“This is history on a grand scale, with a sweep and ambition that is rare... A proper historical epic of dazzling range and achievement.” (William Dalrymple, The Guardian) The epic history of the crossroads of the world - the meeting place of East and West and the birthplace of civilization It was on the Silk Roads that East and West first encountered each other through trade and conquest, leading to the spread of ideas, cultures, and religions. From the rise and fall of empires to the spread of Buddhism and the advent of Christianity and Islam, right up to the great wars of the 20th century - this book shows how the fate of the West has always been inextricably linked to the East. Peter Frankopan realigns our understanding of the world, pointing us eastward. He vividly re-creates the emergence of the first cities in Mesopotamia and the birth of empires in Persia, Rome, and Constantinople, as well as the depredations by the Mongols, the transmission of the Black Death, and the violent struggles over Western imperialism. Throughout the millennia, it was the appetite for foreign goods that brought East and West together, driving economies and the growth of nations. From the Middle East and its political instability to China and its economic rise, the vast region stretching eastward from the Balkans across the steppe and South Asia has been thrust into the global spotlight in recent years. Frankopan teaches us that to understand what is at stake for the cities and nations built on these intricate trade routes, we must first understand their astounding pasts. Far more than a history of the Silk Roads, this book is truly a revelatory new history of the world, promising to destabilize notions of where we come from and where we are headed next. Read more

Ready to speak, read, and write Mandarin Chinese in just 30 days?This 7-book collection is your ultimate guide to mastering Mandarin Chinese, taking you from beginner basics to confident conversations—all in just 30 days!Are you a TikTok refugee exploring the social video platform RedNote (aka Xiaohongshu) and want to learn Mandarin to connect effectively with its vibrant community?Or maybe you’re planning a trip to China, want to understand Chinese songs, or need to talk with Mandarin-speaking colleagues. This series will guide you to Mandarin fluency.Here’s what you’ll learn:Book 1: Learn Mandarin Chinese for Adult Beginners — Master essential phrases, grammar, characters, and pronunciation with guided lessons that make learning Mandarin easy.Book 2: Complete Mandarin Chinese Workbook — Strengthen your skills with practical exercises on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.Book 3: Learn Mandarin Chinese Through Engaging Short Stories — Boost your fluency by reading fun, easy-to-follow short stories.Book 4: Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese for Adults — Bridge the gap from beginner to intermediate in just 30 days with focused lessons and vocabulary.Book 5: Mandarin Chinese Practice Workbook for Intermediate Learners — Practice with targeted exercises to solidify your progress and advance your skills.Book 6: Advanced Mandarin Chinese Workbook for Adults — Achieve mastery with advanced grammar, vocabulary, and practical exercises.Book 7: Learn Advanced Mandarin Chinese with Short Stories — Delve into captivating reads that help you master Mandarin fluency and cultural insights.PLUS, get these FOR FREE:Learn Mandarin Chinese For Adult Beginners Video Course: The Ultimate Masterclass ($297 Value)Complete Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation Video Course: Sound Like a Native Today ($197 Value)Learn Mandarin Chinese in 30 Minutes Video Guide: The 500 English words & phrases you need to know! ($147 Value)Mandarin Chinese Flash Pack: 100 Mandarin Chinese Flashcards + 100 Audio Pronunciations + 30-Day Study Plan! ($97 Value)China Travel Guide + Cultural Guide ($97 Value)Mandarin Chinese Stories Audiobook ($47 Value)20 Native Mandarin Chinese Conversations Narrated ($27 Value)EXTRA BONUS: Free access to premium Mandarin Chinese learning software (Exclusive to our students) ($150 Value)That’s over $1000+ worth of bonuses included at no extra cost—grab them while you can!Why This Program Works:Step-by-step guidance: Each book builds upon the previous one for seamless learning.Practical exercises: Apply what you learn through real-world scenarios.Bite-sized lessons: Keep up the momentum with digestible content designed for busy learners.Wrapping It Up:You’re getting access to a comprehensive Mandarin learning bundle that includes:7 books packed into 1 collection8 exclusive bonuses filled with video courses, audio guides, and cultural insightsA fast-track system designed to make Mandarin learning effective and funWhether you dream of exploring the Great Wall, enjoying Chinese dramas, ordering dim sum, or connecting on RedNote, this bundle is your path to Mandarin fluency.That’s over $1089 worth of retail value… ALL for a fraction of what traditional language courses charge.So, it’s clear what you should do next… Order your 7-book series today and start speaking Mandarin confidently in 30 days. Your journey into China’s language and culture begins here! Read more

None

None

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China reveals the magnificence of China's greatest sights, including in-depth coverage of the Forbidden City and Terracotta Soldiers. The guide provides expert tips for visiting the Great Wall, cruising through the stunning Yangzi Three Gorges, and exploring the ultra-modern cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong.Explore China's cultural heritage through richly illustrated features on everything from the Beijing Opera to Confucianism, calligraphy, and the cult of Mao.DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China includes 3-D cutaway illustrations, floor plans, and reconstructions of the major architectural sights, plus maps of the key cities and towns. The best places to stay and eat have been provided by resident experts and recommendations on regional specialties will ensure you don't miss China's best dishes. Markets and festivals are listed town by town.With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that brighten every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China shows you this diverse country as no one else can. Read more

None

Lonely Planet’s China is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City, climb the Great Wall, and discover sacred Lhasa; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of China and begin your journey now!Inside Lonely Planet’s China Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreakNEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of China’s best experiences and where to have them What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotelImproved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kidsColour maps and images throughoutHighlightsand itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interestsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsEssential infoat your fingertips - hours of operation, websites, transit tips, pricesHonest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks missCultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politicsOver195 mapsCovers Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei,Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanxi, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, TibetThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s China, our most comprehensive guide to China, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Beijing, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook & Dictionary is your handy passport to culturally enriching travels with the most relevant and useful Mandarin phrases and vocabulary for all your travel needs. Order authentic street food, chat over a game of mah jong and bargain at the market -all with your trusted travel companion. With language tools in your back pocket, you can truly get to the heart of wherever you go, so begin your journey now!Get More From Your Trip with Easy-to-Find Phrases for Every Travel Situation!Feel at ease with essential tips on culture, manners, idioms and multiple meanings Order with confidence, explain food allergies, and try new foods with the menu decoder Save time and hassles with vital phrases at your fingertips Never get stuck for words with the 3500-word two-way, quick-reference dictionary Be prepared for both common and emergency travel situations with practical phrases and terminology Meet friends with conversation starter phrases Get your message across with easy-to-use pronunciation guides Inside Lonely Planet Phrasebook & Dictionary: Full-color throughout User-friendly layout organized by travel scenario categories Survival phrases inside front cover for at-a-glance on-the-fly cuesCoversBasics - time, dates, numbers, amounts, pronunciation, reading tips, grammar rules Practical - travel with kids, disabled travellers, sightseeing, business, banking, post office, internet, phones, repairs, bargaining, accommodations, directions, border crossing, transport Social - meeting people, interests, feelings, opinions, going out, romance, culture, activities, weather Safe Travel - emergencies, police, doctor, chemist, dentist, symptoms, conditions Food - ordering, at the market, at the bar, dishes, ingredients The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook & Dictionary, a pocket-sized comprehensive language guide, provides on-the-go language assistance. Great for language students and travellers looking to interact with locals and immerse themselves in local culture.About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet is the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, and has been connecting travellers and locals for over 25 years with phrasebooks for 120 languages, more than any other publisher! With an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community, Lonely Planet enables curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves. Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Hong Kong.Discover Hong Kong's most popular experiences and best kept secrets - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - from soaring over Lantau in a cable car to the Po Lin Monastery; to hitting up historic Temple Street Night Market in search of snacks, souvenirs and street life; and making a pilgrimage to forest-clad Victoria Peak for unbeatable city views.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Hong Kong travel guide:Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Hong Kong and connect experiences together with easeCreate your ideal trip with exciting Perfect Day itineraries with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions, plus day trips from Hong Kong so you can explore the surrounding areasGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Mai Po Wetlands; Sha Tau Kok; Hong Kong Geopark, and moreSpecial features on excursions to outlying islands; choosing your harbour cruise; and a shopping guideExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Hong Kong culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out city map of Hong KongCovers: Central District; The Peak & Northwest Hong Kong Island; Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island; Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island; Kowloon; Macau plus day trips to Tuen Mun; Yuen Long; Mai Po Wetlands; Fanling & Sheung Shui; Sha Tau Kok; Sai Kung; Hong Kong Geopark; Tai Po; Sha Tin; Tung Ping Chau; Clearwater Bay; Tsuen Wan; Tai Mo Shan; Tai O; Mui Wo & Discovery Bay; Hong Kong Disneyland; Big Buddha & Po Lin Monastery; Lamma; Cheung Chau Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary city with Lonely Planet's Hong Kong. Read more

A New York Times Notable BookWinner of the Kiriyama Book PrizeIn the heart of China's Sichuan province, amid the terraced hills of the Yangtze River valley, lies the remote town of Fuling. Like many other small cities in this ever-evolving country, Fuling is heading down a new path of change and growth, which came into remarkably sharp focus when Peter Hessler arrived as a Peace Corps volunteer, marking the first time in more than half a century that the city had an American resident. Hessler taught English and American literature at the local college, but it was his students who taught him about the complex processes of understanding that take place when one is immersed in a radically different society.Poignant, thoughtful, funny, and enormously compelling, River Town is an unforgettable portrait of a city that is seeking to understand both what it was and what it someday will be. Read more

Money-saving tips and expert China travel advice from a 10-year expat and professional travel writer! China as a travel destination can be daunting, overwhelming and frankly a bit scary.But it doesn't have to be.Whether you're still weighing the decision or you've already purchased your flight tickets, this unique China travel guide is an indispensable resource for any traveler. This is everything you need to know before you travel to China - the things that other major travel guides gloss over and expect you to figure out on your own.What This China Travel Guide Book Will Teach You:How to Apply for a Visa: What China visa do you need and are you eligible for China's visa-free transit?How to Prepare for Your Trip: Do you need vaccines? What about healthcare in China and do you need travel insurance?Money in China: Mobile payments are huge in China, but short-term travelers can't use it. So what options do you have and how will you pay for things?How to Travel Within China: It's not about where to go, it's teaching you how to get there. Guides for trains, planes, taxis and buses!How to Stay Connected: Can you use your phone in China? Is China's internet censored and how do you get around that?All About the Chinese Language: Can you travel without knowing Chinese? If so, how? And what is the best way to learn before you go?All About Staying Healthy: What should you know about Chinese hospitals? Is travel insurance a good thing for China?FAQ: Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about China travel.Bonus Features:Downloadable Packing List: Download and print a travel packing list that will prepare you for your travels to China!Recommended Travel Operators: A listing of the best local travel operators that can give you the most unique local experiences.Special Discounts: Get exclusive discounts on the travel services every traveler uses.The discounts alone could save you hundreds of dollars as you plan your trip!China Travel Guide 2019This is an excellent companion guide to any major travel guide book to China - no matter if you're traveling solo or with a tour group.Follow the travel advice trusted by millions of China travelers every year!About TravelChinaCheaper.com: First launched in 2013, Travel China Cheaper has grown to become one of the most trusted and respected sources of China travel information. Each month, over a quarter of a million readers get unbiased answers to questions in an easy-to-understand format. Read more

None

Lonely Planet’s China is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City, climb the Great Wall, and discover sacred Lhasa; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of China and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet’s China Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreakNEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of China’s best experiences and where to have them What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotelImproved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kidsColour maps and images throughoutHighlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interestsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsEssential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, websites, transit tips, pricesHonest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks missCultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politicsOver 195 maps Covers Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei,Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanxi, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Tibet The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s China, our most comprehensive guide to China, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Beijing, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.  'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

• Waterproof • Tear-Resistant • Travel MapThe most populous country in the world and one of the cradles of civilization, China is a leading destination for global travelers. National Geographic's China Adventure Map will lead you not only on your exploration of famous cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou but also as you travel to rural areas looking for hidden gems like parks, mountains and lakes. This expertly researched map covers the diverse country in its entirety and its international borders with 14 sovereign states; the Yellow, East China and South China Seas; the islands of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao; and the entire Korean Peninsula. Find your destination with the user-friendly index of cities and towns or look for hundreds of labeled natural, cultural or historical points of interest like national parks and preserves, beaches, ski areas, archeological sites, Buddhist Temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites and sections of the Great Wall. Navigate the country using the mapped road network, showing motorways, major and secondary roads complete with distance markers. Alternative transportation like trains and ferries will help you get off the beaten path. With such an abundance of specialized detail, the map is the perfect complement to National Geographic's China Traveler's Guide or any other guidebook to the area. Adventurers seeking more detail about a specific part of China may opt for National Geographic's East China or West China Adventure Map.Every Adventure Map is printed on durable synthetic paper, making them waterproof, tear-resistant and tough — capable of withstanding the rigors of international travel.Map Scale = 1:4,375,000Sheet Size = 25.5" x 37.75"Folded Size = 4.25" x 9.25" Read more

If you want to learn Chinese in less time while also enjoying yourself, then keep reading...What is the best way to learn Chinese? We should remember how we learned our own language when we were children. If we could learn a second language in the same way, it would not seem so difficult. Think of what a child does; he or she listens to what people say and tries to copy the words. When he or she wants something, they have to ask for it. They are using the language, speaking it, and thinking in it all the time. Thus, if a second language is also used as frequently, it will be learned very quickly.The main purpose of this book is to provide you with a platform to improve your reading skills and your ability to use Chinese comprehensively so that you can easily read and learn.In Chinese Short Stories: 11 Simple Stories for Beginners Who Want to Learn Mandarin Chinese in Less Time While Also Having Fun, you will encounter rich and new but not too complex vocabulary, which is translated at the end of the chapter, avoiding the hassle of having to stop the reading rhythm to look up every word in the dictionary. Every paragraph is translated, as well as the summary of the story, thus providing a clearer comprehension of each sentence, while trying to prevent the temptation that the reader might have, if discouraged, of giving up and reading the whole story in English.So if you want to learn Chinese while having fun, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button! Read more

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the ultimate short trip to Beijing - and discover twice the city in half the time!Discover Beijing's most popular experiences, must-see attractions, and unexpected surprises - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - with our handy-sized Pocket travel guide. From climbing the gravity-defying Great Wall, to making an offering at Lama Temple, and sifting through strings of freshwater pearls at the Hongqiao Pearl Market.Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet'sPocket Beijing Travel Guide:Our Pocket guidebook format provides you with the best insider knowledge and local know-how for planning trips between 1 - 7 days Find what you're looking for fast with this guide's all-new structure and design and navigate Beijing with ease Get fresh takes on must-visit sights including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Summer PalaceExciting Three Perfect Days itineraries help you to create your ideal trip with suggestions of unmissable attractions and activities to match your passions Find the local vibe on foot! Walking tours in every chapter introduce each neighbourhood's personality and get you to those 'don't miss' sights Discover 'A Few Surprises' in a new feature that showcases Beijing's best kept secrets and rising trends Navigate public transport confidently with clear instructions and tips in our 'Getting Around' sectionMake quick travel decisions using 'Trip Planning' pages that include top pick lists and tips about what to book in advance Eat, drink, and shop like a local with extensive listings of the top restaurants, bars, markets, and street vendorsEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travel Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps including a pull out map of BeijingCovers: Forbidden City & Dongcheng Central; Drum Tower & Dongcheng North; Temple of Heaven & Dongcheng South; Beihai Park & Xicheng South; Sanlitun & Chaoyang; Summer Palace & Haidian; plus day trips to The Great Wall of China and Universal Beijing Resort Get straight to the heart of this extraordinary city - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - and hit the ground running with Lonely Planet's Pocket Beijing. Read more

None

Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipeiis your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get the ultimate view from Taipei 101, explore the world-class antiquities at the National Palace Museum, and admire the grandeur of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Taipei and begin your journey now!Inside Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipei:Colour maps and images throughoutHighlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interestsInsider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spotsEssential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, pricesHonest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks missUser-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your timeCovers Beitou, Shilin, Zhongshan, Datong, Zhongzheng, Ximending, Shida, Maokong, and moreThe Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Pocket Taipei is our colourful, easy to use and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, and is packed with the best sights and experiences for a short trip or weekend away.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) Read more

In the heart of Chia's Sichuan province lies the small city of Fuling. Surrounded by the terraced hills of the Yangtze River valley, Fuling has long been a place of continuity, far from the bustling political centers of Beijing and Shanghai. But now Fuling is heading down a new path, and gradually, along with scores of other towns in this vast and ever-evolving country, it is becoming a place of change and vitality, tension and reform, disruption and growth. As the people of Fuling hold on to the China they know, they are also opening up and struggling to adapt to a world in which their fate is uncertain.Fuling's position at the crossroads came into remarkably sharp focus when Peter Hessler arrived as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1996, marking the first time in more than half a century that the city had an American resident. He found himself teaching English and American literature at the local college, discovering how Shakespeare and other classics look when seen through the eyes of students who have been raised in the Sichuan countryside and educated in Communist Party doctrine. His students, though, are the ones who taught him about the ways of Fuling -- and about the complex process of understanding that takes place when one is immersed in a radically different society.As he learns the language and comes to know the people, Hessler begins to see that it is indeed a unique moment for Fuling. In its past is Communist China's troubled history -- the struggles of land reform, the decades of misguided economic policies, and the unthinkable damage of the Cultural Revolution -- and in the future is the Three Gorges Dam, which upon completion will partly flood the city and force the resettlement of more than a million people. Making his way in the city and traveling by boat and train throughout Sichuan province and beyond, Hessler offers vivid descriptions of the people he meets, from priests to prostitutes and peasants to professors, and gives voice to their views. This is both an intimate personal story of his life in Fuling and a colorful, beautifully written account of the surrounding landscape and its history. Imaginative, poignant, funny, and utterly compelling, River Town is an unforgettable portrait of a city that, much like China itself, is seeking to understand both what it was and what it someday will be. Read more