China Smart: What You Dont Know, What You Need to Know A Past & Present Guide to History, Culture, Society, Language

(Paperback)

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How is China organised politically What are the issues that young people face in today's China What is China doing about its problem with pollution Is the Chinese internet like our internet What's China's role in the world today And how much do you know about China's great woman emperor or the Chinese explorer whose voyages may have inspired the legend of Sinbad the Sailor What are the major Chinese holidays, their superstitions regarding numbers, and the true nature of the Chinese written language

In nearly 60 brief essays, long-time China expert Larry Herzberg tackles important facts and myths about China, its history, people, and culture, as well as its contemporary society. Anyone dipping into this book will emerge that much smarter about China, whether visiting, conducting business, studying the language, or simply being fascinated by one of the world's greatest and most influential civilisations.

Reviews

Praise for CHINA SMART

5/5 "An invaluable resource for travelers to China as well as those who want to learn more about the country in a succinct format without having the need to page through dry and dense history tomes."

The Manhattan Book Review

Praise for his previous work CHINA SURVIVAL GUIDE

An ideal, pocket-sized, 264 page compendium packed from cover to cover with practical advice, insightful commentary, and invaluable tips on places to go, things to see, what to do, and what to avoid. . . . China Survival Guide should be considered an essential 'take-along' for anyone visiting China for business or pleasure.

Midwest Book Review, May 2014

"Like [having] a professional guide walking alongside you answering your many questions. . . . A must for your next China visit!"

Travel Answer Man Online

"Thank goodness for Larry and Qin Herzberg! Their book was invaluable in helping me anticipate some of the more foreign aspects of traveling in China, not to mention that the book is hilarious! Travel groups will benefit from their expertise on surviving in China with grace and humor."

Susan Glassburn Larimer, China Travel Coordinator, Indiana University School of Social Work

Praise for his previous work BASIC PATTERNS OF CHINESE GRAMMAR

Typically enthusiastic ONLINE reviewer says: "I am stunned, stuffed and totally amazed that "Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar...." wasn't one of the compulsory first year texts for a Mandarin speak-read-write course ! It is critical for any student aspiring to speak Mandarin / Hanyu to buy this book as soon as possible ( I can't emphasize this entreaty strongly enough - BUY THIS BOOK ). Others have given the technical reasons for buying it so as a struggling, long-suffering, ongoing student I'll restrict myself to endorsing it."

Praise for his previous work CHINESE PROVERBS AND POPULAR SAYINGS

"Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings is for everyday readers looking for pithy sayings, deeper understanding of the Chinese culture and a unique look at the Chinese language."

The Rapidian

Author Bio

Larry Herzberg studied Chinese for five years at Vanderbilt University before doing his Master's and Ph.D. work in Chinese Language and Literature at Indiana University. In 1980 he founded the Chinese Language Program at Albion College and then did the same at Calvin College in 1984. For the past three decades he has taught the Chinese language at the college level. He is author of Speak and Read Chinese and along with his wife, Qin Xue Herzberg, of China Survival Guide, Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar, Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings (all from Stone Bridge Press), and A Writing Guide for Learners of Chinese (Yale University Press).