Comments on: The Chinese, by Jasper Becker–BOOK REVIEW

By: Silk Road International Blog » Books to read if you’re coming to China

Silk Road International Blog » Books to read if you’re coming to China — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:02:52 +0000

[...] The Chinese, by Jasper Becker [...]

By: Ugens Fem Klik om Kina: Kadrer, Coca Cola og Disney | KINABLOG.dk

Ugens Fem Klik om Kina: Kadrer, Coca Cola og Disney | KINABLOG.dk — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:01:55 +0000

[...] Det er ti år siden, at Jasper Becker udgav The Chinese. Nu er Silk Road International så kommet med en boganmeldelse. Der giver en bunke gode grunde til, at Becker burde opdatere [...]

By: Don Tai

Don Tai — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:27:48 +0000

Here's another book that's on my list. Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State by Huang Yasheng, a professor at MIT. 2008. book review

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:03:09 +0000

Read the book a few years ago and agree that it is good. But I would also stress (as you mention) that it has a somewhat dated feel to it. In some ways, it already feels more like a primer on China’s recent history. Not the author’s fault, just a reflection of the fact that it was written 10 years ago.

By: david

david — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:40:05 +0000

Yea, it got taken over with the China safety arguments. Bummer. Glad you liked the QC blog though, those who actually got to it and read it commented positively. I didn’t mean for the first two by-the-way comments to be so sensational. That’s why I stuck them on the top of that post. I figured that people would read them and say: “yea, pretty much what I’ve seen/heard myself” and then move on. Now I know!

By: Don Tai

Don Tai — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:42:05 +0000

David, I want to compliment you on your QC blog posting, but it got hijacked by your preblog. I felt it was better to wait until the flames died down. I thought your QC post was well written and very relevant given the nuances, subtle and gross, of Chinese culture. Though I am not in China but in Toronto, Canada, we see the lack of high QC standards in our daily "Made in China" products. Higher quality would be worth a higher price. Maybe next time you could separate the preblog from your blog so as to avoid much angst and teeth gnashing. Maybe next time you might not be so open, but I hope you continue to write as you see fit.

By: david

david — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:40:34 +0000

This looks like another good read, I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!

By: Don Tai

Don Tai — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:56:20 +0000

Nice book review. I'll certainly pick up the book. Your update of this book may be his new book Dragon Rising, An Inside Look at China Today, written 2006. It's also on my reading list.

While everything in China looks new on the surface, it can seem unchanging underneath. The nation's rulers continue to live in Zhongnanhai like emperors past, and Mao's portrait hangs over the entrance to the Forbidden City even as China turns its back on his revolution. Since 1989, China has put aside thinking or talking openly about the recent past or politics. Just when, or how, China will resume that part of its search for modernity is a matter of endless speculation. A snapshot of a China in the midst of an unfinished revolution can merely stir the imagination. Book jacket. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.