Americans and Chinese: Passage to Differences

by Francis L.K. Hsu

From the Backcover "When the first edition of Professor Hsu's book was published in 1953, it became a celebrated book, highly valued among scholars across many fields in the humanities and social sciences.... The publication of the third edition of this book, almost thirty years after its first appearance, certainly says a great deal about its value.... Reading this classic allows the readers to see real people, and how people relate to people, in two culturally contrasting societies. This book will serve a useful purpose for those who have little understanding of the cultural history and psychological orientations of the people of China and the United States." --The Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology

Genres: China, The United States Of America

562 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Richard Sjoquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across Dr. Hsu's work during my doctoral research and found his observations of the similarities and differences between American and Chinese thinking insightful--at times profoundly so. Here is an academic who writes with clarity and common sense, yet bases his conclusions on years of firsthand experience and ongoing research. Although its last reprint was nearly a quarter century ago, most of what he describes and explains remains pertinent today. Those conducting cross-cultural studies, or otherwise engaged in international exchanges between these two nations, would do well to read and heed this book. Nothing since approaches this even more timely topic with the same sense of philosophical distance and objectivity.