Overall Survey Results:

"Best China Books and Movies" Survey

	Text Block:
	The new This Is China: The First 5,000 Years includes a Further Reading appendix with some of our favorite books about China - history, biography, business, and fiction - and a short list of movies. We know that there are many more wonderful titles out there, and would also like to see which of the books we chose are your favorites. This short survey (only eight questions) is being sent to Berkshire's list of China experts and others interested in China and Asia. Feel free to send the link along to those in your networks. The results will be updated and shared with all who participate. What do you think of the books and movies listed below? The person who provides the most extensive and interesting responses will receive a free subscription to the five-volume Berkshire Encyclopedia of China (selection to be made on 1 May based on all submissions received by 30 April 2010).

Text Block:

The new This Is China: The First 5,000 Years includes a Further Reading appendix with some of our favorite books about China - history, biography, business, and fiction - and a short list of movies. We know that there are many more wonderful titles out there, and would also like to see which of the books we chose are your favorites. This short survey (only eight questions) is being sent to Berkshire's list of China experts and others interested in China and Asia. Feel free to send the link along to those in your networks. The results will be updated and shared with all who participate. What do you think of the books and movies listed below?
The person who provides the most extensive and interesting responses will receive a free subscription to the five-volume Berkshire Encyclopedia of China (selection to be made on 1 May based on all submissions received by 30 April 2010).

CHINESE HISTORY: Help us decide which of these books are essential reading for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below.

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Barber, Elizabeth Wayland. (1999). The Mummies of Urumchi

2.1

de Bary, Wm. Theodore et al. (2000). Sources of Chinese Tradition

2.9

Ebrey, Patricia et al. (1999). Cambridge Encyclopedia of China

3.3

Ebrey, Patricia. (1993). Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook

2.5

Fairbank, John King, & Goldman, Merle. (1998). China: A New History

3.6

Fan Hong et al. (Eds.). (2008). China Gold

1.8

Hessler, Peter. (2006). Oracle Bones

3.5

Winchester, Simon. (2004). The River at the Center of the World

2.7

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Barber, Elizabeth Wayland. (1999). The Mummies of Urumchi	20 (57.1%)	2 (5.7%)	4 (11.4%)	9 (25.7%)	0 (0.0%)
de Bary, Wm. Theodore et al. (2000). Sources of Chinese Tradition	13 (38.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (11.8%)	11 (32.4%)	6 (17.6%)
Ebrey, Patricia et al. (1999). Cambridge Encyclopedia of China	9 (27.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.1%)	12 (36.4%)	8 (24.2%)
Ebrey, Patricia. (1993). Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook	17 (54.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.2%)	7 (22.6%)	6 (19.4%)
Fairbank, John King, & Goldman, Merle. (1998). China: A New History	7 (20.6%)	1 (2.9%)	2 (5.9%)	12 (35.3%)	12 (35.3%)
Fan Hong et al. (Eds.). (2008). China Gold	22 (73.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (26.7%)	0 (0.0%)
Hessler, Peter. (2006). Oracle Bones	7 (21.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.1%)	18 (56.2%)	6 (18.8%)
Winchester, Simon. (2004). The River at the Center of the World	12 (40.0%)	2 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (53.3%)	0 (0.0%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Barber, Elizabeth Wayland. (1999). The Mummies of Urumchi

57%

11%

26%

2.1

de Bary, Wm. Theodore et al. (2000). Sources of Chinese Tradition

38%

12%

32%

18%

2.9

Ebrey, Patricia et al. (1999). Cambridge Encyclopedia of China

27%

12%

36%

24%

3.3

Ebrey, Patricia. (1993). Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook

55%

23%

19%

2.5

Fairbank, John King, & Goldman, Merle. (1998). China: A New History

21%

35%

3.6

Fan Hong et al. (Eds.). (2008). China Gold

73%

27%

1.8

Hessler, Peter. (2006). Oracle Bones

22%

56%

19%

3.5

Winchester, Simon. (2004). The River at the Center of the World

40%

53%

2.7

MODERN CHINA: Help us decide which of these books are essential reading for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below.

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Brown, Kerry. (2009). Friends and Enemies

1.5

Creek, Timothy. (2002). Mao Zedong and China's Revolutions

2.5

Fenby, Jonathan. (2008). The History of Modern China

2.7

Gifford, Rob. (2007). China Road

2.8

Hessler, Peter. (2001). River Town

3.4

Hessler, Peter. (2010). Country Driving

3.0

Johnson, Ian. (2004). Wild Grass

2.1

Kuhn, Robert Lawrence (2010). What China's Leaders Think

2.1

Pomfret, John. (2006). Chinese Lessons

2.7

Jonathan Spence (1999). The Search for Modern China

3.9

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Brown, Kerry. (2009). Friends and Enemies	25 (80.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.2%)	5 (16.1%)	0 (0.0%)
Creek, Timothy. (2002). Mao Zedong and China's Revolutions	17 (53.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (34.4%)	4 (12.5%)
Fenby, Jonathan. (2008). The History of Modern China	12 (38.7%)	3 (9.7%)	1 (3.2%)	11 (35.5%)	4 (12.9%)
Gifford, Rob. (2007). China Road	14 (43.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (46.9%)	3 (9.4%)
Hessler, Peter. (2001). River Town	6 (19.4%)	2 (6.5%)	3 (9.7%)	15 (48.4%)	5 (16.1%)
Hessler, Peter. (2010). Country Driving	10 (34.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.4%)	17 (58.6%)	1 (3.4%)
Johnson, Ian. (2004). Wild Grass	20 (62.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.1%)	11 (34.4%)	0 (0.0%)
Kuhn, Robert Lawrence (2010). What China's Leaders Think	15 (48.4%)	6 (19.4%)	3 (9.7%)	5 (16.1%)	2 (6.5%)
Pomfret, John. (2006). Chinese Lessons	13 (41.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.5%)	14 (45.2%)	2 (6.5%)
Jonathan Spence (1999). The Search for Modern China	6 (18.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (33.3%)	16 (48.5%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Brown, Kerry. (2009). Friends and Enemies

81%

16%

1.5

Creek, Timothy. (2002). Mao Zedong and China's Revolutions

53%

34%

12%

2.5

Fenby, Jonathan. (2008). The History of Modern China

39%

10%

35%

13%

2.7

Gifford, Rob. (2007). China Road

44%

47%

2.8

Hessler, Peter. (2001). River Town

19%

10%

48%

16%

3.4

Hessler, Peter. (2010). Country Driving

34%

59%

3.0

Johnson, Ian. (2004). Wild Grass

62%

34%

2.1

Kuhn, Robert Lawrence (2010). What China's Leaders Think

48%

19%

10%

16%

2.1

Pomfret, John. (2006). Chinese Lessons

42%

45%

2.7

Jonathan Spence (1999). The Search for Modern China

18%

33%

48%

3.9

CHINESE BIOGRAPHY: Help us decide which of these books are essential reading for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below (we need more books in this category!).

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Spence, Jonathan. (1999). Mao Zedong

3.3

Winchester, Simon. (2008). The Man Who Loved China

2.7

Kuhn, Robert Lawrence. (2005). The Man Who Changed China

2.3

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Spence, Jonathan. (1999). Mao Zedong	7 (23.3%)	1 (3.3%)	1 (3.3%)	17 (56.7%)	4 (13.3%)
Winchester, Simon. (2008). The Man Who Loved China	13 (41.9%)	2 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (45.2%)	2 (6.5%)
Kuhn, Robert Lawrence. (2005). The Man Who Changed China	12 (41.4%)	5 (17.2%)	2 (6.9%)	10 (34.5%)	0 (0.0%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Spence, Jonathan. (1999). Mao Zedong

23%

57%

13%

3.3

Winchester, Simon. (2008). The Man Who Loved China

42%

45%

2.7

Kuhn, Robert Lawrence. (2005). The Man Who Changed China

41%

17%

34%

2.3

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS: Help us decide which of these books are essential reading for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below.

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Ambler, Tim, & Witzel, Morgen. (2004). Doing Business in China

1.8

Bergsten, C. Fred, et al. (2006). China: The Balance Sheet

1.9

Clissold, Tim. (2005). Mr. China

2.3

Hewitt, Duncan. (2007). Getting Rich First

1.6

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Ambler, Tim, & Witzel, Morgen. (2004). Doing Business in China	21 (72.4%)	1 (3.4%)	2 (6.9%)	3 (10.3%)	2 (6.9%)
Bergsten, C. Fred, et al. (2006). China: The Balance Sheet	19 (63.3%)	1 (3.3%)	4 (13.3%)	5 (16.7%)	1 (3.3%)
Clissold, Tim. (2005). Mr. China	17 (58.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (31.0%)	3 (10.3%)
Hewitt, Duncan. (2007). Getting Rich First	24 (82.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (13.8%)	1 (3.4%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Ambler, Tim, & Witzel, Morgen. (2004). Doing Business in China

72%

10%

1.8

Bergsten, C. Fred, et al. (2006). China: The Balance Sheet

63%

13%

17%

1.9

Clissold, Tim. (2005). Mr. China

59%

31%

10%

2.3

Hewitt, Duncan. (2007). Getting Rich First

83%

14%

1.6

FICTION: Help us decide which of these books are essential reading for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below.

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Buck, Pearl S. (2004). The Good Earth

3.1

Jin, Ha. (1999). Waiting

2.9

Nicole Mones (2002). A Cup of Light

1.4

Dai Sijie (2001). Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

2.7

Lu Xun (1999). The True Story of Ah Q

3.9

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Buck, Pearl S. (2004). The Good Earth	6 (18.8%)	7 (21.9%)	2 (6.2%)	11 (34.4%)	6 (18.8%)
Jin, Ha. (1999). Waiting	10 (31.2%)	3 (9.4%)	1 (3.1%)	16 (50.0%)	2 (6.2%)
Nicole Mones (2002). A Cup of Light	26 (83.9%)	1 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.9%)	0 (0.0%)
Dai Sijie (2001). Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress	12 (37.5%)	4 (12.5%)	1 (3.1%)	13 (40.6%)	2 (6.2%)
Lu Xun (1999). The True Story of Ah Q	6 (18.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.1%)	9 (28.1%)	16 (50.0%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Buck, Pearl S. (2004). The Good Earth

19%

22%

34%

19%

3.1

Jin, Ha. (1999). Waiting

31%

50%

2.9

Nicole Mones (2002). A Cup of Light

84%

13%

1.4

Dai Sijie (2001). Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

38%

12%

41%

2.7

Lu Xun (1999). The True Story of Ah Q

19%

28%

50%

3.9

FILMS: Help us decide which of these ten are essential viewing for the China bound and China curious. Feel free to recommend your favorites in the Comments box below.

1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Ang Li (2000). Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon

3.2

Bertolucci, Bernardo. (Director). (1987). The Last Emperor

4.1

Chen, Joan. (Director). (1999). Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl

2.4

Kaige. (Director). (1993). Farewell my Concubine

3.6

Tian Zhuangzhuang. (Director). (1994). The Blue Kite

3.3

Xie Fei/U Lan. (Director). (1986). A Girl from Hunan

2.3

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1999). Not One Less

3.5

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1992). Raise the Red Lantern

3.6

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1987). Red Sorghum

3.6

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1994). To Live

3.9

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Don't know , 2 = Not recommended , 3 = Specialist only , 4 = Recommended , 5 = Essential

Answer	1	2	3	4	5
Ang Li (2000). Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon	4 (12.5%)	7 (21.9%)	1 (3.1%)	19 (59.4%)	1 (3.1%)
Bertolucci, Bernardo. (Director). (1987). The Last Emperor	1 (3.0%)	2 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (63.6%)	9 (27.3%)
Chen, Joan. (Director). (1999). Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl	15 (48.4%)	2 (6.5%)	2 (6.5%)	11 (35.5%)	1 (3.2%)
Kaige. (Director). (1993). Farewell my Concubine	5 (14.7%)	2 (5.9%)	2 (5.9%)	18 (52.9%)	7 (20.6%)
Tian Zhuangzhuang. (Director). (1994). The Blue Kite	9 (28.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.1%)	16 (50.0%)	6 (18.8%)
Xie Fei/U Lan. (Director). (1986). A Girl from Hunan	16 (53.3%)	1 (3.3%)	2 (6.7%)	10 (33.3%)	1 (3.3%)
Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1999). Not One Less	7 (23.3%)	1 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (50.0%)	7 (23.3%)
Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1992). Raise the Red Lantern	4 (12.5%)	1 (3.1%)	3 (9.4%)	19 (59.4%)	5 (15.6%)
Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1987). Red Sorghum	5 (15.2%)	1 (3.0%)	2 (6.1%)	18 (54.5%)	7 (21.2%)
Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1994). To Live	5 (15.6%)	1 (3.1%)	1 (3.1%)	11 (34.4%)	14 (43.8%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

Ang Li (2000). Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon

12%

22%

59%

3.2

Bertolucci, Bernardo. (Director). (1987). The Last Emperor

64%

27%

4.1

Chen, Joan. (Director). (1999). Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl

48%

35%

2.4

Kaige. (Director). (1993). Farewell my Concubine

15%

53%

21%

3.6

Tian Zhuangzhuang. (Director). (1994). The Blue Kite

28%

50%

19%

3.3

Xie Fei/U Lan. (Director). (1986). A Girl from Hunan

53%

33%

2.3

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1999). Not One Less

23%

50%

23%

3.5

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1992). Raise the Red Lantern

12%

59%

16%

3.6

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1987). Red Sorghum

15%

55%

21%

3.6

Zhang Yimou. (Director). (1994). To Live

16%

34%

44%

3.9

ORGANIZATIONS: Help us decide which group these U.S. organizations serve most effectively. Choose only the most important audience for that organization. (In the book This Is China, by the way, we also list UK, Australian, and other international organizations.)

1 = Not recommended , 2 = High school teachers , 3 = College teachers , 4 = Business professionals , 5 = Civic education , 6 = Don't know

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

National Committee on U.S.-China Relations

4.3

Asia Society: Education about Asia

3.7

ASIANetwork

4.3

Asia for Educators, Columbia University

3.6

National Consortium for Teaching about Asia

3.6

*The Rating Score is the weighted average calculated by dividing the sum of all weighted ratings by the number of total responses.

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1 = Not recommended , 2 = High school teachers , 3 = College teachers , 4 = Business professionals , 5 = Civic education , 6 = Don't know

Answer	1	2	3	4	5	6
National Committee on U.S.-China Relations	2 (6.7%)	3 (10.0%)	1 (3.3%)	10 (33.3%)	5 (16.7%)	9 (30.0%)
Asia Society: Education about Asia	1 (3.3%)	10 (33.3%)	5 (16.7%)	2 (6.7%)	6 (20.0%)	6 (20.0%)
ASIANetwork	5 (16.7%)	2 (6.7%)	3 (10.0%)	3 (10.0%)	3 (10.0%)	14 (46.7%)
Asia for Educators, Columbia University	4 (14.3%)	6 (21.4%)	7 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (7.1%)	9 (32.1%)
National Consortium for Teaching about Asia	4 (13.3%)	10 (33.3%)	3 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.7%)	11 (36.7%)

Hold the mouse over each color of the bar to see the number of respondents.

Answer

Number of
Responses

Rating
Score*

National Committee on U.S.-China Relations

10%

33%

17%

30%

4.3

Asia Society: Education about Asia

33%

17%

20%

3.7

ASIANetwork

17%

10%

47%

4.3

Asia for Educators, Columbia University

14%

21%

25%

32%

3.6

National Consortium for Teaching about Asia

13%

33%

10%

37%

3.6

Finally, are there any other sources (magazines, newspapers, websites, more books, etc.) that you recommend to people interested in learning about China?

	Number of Responses
	19

This information is required ONLY if you would like to be credited for your suggestions, and to be eligible for the free subscription to the Berkshire Encyclopedia of China. Otherwise, feel free to be anonymous!

Answer	Number of Responses
First Name	17
Middle Name	7
Last Name	17
Job Title	15
Company Name	15
Email Address	17
Country	17

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