Voices of New China

I'm giving away five paperback copies of my nonfiction book _Voices of New China_. See Giveaways. The book is based on my experiences teaching and living in the People's Republic of China. This book is an easy and fun read and a great way to learn about an ancient civilization that is becoming more powerful in the 21st century. China has 1.4 billion people They know a lot about us. What do we know about them?

Here a rather lengthy except from one Amazon review:

< The rest of the book is a series of interviews with young people, aged between 18 - 35. Some are educated university students from relatively wealthy backgrounds. Some are poor workers who have only had a few years of primary school. Each interview teases out touching insights and shows a unique and intimate portrait of an individual, their opinions, their sense of humour, their wistful dreams.
There are many beautiful moments. For example, when a young mother asks the interviewer to give her little son an English name, and is charmed with the resulting suggestion. Some moments are sad -- for example a young man who works for the government, but is a poet and philosopher at heart. He is one of the few who expresses quite outspoken against the Chinese government, but is torn between his dream of being a successful poet, and the reality of having to survive as a business man.
Another interview reveals the struggle of a young woman who has to choose between pursuing her dream of studying further, or having a child. The interview seems to create a space for her to face the choice she has to make.
Many bitter-sweet moments. I was struck by how many of those interviewed worried about the environmental problems that China faces today. People mention never seeing the blue sky, or stars. Or lament the cutting down of forests near their home.
Voices of New China offers a glimpse of China as seen through the eyes of young Chinese people. An antidote to the version we see in Western media.>>