All About China
China is in the news a lot lately, from the multiple import of American goods to their ambition to be the first Asian country to put a man on the moon. As China grows in power and global influence, people want to know about its culture and people. Here is a list of books cited in The Wall Street Journal as the best to read for a firm grasp on Chinese culture, politics, and life in the largest populated country in the the world.
A The Wall Street Journal article referred to Ha Jin as "the master storyteller of modern China." Each short story provides a snapshot which captures the essence of China today.
A historical and political look at Chinese life.
A detailed historical look at the 19th century Taiping Rebellion and its leader, who claimed to be God's son.
As a member of the Peace Corps, Hessler lived in China's Sichuan province during the mid-1990s. This book recaps his experiences.
You can also browse the catalog for audiovisual material here, find more books on Chinese culture here, and find reviews of books written by Chinese authors here.