(no subject)

[coraa]

For a Sekrit Project, I'm looking for books about Chinese history and culture. Non-fiction, please, and I know embarrassingly little -- pretty much nothing, really, so I'm going to need to start with overviews.

I realize that this is sort of like saying: "Recommend me books about Science!" in terms of scope -- China is huge and diverse and has a long recorded history, and I feel like I'm trying to scale a glacier -- but I need to start somewhere, and right now I don't know enough to know how to narrow down yet, if you understand my meaning. The books don't have to all be General Overview; since I'm generally mildly suspicious of survey books, I'd actually rather read a diverse spread of reasonably accessible books on specific topics. (By 'accessible' I mean 'don't assume a ton of prior knowledge of the subject;' I'm willing and able to wade through academic-speak. I'm also not embarrassed to read children's books, as long as they're reasonably accurate.)

Doesn't have to be all history, either. Books about modern society and culture are also welcome.

I know so little about China, it's embarrassing, but I'm trying to correct that!

Comments

[fairmer.livejournal.com]

I've been on this search (albeit without any real follow-through) and have come up somewhat empty-handed. My criteria is a little stricter, though: I want something engaging, something that's like "the good parts" history of China. Or at least knows how to make the boring parts good. I've struck out nearly every time. I finally decided the book I want exists, it's just not in English. :/

[coraa.livejournal.com]

That's unfortunate!

Well, I'll see what I can find.