Best Books About China

Explore the complexities and nuances of modern Chinese society through the eyes of one of China's most acclaimed writers. Framed by ten common words in Chinese culture, China in Ten Words is a candid and intimate portrait of the world's most populous nation. Through personal stories and astute analysis, Yu Hua delves into issues such as wealth inequality, piracy, and fraud, offering a unique perspective on the Chinese experience over the last several decades. Provocative and insightful, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of modern China.

Explore modern-day China and its links to the Western world through the lives of ordinary people in Oracle Bones. Peter Hessler illuminates the contrast between past and present and the evolving rhythms of a country in transformation. Follow a diverse cast, including an American writer living in Beijing, a forgotten ethnic minority member seeking freedom in the United States, and a scholar of oracle-bone inscriptions, all struggling to understand the historical forces that have shaped their lives. Hessler excavates the past, putting a human face on the history of China and capturing its soul as it undergoes a momentous change.

Explore the fascinating and previously untold lives of the migrant factory population in China, the largest migration in human history. Follow the stories of two young women, who over the course of three years attempt to rise from the assembly lines of Dongguan, an industrial city in China’s Pearl River Delta. Discover a world where nearly everyone is under thirty, where a few computer or English lessons can catapult you into a completely different social class, and where poverty and idleness of rural life drive young girls to leave home. With personal and historical frames of reference, author Leslie T. Chang provides new insight into China and demonstrates how this mass movement is changing individual lives and transforming Chinese society.

Experience the resilience of three generations of Chinese women as they navigate the tumultuous 20th century. In this thrilling, real-life saga, witness their struggle for survival in a world of violence, revolution, and upheaval. Brimming with adventure, Wild Swans offers a rich historical account and a breathtaking tribute to the human spirit. Don't miss the 16 pages of powerful photographs accompanying this moving masterpiece.

This insightful history delves into the rhythms and patterns of Chinese diplomacy, tracing key events including the initial encounters between China and modern European powers, the Sino-Soviet alliance, the Korean War, and Richard Nixon's trip to Beijing. With a new final chapter on the country's current role in global economics and politics, this book provides perspective on Chinese foreign affairs from one of the world's premier statesmen.

A must-read for anyone interested in Chinese politics, The Party offers an eye-opening investigation into the inner workings of China’s Communist Party. With rich detail and a nuanced approach, Richard McGregor explores the motivations, rivalries, and fears of the country’s leadership, revealing the integral role the Party has played in China’s rise to superpower status. This is an invaluable resource for understanding one of the most powerful governments in the world.

Explore the vibrant and colorful inner history of China during a moment of profound transformation in this Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction finalist and winner of the National Book Award. As the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, Evan Osnos witnessed profound political, economic, and cultural upheaval. In Age of Ambition, he delves into the clash between the rise of the individual and the Communist Party's struggle to retain control. Follow the moving stories of everyday people in a battleground filled with aspiration and authoritarianism, where only one can prevail.

A timeless masterpiece on military strategy based on ancient Chinese warfare and thought, The Art of War has been adapted for use in politics, business, and everyday life. Widely read and respected for centuries, this book provides tactics and insights that help gain advantage over opponents, whether in the boardroom or on the battlefield.

Discover how China has rapidly caught up with the US in the development of AI with Kai-Fu Lee's AI Superpowers. Lee, an expert in AI and China, argues that dramatic changes will happen sooner than many expect due to these developments. Lee also explores the impact of AI on both blue-collar and white-collar jobs and provides insight into possible solutions for the significant changes that are coming.

Discover the hidden world of regular Chinese citizens at the bottom of society in this captivating and eye-opening book. Meet a professional mourner, a human trafficker, a public toilet manager, and others who have battled life's hardships yet retain their dignity. With empathy and respect, the author delves into their lives, asking challenging questions and sharing their stories, creating an exceptional example of New Journalism. The Corpse Walker offers a fascinating look at modern China and its citizens that will provoke and surprise you.