Jan Wong's China : Reports from a Not-So-Foreign Correspondent [Import] [Paperback]

Jan Wong (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Canada, Limited (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385259395
• ISBN-13: 978-0385259392
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,752,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book about China in the eyes of a Canadian Chinese., December 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jan Wong's China: Reports from a Not-So-Foreign Correspondent (Hardcover)

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happens in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the
accomplishment in the current China in the book. Of course,
she also indicates many social problems, which the Chinese
government can not avoid. As a Chinese reader, I
think the author overemphasize the democratic movements
and homosexual phenomena, to which not much attention is
paid by common Chinese people. But as a western reporter,
it is totally understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Info About Everyday China, June 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Jan Wong's China: Reports from a Not-So-Foreign Correspondent (Hardcover)

Not as good as RCB, but intriguing none-the-less. As a foriegner living in China, one of the hardest thngs to do is blend in & really get to know Chinese people (Chinese like to put their best foot forward w/ foriegners). Jan Wong has the advantages of not only blending in, but also approaching China with a critical, Western mindset. This is a great anecdotal book, one that is very revealing about China's present, from someone who has been through significant parts of its past. If you want to know about modern day China, pick this up.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book about China in the eyes of a Canadian Chinese., December 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jan Wong's China: Reports from a Not-So-Foreign Correspondent (Hardcover)

The book reflects the opinion of China and Chinese people
in the eyes a Canadian reporter (although she has Chinese
breed, she grows up in Canada and received the western
education) The facts are mostly objective. As Chinese, I
experienced and heard many ugly things similar to what
happens in this book in China, although I did not have
opportunities to complain there. In contrast to what the
other reviewer says, the author does not hide the
accomplishment in the current China in the book. Of course,
she also indicates many social problems, which the Chinese
government can not avoid. As a Chinese reader, I
think the author overemphasize the democratic movements
and homosexual phenomena, to which not much attention is
paid by common Chinese people. But as a western reporter,
it is totally understandable. Moreover, the report on Tibet
is also unbiased in that the author acknowledge the
contribution by Chinese government to improve the living
standard there.

Well, if the reader wants to read something that fits
the Chinese official specification for media: 90% for
sheer acclaiming, 10% for superficial muckraking, please
do not read this book but subscribe a English version
of "China Daily" or "People's Daily", the sound of Chinese
authority, directly. Otherwise, Jan's book is well worth
reading.

The other reviewer suggest people who want to know China better
to go to China for it, I bet they will well share the feeling
of the author there, if they have opportunities to know
sufficient facts. I even doubt whether the other reviewer has
experience in the civilizations out of China.