just try to meet and above all, have an interview with him, if he doesn't mind. 加油
"China in ten words' by Hua Yu, but I am not sure whether you can find it in China ;)
most books about china in english cannot be found in china hahaha
@@austinguidry2 :) True, but it is written by a Chinese author. Actually, it is not funny. Anyway, your recommendations are really interesting
你推荐的第一本书其实中国人也很多喜欢看的。
不知道你是否了解，史景迁这个名字，作者为自己起了一个中文名字:史景迁，which means 十分敬仰，崇拜第一个敢于写传记体裁历史的大臣文人司马迁。
apart spence a depressing a low-level list of suggestions
What is your opinion of the CCP?
Thanks🇨🇦