Here are my 2020 recommendations with short descriptions, covering economic history, science, society, literary fiction, and poetry, mostly done in the first half of the year after which reading dropped off precipitously.
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Every reader likely knows Barbara Tuchman as one of the excellent writers and historians from the 20th century. This book was an apertif before heading into her Pulitzer-winning book on Stilwell. These notes are based her visit to China with her daughter, over six weeks covering eleven cities and some rural towns. (About double the time spent compared to my last trip to China). A fascinating snapshot of life in China in 1970s, particularly the black and white plates, and her observations of art in China. Tuchman herself notes that this book was a brief project between considerably important projects. The second part is based on her New Yorker essay, “If Mao Had Come to Washington“ discussing how Roosevelt-Mao meeting (which…
Leave a CommentLast July, I took the high speed train from Shanghai to Beijing. The trains in China were comparable to the Shinkansen in their speed and comfort. In the business class, the seats could apparently recline flat. Petite hostesses hushed by, offering bottles of water, and serving snacks and local juice brands. As the train hurtled forward, I stared outside the glass windows from my lofted perch of elevated rail-line. I saw divided highways and undivided farmlands, with their almost-prairie looks. Towns that zipped by the window, looked like well kempt oversized matchboxes arranged carefully in a quadrilateral.
Leave a CommentTo understand China, its growth and society, its trade, outsourcing and manufacturing relationship with the US, it is imperative to understand its history. In this article, I discuss books, films, podcasts and web resources that helped me begin my journey of learning more about China. First in the set of notes from a long China trip.
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