Blog Entries

ChinaSource Summer Reading


It is often said that summer is for reading. We at ChinaSource love to read all year long, but we thought you might be interested in what members of the ChinaSource team have in our book bags this summer.

Brent Fulton, ChinaSource President:

The One Hour China Book by Jeffrey Towson and Jonathan Woetzel

These six trends are shaping business (and, one may argue, much of life) in China today. Yet as the authors note, whether they are sustainable is another question.

Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-1945 by Barbara Tuchman

“Same bed, different dreams” is a wonderful Chinese idiom that can be applied to many situations. In the case of China during World War II, the bed was quite crowded, with the KMT, CCP, Britain, and various factions of the US military all jockeying for position while ostensibly focused on defeating Japan.

A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce

While Wilberforce is known primarily for his crusade against slavery, his “manifesto,” as he called it, was a challenge to the Christians of his day to rediscover their biblical faith and its implications both for personal piety and for social action. Wilberforce’s impassioned discourse on Christian character as it relates to public life speaks just as eloquently today.

Christian Values in Communist China by Gerda Wielander

Wielander takes issue with both the “Persecuted Church” and the “Christian China” paradigms. She asks instead whether Christian values are impacting China or whether Confucian values are recreating the faith “with Chinese characteristics.”

Joann Pittman, Senior Associate:

The Alchemist, by Ralph Coelho

I’ve heard about this book for so many years I thought it was time to get it on my summer reading list. This novel tells the story of a young shepherd who dares to follow his dreams.

Asia’s Cauldron, the South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific, by Robert Kaplan.

Every book written by Robert Kaplan is worth reading, and I’m sure this new one will not disappoint. I’m hoping it will help me understand better the recent spats over islands and influence in the South China Sea.

Setting the East Ablaze: Lenin’s Dream of an Empire in Asia, by Peter Hopkirk

I’ve always had a fascination with Central Asian history, especially the time period of “The Great Game.” This looks like a great tour of Lenin’s plans for Central Asia.

What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done, by my friend Matt Perman.

I certainly do not consider myself to be the most organized person in the world. Maybe this book will help!

Glenn & Narci Herr, Operations and Publications:

Since we seem to end up reading the same books, we thought we’d share a list.

Strange Stones, by Peter Hessler.

Hessler’s books are always a good read. This one goes beyond the borders of China while still including much about his final months in China as he made the transition to living for a short time back in the US.

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China, by Jung Chang

Guest blogger Amy Young brought this one to our attention so it went on our summer list. Thanks, Amy!

Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xialong

A murder mystery usually makes for good holiday reading. Combine that with a Shanghai setting and an author who lives in our new home town of St. Louis and we had to give this a go. But a warningit’s not a pretty crime.

Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh

And yet another whodunit. This time no connection to China but by a Kiwi author who was new to us and said to be in the same league with (and from the same time period as) Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers.

Enjoy!

Image credit: Books Behind the Bed, by rjp, via Flickr

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ChinaSource Team

ChinaSource Team

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