Title: Flows Like A RIver
Review: The 26 year old Peace Corps worker describes the real central China in 1996-8.This is a world in transition, moving from historic agriculture to the modern world, always shadowed by China's 20th century history and central party.The eternal sense of time, culture and community in China is described in meaningful ways. The role of foreigners and the source of Xenophopbia is portrayed. The strengths and weaknesses of modernizing college students, peasants, teachers, entrepreneurs and party officials are shared.This book is a quick read. It provides the flavor of China through the author's personal experiences learning the language, culture, politics, rules and people. The country has developed greatly in the past 15 years, but history, culture, language and memory remain very important to the country and individuals.There are no breakthrough insights in this book, but the lessons are highly valuable for anyone who is curious about modern China.
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