Book details

Young China

How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World

Author: Zak Dychtwald

Young China

Young China

About This Book

The author, who is in his twenties and fluent in Chinese, intimately examines the future of China through the lens of the Jiu Ling Hou—the generation born after 1990—exploring through personal encounters how his Chinese peers feel about everything from money and marriage to their government and the West
Page Count
304
Genre
On Sale
02/13/2018

Book Details

The Wall Street Journal: "Engrossing...[Dychtwald]writes with an infectious energy."

The Washington Post: "Enlightening...we learn that Chinese millennials, unlike their jaded American counterparts, are still dreamers and strivers, and have faith that they can achieve their dreams."

Christian Science Monitor: "Fascinating... a remarkably revealing portrait of China's youngest generations."

Randall Stross, author of Bulls in the China Shop and Other Sino-American Business Encounters: "A rarity among books about China: Young China is a fun read."

Elizabeth Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations: "An engaging read for anyone looking for an introduction to contemporary Chinese culture and society."

The author, in his twenties, who is fluent in Chinese, examines the future of China through the lens of the Jiu Ling Hou—the generation born after 1990.


A close up look at the Chinese generation born after 1990 exploring through personal encounters how young Chinese feel about everything from money and sex, to their government, the West, and China’s shifting role in the world--not to mention their love affair with food, karaoke, and travel. Set primarily in the Eastern 2nd tier city of Suzhou and the budding Western metropolis of Chengdu, the book charts the touchstone issues this young generation faces. From single-child pressure, to test taking madness and the frenzy to buy an apartment as a prerequisite to marriage, from one-night-stands to an evolving understanding of family, Young China offers a fascinating portrait of the generation who will define what it means to be Chinese in the modern era.

Zak Dychtwald was twenty when he first landed in China. He spent years deeply immersed in the culture, learning the language and hanging out with his peers, in apartment shares and hostels, on long train rides and over endless restaurant meals.

Imprint Publisher

St. Martin's Press

ISBN

9781250078810

In The News

"Engrossing...[Dychtwald]...writes with an infectious energy...To make sense of contemporary China, it is crucial to understand the varied aspirations, anxieties, fears and fantasies of the many millions of Chinese as big a group as the entire populations of some sizeable countries who were born after the year that soldiers killed protesters near Tiananmen Square. Young China provides an excellent starting point for doing just that." —The Wall Street Journal

"Enlightening...we learn that Chinese millennials, unlike their jaded American counterparts, are still dreamers and strivers, and have faith that they can achieve their dreams." —The Washington Post

"Fascinating... a remarkably revealing portrait of China's youngest generations." —Christian Science Monitor

"Dychtwald presents a thoughtful depiction of a culture that, in the words of one young person, 'has a voice but needs to be translated for a global audience.'" —Booklist

"Fascinating...An entertaining and instructive exploration of the Chinese generation born after 1990." —BookPage

"This engaging and fast-paced read will appeal to those interested in modern China and the experiences of Millennials." —Library Journal

"Insightful...Readable and engaging...Informative and often entertaining good reading for anyone looking into the crystal ball for a glimpse of the world a quarter-century from now." —Kirkus Reviews

"Dychtwald builds an intimate profile of Chinese millennials—how they cope with crushing academic and professional pressures, their ideas about marriage, sex, and love, and their views on country and government—and how, ultimately, they are changing China and the world. An engaging read for anyone looking for an introduction to contemporary Chinese culture and society." —Elizabeth Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations

"A richly informative and surprisingly intimate portrait of a side of China unknown to most Westerners." —Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

"In Young China, Dychtwald builds an intimate profile of Chinese millennials how they cope with crushing academic and professional pressures, their ideas about marriage, sex, and love, and their views on country and government—and how, ultimately, they are changing China and the world. A series of lively anecdotes and personal experiences woven together with accessible research and analysis, Young China is an engaging read for anyone looking for an introduction to contemporary Chinese culture and society." —Elizabeth Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations

"An absolute delight: a highly engaging, well-reported look at contemporary China at the ground level. Zak Dychtwald of Young China is himself young and, thankfully, gregarious and observant. He introduces readers to his wide circle of Chinese friends. A rarity among books about China: Young China is a fun read." —Randall Stross, author of Bulls in the China Shop and Other Sino-American Business Encounters

“If you read just one book about where China is heading, let this be it—clear, exciting, and revelatory.” —Amory B. Lovins, cofounder and chief scientist, Rocky Mountain Institute

“China and everything Chinese are looming large now and in the near future for the world to reckon with. We need young minds and young talents from both the East and the West to find deeper mutual understanding and enhance genuine synthesis. Here is a book of thoughtful, in-depth study and research, through Dychtwald's personal experience living with the Chinese younger generation. This is a most timely and insightful book.” —Chungliang Al Huang, President-Founder, Living Tao Foundation, Director, International Lan Ting Institute

"An indispensable must-read journey of discovery and a cogent analysis into the mindset and future of young China." —Dr. James Canton, CEO & Chairman The Institute for Global Futures, author, Future Smart

"Day by day, China's influence grows, all around us, directly and indirectly, whether or not we perceive it. Young China by Zak Dychtwald will make this apparent to you. He has explored corners of China's land and soul that remain invisible to virtually all of our pundits and media, bringing fresh eyes to what he sees. You will be smart—and wise—to read what he has to say." —Michael Murphy, founder of the Esalen Institute

"A fascinating book about young China by a young American who dared to learn Mandarin and immerse himself in Chinese life and friendships. China changes so fast that everything we think we know about it is obsolete in a heartbeat. Zak Dychwald’s book makes us feel we have been in China with him.” —Erica Jong

About the Creators

Young China

Young China

Young China
Young China
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