I knows how to reads, oh yeah.

Once I made the decision for sure about the Shanghai move, I wanted to read as many books, magazines, articles, etc. that I could about China in general and Shanghai in particular. If you've ever visited the local bookstore (in the US), you'll know that there's no shortage of China-related books talking about the recent economic growth and expansion, business practices and strategies, new social/cultural stuff, and of course the usual xenophobic crap that denigrates both the country of China and the Chinese people, and that's aimed to fire up the average dolt by providing a scapegoat for their problems.

So here's what I've read thus far and I offer my humble opinion about each book:

-- I bought this book at the Hong Kong Airport on a layover and thought it would be a light and entertaining read. It's called "A Year Without Made in China: One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global Economy". Well, the author does get an 'A' for effort, as she tries her best to mask her xenophobic high-horse in ignorance. Not sure which one is worse. Not much research to back up her so-called "facts", just misguided observations and assumptions. And I especially "enjoyed" the fact that through this experiment, her young children now hate Chinese people not just goods manufactured in China. Profiles in good parenting, this book is not. I think this book is aimed at those who feel that China is the source of not only their problems, but all the problems in the world. This book earns a "not cool" in my book, pun intended.

-- I bought this book at the Pentagon City Borders in Arlington, VA on my way to Dulles Airport. It's titled "China Shakes the World: A Titan's Rise & Troubled Future -- and the Challenge for America". What attracted me to this book was 1. it was light-weight as I didn't want to significantly increase the weight of my carry-on bags, 2. it received the Financial Times' 2005 Business Book of the Year so I kinda knew it wouldn't spew xenophobic crap, 3. it looked interesting. This was actually a really good book and provided a solid primer for those that are truly interested in China's rise as a global economic power. Very easy to read and the author is well-versed in global issues. This book earns a "cool, gotta read" in my book.

-- I borrowed this book from my brother-in-law who owns a bunch of China-related books. It's called "China, Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World". The cover has a picture of a American flag lapel pin (the ones that are often seen on politicians) in a package that says Made in China. Initially, it looked as if this book would be Xenophobia 101. The cover picture is simple yet provocative, but the book itself is a great read. Facts and figures, anecdotes, case studies abound. Definitely recommend this book b/c you know, you should never judge a book by its cover. har har har

-- I also borrowed this next book from the BILL (Brother-in-Law Library). It's called "China Now: Doing Business in the World's Most Dynamic Market". This book is written more from a practical, how-to-do-business-China perspective. It devotes a few lengthy chapters to negotiation strategies and intellectual property rights. It also provides important tid-bits of significant historical information; basic stuff that every person who's interested in doing business in/with China should know about. Also, provide a brief but in-depth view on Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and how those places relate to China. It doesn't hurt that one of the authors is a professor at University of California, Irvine, where I went for undergrad. I always thought he was a crazy lefty / perennial Congressional candidate, but apparently he has some good stuff to say. I would recommend this book, but with the caveat that some of the chapters are good-to-know but could be rather dry.

So that's what I've read thus far. I'm "reading" the "Lonely Planet: Shanghai" right now b/c I want to familiarize myself with more of the City, but I don't really consider that a book. Just something fun to read.

I got two more books in the queue. "Postcards from Tomorrow Square: Reports from China" which looks like a pretty quick read. Plus the author writes for The Atlantic Monthly, so hopefully it will be entertaining as well, or as entertaining as these books can get. The other book is "New Shanghai: The Rocky Rebirth of China's Legendary City". The words are kinda small, but there's a few pages of glossy color pictures! Yay! Now if I can only find a scratch/sniff/taste book with Shanghai-style steamed soup dumplings. I orgasmically shudder in the shear fantasy of that possibility.


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