China A to Z

China A to Z offers an alphabetical guide to Chinese culture, society, and daily life from the perspective of a long-time foreign correspondent. The book covers topics ranging from ancient traditions to modern developments, presenting each entry in concise, accessible segments. The author draws on his decades of experience living in and reporting on China to explain customs, behaviors, and social phenomena that often puzzle outsiders. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect - from food culture to business etiquette to family relationships - providing context and real-world examples. Through its examination of both historical and contemporary China, the book reveals the complex interplay between tradition and transformation in the world's most populous nation. The format allows readers to understand China's contradictions and challenges while gaining practical knowledge for business or travel. The work serves as a lens through which to view broader themes of cultural identity, modernization, and the tension between preservation and progress in rapidly changing societies.

Readers describe this as a reference guide with concise alphabetical entries explaining Chinese culture, politics and daily life. The content focuses on modern China rather than historical details. Praise from readers: - Clear explanations of complex topics - Useful for business travelers and students - Balance of serious topics and lighter cultural notes - Good starting point for learning about contemporary China Common criticisms: - Some entries too brief and superficial - Missing key topics some readers expected - Occasional factual errors noted by Chinese readers - Translation from German sometimes awkward Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) One reviewer noted it "works better as a reference to dip into rather than read cover-to-cover." Another called it "a practical primer lacking depth but good for quick lookups." Chinese reviewers pointed out some outdated information about business practices and social customs.

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🔸 Kai Strittmatter spent over a decade as a foreign correspondent in China for one of Germany's largest newspapers, Süddeutsche Zeitung, giving him unique insights into Chinese culture and society. 🔸 The book's format as an alphabetical guide was specifically chosen to help Western readers navigate the complexities of Chinese culture without feeling overwhelmed by traditional chronological or thematic approaches. 🔸 The author wrote this book while living in Beijing's traditional hutong neighborhoods, where he experienced daily life alongside local residents rather than in the expatriate compounds where many foreign journalists choose to live. 🔸 After publishing this book, Strittmatter went on to write "We Have Been Harmonized," a critically acclaimed work about China's surveillance state and digital authoritarianism. 🔸 The book addresses both ancient traditions and modern phenomena, showing how seemingly contradictory elements like Confucian values and communist ideology coexist in contemporary Chinese society.