China in 2008: A Year of Great Significance

(Paperback)

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Description

The Beijing Olympics ensured that the world would be watching China in 2008, and the year turned out to be the most tumultuous and traumatic for the Chinese since the massive Tiananmen uprising of 1989. Crippling winter storms, riots in Tibet, the devastating Sichuan earthquake, and many other dramatic eventsincluding the PRC edging out the United States to become the country with the most Internet usersgrabbed international headlines. This innovative book, based on postings from the China Beat (the noted group blog/electronic magazine based at the University of California, Irvine) as well as works from other leading publications and completely new material, showcases the as-it-happened reports and commentaries of a mix of distinguished academics, high-profile journalists, and freelance writers, and up-and-coming young China specialists.

China in 2008 takes the unique approach of bringing the timeliness of the blogosphere into book form, expanding and reflecting thoughtfully on stories in the news while retaining the eclectic, opinionated, and engaging feel of the China Beat. It will be invaluable reading for everyone with a keen interest in China today.

Contributions by: Pallavi Aiyar, David Bandurski, Geremie R. Barm, Nicole Barnes, Daniel Beekman, Susan Brownell, Pr Cassel, Leslie T. Chang, Yong Chen, Maura Elizabeth Cunningham, Xujun Eberlein, Kathryn Edgerton-Tarpley, Mary S. Erbaugh, James Farrer, Caroline Finlay, Howard W. French, Pierre Fuller, Anna Greenspan, Amy Hanser, Peter Hessler, Jeremiah Jenne, Paul R. Katz, Miri Kim, Richard Kraus, Haiyan Lee, Donald S. Lopez Jr., David Luesink, Liang Luo, Charlene E. Makley, Kate Merkel-Hess, Stephen Mihm, James Miles, Pankaj Mishra, Rana Mitter, Julia K. Murray, Timothy S. Oakes, Alex Pasternack, Kenneth L. Pomeranz, David Porter, Shakhar Rahav, Benjamin L. Read, Caroline Reeves, Eric Setzekorn, Angilee Shah, Xia Shi, Steve Smith, Donald S. Sutton, Paola Voci, Nicolai Volland, Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom, Timothy B. Weston, Guobin Yang, and Lijia Zhang.

Reviews

[A] compelling first draft of history. Grouped by event or theme, the essays cover most of the major news stories of 2008, but with insight and perspective that never made the broadsheets. . . . It places contemporary China in a historical context that mainstream media seldom has the space to do, and offers a diverse and often very personal snapshot of China in one of its most turbulent years. * Far Eastern Economic Review *
Sane, well-informed, and rich in insights. * Asian Review Of Books *
Required reading for anyone trying to make sense of China's tumultuous year. This is the literary equivalent of a rowdy dinner party attended by some of the best and brightest China journalists, scholars, and thinkers. It offers a breadth of opinion and depth of context available only to those with a well-thumbed Rolodex of China specialists. But the book is accessible to the ordinary reader, and it combines the up-to-the-minute excitement of a blog with quirky academic takes on history in the making. -- Louisa Lim, National Public Radio, Shanghai correspondent
I've never been to China, but I've become a China-watcher thanks to the wonderful China Beat blog. This book is the best of that blogand more. It's a fascinating way to get under China's skin. -- Mary Beard, University of Cambridge
There is more than enough here to keep any reader intrigued and instructed. -- Jonathan D. Spence, from the foreword

Praise for China Beat:

Influential.

* Atlantic Monthly *

Praise for China Beat:

Always interesting.

* The New York Times *

Praise for China Beat:

Entertainingly eclectic.

* American Historical Association *

Praise for China Beat:

Always fascinating.

-- Danwei.org * Olympic Model Workers: Best Of The China Blogs *

Author Bio

Kate Merkel-Hess is assistant professor of history and Asian studies at Penn State. Kenneth L. Pomeranz is University Professor of Modern Chinese History and the College at the University of Chicago. Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom is editor of the Journal of Asian Studies and professor of history at the University of California, Irvine. To view Kate Merkel-Hess discussing the book at the Virginia Festival of the Book, visit http://charlottesville.granicus.com