China Road: One Man's Journey into the Heart of Modern China
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Product Description
Ross Leckie, The Times, May 31st 2008
'Of the (too) many books about China, this is an oustanding one.'
Review
'Fascinating ... gives us a privileged view of China's dark corners and its exhilarating vistas' Daily Telegraph 'Gifford gets under the skin of the world's next superpower ... he's the perfect guide' ***** Wanderlust 'Gifford is one of the few Europeans to have made the whole journey as a hitchhiker. On the way, as splendidly recorded in China Road, he takes the temperature of a nation' Giles Foden, Conde Nast Traveller 'An absorbing cultural trip ... Conversations with truckers, hookers, karaoke-bar hostesses and peasants are interspersed with briefings on the status, politics and past of the country' The Times
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Rob Gifford, journalist, long term resident in China and fluent Mandarin speaker, takes one last journey along the old Silk Road (modern day route 312) before leaving China for a posting in London. Travelling the route using a combination of hitching, public transport and taxis, he contemplates and talks to the people he meets about the state of China, how it got there, and where it might be going.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A very easy read (Gifford's journalistic background is amply demonstrated), it seemed to cover a lot of ground, seamlessly passing from travelogue to interviews to background knowledge on aspects of Chinese culture and history influencing the current state of the country, a history that the Communist government has tried to bury, but which it ignores at its peril. His respect for the Chinese people permeates the whole book, along with his ambivalence about its government, castigating on one side its attitude to the 'Old Hundred Names' (the heart of the Chinese population) and widespread local corruption, whilst appreciating the challenges inherent in governing what is, in effect, an emerging continent.
Using his journalistic and language skills and his familiarity with China to the full, Gifford provides a portrait of China that too few westerners (including Michael Palin) could get anywhere near achieving. If you want a glossy travelogue, then this is not the book to read. If you want an intelligent but readable discussion about where the most heavily populated nation on earth might be heading, then it certainly is. It might not go into the sort of depth that some might want (hence 4 rather than 5 stars), but if you are a beginner like me, it's an excellent primer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A very easy read (Gifford's journalistic background is amply demonstrated), it seemed to cover a lot of ground, seamlessly passing from travelogue to interviews to background knowledge on aspects of Chinese culture and history influencing the current state of the country, a history that the Communist government has tried to bury, but which it ignores at its peril. His respect for the Chinese people permeates the whole book, along with his ambivalence about its government, castigating on one side its attitude to the 'Old Hundred Names' (the heart of the Chinese population) and widespread local corruption, whilst appreciating the challenges inherent in governing what is, in effect, an emerging continent.
Using his journalistic and language skills and his familiarity with China to the full, Gifford provides a portrait of China that too few westerners (including Michael Palin) could get anywhere near achieving. If you want a glossy travelogue, then this is not the book to read. If you want an intelligent but readable discussion about where the most heavily populated nation on earth might be heading, then it certainly is. It might not go into the sort of depth that some might want (hence 4 rather than 5 stars), but if you are a beginner like me, it's an excellent primer.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Great book, well written and informative, sometimes an eye-opener!
If you want to understand what China is really like, underneath the hype, read this book.
Bought copies for lots of friends. Thoroughly recommend it.
If you want to understand what China is really like, underneath the hype, read this book.
Bought copies for lots of friends. Thoroughly recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fascinating insight into the spectrum of life in modern China. Written with humour and a light touch yet full of interesting historical, cultural and political insights Rob Gifford's travelogue is a delight to read. Highly recommended to those who know about China and those who don't.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful journey
China Road, One Man's Journey into the Heart of Modern China, Rob Gifford
This fascinating book delivers so much more even than it promises. Read more
This fascinating book delivers so much more even than it promises. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tony Buckley
Colourful, poignant and more importantly, quite truthful without being...
I only read this after studying in Beijing for a year and Gifford really manages to articulate all the bizarre quirkiness, frustrations and issues I had (and still have) with China... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Nazreal
think you know china? think again
Thought provoking, and invites you into parts of China in all reality you will never access, having myself lived in China, some parts of this book were unrecognisable, well worth a... Read more
Published 22 months ago by CraigF
A Good Guide to the Rising China
Rob Gifford was NPR's correspondent in China for many years, and before he decided to up sticks and return to Europe, he took a long journey on China's highway 312, the Mother... Read more
Published on 25 May 2010 by Feanor
Wel-written journalistic travelogue
Here is a book that has left me with mixed feelings. It is well written, and I love this kind of travelogue interspersed with comments on the country's history, economy, culture... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Wilmington
Useful update on China today
I read this book because I am about to make a return visit to China after a gap of nearly 10 years and I know it has changed a lot. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by H. Akitt
An enticing journey through China
This books will take you on a journey from China's urban East to the desert lands in the West. It is written in a way that manages to convey the whole experience you feel part of... Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2009 by Y. Bouman
Interesting in parts, but so self-indulgent, patronising and...
This book is written in such patronising tones that it's very difficult to see beyond the grating style of the author to the enjoyable adventure beneath. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2009 by Jay123
Micheal Palins so much better
China Road was a nice easy read and quite enjoyable but compared to Michael Palin its pathetic. Palin makes you feel like you are there and is amazing at description. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2008 by C. E. Cox
Solid Introduction to Modern China
I'm a fan of travelogues and since I'm trying to get a little more clued in about modern China, this book seemed like a good pick. Read more
Published on 14 May 2008 by A. Ross
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