When Peter Hessler went to China in the late 1990s, he expected to spend a couple of peaceful years teaching English in the town of Fuling on the Yangtze River. But what he experienced -- the natural beauty, cultural tension, and complex process of understanding that takes place when one is thrust into a radically different society -- surpassed anything he could have imagined. Hessler observes firsthand how major events such as the death of Deng Xiaoping, the return of Hong Kong to the mainland, and the controversial ...
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When Peter Hessler went to China in the late 1990s, he expected to spend a couple of peaceful years teaching English in the town of Fuling on the Yangtze River. But what he experienced -- the natural beauty, cultural tension, and complex process of understanding that takes place when one is thrust into a radically different society -- surpassed anything he could have imagined. Hessler observes firsthand how major events such as the death of Deng Xiaoping, the return of Hong Kong to the mainland, and the controversial construction of the Three Gorges Dam have affected even the people of a remote town like Fuling. Poignant, thoughtful and utterly compelling, 'River Town' is an unforgettable portrait of a place caught mid-river in time, much like China itself -- a country seeking to understand both what it was and what it will one day become.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. 1st edition, large 8vo, 402pp, previous owner's date stamp and medalion sixed ownership blind stamp to ffep o/w VG+/Fine Copy in VG+/Fine DJ.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 2001. hardcover. Clean copy fine in dust wrapper. DW showing light shelf wear. Remains a very good copy.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Size: 6x9x1; John Murray, 2001; stated first U.K. edition; 402pp. Binding is tight, sturdy, and square; black cloth boards also very good; silver titling remains bright and bold. Exterior wear is very minor. Text is also very good and interior appears free of previous owner markings. Ships same or next day from Dinkytown, Minneapolis, Minnesota; additional charges may apply for international orders due to weight of this book.
I really enjoyed the intimate view this book offers into the lives of those in rural China, as well as what it is like to be a peace corps volunteer. In this book, Hessler offers a window into Chinese culture , history and thought processes. It is an excellent opportunity to understand how the Chinese view the US. Like any good teacher,Hessler gently pushes his students to expand their thought beyond the narrow boundaries of their lives. Hessler describes for us the experience of standing out in a crowd, something we rarely experience here in the US. I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about the foundations of life in China.
calo
Nov 11, 2007
Enduring & growing on the Yangtze
I felt I was with Peter Hessler during his 2 year sojourn in Sichuan, China. It made me begin to learn to write Mandarin myself and think about dumplings as a separate entity. It was deep and thorough and told through understanding eyes but never forgetting that he wasn't a part of it, he was an American. He was a credit to the U.S. and I admired and envied his experience and often thought about the book when I wasn't even reading it.
