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Essential essays on all things Chinese that inform and entertain travelers, students, and anyone working or living in China.
How is China organized politically? What are the issues that young people face in today's China? What is China doing about its problem with pollution? Is the Chinese internet like our internet? What's China's role in the world today? And how much do you know about China's great woman emperor or the Chinese explorer whose voyages may have inspired the legend of Sinbad the Sailor? What are the major Chinese holidays, their superstitions regarding numbers, and the true nature of the Chinese written language?
In nearly 60 brief essays, long-time China expert Larry Herzberg tackles important facts and myths about China, its history, people, and culture, as well as its contemporary society. Anyone dipping into this book will emerge that much smarter about China, whether visiting, conducting business, studying the language, or simply being fascinated by one of the world's greatest and most influential civilizations.
Praise for CHINA SMART
5/5 "An invaluable resource for travelers to China as well as those who want to learn more about the country in a succinct format without having the need to page through dry and dense history tomes."
—The Manhattan Book Review
Praise for his previous work CHINA SURVIVAL GUIDE
“An ideal, pocket-sized, 264 page compendium packed from cover to cover with practical advice, insightful commentary, and invaluable tips on places to go, things to see, what to do, and what to avoid. . . . China Survival Guide should be considered an essential 'take-along' for anyone visiting China for business or pleasure.”
—Midwest Book Review, May 2014
"Like [having] a professional guide walking alongside you answering your many questions. . . . A must for your next China visit!"
—Travel Answer Man Online
"Thank goodness for Larry and Qin Herzberg! Their book was invaluable in helping me anticipate some of the more foreign aspects of traveling in China, not to mention that the book is hilarious! Travel groups will benefit from their expertise on surviving in China with grace and humor."
—Susan Glassburn Larimer, China Travel Coordinator, Indiana University School of Social WorkPraise for his previous work BASIC PATTERNS OF CHINESE GRAMMAR
Typically enthusiastic ONLINE reviewer says: "I am stunned, stuffed and totally amazed that "Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar...." wasn't one of the compulsory first year texts for a Mandarin speak-read-write course ! It is critical for any student aspiring to speak Mandarin / Hanyu to buy this book as soon as possible ( I can't emphasize this entreaty strongly enough - BUY THIS BOOK ). Others have given the technical reasons for buying it so as a struggling, long-suffering, ongoing student I'll restrict myself to endorsing it."
Praise for his previous work CHINESE PROVERBS AND POPULAR SAYINGS
"Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings is for everyday readers looking for pithy sayings, deeper understanding of the Chinese culture and a unique look at the Chinese language."
—The Rapidian
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Note to the Reader
China’s Past
CHAPTER 1 Origin of the word “China”
CHAPTER 2 The Great Wall
CHAPTER 3 The imperial examination system
CHAPTER 4 Two bloody civil wars in China
CHAPTER 5 China’s Queen Elizabeth I
CHAPTER 6 Hua Mulan
CHAPTER 7 Foot-binding
CHAPTER 8 Zheng He, the Sailor
CHAPTER 9 History of tea in China
CHAPTER 10 History of silk production in China
CHAPTER 11 The history of porcelain
CHAPTER 12 Invention of printing
CHAPTER 13 Origin of bonsai, tofu, and koi
CHAPTER 14 U.S. opium trade with China
CHAPTER 15 Chinese Educational Mission
CHAPTER 16 Chinese immigration to the U.S.
CHAPTER 17 Chiang Kai-shek
CHAPTER 18 Mao Ze-dong and his Legacy
China’s Society, Culture, and Language
CHAPTER 19 Terms for Family Members in Chinese
CHAPTER 20 Chinese Holidays
CHAPTER 21 The nature of the Chinese written language
CHAPTER 22 The Spoken Chinese Language
CHAPTER 23 Chinese dialects
CHAPTER 24 Chinese surnames
CHAPTER 25 Pronunciation of Chinese names in U.S. and British media
CHAPTER 26 Sayings falsely attributed to the Chinese
CHAPTER 27 Lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese
CHAPTER 28 Ethnic groups in China
CHAPTER 29 Differences between Chinese culture and Japanese culture
China Today
CHAPTER 30 The Communist Party and the Government
CHAPTER 31 The Chinese Military
CHAPTER 32 China’s Population
CHAPTER 33 The Biggest Cities in China
CHAPTER 34 China’s Economic Growth and Rise in Personal Incomes
CHAPTER 35 Gender Equality
CHAPTER 36 Marriage and Divorce
CHAPTER 37 The LGBT Community
CHAPTER 38 Youth Culture
CHAPTER 39 Automobiles in China
CHAPTER 40 Pollution in China
CHAPTER 41 Religion in China
CHAPTER 42 Chinese students in the U.S.
CHAPTER 43 Chinese-American restaurants
CHAPTER 44 American fast-food restaurants in China
CHAPTER 45 Most Chinese don’t eat dog meat!
CHAPTER 46 High-speed railway system in China
CHAPTER 47 The Cashless Society
CHAPTER 48 The Internet and Social Media
CHAPTER 49 Social Changes and New Laws
CHAPTER 50 The Arts and Western Classical Music
CHAPTER 51 China’s Emerging Role in the World
At a Glance
- China Map
- China Fast Facts
- China Timeline and Dynasties Milestones in Chinese History
- Great Chinese Artists
- Classic Chinese Texts
- Powerful Chinese Leaders and Politicans
Bibliography
Index