China is a Big Country

In a moment that out did Yogi Berra, General De Gaul is quoted as saying, "China is a big country inhabited by many Chinese." I'll say the same with books-China is a big country with many books written about it. I've mentioned books on China from my other lists (Paul Theroux, Colin Thubron, Ella Maillart and others) but this is a short list of western writers and travelers who shared their insight and passion about the country. 1. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Peter Hessler (2001). Hessler is a gifted writer and patient observer--two qualities that were well suited to his two years in the Peace Corps in a backwater of China. His travels and experiences teaching English literature in China are wonderful and rewarding. Hessler has since gone onto write other books on China and pieces for The New Yorker. Bought new. 2. Frontier of Heaven, Stanley Stewart: A Journey to the End of China, Stanley...