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Below is a list of my favorite books regarding China (each is on my bookshelf at home, save for the ones I must have lost). Many of them are simply must-reads for anyone who would like to begin to understand China. Whether you're going to learn the language, do a little business, or particularly if you'll be traveling there its good to know something about the country first in order to have a bit of knowledge to build off of. It will help you make sense of the otherwise confusing things you are likely to run into.

Book Categories:
General Reading
Chinese Language Books
China Travel Books
Chinese History/Politics Books
Chinese Literature

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at MarkAnderson@translatechinese.org.

General Reading

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Jung Chang
If you've never read anything about China, this is where you begin. This is an incredibly engaging story that walks you through the defining moments in China's modern history from the perspective of three women who encountered them first hand. There's nothing I can write that will truly express how much I enjoyed this book.

 

 

China Candid: The People on the People's Republic
Sang Ye
This book is a compilation of interviews with interesting people around China; business owners, old communists, prostitutes, executioners, and everyone else. It's really interesting, and gives some good insights into problems facing the country and average people's perspectives on their nation; as well as these people's lives in general. The interviews, however, aren't quite recorded to academic standards; but it's worth reading nonetheless.

Chinese Language Books

Concise English-Chinese Chinese-English Dictionary
Martin H. Manser, Oxford University Press
I've been using this dictionary for the last several years, and I definitely don't have any complaints. It's great for any level.

 

 

 

 

Making Out In Chinese
Ray Daniels
This is a phrase book that includes slang, insults, and other things that you wouldn't find in either a traditional phrase book or in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

888 Chinese Character Flashcards
China Books & Periodicals
This isn't a book, but rather a set of flashcards that include the 888 most popular characters in the Chinese Language. This is a great way to both begin learning Chinese, as well as keep your language skills going strong once you already have. If you're wondering what's up with the number eight, it's considered lucky because it has the same pronunciation as the character for wealth (in Cantonese).

 

China Travel Books

Mandarin: Lonely Planet Phrasebook
The Lonely Planet
This is probably the most comprehensive phrasebook I've ever seen, with practical phrases for just about any situation you could find yourself in (ex. getting a haircut). This would be a good book to have for someone with basic to intermediate Chinese language skills, and a must have for someone without them.

 

 
 

Lonely Planet China
The Lonely Planet
This is one of the best guide books you can get for China. I had friends who absolutely lived by it when we were over there. Don't travel to China without one.

 

 

 

 

Lonely Planet Beijing City Guide
The Lonely Planet
This is just like the Lonely Planet China, but Beijing specific (and therefore much more detailed on the city). When I lived in Beijing I had the Lonely Planet China for when I traveled, and the Beijing City Guide for everyday stuff. Both are great.

 

 

 

Lonely Planet Shanghai City Guide
The Lonely Planet
Same as above, but for people who will be spending most of their time in Shanghai (I think they probably have them for most major cities).

 

 

 

 

Chinese History/Politics Books

China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy
Peter Hays Gries
Many Chinese are fiercely nationalistic, and disapprove of what they believe the US represents in relation to their country. This is difficult for an American to understand, and this book does a phenomenal job of studying the reasons behind it. China's New Nationalism helped me understand where Chinese friends were coming from when they began to discuss politics, and for that it is invaluable.

 

Throwing the Emperor from His Horse: Portrait of a Village Leader in China, 1923-1995
Peter J Seybolt
This book is both short and really great. It details the life of a village leader and his actions throughout the many upheavals of life prior to, and during the major upheavals of Communist China; right up to the near past. The leader in question is a really interesting guy, and this is a great window into China during those times.

 
 

The Private Life of Chairman Mao
Li Zhi-Sui
This book is nothing short of an absolutely shocking depiction of Chairman Mao's life by his personal doctor. It's a big book, but if you're into China/some of the crazy people that end up having a huge influence on history, it's a great read.

 

 
 

Chinese Literature

Select Stories
Lu Hsun
Lu Hsun was a revolutionary author in modern China, and his stories made me glad that I took the Chinese Modern Lit course in college that introduced me to them. They are very thoughtful and well written, certainly great pieces of literature that I think any westerner would enjoy.

 

 
 

Black Snow
Liu Heng
This is an interesting story that really depicts what life is like for many Chinese in the new China. It helped me, I believe, understand a little bit better the ordinary people in Beijing and other cities. It's worth reading before traveling to Beijing, I think you'll see the city in a different way than you otherwise would have.

 

 
 

The Family
Pa Chin
This book does a good job of showing the turmoil that China went through at the end of the imperial system. I think it speaks to how difficult it is for a society to remain dynamic with such a long history and strong culture, something that some argue is still plaguing China (you don't just stop doing something the way you have been for 5000 years, even if there is a better way to go about it). It's an interesting, albeit slightly depressing book; but then, if you're going to get into Chinese literature, you'd better be prepared for that.