Audible Sample
Audible Sample
The Modern Scholar: The People's Dynasty: Culture and Society in Modern China
Audible Audiobook – Original recordingRobert J. Shepherd (Author, Narrator), Recorded Books(Publisher)
3.8 out of 5 stars 3 customer reviews
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©2010 Robert J. Smith (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC
The state-directed opening of the Chinese economy in 1979 led to a number of radical transformations within Chinese society, but Western understanding of these changes is often limited by erroneous assumptions. Offering a clear picture of the vast economic and social forces of modern-day China, Professor Robert J. Shepherd addresses U.S. investment in China, China's startling economic growth, state vs. society issues in the vast republic, and the effect of social and cultural change on the Chinese people.
Product details
Audible Audiobook
Listening Length: 7 hours and 12 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Original recording
Publisher: Recorded Books
Audible.com Release Date: July 22, 2010
Language: English
ASIN: B003X4RPJO
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,506 in Audible Audiobooks (See Top 100 in Audible Audiobooks)
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3 customer reviews
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Top Reviews
CJA
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent and Vivid Portrayal of Life in Modern ChinaDecember 19, 2011
Format: Audible Audiobook
These lectures are entertaining and well informed by Professor Shepherd's own extensive personal experience in China.
His most interesting observation is that Chinese culture has always been more interested in economic rights than political rights. And, indeed, the curious American fascination with political rights and hostility toward any proposed economic right as creeping "socialism" shows the major differences between our two cultures. America has always been blessed with large resources and a relatively thin population -- so that economic prosperity and fair economic opportunity are simply assumed as a given. China is perhaps more like the rest of the world in its pragmatic focus on economic rights. Shepherd portrays the current regime as quite stable and as popular among the younger generation because it is has been able to deliver on important economic rights: the right to housing, to a job, and to travel.
On the other hand, the society does include an enormous peasant class that is no longer romanticized by party ideology and that is looked down upon by the urban intelligentsia. The long term stabilty of the regime given problems of corruption and of an apparent economic bubble that may burst must be questioned.
Shepherd also provides an interesting discussion of gender, race, religion, and housing. The lectures give quite a vivid glimpse into everyday life in modern China.
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monkeyKing
5.0 out of 5 starsInformative, Insightful, Well-rounded and Up-to-dateJune 16, 2011
Format: Audible Audiobook
This is very informative and well-rounded. It shows good insights as the author spent years working in China, Nepal and Indonesia. The lecture series unmistakably shows the depth and width of his knowledge of the subject. I am particularly impressed by his chapters on privatization of housing market, changing gender roles in families and society, and religious issues in China. The audio book will be beneficial to everyone who wants to obtain unbiased no-nonsense knowledge of China today. My only complaint (or rather wish) is to see it in book form. I borrowed the audio book from library. Having in book form will make it more accessible to general readership.
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Dr. Zinnia
2.0 out of 5 starsan honest effort but unfulfillingDecember 31, 2011
Format: Audible Audiobook
This book is a decent effort, but ultimately thin. Many topics are covered and there is some information about each. But, again, it feels like a light entre. Let me elaborate, with an example that applies to much of the content of the book. The author talks about environmental problems in China, a topic much covered in the US press. The major point is that there are differences in how people in the US and China view environmental issues. We are, helpfully, told the Chinese see the environment as something to be used for progress. The explanation of the basic difference is clear.
But there is not a lot more that is said about the very large environmental questions that face China. Specifically, there is no exploration of either the huge present human costs or the unsustainability of the contemporary pro-pollution policies in China. Moreover, the book suggests that there is one dominant, singular view on environmental questions, and it is accepting of pollution. But the book also suggests that there is a singular view on these questions in the US. We know that is not true, as evidenced by the widely different environmental policies of recent administrations in Washington. So, can we be sure that all urban Chinese think it is okay to wake up to corrosive, lung damaging heavy metal smog? This seems very doubtful.
Skepticism of this sort seeps into many, if not most. of the topics covered. Perhaps if one had read little or nothing about China in the media, the book would be an acceptable place to start. But a reader who has followed China developments at even a superficial level is likely to be left unsatisfied.
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