Knowing China [Paperback]

Gregory Chow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

This invaluable book offers an insight into China through its history, culture, people, economy, education, science and technology, as well as government and political system. The author also compares the "twin" cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai, and describes places of interest in the world's most populous country. In addition, he offers a glimpse into the delicate China-US relations, highlighting partnership opportunities between the two giant economies. The book is based on the author's knowledge accumulated over five decades of research, teaching, traveling, directing projects on China, and working with Chinese government officials, educators, academics and entrepreneurs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an excellent book. I enjoyed very much reading it and learned enormously from it."

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812386793
• ISBN-13: 978-9812386793
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,232,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Class of 1913 Professor of Political Economy and Professor of Economics, Emeritus, Princeton University, teaching a course on the Chinese economy. Current professional interest is economic analysis and policy as applied to the Chinese economy. Do Taichi first thing in the morning before breakfast and a second exercise chosen from golf, tennis and swimming. Write a column for Diyi Caijing Ribao (China Business Daily) and articles for Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolitan Daily). Some of these articles are published in my book "Interpreting China's Economy." Have 2 sons, John and James, both engineerers, and a daughter Jeanne Mei, a radiologist at the Children's Hospital in Boston, and six grand-children.

Wife Paula was founding Director of the International Center (Davies International Center since 2005) at Princeton University from 1974 to June 2010. She is one of the best known Princetonians. While visiting the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the early 2000s I met a fellow visitor for breakfast and told him I was from Princeton. He immediately asked, "Do you know Paula Chow?"

Visit China often to learn more about the Chinese economy from friends in academic, business and government institutions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Be aware, Chow delivers a pro-China argument only., December 4, 2008

By 

I. Galis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knowing China (Paperback)

This book is only useful to people who know almost nothing about China. For them, it will be an alright primer since it touches on various topics in a loosely-accurate manner.

However, there's no deeper insight to be gained here. Chow's work reads as if it were published either by a Chinese state propaganda bureau or a China-tourism bureau (it was not). This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it also might not be what some buyers are looking for.

If you want to instill an admiration for China either in yourself or in a friend, this book is a good choice. However, those familiar with the common criticisms of China may not be won over. Furthermore, those already holding a high opinion of China will not find anything except a reaffirmation of their views.

In other words, this book is a quaint opinion-piece that is decidedly non-scholarly. Even though Mr. Chow is an economist, he sticks to very simple (American election-style) proverbs about economic issues and does not engage in any detailed analysis. Certainly, some of his beliefs and observations seem naive and easily contestable. Furthermore, the tone of the book is sometimes obnoxiously self-congratulating and does not instill respect for the author. This is not a true scholarly work by any means.

With that said, if the table of contents appeals to you, this book may contain the info you're looking for after all. Give it a try if you're not sure and have some extra cash, but don't expect too much.

1.0 out of 5 stars A Joke, August 23, 2011

By 

Ryukyu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knowing China (Paperback)

This book made me laugh -- it was written in poor English and offered little insight into China's actual problems. It made lots of unscholarly statements. For example, the author claimed that China's GDP is an understatement because Chinese food is very "good." It also claimed that China should undergo further population growth so that there can be more room for economic growth. Neither of these statements is substantiated sufficiently.

Upon reading this book, my conclusion is that Gregory Chow does NOT know China. (And I think I have the right to judge because I have spent 16 years in China). Gregory Chow is an econometrician and should remain so. Maybe Prof. Chow should write a guide to Chinese cooking next time to boost the world's GDP.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To know China objectively.(From a young Chinese boy), June 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Knowing China (Paperback)

First of all, I want to point out that there is indeed few to have this kind of provilige like experienced Chow to talk about China.

With Knowing China, you can see much of China by the historical and cultural perspective and many current controversial issues that China is now facing. Of course, Chow gives you convincible analysis and his specific view.

As a professor of Economics, Chow not only sees China from the historical trajectory, but also See china from future perspective, perhaps with his piercing rational expectation.

Particularly, I changed my view through it upon the birth control policy in China as a suffered boy born in late 1970's. Chow uses the theory of economic growth with simulation and wild interpretation of utility concludes that there is no nessesary to conduct that policy.

In the traditional Chinese culture, or in the point view of Confucius, since Chow was two (may be three) generation older than I so that I have to receive the his view unconditionally. But my acceptence after reading this is through convincible explanation but not enforcable way, I mean, it's very objectively written.

This book is very accesible (in contrast to Chow's professional works) and can be read widely. Even though this is an introduction for the non-Chinese readers, I still recommend it for Chinese, especially those who love China but not know how to.