Understanding China: 8 Must-Read Books

Spanning nearly a century and clocking in at some 900 pages, this hugely ambitious work serves as a history of China in the 20th century.

A detailed look at some of the most consequential years for the CCP — the final years of Mao and the transition to the “opening up” phase.

The story of how Hollywood prioritized box office sales over values - and an entertaining look at Beijing’s attempt to build “soft power”.

A thorough history of China’s most important tech company.

The story of how Westerners misunderstood China’s emerging role in the world.

Probably the best place to start. Not a political book, but a memoir of teaching English in a rural town. Great writing made all the more illuminating through extensive quoting of his student’s writing.

A sympathetic view of China and the CCP. Description of the “Mayor Economy” is especially good.

Wonky and provocative - tries to answer the question of how China compressed 150 years of industrial revolution into a single generation.