A New China (Two Vol. Set) [Paperback]

Chih-p'ing Chou (Author), Joanne Chiang (Author), Jianna Eagar (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691010455 | ISBN-13: 978-0691010458 | Publication Date: July 19, 1999 | Edition: 2-Volume Set

China has experienced rapid changes in the past two decades. A New China, written from the perspective of a foreign student who has just arrived in China, has been designed to provide up-to-date material on the changing face of China. The text compares contemporary China with its pre-reform era and emphasizes improvements in Chinese society. As in previous textbooks, A New China aims to provide a solid foundation in grammar and pronunciation rather than teach vocabulary geared toward specific usage. As a new feature, the textbook includes vocabulary words on the same page as the lesson text, making comprehension of new reading passages easier for students. A New China is appropriate for intermediate-level students and includes both traditional and simplified characters.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The contents of A New China cover topics ranging from student's daily life to actual situations they may encounter in China, from economic and social situations to people's conceptual changes in contemporary China. The cultural elements and information of today's China are rich and abundant.... A very well-written and thoughtfully compiled intermediate-level Chinese language textbook."--Baozhang He, Director Chinese Language Program, EALC Harvard University

"The content of the book is designed specifically to help students get ready to go to China.... A New China emphasizes changes that have occurred in China over the last decade, making it more up to date."--James M. Hargett, State University of New York, Albany

About the Author

Chih-p'ing Chou is Professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. He has contributed to earlier volumes in the series of Chinese-language textbooks produced by the Princeton University Chinese Linguistics Project for Princeton University Press. Joanne Chiang and Jianna Eagar are both Lecturers in East Asian Studies at Princeton University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; 2-Volume Set edition (July 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691010455
• ISBN-13: 978-0691010458
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Chinese
  • #86 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Chinese > Instruction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Textbook, October 26, 2010

By 

N. Sandal "Sandal" (KC, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A New China (Two Vol. Set) (Paperback)

I used this book in my intermediate Chinese class at Cornell University. It provides stories and conversations as context for the vocabulary, and the vocabulary is pretty up-to-date and useful. The pair of books help you work through grammar methodically. I don't know if I would use this book for independent study, but I am using it now (three years later) to brush up on my vocabulary. The book does emphasize simplified characters, but all segments of text in the vocabulary book (not the grammar book) are also provided in traditional characters.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chinese language study, March 19, 2006

By 

teacher Luo "j teacher" (Michigan,USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A New China (Two Vol. Set) (Paperback)

This book has no "frills" with it. It is simply short readings in Chinese that have helpful vocabulary. I would not recommend it without a class or teacher but with a good teacher it is a very useful book.