Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China and the West – Peter Hessler

Peter’s Hessler’s second book drawing upon his time in China, ranging from pre history and the archaeological record represented by the Oracle Bones themselves to the social and political change of 20th and 21st centuries, telling the stories of the Uighurs of Xinjiang, academics who lived through the Cultural Revolution, his River Town students who become the migrant workers out in the stimulated economies of the Special Economic Zones. All completely fascinating. Editing could have been tighter though – but don’t let the random reappearances of topics put you off.

Amazon.co.uk link: Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China and the West – Peter Hessler

Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory – Peter Hessler

Based in Beijing, and covering the period between 2001 and 2007, Peter Hessler has drawn on his six years as the holder of a Chinese driving licence to write Country Driving, whose three sections – road trip, village and factory – combine to form one fascinating book revealing the day to day workings and impact of politics, economy, society in China in the early 21st century.

One of the best books I’ve read for a while, as the speedy read attests.

PS Don’t pay too much attention to the Chris Patten quote they’ve put on the cover of the paperback. I finished this book in tears.

Amazon.co.uk: Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory – Peter Hessler