Shanghai: Life, Love and Infrastructure in China's City of the Future

by Stephen Grace

Shanghai is the most modern and dynamic city in China. In preparation for hosting the World Expo 2010, a World's Fair in the grand tradition of international fairs and expositions, the megalopolis embarked on an overhaul to transform itself from the "Pearl of the Orient" into the "City of the Future." Here, the world's tallest buildings soar, the planet's longest bridges span toxic waterways, and the fastest train on earth rockets the city from its storied past toward a future that seems, by turns, either as bright or as hideous as the lights that set the hazy sky aglow each night. At a time when interest in China has seen a sharp increase that shows no signs of abating, Shanghai places China's development and its effects on the world into context by explaining how the country arrived where it is today and why it is building massive infrastructure projects with tremendous social and environmental impact. Shanghai provides an intimate look inside a mega-city heaving with change and offers essential insight into the challenges of remaining human in an increasingly urbanized world.

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2010

About the author

Stephen Grace is the author of a novel and several nonfiction books. While caretaking a house where the poet T.S. Eliot lived, he studied novel writing with Stratis Haviaras, founding editor of Harvard Review. To publish a book about the historical cartography of Colorado, he worked with Library of Congress curators and with Vincent Virga, called "America's foremost picture editor." While researching a narrative nonfiction book about China, he sought out experiences as diverse as studying skyscrapers in Shanghai and trail running in Tibet. To write his most recent book, DAM NATION: HOW WATER SHAPED THE WEST AND WILL DETERMINE ITS FUTURE, he followed the flow of water across the topography of the West and charted currents throughout the region's history. He is currently at work on a book about the urban agriculture movement, which has led to him working on a trash truck in Denver and volunteering on an organic farm in Uganda.

Reviews

[Sam Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing in Shanghai: Life, Love and Infrastructure in China's City of the Future is exceptional. There are great descriptions of the city and a lot of humor. The book makes me want to go back to China and spend more time there.

[Jacob Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This goes on the bookshelf with River Town. I've never heard of this writer but he tells a great story. One of my favorite books about China.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I am learning Chinese and this book gave me so much insight into the language and the culture.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone interested in China, it's language and culture, this seemed like an interesting read. The author focuses mainly on one part of China, the city of Shanghai (since China has many faces). The surroundings, the food, the history - this all can be found and this already makes it a great travel book. But this shouldn't be seen as just a travel book, it explores the people and their everyday lives. Not just people seen from a foreigners perspective, but also as friends and their families. This adds a more personal touch to the story and makes this a true cultural experience on many levels.

[Aron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books by this author. This is currently my favorite. It will probably be trumped by his upcoming book on water. I lived in China for many years and finally someone sheds light on why the Chinese wear pajamas in public! There are so many other insights between the pages of this book. It's a must for anyone interested in China and the life of ordinary citizens being affected by the government's policy to grow at all costs -- even when it means razing ancient neighborhoods and uprooting the elderly to make way for modern skyscrapers or condos for the young and hip consumers.